Episode 78-Whiskey & Arsenic: The First Murder By Mail

Old Blood Podcast
Sep 1
1 min read

The first ‘Murder by Mail’ was sent to Mrs. Josephine Barnaby in 1891 in the form of an arsenic-laced whiskey bottle. When she and a friend drank the whiskey, both fell violently ill. The resulting murder trial would tear families apart for decades to come.

Sources:

Conrad, Barnaby. A Revolting Transaction (New York: Arbor House, 1983).

Day, Martin C. Death in the Mail (Providence: The Journal Print, 1892).

Galpern, Jennifer L. “Happy New Year…in April?” The Rhode Island Historical Society. 13 April, 2017. https://www.rihs.org/happy-new-year-in-april/

Newspapers:

Evening Star (Washington, D.C.)

Fort Worth Gazette

Morning Journal and Courier (New Haven)

Narragansett Herald

New York Times

Pawtucket Tribune

Providence News