Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-11-12
Woman is Locked in
Wheeling Prison and
Denied Bond.
POISONING CHARGE
Belief Is That She Attempted to
Get Wealthy Pork Packer
Out of the Way.

Wheeling, W. Va, Nov. 12.-In a
fitted up with a rocking chair and
quilts from her own palatial home.
Mrs. Laura Farnsworth Schenk re-
mained yesterday, detained without
privilege Of bond. awaiting develop
ments in the illness of her husband,
John o. Schenk, a millionaire pork
packer.
Arraignment of Mrs. Schenk on
charges that she attempted 20 poison
her husband by putting arsenic in his
food and drinking water will be de-
layed pending the outcome Of his sick
ness.
At the North Wheeling hospital.
where he was taken two weeks ago
when suspicion was first aroused, he
was reported yesterday as slightly i'm
proved. but still critically i'll. He suf-
fers a high fever and has a pulse of
124.
authorities ventured to tell him 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 whore she ought TO
be-"
Further Arrests Expected.
That further arrests are 10 be made
in the case was admitted by Prosecut-
ing Attorney Handlan and Chief OF
Police Hastings. IL is believed the
unnamed suspects are expected TO fur
nish light on the manner In which ar
senic or other drugs might have found
their way into the Schenk home.
The authorities have the certifca-
tion of chemists at the Johns Hopkins
university and the West Virginia uni
versity that arsenic was found in the
samples of mineral water alleged to
have been taken from Mr.. Schenk's
bedside The state laws expressly for
bid the sale of poisonous drugs with
out registration Of the purchaser In
this connection it is said physicians
will be questioned.
At the Jail Mrs Schenk was ques-
toned anew, but she repeatedly declar-
ed her innocence &C any attempt upon
her husbands life.
Prosecuting Attorney Handlan said
that MIR. Schenk's illness might be
said to date back nearly year. In
January he fell suddenly i'll and TOOK
a trip abroad for his health, going
alone. Following his return, much i'm
proved, he fell III again, and DR.. Ack
erman. the eminent German specialist.
who was called in. diagnosed the case
as poisoning. He was, however, soon
discharged from the case.
Another Doctor Called.
DR. Frank Lemoyne Hupp. prom
inent local physician, was then sum
moned by relatives and he returned
similar diagnosis. but his opinion was
kept from Mrs. Schenk until the eX-
pert analysis had been made and her
husband removed 10 the hospital.
Since his removal there she had been
refused the privilege OF visiting him.
Schenk is the Oldest of four brothers,
all millionaires, who conduct the big
meat packing house founded by their
father and which is one Of the largest
in the world. only those at Chicago and
Omaha being larger. John o. Schenk
IS the richest of the brothers and the
wealthiest man in Wheeling. owning
stock in all the local industrial enter
prises of Importance.
Miss Evans. the detective nurse,
who attended 'Schenk, was placed in
Jail in order. IT was said, TO secure a
statement from Mrs Schenk AS soon
as Miss Evans was placed i'm jail, II is
said, she asked Mrs. Schenk:
What did you get me into this for?'
To this question Mrs. Schenk is said
% have replied:
Keep your mouth shut"
Another sensational witness will be
1undy Wilson, the chauffeur OF the
He is expected 20 tell OF
Mrs Schenk's sensational escapades
With young men with whom she has
been infatuated. One of these young
men. it is said, was taken TO Atlantic
City by Mrs. Schenk, who not only
)aid his way. but loaded him up with
PRESENTS.
Mrs. Schenk is at the point OF break
ng down. She is kept under constant
for fear she may attempt
suicide.
If Schenk recovers Mrs. Schenk will
)e arraigned under the warrant upon
which she was arrested, which charges
poisoning with attempt TO kill"