The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1905-03-13
ACCIDENT THE
LATEST THEORY
Strychnine May Have Been Taken as
Tonic.
MISS BERNER'S CAPSULES
OPINION OF EXPERT HONOLULU
CHEMIST.

March u - The
II theory has been suggested
here that Mrs. Stanfords
death was accidental An over
dose of strychnine might, it is pointed
out, have been taken Intentionally as
tonic. The slight amount of strych-
ate OF soda has suggested this
theory. A local chemist has es-
timated that the strychnine in half a
teaspOOnful of the bicarbOnate of soda
was less than One-hundredth of a
grain, judging by the analysis of the
rest of the bottle. The contents of the
capsules, which were prescribed for
Miss Berner probably contain more
strychnine than would be safe for a
person of Mrs. Stanford's age. The
chemist above referred to says that If
Mrs. Stanford took two of these cap
sules for their tonic effect a fatal result
was not impossible.
The capsules also contained hyoScy-
anus. another poison.
Detectives Talk With Miss Berner.
Detective Barry Reynolds and Jules
Callundan today aud further interviews
with Miss Berner. The San Francisco
detectives have secured possession of
the bottle with the remainder OF the
bicarbOnate of soda in the medicine
chest of Mrs. Stanford. These viii be
taken to San Francisco and analysed
by chemists of that city. The condition
of the contents of the remaining bicar-
Donate of soda may be of the greatest
Importance The nature of the expert
ments by which the presence of strych-
nine was revealed in the bicarbonate or
soda has not been revealed. no testi-
mOny on that point having been given
before the jury at the inquest
Beginning All over.
The san Francisco detectives have
begun the case all over again and the
original Investigations are being re-
viewed by them. Their final cOnclu-
sions will undoubtedly depend upon the
result of the analysis to be made in
San Francisco of the bottle of bicar-
Donate Of soda and the other remaining
medicines.
Captain CaIlundan tonight stated that
his various interviews with Miss Ber-
ner had failed to develop anything new
that would furnish a cIew to the per-
son responsible for Mrs Stanford s
death. Callundan denied the report
| that Miss Berner had been eliminated
| from the list of persons under suspi-
| cion, but he refuses to say that she is
under suspicion. He would only say
that there is no change in the situation,
| the work done since his arrival having
made no alteration in the mystery
| surrounding the case.
Conference of Officers.
High Sheriff Henry, Deputy Sheriff
| Rawlins and Detective Callundan to-
| gether with Detective Barry Reynolds
| have been in several conferences.
CaIlundan remarked that he found a
| wide difference in public opinion re-
I garding Mrs StanfOrd's death
1t is very improbable that the con-
| clusion of the investigation will be
| reached here. The determination OF
! the detectives to take back with them
| the various drugs figuring in the case
| plainly indicates that the solution of
| the mystery of Mrs. Stanford'S death
| if a solution is reached at all, viii be
| reached III San Francisco.
Funeral Preparations.
Honolulu, March 12.-The mail room
/ of the steamer Alameda, which sails
| for San Francisco next Wednesday,
| has been appropriately draped for the
| reception of the body of Mrs. Jane L.
! Stanford. Before the departure of the
| steamer funeral services will be held
| at which Bishop Restarick Will read the
! services. Among the pall-bearers will
| be Governor Carter, United States Dis
! trict Judge Dole and David Starr Jor-
! dan. president of Stanford university
! There have not been any developments
i in the case.