The Washington times., 1906-04-28
Thinks Muenter, Insane,
May Have Killed Himself


BOSTON. Mass, April 2S.-Eueeue r.
Krembs. of Chicago. brother OF Mrs.
Erich Muenter, wife of the Harvard pro-
fessor who the police of Cambria ge
charge with her murder by poison. said
this morning:
THE request OF Muenter TO have the
body cremated. his failure to be pres
ent when the ashes were inferred, his
lack Of knowledge as TO the exact hour
when his sister died. ano his failure TO
appear since. with the facts revealed by
the post mortem examination. all 20 to
convince that something is wrong.
I'VE are in a dilemma To s,lw
whether he is in his right mind or ro,-
We especially wanted Muenter arrested
before the news could get 10 the public
Now 1 fear his body will he found in the
river or somewhere else. self destroyed.
1--WE are convinced that many stories
OF a startling nature viii come to light
II he is arrested"
Muenter went to Chicago with the
body of his wife. two days after her
death. taking his two daughters, one Of
whom was born ten days previous TO
Mrs. Muenter's death. He attended the
funeral of his wife. and on April % left
the home of her mother. saying he was
coming back to Cambridge. Although
eight days have elapsed since then he
has not returned to the university, and
his relatives and the police do not know
where he is. His many stanch Harvard
friends declare that II he returned he
could clear himself of the awful charge,
but his failure 10 come back adds an
element to the case that makes the 2O-
lice redouble their efforts to locate him.
Poison the Cause of Death.
There seems to be no doubt that Mrs.
Muenter died of poisoning The under
taker who prepared her for burial says
that the body when he first saw it was
contorted. Prof. Whitney. Of Harvard
Medical School. who analyzed the con-
tents of the stomach and intestines.
says that slow arsenical poisoning was
the cause of death.
Incidents connected with Mrs. Muen-
ter's death are peculiar. She died prsc-
ticslly without medical attendance On
April S she gave birth to a daughter.
Mrs Edith Chase, Of Cambridge.
home, I07 oxford street, to attend her.
Prof. Muenter himself s said Il Is a
Christian Scientist. DR.. L. II. Mcintyre
OF Cambridge, was called In. but he re-
found his directions We're not being car
ried out. Then Dr. Frederick w Taylor
was summoned. Chief Inspector Hurley
questioned Mrs. r. NJ. Derrick. OF s Gar
field street, for a long time, ana her
statements were put in writing.
Il never talked TO Mrs. MUenter" said
Mrs. Derrick. and was introduced only
as a neishbor- Wncn I learned Mrs.
Chicago with his family to take care
OF the children. Ne left Boston for
Chicago on Tuesday. the Eth. Mr..
Muenter acted as any person IN his posi-
tion would, / suppose. and there was
nothing in his cOrditiOn at any time
which would cause establishment. I un-
derstood when I left Chicago Mr.. Muen-
ter was TO return TO Cambridge imme-
diately."
Medical Examiner Was Suspicious.
Il was suspicious of the cause OF Mrs
Muenter's death, and at the autopsy
had the stomach and intestines removed
for further examination. as I was not
satisfied with the appearance of things
said DR.. William D. Swan, medical ex-
aminer for Middlesex county I was
called into the trouble because. as there
had been two physicians in the case. and
each had refused TO issue a certificate of
death. The condition OF the stomach
and intestines was greatly infiamed, and
that fact alone was suspicious 20 my
mind.
II sent the organs to Prof Whitney,
and at once notified Captain Hurley, of
the Cambridge police, OF my suspicious -
Frank Z. Bryant, an instructor in the
University of Kansas. spending a years
leave Of absence at Harvard. was left as
the only occupant of the house when
Muenter left home. Mr. Bryant knew
the family in the West He SAYS:
AT the time OF her death | had not
the slightest suspicion that everything
was not all right Mr.. Muenter always
seemed 10 be a generous, kindly sort
OF fellow and appeared to be greatly
devoted 10 his wife.
Il have heard from Mr. Muenter twice
since he went West, besides a telegram
which he sent me shortly after his de-
parture. His first letter was rather
incOherent affair. asking me TO attend
to a business matter for him. A couple
of days later / received a second letter
sent from Chicago. He wrote me that
he was not coming back. but that his
sister would probably come on from
Chicago TO look after his effects
Mrs. Mueater was a Christian scien-
list, while her husband agreeing i'm part
with her doctrine was greatly opposed
TO some Of them. She insisted on hav-
ing a Christian science nurse and
Christian. science doctors. but regular
physicians were also employed"
Husband Was Kind and Sympathetic.
Here is the story told by Mrs Henry
c. Nickersou. of IS Grove street. Win
chester. the woman who was called in
by Muenter and who the police say