A compilation of 1910-11 newspaper articles from varied sources. LPP

MURDER WARRANT IN VAUGHN CASE ISSUED

Plot Thickens.

[By Direct Wire to the Times.] Kirksville, Mo. Feb, 23 – [Exclusive Dispatch.] The beginning of the climax in the sensational investigation of the cause of the death of James T. Vaughn, State Normal School instructor, came this afternoon, when Sheriff Francis Marion Nolan of Monroe county, this State, was ordered to go at once to Monroe City and place Dr. James W. Hull under arrest. Dr. Hull was about to leave the country, it is reported, and this inspired the move. The order came from Prosecuting Attorney Reiger at Kirksville this afternoon. Tonight Reiger swore out a warrant charging Dr. James W. Hull with first degree murder. Dr. Hull is to be held to await the action of the special grand jury which convenes here tomorrow. His name has been frequently mentioned in connection with the Vaughn case. Hull is a married man. He moved to Monroe City several years ago from Illinois and established a hospital. Among wealthy persons who patronized him was the Proctor family. Another arrest, it is reported, will be made tomorrow afternoon.

Denials by Widow.

Mrs. Alma Proctor Vaughn this afternoon dictated a statement, in which she denies that Prof. Vaughn’s death was due to poison taken intentionally, or to poison taken accidentally, or by any person administered, accidentally or intentionally. She does not believe poison in deadly quantities was found in viscera from her husband’s body. She expresses the conviction that the strychnine found in the dead body in considerable quantities was placed in the viscera subsequent to her husband’s death, and at the instance of certain parties who were vitally interested in such a discovery. Dr. Hull sold his hospital at Monroe City two weeks ago and announced his intention of locating in New York. He is of unprepossessing appearance. Mrs. Vaughn bitterly resents rumors connecting her name with the Hulls. If the matter gets into the Circuit Court, her attorneys, it is understood, will attempt to show these rumors originated in a social feud at Kirksville. Hull will be held at Monroe City, until the inquest ends tomorrow, when he will be brought to Kirksville. Hull stated tonight that he had done no wrong and was ready to meet any charge that might be brought against him.

The Witnesses.

Witnesses, who, it is reported, will appear tomorrow before grand jury are: George Koch, Chief of Police, Quincy, Ill., who will be asked regarding the reported meeting there of two persons mentioned as suspects in the Vaughn case; J.R. Kirk, president of Kirksville Normal College, confidant of Prof. Vaughn; Miss Elsie Kirk, daughter of Prof. Kirk, who is said to have in her possession letters shedding light on the Vaughn case; Miss Emma J. Harblatt, who is said to know the manner in which Miss Kirk got the letters; J.A. Johnson, a former policeman of Kirksville, who is said to have trailed a suspect in the Vaughn case to Quincy, Ill., and discovered the meeting six weeks after Vaughn’s death, another person now suspected of having knowledge in connection with the death. It is held here that the report of the Coroner’s Jury, which meets tomorrow in Monroe county, where Vaughn’s widow resides, to hear the report from Chemist Schweitzer, will have no effect upon the action of the special grand jury here.

FACES POISON CHARGE

Dr. J.W. Hull Accused of Murder of Prof. Vaugh. Warrant for Arrest Out. Sheriff Ordered to Take Monroe City, Mo., Physician in Custody – Preparing to Leave the State for New York. Dead Man’s Wife Issues a Statement Denying Ugly Rumors.

Special to the Washington Post. Kirksville, Mo., Feb 23. – The beginning of the climax in the investigation into the cause of the death of Prof James T. Vaughn came this afternoon, when Sheriff Francis Marion Nolan, of Monroe county, was ordered to go at once to Monroe county, was ordered to go at once to Monroe City and place Dr. James W. Hull under arrest. Fear that Dr. Hull was about to leave the county, it is reported, inspired this move. The order came from Prosecuting Attorney Reiger, at Kirksville, this afternoon. Dr. Hull is to be held to await the action of the grand jury, which convenes at Kirksville tomorrow. His name has been frequently mentioned in connection with the Vaughn case. Dr Hull is a married man. He has a daughter, Mrs. Jessie Stiker, near Ely, Mo., and a married son, Fred Hull, in Oklahoma. The doctor came to Monroe City several years ago from Illinois. He established a hospital, and among other wealthy persons who patronized him was the Proctor family. Another arrest, it is reported, will be made Thursday afternoon. 

Wife Breaks Silence.

Mrs. Alma Vaughn broke her long silence this afternoon and dictated a lengthy statement. She denies that Prof. Vaughn’s death was due to poison taken accidentally, or by poison administered either accidentally or intentionally by another party. She does not believe poison in deadly quantities was found in her husband’s body. She adds that strychnine, if really found in deadly quantities, was placed in the body after her husband’s death, and at the instigation of certain persons who were vitally interested in such a discovery. Dr. Hull sold his hospital at Monroe City two weeks ago, and announced his intention of locating in New York. He has known all along of rumors which connected his name with Prof. Vaughn’s death, but has stoutly denied any knowledge of a poison plot. He is a man of unprepossessing appearance, but ranks high in his profession.

Resents Ugly Rumors.

Mrs. Vaughn bitterly resents rumors unpleasantly connecting her name with Hull’s. If the matter gets into court, her attorneys, it is understood, will attempt to show that these rumors originated in a social feud in Kirksville. Sheriff Nolan’s plans for bringing Hull to Kirksville tonight were changed through later instructions from Prosecutor Reiger. He will be held at Monroe City until tomorrow night. Dr. Hull at Monroe City this afternoon stated that he had done no wrong, and was ready to meet any charge that might be brought against him.

SAYS DR. HULL SLEW VAUGHN.

Warrant Charges Physician with Killing Missouri Professor.

Another to be Indicted? Widow Does Not Believe Husband Died of Poisoning.  
 
Kirksville, Mo., Feb. 23 – [Special.] – A warrant charging Dr. James R. Hull of Monroe City with murdering Prof. J.T. Vaughn by strychnine poisoning was issued tonight by Justice of the Peace J.P. Carrothers of this city at the request of Prosecuting Attorney Reiger. Dr. Hull is in Monroe City and Reiger said the arrest will be made before morning. Dr Hull is waiting for the arrival of Sheriff Nolan with the warrant, according to Reiger, and will not resist arrest. The sheriff left Paris for Monroe City at 9:20 tonight, Reiger stated. Dr. Hull was notified of the probable issuance of a warrant this afternoon and affirmed his innocence, saying he had nothing to fear and would accept service on the warrant without objection. He is married and has two married children. He was the family physician of the Proctor family, of which Mrs. Vaughn is a member, for several years. He also has conducted a small hospital at Monroe City.

Heard Hull Intended to Leave.

Reiger explained his action in issuing the warrant for Hull’s arrest in advance of the special grand jury investigation which begins tomorrow by saying he had heard Dr. Hull had sold out his practice and hospital and intended to leave Monroe City. Reiger also announced that the indictment of one other person by the present grand jury may be expected in connection with the death of Prof. Vaughn. Mrs. Alma Proctor Vaughn today dictated a statement denying that Prof. Vaughn’s death was due to poison. She does not believe poison in deadly quantities was found in the viscera of her husband’s body. She express the conviction that strychnine, if really found in deadly quantities, was placed in the viscera subsequent to her husband’s death. Mrs. Vaughn bitterly resent rumors connection her name with Hull’s. Her attorney, it is understood, will attempt to show that those rumors originated in a social feud at Kirksville.

Widow’s Brother Issues Statement.

“Mrs. Vaughn believes now,” said Attorney David M. Proctor of Kansas City, speaking at Paris, Mo., today for Mrs. Vaughn, who is his sister, as she always has, and as the coroner’s jury found by their verdict on Feb. 2, that Prof. Vaughn came to his death from natural causes, and not by poison administered either by himself or any one else. She believes now, as then, that Prof. Vaughn did not take any strychnine or any other poison by accident, unless perchance through the mistake of a druggist, and she bases this belief upon the fact that neither strychnine nor any other deadly poison was ever at any time kept in or about their home for vermin or any other purposes.

Believes No Poison Was Found.

“She now believes as she has at all times believed, as she will always in the future believe, that no strychnine was actually found; but if found, she believes now and always will believe that it was placed in the viscera subsequent and not prior to Prof. Vaughn’s death, at the instance of certain parties, who necessarily were and are vitally interested in such a result of the analysis.”

MRS. VAUGHN HELD SLAYER OF SPOUSE

Widow of Poisoned Missouri Professor Will be Arrested Today.

Says She Has No Fear. Declares Suspense is Worst of the Ordeal.

Doctor Out on Bonds.

Kirksville, Mo., Feb. 25. – [Special.] – Mrs. Alma Vaughn tonight was charged with the murder of her husband, Prof. J.T. Vaughn of the State Normal school at Monroe City, Mo. The warrant for her arrest was sworn out by Prosecuting Attorney Reiger, who announces that it is in the hands of Sheriff Williams and will be served tomorrow morning. The delay was agreed to by the state after a consultation with Mrs. Vaughn’s attorneys. Dr. J.R. Hull of Monroe City, who was arrested yesterday and brought to Kirksville, charged with complicity in the murder, was released today on bonds of $7,500. Two residents of Monroe City went on his bonds. 

Widow Arrives to Face Charge.

Mrs. Vaughn arrived in Kirksville this afternoon, coming here from Monroe City of her own accord. She said she had come to this city to answer any charge that might be made against her. On her arrival here, she was driven in a taxicab to the offices of Higbee & Mills, attorneys, whom she has retained to look after her interests. This firm also is handling the defense of Dr. Hull, which is in the course of preparation. The widow of the educator appeared to be in excellent spirits when she arrived in Kirksville. She laughed and chatted with a companion in the cab while she was being driven to her attorneys’ offices and after a short conference there she left with Mrs. W.H. Clark of this city, a friend with whom she is spending the night.

Mrs. Vaughn Dreads Suspense.

“The suspense is the worst,” said Mrs. Vaughn. “It will be three months the first day of March since I first heard of the suspicions against me, and I have been carrying the dread all that time. I am glad it is over. I am not afraid.” Decidedly handsome in her (tweeds), piquant in speech, conversing freely with the group of newspaper men and friends of the family about her, no one not acquainted could have guessed her mission here.

“I had never known,” she said, “that Prof. Vaughn and myself were not congenial, until reports in this matter reached my ears. Our home was an unusually happy one. He did everything in this power to please me and make my lot a happy one, and I did all I could to please him.”

Poison Found in Vaughn Body.

The investigation which followed the death of Prof. Vaughn was replete with sensations and culminated in the discovery of a large quantity of strychnine in his viscera. Immediately thereafter a coroner’s jury declared he had been murdered. Mrs. Vaughn fought to have a portion of her husband’s viscera turned over to chemists representing her, but was unsuccessful in her efforts.

HELD AS POISONERS

Mrs. A. Vaughn and Dr. J.R. Hull Under Bonds. She Sobs Before Judge. Woman Breaks Down and Declares Vaughn Was Not Murdered.

Wife of the Missouri Educator, in Whose Body Strychnine Was Found, Says Husband Must Have Made Mistake in Medicines – Released on $25,000 Bail. Accused Physician Rearrested and Under Guard – Details of the Case.

Kirksville, Mo., Feb 26 – Warrants issued by the Adair county circuit court on a report of a special grand jury resulted in the arrest today of Mrs. Alma Proctor Vaughn and the re-arrest of Dr. James R. Hull, of Monroe City, Mo., on the charge of the murder by strychnine poisoning of Prof. John T. Vaughn. Mrs. Vaughn, widow of the professor, surrendered to the sheriff in Kirksville, and Dr. Hull was served at his home in Monroe City. Mrs. Vaughn, released on a $25,000 bond, returned to Monroe City to await a hearing, which probably will be in May. Dr. Hull was already under bond of $7,500 on a justice of the peace warrant. Mrs. Vaughn went to the office of Sheriff Williams and surrendered at 8:40 o’clock. During a 20-minute wait while her attorneys were consulting she sat in the sheriff’s office, and at 9 o’clock she went into the circuit court room.

Breaks Down In Court.

Judge Shelton told her she was charged with first degree murder. She replied with a nod of her head. She was calm until she was told to stand up and swear she would appear in court when summoned. Then she broke down and wept, and after taking the oath she sank into her chair. James S. Scott, her uncle; J.M. Proctor, Jr., her brother, and E.K. Yowell, of Monroe City, qualified as bondsmen, swearing their aggregate wealth was in excess of $150,000. Her attorney, William T. Ragland, asked the court to set the hearing, but Judge Shelton said it could not be before the May term of court. The report of the grand jury was not made public. The reading of the warrant was waived in the court at the request of Mrs. Vaughn’s attorneys. Mrs. Vaughn was led from the courtroom to a hotel, later returning to her home. She did not want her aged parents to see the warrant served.

Victim Widely Known.

Prof. Vaughn, who, it is now declared, met death through his wife’s perfidy, occupied the chair of history at the Kirksville Normal School. He had previously been connected with the State department of education, and was widely known as an educator and writer on educational and historical subjects. He died October 11 last at his Kirksville home. It was 10 o’clock one Sunday evening when Prof. Vaughn told a friend with whom he was sitting in church that he had some work to do and must go home. At 10:30 p.m. a message was received at church that he was in convulsions, and fifteen minutes later he was dead. Dr. J.W. Martin, who attended the stricken man, signed a death certificate, in which the cause assigned was “heart failure following convulsions.”

Woman Well Connected. 

Prof. Vaughn was buried at Monroe City, the home of Mrs. Vaughn, who was Miss Alma Proctor, daughter of one of the wealthiest men in this section of the State, niece of the president of the Monroe City Bank, and sister of Attorney David J. Proctor, of Kansas City. The brother will assist in the fight to save Mrs. Vaughn from the gallows. Mrs. Vaughn bitterly resents the ugly rumors which have connected her name with that of Dr. Hull. When the trial comes on she will undertake to show that these rumors originated in a social feud in Kirksville. Dr. Hull, Mrs. Vaughn’s alleged accomplice, and for whom the accused woman is said to have had an unaccountable infatuation, is not prepossessing in appearance. He admits being indiscreet, but denies any connection whatever with the taking of Prof. Vaughn’s life.

Sold His Hospital.

The physician is reputed to be a skillful practitioner. He is a married man, has a married daughter, Mrs. Jessie Stiker, near Ely, Mo., and a married son, Fred Hull, in Oklahoma. The doctor came to Monroe City several years ago from Illinois. He established a hospital. Among other wealthy persons who patronized the institution was Mrs. Vaughn. He sold his hospital at Monroe City two weeks ago and announced his intention of going to New York. This announcement aroused the concern of the prosecuting officer, and Dr. Hull’s arrest followed last Thursday, even before the sitting of the special grand jury called to investigate Prof. Vaughn’s death.

Investigation Demanded.

Soon after Prof. Vaughn’s funeral sensational stories were set afloat concerning Dr. Hull and the educator’s widow. The stories lost nothing in repetition, and finally accusations of so grave a nature were made that Dr. Templeton, Prof. Vaughn’s friend and pastor, and President, Kirk, of the Normal School, his educational associate, became convinced that an investigation should be made. Finally an inquest was ordered. Prof. Vaughn’s body was exhumed, and a chemical analysis of the stomach was made by Dr. Paul Schweitzer, a toxicologist and chemist, who has testified in several poison cases, and who was once professor of toxicology in the school of medicine of the University of Missouri. At the inquest to inquire into the death of Prof. Vaughn, the widow told of the incidents connected with his death. She said her husband had been suffering from neuralgia for many years, and that he carried in his vest pocket medicine which allayed his pain. In another vest pocket he carried another medicine, in tablet form, which he took for indigestion.

Took Paper Capsule. 

She said she never administered these remedies, but that he always took them from his pocket and swallowed them. On the day of his death he was feeling bad when he left home to go to church, she said, but he went to her room and kissed her good-bye, as was his custom. When they returned from church, she was lying on a bed reading to their daughter, Winifred. He again complained of being indisposed, and asked where he could get some quinine. She told him to go to a medicine chest in the bathroom. The professor found the quinine, but could find no capsules, so he improvised one from a piece of tissue paper. This he swallowed, after discussing the matter in a humorous vein with his wife.

Heard Him Groaning.

Later she heard him groaning in an adjoining room, to which he had gone, and immediately arose and ran to him. Her husband appeared in great pain, the witness said, and she telephoned for a doctor. While waiting for the physician she endeavored in every way to alleviate the stricken man’s pain. She rubbed his hands, and in her ministrations) carried one of them to her lips and kissed it. Her husband turned) his pain-racked face toward her and asked her to kiss his hand again. She said she kissed the hands several times. The doctor entered then and soon the neighbors came. At this time her husband was near death, and she was led from the room. While a neighbor’s wife was endeavoring to console her in an adjoining room, her husband died. Dr. (Unknown), another witness, said that he never saw more genuine and intense sorrow than was manifested by Mrs. Vaughn.

Report of the Chemist.

Following the coroner’s inquest, Mrs. Vaughn authorized her brother, David J. Proctor, to make a statement for her. In the statement she expressed the belief that her husband came to his death from natural causes and not by poison, administered either by himself of by anybody else. She added that if strychnine were found in her husband’s stomach, it would be because it had been injected into his body after death or because a druggist had made a mistake in (putting) up his medicine. Later came the report from Dr. Schweitzer that all of Prof. Vaughn’s organs were in a healthy condition, that (unknown) of a grain of strychnine had been found in the stomach and liver alone. (With) probably as much more in other organs, and that death could not have (resulted from) any cause except strychnine poisoning). When informed of the toxicologist’s finding, Attorney Proctor said:

Used Medicines Constantly.

(Unknown are) surprised that strychnine was used because it has been our (contention) all along that death might have (been) due to accidental causes. Prof. Vaughn was a habitual user of medicine, and his death might have been due (unknown and) carelessness or to the mistake (of a druggist). (One-fourth) of a grain of strychnine, (physicians) say, will kill an ordinary man. (Unknown) dose administered for (medicinal purposes) they say, is one-tenth of a (grain), while the amount most frequently (unknown) ranges from one-sixtieth to one-(eightieth) of a grain. The amount found in less than one-half of (Prof. Vaughn’s stomach) was one grain, or ten times as much as the amount administered in the most extreme case.

Mystery of the Bottle.

Whether the symptoms preceding Prof. Vaughn’s death, and the condition of his (unknown) after that, (unknown) these experts would (unknown) as incident to strychnine poisoning will be a point around which much (unknown) testimony will center (in the) trial. Another battle will be fought (over the) question of how strychnine got (into) Prof. Vaughn’s bottle in view of Mrs. Vaughn’s repeated assertions that it was the same bottle, and, so far as she knew, the same contents the family had been using all along. Mrs. Vaughn testified before the coroner’s jury that her husband died in (convulsions) within half an hour after swallowing a dose of quinine. The fact that strychnine weighs more, bulk for bulk then quinine, furnished ground for the (unknown) that in measuring out an ordinary two-grain dose of quinine he must have taken more than two grains. (If) strychnine had been substituted for the quinine he kept in a bottle.

Dr. Hull Testifies.

“I am confident it will be shown that Prof. Vaughn died from natural causes, Doctor Hull said after his arrest, (and) before the report of the expert who examined Prof. Vaughn’s stomach had been made. “I am well acquainted with (him and) with his wife’s family, and have (treated) all of them at times, and it (is) my opinion that Prof. Vaughn was (a) sufferer from Bright’s disease. “(Well) acquaintance with the facts (of the) death may show that it was the (unknown) poisoning from Bright’s disease and this would, of course, explain his (convulsions). “Whatever the cause of his death, (I) have nothing to fear, as I am innocent (of it). I could have no motive in t(the matter), and I assuredly did not (furnish) any poison, in any form, to any (person) who could have administered it to him. Now that the case has gotten into the circuit court, it is believed that a change of venue from Adair county will be the (best) move. The prominence of the (parties) involved has made the matter the sole topic of conversation for weeks, and would make it next to impossible to find a jury around here that had not heard the real or alleged merits of the case and formed a decided opinion therein.

FOR THE MURDER OF HER HUSBAND

Vivacious Mrs. Vaughn Has Been Arrested.

Dr. Hull, Who Attended Prof. Vaughn, Also Arrested—Fact That Mrs. Vaughn Played Wedding March After Husband Died Caused Suspicion.

Kirksville, Mo., February 26. – A report of a special grand jury resulted in the arrest today of Mrs. Alma Proctor-Vaughn and Dr. James R. Hull, of Monroe City, Mo., on the charge of the murder by strychnine poisoning of professor John T. Vaughn, Mrs. Vaughn surrendered to the sheriff here and Dr. Hull was served at his home. Mrs. Vaughn, after being released on $25,000 bond, returned to Monroe City to await a hearing, which probably will be May 16. Dr. Hull, who is guarded at his home, will be brought her tomorrow. He is under bond of $7,500 on a justice of the peace warrant. The reading of the warrant was waived by Mrs. Vaughn’s attorneys. The reading of the warrant was waived by Mrs. Vaughn’s attorneys. She maintained her spirit of calmness in the courtroom until she took the oath that she would return here for a hearing. 

She Broke Into Tears.

Then she broke into tears and wept until she left the courtroom on the arm of a friend. She sank helpless into a chair when the formality of giving bond was ended. Dr. Hull, on his arrival here, probably will be taken to a hotel by a deputy sheriff and guarded until court opens Monday. Mrs. Vaughn had regained her composure by the time she arrived at Monroe City and smiled a greeting to her friends. A joint indictment charging Mrs. Vaughn and Dr. Hull with the murder of Professor Vaughn was entered on the court record late this afternoon. It had been suppressed until both were arrested. Prosecutor Reiger said tonight he would insist on the sheriff placing Dr. Hull in jail as soon as the prisoner is returned here.

Most Sensational Case.

The arrest of Mrs. Vaughn marks another step in what promises to be one of the most sensational, as well as one of the hardest fought, cases in the history of the state. Dr. J.R. Hull, of Monroe City, the Proctor family physician, was arrested Thursday on a like charge and is now out on bail. Vaughn died from strychnine, according to the verdict of a coroner’s jury. The warrant for Mrs. Vaughn, issued last night, was expected to be served by Sheriff Williams. Mrs. Vaughn practically surrendered herself last night on her arrival from Monroe City, but was permitted to stay with friends on a promise by her attorneys that she would appear before Judge Shelton and accept service today. Bondsmen will be ready to give bond for any amount up to $1,000.000, they announce, and it was expected that she would be released on bail immediately after the warrant was served.

Glad Suspense is Over.

Her lawyers have been retained for several weeks past. There are several of them working in her interest and watching every step in the investigation. Her relatives are wealthy and have declared their determination at any cost to establish her innocence. She, herself, expresses her confidence in the outcome and says she is glad the suspense is over. Dr. J.R. Hull, released yesterday under $7,500 bond, has also retained a corps of attorneys. He asserts his innocence, and declares that he is the victim of a conspiracy. The tinkling strains of Mendelssohns’ wedding march played by Mrs. Vaughn shortly after her husband’s death led to the grand jury investigation of the death of Professor Vaughn. Although Professor Vaughn, who was instructor of American history in the State Normal school here, died in convulsions October 14 last, no one suspected at the time that his death was not natural except one or two persons, who thought he might have taken poison accidentally.

Music Soon After Husband’s Death.

Mrs. Vaughn’s music was heard ten days after Professor Vaughn’s death, by Mrs. John R. Kirk, whose guest she was after the funeral. Mrs. Kirk’s suspicions were aroused, and she confided in her husband, who is president of the State Normal. She told him other things she had observed which seemed unusual in the behavior of a widow. Investigation of the professor’s death was instituted by President Krik and by Vaughn’s brothers. The poison victim was apparently in the best of health when he arrived home from church on the night of his death. Thirty minutes later he died in convulsions. His widow, Mrs. Alma Proctor-Vaughn, who survives him with their 7 year old daughter, testified at the coroner’s inquest that her husband took quinine in a paper capsule as soon as he arrived home.

Her Relatives Wealthy.

Mrs. Vaughn is 35 years old, and is a niece of Dr. Proctor, president of the Monroe City, Mo., bank. Her father, James M. Proctor, is a director in the bank, and is reputed to be wealthy. In addition to an estate of $30,000, Professor Vaughn’s life was insured for $7,000. It is not, however, charged that this supplied the motive. Mrs. Vaughn had realty in her name valued at $40,000. Vaughn’s body was exhumed after several days’ consultation with attorneys representing the Proctor family. The latter opposed the exhumation, which was urged by Professor Vaughn’s brothers, backed by Prosecuting Attorney Reiger. The viscera were forwarded to Dr. Paul Schweitzer, chemist at the Missouri state university. He reported finding 49-55 of a grain of strychnine in the stomach and liver. The amount of poison in other parts of the viscera has not yet been determined.

Much Younger Than Husband.

Professor Vaughn was studious and retiring. Mrs. Vaughn is vivacious. She was a pupil in the Paris, Mo., high school when e was principal there, and they were married shortly after she completed her course. She was fifteen years his junior, but firmly refused to listen to objections her family made because of the disparity in ages. Vaughn was one of the state’s leading educators and was an authority on American history, upon which he had written several books. At one time he was assistant superintendent of public schools. Dr. Hull has been the Proctor family physician since arriving in Monroe City three years ago. He came from Macomb, Ill., and until recently conducted a sanitarium.

MRS. VAUGHN OUT; BAIL $25,000.

Widow Accused of Slaying Professor Weeps in Courtroom.

New Warrant for Doctor – Family Physician Again Named for Complicity in Crime.

Kirksville, Mo., Feb 26. – [Special.] – Mrs. Alma Proctor Vaughn formally was arrested this morning on a warrant charging her with murder in the first degree, for the death by poison of her husband, Prof. J.T. Vaughn of the State normal school at Monroe City, Mo. Mrs. Vaughn was released immediately on bonds of $25,000, her sureties being her uncle, James W. Scott; her brother, M.M. Proctor, Jr., and W.K. Yowell, all of Monroe City. Mrs. Vaughn maintained wonderful composure through the earlier part of the ordeal of her arrest and arraignment, but broke down and sobbed violently when told to stand up and swear that she would appear in court when summoned for trial. Her attorney, William T. Ragland, asked the court to set the date for the hearing and Judge Shelton said it could not be before the May term of court. Immediately after leaving the courtroom Mrs. Vaughn was driven to the railroad station, where she took a train for Monroe City. She will remain in her home there until called for trial. During the progress of Mrs. Vaughn’s hearing prosecuting Attorney Reiger announced that he had sworn out a new warrant for Dr. J.R. Hull, the Vaughn family physician, who already is out under $7,500 bond on a charge of complicity in the murder of Prof. Vaughn. Dr. Hull is in Monroe City. 

Wedding March Caused Investigation.

The tinkling strains of Mendelsshon’s Wedding March, played by Mrs. Vaughn shortly after her husband’s death, led to the grand jury investigation of the tragedy. Although Prof. Vaughn, who was instructor of American history in state Normal school, died in convulsion Oct. 14 last, no one suspected at the time that his death was unnatural except one or two persons who thought he might have taken poison accidentally. Mrs. Vaughn’s music was heard ten days after Vaughn’s death by Mrs. John R. Kirk, whose guest she was after the funeral. Mrs. Kirk’s suspicions were aroused and she confided in her husband, who is president of the state Normal. She told him other things she had observed which seemed unusual in the behavior of a widow. An investigation of the death was instigated by president Kirk and Prof. Vaughn’s brothers as result.

Widow Said He Took Quinine.

Prof. Vaughn apparently was in the best of health when he arrived home from church on the night of his death. Thirty minutes later he died in convulsions. Mrs. Vaughn testified at the coroner’s inquest her husband took quinine in a paper capsule as soon as he arrived home. The January grand jury was dismissed without returning a report on the death. A coroner’s jury began an inquest at Monroe City later and after an investigation no verdict was returned. The body was exhumed, however, after several days’ consultation with attorneys representing the Proctor family. The latter opposed the exhumation, which was urged by Prof. Vaughn’s brothers, backed by prosecuting Attorney Reiger. The organs were forwarded to Dr. Paul Schweitzer, chemist at the Missouri State University. He reported finding forty-nine-fifty-fifths of a grain of strychnine in the stomach and liver. The amount of poison in other parts of the viscera had not been determined.

MRS. VAUGHN IS IRONICAL.

Accused Wife of Poisoned Author Invites Reporter to Her Hanging.

Special to the New York Times. Kansas City, March 3. – While at the Union Station on her journey to Texas, Mrs. Alma proctor Vaughn, indicated on the charge of poisoning her husband, J.T. Vaughn, educator and author, was interviewed on the case and expressed herself as follows: “I’ll forgive you for trailing me, but for the love of heaven do not say anything about the case. I do not. Stop me if I get started, for my lawyers promised me they would kill me dead and save Adair County the trouble if I talked any more. They say I have talked too much. I do not think I have, do you? How can I help talking? I am a woman in the first place, and then this case is all I have had on my mind for months. If there were a price of $25,000 on your head, wouldn’t you think about it? I’ll wager you would, and you’d talk, too, even if you are a man.”

Mrs. Vaughn’s bravado had not forsaken her when she left Kansas City. “Good-bye,” she said, “if you are going to die soon, do it while I am in Texas, so I won’t be surprised, and if you live long enough, come to Kirksville to my hanging.” The widow, whose personality has won her thousands of friends in Missouri, arrived in Cleburne, Texas, tonight to rest until her trial. Dr. J.R. Hull, sanitarium proprietor at Monroe City, Mo., who is jointly indicted with Mrs. Vaughn, was released today on $15,000 bond at Kirksville, Mo.

HIS BODY TWICE EXHUMED.

Prof. Vaughn’s Tongue and Spine Removed for Murder Trial Evidence.

Monroe City, Mo., Mar. 20 – The body of Prof. James T. Vaughn was exhumed for the second time today by attorneys representing Mrs. Alma Vaughn, the widow, and Dr. J.R. Hull, who are awaiting trial on a charge of murdering the professor. The exhumation was surrounded by great secrecy. The grave was opened at night, and the body was taken to the sexton’s tool house. There the tongue and spine were removed, and the body was later reburied. The possessors of the spine and tongue are said to have left here for an unknown Western point. Prof. Vaughn, according to the defense, lived in constant fear of a cancer of the tongue, and it is believed that organ was removed this morning for pathological examination.

VAUGHN’S BODY AGAIN EXHUMED.

Defense Would Prove He Had Cancer.

Attorneys for Accused Wife and Alleged Accomplice Remove Tongue and Spinal Column – Claim Professor Poisoned Himself Because He Had Incurable Disease.

{By Direct Wire to the Times.} Paris (Mo.) March 20 – [Exclusive Dispatch]. The body of Prof J.T. Vaughn was exhumed for the second time at Monroe City, Mo., before daylight this morning. Attorneys for the State were taken completely by surprise and were not aware of what had happened until the body was once more in the grave. The exhumation was done at the request of James Proctor, Jr., one of the Mrs. Vaughn’s brothers Attorneys who represent her decline to state what portions of the anatomy were removed, but it can be stated on good authority that the operations were confined to the tongue and spinal column. The work was done by Dr. George (Stell) of Kirksville, Mo., and a young professional man of St. Louis, assistant to one of the pathologists in the employ of the defense. The parts removed from the body are now in St. Louis, assistant to one of the pathologists in the employ of the defense. The parts removed from the body are now in St. Louis in possession of the same experts who are analyzing the viscera secured by attorneys of Mrs. Vaughn on a writ of replevin last Monday. 

Attorneys for Vaughn’s widow decline to state what theory the further examination of Vaughn’s body will sustain. They expect, it is stated, to discover a cancer at the root of the tongue. His alleged statement that a man with such a malady would be justified in ending his life, it is state, will be advanced as evidence that he died by his own hand. Neither Mrs. Vaughn nor Dr. Hull, jointly indicted on the charge of murdering the husband with strychnine, had an (indication) that Vaughn’s body was to be exhumed. Hull vigorously asserts his innocence. Mrs. Vaughn, who is in Texas, will make no further statement.

VAUGHN’S BODY AGAIN EXHUMED AT MIDNIGHT

Brother of Widow Accused of Murdering Husband Secretly Conducts Disinterment.

Paris, Mo., March 20 – The body of Prof. J. T. Vaughn again has been exhumed at Monroe City. The second disinterment began last midnight and was completed with the first appearance of dawn this morning, only a few residents of the town being aware of the fact. The body was exhumed by Sexton Ruhn of St. Jude's cemetery, assisted by a force of men, at the request of Jas. Proctor, brother of Mrs. Alma Proctor Vaughn. The body was taken to a small house in the center of the cemetery and the spine, tongue and other organs thought necessary for tests by experts for the defense, were removed by Dr. George Still of Kirksville, and a physician from St. Louis, employed by Mrs. Vaughn. The latter's name is not known, but it is said he is an assistant of Dr. Guthrie McConnell, pathologist for the defense. Neither Mrs. Vaughn nor Dr. J. R. Hull, who ware charged with murdering Prof. Vaughn, had knowledge of what was to be done and the exhumation came as a surprise to the attorneys for the state, who were unaware of the proceedings, as were attorneys for the defense. It was the intention of attorneys for Mrs. Vaughn to have the exhumation finished and the body reburied by daylight, so as to keep the matter a secret, but the big steel vault was full of water and offered such resistance to being opened that it was 7 o'clock before

the body was reburied. By that time residents of Monroe City were awake, and seeing the little group in the cemetery, became curious.

Realizing that the act could no longer be kept a secret, attorneys for Mrs. Vaughn tonight gave out the details of the procedure, but would not say what organs had been removed, but it is known that the spine and the tongue among other things were taken, and that an effort will be made to prove by an examination of these organs that Professor

Vaughn came to his death from causes other than strychnine poison. The brain, which was removed after the first exhumation and sent to Doctor Paul Schweitzer, at Columbia, Mo, was in such a bad state of preservation when the defense regained possession of it that a pathological examination was impossible, and to establish that a condition might have existed in both brain and spine that would have caused death, the spine will be examined by the defense's experts in St. Louis. The tongue was taken to determine, if possible, if the cancerous growth which Professor Vaughn is alleged to have feared and brooded over, really existed at the time of his death. If it did, then the suicide theory may be set up. The defense, it is said, has evidence to show that Professor Vaughn feared he had a cancer at the base of his tongue and that he had repeatedly threatened to take his own life if it developed rather than endure the suffering it would entail. This it is believed will be the feature of the defense.

The state will have the chemical examination and only a partial pathological examination to rely on and the defense will have both complete, as it is known that the viscera replivened at Columbia last week are now being subjected to a chemical examination in behalf of the defense by Doctor Warren at St. Louis. A man connected with the Vaughn case pointed out tonight that the most important evidence in the Watson case at New London several years ago was obtained by

means of a second exhumation showing that the woman supposed to have been drowned had no water in either of her lungs or eardrum and that of necessity the theory was not tenable. The first exhumation and examination in this case seemed to make the State invincible, but the second gave the defense the grounds on which it obtained an acquittal. The secrecy which attended last night's events at Monroe City was due to a desire to avoid any interference on the part of the State. (Source: Kathy Bowlin’s transcription of the Higbee News, 18-25 March 1910.)

10 June 1910--J. M. Proctor, father of Mrs. Alma Vaughn, who, with Dr. Jas. Hull, is under arrest charged with the murder of her husband, died at his home in Monroe City on the 5th, aged 73 years. Worry over his daughter's troubles caused his death. (Source: Kathy Bowlin’s transcription of the Higbee News, 3-10 June 1910.)

POISON CHARGES FAIL

Mrs. Vaughn and Dr. Hull Released Amid Cheers. State’s Main Witness Ill. Nolle Prosequi Entered by District Attorney after Evidence that Dr. Schweitzer, Who Said Strychnine was in Prof. Vaughn’s Stomach, Might Never Testify.

Lancaster, Mo., Jan 2 – Mrs. Alma H. Vaughn and Dr. James R. Hull, accused of the murder of Prof. John T. Vaughn, nearly a year ago. today were freed of the charges against them in the circuit court here. Their cases were nolle prossed by Prosecuting Attorney Reiger, of Adai county, after Judge Shelton had refused to grant the further continuance asked by the State. The announcement was greeted with applause by the friends of Mrs. Vaughn and Dr. Hull. The widow appeared unconcerned. The inability of Dr. Paul Schweitzer, of the State university, the prosecution’s poison expert, to be present caused the request for a continuance. Dr. E.B. Clements, of Macon, who was a member of the medical commission appointed in November to examine Dr. Schweitzer, testified that, in his judgment, the expert never would be in condition to take the stand. In refusing the continuance, Judge Shelton said he believed Dr. Schweitzer, who is more than 80 years old, could never again appear in court. Reiger’s term as prosecutor expired today, and it is believe that nothing more ever will be done in the case.

Died in Fall of 1909.

Prof. Vaughn died in Kirksville, Mo., suddenly, on October 14, 1909, after an interesting career as an educator. According to Mrs. Vaughn’s story her husband felt bad all day October 14. He went to the family medicine chest in the evening, took some pills from a bottle Mrs. Vaughn told him contained quinine, swallowed them, and then sat down to rest. Shortly afterward Vaughn told his wife that he was ill. He was suffering greatly, and the family physician, Dr. J.W. Martin, was called. Dr. Martin afterward told the grand jury that the symptoms were those of strychnine, and that Vaughn died in a spasm. In his report, however, Dr. Martin ascribed the death to heart failure. Prof. John R. Kirk, president of the State Normal School, a close friend of Prof. Vaughn, and several others, started a quiet investigation into the death. A grand jury was called and investigated the death of Prof. Vaughn, returning indictments against Mrs. Vaughn and Dr. Hull jointly on February 25 charging them with administering strychnine to Prof. Vaughn. Vaughn’s body was twice exhumed, once by the defense, the State sending the viscera to Columbia, Mo., to allow Prof. Schweitzer, chemist of the University of Missouri, to make a chemical analysis. Prof. Schweitzer reported that he had found 49-55 of a grain of strychnine, enough to kill several healthy men. Mrs. Vaughn and Dr. Hull both furnished bonds and were not kept under arrest. A pathological analysis of the viscera of Prof. Vaughn was made by Dr. McConnell, of St. Louis, for the defense, and while the results have not been made public, they are known to be favorable to the defense.

Used Strychnine Tablets.

A deposition was secured in Los Angeles September 1 by attorneys for the defense from Dr. Frank P. Young, until a year ago a physician practicing at Kirksville. Dr. Young said he had attended Prof. Vaughn in 1903, and at that time had allowed him to take strychnine as a heart stimulant. He testified further that in 1905 Prof. Vaughn came to him and asked that he be allowed to increase the dose, which was also permitted. Another deposition says Prof. Vaughn told Mr. Cadogan, of the publishing firm of Cadogan & Hatcher, that he was taking tablets containing one-twentieth of a grain of strychnine three times a day, and that Mr. Cadogan told him they would cause his death unless he stopped the treatment. The defense expects this testimony to account for any traces of strychnine the State’s chemists found. Judge Shelton set the trial for the November term of the circuit court at Lancaster, but when the cases were called the State asked for a postponement, on the ground that Prof. Schweitzer, one of their chief witnesses, was unable to attend, being in very feeble health following an operation upon his eye. The cases were postponed until January 2. (Source: Pg 9, The Washington Post dated Jan 3, 1911; ProQuest Historical Newspapers).

VAUGHN POISON CASE ENDS.

Mrs. Vaughn and Dr. Hull, Charged with Professor’s Death, are Freed.

Lancaster, Mo., Jan. 2 – Mrs. Alma H. Vaughn and Dr. James R. Hull, accused of the murder of Prof. John T. Vaughn nearly a year ago, were freed today in the Circuit Court here. Their cases were nolle prossed by prosecutor Attorney Reiger of Adair County, after Judge Shelton had refused to grant the further continuance asked by the (State). The announcement was greeted with applause by the friends of Mrs. Vaughn and Dr. Hull, who crowded the courtroom. The widow appeared unconcerned. The inability of Dr. Paul Schweitzer of the State University, the prosecution’s poison expert, to be present caused the request for a continuance. Dr. E.B. Clements of Macon, who was a member of the medical commission appointed in November to examine Dr. Schweitzer, testified that, in his judgment, the expert never would be in a condition to take the stand. It is believed that nothing more will be done in the case. Prof. Vaughn suddenly died in Kirksville, Mo., on Oct 14, 1909, after an interesting career as an educator. In December of that year a number of his friends began an investigation, and in January 1910, his body was exhumed; then followed a bitter legal fight on the report that he had strychnine in his stomach. Indictments were returned by the Grand Jury at Kirksville a few weeks later, and the case was brought to Lancaster on a change of venue.

(Source: Pg 3, The New York Times dated Jan 3, 1911; ProQuest Historical Newspapers).