Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1911-06-21
A MYSTERIOUS CASE.
Death of Vera Fry, BoscobeI, Is In
explained.

The sudden death of Miss Vera Fry
shortly after midnight Tuesday, June
IS, has been the all absor bling topic of
conversation since it's occurance,
Miss Fry resided with her uncle
and aunt, Mr.. and Mrs W. S. Funk,
who purchased the farm formerly
owned by ". T. Scott, situated two
miles east of the city. The young
lady attended the city schools. and
Tuesday wrote examinations COM
plotting the years school work. In
the evening" in company with her
brother Ralph. her sister Fanny and
her uncle, she attended the circus :;
after the show the four drove home,
and shortly after retired as usual
Miss Fry was in apparently good
health, and as cheerful as Gus omary
through the day. She made no COM
plant Of feeling indisposed, and when
she suddenly cried out in the night
about an hour after retiring for the
assistance Of her aunt, Mrs. Funk en-
teruained no idea Of any serious con-
sequences and believed the young lady
in the throes of an unpleasant dream
or some like ailment.
The condition of the girl became
more alarming in a few moments,
however, and when commissions set
in physician was hastily summoned
| from the city. DR.. G. s. Hayman
responded with alacrity, but before
he arrived the young lady was dead.
The circumstances surrounding the
case together with the symptoms in
connection her death were indicative
of poisoning. and it was deemed best
to hold an inquest over the remains
Dist. Atty. Clementson was notified
and authorized W. E. Howe to look
after the case. A jury was summoned
in Justice Richardson court by Con-
stable w. L. Huff. consisting of
Messrs. f. w. See1nan, Frank Assay,
Martin Robinson, JAS. Foley, Major
Meller and w. $. Barto.
The inquest was held at the resi-
dence Of the Funks, and occupied the
entire afternoon. The testimony of
MIR. and Mrs Funk was taken, also
that of the brother and sister, com
posing the family. Drs c. S. Hay
man and G. Betz were also called.
The physicians were all of the
opinion that all the circumstances
surrounding the death as described in
the testimony would lead them to be-
lieve that death was due to strychnine
poisoning.
When the matter was left to the
jury, the gentlemen based their ver
dict almost entirely upon the version
taken by the doctors, and returned
a verdict to the effect that death res
suited from strychnine poisoning but
as to how it was administed the meth
Cd was unknown.
Not the slightest shadow of doubt
rests upon any member Of family as to
any guilty connection with the IN
fortunate affair, and il the young lady
was poisoned it was taken accidental
ly or with suicidal intent. In either
case this is simply a matter of con
lecture. as it has not heen proven that
she was poisoned. This fact could po
established only by a post norton,
and as the jury failed to recommend
this procedure it was not undertaken.
About a month ago Mrs. Funk pur-
chased a small quantity Of strychnine
to be used in destroying an army Of
rats that were playing havoc with her
chickens Miss Fry had eaten nothing
after supper to the knowledge of
other members of the family, but some
peanuts at the circus. and few more
after arriving home The others par
took Of the peanuts also.
1t is a deplorable case and the truth
may never be known, Deceased was
nearly 81 years Of age, and had just
completed her 1st year in high school.
Of a modest retiring nature she was
perhaps not 50 we'll known as some of
her classmates but those who were ac-
quainted with her speak most highly
Of her good traits and kindly DISPOSE
ton. Upon the death Of the father
II years ago she and her brother
Ralph were taken by Mr.. and Mrs.
Funk, and have been a part Of the
family ever since. The mother re-
sides at Ellsworth, Neb. -BoscobeI
Dial Enterprise. The funeral serv
ices were held at the M. E. church in
Boscobel Friday afternoon.
rnTNrIS 7Tc,,rNvcx.