Harrisonburg Rockingham Register
Thursday, October 5, 1876
Harrisonburg, Virginia
From the Staunton Spectator
Sudden Death
The sudden death of Mrs. Adelle Points, wife of Wm. J. Points, at the residence of her husband in this city, on Sunday night, the 24th instant together with the painful rumors as to the cause of her death caused a feeling of sadness and sorrow to pervade the whole community.
Mrs. Points was a daughter of the late James Points, who for thirty years was U.S. Marshal of the Western District of Virginia, and at one time Grand Master of the Masonic Grand Lodge of Virginia. She was about thirty-five years of age and had for several years been in bad health. She was a lady of much cultivation, kind hearted, amiable and generous, and had a large circle of warm friends who deeply mourn her loss. Her husband is about forty years of age, and a son of the late Benj. F. Points, one of the most prominent and highly esteemed of our citizens. For several years he has been almost a helpless invalid, caused by paralysis of the lower portion of the body and for several months past it is believed his mined has been affected. He and his wife were first cousins and had three children, two girls eight to ten years old, and an infant boy eleven months old.
Though the rumors that the death of Mrs. Points had been caused by violence reached the ear of the coroner on Monday, he refused to hold an inquest until the matter had been officially reported to him by Mayor Balthis and Chief fo Police Peck - he thereupon summoned a jury to meet at the residence of the deceased on Tuesday morning, at which time the following jury assembled; J.H. Waters foreman, Jas C. Marquis, F. M. Young, Jno. B. Scherer Sr., J S. Gilliam and M.P. Funkhouser, before whom the following testimony was given which we take from the Valley Virginian.
THE TESTIMONY
Dr. A.M. Fauntleroy testified: - Was summoned about 9 1/2 o'clock on Sunday night to the house of Mr. Points; found Mrs. p. in a dying condition, evidently from the effects of some trouble about the brain which may have arisen from natural causes - may have been caused by the rupture of some blood vessel at the base of the brain. Examined closely the head, neck and face, but could observe no marks of violence at all.
Prof. Leonidas Poyntz, a brother of the deceased, testified: - Know nothing at all personally about the matter. Heard a person say on yesterday afternoon that the children affirmed that W.J. Points had struck my sister with a cane and that she fell to the floor as a result of the blow. Was impressed with the healthful appearance of the corpse on Sunday night.
J. Yost testified: - In company with Miss Harman I was walking past Mr. Points' residence about nine and a half o'clock Sunday night. - When we were opposite the gate heard Mr. Points talking in a loud and angry voice. We paused for an instant, I then proposed going on and said 'it does not concern us.' Miss H. responded, 'Oh! Mr. Yost, you don't know everything.' Just then Mr. Points stopped talking and I heard a thud, as if some heavy substance had fallen on the floor. The children screamed and very soon the cries subsided to a sob. We remained at the gate about two minutes and the sobs continued to be heard. We then proceeded to Mrs. Harman's whose property adjoins Mr. Points', and had just reached the porch when Mr. Points' two little girls rushed out on the porch of Mr. P's house in their night clothes, and one of them screamed 'Oh, Mrs. Harman! Mrs. Harman, please come over here,' understood her to say 'mamma is dying.' They were wringing their hands and seemed almost crazed with terror. Miss Bessie and I hurried over to the house and she told me to remain at the door while she went into the room. On entering the room I heard Miss Bessie exclaim, 'Oh, Mr. Point's, what in the world is the matter?' He replied, "I don't know.' She then asked 'where is the camphor?' and Mr. Points responded 'You will find it on the mantle or somewhere.' Miss Bessie came out and said she thought Mrs. P. was dying. Mrs. Harman then arrived and I went for the doctor and Mr. Jacob Points.
Miss Bessie Harman testified: - Was passing Mr. Points' residence about 10 o'clock on Sunday night; heard angry words and as I though a fall, then everything seemed quite until we had gotten on our porch, when Mrs. Points' eldest daughter ran out on their porch and screamed for mamma, saying 'my father is beating my mother.' Went over to Mr. Points' and upon entering the room found Mrs. P. lying on the floor and Mr. P. sitting on the bed with the baby in his hands. I said 'Mr. Points what in the world is the matter?' and he replied 'I don't know.' The children then commenced saying 'papa struck mamma on the back of the head with his cane.' His cane was lying on the bed beside him. They (the children) further stated that he had been beating their mamma all evening since supper. Mrs. Points did not seem conscious after I saw her. She was lying with her feet under the bed on which Mr. Points was sitting and her head was near the crib, which was situated about four and a half feet distant. Did not examine her closely, thought one side of her mouth seemed bruised. She was lying on her right side, her arms being thrown out from her.
[Here the coroner end (and) jury entered the room in which Mrs. Points fell and found the bed on which Mr. Points was sitting situated in the southwest corner of the room, and in the southeast corner was the children's bed. Immediately on a line with the foot of the children's bed and about four feet distant from the large bed was the crib. Miss H. stated that the furniture was in exactly the same position on Sunday night.]
Continuing her evidence, Miss Harman stated: The cane was lying on the foot of the bed; did not notice the handle; Mrs. P. spent Sunday afternoon at our house, and seemed perfectly well and unusually cheerful. She returned to her home about five o'clock.
Mrs. Fannie Harman testified: - I was called at ten o'clock Sunday night to Mr. Points' house, and found Mrs. Points lying on the floor, her feet lying partly under the bed and her face turned towards the fire place. She was unconscious, her tongue protruded from the mouth and her eyes were open; did not examine her for marks of violence. Mr. P. was sitting on the bed. Mrs. P. was at my house in the evening some four or five hours before and seemed perfectly well. On last Friday evening she told me that her husband had struck her on the arm and she feared it was broken. She further stated that on the night before (Thursday) he had chocked her, and that he had threatened her life on several occasions. I have repeatedly heard Mrs. P. say to Mr. P. 'don't strike me again.' This I heard from my window, they being on their back porch. I could (can't read) ... I asked Mr. Points what was the matter, and he relied that Mrs. P. 'had had a kind of headache and was sick.'
In response to questions by Capt Marquis, Mrs. Harman stated that when Mrs. Points would say 'don't strike me again,' Mr. P. would answer by charging her with ill treatment towards him. She (Mrs. H.) had never seen a blow pass.
Miss Kate Lohr testified: - Miss Bessie Harman called me on Sunday night and I came at once to Mr. Points' house; found Mrs. Points unconscious lying on the floor on her right side, her feet under the bed and her head near the crib. Being requested to do so, I examined her, but found no marks of violence. I have been very intimate with the family lately. For the past two or three months Mrs. Points' health has been unusually good. Saw no marks of violence on her body, but immediately after dressing her both sides of her neck and back of her ears turned black and the lips turned purple.
Mrs. Mayes testified: - I was called to the house about 10 o'clock by Miss Kate Lohr, and found Mrs. Points lying on the small bed where Mrs. Harman and Miss Lohr had placed her. I saw no evidence of violence. There was some issues of blood from her mouth when we dressed her. Saw nothing unnatural about the body. Mr. Points was lying on the bed when I came in.
Little Maza Points, a daughter of the deceased, aged about nine years, then testified as follows: Papa struck ma with his big cane on the top of the head, then on the mouth and then on the back of the head. Mamma was sitting at the fire putting the baby to sleep and papa was sitting in his chair near the washstand. Papa struck mamma when she was sitting at the fire and then mamma put the baby in the crib. Then I went into the dining room to scrape the dishes, and mamma told me to come and take the baby while she called Mrs. Harman to come and make papa stop hitting her on the top of the head. Papa then went to bed and mamma went into the dining room to make up bread, but was so sick she couldn't. She came in from the dining room and asked for camphor; said she was sick. She then laid down on the bed with papa and was trying to get up again when she fell on the floor. The baby awoke and I took it up, and then called Mrs. Harman and Miss Bessie Harman came. Pa asked mamma while she was lying on the floor if she wanted to get up on the bed, but mamma didn't say anything. I told papa mamma was dying, and he said she wasn't dying, and could get up if she wanted to. He made me give him the baby on the bed. He would not let me call Mrs. Harman; held me on the bed to keep me from calling her, and I got away from him and ran out. Papa treats me right mean all the time, takes my arm and twists it around. He treats sister mean too. I like my papa very well; I do what I can for him.
[In explanation of the child's statement that her mother ran and called Mrs. Harman, it was stated that about eight o'clock Mrs. Points had been heard by the neighbors calling Mrs. Harman, but Mrs. H. was at church.]
After hearing this testimony the jury adjourned to meet at four o'clock, but immediately after adjourning it reconvened at the urgent request of Dr. W.J. Points and Prof L. Poyntz and Dr. Faunteory again examined the body. Dr. F's testimony in review was as follows: I have examined the body closely, and find no marks other than of a post mortem character. There are no marks of violence at all visible and so far as I can determine the death of the body was not caused by violence nor by blows or other inflictions.
After the close of the evidence, the jury after consultation, returned the following
VERDICT:
'Upon a review of all the testimony, the jury find for verdict that the death of Mrs. Adelle Points was not caused by any inflicted violence, but resulted from natural causes.'
Info courtesy of Cindy Taylor-Matuse--46849602.
Thursday, October 5, 1876
Harrisonburg, Virginia
From the Staunton Spectator
Sudden Death
The sudden death of Mrs. Adelle Points, wife of Wm. J. Points, at the residence of her husband in this city, on Sunday night, the 24th instant together with the painful rumors as to the cause of her death caused a feeling of sadness and sorrow to pervade the whole community.
Mrs. Points was a daughter of the late James Points, who for thirty years was U.S. Marshal of the Western District of Virginia, and at one time Grand Master of the Masonic Grand Lodge of Virginia. She was about thirty-five years of age and had for several years been in bad health. She was a lady of much cultivation, kind hearted, amiable and generous, and had a large circle of warm friends who deeply mourn her loss. Her husband is about forty years of age, and a son of the late Benj. F. Points, one of the most prominent and highly esteemed of our citizens. For several years he has been almost a helpless invalid, caused by paralysis of the lower portion of the body and for several months past it is believed his mined has been affected. He and his wife were first cousins and had three children, two girls eight to ten years old, and an infant boy eleven months old.
Though the rumors that the death of Mrs. Points had been caused by violence reached the ear of the coroner on Monday, he refused to hold an inquest until the matter had been officially reported to him by Mayor Balthis and Chief fo Police Peck - he thereupon summoned a jury to meet at the residence of the deceased on Tuesday morning, at which time the following jury assembled; J.H. Waters foreman, Jas C. Marquis, F. M. Young, Jno. B. Scherer Sr., J S. Gilliam and M.P. Funkhouser, before whom the following testimony was given which we take from the Valley Virginian.
THE TESTIMONY
Dr. A.M. Fauntleroy testified: - Was summoned about 9 1/2 o'clock on Sunday night to the house of Mr. Points; found Mrs. p. in a dying condition, evidently from the effects of some trouble about the brain which may have arisen from natural causes - may have been caused by the rupture of some blood vessel at the base of the brain. Examined closely the head, neck and face, but could observe no marks of violence at all.
Prof. Leonidas Poyntz, a brother of the deceased, testified: - Know nothing at all personally about the matter. Heard a person say on yesterday afternoon that the children affirmed that W.J. Points had struck my sister with a cane and that she fell to the floor as a result of the blow. Was impressed with the healthful appearance of the corpse on Sunday night.
J. Yost testified: - In company with Miss Harman I was walking past Mr. Points' residence about nine and a half o'clock Sunday night. - When we were opposite the gate heard Mr. Points talking in a loud and angry voice. We paused for an instant, I then proposed going on and said 'it does not concern us.' Miss H. responded, 'Oh! Mr. Yost, you don't know everything.' Just then Mr. Points stopped talking and I heard a thud, as if some heavy substance had fallen on the floor. The children screamed and very soon the cries subsided to a sob. We remained at the gate about two minutes and the sobs continued to be heard. We then proceeded to Mrs. Harman's whose property adjoins Mr. Points', and had just reached the porch when Mr. Points' two little girls rushed out on the porch of Mr. P's house in their night clothes, and one of them screamed 'Oh, Mrs. Harman! Mrs. Harman, please come over here,' understood her to say 'mamma is dying.' They were wringing their hands and seemed almost crazed with terror. Miss Bessie and I hurried over to the house and she told me to remain at the door while she went into the room. On entering the room I heard Miss Bessie exclaim, 'Oh, Mr. Point's, what in the world is the matter?' He replied, "I don't know.' She then asked 'where is the camphor?' and Mr. Points responded 'You will find it on the mantle or somewhere.' Miss Bessie came out and said she thought Mrs. P. was dying. Mrs. Harman then arrived and I went for the doctor and Mr. Jacob Points.
Miss Bessie Harman testified: - Was passing Mr. Points' residence about 10 o'clock on Sunday night; heard angry words and as I though a fall, then everything seemed quite until we had gotten on our porch, when Mrs. Points' eldest daughter ran out on their porch and screamed for mamma, saying 'my father is beating my mother.' Went over to Mr. Points' and upon entering the room found Mrs. P. lying on the floor and Mr. P. sitting on the bed with the baby in his hands. I said 'Mr. Points what in the world is the matter?' and he replied 'I don't know.' The children then commenced saying 'papa struck mamma on the back of the head with his cane.' His cane was lying on the bed beside him. They (the children) further stated that he had been beating their mamma all evening since supper. Mrs. Points did not seem conscious after I saw her. She was lying with her feet under the bed on which Mr. Points was sitting and her head was near the crib, which was situated about four and a half feet distant. Did not examine her closely, thought one side of her mouth seemed bruised. She was lying on her right side, her arms being thrown out from her.
[Here the coroner end (and) jury entered the room in which Mrs. Points fell and found the bed on which Mr. Points was sitting situated in the southwest corner of the room, and in the southeast corner was the children's bed. Immediately on a line with the foot of the children's bed and about four feet distant from the large bed was the crib. Miss H. stated that the furniture was in exactly the same position on Sunday night.]
Continuing her evidence, Miss Harman stated: The cane was lying on the foot of the bed; did not notice the handle; Mrs. P. spent Sunday afternoon at our house, and seemed perfectly well and unusually cheerful. She returned to her home about five o'clock.
Mrs. Fannie Harman testified: - I was called at ten o'clock Sunday night to Mr. Points' house, and found Mrs. Points lying on the floor, her feet lying partly under the bed and her face turned towards the fire place. She was unconscious, her tongue protruded from the mouth and her eyes were open; did not examine her for marks of violence. Mr. P. was sitting on the bed. Mrs. P. was at my house in the evening some four or five hours before and seemed perfectly well. On last Friday evening she told me that her husband had struck her on the arm and she feared it was broken. She further stated that on the night before (Thursday) he had chocked her, and that he had threatened her life on several occasions. I have repeatedly heard Mrs. P. say to Mr. P. 'don't strike me again.' This I heard from my window, they being on their back porch. I could (can't read) ... I asked Mr. Points what was the matter, and he relied that Mrs. P. 'had had a kind of headache and was sick.'
In response to questions by Capt Marquis, Mrs. Harman stated that when Mrs. Points would say 'don't strike me again,' Mr. P. would answer by charging her with ill treatment towards him. She (Mrs. H.) had never seen a blow pass.
Miss Kate Lohr testified: - Miss Bessie Harman called me on Sunday night and I came at once to Mr. Points' house; found Mrs. Points unconscious lying on the floor on her right side, her feet under the bed and her head near the crib. Being requested to do so, I examined her, but found no marks of violence. I have been very intimate with the family lately. For the past two or three months Mrs. Points' health has been unusually good. Saw no marks of violence on her body, but immediately after dressing her both sides of her neck and back of her ears turned black and the lips turned purple.
Mrs. Mayes testified: - I was called to the house about 10 o'clock by Miss Kate Lohr, and found Mrs. Points lying on the small bed where Mrs. Harman and Miss Lohr had placed her. I saw no evidence of violence. There was some issues of blood from her mouth when we dressed her. Saw nothing unnatural about the body. Mr. Points was lying on the bed when I came in.
Little Maza Points, a daughter of the deceased, aged about nine years, then testified as follows: Papa struck ma with his big cane on the top of the head, then on the mouth and then on the back of the head. Mamma was sitting at the fire putting the baby to sleep and papa was sitting in his chair near the washstand. Papa struck mamma when she was sitting at the fire and then mamma put the baby in the crib. Then I went into the dining room to scrape the dishes, and mamma told me to come and take the baby while she called Mrs. Harman to come and make papa stop hitting her on the top of the head. Papa then went to bed and mamma went into the dining room to make up bread, but was so sick she couldn't. She came in from the dining room and asked for camphor; said she was sick. She then laid down on the bed with papa and was trying to get up again when she fell on the floor. The baby awoke and I took it up, and then called Mrs. Harman and Miss Bessie Harman came. Pa asked mamma while she was lying on the floor if she wanted to get up on the bed, but mamma didn't say anything. I told papa mamma was dying, and he said she wasn't dying, and could get up if she wanted to. He made me give him the baby on the bed. He would not let me call Mrs. Harman; held me on the bed to keep me from calling her, and I got away from him and ran out. Papa treats me right mean all the time, takes my arm and twists it around. He treats sister mean too. I like my papa very well; I do what I can for him.
[In explanation of the child's statement that her mother ran and called Mrs. Harman, it was stated that about eight o'clock Mrs. Points had been heard by the neighbors calling Mrs. Harman, but Mrs. H. was at church.]
After hearing this testimony the jury adjourned to meet at four o'clock, but immediately after adjourning it reconvened at the urgent request of Dr. W.J. Points and Prof L. Poyntz and Dr. Faunteory again examined the body. Dr. F's testimony in review was as follows: I have examined the body closely, and find no marks other than of a post mortem character. There are no marks of violence at all visible and so far as I can determine the death of the body was not caused by violence nor by blows or other inflictions.
After the close of the evidence, the jury after consultation, returned the following
VERDICT:
'Upon a review of all the testimony, the jury find for verdict that the death of Mrs. Adelle Points was not caused by any inflicted violence, but resulted from natural causes.'
Info courtesy of Cindy Taylor-Matuse--46849602.
Harrisonburg Rockingham Register
Thursday, October 5, 1876
Harrisonburg, Virginia
From the Staunton Spectator
Sudden Death
The sudden death of Mrs. Adelle Points, wife of Wm. J. Points, at the residence of her husband in this city, on Sunday night, the 24th instant together with the painful rumors as to the cause of her death caused a feeling of sadness and sorrow to pervade the whole community.
Mrs. Points was a daughter of the late James Points, who for thirty years was U.S. Marshal of the Western District of Virginia, and at one time Grand Master of the Masonic Grand Lodge of Virginia. She was about thirty-five years of age and had for several years been in bad health. She was a lady of much cultivation, kind hearted, amiable and generous, and had a large circle of warm friends who deeply mourn her loss. Her husband is about forty years of age, and a son of the late Benj. F. Points, one of the most prominent and highly esteemed of our citizens. For several years he has been almost a helpless invalid, caused by paralysis of the lower portion of the body and for several months past it is believed his mined has been affected. He and his wife were first cousins and had three children, two girls eight to ten years old, and an infant boy eleven months old.
Though the rumors that the death of Mrs. Points had been caused by violence reached the ear of the coroner on Monday, he refused to hold an inquest until the matter had been officially reported to him by Mayor Balthis and Chief fo Police Peck - he thereupon summoned a jury to meet at the residence of the deceased on Tuesday morning, at which time the following jury assembled; J.H. Waters foreman, Jas C. Marquis, F. M. Young, Jno. B. Scherer Sr., J S. Gilliam and M.P. Funkhouser, before whom the following testimony was given which we take from the Valley Virginian.
THE TESTIMONY
Dr. A.M. Fauntleroy testified: - Was summoned about 9 1/2 o'clock on Sunday night to the house of Mr. Points; found Mrs. p. in a dying condition, evidently from the effects of some trouble about the brain which may have arisen from natural causes - may have been caused by the rupture of some blood vessel at the base of the brain. Examined closely the head, neck and face, but could observe no marks of violence at all.
Prof. Leonidas Poyntz, a brother of the deceased, testified: - Know nothing at all personally about the matter. Heard a person say on yesterday afternoon that the children affirmed that W.J. Points had struck my sister with a cane and that she fell to the floor as a result of the blow. Was impressed with the healthful appearance of the corpse on Sunday night.
J. Yost testified: - In company with Miss Harman I was walking past Mr. Points' residence about nine and a half o'clock Sunday night. - When we were opposite the gate heard Mr. Points talking in a loud and angry voice. We paused for an instant, I then proposed going on and said 'it does not concern us.' Miss H. responded, 'Oh! Mr. Yost, you don't know everything.' Just then Mr. Points stopped talking and I heard a thud, as if some heavy substance had fallen on the floor. The children screamed and very soon the cries subsided to a sob. We remained at the gate about two minutes and the sobs continued to be heard. We then proceeded to Mrs. Harman's whose property adjoins Mr. Points', and had just reached the porch when Mr. Points' two little girls rushed out on the porch of Mr. P's house in their night clothes, and one of them screamed 'Oh, Mrs. Harman! Mrs. Harman, please come over here,' understood her to say 'mamma is dying.' They were wringing their hands and seemed almost crazed with terror. Miss Bessie and I hurried over to the house and she told me to remain at the door while she went into the room. On entering the room I heard Miss Bessie exclaim, 'Oh, Mr. Point's, what in the world is the matter?' He replied, "I don't know.' She then asked 'where is the camphor?' and Mr. Points responded 'You will find it on the mantle or somewhere.' Miss Bessie came out and said she thought Mrs. P. was dying. Mrs. Harman then arrived and I went for the doctor and Mr. Jacob Points.
Miss Bessie Harman testified: - Was passing Mr. Points' residence about 10 o'clock on Sunday night; heard angry words and as I though a fall, then everything seemed quite until we had gotten on our porch, when Mrs. Points' eldest daughter ran out on their porch and screamed for mamma, saying 'my father is beating my mother.' Went over to Mr. Points' and upon entering the room found Mrs. P. lying on the floor and Mr. P. sitting on the bed with the baby in his hands. I said 'Mr. Points what in the world is the matter?' and he replied 'I don't know.' The children then commenced saying 'papa struck mamma on the back of the head with his cane.' His cane was lying on the bed beside him. They (the children) further stated that he had been beating their mamma all evening since supper. Mrs. Points did not seem conscious after I saw her. She was lying with her feet under the bed on which Mr. Points was sitting and her head was near the crib, which was situated about four and a half feet distant. Did not examine her closely, thought one side of her mouth seemed bruised. She was lying on her right side, her arms being thrown out from her.
[Here the coroner end (and) jury entered the room in which Mrs. Points fell and found the bed on which Mr. Points was sitting situated in the southwest corner of the room, and in the southeast corner was the children's bed. Immediately on a line with the foot of the children's bed and about four feet distant from the large bed was the crib. Miss H. stated that the furniture was in exactly the same position on Sunday night.]
Continuing her evidence, Miss Harman stated: The cane was lying on the foot of the bed; did not notice the handle; Mrs. P. spent Sunday afternoon at our house, and seemed perfectly well and unusually cheerful. She returned to her home about five o'clock.
Mrs. Fannie Harman testified: - I was called at ten o'clock Sunday night to Mr. Points' house, and found Mrs. Points lying on the floor, her feet lying partly under the bed and her face turned towards the fire place. She was unconscious, her tongue protruded from the mouth and her eyes were open; did not examine her for marks of violence. Mr. P. was sitting on the bed. Mrs. P. was at my house in the evening some four or five hours before and seemed perfectly well. On last Friday evening she told me that her husband had struck her on the arm and she feared it was broken. She further stated that on the night before (Thursday) he had chocked her, and that he had threatened her life on several occasions. I have repeatedly heard Mrs. P. say to Mr. P. 'don't strike me again.' This I heard from my window, they being on their back porch. I could (can't read) ... I asked Mr. Points what was the matter, and he relied that Mrs. P. 'had had a kind of headache and was sick.'
In response to questions by Capt Marquis, Mrs. Harman stated that when Mrs. Points would say 'don't strike me again,' Mr. P. would answer by charging her with ill treatment towards him. She (Mrs. H.) had never seen a blow pass.
Miss Kate Lohr testified: - Miss Bessie Harman called me on Sunday night and I came at once to Mr. Points' house; found Mrs. Points unconscious lying on the floor on her right side, her feet under the bed and her head near the crib. Being requested to do so, I examined her, but found no marks of violence. I have been very intimate with the family lately. For the past two or three months Mrs. Points' health has been unusually good. Saw no marks of violence on her body, but immediately after dressing her both sides of her neck and back of her ears turned black and the lips turned purple.
Mrs. Mayes testified: - I was called to the house about 10 o'clock by Miss Kate Lohr, and found Mrs. Points lying on the small bed where Mrs. Harman and Miss Lohr had placed her. I saw no evidence of violence. There was some issues of blood from her mouth when we dressed her. Saw nothing unnatural about the body. Mr. Points was lying on the bed when I came in.
Little Maza Points, a daughter of the deceased, aged about nine years, then testified as follows: Papa struck ma with his big cane on the top of the head, then on the mouth and then on the back of the head. Mamma was sitting at the fire putting the baby to sleep and papa was sitting in his chair near the washstand. Papa struck mamma when she was sitting at the fire and then mamma put the baby in the crib. Then I went into the dining room to scrape the dishes, and mamma told me to come and take the baby while she called Mrs. Harman to come and make papa stop hitting her on the top of the head. Papa then went to bed and mamma went into the dining room to make up bread, but was so sick she couldn't. She came in from the dining room and asked for camphor; said she was sick. She then laid down on the bed with papa and was trying to get up again when she fell on the floor. The baby awoke and I took it up, and then called Mrs. Harman and Miss Bessie Harman came. Pa asked mamma while she was lying on the floor if she wanted to get up on the bed, but mamma didn't say anything. I told papa mamma was dying, and he said she wasn't dying, and could get up if she wanted to. He made me give him the baby on the bed. He would not let me call Mrs. Harman; held me on the bed to keep me from calling her, and I got away from him and ran out. Papa treats me right mean all the time, takes my arm and twists it around. He treats sister mean too. I like my papa very well; I do what I can for him.
[In explanation of the child's statement that her mother ran and called Mrs. Harman, it was stated that about eight o'clock Mrs. Points had been heard by the neighbors calling Mrs. Harman, but Mrs. H. was at church.]
After hearing this testimony the jury adjourned to meet at four o'clock, but immediately after adjourning it reconvened at the urgent request of Dr. W.J. Points and Prof L. Poyntz and Dr. Faunteory again examined the body. Dr. F's testimony in review was as follows: I have examined the body closely, and find no marks other than of a post mortem character. There are no marks of violence at all visible and so far as I can determine the death of the body was not caused by violence nor by blows or other inflictions.
After the close of the evidence, the jury after consultation, returned the following
VERDICT:
'Upon a review of all the testimony, the jury find for verdict that the death of Mrs. Adelle Points was not caused by any inflicted violence, but resulted from natural causes.'
Info courtesy of Cindy Taylor-Matuse--46849602.
Thursday, October 5, 1876
Harrisonburg, Virginia
From the Staunton Spectator
Sudden Death
The sudden death of Mrs. Adelle Points, wife of Wm. J. Points, at the residence of her husband in this city, on Sunday night, the 24th instant together with the painful rumors as to the cause of her death caused a feeling of sadness and sorrow to pervade the whole community.
Mrs. Points was a daughter of the late James Points, who for thirty years was U.S. Marshal of the Western District of Virginia, and at one time Grand Master of the Masonic Grand Lodge of Virginia. She was about thirty-five years of age and had for several years been in bad health. She was a lady of much cultivation, kind hearted, amiable and generous, and had a large circle of warm friends who deeply mourn her loss. Her husband is about forty years of age, and a son of the late Benj. F. Points, one of the most prominent and highly esteemed of our citizens. For several years he has been almost a helpless invalid, caused by paralysis of the lower portion of the body and for several months past it is believed his mined has been affected. He and his wife were first cousins and had three children, two girls eight to ten years old, and an infant boy eleven months old.
Though the rumors that the death of Mrs. Points had been caused by violence reached the ear of the coroner on Monday, he refused to hold an inquest until the matter had been officially reported to him by Mayor Balthis and Chief fo Police Peck - he thereupon summoned a jury to meet at the residence of the deceased on Tuesday morning, at which time the following jury assembled; J.H. Waters foreman, Jas C. Marquis, F. M. Young, Jno. B. Scherer Sr., J S. Gilliam and M.P. Funkhouser, before whom the following testimony was given which we take from the Valley Virginian.
THE TESTIMONY
Dr. A.M. Fauntleroy testified: - Was summoned about 9 1/2 o'clock on Sunday night to the house of Mr. Points; found Mrs. p. in a dying condition, evidently from the effects of some trouble about the brain which may have arisen from natural causes - may have been caused by the rupture of some blood vessel at the base of the brain. Examined closely the head, neck and face, but could observe no marks of violence at all.
Prof. Leonidas Poyntz, a brother of the deceased, testified: - Know nothing at all personally about the matter. Heard a person say on yesterday afternoon that the children affirmed that W.J. Points had struck my sister with a cane and that she fell to the floor as a result of the blow. Was impressed with the healthful appearance of the corpse on Sunday night.
J. Yost testified: - In company with Miss Harman I was walking past Mr. Points' residence about nine and a half o'clock Sunday night. - When we were opposite the gate heard Mr. Points talking in a loud and angry voice. We paused for an instant, I then proposed going on and said 'it does not concern us.' Miss H. responded, 'Oh! Mr. Yost, you don't know everything.' Just then Mr. Points stopped talking and I heard a thud, as if some heavy substance had fallen on the floor. The children screamed and very soon the cries subsided to a sob. We remained at the gate about two minutes and the sobs continued to be heard. We then proceeded to Mrs. Harman's whose property adjoins Mr. Points', and had just reached the porch when Mr. Points' two little girls rushed out on the porch of Mr. P's house in their night clothes, and one of them screamed 'Oh, Mrs. Harman! Mrs. Harman, please come over here,' understood her to say 'mamma is dying.' They were wringing their hands and seemed almost crazed with terror. Miss Bessie and I hurried over to the house and she told me to remain at the door while she went into the room. On entering the room I heard Miss Bessie exclaim, 'Oh, Mr. Point's, what in the world is the matter?' He replied, "I don't know.' She then asked 'where is the camphor?' and Mr. Points responded 'You will find it on the mantle or somewhere.' Miss Bessie came out and said she thought Mrs. P. was dying. Mrs. Harman then arrived and I went for the doctor and Mr. Jacob Points.
Miss Bessie Harman testified: - Was passing Mr. Points' residence about 10 o'clock on Sunday night; heard angry words and as I though a fall, then everything seemed quite until we had gotten on our porch, when Mrs. Points' eldest daughter ran out on their porch and screamed for mamma, saying 'my father is beating my mother.' Went over to Mr. Points' and upon entering the room found Mrs. P. lying on the floor and Mr. P. sitting on the bed with the baby in his hands. I said 'Mr. Points what in the world is the matter?' and he replied 'I don't know.' The children then commenced saying 'papa struck mamma on the back of the head with his cane.' His cane was lying on the bed beside him. They (the children) further stated that he had been beating their mamma all evening since supper. Mrs. Points did not seem conscious after I saw her. She was lying with her feet under the bed on which Mr. Points was sitting and her head was near the crib, which was situated about four and a half feet distant. Did not examine her closely, thought one side of her mouth seemed bruised. She was lying on her right side, her arms being thrown out from her.
[Here the coroner end (and) jury entered the room in which Mrs. Points fell and found the bed on which Mr. Points was sitting situated in the southwest corner of the room, and in the southeast corner was the children's bed. Immediately on a line with the foot of the children's bed and about four feet distant from the large bed was the crib. Miss H. stated that the furniture was in exactly the same position on Sunday night.]
Continuing her evidence, Miss Harman stated: The cane was lying on the foot of the bed; did not notice the handle; Mrs. P. spent Sunday afternoon at our house, and seemed perfectly well and unusually cheerful. She returned to her home about five o'clock.
Mrs. Fannie Harman testified: - I was called at ten o'clock Sunday night to Mr. Points' house, and found Mrs. Points lying on the floor, her feet lying partly under the bed and her face turned towards the fire place. She was unconscious, her tongue protruded from the mouth and her eyes were open; did not examine her for marks of violence. Mr. P. was sitting on the bed. Mrs. P. was at my house in the evening some four or five hours before and seemed perfectly well. On last Friday evening she told me that her husband had struck her on the arm and she feared it was broken. She further stated that on the night before (Thursday) he had chocked her, and that he had threatened her life on several occasions. I have repeatedly heard Mrs. P. say to Mr. P. 'don't strike me again.' This I heard from my window, they being on their back porch. I could (can't read) ... I asked Mr. Points what was the matter, and he relied that Mrs. P. 'had had a kind of headache and was sick.'
In response to questions by Capt Marquis, Mrs. Harman stated that when Mrs. Points would say 'don't strike me again,' Mr. P. would answer by charging her with ill treatment towards him. She (Mrs. H.) had never seen a blow pass.
Miss Kate Lohr testified: - Miss Bessie Harman called me on Sunday night and I came at once to Mr. Points' house; found Mrs. Points unconscious lying on the floor on her right side, her feet under the bed and her head near the crib. Being requested to do so, I examined her, but found no marks of violence. I have been very intimate with the family lately. For the past two or three months Mrs. Points' health has been unusually good. Saw no marks of violence on her body, but immediately after dressing her both sides of her neck and back of her ears turned black and the lips turned purple.
Mrs. Mayes testified: - I was called to the house about 10 o'clock by Miss Kate Lohr, and found Mrs. Points lying on the small bed where Mrs. Harman and Miss Lohr had placed her. I saw no evidence of violence. There was some issues of blood from her mouth when we dressed her. Saw nothing unnatural about the body. Mr. Points was lying on the bed when I came in.
Little Maza Points, a daughter of the deceased, aged about nine years, then testified as follows: Papa struck ma with his big cane on the top of the head, then on the mouth and then on the back of the head. Mamma was sitting at the fire putting the baby to sleep and papa was sitting in his chair near the washstand. Papa struck mamma when she was sitting at the fire and then mamma put the baby in the crib. Then I went into the dining room to scrape the dishes, and mamma told me to come and take the baby while she called Mrs. Harman to come and make papa stop hitting her on the top of the head. Papa then went to bed and mamma went into the dining room to make up bread, but was so sick she couldn't. She came in from the dining room and asked for camphor; said she was sick. She then laid down on the bed with papa and was trying to get up again when she fell on the floor. The baby awoke and I took it up, and then called Mrs. Harman and Miss Bessie Harman came. Pa asked mamma while she was lying on the floor if she wanted to get up on the bed, but mamma didn't say anything. I told papa mamma was dying, and he said she wasn't dying, and could get up if she wanted to. He made me give him the baby on the bed. He would not let me call Mrs. Harman; held me on the bed to keep me from calling her, and I got away from him and ran out. Papa treats me right mean all the time, takes my arm and twists it around. He treats sister mean too. I like my papa very well; I do what I can for him.
[In explanation of the child's statement that her mother ran and called Mrs. Harman, it was stated that about eight o'clock Mrs. Points had been heard by the neighbors calling Mrs. Harman, but Mrs. H. was at church.]
After hearing this testimony the jury adjourned to meet at four o'clock, but immediately after adjourning it reconvened at the urgent request of Dr. W.J. Points and Prof L. Poyntz and Dr. Faunteory again examined the body. Dr. F's testimony in review was as follows: I have examined the body closely, and find no marks other than of a post mortem character. There are no marks of violence at all visible and so far as I can determine the death of the body was not caused by violence nor by blows or other inflictions.
After the close of the evidence, the jury after consultation, returned the following
VERDICT:
'Upon a review of all the testimony, the jury find for verdict that the death of Mrs. Adelle Points was not caused by any inflicted violence, but resulted from natural causes.'
Info courtesy of Cindy Taylor-Matuse--46849602.
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