New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-10-21
POISON KILLED EATON,
HARVARD EXPERTS SWEAR
Is Grains of Arsenic Found in
Body-0ne Dose Given
Shortly Before Death.
TESTIMONY AMUSES WIDOW
Evidence That She Had Often
Wished Husband Dead and
Said He Wanted to
Kill Her.

Plymouth, Mass. Oct a0-Rear Admira
| Joseph G. Eaton died from poison,
least one dose OF which was administered
within six or eight hours Of his death
during which time. testimony showed. n
was unconscious.
This, the statement of medical experts
was the principal evidence introduced b,
the government in its efforts to supper
it's charge that the admiral came to his
death at the hands OF his widow. Mrs
Jennie May Eaton. now on trial for hel
life.
Mrs. Eaton still maintained TO large
extent the composure which she has SC
far manifested during the proceedings
Occasionally during the medical test'
money she bit her lips and again broke
out I'm laughter during the testimony oil
acquaintance.
Testimony as to the finding of poison
in the admiral's body and indications as
to the time and manner Of It's admins
tration was given by Professor w. r.
Whitney and Professor william Balch.
both of the Harvard Medical School
These experts, retained by the govern
ment, had analysed the contents OF the
organe removed from the body OF the
admiral. Sixteen grains OF pure white
arsenic was found and greater amount
was probably thrown of from the ao'
mirars system before death, according 10
the testimony.
District Attorney Albert Barker, in re-
direct examination. brought out testimony
TO show that the poison might equaii'
well have been administered by some
other person. The poison could have been
taken in tea with less likelihood Of detec-
ton than in other manners. Professor
Balch testified. He added that Its pres
ence might also be disguised in a mixture
Of saleratus and water 1t is the conten-
ton OF the government that poison was
given the admiral In tea ana other
beverages BY his widow
Henry NJ. Gates, Of Rockland, friend
OF the Eaton family, testified that Mrs.
Eaton had expressed the wish at various
times that the admiral was dead. She
told Gates, the witness continued, that
she knew a lot about subtle poisons, ana
warned him not to smoke anything the
adfnlTal gave HIH'
From NJ S Shurtleff OF South Wey-
mouth, tradesman, came testimony that
Mrs. Eaton had said that the admiral
placed poison in food which she ate at
a theatre party In 1910. in Boston. she
also told him Of other alleged attempts on
the part OF the admiral to poison her
through food.
Mr.. Shurtleff added that Mrs. Eaton
appeared TO be so afraid that the admiral
would poison the family food that she
had extra locks attached 10 the pantry
door at their summer home In Wey-
mouth.
Mrs. Annie DrIsooll. OF Rockland, d
friend of the Eatons. testified TO having
STAYED at the Eaton home for three
months in 1912 at Mrs. Eaton's re-
quest. ITO keep this feeble old man away
from a woman who wants TO get his
money" She said Mrs Eaton believed
the admiral was insane. and complained
that he was always flirting with girls and
women.
Early this year Mrs. Eaton asked the
witness to stay at the Eaton home again.
saying that she wanted TO 20 away for
few DAYS at time. Conditions at the
house are getting worse. and something
will have to be done 3oon." Mrs. Eaton
said 10 the witness.