Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1907-09-20
Indignation in Hardin County
Because Blydenburgh Case
Went to Trial
JUDGE RoAsTs PROSECUTION
Possessed Statement Before Trial From
Chemist Declaring Poison Evidence
Was Weak, But Testifyins Differ
emily on the stand-Evidence Never
Sufficient to Convict.
to r,mes-Republlcan.

Eldora, Sept. 20.-While the case
of p. S. Blydenburgh is closed so
far as the charge of wife murder Is
concerned, the public and the taXpay-
ers are discussing the developments OF
the recent trial with as much vigor as
ever. In fact, the people who bear
the burden of supporting the county
government and courts are indignant,
because it has developed that the flrst
trial was a needless expense and the
second trial farce.
Evidence has been produced to show
that the state had no hope of con-
victing on the second trial, but sgt-
sisted on proceeding when 1T was
known that the chief witness for
the prosecution would be shown in an
unenviable light as to truth and ver-
acity. This witness was v. {. Vaughn,
a chemist connected with the Uni
versity of Michigan, who analysed the
stomach of the deceased Mrs. Blyden-
burgh after her death. 1t appears that
Vaughnn wrote to Z. II. Noble. then
county attorney. in 1898, prior to the
first trial, as to what he would testify
to, indicating that his testimony would
favor the defense. and later came on
here and gave evidence to the contrary
and against Blydenburgh. Until the
last trial was called the defense was
not aware of the existence of the
Vaughn letter and of his contradic
cto tai hI1t having haan
prised that it could be produced in
evidence explains the reason for the
nom resistance to the states request
that Yaughnn be not brought here for
the second trial, but that the tran
script of his evidence at the first trial
be accepted. 1t was meat for Blyden-
burgh's attorneys.
States Attorneys Scored.
Former County Attorney f. H. Noble,
who conducted the first trial and as
sisted the prosecution on the second
trial, was criticised by Judge Evans
for permitting the case to proceed
when Vaughnn's conflicting statements
We're in his possession.
vauehnn's Letter in 1908.
Following is the letter written by
Professor Vaughnn in 1903 prior to
the first trial:
University of Michigan, Department
Of Medicine and Surgery Ann Arbor,.
Sept. %, 1903. Hon. F. H. Noble, El-I
dora, Iowa. Dear Sir: My testimony,
would be substantially as follows:
Il. That l found arsenic in all the
tissues submitted to me for exanlin-
alton.
2. The mucous membrane of the
stomach showed an inflammatory con-
dition, such as would result from sub
secute arsenical poisoning. On cross
examination would have to state that
this inf1ammatory condition of the
stomach might have been due to other
causes; but If gastritis could be elm
mated, it would be quite certain that
the condition of the stomach was due
to some irritant poison and most prob
ably arsenic.
49, I found arsenic in the fluid
which was used in embalming the
body. 1t would be impossible for me
to swear positively that the arsenic
which | found in the various organs
did not come exclusively from the ems
balming fluid. 1t seems to me that
much depends upon the previous
health of the woman and upon ques-
tions of motive. Respectfully,
''V. C. VAUGHNN."
Yet Vaughnn came on here later and
testified that in his opinion the arse
mic was placed in the stomach before
DEATH The exact words used by the
presiding judge in expressing his opin-
ion of the prosecution have not yet
been transcribed, and therefore are
not obtainable at the present time.
Why Vaughn wrote one thing and tes-
titled to another; why the letter got
into the hands of the defense; why a
man was sent to prison on such evil
dence; why the state permitted the
second trial to proceed under the cir
cumstances, and why Attorney. Noble
accepted the judges. rebuke without
making any defense, are questions
Hardin county people are asking.
The trial cost many hundreds Of
dollars, the fees and mileage of the
special jury venire alone amounting to
$659.S0, exclusive of the twelve jury
men who served, and of the witness
fees, attorneys fees and other ex-
penses.
Other Litigation Possible.
Mr.. Peterborough, the father of
Mrs. Blydenburgh, may contest the
husbands title to sixty acres of Mrs.
120-acre farm, which
he claims as his dover. In civil suit
only preponderance of evidence is
necessary, and Peterborough might
win.