Death by Poisoning of the Thomas Frizzle Family - Pike Co., AL
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SEP 1999

Death by Poisoning of the Thomas Frizzle Family - Pike Co., AL

"Deaths by Poisoning
On Sunday morning last, the family of Thomas Frizzle, of this county, an
old and respectable citizen, were all poisoned, and at this writing we
learn that four of them are now dead in the house, two others are beyond
the hope of recovery, and several others who may possible escape death.
    The circumstances we learn to be these:  One Harmon Kamiski (of
course a foreigner) furnished a negro - the cook woman - with poison,
supposed to be arsenic, and directed her to put it in the meal, which
she did, and cooked the meal for breakfast from the mealtub where she
had thrown in a handful of the arsenic.  Some members of the family
complained of sickness, and suggested they were poisoned, before arising
from the breakfast table. Mr. Frizzle, to test the bread, partook of it,
was poisoned and died in a few hours.  They gave the dog some of the
bread; he drank water and died forthwith.
    This is one of the most heart-rending cases we have ever yet been
called on to report.  The citizens have arrested the heartless villain
who furnished and advised the poisoning, and it is thought that they are
so much exasperated and excited that they will not trouble the courts of
the country so far as he is concerned.  They have in custody the negro
woman, and an another negro supposed to be concerned in some way.  We
will not suffer ourselves to say what kind of punishment we think should
be meeted out to the whole murderous crew.
    P. S. - Since the above was put in type, we learn that another
member of the family is dead, making 5 dead up to this time, Monday
evening, Sept. 14." (1)
(1) Independent American, 16 Sep 1857.  A newspaper published in Troy,
Pike Co., AL: On microfilm located in Alabama Department of Archives &
History, Montgomery, AL.