The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1911-01-19
PROBING THE CASE
WHERE TWO PEOPLE
MET THEIR DEATH
What Was Thought to
be Murder May Turn
Out a Suicide.
FACTS COMING OUT
1t is Known That Twigg
Bought Cyanide a Short
Time Before.

Cumberland. Md.-The source
from which the poison was obtained
which ended the lives of Charles 3.
Twigg and Mary Grace Elosser on
the v of their wedding while seat
ed on a settle in the parlor of the Elos-
ser home, December 81, is believed
to have been found.
]. G. Mckown, of Paw Paw, w.
berland, says that last summe he
sold Twigg four pounds of cyanide
of potassium. Mr.. Mckown is man
ager of the orchards of the Allegh-
eny Orchard Company, with ramiica-
ton combining the most extensive
peach orchard in this section of the
country.
Mr.. McKown said yesterday in the
store of G. E. Venting, at Paw Paw,
hat he had sold Twigg the poison,
presumably for spraying in his own
orchards. The poison vas in a salt
form, much resembling grains of
starch. In telling the assembled
group in the Venting store about
the incident. Mr.. Mckown said that,
after reading about the tragedy, it
occurred to him that he sold Twigg
the cyanide of potassium, and in in
vestigating his books he found the
proof that he had made the sale to
Twigg.
Brings Death Quickly.
McKown also told how potent was
the poison, saying that a particle
that might be held by a pinhead,
dropped on the tongue, would pro-
duce death in three minutes. At the
Robinette boarding house at Paw
Paw McKown also repeated his
statements regarding the sale of the
poison to Twigg.
Mr.. McKown could not be reached
today for more extended informa-
ton on the matter, but State At
torney Robb said tbat he had infor-
nation to the, effect that Twigg OBJ
tanned cyanide of potassium at Paw
Paw, and he now had a representa-
tive of his office making a thorough
Investigation of the matter. He said
the information had now come to him
through two reliable sources.
Willard and Bernon Twigg, broth
of Charles p .Twigg, testified be-
fore the coroners' jury that they look
ed after the orchard of their brother,
and that cyanide Of potassium was
used in spraying peach trees,
while they did not use any poison at
ell in .exterminating rabbits, never
having been bothered sufficiently by
the latter. They said arsenate of
lead was the chemical they had us
ed and that they had never heard of
the cyanide.
However, it is known that Charles
p. Twigg made a study of fruit Gull!
ture and vas we'll along, receiving
government reports on the subject;
and these reports, among other
dealt with the use of spraying
poisons. Twigg easily could have
purchased a quantity of this poison
and still not have used it for the pur-
intended. He could have had it l
n his possession without his brothers {
knowing anything about it. Some
'rchardists in this belt use cyanide
extensively, while others employ a /
chemical for the same pur-
'ose.
Mr.. McKown, who gave the in :
ormation about Twigg buying the
yanide, was a candidate for record
r on the Citizens ticket at Paw Paw .
asst Thursday and lost by three
otes.
Detectives Working on Case. t;
States Attorney Robb said today IL
hat two detectives were now at i,
'ork in the case. They were follow i,
overall lines. Mr.. Robb said the v,
rand jury would not be reconvened II
t present, that as yet he had no II
let's to lay before them and he did OF
ot propose to act on suspicious. NJ
The Rev. DR.. w. w. vanarsdale, s.
astor Of Grace Methodist Episcopal
lurch where the Elosser family
orshiped, expressed the opinion that
ISIS May Elosser is being give a
eat amount of undeserved noto-
ETY. in the case. =
When questioned regarding the
ct that at the inquest it was oh
ought out that she too was stuff ed
ing from what Doctor Foard co
ought to be cyanide poisoning, in fol
Of the ordinary faint, Doctor pa
replied that he had con- Iis
lied a physician on that point and 20
d been assured that she might
We inhaled sufficient Of the poison ~
lille assisting in removing her sis
from the front room to the bed
the second room to have caused tea
r illness and the appearance of IN
wing been poisoned. an,
DR.. William r. Foard and DR.. 10:
w. Koon. both Of whom tes- ths
at the inquest, state that such In
'soning by inhalation would be {