New-York tribune., 1911-01-12
Defence MAKES GAINS
AT MRS. SCHENK TRIAL
Brought Out That Medicines
Contained Arsenic - Or.
Hupp's Admissions.
THRONG BESIEGES COURT
Bring Their Luncheons with
Them-Children Throw Kisses
to the Window of
Mothers Cell.

Wheeling, w. Va, Jan. 1.-THE defense
had the best of It to-day in the case Of
Laura Farnsworth Schenk charged with
attempting to poison her husband. John o.
Schenk, the millionaire pork packer. II
was brought out among other things. that
arsenic might have been contained in rnedi-
cine prescribed by physicians.
The crowd that assembled about the
courthouse doors this morning outnum-
bered that Of yesterday. AS early at s
o'clock, four hours before the doors were
thrown open. there was a knot OF the
curious assembled and with each passing
minute IT grew until there were fully 900
persons, many OF them women, with whom
the police struggled, pleaded and pulled and
hauled. Many OF them brought luncheons
In baskets. boxes and in paper packages.
As the crowd grew the police guard was
increased until there were double the num-
ber Of patrolmen on duty at the court
house yesterday.
There was a pathetic Incident in connec-
ton with the case to-day, when the Schenk
children, Virginia. aged twelve, and Rob,
seven. discovered the window in their moth
ers cell in the Wheeling Jail. They were
at the courthouse with their father. and
while he was In one of the offices they
climbed out of the automobile and hsstened
TO the tower
Throw kisses Rob; It's mammals win
dow" said the little girl as the window in
the tower was raised a little, and waving
their hands and shouting in glee the little
ones fairly bombsrded the jail with tokens
Of affection
Or. Frank Le Moyne HuIp who report
cd the alleged poisoning 10 the authorities
and who was considered the star witness"
for the state was under cross-examination
at the hands of John J. r. O'Brien all day
with the exception Of a few minutes at the
opening of the morning session, when
Prosecuting Attorney J. p. Handlan COM
pleted the direct.
O'Brien's Knowledge Of Medicine.
Until less than an hour before adjourn
nIent of court, this evening, the session was
upnteresting, Mr.. O'Brien apparently fol-
lowing no certain line os questions and with
no appa rent definite purpose. Suddenly he
collected the scattered ends OF the cross
examination, firing one sharp question
after another at the witness, and bringing
OUT points fOrlSlOeTEO Oh great Ndtut 10 tnt
defence He displayed an unexpected
knowledge OF medicine, which came as a
surprise to the states attorneys and the
witness alike.
Among other things admitted by, DR..
Hupp after the sharp attack OF Mr..
O'Brien was that he was not sure the
symptoms exhibited by John o. Schenk,
even after the removal OF the latter 10 the
hospital, were due to arsenical poisoning
until a mineral water used by Schenk
was analyzed by experts at the University
OF Virginia and Johns Hopkins University:
that the discoloration OF the patients gums
was probably due TO a diseased condition
Of the gums and the fact that "Schenk
did not use toothbrush" rather than to
lead poisoning and that the packer was
at no time, either before or after his re-
moval to the hospital. actually confined to
his bed at all times.
The defence apparently also laid the
foundation for a probable claim Of con-
spiracy For tho first time during the trial
the name Of Albert Schenk. brother OF John
o. Schenk and head Of the wealthy family
was brought into the case.
did not Mrs. Schenk complain to you
that Albert Schenk had gone to the hospi-
tai and secured Johns signature to certain
papers which would make Albert executor
OF Johns estate if tho latter should die
suddenly" was asked.
Il 10 not remember all OF that conversa-
tion." was the reply.
Qunine Contained Arsenic.
Much of the testimony was OF technical
nature. Mr.. o Brien bringing out various