The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1843-03-25
The Assassination OF CorI,..

The investigation before Coroner Archer was
continued yesterday afternoon, al o'clock, in the
Superior Court Room, in the City Hall
Long before the hour selected for the meeting Of
the jury the avenue to the court room of the second
story, was completely blocked up by an immense
crowd of anxious spectators, eager TO obtain en-
trance to the court room and it was with great
difficulty that either reporters jurors, or even Off
GERS of the court could obtain entrance.
The court room was crowded to excess and the
doors were raised between the two apartments,
giving the spectators the benefit of the extended
hall. Mr.. and Mrs. Cotton arrived at an early hour,
attended by their counsel, Charles O'Conner, Esq
who held converse with them during the investiga-
ton.
The hour of three having arrived, the Corener
took his seat, accompanied by Aldermen Crolius
and Carman and Deputy Coroner Milliken called
the names of the jurors, when it was found that
three were absent. Officers were despatched in
quest of them, and after considerable delay, two
were found among the rrowd, who had been unable
to obtain entrance to the court room. Mr. William
Hagadorn was still absent, and it now being nearly
four o'clock, the Coroner concluded to proceed
without hun, there being sixteen present, and the
law requiring but twelve.
ton, that could tend to throw any light on this
mysterious murder James Jenkins, mulatto
waiter, who resided at Is Vesey street, where Mrs.
Cotton boarded, stated in his evidence that he
tended the hall of the house in the capacity of
servant, and during Monday last, was there from
three o'clock in the afternoon until Justice MatselI
came in the evening, and that during that time, he
did not see Mrs Cotton pass IN or out Of the house, or
come do,cn stairs. That when Justice Matsell came
to the door to enquire for Mrs. Cotton, about eight
o'clock, he went up stairs to her and delivered
the message to her. she opening the door to receive
it. This testimony only tends to make the matter
more mysterious, as Mrs Cotton could not have
been the person who committed the act, unless she
had left and come back to the house between the
hours of six and eight o'clock.
The first witness called, was
WILLIAM W. SEWER, who sworn-I reside at AZ
Reade street; not acquainted with Charles Cor
lis, but knew him by sight. am not acquainted with
Cotton knew him until he was pointed out in
court. had no knowledge ofthe late difficulty between
Mrs. Cotton.
QmHave you been informed by any that Mr.. Cor.
A-Last Saturday afternoon, while was at the "Em.
pre-" in Vesey street, bowling saloon, read notice
in the Evening Express" that Mrs. Cotton had taken
laudanum After reading it, handed it to Mr.. w. w.
Monroe who sitting by, and pointed out the para
graph to him. Alter he read it. which was hastily az
though he had seen it before he said eyes shouH
think Cors would leave the city, or he may get killed
yet" That was all he said then took the paper out
OF his hand and commenced reading. was there only
few minutes, and nothing further transpired between
him and me- A gentleman was close by, but hardly
think he heard the Yves sitting down. did not know
him i think left Mr.. Monroe there.
Here four ladies came into court who had been sub
fGnaed as witnesses.
WITNESS continued have never heard any threats
against the life of Charles g. Corlis except the one be-
fore spoken Of. | do not know where VIM. W. Monroe
veshe lives somewhere in the city, but do not know
where it is have known him about one year. and
have seen him occasionally Dc know his business
now-he formerly kept grocery store where near
the Battery think He did not assign anv reason for
making the remark relative to Corlis saw Cors on
Sunday forenoon last, for the last time. He was in
Broadway, near his Saloon. had conversation with
him, nor never had ANY, merely knew him by sight
JAMES JENKINS, mulato man, called and sworn-I
live at 26 Vesey street.
wlrNrss continued now live with VIM. Wallace
and have been in his employ as waiter since February
house Mr. Cotton gave up the house the 25th of Feb
ruary Mr. Cotton has been in the habit of visiting that
house since he left when he left there he went to live
at ~ Vesey street; Mrs. Cotton remained at No 90; she
occupied the third story and had two rooms which
exc US se used oS heT she never had any company
up stairs but do not know whether he went to see Mrs.
Cotton or not saw Mr. C,lton there last Monday about
O'Clock in the day he then went up stairs he in
Mrs. Coton's room he not in conversation with Mrs
Cotton, but was removing some furniture assisted him
he did not say any thing to Mrs Cotton my know
ledge; was not there all the time was engaged in
carrying the furniture down stairs while going
up and down stairs Mr.. and Mrs Cotton alone
gether whileI was in the with Mr.. Col.en Mrs.
Cotton seated the sofa in the room she
dressed in white and her hair plain the same
she usually wore it Mr. Cotton was in the room ten
or fifteen minutes Twas not present when he LETT the
rooms after leaving her room he left the house did not
Mrs. Cotton after that until the evening" when Justice
Matsell came and told me that he wished to her
went to her door to the parlor door, and found locked
message she said she could see any person that
evenings told her that "a gentleman wished 10 see her
then welt down and told Justice Matse that she said
she did not wish to see any he told to tell her
that it was Justice Matsel and he see her; went
again and told her what the Justice had sad she OPEN
ed the door second time and answered again that she
could not see any person." went down and told JUS
tice Matsell he asked where her apartments were
and showed him up the third story; remained there
with him until the door was broken open; was some
time after dark when Justice Matsell there do not
know the time ofhe evenings he knocked the door,
there was answer he then knocked repeatedly the
door, but there answer Justice Matsel was there
about ten minutes before the door broken open;
recollect that person sal he would allow her thu
minutes to open the door before broken; the
expiration Of that time it was broken open.
called her and told her that Justice Mase wish to see
her1
A-No, she did not appear we'll as usual; she did
not tell fine she not well; vents into her room
shortly after the door broken open; she was sitting
on the sofa with her head on pillow she did not say
Oddly yer see her in that condition beioreq
A-No never did, attend the front door Of the house
No. IS Vescy street.
QDii Mrs. Cotton pass out of that hall the after.
evening of Monday last7
A-No, she did net.
Q-Were you in the hall all day
A-Iwas there from three o'clock in the afternoon un
til Justice Matsell came in in the evening.
Odd any female pass out of the hall that EVENING"
A-None to my knowledge
QWere you in the hall all the time7
Ayes was
Q-Was Mrs Cotton in the habit of going out of the
trent door when she went out7
Ayes, she was.
Q-were there any females residing in that house on
Monday7
A-No, none except the servants of the house
Q-How many female servants there in the
house
A-Not but one-she is colored-her name is Ann
Russell.
Q-Do you know whether Mrs. Cotton carried night
KEY
A-She did not, TO my knowledge
QDo you attend that hall constantly does coored