Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1912-11-08
Mystery in Relations
Of Accused and Victim.

AVA ypbC4 III ASCulbAOuo
Of Accused and Victim.
The relations between the Flanders
couple and McNaughton have never
been explained. Fred Flanders was a
prosperous farmer Of Emanuel county
His kin are wealthy. numerous, prom
inent In politics. McNaughton was a
young respected physician OF SWANS
boro, the county seat Of Emanuel
McNaughton was the family physi-
clan of the Flanders couple, but he
was more than that. He was the close
personal friend Of Flanders. There Is
the charge that the relation was even
more intimate with the wife
The doctor was a married man. Chill.
dren had been born to the union. In
1908 Mrs. McNaughton died and then
came the strangest, weirdest feature OF
the tragic story. Flanders and his wife
abandoned their home on the farm and
came to Swainsboro to live with the
physician
For two years they occupied the same
house, they ate at the same table they
had the same friends Firner friends
were never known than the farmer and
the doctor.
There had been gossip though. in
reference to McNaughton and Mrs
Flanders. The husband either did not
hear It or refused TO give it ear.
On June 4, 1910, Flanders died sud
denly. DR. McNaughton. his physician
declared that his end was due to acute
nephritis Flanders was buried and
McNaughton was at the graves side.
He showed emotion which was taken
as token of sincere grief for de.
parted and beloved friend
Relatives Are Suspicious
The, story OF acute nephritis was not
observation-disclosures by the Flanders
family. They had heard the gossip
connecting the name of McNaughton
with that OF the dead mans wife.
Though the husband had refused to
listen. they had given heed.
When their kinsman died suddenly
their suspicious were aroused. and be-
fore the flowers had withered on the
grave they had demanded an invdstiga-
ton.
On June the body was exhumed. An
expert medical examination was de-
manded by the relatives. An autopsy
was performed and Flanders stomach
was shipped to the state chemist fol
examination coroner's jury had
been impaneled and these men await
cd the verdict Of the scientists
ON July rs the chemist reported. Dis
tinct traces of arsenic poison had beer
found The Flanders family was not
slow TO act Warrants were sworn OH,
and officers sent to the McNaughton
home Mrs. Flanders was found there
She was placed under arrest. Nc
Naughton had disappeared. He had
heard OF the Investigation and had de-
parted from Swainsboro. Feeling was
high then against the doctor. 1t was
openly stated that he had poisoned his
friend in order to make the way clear
for him to obtain complete possession
of his wife.
A drasnet was spread over the entire
state and in a day It brought results
DR. McNaughton was traced to Augusta
and Immediately placed under arrest
and a subsequent report of the chemist
showed that enough arsenic had beer
discovered to kill several men.
Feeling High Against Accused.
Feeling against the physician was
running too high in Emanuel for his
safe return there. The Flanders clan
was up in arms. His death was de-
manded. Pending his trial in the supe-
rior court of Emanuel county he was
held in tine Chatham county Jail Muir
der was charged.
The physician attempted to explain
"a 10 J..
the hatred the Flanders family bor,
him. He knew their influence in Eman-
nel. Mob violence he believed. would
have imperlled him had he not .aet
when he did.
Under a joint Indictment. the docto,
ana Mrs. Flanders were placed on tria
October II at Swainsboro. Then 70,
the first time and the only time Their,
seemed TO be a difference between tn,
pair accused Of the poisoning. Mrs
Faudrs counsel asked foa severanc.
Of the indictment They Insisted on 4
separate trial
Dr. McNaughton still feared the in.
fiuence Of the Flanders family. He ak
not believe be could get q fair trial II
Emanuel county. His counsel urged 3
change Of venue. His motion was de-
MED He was forced TO go TO trial
while Mrs. Flanders case was allowed
to wait, pending a verdict for OF
against the principal
Al the trial though he made splr
tied defense, the chain Of circumstance,
proved too strong On October - h,
was found guilty and sentenced 10 han,
December g.
asains Great Legal Battle.
Then began his remarkable legal bat.
= te 10 first entered motion for new