Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1911-11-11
Mrs. VermiIya is Charged
With Murder.
BELIEVE SHE POISONED NINE
Chicago Authorities Act Following
Report Of Experts That Arsenic
= - Killed Policeman Roomer
in Der House.

Chicago, Nov. Mrs. Louise Yer
milya was formally charged with the
murder Of Policeman Arthur Bison
ette by poisoning him with arsenic,
following the report OF PSYCHOLOGISTS
VINO had examined the yiscera OF the
dead roomer at the Widows home.
Coroner Hoffman announced that he
would have exhumed the bodies of at
least two of the other eight persons
who had died in her home during the
last eighteen years.
Professor Walter l.. Haines, DIR.
Ralph W. Webster and DR.. Il. r. Lee
Count reported to the coroner that
they found more than enough arsenic
in the liver and other organs of Bison
cite to have caused his death.
Chief of Police McWeeny. who, with
States Attorney J. E. w. Wayman
and several police officers, had listen
ed to the toxocoligists report to the
coroner, Immediately swore out war
rant for the woman, who had been un-
der close police surveillance.
She had been i'll with pneumonia,
and her condition was such that Cap
tain Harding, the police officer in
charge of the investigation, agreed to
bold service of the warrant until later,
but added several men to the guard
watching the suspected widow.
Coroner Hoffman likewise became
active and procured permits from rel
atives of former acquaintance of the
widow whose deaths now have come
under suspicion, to exhume the bodies
for genealogical examination.
To Investigate Other Deaths.
Dozens of detectives will search for
further light ON the eight death that
preceded the demise of Bissonette,
while the deeedents were living at
Mrs. Vermilya's home.
Just what bodies would be exhumed
Coroner Hoffman declined to say. 1t
was intimated, however, that one of
them would be that of Conductor Rich
ard T. Smith, who, boasting of his
having lived as the husband of the
widow-though not married to her
was taken suddenly i'll and died under
circumstances that since have aroused
official curiosity
1t developed that he had obtained
$4,000 life insurance a short time be-
fore, of which she was to be the bene-
ficiary
Mrs. Nermilya collapsed when in
formed the experts had found poison
in the Yiscera of Bissonette, but she
showed no concern after recovering,
and declined to make any statement,
The increased guard, however, was in.
structed not to allow her to pass a
moment not under a watchful eye. lest
in dependency she attempt to injure
herself
The nine victims of Mrs. Vermilya,
who the authorities believe were poi
soned, are:
Arthur Bissonette, patrolman, who
died a week ago. Roomer in Mrs. Yer
milya's home.
Fred Brinkamp. first husband Of
Mrs. Vermilya. He left $4,000 to the
widow.
Charles Vermilya, second husband,
died two years ago, leaving $4,000.
Frank Brinkamp, son by first hus-
band. died a year ago, leaving mother
1920
Harry ]. Vermilya, stepson. died a
year ago after a quarrel with his step
mother over the sale of house.
Lillian Brinkamp. granddaughter OF
Fred Brinkamp. died in 1906 at home
OF Mrs. Vermilya.
Richard T. Smith. died a year ago
while rooming at her home. Reputed
to have left her $4,000 life insurance
and declared by some to have been a
third husband.
Cora Brinkamp, daughter, died when
eight years old, at former home, Bar
rington, Ill.
Florence Brinkamp. daughter. died
at four years of age, at harrington.