Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1917-10-24
TRIED FOR MURDER.
RUSK COUNTY AGO WITH GREAT.
TEST TRIAL IN HISTORY
MERCHANT is DEFENDANT.

A trial of unusual interest is now
under way at Ladysmith, Rusk
county, where Arthur Harrison Nc
Cormick, prominent merchant, is
being tried for the murder of his wife.
On the side of the prosecution are
Dist. Atty. o. J. Eagle and L. M.
Sturdevant, former attorney general
of Wisconsin. L. E. McGill and Glen
Williams of Ladysmith, represent
Mccormick w. D. Quinlan of Marinet-
tie, presides on the bench
The alleged facts in the case pre-
sent the stry Of fortune hunter and
a rich widow, their marriage and her
subsequent mysterious death by
poison and a relatives contest of her
will which left a fortune to her hus-
band
Story of the Case
According to the facts brought out
in the proceedings to break the dead
woman's will, Mccormick was living
in Seattle, Wash, a little more than
two years ago. Thru a friend he
heard of Mrs. Ida Kimball Mathison,
wealthy widow of a Grand Rapids,
Mich, manufacturer. Mccormick was
told the widow would marry again
upon finding the right man. He had
nothing but pleasing personality to
commend him, but determined to try
his fortune. Armed with letter of
introduction, he Travelled from Seattle
to Grand Rapids and presented him
self. Altho his clothes were shabby
and his exterior indicated the rough
sort of man who had lived away from
civilization most of his life, he made
a favorable impression. His express
ed love at first sight charmed her and
to further the courtship, Mrs. Mathison
supplied the funds with which Nc
Cormick was to transpose himself in
to a well-dressed and seeming man
of leisure. The cOurtship was short
but ardent, and after their marriage
the couple toured the south on a
honeymoon. Returning, they lived in
Minneapolis and Seattle. About four
years ago they came to Ladysmith
where Mccormick engaged in a gener-
al mercantile business. To all ap-
pearances, the couple were still much
in love with one another.
Becomes Ill and Dies
On Monday, Aug. 8, 1915, they were
eating dinner when Mrs. Mccormick
became i'll. She died before a physic-
ian could reach her A post norton
examination showed death to have
been due to strychnine poisoning. A
corOner's brought is a verdict of
suicide that night.
The verdict brought a storm of pro-
tests from the dead woman's relatives
and they demanded that another jury
investigate the case This was held
before different jury and additional
witnesses were called. The second
jury decided that she had been killed
by an unknown person or persons.
The remains were buried in White
Cloud, Mich, McCormick's old home.
She was Sc years old and had been
married for two years. For some time
previous to her death she had been
in poor health and was under the care
of physician and a nurse.
When her will was probated it was
found that Mccormick was sole heir.
Then the proceedings were begun
which finally resulted in a charge of
murder being contest case was tried
in probate court. AlthO the wOman's
relatives denounced Mccormick as Il
murderer, the district attorney refused
to issue warrant, claiming the EVIL
dence too slim. Relatives showed
that Mccormick had lived with another
woman in Seattle and that she had
posed as his wife But the court de-
cided that the deceased was his legal
wife and that the will was valid
Appeal Is Taken
An appeal was taken to Circuit
court Attorneys for the relatives
amended the original petition by adj
ding a charge that Mccormick had
murdered his wife. Thus, the ap-
peal hearing developed into really 4
preliminary murder hearing, the
climax of which came when Judge
Wickham declared that in his opinion,
was a murderer.
Dist Atty o. Falge, who had re-
Gently been elected, issued COM
plant and Mccormick has been held
in jail ever since.
His defence will be that his wife
suicide while respondent
over i'll health.
Incidentally he has sought witness
through the agency of a white Cloud,
Mich, paper, published in the city
where his wife is buried.
His reason for this was the receipt
of a letter from Michigan attorney,
who whote that he knew persons who
could prove McCormick's innocence
The attorney asked $500 as expenses
for the evidence and fee. This Nc
Cormick cannot pay, as the estate is
tied up pending the outcome of the
trial. So he has appealed to persons
named by the attorney thru the press
and asks their aid.
The case has aroused general in
terest in the country about Ladysmith.
Hundreds attended the will contest
cases, and preparations are being
made by Sheriff Dodson to handle a
large number f people who are eX-