POISON MYSTERY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIV, Issue 230, 26 September 1903, Page 5 (Supplement)

POISON MYSTERY.

ACONITE FOUND TN THE BODY OP A MILLIONAIRE.

Remarkable tr/velations v have been made concerning the, death of Colonel William Rest, a N£w. York millionaire, who died suddenly at San Rafael, California, on April Kith, at the house of a certain "Doet/jr" Woods, with whom he had some bustriess dealings. Woods attended the millionaire during his Illness, and filed a oC-rtifieate that death was due to cerebral apoplexy. The body was sent to Caldvrell, New Jersey, for burial, and Woods , and his wife immediately afterwards disappeared.

Colonel Best's relatives opened an investigation, and discovered that a large sum of money and some mining stock belonging to Colonel Best were missing. The body was exhumed at Caldwell, and an autopsy made, which showed that It had been opened before leaving San Rafael. The digestive organs and lungs had been removed and sawdust Inserted. Evidences of aconite poisoning were also discovered. The brain was found to be perfectly healthy, thus disproving the death*eertificate.

The San Rafael authorities issued warrants for the arrest of Woods and hfs wife, but there Is no trace of the fugitives. Woods has had a remarkable career. He was formerly a popular Methodist minister, but was expelled from the Church. He afterwards posed as a doctor, although It is alleged he had no right to the title.