
” On Sunday morning last, two valuable horses, belonging to Mr. RS Maklem1, proprietor of the Livery Stable on Market street, died from the effects of poison which had been placed in the tub from which the horses were watered. It is supposed to have been thrown in the water sometime during the night. The third horse brought out refused to drink, and the other two showing the effects immediately, disclosed the presence of poison. They died in about twenty minutes. The strength of the poison , and the violence with which it acted, probably prevented the destruction of the entire stock. The tub was examined and found to contain strychnine. Another horse was taken sick, and on Monday died from the effects of poison supposed to have been administered in the the stable, probably put in the food. These losses will fall heavily upon Mr. Maklem, a very clever man, but we hope he will have the satisfaction of brining the scoundrel to justice. The perpetrator of this villainous act is still unknown, and no clue has been found strong enough even to throw suspicion upon the guilty person. Whoever he may be, he richly deserves a copious draught of the water he drugged.”2
- Royal Sanford Maklem
- A villain at large. (1862, October 4). Portsmouth Times, p. 3.