Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1909-06-18
WITNESS SAYS
ACCUSED MAN
BOUGHT POISON
SENSATIONAL TESTIMONY AT
TRIAL OF BENNETT
NAME OF ALLEGED AFFINITY is
BROUGHT IN CASE
Husband of Woman Who Deserted
Home Weeps While Reading
Letter Intended to Cloak
Her Conduct


q ENSATIONAL is a tame expression
when applied to the proceedings
~ in the preliminary examination of
Harper Eugene Bennett, alleged wife
murderer, in Justice Ling's court yes
terday. Until the noon hour when
short adjournment was taken for lunch,
the conflicting testimony of physicians
as to the effects of strychnine or
ptomaine poisoning left a pronounced
doubt in the minds of the large gather
ing of spectators whether the evidence
would be sufficient on which to hold
Bennett to the superior court for trial.
A half hour after the court resumed
its session this doubt became weaker,
and when final adjournment for the day
was ordered was entirely eliminated.
For the first time during the hearing
the name of Mrs. Helen Molster, BEN
nett's alleged affinity, was brought into
the case, the story of the mans infatu-
alton for this woman, a feeling ap-
parently reciprocated, being told by one
of Mrs. holsters almost lifelong
friends. Mrs. Cora H. Carpenter, and
tends a motive for the supposed killing
of Mrs. Eugenia Thompson Bennett the
night of February 13 last.
Almost Immediately there followed
the testimony of a business associate
of the accused man, Joseph Upton, VINO
stated Bennett had purchased a guam
tity of strychnine ten days before the
death of his wife for the ostensible pur-
pose of poisoning cats which had been
disturbing the slumbers of himself and
family.
Further startling testimony in the
same connection is expected to be given
by the one remaining witness TO pc
called by C. C. McComas, assistant dis
trict attorney, before closing his case
this morning. This witness, whose
identity Mr.. McComas refuses to di-
yulge, will, it is understood, tell Justice
Ling that Bennett made purchase at
nearby drug store a short time prior
to his wife's death, and that his state
ments at that time are in direct con-
flict with the story told by him later.
Reads Letter and Weeps
The most touching incident of the
nroceedings occurred while f. c. Mol
ster. husband of the woman who de-
serted her home for love of the accused
man. broke down and wept while read
ing a letter written by his wife, in
which she endeavored to conceal her
alleged association with Bennett by the
statement that she was employed by
wealthy family as nurse and was about
to accompany them on a journey sym
pathy for the man was evident
throughout the little courtroom, hlled,
for the most part, with women ana
even Mrs. Molster was visibly aftected.
The medical testimony was all In by
noon Yesterday, the principal witness in
this respect being DR.. A. c. Pratt, VINO
was called to the. Bennett home to ad-
minister to Bennett about 8 o'clock on
the night of February 1S
"When I entered the house" said the
physician, "I found Mrs. Bennett In bed.
I was called to treat Bennett, and Mrs.
Bennett made no complaint of illness.
A short time later she complained of
cramps in the calves of her legs. Her
pulse was about 140, and l administered
a hypodermic injection of about one
thirtieth of a grain of sulphate OF
strychnine In the right forearm. Her
pulse responded, becoming stronger and
slower, and her respiration also was
steadier. 1 then administered mustard
and water and sent for nurse, and
later, when she was attacked with con-
vulsions, 1 applied chloroform to her
nostrils, and also administered apamor-
phine. Each time I turned her over she
went into a convulsion."
DR.. Pratt, on cross-eXamination by r.
B. Drake, one of Benefits attorneys,
said his attention was first called to
Mrs. Bennett by her husband When
he lndQe injuries ne ledl hSu liioi DCil-
nett and his wife had eaten quantity
of chill concarne three hours earlier,
and naturally attributed the condition
of the couple to that fact.
"The symptoms, cramps followed by
commissions, become more violent in
Mrs. Benefits came" said the physi-
clan, indicating to me that ptomaine
poisoning had occurred"
Owing to the fact that experts called
by the prosecution had testified that
slight touch upon the body of a person
suffering from Strvchnine poisoning
would cause a conVulsion, Attorney
Drake laid particular stress on the
statement of DR.. Pratt that massaging
seemed to relieve the patient.
DR. Pratt also stated that in cases of
strychnlrie poisoning the eXtensor mus
cles are affected, while i'm Mrs. Ben
netts case the fieXor muscles were con-
tracted, and that instead of eontrac-
tion of the facial muscles, always no.
ticeable, it is said, in persons dying
from the effects of strychnine, Mrs. Ben
nett's face bore remarkably pleasing
expression when she passed away.
"In your opinion, what caused Mrs.
Benefits death?" asked Mr.. Drake,
concluding his examination.
81 believe she died of ptomaine pois
oning, and nothing has since come to
my attention to lead me to change that
belief" said the witness.
Doctors Tell of Poison
Medical testimony regarding the eff
fects of strychnine poisoning as distin-
guished from ptomaine poisoning was
also given by DIR. A. C. Barber, former
superintendent of the countv hospital,
and DR. Sumner ]. Quint, police sur
geon. That Justice Ling regarded this
testimony of especial Importance was
oIIaGtfnnG he
pounded to the last named witness.
after the administration of strych-
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