Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-02-26
Mrs. Vaughn, Joyful After
Death of Husband,
is Held.
DOCTOR AGAIN TAKEN
Woman of 35 Believed to Have
Plotted Death of Husband
IS Years Older.

Kirksville, Mo-, Feb. 26.-Mrs. Alma
Proctor Vaughn was arrested this
morning on a warrant charging her
with the murder of her husband, Pro
fessor John T. Vaughn. She was re-
leased on $25,0OO bond.
The arrest Of Mrs. Vaughn marks
another step in what promises TO be
one of the most sensational as well
as one of the hardest fought cases IN
/ the history of the state. DR.. J. r
Hull. a Monroe City physician, was
arrested Thursday on a like cnargs
and released on bail. Both assert
their innocence
Died OF Poisoning.
Vaughn died. according TO the YER
dict Of the coroner's jury, from strych-
nine poisoning. The tinkling strains
of Mendelssohn's wedding march.
played by Mrs. Vaughn shortly after
her husbands death, led TO a grand
jury investigation OF the death OF Pro-
fessor Vaughn. Although Vaughn.
who was Instructor in American his
tory In the state normal school here.
died in commissions Oct. IA last, no one
suspected at the time his death was
unnatural except one or two persons
who thought he might have taken
poison accidentally.
Hostess Heard Music.
Mrs. Veughn's music was heard 10
days after Vaughn's death by Mrs.
John r. Kirk, whose guest she was
after the funeral. Mrs. Kinks suspi-
cions were aroused and she confded
in her husband, who is president OF
the state normal. She told him other
things she had observed that seemed
unusual in the behavior OF a widow.
start Investigation.
An investigation of the death was
instigated by President Kirk and
Vaughn's brothers as a result Vaughn
was apparently in the best Of health
when he arrived home from church
the night of his death. Thirty minutes
later he died in commissions. His
widow. who survives him. with their
7-year-old daughter. testified at the cor
oner's inquest her husband took qui-
nine in a paper capsule as soon as he
arrived home.
Niece of Bank President.
Mrs. Vaughn is 35 and a niece OF DR..
Proctor. president and director OF the
Monroe City bank. In addition 10 an
estate Of $4,000 Vaughn's life was in
sured for $1,000. II is not, however,
charged this supplied a motive. Mrs.
Vaughn has realty in her name valued
at $4,000. Vaughn was buried In
Monroe city. the present home OF Mrs.
Vaughn The January grand jury was
dismissed without returning a report
on the death. The coroner's jury be-
gan an inquest at Monroe City later
and after the investigation no verdit
was returned. The body was ex'
humed. however. after several days
consultation with attorneys represent
ing the Proctor family.
Opposed Exclamation.
The latter opposed the exhun9ation,
which was urged by Vaughn's brothers
backed by Prosecuting Attorney Rel
ger. The viscera was forwarded To
DR. Schweitzer. chemist Of the Mis-
souri, state university. He reported
finding 1915 grains OF strychnine IN
the stomach and liver. The amount
of poison I'm the other parts OF the
viscera has not been determined.
Was studIOus md Retiring.
Vaughn was % years olus bbuulOH
and retiring. while Mrs. Vaughn Is
vivacious She was a pupil In the
Paris. Mo, high school when he was
the principal there and they we're mar
ried shortly after she completed her
course. Vaughn was one OF the states
leading educators and was an author
itv on American history having writ
ten several books on historical sub
iects. At one time he was assistant
state superintendent of the public
schools.
Hull Physician 20 Family.
Hull has been ProctOr's family ply
sician three years since his location I'm
Monroe City three years ago. He
came to that city from Macomb, ILL.,
and until recently conducted a sahi-
tarium.
Finally Breaks Down.
Mrs. Vaughn. when told by the Judge
she was charged with murder in the
first degree, replied with a nod OF her
head, but after taking the oath she
appeared in court when summoned
and broke down and wept The prose
cutting attorney announced the issu
ance Of . @arrant for the rearrest OF
DR. Hull
warrant for Wife
Kirksville. Mo, Feb. 26.-Mrs. Alrns
CHontinnAa on Page Fourteen)