Los Angeles herald., 1905-03-02
MRS. STANFORD
DIES SUDDENLY
BELIEF THAT SHE HAS BEEN
POISONED
rook Medicine on Retiring and
Shortly Afterward Was Seized
With Commissions, Which
Proved Fatal

Francisco. It is reported that the soda
contained strychnine. but this report
cannot be verified. DIR. Humphris. who
attended Mrs. Stanford, is now making
an examination of the contents of the
bottle, which has not been touched
since Mrs Stanford left San Francisco
At II O'Clock a guest Of the hotel
who occupied an adjoining room heard
Mrs. Stanford groaning and, running
to the room, found her lying on tbs
floor. She had evidently tried to sum-
mon help. At the time of Mrs. STAN
ford's death there were present Miss
Burner her secretary. and her maid,
May Hunt. Both are prostrated.
Or. Humphris' Statement
DR. Humphris made the following
statement to the Associated Press cor
respondent:
when | was called in I found Mrs
Stanford in convulsions and applied
the quickest remedies, but it was not
possible to save her life. Mrs. STAN
ford said to me:
doctor, I have been poisoned
Mrs. Stanfori's condition seemed to
indicate strychnine poisoning. Be-
tween convulsions her mind was ur-
usually active and she said
This is the second time they have
tried it. They tried it last January
and came here to avoid them.
''I tasted the contents of the bottle, "
continued DR.. Humphris. Before
making an analysis 1 am unable to
swear that it contains strychnine, but
1 am positive that it does contain
strychnine."
In accordance with the local law, a
coroners jury was Immediately sum-
moned and viewed the remains in the
hotel at $3.50 o'clock this morning. The
members of this jury are w. c. Pea-
cock. proprietor, and ]. H. Hertsche,
manager of the hotel; T. A. Hays, H.
Jeffrey and ]. w. Harvey guests, and
f. s. Cunha, who lives near the hotel.
VIII Care for Her Interest
DR.. Humphris appointed former
Judge Stanley, who is a guest of the
hotel to look after the interests of
Mrs Stanford's estate temporarily, and
then cabled Professor David Starr Jor-
dan, president of the Leland Stanford
university asking for instructions
President Jordan replied, approving the
action of DIR Humphris and request
ing Judge stanley to act.
Mrs. Henry Highton told the Asso.
ciated Press correspondent that Mrs
Stanford said to her shortly after ar
irving here: "The reason / left Sar
Francisco was because an attempt had
been made on my life-an attempt to
poison me; and enough poison was
used to kill twenty persons"
Mrs. Stanford seemed to be greatly
affected" said Mrs Highton. II
idea as / feared it might be only de-
lusion, but Mrs. Stanford talked so
nationally about the attempt on her
life that l do not now hold the belief
that it was a mere fancy of hers. |
was very uneasy after this talk with
Mrs Stanford and wrote to mutual
friends in San Francisco regarding the
matter. They told me they feared
such attempts had been made, no
names. however. being mentioned"
The remains were taken to an under
taking establishment where they are
awaiting an autopsy.
The guest of the hotel who occupied
an adjoining suite and who heard Mrs.
Stanford groaning and ran to her as
sistance is A. Heunische of San Fran
cisco.
Miss Berner has been Mrs, Stanford 5
secretary for twenty years.
The bottle containing the bicarbon-
ate of soda bears the label of Charles
Wells & Co, 60 King William street,
Adelaide, Australia, but it is believed
that it has been rehlled since purchased
there.
Miss Berner, Mrs. stanford's secre-
tary, says that the previous attempt
on the life of her employer was made
January IA last at her home on Mob
hill, San Francisco, when strychnine
was found in a bottle of Poland min
eral water.
MISS BeIner Sdlu 10 lHe ASsOCldleu
Press:
1--WE went to a picnc yesterday and
were planning to go today to Haleiwa,
a suburban resort. Our luncheon yes
terday consisted of the ordinary cold
dishes prepared at the Moana hotel
and there was nothing in it of the
canned variety. Mrs. Stanford ate very
heartily. She expressed great enjoy
ment in her trip and said she felt very
well.
Took Only Soup for Dinner
1--WE returned to the hotel at O'Clock
and Mrs. Stanford retired to her room
for a rest. Later she dressed for din
ner. When the soup was served she
said that would be sufficient, as she
was not hungry.
1--WE then went to the veranda
where Mrs. Stanford planned the triI
to Haleiwa for today. She then saiC
she would retire early, so as to be re,
freshed for the trip.
"At S;40 Mrs. Stanford sent for hel
maid, May Hunt, whom she had re