The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-11-04
CHARGE OF MURDER
FOR NJ ALLY MADE
Mrs, Louise Vcrmilya Must An
swcr for Death Of Police
man Bissonettc.
POISON is DISCOVERED
Bodies of Other Suspected Vic
tins OF Widow Will Be
Exhumed.
---
p. $500 ~

Chicago. November 3.-AIrs. Louise
Vermilya to-day was formally charged
with the murder week ago OF Police.
man Arthur Bissonette by poisoning
him with arsenic. following the report
of Psychologists, who had examined the
viscera OF the dead roomer at the
Widows home Coroner Hoffman an
nounced that he would have exhumed
the bodies of at least two of the other
eight persons who have died In her
home during the past few years.
Professor Walter L. Haincs, DR..
Ralph w. Webster and DR.. Il. Il. Lc-
count reported to the coroner that
they found more than enough arsenic
IN the liver and other organs of Bis
sonettc to have caused death.
Chief of Police McWceny, who with
States Attorney j. Il. w. Waymuu and
several police officers. had listened to
the Psychologists, report 10 the cor
oner. Immediately sworc out "A war
rant for the woman, who had been
under close police surveillance. She
had been Ill with pneumonia. and her
condition was such that Captain Hard.
ing. the police officer in charge of the
investigation, agreed to await service
of warrants until Tomorrow but add.
cd several men to the guard watching
the suspected widow.
Permit to Exbumc Bodies.
Coroner Hoffman likewise became
active. and procured permits from
relatives of former acquaintance of
the widow whose deaths now have
come under suspicion to eXhume
the bodies for Pathological cNamina-
ton. There Is Il State law forbidding
the use of arsenic In embalming. and
the coroner announced that IL the pol
son was found in the bodies dug up
the undertakers would be asked for
certificates showing whether the law
was disobeyed, and II It was not an ef-
fort would be made TO connect the
widow with the administering of the
poison.
Dozens of detectives will search for
further light on the eight deaths
which preceded the demise OF Bisson-
ettc while the decedents were living
at Mrs, Nermiyas home.
Just what bodies would be exhumed.
Coroner Hoffman declined to say. 1t
was ntimated, however, one OF them
would be that of Conductor Richard T.
Smith, who. Boosting 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
II developed that he had obtained llfo
insurance a short time before, of which
she was to be the beneficiary.
Mrs. Vermilya collapsed wsen in
formed that the experts had found
poison in the visccra of Bissonetto.
but she showed no concern after recov-
crtng and declined 10 nakc any state
ment. The increased guard. however,
was instructed not to allow her to pass
Il moment not under watchful eye,
lest IN dependency she attempt to in
jure herself,
May He Her Victims.
The eight other deaths were:
Fred Brinkamp. first husband of Mrs.
Vermilya. lie left $4,000 to the widow.
Charles Vermilya, second husband.
died two years ago, leaving $4,000.
Frank Brinkamp, son by first mar
riase: died year ago, leaving mother
$1,000
Harry j. Ncrmilya. stopson; died
year ago after IA quarrel with his step
mother over the sale of a house.
Lillian Brinkamp. granddaughter of
Fred Brinkamp; died in 1905 at the
home OF Mrs. Nermilya.
Richard T. Smith died a year ago.
while rooming at her home. Re.,utcd 20
have LETT her $4,000 life insurance, and
Continued on :chird page.)