The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-01-23
BITTERLY FOUGHT
CASE NEARING END
Mrs. Schenk 5 Fate w ill
Be With Jury by
Wednesday.
ALL TIRED OUT
BY LONG STRAIN.
At Every Stage There Has Been
Element Of Doubt, and Now
No One Knows Secret Opin-
ions Locked Up in Breast
Of Jurors-Argument
Begins To-Day.

Wheeling, W. Va. .january .2.--
That arguments Will be begun Monday
IN the case against Laura Farms worth
Schcnk, charged with administering
poison to her husband, John q, Schenk.
was practically determined after a long
conference to-day, between Prosecut-
ing Attorney J. Bernard Eiandlan ana
his assistant, Fred l.. AIaury, and the
famous case Will probably 20 TO tho
jury not later than "Wednesday noon,
instead Of Thursday evening as at first
anticipated.
!, full day Will be given 10 each SIDE
for the pleas. MI Maury viii open
Tor the prosecution and will be follow
ca by S O. Boycc and j. j. T.. % Briep,
for the defense. The arguments will
be closed by Mr.. IIandiar. who Will
take the greater part OF ono day
The fact that the end cf tho trial
is IN sight is welcomed allie By judge.
attorneys and jury. All have hecn
under severe strain, and all show
the tight which they have gone through.
There has never been case in the
history OF the criminal courts OF this
State fought more bitterly by both
sides, and at all times there has been
doubt. The state has presented strong
evidence against the accused and this
has been met with telling points in
her behalf. To-day. not man knows
the secret opinions locked ZIP in the
breasts OF the twelve men who will
pass upon tho case of a woman lifted
from poverty and obscurity To the en-
loyncnt OF all that money can buy
and who Is now accused of having
tried 70 rid herself Of tho man who
brought her I'll of these in order to
marry younger man, through the
agency OF slow poison.
Starc's strong Case. 1s
The State has shown through analy-
sis by expert chemists that mineral
water which John Q. Schcnk crank in
his home. that medicine which vas ad-
mintstered in his home was charged
with two potsnns- and sugar
Of lead; that Mrs Schenk hal impro-
per relations with another man. and
tina she had expressed q Wish that
her husband would die. Tie State has
produced witness who swore that
Mrs. Schenk offered $1,000 - nut poi-
son In her husbands medicine. after.
nc was removed to the hospital: that
she purchased sugar OF toad from a
physician in Il quantity su!nc!cnt TO
Kill dozen mon. and that John O.
Schenll was suffering from arsenical
and lead poison.
On the other hand, the STATE has not
shown whether the defendant pur-
chased arsenic No evidence has been
.adduced TO prove that Laura Farms
worth Schenk actually put the deadly
drugs in the water and med cine The
defense has claimed throughout that
there was conspiracy on the part OF
members of The Schcnk family to rid
themselves of the woman under trial,
and put on y witness 10 prove that
Albert Schenll, head OF the family de-
clared he would leave no stone un-
turned TO accomplish that purpose.
Only witnesses TO rebut this testimony
BY the defense and to furnish no new
evidence Will be introduced during the
day. It was declared las. night that
.Alber: Schenk would be forccd on tho
stand to rcbut evidence of Mrs. james
Hedges who asserted that he had told
her OF his Intentions to get rid OF
"tha. woman"