Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-01-08
ARSENIC FOUND.
Taken from Powders in Miss
Richardson's Stocking.
First Had Sodium Bromide, but Now
40 Per Cent Of Arsenic.
Respondent visibly Affected by Dr..
Davenport's Testimony.

Chelsea, Mass, Jan. IA few min
utes before the close of today's hearing
in the Richardson poisoning case, DR..
Il. F. Davenport testified that he had
found 40 per cent. of arsenic in one of
the powders which woman repre-
sentative of the Revere police had dis
covered hidden in Miss Catherine w.
Richardson's stocking.
1t was about the same time, yester-
day, that Chief Sackett told the court
that Miss Richardson after her arrest
on Christmas eve had denied three times
that she had any arsenic in the room or
that she had ever attempted to poison
her mother, Mrs. Harley c. Richardson.
DR.. Davenport has yet to give the re-
suit of the analysis of Mrs. Richard
sons urine ard it is expected that that
testimony will very nearly conclude the
evidence against Miss Richardson.
Again, as on yesterday, the important
evidence in today's hearing did not de-
velcp until just before the court adj
journed. Up to that time the case
dragged along perceptibly. although
eight witnesses were called by the gov
eminent. Much of the evidence was
cumulative, it appearing to be the gov
ernment's intention to show a motive
or animus.
Two witnesses heard Miss Richardson
express hope or wish for her mother s
death, another heard them Quarrelling
over money affairs and still another
said Mrs. Richardson complained Of her
treatment by her daughter. One wit
ness heard Catherine swear at her
mother.
Still nearly every one admitted that
Mrs. Richardson acted strangely and it
appeared to be generally understood
that she was mildly insane.
But when late in the afternoon, DR..
Davenport was called, perceptible
rustic was heard and interest in the
case at once became intense. He pro-
duced four envelopes, which he said
had been given him by Chief Sackett.
They all contained powders, and We're
numbered and marked. On No. / was
the inscription Found on person by
Mrs. Rollins; on No. 2, Found in
trunk in Southwick's room; on No. 8,
Found in trunk in front room," and
on No. 4, Found in jewelry box top
tray Of first trunk"
Numbers and 8 and 4 were dis
missed with a few words. DR.. Daven-
port said he tested all the powders but
found no traces of arsenic.
That left No. l to be accounted for.
1t was this envelope that Mrs. Rollins
said she found hidden in Miss Richard
sons stocking. 1t was a druggists en-
velope marked 40 gr sodium bromide"
and previously in the day Druggist
Palmer of Revere, had stated that he
gave the envelope to Miss Richardson
when she purchased sodium bromide
early in December But in the en-
velope We're two powder papers and
scattered about the bottom were num-
erous white crystals. DR.. Davenport
said that one of the powders proved to
be sodium bromide and that there was
the same ingredient in the other, but
mixed with this second powder was
white arsenic. He found that the sec
of white powder of which grains or
10 per cent. was arsenic.
He stated that he made FIVE separate
tests of the powder, the last for guam
tty, all of which showed arsenic, the
last 40 per cent. AS some of the vapor
escaped, he estimated that the powder
found wrapped in a small white paper
and enclosed in the envelope and
marked No. /, Found on person by
Mrs. Rollins contained between 30 and
IS per cent. of arsenic.
do you know of any combination OF
medicine which combines sodium bro
mi6e with arsenic?' was the last ques-
ton asked the doctor.
I'm all my professional practice, l
Continued on page 81