The evening world., 1911-01-18
One Had Him Removed to
Hospital Because He Suspect
ed Lead Was Given Him.
COURT BARS WOMEN.
Declares Evidence at Trial Ma,
Affect Morals of City,
Some Fight to Enter.

WHEELING. W. Va. Jan. 1S.Lwom-
ell were denied admission this after
noon to the courtroom where Mrs.
Laura Schenk is being tried on tho
charge OF poisoning her husband. Judge
Jordan, who is presiding. issued the
order.
Tho evidence in this case Is tending
10 corrupt the morals OF the women
who have been in constant attendance
tho Judge said just before the noon
resess. They so home and discuss
the case, and that Is not right"
The big audiences at every session
have largely bcen composed Of women
and girls. Many. unable TO get inside In
the morning, would patiently stand in
l!ne in tho hallway, mwnching apples
and sandwiches. and III the places va
Gated at recess. To-day at noon tho
room was cleared of women.
When court convened COR the afternoon
session the room had a stag party ap-
pearance. Mrs. Schenk being the only
woman present. n order of Judge
Jordan had been obeycd. although dep
uty sherifrs had some difficulty in kep-
ing the more lnslstent women out.
Mrs. sehenk Taken Sick.
At 4 O'Clock this afternoon Mrs.
Laura Schenk, on trial for alleged pol
soning OF her husband. was on the
verge OF collapse in the courtroom
from strain. and as she sank down into
her chair Judge Jordan hastily adj
journed court and Mrs. Schenk was re-
moved to her cell in the Jail.
II was stated later by physicians that
her condition was not serious. She
was brought back into court and the
trial resumed.
DE-. J. Edward Burns, the specialist
called into consultation when Dr.. L. l..
Hupp became suspicious of the cause OF
John o. Schenk's mysterious ailment.
was on the stand at the opening OF
the trial. Attorney J. J. O'Brien OF the
defense continued tho cross-examina-
ton.
Burns testified that Schenk's symp-
toms up to Oct. 20 were similar to that
OF n malarial fever patient. Oct. 20
was fxed by the witness in response to
Prosecutor Handlan's Hypothetical
question as the probable date when
Schenk was suffering from lead pol
soning.
"Will you say Schenk was not suffer
ing from malarial fever?" O'Brien
asked.
II certainly WILL" witness replied.
A pretty, stylishly dressed girl of six
teen was at this j%uncture elected from
the courtroom by the Sheriff. Her
presence was in violation of Judge Jor-
dams rule barring minors.
Gregory Alderman. who first discov-
cred the blue line on the packers gums.
was then recalled.
The witness said positively the blue
mark was caused by lead poisoning and
could not be traced TO a gum disease.
Suspected Poisoning.
why did you order schenk to take
all his meals at the hospital?" Handlan
asked.
Il found the patient could not have
absorbed The Lead In his business. that
the poison vas taken in through the
stomach. I suspected hts home sur
ro~undings."
Alderman said ne quit attending
Schenk because the millionaire went
home, in violation Of his instructions.
Alderman said Schenk showed no
signs OF being a chrome arsenic eater.
He acknowledged. however. he made no
examination for this.
DIR. J. 4, Thornton. replying TO the
hypothetical question. agreed with the
other experts as TO the presence OF lead
and arsenicai poisoning.
Prosecutor Handlan called George
Coleman, a Wheeling druggist, who an
alyzed water taken from the case from
which Schenk's water had been takcn,
testified he had found no traces OF lead
or arsenic. Coleman, said Attorney
O'Brien Of the defense. had requested