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Newspaper
Pittsburgh Dispatch
Location
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
Date
Apr 12, 1892
Page
1
Gamble Weir, Pittsburg Police Superintendent, died after a secret poisoning. Doctors failed to diagnose a deadly disease as he endured weeks of stomach trouble and paroxysms, with his coffin open and stomach removed for analysis. Investigators pursue a hidden killer and stolen jewels tied to the death.
The article details the death of Gamble Weir with suspected poisoning. A brother-commissioner and physicians debated foul play while an autopsy of the stomach and spleen indicated corrosive sublimate and possible arsenic. Exhumation and chemical tests pointed to murder, though no arrest has occurred.
The report recounts confirmation by PFell that Gamble Weir was poisoned and that he, Dr. Dickson, and County Commissioner James G. Weir exhumed the body at Greenweed Cemetery to prove arsenic poisoning. Missing cuff buttons and a stolen sum in Weir's clothes are cited as further mystery.
Gamble Weir died at age 43 from inflammation of the bowels after two weeks in bed with stomach trouble. Born August 1 1849 in Belfast Ireland, he moved to Pittsburg as a boy and learned blacksmithing. He served as Chief of Detectives, Superintendent of Police, and deputy sheriff, after earlier terms in Common Council. He contracted a severe cold while directing men on a Liberty Street fee that preceded his final illness.
Professor Hugo Blanck, a chemist, says stomachs of the deceased are examined for his business and he will not disclose owners or findings. He refuses to confirm arsenic or other poisons in recent analyses, insisting public interest does not warrant disclosure. He adds he has not seen Gamble Weir’s stomach.
A reporter visited 9 Babeces street Allegheny to learn that Dr. James W. Dickson had not appeared at his home last night. His location was unknown and by 1 a.m. he had not returned.
Thomas Berry, a prominent West Virginia farmer and Braxton county sheriff's brother, was found near Parkerburg after four days and nights with no shelter or food. He had traveled from Huntington with Fleming of Marietta, was robbed of clothes by Fleming, and crawled to a river bank seeking help. Berry owns 200 acres but faced ruin after the ordeal.
In Franklin County Mississippi near Jackson a man named Sim Scott confessed to killing his wife after she did not have dinner ready. He threw the body into a fire to cover the crime and cut her throat with a dull knife. The husband admitted the act during the coroner’s inquest as neighbors discussed vengeance and possible lynching.
In Guttenburg during the third race at Guttenburg turf exchanges officers in plain clothes arrested multiple individuals with warrants. Prisoners were taken to court and released on bail amounts of 1000 for principals and 500 for subordinates, with seven counts listed against offenders.
An unspecified Pittsburgh firm faces a forgery claim involving Frederick and Thompson. The report notes repeated forgeries and inaccuracies, with unclear details and fragmented references to dates and locations.
Philadelphia April 11. Secretary of State William F Harrity released a county by county forecast showing the Cleveland Pattison faction to hold a solid majority at the Democratic State Convention. Harrity projects 463 delegates with at least 350 to the administration, aided by interior counties, despite Philadelphia and Allegheny counties backing the opposition. He predicts the Credentials Committee cannot be captured by the opposition.
Pennsylvania Democrats gather in Cleveland for the State Convention with eight national delegates at stake. Candidates for at large delegates and for congress and Supreme Court judge are active as wires run in hotel corridors. Early bets include W M Singerly and State Senator George Howe amid speculation.
Ford, Wromis, and Luzerne delegation favor Robin son for delegate at large. E G Scott of Wilkesbarre appears with Senator Hines canvassing for binson. Beltzhoover may preside. Contests from Philadelphia, Allegheny, Blair, Carbon and Franklin counties total 6 in 483 members. The gathering is expected to be a Cleveland convention.
Ex Senator Wallace outlines failed efforts to unite Pennsylvania Democrats ahead of the Star Convention. He recounts meetings at the Aldine Hotel in Philadelphia with Hensel Harrity Reed and Guffey, proposes a basis for harmony, and reports Pattison’s reluctance to pursue division, leaving him uncommitted and hoping to aid friends amid a divided convention.
The Venango Republic party convention in Venango County endorsed the administration of President and nominated Major Alex McDowell for Congressman at large. Delegates to the National Convention were F. H. James, John L. Mattox, T. B. Simpson, W. W. Brown, and others for state conventions. The gathering praised turnout, noted strong Quay support, and reported harmony.
Mercer voters backed Senator Quay in a strong primary showing. South ward Quay 9 Dalzell 7. North ward Quay 67 Dalzell 13. overall majority 144. East Lackawanna results: Quay 8 Dalzell 1. Koones for Congress 3. Caldwell 147.
Reports from Mercer county indicate Quay has won a large majority. Six wards in Sharon give Quay 423 for the senatorial race. Shenango township reports Dalzell 70. Dr Caldwell defeats C Koonce in Sharon. Senatorial Legislative and county tickets to be chosen at Mercer convention tomorrow.
The Republican County Convention met today with a large attendance. Resolutions endorsed Harrison and Quay and Phillips for Congress. Official vote counted Quay 3,373, Dalzell 258 for National 9 votes. Bell 1,855. Abrams 1,145.
The Republican county convention in Warren met this afternoon. Delegates Emery and T B Simpson carried the county to send to the National Convention, leaving 1 168 votes. Simpson and Brown led Co A Thompson was nominated for metab. The body endorsed resolutions backing the state adversary and Peck and George H H.
The Republican Seventh Congressional District Committee elected Jacob Strassburger of Montgomery County and E. Wesley Keeler of Bucks County as delegates to the National Convention. Altercates Howar Atkinson and Daniel A. Sheiferd were chosen. The Harrison administration was warmly endorsed.
Judge Johnston refuses to withdraw from the Congressional convention as Judge King leads with 45 to possibly 60 of the 66 delegates. Johnston says he is disfigured but still in the race and will not withdraw for now.
In Cotevmars on April 1 the Columbus Methodist preacher meeting adopted a memorial urging General Conference to enact requested legislation. The document outlines several clerical appeals and policy changes and signals coordinated church leadership action ahead of the conference.
A May discussion outlines proposals for church governance. It calls for pastors to drop members lacking support, creating bishops for eighteen without reelection, removing pastorate limits, electing presiding elders, and cabinet power sharing with the bishop in appointments.
A Grover Cleveland letter to Laxzwoop N Y dated April 11 expresses no disappointment at any outcome, urging delegates at the Chicago convention to judge by principle and avoid tied sentiment. He says age judgments should not drive nomination and declares he will not be disappointed by the result.
Dr M F Horine of Chicago sues Alfred Burrill in US Circuit Court for alienation of his wife's affections seeking 5000000. Burrill, nephew of Adelina Patti, came from Augusta six months ago after his affair with Horine's wife began in Augusta. Patti threatened to cut Burrill off and disinherited him.
At a New York Conference meeting of Methodist preachers, Dr. Atkinson of Newark introduced a resolution praising Rev. Dr. Parkhurst and his crime prevention work. After initial support, Atkinson withdrew the resolution to avoid a heated discussion, leaving the matter unresolved.
A Washington dispatch claims a friend of Secretary Blaine arranged that James G. Blaine Jr letters to Mrs. Blaine from early married life were kept from the public. Secretary Elkins was said to influence the matter while Mrs. Blaine, in New York, declined to discuss it and may withhold her statement.
Premier Abbott met a Manitoba and Northwest deputation and a German capitalist Sleemans who proposed government contracts to bring many settlers to Manitoba and the Northwest. Sleemans has supposedly settled 500 000 immigrants in Brazil and the ministers agreed to consider the plan.
The temple basement of the Reorganized Church of Latter Day Saints in IspEFrespence Mo hosts a healing service. Elders pour blessed olive oil on patients heads and lay on hands while some patients are treated on stretchers cots or chairs. No cures reported though several claim relief.
In Allegheny a mysterious death draws police attention as investigators probe foul play rumors surrounding Gamble Weir. Coroner’s inquest expected, details emerging slowly amid speculation and official statements.
New York presbytery elected a solid anti Briggs delegation to the General Assembly meeting in Portland Oregon. Wire pulling accusations surfaced as ballots were printed and distributed and the voting produced seven ministerial delegates and seven elders amid heated exchanges and protests.
Mrs. Sarah Ann Shoemaker aged 175 seeks divorce from her husband an 80 year old Romney minister on grounds of cruelty and neglect. A second woman is said to have infatuated him. The Shoemakers have lived together for years and are great grandparents in Waretime West Virginia.
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