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THE ARGUS, SATURDAY, MARCH 1003. 15 OGTOR DESCRIBES DEATH SCENE i JOHNSTON HOME Reynolds Physician With f. . ... J T - Victim During Con vulsions. SUSPECTS POISONING Relates Conversation Held With Widow After the Funeral. The crews examination of Dr. Moore was resumed at the opening of the cir cuit court in the Johnsfon murder trial this morning, the room being filled with spectators, man' of whom were wo men. He said that la his conversation with Mrs. Johnston after the death of her husband she never intimated that he had committed vuicide. He said that saltpetre generally is not classed as a ioison, although it might have fa tal effect if taken in excessive quan tities. The characteristic effects of saltpetre and strychnine were no t sim ilar. The action strychnine was upon the nervous system through the brain, lie could not state positively that strychnine poisoning was the cause of death, but he would give it as his opinion. Itrrordn of Sir? rlniln- Snlrn. M. C. C'randall, druggist at Reynolds, offered record of two sales of strych nine to Joseph Johnston, one on the 19th of May, 1904. and the other June 10, 1901. Both were purchased, as stat ed, for killing rats. The first purchase "was 15 grains, the second lo grains. The first purchase was put up in origi nal package which resembles the short bottle produced in evidence. The sec ond was put up in a two-drachm homeo pathic vial. He had a conversation with defendant from two to four weeks before the first purchase was made about poisons and the best one to use to get rid of rats. If he told her any thing he said That strychnine would kill if anything would. He sold salt petre in the rieu-se of bi:xiii. ss to any one who called and in whatever quan- I V Clothes ...Made to... Order We Make Them with Style. Fit and Workman ship rVt $15 To $40 WE GUARANTEE OUR CLOTHES To be cut and tailored to your individual measure. Call and see our line of Spring Woolens for 1905. Beal & McCarthy None Better Tailoring. ILLINOIS THEATRE BUILDING a. i f- 1 I tity asked for. He did not count it a poison. He had the only drug store in Reynolds and was the only place where strychnine could be purchased in Rey- nolds last year. Robert P. Wait, banker, of Reynolds. was next called. He testified: He had oeen a oanner m itejnoias 10 jears. 1 J o i-o o Qpnna in f or? t-i f V ttio 1 o.n rl ' He was acquainted with the defend ant, and knew the deceased. He had business relations with both of them. Mrs. Johnston borrowed money from the bank quite a number of times. He had had conversations with her at the time she borrowed money and when she came there to borrow money. The state's attorney then proceeded to ask the witness as to the conversations which the defendant had with him rel ative to borrowing money and state ments which she is alleged to have made to the witness about not letting her husband know about her borrow ing money, an alleged request made by the defendant of the witness to make a false statement of the account of the deceased at the bank showing that he had a balance there when in fact he had nothing on deposit there, to show to the deceased to mislead him as to his financial affairs; to show that the defendant signed the deceased's name to notes without his knowledge and told witness not to let her husband know anything about it. and that at one time stating that rather than let the deceased know the true nature of his financial condition she would com mit suicide. ('InlniM It Sbona Motive. This line of testimony being some what lengthy, and involving not onlv this witness, but a number of them, the court dismissed the jury from the court room and heard argument from counsel on both sides as to the propri ety of this evidence. On the part of the state it was claimed that these facts show a strong motive why the defend ant should want to get her husband out of the way; that these transactions had been going on from year to year, and had gradually approached a climax and the bubble was about to break, and in desperation she did what it is claim ed in this case. On the other hand, the defense claimed that granting that the people can prove all they claim, that instead of showing a motive, it shows i desire on the part of the defendant to shield her husband and keep him irom worrying about their financial condition. The court, without expressing a de cided opinion, intimated that the proof was competent, and upon the conclu sion of the argument the hearine ad journed until Monday morning at 9 o'clock. Ituniorx f t'onl 'ny-. V. Kckhart, the coroner of tlr.t county, was next called: knew th deceased for many years; was called , attending physician of the deceased, to Reynolds by rumors of foul play j testified that he had known the de in the master of his death; caused the ; ceased for perhaps 20 years; had been body to be exhumed and a post mor- called to see him a few times prior tern to be held by Drs. Foster and to his ,ast illness and treated him. 1'iidewig; attended the autopsy; re-'as called to see him three or four ctived from the physicians five hot-' years prior to his death and was called ties scaler) up by them containing pot- there in July prior, which was the last Pons of the organs of the deceased, ' time he saw him professionally until delivered th( m to Frank Nadler. the the 9th of September. Was with him chemist of Davmport together with the morning of his death. Arrived a quantity of the embalming liuid used there about 7:30 or 7:40 in the niorn by the undertaker in embalming the ing. Was called there by his daughter body of the deceased, for analysis; and went immediately to the house, also subsequently delivered to him the Johnston lay there on a cot, in a very bottles found by the witness Snow'nervous condition, twitching and jerk containing the white jnjwder, and the'ing. and went into a convulsion very tumbler and spoon and package said soon after the witness got to him; to contain saltpetre. Upon croos-ex- don't remember just how many con amination said he had not spoken to vulsions he had. Thinks there were the defendant and did not know her; 'four. They lasted for about 20 min that the bottles and articles turned utes in all. He would have a convul over to Nadler were in the same con-'sion and would come out of it and dition when turned over to him as 'quiet down for a few seconds perhaps when he received them. land would begin to twitch and jerk hrmi.t UriMTitM-a a duI Ma. I again and in a very little while would Frank Nadler; chemist, reside in go into another convulsion. It con Davenport, Iowa, graduate of the Uni-,tinued about that way until the last versity of the state of New York; re- convulsion he had and that he didn't ceived five bottles from the coroner of come out of. Outside of the convul Rock Island county containing parts'sions the doctor didn't notice any of the organs of the deceased, togeth-j other symptoms except the twitching, er with two Unties of a white powder, lie complained of shortness of breath, partiaily full, a package of a brownish la smothering feeling: he had that from dirty looking substance, a tumbler hav-! ing a substance adhering to its sides and a metal spoon; articles received with instruction to analyze contents; upon analysis found all of the bottles containing parts of organs of ceased, except that said to be the brain to contain strychnine, found the two bottles of white powder to con- tain grains and i9 grains of strychnine; the substance adhering to the tumbler to contain traces of strychnine but in too minute quantity afrajd not. He went to give him some to estimate in grains; the dirty sub-,and just as ne got tne spoon to his stance found in the package on the iips ne wenl into a convulsion. Af shelf to contain saltpetre and gum ,er one convulsion he asked if there aloes; also looked for and found traces was any mustard in the house. He of saltpetre in the organs of the body, stepped in the other room and was Also found traces of formaldehyde given some. He went back to give it and thymol, but these were the prin- to Johnston to cause a vomit and he cipal constituents of the embalming was jn a convulsion. Mrs. Johnston fluid used by the undertaker as found was jn the room once, possibly twice, upon analysis of the portion of thatshe Came in the room with a sack fluid given him by the coroner: that!of saltpetre in her hand and asked if these are separate and distinct ele-jlhe doctor thought he had taken too menis rrom strycnnine ana can oe eas- Hy distinguished from it. RlKldlr CroM Kianlird. The cross-examination conducted ed if he could have taken too much by Mr. Searle was very rigid ' saltpetre. He asked his wife to come and searching, but the witness was ap- and help him. She said. "Joe, I can't pa rent ly unshaken In his testimony, help you." or "How can I help you?" He stated that tests in this case occu- The neighbors were present assisting; pied the greater part of four days and Mrs. Johnston came to the door at the four nights; that no one assisted him time of his death, but did not come and no one meddled with his work; into the room. After the burial of that he was told that strychnine poison Johnston, and the return of the de was suspected, and consequently look- fendant from Aledo, the doctor called ed for that, but also looked for any evi- on the defendant and asked to talk "tlence he could find of any other poison lous substance; did not make any quan titative analysis of the poison because the quantity was too minute. It was not a matter of guess work that strych nine was found In the body. Traces of strychnine were found, as stated. He had an opinion as to what quantity there was in the body, but didn't know ui4cinlv Thorn n-acn't nnilh in the vlscera examined to state the quantity, He believed there was mGre than the one-thousandth part of a grain. He looked at tne matter with a microscope of 4 000 magriityins power, but could lnot separate the strychnine crystals so J to distmguish them. The micro- BCopic test is one that is often applied . . ...... . . . Did not know that it is the best test. There has been pjuch progress in the science during the last 20 years, but all new theories are not to be depend ed upon. Ptomilir Poinonlnjc SnRRrntrd. Mr. Nadler said there are no other poisons which give exactly the same colors as strychnine upon the color test. He knew what ptomaine poisons are. They are organic poisons from animal sources; they arise in a great measure from the putrefaction of the human body after death; has experi mented with this poison, but made no definite analysis; did not know that ptomaine poisons take on the symp toms or simulate strychnine or other alkaloidal poisons, although believe they do, but how far or to what extent, don't know. He also made chlorine test with ammonia. Did not make a physiological test. Did not make a quantitative analysis of the contents of the spoon. There wasn't enough sub stance to make such analysis. Didn't find any aloes in the stomach or salt petre. Didn't look lor any. It might have been present. Strychnine is not easily soluble in water. The strych nine adhering to the tumbler had been dissolved. The acid in the saltpetre would aid its dissolving. Sulphate of strychnine is more soluble than alka loidal strychnine. That in the tumbler was the former. Boiling water would aid in the process. The time it would take would depend on conditions. Many authorities were cited by Mr. Searle to sustain his position as to many of the claims made by him relative to the various tests for strychnine poi soning, which the witness either dis claimed were authority, claimed that the authority cited sustained his posi tion or frankly admitted that he was not acquainted with the writer or text book cited. ' ' l ndrrtnkrr la ltecalled. P. C. Freytag. the undertaker of Reynolds was recalled by the state and testified that the embalming fluid with which he embalmed the body of the deceased was purchased from the United States Chemical company in two quart bottles, that a part of a bottle from the same consignment as that from which the fluid was taken which was used upon the body of Mr. Johnston was turned over to the coro ner for analysis. MvrnlnK of JohnMtun'H Drath. Dr. I j. C. Moore, of Reynolds, the the convulsion, and a little while af terwards, and then respiration would stan up again. He couldn't say as to the retraction of the head. His po sition on the cot was such that it was de-.jhard to tell about that; there might have been some. Mrdlclar la Itrfuard. After the first or possibly the second 'convulsions the doctor prepared some 'medicine and asked him if he thought i he couid swallow it. He said he was much of tnaL He toId her that he didn't think saltpetre would produce the symptoms present. Deceased ask- LIND LOSES SUIT Seeks Recovery of $5,000 Dam ages From Moline Board of Education. FLAG POLE FALLS; INJURED Accident Occurs While He is a Work on the Ericsson Build ing. Judge W. H. Gest, in the circuit court, has sustained the demurrer of the Moline board of education in the suit of Andrew Lind for $5,000 dam iges for injuries sustained by the col lapse of a flag pole on the Ericsson school in 1901. The secretary of the board employ ed Lind to remove the pole agreeing to pay him a stated sum for the work. One of Lind's legs was broken and he was otherwise permanently Injur ed, he claims in his suit. Hoard la Not Liable. The court, in giving his ruling, held that the board was a quasi public or ganization and relations between it and its employes were not 6uch that the former could be held liable for njuries that might befall the latter. The suit was accordingly dismissed. with her privately. He told her there were some rumors or some remarks that some people thought that there was something wrong about Mr. John ston's death. He asked the defendant if she was going away. She said. "No, doctor; I am not going at all." He said he came there thinking she might go on the next train and told her he would like to talk to her about her husband's death. vrr Talkrd of Sulclilp. He asked her if there had been any strychnine in the house. She said there had been. It had been bought three times that summer. He asked her if she thought or if Johnston had ever talked or threatened suicide. She said, "No, I don't think he is a man that would ever think of that." She had said before that she thought some of going to Nebraska. She had a farm out there that she wanted to sell and settle up some business. He told her that he was little afraid may be there would be some trouble made over the case later on. He heard that she left Monday morning after this talk which was on the preceding Friday. He treated Johnston on July -0 preceding. He found him sitting on the edge of the bed in a nervous con dition, twitching considerably in the lower limbs. He gave' him some med-' icine to quiet him, got him in bed and 1 covered him up. He seemed to get easier and quieter. He stayed with him awhile and then went home. Knew Mr. Johnston's general physical condition between that time and the day of his death; saw him riding around in his usual health. Before July he had prescribed for what he diagnosed as eczema in the lower limbs. From the symptoms seen on the morning he died and assuming that strychnine was found in the or gans of his body after death he would say that Johnston came to his death by strychnine poisoning. Upon cross examination witness stated he had known deceased for 15 or 20 years. Ho had practiced medicine since 1S8G; never had a case of strychnine poisoning in actual practice. Opinion is based upon the symptoms discover ed and the assumption that strychnine was afterwards found in his body. He said saltpetre was a cumulative poi son requiring an ounce or two to be fatal. In strokes of apoplexy there was not always a twitching of the body. SOCIAL AFFAIRS. Miss Agnes Schillinger last evening entertained a company of friends at her home, 2920 Thirteenth avenue, in honor of Miss Gertrude Merk, who is soon to depart for Seattle, Wash., to make her home. The evening was very pleasantly spent in music and games. Dainty refreshments were served by the hostess. The last In the series of dancing parties planned by a committee of the members of the tri-city councils of the Knights of Columbus was given last evening at Rock Island Industrial Home hall. The hall was specially decorated for the occasion, streamers of greenery extending from wall to wall and intertwining at the center of the ceiling. Frappe was served There were in attendance 100 couples from the tri-cities. The music was by Ogden's. Master Ilsley Rexdale entertained a party of little friends this afternoon, in honor of his 5th birthday, at the family home, corner Eleventh avenue and Fourteenth-and-a-half street. Mu sic and games were happy features of the time. Misses Jessie Donaldson, Norma Frazier, Cecil Martens, Ruth Richards and Phyllis Rexdale assisted the little host in entertaining the young gentlemen, whose ages ranged from 3 to C years. Lunch was served at 4 o'clock. The dining room was decorated in red and was the scene of much jollity. Rock Island lodge. No. 18. I. O. O. F. has completed arrangements for the old-fashioned entertainment and dance to be given at the hall next rvi seeds, f L-J W k-l perpks IC THIRD The freshest and purest of 'vege table and garden The New Roof is Fast Go ing On. IX a few days the roof destroyed by fire on our 2nd store will again be in place. Then the damaered and walls on the first and second floors will receive the con tractors attention. "When the walls and plastering begin to fall, all the goods will need to be packed away, and for a time our selling space will be badly cramped. These are the reasons why we are keeping up such a hustle, such a constant pressure, why we are cutting prices so deep, why the induce ments to buy NOW are so great, and why you see such crowds every day in our Crockery, Jewelry and Housefurn ishings departments. No Let Up IN the price cutting in the Crockery dept. Many fine pieces which must be closed out at once. No room for them during the remodeling of the store. 7-pIece Berry Sets, handsomely decorated, worth up to $1.25, for 50c Worth up to J1.75 for 75c Worth up to $2.25 for $1.00 Worth up to $3.00 for $1.50 Toilet Sets Not many left, prices cut still further to clean them all out. Worth up to $2.75 for $1.50 Worth up to $3.00 for $1.75 Worth up to $3.50 for $1.98 Worth up to $4.67 for $2.48 Water Sets Some with a piece or two missing but the price is low enough. 1 set Pitcher and 4 glasses.... 25c 1 set Pitcher and 3 glasses .... 50c 3 sets Pitcher and 4 and 5 glasses 69c 1 set Pitcher and 4 glasses.... 75c 3 complete Bets, Pitcher and 6 Glasses, reduced to 75c 3 complete sets. Pitcher and six glasses reduced to 98c Creamers and Wat er Pitchers Everyone left priced for rush sell ing: 15c Creamers 7c 20c 25c 50c 50c Creamers 10c Creamers 1 5c Creamers 25c Water Pitchers 25c Water Pitchers 39c 75c 98c Water Pitchers 50c One Mora lot of elegant Havllani China Plates sacrificed at 75c, 50c, 39c, and . 25c DEMOCRATS TO DETERMINE COURSE IN THE CAMPAIGN In Convention to Be Held the Middle of Month -The Representation. Elsewhere appears the call for the democratic primaries nd city conven tion as Issued by Chairman Cavanaugh and Secretary Sextou. obedient to the action of the recent meetings of the democratic city-township committee. The apparent crystallization of senti ment in the party on C. B. Marshall as a candidate for mayor has already been mentioned in The Argus, and it seems io be the consensus of opinion in the party that should Mr. Marshall give his consent his nominption would come with practical unanimity. With the ad vantages that the party enjoys In the two model administrations of Mayor Medill, which the party would no doubt be glad to reward wtth another nomi nation had not Mr. Medill made it clear some time ago that he was not to bs considered as a candidate again, there is every incentive for enthusiasm in rhe party ranks from one end of the city to the other. Apart from Mr. Marshall such men Monday. Some of the best talent ob tainable has been secured for the en tertainment. The lodge has gained an enviable reputation as entertainers, and the preparations made indicate that Monday's event will be a great success. PERSONAL POINTS. A. C. Andrews, of Burlington, is visiting friends In the city. Miss Ella Ullemeyer has returned af ter a visit of 10 days In Chicago. Mrs. W. N. Clarke departed last ev ening for a two months visit In Arizo na and the southwest. Mr. and Mrs. M. H. Brugge have roinrnoH from an extended visit in Oklahoma and Indian Territory. John Merk. Sr.. and son John have, departed for Seattle. Was'.i. They will j make their home in future neart Seattle, where they will be joined in a U5 IM 5 i s i w 1 STrrzZm a i. ROC IV IDLMINJUsI AVENUE THROUGH TO SECOND Avenue ceilings Water Damaged Silverware STILL many items here that must be sold out. Prices are ridiculously low, only quarter to one-third their original prices. 1 quadruple Plate Fruit Stand, originally $5.00. M OC now iliLU 1 quadruple plate Bonbon Dish, gold lined, originally $2.50. PA now LUC 1 Fancy Glass Silver Mounted Fruit Dish, originally QEf $3.00, now tdu 1 quadruple Plate High Grade 4 piece Tea Set, originally marked $25.00. the lacquer finish was dam aged somewhat by water, so the price Is $5.00 Colonial $3.00 1 fine Plate Chocolate Pot, Colonial style, value $8.00 for One lot Stem Wind Watches, reliable time keepers and Set 95c 1 Clock, enamel finish 8 day strikes hours and halves, worth $12.00, for .$325 Odd lots of Jewelry, chains, lock ets, buckles, brooches, necklaces, waist sets, ntlck pins. etc.. etc. Be ginning Monday half and less than half value, to close quickly. Some Housefurn ishings THAT got wet and were ov erlooked. Really not much damaged but must be gotten out of the way. Genuine Double Coated Steel Gran ite Pans, sizes 1 to 3 quart, marked down to Heavily Coated Granite Wa6h Basins 14c 10c Asbestos Stove Mats, 1 2 for IC Landers. Frary & Clark's best Steel Knives and Forks, set of one dozen pieces Tea Pots, heavily nickeled on copper 39c .33c 14 qt. heavy tinned dish fp pans, half value luC Scalloped Deep Cake Tins,, worth 10c. at 2 for Hat and Coat Racks, to close 5c 5c oY as J. W. Cavanaugh. E. H. Cuy'r. I-. D. Mudge. M. S. Heagy, Capt. George 11 mont. Daniel Corktn, W. H. Mclntyrc and James Price have been discussed, Mr. Mclntyre having also been sug gested in connection with the nomina tion for city clerk. The Union's spasm of yesterday, apropos of the democratic city-township committee's change of date for the holding of the convention, is indicative of the lurking fear that is felt by all republicans that something is very apt to happen in the republican convention that will weaken its chances before the people and thus afford added advan tage to the democrats in holding a sub sequent convention, although the dem ocratic committee in arranging the dates for its own convention and pri maries was not moved by thought of what the republicans might do. The later date was found to be not only more convenient, but was necessitated by the exigencies of the situation. short time by Mrs. Merk and other members of the family. Carl Hellpenstell. A. II. Liitt and, Gus Bruchman leave the first part of( the week for a sojourn at v est Baden Springs. Bishop M. E. Fawcett of the Episco pal diocese of Quincy will arrive from Quincy tonight and tomorrow will of ficiate at Trinity church. M. II. Sexton has returned from Chi cago, where he attended a meeting of the executive board of the National As sociation of Minor League clubs. Horse Auction. Fifty head of horses of all kinds are t wanted to put in auction sale March! 11. Must be well broke.. Tri-City j Auction & Commission company. For( further information call on or address at once. F. D. VanPelt, auctioneer.' Old. phone 791. 222 East Third street, Davenport, Iowa. 1 Handsome new Suits, Jackets and Waists are coming in every dav. Mil II I Boys Shoes VA3 HAVE solved the hardest problem which confronts all parents where to buy good shoes for the boys nt hard pan. prices We have the best assortment, best made, long-wearing boys shoes ever got together hereabouts. We quote only a few: Bays' Box Calf Bluchers, heavy oak soles, extra weight lining, you've never seen the equal of these at the price: Boys' sizes $2.00 pair Youths' sizes $1.75 pair Boys' Velour Calf and Vici Kid Shoes, splendid value nt $2.50. these. 2 $2.00 Youths' Sizes, 13 to 2. .$1.75 Little Gents' sizes, fc9 to 13. .$1.50 Other good styles and good wearers, .".69:.,.,..,5:.".:? $1.00 Remnants of Table Linen and Towelings ACCUMULATIONS from our February Linen Sale prices talk for themselves. 2 yard Remnants of $1.00 Damask $1.97 24 yard Remnants of 50c Damask 98c 2 yard Remnants 87 c Dam ask $1.45 2 yard Remnants of 50c Dam ask 79c 1 yard Remnants of 50c Damask 59c $5.00 Pattern Cloths. 4 yards long. Damask $3.75 $2.75 Pattern Cloths, 2 yards long. Damask $2.29 $2.25 Pattern Cloths, 2 yards long. Damnsk $1.88 24 yd. Remnants of 10c crush. 19o 2V4 yd. Remnants of 14c crash. 29c and many more remnants from 1 to 5 yards of all different qualities; odd lengths at about 1-3 off the reg ular prices. Slightly soded lunch cloths, scarfs and doylies, need in display, at about same cut from tha regular price. Furniture and Car pet Dept. 30 Axminster Rugs, high grade goods in fine Oriental jmtterna and colorings, 27x63 Inches, were used in trim and are slightly soiled Your choice, while OC they last ItOO Several odd chairs and rockers to be disposed of at once, and these prices are foV quick cl"arance: $1.00 Chairs for 60 $2.00 chairs for $1.25 $3.00 Rockers for $1.65 Kitchen cabinets, 45-lnch top. 2 large bins, 2 drawers, f O CA 2 boards, etc $0t)U Linoleums A big new stock In 6 und 12 feet widths, printed nnd inlaid, floral end conventional designs. Ti ftart them off briskly, a few nlc. choice patterns go on sale at the special ?:.r:.r. .37c GET HIGH SCORES Close Bowling Match Between Shannon and Kai ser. ROCK ISLANDER IS WINNER . . rrj Defeats Moline. Crack Player in Ten Game Contest For $50 Bet. Joe Shannon, of Hock Island, de feated Tom Kaiser, of Moline, in a 1 game bowling match for $."o a side on the Davenport alleys yesterday after noon. Both men were in great form. Shannon rolling a total of 1,939 pins, with a game average of 193.9, making 4 4 strikes, 4G spares, 10 splits, and having but three errors. His scores by games were: 13:5. 205. 177, 177. 157.222. 2ZC. 192. 193. 1S7. Kaiser rolled a total of 1,927, with a game average of 192.7, having 44 strikes. 4S spares, 12 splits and two errors. His scores by games were: 191, 147, 206, 15, 170, 203, 20G, 204, 24C. W. Wenton Ilrpeatw In Kvrnlng. C. E. Weston, manager of the Cen tral alleys, bowled Kaiser three games for $10 a side at Moline last evening. Weston took three straight, having a margin of 45 points. The Flying Dutch men at Moline last evening won from the Recruits of this city in the TrI-City league series. The Moline Brunswlcks met the Centrals here. Two matcheH, one postponed, were played, and th'j teams broke even. Mannerchor Concert Tonight. The Rock Island Mannerchoir givm its second concert of the season this evening at Turner hall. An attractive program has been prepared. Meeting of Council. The March meeting of the city coun cil will be held Monday evening. Afford mpoody rollof In Bronchistl and Lung Trou bles. Moil mn& In