The New York herald., 1921-02-27
POISON FOUND IN MEDICINE;
ARREST OF NURSE ORDERED
Detective Here to Take Attendant of Syracuse Woman
From Ship Due This Afternoon, Following
Discovery by Police of That City.

Special Despatch to THE NEW YORK HERALD.
SYRACUSE. Feb. 26-Martin p. Cadin,
Chief Of Police, to-day ordered the
arrest Of Mrs. Alice T. Lattimer. nurse.
now on her way back from Florida,
following the finding of chloral-hydrate
In medicine" seized by the police at
the bedside of Mrs. Ruth Crawford,
So years old. an invalid for the last two
years, whom Mrs. Lattimer had been
attending all that time.
Mrs. Lattimer is on her way to New
York on boat from Jacksonville, due
to dock Sunday afternoon. Detective
Thomas J. Lynch Is there to meet her.
For the last year Mrs. Lattimer has
caused Mrs. Crawford to be strapped
down to her bed, and friends and rela-
tives have been forbidden to see her.
The Rev. Elman A. Jaynes. pastor Of
Trinity Episcopal Church. became suspi-
cious when he called and communicated
with the police. An investigation fol-
lowed and q bottle containing a white
liquid, which had been given as medicine,
was taken away. Analysis OF Its con-
tents by university chemists revealed
the poison.
Mrs. Lattimer left short time ago for
trip to the South. Before going she
made arrangements with an undertaken,
w. A. Drinkwine. for Mrs. Crawfords
burial II she died before she returned.
The court records show that Mrs.
Crawford decided her Emma street home
to Mrs Lattimer, at the same time ex-
ecuting q power Of attorney. A few
years ago Mrs. Crawford Inherited an
estate of about $4,000.
District Attorney Malpass, after going
over the police findings, announced TO-
night he would present the case to the
March Grand Jury.
The police refuse to make public
letter sent by Mrs. Lattimer to the at
tending nurse In her absence 9 rev days
ago. All inmates of the house and some
of the friends and relatives nave mace
sworn statements to the police.
Mrs. Crawford formerly lived at war
ner N. Y, a few miles from Syracuse,
her husband, Emmett Crawford. dying
four years ago. Soon after she moved
here, buying house next to that OF
her cousin, DR.. William d. Towsley.
Her health was poor and she had spels
of serious illness. During such times.
DR., Towsley says, she came to his home
During an attack Of influenza she went
to the homeopathic Hospital. and when
she returned made her home with Dr.
Towsley.
Mrs. Lattimer Is daughter of DR..
Towsley. She was nurse before her
marriage and the doctor says MRS.
Crawford engaged her to stay home ana
take care Of her for $1S per week. from
December, 1919, till May II. 1920, period
of seventy-six weeks, Mrs. CRAWFORD
was confined to her bed In DR.. lows
ley's home in charge OF Mrs. Lattimer.
who told friends and relatives she was
| too Ill to see them.
| Later Mrs Lattfmer transferred the
patient to Mrs. Crawford's home next
| door. This resulted in DR.. Towsley su-
| ing Mrs. Crawford for 1.427 for board
| lodging, laundry bills and medical care.
| He received q verdict of $SS and has
| taken an appeal.
| Mrs. Crawford in her own home was
| cared for by Mrs. Lattimer and an as
sistant nurse named Ida Conrad. Mrs.
Lattimer. according to the police, gave
| all the instructions and Mrs. Conrad
| carried them out. Friends and relatives
! continued to be barred from seeing the
1 patient, and 1t was only when the Rev.
| Joynes made his call that the police were
| notified. The police visit to the house
| and verification Of the report that the
woman was strapped in bed followed
Mrs Conrad was taken to Police
| Headquarters and made a statement IN
which she said that medicine which the
4 police found to contain poison was the
only kind ever given to the patient.
IT often used to loosen the straps
which bound Mrs. Crawford to he'