The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1902-02-20
lis A DEEP MYSTERY.
The Death of Erick Andrew Smith at
Spencer Brook is shrouded
in Deep Mystery.
Analysis of the Stomach Shows Traces
of strychnine The Question is
Was he Poisoned?

w 10 AAS AOAoVA1S0S
The discovery of the dead body of
man by the name of Andrew Smi tn,
sometimes called Erick, in the manger
OF his barn near Spencer Brook on
Tuesday of last week, has created some
excitement and comment at the Brook.
Smith, who lived about three miles
south of the Brook, went out to the
barn about two o'clock on the after
noon of Tuesday of last week to look
after his stock. He had eaten dinner
with his family and appeared to be all
right. He was seen by neighbor
about three o'clock who talked with
Smith. Not returning to the house at
four o'clock, Mrs. Smith went to the
barn and found him sitting in the
manager with his head resting against
board. He appeared to be asleep,
and his wife called to him but he did
not reply. She then took hold of his
hands and found they were cold and
becoming alarmed she called some
neighbors in. Smith was found to be
dead. .:--s = .-.-..%.= .~-.-
! The coroner of Isanti county was no.
titled of the case by ex-County Com
missioner Haldin of Isanti county on
Wednesday and the coroner, Sheriff
Gillespie, County Attorney Goodwin
| q nd nr nj fo ho =
and found the dead man lying fully
dressed in the bedroom of his house.
With the consent of the wife and
brother of the dead man an autopsy
was held on the body and the organs
were found to be in a healthy condi-
tion. The stomach and brain we're
taken and sent to the city for analysis
to determine whether any poison was
introduced into the system.
DR.. Hixson assisted by DR.. Whiting
of Spencer Brook, found all the organs
of the man in a sound condition. When
the heart was opened fresh blood
spurted out in a clear stream and no
lclots ware discovered in it. The man
had without doubt been physically
sound as any man could be. The stom-
ache was examined by the chemist at
the laboratory of the State university
and it is said that he reports having
found traces of the strychnine poison.
Smith had wife and three children,
but it is said that he and his wife were
not on the best of terms, and that
divorce proceedings had been COM
menced by Mrs. Smith last spring.
They lived in the same house and ate
at the same table, but the marital re-
lationship had ceased On Monday the
day before his death, Smith had sold
some stock to F. C. Foltz and was to
deliver the same in Princeton on We'd
nesday. Foltz went down the latter
part of the week and was surprised to
learn, that his man was dead and
buried. 4s.~- .---s.
After the finding of the body in the
manger and when the authorities had
reached the scene and there were
questions asked, Mrs. Smith, it is said,
told of seeing Smith take something
from yellow paper and swallow it,
and she thought it was morphine.
The death of the man was so mysteri-
GUS seemingly that the authorities in
tend to determine if possible what
caused the mans death.
It is said that when the authorities
were on the premises the day following
the death of Smith that search was
made around the barn for poison but
nothing was found. The next day,
however, a son of the dead man found
bottle of strYchnine lying on the barn
floor. = --
Smith had intended to sell off some
stock and leave his family. It is re-
ported that he and his wife had quar-
relied the day of his death. The officials
of Isanti county will probe the affair to
the core and try to ascertain if there.
was any foul play. Smith was 48 years
of age and was six feet, four inches tall
in his stocking feet.
The Price of Potatoes.
The price of potatoes remains about
the same. Triumphs are depressing