Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-11-12
CHANCE FOR SCHENK
Physicians Think Millionaire
May Recover From Poison.
WIFE DECLARES INNOCENCE
Silent in Jail, Except to Deny She
Administered Drug. :
OTHER ARRESTS LOOKED FOR
Sick Man Reported Today to Be Un-
certain Whether or Not to
Prosecute Wife.
WIFE DECLARES INNOCENCE
OTHER ARRESTS LOOKED FOR
Special Dispatch to The Star.


ments in the Schenk poisoning case.
Millionaire John Schenk's condition is re-
ported from the hospital as warranting
hope OF his recovery. His wife, Ms.
Laura Farnsworth Schenck, accused of
attempting to murder him by means OF
arsenic put in his food and drinking
water, refuses to talk except to deny the
sensational charges. There have been
rumOrs Of the coming arrest OF a Wheel
ing physician, but these are dying down
1t is said Mrs. Schenks sister died a
maniac and that the insanity plea will
be offered if the case comes to trial.
Wheeling is rife with rumors and some
defenders OF the wife are coming to the
front. They allege that certain members
of the Schenk family are unjustly suspi-
ciOus and want to estrange husband and
wife SO as to keep intact the Schenk
millions.
The sick husband is reported to be un-
certain whether to prosecute mis- wife
should he recover.
Held Without Bail.
In room in the tower of the county
JAIL fitted up with rocking chair and
quilts from her own palatial home, Mrs.
Schenk remains today detained without
privilege of bail.
Despite his weakened condition the au-
th0Eties ventured to tell Schenk Of the
arrest Of Mrs. Schenk. but he is said
to have only exclaimed her name. and
later remarked: IF all these things
are true. she is where she ought to be-"
That further arrests are to be made in
the case was added by Prosecuting At
torney Handlan and Chief of Police
Hastings. 1t is believed the unnamed
suspects are expected to furnish light
on the manner in which arsenic or other
drug might have found its way into the
Schenk home. The authorities have the
certification of chemists at the Johns
Hopkins University and the West vir-
ginia University that arsenic was found
in samples of mineral waer alleged to
have been taken from Mr.. Schehk's bed
side. The state laws expressly foroid
the sale e poisonous drugs without sS,. eg reg
nection. Il Is said. physicians will be
AZ the fail Mrs. Schenk was questioned
anew, but she repeatedly declared her
Innocence of any attempt upon her hns, 1ss,
Mr.. Schenk's illness might be said to
date back nearly q year. In january he
fell suddenly Ill, and he took trip
abroad for his health, going alone FOL.
lowing his return, much improved. ne fell
eminent German specialist. who was called
in. diagnosed the case as poisoning. he
was, however, soon afterward discharged
from the case. DR. Frank Le Moyne
Hupp, q prominent local physician. was
then summoned by relatives. and he re-
turned q similar diagnosis, but his opin-
ion was kept from Mrs. Schenk until the
expert analysis had been made and her
husband removed to the hospital Since
his removal there she had been refused
the privilege Of visiting him.
Daughter Of Poor Family.
Laura Farnsworth Schenk is the daagh-
ter of q poor family in Marietta. Ohio.
She came to Wheeling twenry-three years
ago. and found employment as domes-
tic. She worked as such in seeyral homes
here. until ten years later MIR. Schenk,
who WAS then twenty-seven years old,
and wealthy, took her to his paiatiai
home on wheeling Island, in the Ohio
river, as his wife. She lis a blonde, OF
ruddy complexion and buxom FORM a.
the island home she has entertalnea
very fond of motoring. Only recently
he made her a present of fine touring
car They have two children-Virginia,
aged twelve and Robert, aged sevenI
who have been placed In the care OF reie
atives. and who are kept in ignorance Oh
the charge against their mother.
Mr.. Schenk, who Is president OF the
pork packing firm Of F. Schenk & Sons,
is q millionaire and Is brother OF A. ~
Schenk, who recently announced his call
didacy for the United States Senate
against Senator Nathan B. Scott
Relatives Suspicious.
Relatives suspected poisoning and the
brothers called in DR.. Frank lie Moyne
Hupp. one of Wheeling's most eminent
physicians. He had samples Of the Bal
larvaie water that had been prescribed
for the sick man sent to expert chem
tsts at Johns Hopkins University, balu-
more. and the University OF virginia, al
Charlottesville. Tor anaiyss & hc.,s Mhen ,hess ee
institutions that the water contained
arsenic DR.. Hupp ordered MI. Scnenk
removed to the North Wheeling Hospital
The nurse that had been employed by
ers of the sick man employed noted
detective nurse Of Pittsburg. Mrs.
Schenk. It is said, insisted on handling
the Ballardvale water herself. instead OF
| allowing the nurse to administer II to
her patient Apparently she did not sus-
pect the detective nurse. Miss Evans, IN
whom she has confided. and whose testi-
mony at the trial Is expected to be OF the
most sensational character
Miss Evans, the detective nurse, who
attended Schenk, was placed in jail last
night in order. 1t was reported. to obtain
q statement from Mrs. Schenk AS soon
as Miss Evans was placed In cell. 1T
was reported, she asked Mrs Schenk:
What did you get me into this for?"
| To this question Mrs. Schenk is said
to have replied:
Keep your mouth shut!''
Another sensational witness will be
| Lundy Wilson. the chauffeur Of the
| Schenks, who. it Is alleged. has repeat.
| edly been asked to run their automobile
| over an embankment when Mr.. Schenh
was the only passenger and kill him. In
order TO seal his lips, it is said. he has
received great sums of money and many
costly presents.
Friendly With Piano Salesman.
/ Wilson. the chauffeur. is said to hav,
told Of the alleged infatuation Of Mrs.
/ schenk for Dan Phillips. piano sales