The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1910-03-29
ENOUGH POISON
IN M0ODY'S MEAT
TO KILL SIX MEN
Servant Who Tasted the Same
Food Was. Seriously Poi
soned at Same Time
SECOND ATTEMPT ON LIFE
VICTIM was SUCCESSFUL
Mrs. Moody Was Absent When First
Attempt Was Nude and Was too
Much Indisposed to Eat Breakfast
When Fatal Dose Was Given.

Much Indisposed to Eat Breakfast
When Fatal Dose Was Given.
Chicago, March 29-That Alexander
j.. Moody, whose death on February
~ last was attributed to ptomaine
poisoning, really died from the effects
of arsenic, was the startling assertion
made by Coroner Hoffman.
That the poison was contained in
Hamburger steak eaten by the dece-
dent seems clear to the authorities,
but the manner in which it was plac-
ed in the meat is a mystery which
neither the coroner nor the police have
been able to solve.
While the coroner and Assistant
Chief of Police Herman Schuettler de-
clare that they accuse no one, it is
admitted that a woman of Mr. MOody's
household, and one of his employees
has been under surveillance for a
month.
Mr.. Moody, like his brothers, Frank
who Is son-in-law of Congressman
Moxley. and Charles H. Moody, inherit
ed considerable fortune from his
father, founder Of the big pie baking
firm of Moody & Waters, of which
Charles H. was the head and Alexan-
der the secretary. The latter occupied
fine residence at 210 Seeley avenue,
this city. owned summer residence
In Wisconsin and farm at St, Charles
Ill.
February 20 fell on a Sunday. The
previous Thursday Hamburger steak
had been purchased but not used un-
til Saturday. the intervening Friday
being observed as a fast day. On
Saturday the family partook of the
meat without i'll effects. Sunday MORN
ing Mr.. Moody was compelled to visit
the factory, and as Mrs. Moody, his
wife, was not feeling we'll, Mr. Moody
took breakfast alone, the meal being
prepared by Agnes Hartwick, a SER
want who has been in the family for
thirteen years.
The left over portion of the steak
had been rolled into balls by Miss
Hartwick and placed in the ice box
over night. This box contained no ice
and was accessible from either the
kitchen Or the rear porch. The easy
access to the refrigerator from with
out is shown in the testimony of Miss
Hartwick at private inquiry when
she stated that eggs and meat had
been missed from the box on several
occasions.
At the direction of Mrs. Moody, the
servant served Mr.. Moody the steak,
cornbread and coffee. Later Mrs.
Moody arose. but ate no breakfast.
Miss Hartwick, however. ate piece
of bread dipped in the gravy from the
meat and some hours later was taken
violently i'll. Mr.. Moody remained at
the bakery all day, but returned in a
carriage at 10 p. NJ, so ill he could
scarcely stand. "A home remedy fail
ing to afford relief, the family physi-
clan. DR.. F. s. Hartman, was sent for,
but he was unable to succor the pa
itient, who died within the hour. The
doctor was about to leave the house
when informed that the servant was
i'll, exhibiting symptoms similar to
those Of Mr.. Moody. In this case medi-
cal aid proved efficacions.
Secured Steak
Moved by reasons which he has not
made public, DIR. Hartman admits hav-
ing secured that night the remaining
portion of the steak, which he sealed
in glass jar. This exhibit was given
to DR.. Walter Haines, the chemist
whose name has become familiar in
in the Swope case of Kansas City, for
analysis. The latter, in report to
the coroner. which was suppressed un-
til today. stated that the meat con-
tained enough arsenic to have killed
half dozen persons The Kidneys,
heart and stomach of the dccedent,
according to the coroner, also showed
pronounced traces of the poison.
Coroner Hoffman is personal
friend of the Moody family. and the
next day. Monday. learning OF Mr..
Moody's sudden death. visited the be-
reaved household with the idea, he as
serts, that he might save the family
the notoriety of post mortem.
Things didn't look right" related
Mr.. Hoffman today. "Mr. Moody had
been a we'll man. and there he lay
leal. ! doubted the ptomaine poison
ing theory as the meat. owing to the
bitter cold. had been frozen in the ice
box. called in the city physician,
DR.. H. G. w. Reinhardt. and we held
post mortem investigation, resulting
in the discovery of what looked like
traces of arsenic. Analysis by DR..
Haines later proved this to be correct"
Three weeks elapsed before the
chemist made his official report. Then
a private inquest was held, the testi-
mony being recorded by a shorthand
reported. Mrs. Moody was closely
questioned as to the details of her hus-
bands death. Her story was In SUBJ
stance as hereinbefore given.
Meanwhile detectives kept close
watch on all who might possibly shed
light on the mystery. An officer is