The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1911-02-16
.CASK|LLEDCOUPL
Chemists Explain Deaths of
Miss EIOSSer and Twigg.
CARBON MONOXIDE FOUND
Analysis of Blood of BetrOthed Pair
Tends to Disprove Theory OF
Poisoning by Cyanide as
Suspected.

Cumberland, Md, FEB. "a - nat
Charles +. Twigg and Miss Grace
Elosser. the young couple found dead
in the parlor of the Elosser home on
Dec. 81 last. the eve of their wedding
day. came to their death from carbon
monoxide local gas) poisoning was
the conclusion of the Washington and
Baltimore chemists who tested the
blood Of the two victims.
Heretofore the authorities have
maintained that the couple met their
death by cyanide OF potassium the
coroner's jury rendering a verdict to
that effect
The reports Of DR.. Charles CHASER,
of Baltimore, and DR.. r. l.. Lynch,
chief chemist OF the health depart
ment OF the District Of Columbia the
chemists employed by States Attorney
Robb, were made public.
The reports are against the theory
OF cyanide poisoning and agree that
death in each instance came from
carbon monoxide poisoning.
Carbon monoxide is a gas supposed
to have been given of by a stove in
the Elosser parlor. DR.. Glaser's report
is at great length. while DR.. Lynch
came by telegram and says samples
show the presence Of carbon monoX
ide. and that death was undoubtedly
due TO carbon monoxide poisoning.
The tests were made by the two
chemists independently and their re
ports agree Mr. Robb says; Or
Lynch had received a sample OF the
Elosser blood before receiving the
Twigg, and had reported that the
sample which he received did moi
show carbon monoxide, and asked foI
another sample of the Elosser blood
and stated that he was OF the opinion
that the first sample which had beer
sent to him had become contaminat
ed while in transit. as the seal had
been loosened.
His report was made on the one
sample Of the Twigg blood and the
second sample Of the ElOsser blood
The facts in the case. as / see then
At this time. without having any eyi
dence to Justify the belief that any
particular person caused the deaths
of these parties, are that two per
sons we're found dead in a room II
which a stove with defective hue;
was at the time; that afterwards two
inmates were placed in the same
room. the stove lighted and the doors
closed. and died. Such eminent scien
lists as DR.. Glaser and DR.. Lynch say
that carbon monoxide gas existed II
the blood of the two parties who diec
in the room to such an extent as tC
cause death"
Mr.. Robb, after chemists had ad
vised him that carbon monoxide woulC
show in the blood within eighteen
months after the deaths Of the par
ties, had the bodies of Twigg anC
Miss CLOSER exhumed and samples
of the blood secured for the tests.
Many persons refuse to accept the
carbon monoxide theory, especially a
Keyser, Twiggs home. They thinl
there he was foully murdered.
A chemist some time ago made
statement that he found cyanide il
such quantities in the stomachs as t(
lead him to conclude it must have
been administered, as it was too pro
nounced to have been generated il
the digestive process.
Carbon monoxide is a poisonous
gas generated by the imperfect com
bustion of coal, and its presence IS in
dicated by the blue flame which ma!
often be seen hoverirg above the
burning fuel. 1t is extremely danger
Gus to life.