Baltimore SUN, Monday, Sept. 10, 1849
Submitted by Mona Everett
Inquest--Coroner Reilly was called on yesterday to hold an inquest on a body of
a woman named Catharine Hennafee, in the home of Mr. C. Bailey, corner of
Fayette and High streets, who died under rather peculiar circumstances. The
deceased was a stranger to Mr. B., and came to his house on Friday afternoon
seeking a place. She had no acquaintances here, and had arrived in this country
from Ireland in May last.
Mr. B. took her in, and on Saturday morning she went with Mrs. Bailey to the
market. Sometime after returning from the market, she complained of being
unwell, and was sent to bed; growing worse, Dr. Donovan was sent for, who came
and prescribed for her. He left her about nine o'clock in the evening and
persons remained with her until between three and four o'clock yesterday
morning, when they retired to rest. About seven o'clock she was visited and
found dead in her bed.
A verdict was rendered that she died from some cause unknown to the jury.
Although this was the verdict, the jury had strong reason to believe that she
had committed suicide. She appeared to be depressed in mind, and when the doctor
first saw her, her whole physical energies seemed prostrated. It was in
evidence, too, that while she was at the market on Saturday morning, she had
endeavored to purchase arsenic from the apothecary establishment of Dr. Laroque,
but did not succeed, the doctor refusing to sell to her.
Whether she obtained from any other place is unknown--she was absent from the
house a short time in the morning. When Dr. Donovan was called in, she stated
that she had taken tow pills which she obtained from Dr. Laroque, but this is
proved to be not so, by Dr. Laroque himself; if she took the pills, she must
have.(that is all I have)