Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-01-01
AFTER EVERY CLUE.
Police at Miss Richardson's
Old Home in LittIeton.
Interview Close Friend and Inspect
Druggists Poison Book.
Town Divided as to Belief in Miss
Richardson's Guilt.

Littleton. N. f., Dec. Slater a
night and day spent here in investi
cations in connection with the Rich
ardson attempted poisoning case at
Revere. Mass, Chief Srackett of Re-
we're. and Officer Rollins went to Con-
cora. Wednesday afternoon. The case
which involves the charge that Cath.
crime " Richardson attempted to
poison her aged and invalid mother at
Revere recently is of deep interest
here as the Richardson family former
ly lived here and are well known to the
residents. of the town.
Chief Sacketts visit was mainly to
Interview Miss Florence Cheney. Miss
Richardson's most intimate friend, who
is regarded as having a better knowl
edge than any other person outside the
family of heerelations between Miss
Richardson And her mother. The chief
also wished ID Investigate the report
that in l9efsM iss Richardson purchas-
ed arsei GA LOCAL druggist.
For nlSne Aan sfour hours, Tuesday
night, GhfefE Sackett and officer Roi-
Inns were Miss Cheneys home. The
officialssreae3aed the house at about 4
o clock a did not leave until after
Il. - -
midnights NThey would not talk about
their visits and had charged Miss
Cheney to say nothing about it.
The second phase of the investigation
here. that in connection with the al
legged sale of poison, Sept. 10, 1901, at
the drug store of S. Fred Green, led to
the disclosure of the fact that the sale
was made by Don c. Wheat, clerk for
Mr.. Green. but now in the drug bust
ness in Concord. The sale of the
poison as recorded on Druggist
Green's books was to az person named
Richardson and was endorsed by the CLERK
who wrote D. c. W., his initials, after the
name. The appearance of the poison rec
ord and the presence of the initials of
the clerk are taken by some persons com
versant with thescase as showing, that
the name was written by the clerk ana
not by the person who made the pur-
chase.
After looking into the question until
after noontime, Wednesday, Chief Sack
EFT took the record book and made prep
arations to go to Concord to interview
Mr.. Wheat. 1t was learned that the sig
nature in Green's record book was shown
The opinion that the writing was not that
of Katherine Richardson. :
Chief Sackett and his officer left fo;
Concord at ? O'Clock. At noon, James w.
Bartlett son of Charles W. Bartlett of
Boston, counsel Cor Miss Richardson, arr
rived here. 3
Public opinion is divided on the case.
After Chief Sackett's visit the sentiment
ir favor of Miss Richardson seemed
stronger than before. Many believe that
the woman is innocent and that the VIC
tim Of unfortunate circumstances There
are some, however, who think that Miss
Richardson's mind has been unbalanced
by nervous trouble and by the strain Of
nursing her invalid mother.
Others think that the elder woman is
mentally unsound and that the attempt
to poison her is a vagary of this disor
dered mind. Still others hold the view
that both women have been driven out
OF their minds by long illness. 1t was
ship case is due to come up in court here
Jan. II.
Miss Florence Cheney, after her inter-
view with Chief Sackett, stated that she
expected to attend the hearing, next weeA
in Chelsea, and would be glad to help
Miss Richardson in every possible way
Mr.. Bartlett remained in town, Wednes-
day night, and will continue his investi-
CATION in behalf of Miss Richardson.