The Norfolk weekly news-journal., 1911-11-03
POISON FOUND
IN HIS BODY
ENOUGH ARSENIC TO KILL A MAN
IN CHICAGO CASE.
MRS. vERMILYA is ARRESTED
Following the Finding OF Arsenic in
Viscera OF Policeman Arthur Bison.
cite, the Widow Who May Have
Murdered others, Is Locked UP.

cite, the Widow Who May Have
Murdered Others, is Locked Up.
Chicago. Nov. 3.--Prof. Walter
Haines of Rush college reported to
Coroner Hoffman today that he had
found abundant arsenic in Policeman
Arthur Bisonettes liver to cause
death.
After the announcement that BisoL
cites death was caused by poison
Chief of Police McWeeny prepared to
swear out a warrant for Mrs. Louis
Vermilya, charging her with the muir
der of Arthur Bisonette and Richard
r. Smith, an Illinois Central conduc'
tor, who died mysteriously while a
roomer at Mrs Vermilya's home.
Dispatches from Peoria quoted
Thomas II. Burlington, brother-in-law
of Richard r. Smith as saying that
for $4,000, making Mrs. Vermiya his
beneficiary.
May Be Record Breaker.
The first thread in poison mystery
that the police say is likely to reveal
a series of murders more wilful and
cold blooded than any in police his
tory here, was unraveled today with
the announcement that Bisonette had
been poisoned.
Bisonette died suddenly week
ago after becoming i'll at the home OF
the widow, Mrs. Louise Vermilya, with
whom he boarded. The examination
of his viscera showed arsenic in more
than sufficient quantity to cause
death.
Eight Other Deaths.
With police investigation OF Bison
cites death was revealed a series OF
eight other deaths within the last few
years of persons related to or closely
associated with Mrs. Vermilya. Smith
died "a year ago while a boarder al
her home. Mrs. Vermilya for the last
few days has been under close police
guard at her home. According tC
plans she will be taken at once to q
police station although her physicians
declare she is seriously i'll.
Other deaths were:
Fred Brinkamp, first husband Of
Mrs. Vermlya, left $4,000 to the
;,.!JNS.
Charles Vermilya, second husband
died two years ago, leaving $4,000.
Frank Brinkamp, son by first mar
rage, died year ago, leaving his
mother $1,000.
Harry j. Vermilya, stepson, died {
year ago after quarrel with his
stepmother over the sale of a house
Lillian Brinkamp, granddaughter o.
Fred Brinkamp, died in 1906 at the
home of Mrs. Vermilya.
Richard T. Smith, died a year ago
while rooming at her home. reported
to have left her $4,000 in life insur
ance and believed by some to be he
third husband.
Cora Brinkamp, daughter, dieC
when 8 years old, at former home
harrington, Ill.
Florence Brinkamp, daughter, diet
at years of age, at harrington.
The decision to arrest Mrs. Yer
milya was made after a conference
by the examining doctors, Corone
Hoffman, Chief of Police McWeeny
States Attorney Wayman and othe
officers. Previous to the examination
Coroner Hoffman had declared HI
would cause to be exhumed the bod
les of at least part of the other
to see if arsenic could be found.
Her Stories Suspicious.
When first examined after Bison
cites death, Mrs. Vermilya declared
the policeman was engaged to MARI.
her. This was disproved by the dis
covery of his will, made only shor
time before, leaving all his property
amounting to about $1,000, to his Fl
ancee, Miss Rivard of Minnesota
Other statements made by her wer
also proved to be untrue, and Capt
Harding, while unwilling to arres
her Immediately placed her undo
surveillance. She then became SER
ously i'll, suffering from CONFUSION
and appearing to be in almost tn
same condition that marked Smith
and Bisonette's deaths.
An extra guard was placed over he
and nurses have been kept at her sid
constantly.
Corpses Charm Her.
Last night she asked permission t
cali her lawyer and make a will.
doctor was then called who announces
that she was suffering from pner
monia. Reports from Peoria, Ill
where Mrs. Vermilya formerly ha
lived, indicated that the dead bodie
had possessed a morbid Fascination
for her. Hazel Brinkamp, divorce
wife OF Frank Brinkamp, added furtt
er suspicion against Mrs. Vermilyf
who told the police that Brinkam
had feared a violent death and tina
there had been an agreement wit
his wife that whichever died first tn
survivor would investigate the caus
~ death