An unusual article appeared in the 19 December 1895 edition of the Elizabethville Echo, describing the death of a Mrs. John Steele by possible poisoning. Nothing more is known about this death. Perhaps with the clues given in the article, a blog reader can trace down further information about the event.
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Was She Poisoned?
Captain John Steele [or Elizabethville] was apprised last Saturday of the death of his wife, who had previously eloped with a man by the name of Greiner.
The daily papers stated that the two had been living together at Shamokin, and it was supposed that Greiner had crushed in her scull, and then pretending she had fallen down a flight of stairs held a funeral, and decamped. These facts were supposed to have been gleaned from Mrs. Steel’s young daughter, whom the wily pair had taken with them. Mr. Steele went to Shamokin on Monday to investigate the affair, but was somewhat baffled when he was told that the whole affair had taken place at Mt. Carmel. Going to Mt. Carmel he soon found his daughter, and on Tuesday evening he returned to Elizabethville. The little girl’s story is substantially as follows: That her mother had taken a cold, and was prescribed for by a doctor; that Greiner left with the prescription, and returning he gave the woman several powders, which as soon as she had taken threw her into convulsions which lasted until death. The symptoms as described by the little girl, it is said, would indicate strychnine poisoning. The girl says that as soon as Greiner had delivered the powders he retired, and refused to come to the woman’s assistance even when told of her condition, by the girl. The woman died within an hour, and next day Greiner arranged for her burial, after which he left for parts unknown.
Mrs. Steele and Greiner were frequently seen together, here, last summer, under somewhat suspicious conditions, frequently legal procedures were threatened. Two children survive the woman. We have not learned what action the authorities of Northumberland County have taken. Mr. Steele’s circumstances are somewhat limited and consequently he cannot push the matter.
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From the Elizabethville Echo, 19 December 1895 via Newspapers.com.
Previously reported as:
Corrections and additional information should be added as comments to this post.