The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-03-02
IS FOUND
Quantity of Strychnine in
Organs of Kathleen Foley.
Liver and Kidney Show Drug,
DIR. Davis Reports.
CORONER JURY AGAIN DELAYED
Evidence Given TOday-Case
Up Saturday Morning.
Heart and Lungs Indicate No
Psychic Causes.
CORONER JURY AGAIN DELAYED

Strychnine in nonweighable quaint
ties was found in the vital organs of
Miss Kathleen Foley. who died mys-
teriously the night of February Is at
her home, 1878 Lane street, according
to information received today by DR..
H L. Clark, county coroner, from DR..
Kansas university.
A section of the liver contained the
largest amount of the poison and the
kidneys, and a portion of the stomach
wall showed traces of Strychnine in
lesser amounts, it was said. The con-
tents of the stomach, consisting of less
than one-half ounce of mucous, con-
tanned no strychnine. If other metallic
poisons were present they were in very
small quantities, Doctor Dains said.
The coroners jury was called to-
gather in the city court room at 10
o'clock this morning and the new evi-
dence presented, after which the jury
was again excused until 10 O'Clock Sat
urday morning, by which time officials
hope to hear from the analysis of the
chocolate candy found in Miss Foley S
coat pocket.
Following a suggestion from Doc
tor Dains, Coroner Clark presented to
the jury the possibility that Miss
Foley took several of Hinkle's pills,
bottle of which was found in a cup
board in the home of Mrs. A. L. Whit
comb. where the girl was sleeping.
The pills contained about one-sixty-
fourth grain of strychnine each, it was
said. Coroner Clark declared that
less than one-fourth grain of the poi
son would be required to kill a person
of Miss Foley's size and weight.
Heart and Lungs Perfect.
DIR. W. A. Heap, who made the
autopsy following the young woman's
death, told the jury today that Miss
Foley's heart and lungs were perfect
He said he did not believe her death
resulted from any psychic causes, such
as hysteria or dreams, as had been
suggested. The condition would not
have lasted over such length of time
he explained. as that ensuing from
the time Miss Foley ran to her moth
er's Rouse until her death more thar
an hour later. He also declared that
he found an area of about four inches
| of the stomach wall covered with
spots and that this could be the result
of poison. Convulsions caused by hys-
terra are not fatal, he declared.
Doctor Dains's Report.
The letter from Doctor Dains to
Doctor Clark was as follows:
1.-THE examination of the specimens sen,
down gave the following results:
81 The stomach contents contained nc
poison.
Inc section OF liver, tOSet1er Win
small portion of the stomach wall, plus
the kidney, gave test for strychnine. but
less in amount than that of the liver. II
is evident that the larger portion of the
strychnine is in the liver, altho the amount
there is very small. 1 isolated a sufficient
amount so that one could get the slight
bitter taste and the fading purple test with
sulphuric acid and bichromate: there Is no
/ doubt in my mind but that strychnine is
present, but only in non-weighable guam
! titles. 1t is probable that the entire liver
! would WELD n larger amount.
"The preliminary examination for metal
| lie poisons shows that, if present at all
I they are in very small quantities.
Il suggested in my last letter that you
make further inquiries regarding the bot
tie of Hinkle's pills. Other evidence lack.
ing, the following is possible solution
The deceased might have taken a number
fifteen or twenty-of these pills: they
would pass practically unchanged into the
intestines. leaving no trace in the stomach
or stomach wall. The pills would then
, dissolve. giving the characteristic symp-
toms of strychnfne poisoning. The bella
donna In them would account for the dila.
ton Of the pupils of the eyes"