Mexico Missouri message., 1904-08-18
DIR. WATSON HELD.
Charged With the Murder of
his Wife BY
Poison,

All TINS section OF Missouri has
been interested in the outcome OF
the investigation of the mysterious
death Of Mrs. DR.. Jones Watson
at New London, Rails county July
9Th last. The coroner's inques /
was held last Friday. DR.. Watson
refused to take the prescribed oath
or go on the witness stand, claim
ing that he stood on constitutional
rights, aud taking the position
that anything he might say might
possibly serve to incrlminate him.
The coroner held that he could
not be compelled to testify, but
took the view that he had a RICH t
to place the doctor on the witness
stand and at least administer the
oath The doctor still refused =,
whereupon the coroner assessed a
fine OF SD and costs.
Two of the important witnesses
were Robert Mason, a fisherman,
and James WOodson, a colored
farmer. Mason testified that he
saw the white horse cross the Salt
river bridge, near which he was
fishing, in walk at the time Of
the alleged runaway, and although
he was in plain view Of the bridge,
he saw no evidence of runaway.
Woodson testified to visiting
DIR, Watson following the accident
and being on intimate terms with
him, told him Of suspicious cir
cumstances and also of various ru-
mors concerning the death of Mrs.
Watson which were in circulation.
He said the doctor told him that if
he wanted to do him any good not
to tell what he knew. WOOdson
also testified to the finding of bug
gy tracks three days after the acct
dent on an obscure road leading to
o dense thicket.
New London, Mo-, Aug, 10. In
the Watson inquest case about n
dozen witnesses were examined to-
day, beginning with DIR. Waldo
Briggs of st. Louis, who stated
that most thorO examination of
the body of Mrs. Watson and a
micrOscOpical examination of
parts of the vital organs revealed
perfectly normal conditions, and
that death was not caused by ex-
ternal violence or drowning.
Dr. Kinder Of st. Louis, who
assisted DR.. Briggs in the autopsy,
stated that each vital part exam
ined was in a normal and healthy
condition, and evidence of external
violence or drowning was totally
absent.
DIR. G. w. Lilly of st. Louis, the
che mist to whom the stomach was
given for analysis, stated that he
found three separate traces of
in the stomach contents;
that his examination was not com
plete MS TO other poisOns, if any,
present, and the quantity of NOR
phine was not at present known.
Drs. Jaudon and Basket, who
" ere present at the autopsy, stated
t hat all symptoms of drowning and
violence were absent. Judge Nc
& lhaney Of Clayton testified to the
peculi ar conduct of DR.. Watson in
st. Louis after his recovery, which
excited his suspicion.
Postal clerks at the Inside Inn
related the presence of DR.. Watson
md Miss A. M. Burk at that place
soon after the death of Mrs. Wat
son, and the inquiry for each
1ther's mail. Agents of the insur-
lnces companies stated that ST.
$50 accident insurance was carried
Dy Mrs. Watson in her husbands
name.
j. j. Snter and Mrs, J,J. Suter.
of Mrs. Watson, Mrs. Nor
lis and another sister, related fam
ly knowledge of unkiud relations
between DR.. Watson and wife
shortly prior to her death.