New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-02-07
SEEK POISON IN BODY.
JEROME ORDERS AUTOPSY
Mystery Surrounds Lingering Death
of WeaIthy WOman.

Deep mystery surrounds the death at 1l:3O
o'clock yesterday morning of Mrs. Julius Binge'
at her home, No. 6S East SOth street. BY order
Of the District Attorney autopsy was per-
formed three hours later careful search being
made for traces of poisoning, more particularly
mercuriaI poisoning. While 1t was said that no
such traces were found during the autopsy. the
doctors who performed 1t were apparently not
satisfied, and the viscera were taken away by
Dr. Rudolph A. Witthaus. we'll known analyti-
cal chemist, who figured in the Molineux trial.
who represented the District Attorney in the au-
topsy, for further examination. This is expect
ed to take a week.
The action of the District Attorneys office
was the result of information brought or sent to
it on Tuesday evening. Apparently the office
was told that Mrs. Binge being slowly poi
soned. Immediate action was taken and several
witnesses were examined that night The next
day Mrs. Binge dead woman seems to
have brought the information and may have
been one Of the two nurses.
Mrs Binge operated on in Mount Sinai
Hospital three weeks ago by DR.. William T.
Bull, who was called into the case by her own
physician, DR.. Samuel Guck, of No. 1041 Madison
avenue She was suffering from cancer in the
form of sarcoma of the breast According to DIR.
Glucl. who finally consented TO give out few
details after many persistent refusals to answer
questions. Mrs Binge did not rally from the op-
Grafton. and died from its effects. She under
went operation about year ago for the same
disease. which cost her the left eye
Assistant District Attorneys Smythe and Cor
rigan are working on the case. but refuse to give
out any information concerning II.
Mr.. Gluck was not present at the autopsy
which was performed by DR. Otto H. Schultz
acting for Coroner p AcritelH and DR.. Witthaus.
He explained that he was close personal friend
Of the dead woman. and could not bear the
thought Of being present. He said that Mrs.
Binge was suffering from Bright's disease as well
as cancer, and that her death could only have
been matter of short time under any circum-
stances Then he added:
Speaking for DR.. Bull and myself. there could
have been no irritant poison merCurial or other
wise in Mrs. Binge's system without our
knowledge II would have been made evident
in a clinical way We watched the progress or
the disease-cancer-and nothing suspl-
clous. The last operation was successful In 1t
self but afterward sepsis set in and the wound
was in an unhealthy condition. Her vitality
became low, and hypodermic injections had TO
be resorted TO 10 give her strength.
The only form of mercurial poison IN the house
was a solution Of the bichloride mixture neces-
sary for cleaning
Mrs. Binge's husband died in 1900 He was a
founder OF the Harmony Club and we'll known
Hebrew Since his death she has been abroad
with her daughter Mrs. Leopold wallau, who.
with her husband. lives at No. IS East S0th
street
Mr.. Wallau refused to say anything about the
case, referring inquirers to DR.. Gluck or the
District Attorney. Late last night nurse an
swered the telephone at the house and refused
TO make any statement.
Detectives watched the house in SOth street
all night. There was intimation of who was
suspected or II there was any definite suspi-
/ cion. The mystery around the case was en-
HANGED by the absolute refusal OF any one con-
Cerned 10 talk Absolutely no information was
obtained until late at night, and every effort
was apparently made to keep the affair quiet.