Omaha daily bee., 1911-11-04
POISON IS FOUND IN LIVER
Death of Chicago Policeman Was
Caused by Arsenic.
WARRANT FOR MRS. vERMMYA
Police VIII Charge Her with MUIR
der of Arthur Biss6nnettc,
who Died at Her
Home.

CHICAGO, Nov. 8.-Prof. Walter Haines
OF Rush Medical college reported to Cor
oner Hoffman today that he had found
abundant arsenic in Policeman Arthur
Bissonetto's liver to cause death.
After the announcement that Bisson-
cites death was caused by poison Chief
Of Police Mcweeny prepared to swear
out a warrant for Mrs. Louis VeTmilya
charging her with the murders OF Arthur
Bissonette and Richard T. Smith, an IL
linois Central conductor, who died mys-
teriously while a roomer at Mrs Yer
milyR's home.
Eight Others Probably Murdered.
The first thread In a poison mystery
that the police cay is likely to reveal a
series of murders, more willful and cold
blooded than any In police history here,
was unraveled today with the announce
ment that Bissonette had been poisoned.
Blssonette died suddenly q week ago, after
becoming III at the home OF the widow
Mrs, Louis vermliya, with whom he
boarded. The examination OF his viscera
shower arsenic in more than sufficient
quantity TO cause death,
With police investigation OF Bissonette's
death was teyealed series Of eight other
deaths within the last few years OF per-
sons related to or closely associated with
Mrs. vermilya. Smith died year ago
while boarder at her home.
Mrs, Vermilya for the last few days has
been under close police guard at her
home. According to plans. she will be
taken at once to a police station, al
though her physician declares she Is Sc
| riously m. v
| ssAa. aa.4k. ....a. .
FRED .BRINKAMP, first husband OF
Mrs Vermilya, leaving s., 900 TO the widow.
CHARLES VBRMILYA, second hus-
band, died two years ago, leaving &,OO0.
| FRANK BRfNkAMp, son by first mar
rlage, died a year ago, leaving mother
| II, 200
HARRY J. vERMILYA, step-son, died
year ago, after quarrel with his step
mother over the sale Of house.
LILLIAN BRINKAMP. granddaughter
OF Fred Brlnkamp, died in 1905 at home OF
RICHARD T, SMITH. died a year ago,
| while Fooning at her home; reported TO
have left her S2.OO0 life insurance, and de-
elared by some TO have been a third hus-
| band.
Cora Brlnkamp, daughter died when s
years old at former home, harrington. Ill.
Florence Brinkamp. daughter, died at
years OF age at harrington.
The decision to arrest Mrs. VermilYa
was made after n conference by the ex-
aiming doctors, Coroner Hoffman. Chief
OF Police McWeeny, states Attorney
wayman and other officers.
Other BOdies 90 ne Exhumeds
Previous 20 the examination Coroner
Hoffman had declared he would cause TO
be- exhumed the bodies Of ut least part
OF the others TO SEQ II arsenic could be
found.
When first EXAMINED after Bissonnette's
death Mrs. Vermilya declared the police
man was engaged to marry her. This
was disproved by the discovery later OF
his will, made only short time before,
leaving all his property, amounting to
about $500. 20 his fiancee. Miss Laura
Riyard OF Minnesota Other statements
made by her also were proved to be un-
true and Captain Harding, while unwill-
ing 60 arrest her, Immediately placed her
under surveillance.
She then became seriously III, suffering
from commissions and appearing to be in
almost the same condition that had
marked both Smith and Bissonnette be-
. fore their deaths. An extra guard was
/. placed over her and nurses kept at her
side constantly.
|, Last night she asked permission to call
her lawyer and make WILL doctor
was then called, who announced that she
was suffering from pneumonia.
Reports from Peoria. M, where Mrs.
vermilya formerly had lived. indicated
that dead bodies had possessed a morbid
fascination for her.
Hazel Brlnkamp. divorced wife OF
Frank Brinkamp, added further suspicion
against ltrs. Vermliya when her sister
told the police that Brinlamp had feared
a violent death and that there had been
an agreement with his wife that which
ever died first, the survivor would In
vestlgate the cause OF death.
Miss inward at KRnkRkee.
MARSHALL. MINI, Nov. S.-Miss
Lydia Rivard. 10 whom Policeman Arthur
Bissonette left his estate. lives near here
She Is about q years old and two months
ago went TO Kankakee. III. where she
has relatives. The relatives here did not
know that the girl was engaged to tbs
officer. but they admitted she had CORE.
sponded with him for two years.