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01 uuugur. jjrs* tvjc;ou uuu oimpaiua have been attending her.On Tuesday, July 14th, warrants were issued for the arrest of Margaret Shaffer, Martha Roberts and Goorge Sellers, for poisoniug \yith intent to kill one Henry Shaffer, the husband of Margaret Shaffer, and step father to George Sellers. The evidence adduced at the trial is about as follows: On the evening previous—Monday evening—Henry Shaffer returned home fi’om his work not feeling well and was inclined to eat anything. .His wife, a mulatto, and the mother of George Sellers, insisted upon his eating, and provided for him a cup of bread and milk. Shaffer ate of the food, remarking that it tasted queer. Not long after he was taken with severe vomiting and purging, and requested that a doctor be sent for at once. Mrs. S. refused to send for a doctor and allowed the old man to take care of himself the best he could. Shaffer w’as so reduced in strength that he could not leave his bed. The day following—Tuesday—Horace Foster, a neighbor of the family, rode to the Louse to see Mr. S., but was informed by the old woman that he was not there. Foster started to go away when Shaffercalled him back. Foster, upon entering the house found the old man lying upon a miserable bed and near death’s door. Foster, seeing the slate of affairs, immediately started for KainsvUlc, 2 miles distant, for Hr. Wicolf. As soon as the Hr. saw Shaffer he said that the Bymptomg were that of poisoning and from nux vomica. When called to testify, Mrs. Shaffer admitted to buying a “ dog button,” a short time previous to the poisoning, of William Hoffman, a druggist of ilainsville. She testified to giving him the bread and milk, the remainder she gave to some hogs and chickens. Six of the hogs and two of the chickens afterward died. A little girl, aged 7 years, the daughter of Shaffer, testified that Foster had gone to the house and taken it away with him. At this juncture, Shaffer said that the little girl told tbc-truth and that she never would tcU a lie. As the evidence obtained from the different witnesses did not couvince the Justice, Smith, of Fine Village, of any great crime being attempted, ho acquitted the old woman and her confederates. It is known in the neighborhood that Mrs. S. has threatened to kill her husband for the reason that he, Shaffer, had threatened to send her son, George Sellers, away, as he was good for nothing and lazy. Hrs. Wicoff, Fyke and Fenlou testified that the symptoms as described were from poisoning by nux vomica.” Shaffer owes his life, probably, from the overdose. Shaficr is a Hutchroaii and in poor circumstances. The woman, Roberts, is a hard customer. Mrs. Shaffer is dirty and low, while George Sellers is a lazy, good for nothing vagabond. The trial was held, on Wednesday, the 15th inst.______ «__^ li
Newspaper Details
Williamsport Warren Republican
Williamsport, Indiana, US
Thu, Jul 23, 1874
Page 2
Full Page
Clipped by
Sarah C.
UT, USA 12 Jul 2018
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