The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1915-07-23

Charles Coleman, Boarder at Potter
Home, Disappears.


neighbors and relatives. there is sus.
picion Of foul play in connection with
the death of William Potter who was
found dead at his home in this city
last month, and because of the failure
of Charles Coleman to appear when
subpoenaed to testify, and of his dis.
appearance Tuesday, warrant was
Issued charging him with murder, and
the entire force of the sheriff aud DO.
lice departments have been looking for
him without result since that time.
The inquest in the death of. William
Potter found dead in bed at his home
last month. was continued at the city
hall Saturday, by Coroner. Guy Cole
with jury consisting of c. H. Bristol,
G.. A. Perry, A. Parks, g. Parks. w.
H Cummins and E. Elsenheimer
Prosecutor s. Q. Pulver represented the
people and L. F. Miner appeared for
Mrs. Potter.
Testimony of DR.. s. s. G. Phippen
was taken at his home where he is ill
in bed. He testified that he found
indications of strychnine poison and
that he had advised sending the con,
tents of the stomach to Lansing for
examination.
DR. Holm, state chemist, testified that
the contents of the stomach sent to him
contained one-third of grain of strych.
nine, one of the tests made being the
administering to an animal of some of
the stomach content, the animal dying
from the effects.
DR.. w. E. Ward who sent the con.
tents of the stomach to Lansing for
examination, said he believed Potter
died from strychnine poisoning.
E. A. Collins. druggist, testified he
had sold strychnine to Mr.. or Mrs.
Potter in May, 10 grains which was to
be used for rat poisoning. Mrs Robert
DeVoe testified Mrs. Potter had told her
she bought the poison to kill rats.
j. s. Kelly testified he talked with
Mr.. Potter half hour after dinner on
the Sunday he died, and that he ap.
peared in good health and cheerful.
He stated that the family left home
one hour after dinner. He knew of
but one quarrel of Mr.. and Mrs. Potter,
that there was comment in the neigh.
borhood about Mrs. Potter and q
boarder Charles Coleman, stating that
Mrs. Potter slept upstairs as did Mr.
Coleman, and Mr.. Potter slept down
stairs.
Mrs. Jay Stewart testified to Mrs.
Potter liking Coleman and her i'll will
toward her husband, and that he had
not been good to her since the birth of
their last child She was sharply ques-
toned by the attorneys and seemed
more mirthful than the circumstances
warranted. Attorney Miner asked her
if she and other neighbors were not
unnecessarily inclined to gossip.
Mrs. Edna Butler, former neighbor,
testified to affectionate greetings be-
tween Mrs. Potter and Coleman, and
that Mrs. Potter served meals carefully
and promptly for Coleman but neglect
ed Potter.
Mrs Elida Williams testified that
when she was washing dishes at the
Potter home Monday, following Pot
ters death, Mrs Potter brought her
two cups from a cell,rway and said
they contained some hing the under
takers or doctors had used and suggest
ed the cups be broken, but instead the
contents were empted and ashes and
water put on them, but later they had
disappeared.
Edward Angus father of Mrs. Potter
testified he had trouble with Charles
Coleman and they had not been friend
ly for four years, at which time Mrs.
Coleman died. He stated that there
was some question as to the cause of
Mrs, Coleman's death. Mrs. Angus
testified to Potters dependency over
losing his property. Mrs. Anna Mar
vim testified that Mrs Potter said re.
garding a statement that some woman
seemed friendly to Mr.. Potter, ''She
could have him anytime she wanted
him, that she didn't want himp'
Mrs. Addie Coleman testified to visit.
ing the Potters and seeing Mr.. Potter
whipping his son and Mrs Potter hit.
ting Potter over the head with pan.
Mrs. Potter took the stand Tuesday,
admitted that she and her husband
were not on good terms, that he was at
church when their last baby was born,
that the mother in law had caused
trouble, that Coleman had hugged and
kissed her, that she had bought the
strychinne to kill rats as neighbor
had advised against rough on rats She
did not know as there was any of the
strychinne left. She failed to under
stand some questions, contradicted her
self and could not remember.
DR.. w. T. Parker testified Mr.. Potter
= II.