FULL TEXT: Camden, N. J., Oct. 7. – Mrs. Mary Sammon and
Mrs. Jennie Layton, two colored women, were arrested on suspicion of being
concerned in the deaths of three children, all of whom died under suspicious
circumstances requiring a coroner’s certificate. The matter first came to
Coroner Lippincott’s attention yesterday when he was called to the women’s home
in connection with the death of Joseph Beckinridge, aged 2 years, a foster
child of Mrs. Sammon. The boy’s lips and hands showed what looked like carbolic
acid burns. Mrs. Sammon said the boy had been treated for diptheretic sore
throat, and denied having administered any poison. In view of the past deaths at
the house and the present suspicious circumstances the coroner ordered the
arrest of both women.
From an investigation it was learned that all of Mrs.
Layton’s five children had died, and a coroner’s certificate was required in
each case. The coroner said he was first called to the house on Sep. 17, and
gave a certificate in the case of Joseph Layton, aged 2 years. Four days later
Erastus Layton, aged 2 months, also died suddenly. Yesterday a post mortem
examination on the Breckinridge boy was made, but before arriving at a decision
it was decided to submit the heart and lungs to a chemical analysis. The
remains of the two Layton children may be disinterred.
[“Suspicious Deaths In Camden – Two Colored Woman Arrested
on Suspicion of Infanticide.” The Daily Star (Fredericksburg, Va,), Oct. 7,
1897, p. 7]
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