The Oskaloosa herald., 1909-06-03
BODY IS EXHUhED;
POISON IS FOUND
Rich Illinois Woman May Be
Murder Victim.
BIG SENSATION AT ONEIDA
Mrs. Josephine Carleton Archer's
Death in California Under lnvesti-
cation by Coroner After
Strychnine Is Discovered.

4
Galesburg, H.. June 2.-Events
startling in their nature undoubtedly
| will follow the discovery that the body
of Mrs. Josephine Carleton Archer OF
Los Angeles, Cal, who died there two
months ago, had been exhumed at
Oneida, H., the old home, where in
terment had been made, and an autop-
sly revealed the presence of strych-
nine in large quantities
The body of Mrs Archer had been
shipped here by her husband, Richard
Archer, upon her death, and the cir
cumstances which surrounded the
sudden demise led to an investigation,
resulting in the holding of the au-
topsy.
Was a Wealthy Woman. -.
Mrs Archer, woman wealthy in
her own right, filed suit for divorce
In the courts of Los Angeles two
weeks before her death, charging
cruelty and inhuman treatment. Two
days before the news of her death was
received by her daughter, Mrs. Helen
Carleton Marsh of this city, letter
was received stating that she was in
excellent health. The message con.
veying the tidings of her reath stated
that she had died in commissions.
A private investigation has been in
progress for six weeks, instigated by
Charles E. Marsh, her son-in.law,
who is roadmaster on the Chicago,
Burlington & Quincy road. He made
an affidavit before Coroner G. s. Chal-
mers, which resulted in the finding of
the poison mt hH
The deceased was formerly Mrs
John Carleton of Oneida. H., and
about three years ago she went 10
Los Angeles for her health, meeting
Archer there, and they were married,
residing in a home owned by the wife
on Harvard boulevard. Archer had
conducted brokerage business in
Chicago, St. Louis and Kansas City
before going to Los Angeles. j.
The facts stated by the son-in-law in
his affidavit were placed in the hands
OF States Attorney A, j., Bouteile, and
the investigation was commenced.
That the suspicious of the relatives
might not become public the investi-
cation was conducted secretly. The
stomach was removed and subjected
to tests for various poisons. The
coroner states that undoubted evi-
dences of strychnine poisoning were
found. ..a
Death Unnatural, Says Coroner.
Concerning these tests Coroner
Chalmers said:
Il found a strong reaction for
strychnine in the liver, kidneys and
spleen. The stomach and contents
are now in the hands of chemist for
analysis. In a thorough examination
| found no condition that could have
caused death in my opinion except
from unnatural causes The organs
were all sound. There was no condi-
ton that would have caused convul-
sions. Considering Mrs. Archer's
physical condition she should have
lived many years"
States Attorney Boutelle has re-
ceived messages from friends of the
deceased woman in Oneida urging him
to take every action possible to solve
the mystery Of her sudden death. rela-
tives of the dead woman in various
parts of the country have sent offers
of assistance in following up the in
yestigations. ~
Mrs. Helen Carleton Marsh the
daughter who resides in this city. is a
singer of some note. having been a
soloist in Bishop Cheney's choir in
Chicago some time ago, later being
with Brooks band for several sea
sons.