Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-01-28
WAS 1T POISON?
The Wright Tragedy London's
One Topic Of Interest.
lie Was Closely Watched in Expecta-
ton Of Attempt at Suicide.
Alleged That Noted People Narrowly
Escaped Being Implicated.

London, Jan. 21.-The inquest over
the body of Whitaker Wright has been
definitely fixed for Thursday morning
ne tragic event is the one topic of
interest and is discussed in all its
features. The possibility of the finan-
cierS escape from justice by suicide
was foreseen by Detective Willis, who
brought Wright from New Ork. Act
ing OH hints dropped by Wright dur
ing the voyage, Willis gave the court
officials a special warning to keep clos
est guard over him.
Towards the conclusion of the trial.
especially during Justice Bighams
trenchent criticism, it became evident
that there could only he one verdict,
so if Wright was determined on self
destruction in the event of his convic-
ton. he had time to prepare method
for outwitting the jailors, as he must
have foreseen that an adverse verdict
, was inevitable.
strange document was found on
he seat in court which had been occu-
lied by Wright. showing that he had a
remonition of his sentence. This was
| sheet of blotting paper on which he
had scrubbed during the Justices
cumming up The Roman characters
VII We're thickly scattered over the
Whole sheet. This was before the YER
lict but the number comedies with the
sentence he received. In the middle of
he sheet appears the word Intent"
he last word Wright wrote.
The opposition papers continue MAX
ng trenchant comments on the govern
nent which they say. declined to
10 its duty for reasons now shown to
nave been absurd in law, and which
are always repugnant to common
sense.
The handling of this matter" says
he Westminster Gazette has reflect
I'd more discradit on the government
than its other mistakes, with even
sraver consequences. Distinguished
people were involved and some of them
AVE had happy escapes"
The Financial News on those points
says:
Wright might have made disclosures
which would have seriously. discom-
forted some people. but, Wright was
loyal as well as courageous, and he
carried his secrets to the grave. To
prevent others from devulging what
20 chose to conceal he destroyed many
papers. thus completing his sacrifice"
IL Is reported tnat SIX CnamDereu
revolver fully loaded was found in.
Wright's pocket by the police.
At the post norton examination over
the body of Whitaker Wright his feat
ures showed no trace of the suffering
he must have endured. His brain was
found to have been abnormally large,
and as the examination proceeded the
doctors found portions of tabloids of
cyanide of potassium still undissolved
in the stomach. Wright evidently had
swallowed several. The report that n
revolver had been found on his person
has been confirmed.
1t is now supposed that Wrights con-
sumption of tabloids for indigestion
and insomnia during the last days of
the trial was designed to disguise the
taking of the fatal dose. The doctors
say Wright prolonged his agony by
taking too many of the poisonous tab
loids, as smaller dose would have
brought death more swiftly.
The investigation made indicates
that Wright must have swallowed the
tabloid poison while standing before
Justice Bigham, after receiving his
sentence. 1t is recalled that Wright
pulled handkerchief from his pocket
and appeared to wipe his face, and It Is
surmised that under cover of this he
took the fatal dose.