The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1905-03-04

that the cause of death was tetanus
OF the respiratory organs. but that he
cannot state how the tetanus was
brought about until after an eXamina-
ton Of the contents OF the stomach.
Mrs. Stanford came here from San
Francisco on the steamer Korea on
February p. In conversation with
Mrs. Henry HightOn OF San Francisco.
who is now here Mrs. Stanford said
that an attempt had been made to poi
son her in that city. and that this was
her reason for sailing on the Korea.
II was Mrs. Stanford's belief accord
ing TO Mrs. Highton. that enough poi
son had been used to kill 20 persons.
Ii is understood that an investiga-
ton of the case is now being made by
the police OF San Francisco The po-
lice here are also conducting an in
vestigation.
Before retiring Tuesday night Mrs.
Stanford took a dose Of bicarbonate
Of soda, which she purchased at San
Francisco. It is reported that the soda
contained strychnine. but this report
cannot be verified. DR.. F. II. Hum
phris. who attended Mrs. Stanford
is now making an examination OF the
contents of the bottle. which had not
been touched since Mrs Stanford left
San Francisco.
At IL O'Clock Mr. Heunish. who oc-
cupied an adjoining room. heard Mrs.
Stanford grooming and ran 10 her as
sistance. She had evidently tried to
summon help. At the time of Mrs
Stanford's death there We're present
Miss Burner. her secretary. and her
maid. May Hunt Both are Frustrated.
The investigations OF the police so
far have failed to find any evidence Of
poisoning. out the authorities decline
to express any opinion pending the re.
suit OF the autopsy and the analysis
Of the bottle Of bicarbOnate of soda. A
box of capsules also was found in the
room, and these are being analysed
Mrs. Stanford took a drive over the
Pail road Tuesday. accompanied by
her secretary and her maid When
she returned to the hotel she seemed
very cheerful and went Immediately
10 the dining room, where she ordered
only soup. saying that she was not
hungry, as she had eaten a hearty
luncheon. She spent the evening on
the verandas of the hotel, apparently
in good spirits.
Mr.. Heunish, who, as already told,
was the first TO see Mrs Stanford after
she was taken i'll. said
Il retired shortly before II o'clock
and soon fell asleep. My room was
next to that occupied by Mrs. Stan
ford had not been asleep long when
was awakened by hearing a groan
and then another. / opened my door
and saw Mrs. Stanford standing in the
doorway of her room. She threw up
her arms, as if suffering great pain,
and said:
"'Oh. am so ill., Get me a doctor;
get a doctor
Il ran to the elevator and sum-
moned DR. Humphris, who was a guest
u the hotel. Mrs Stanford at that time
did not seem to be very weak
Dr. Humphris and his wife took very
small portions OF the contents Of the
suspected bottle of bicarbonate OF soda
and said it tasted very bitter. and
that they believed it contained strych-
nine. The doctor says there were in
dications of strychnine. but he de-
rllned to express a positive opinion
before making an analysis.
Mrs. Henry Highton told the Asso-
dated Press correspondent that Mrs.
Stanford said to her shortly after ar
irving here:
"The reason left San Francisco
was because an attempt had been
made on my life-an attempt to poi
son me, and enough poison was used
TO l1ll 20 persons
Mrs Stanford seemed 10 be greatly
affected" said Mrs. Highton. 81 sought
% disabuse her mind Of the idea. az
feared It might be only delusion. but
Mrs. Stanford talked 80 nationally
about the attempt on her life that
DO not now hold the belief that II was
nero fancy Of hers ] was very un-
easy after this talk with Mrs. Stan.
ford and wrote 10 mutual friends In
San Francisco regarding the matter.
They told me they feared such at
tsmpis had been made. no names.
however. being mentioned"
DR. unrophds made the following
statement
when I uas called IN found Mrs.
stanford IN commissions and applied
the quickest remedies. but II WAS not
psJssibis ~ savs her iife. Mrs. BtaR
f9fG SAID ~ me- 'DooDf. have been
pt,isHheA Mrs sisHlofd's condition
seemed ~ ihaifsle sifYchDine poison
me Between eeuysisl0bs her mind
was unusually sslits. ami she said
This is me settHd time they have
tried II fbby ified y last January.
ana ( esme here ~ svoda ibep
= fsstAa ire contents ~ The bot
lls." continued b. fiHmpbfls "iist6fs
Masking IN analysis { an ahsbls "
swear that u contained sifyehblhe,
but I am perfectly bSsitiEs that u a0ss
contain sffytbpine."