The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-01-21

body the fire confined principally to the northwest
should suppose thai the fire had been from the
back part u the bed not the 'front.' the bodies think,
must have been under the bed
No examination by defence.
DR.. WILLIAM Z. EADH, called and sworn-l was called
to attend an examination Of the bodies OF Mrs Houseman
and child by the coroner; the examination Of the
body. found wound ON one OF the arms, which no
doubt made before the fire the contraction OF the
muscles from burning may have fractured one OF the
homes OF the arms which found broken the wound
the wrist there black silk handkerchief
skull of Mrs Houseman was also induced to believe
that violence had been committed before the burning the
back part OF the skull broken off all the bones OF
the head Of the child to the base of the Uranium de-
stroyed the part OF the brain that remained III the skull
very little acted upon by fire there something
about the neck OF the child that was charred appeared
like cloth.
Cross-eranined by defenee.-The woundi was an inch
and halt from the fracture the fracture may have been
caused by the wound it nearly direct fracture
OF the bones broken partly transverse the
wound was an inch and quarter length have
been inflicted with blunt instrument my opinion from
circumstances Is that the fire not communicated until
the second day after death as physician should de-
cidedly say 1t was communicated alter death the
parts of the skin that We're burned did not show
the usual signs OF burning before deaththere was no
red lines OF the skin which always appears
on burning alive do not know that should have known
the deceased woman except by her teeth, they of
unusual appearance was on the popular committee to
investigate the subject have visited the prison since
the accused was confined
Qave you visited the prisoner prison for any other
purposes except as physician
mitted.
WrNEssI have visited the prisoner ply sican and
have aided in procuring things from her fathers for her
comfort have advised her to make revelations
said she Obliged to confess told her she could
not have counsel
PRIsosER-l was told while in prison that could
WIrsEssI will state that went there with counsel for
her, and she told me she did not want any
PRIsoNER-I was told
DISTRICT ArToRNEy-Nover mind, Mrs. Bodiue, let
your counsel speak for you.
WrNEss-The knot tied in the handkerchief aroundthe
wrist oldeceased was sailors knot believe there was
an other knot under it TO prevent its running.
DireetFrom appearances the handkerchief was tied on
the before the burning the ends OF the broken
bones OF the arm were charred by the fire the other was
not.
The court here took a recess for dinner
On the e-assembng OF the court the prisoner appeared
with black silk hat upon her head having discarded the
green veil in which she previously appeared also the
hood that she not TO fancy at the pre-
sent period.
EVENING SESSION.
DIR. JOHN T. HARRISON called and swornI reside within
about mile of this place; attended the post-mortcm
examination OF the body OF Mrs Houseman and Child
agree with Dr. Eade in his statement to the cause OF
death Of the deceased the bodies OF both so much
burned that it almost impossible ascertain whether
violence had been committed them before the burn
greatly injured; the bones OF the head OF Mrs Houseman
completely destroyed to the base OF the skull the
bones the side OF the head also destroyed; the
muscular portion OF the neck also consumed, so
much make it difficult to tell whether any wound
had been inflicted there not there was an obque rac
of the right fore that appeared to have been
burnt after the fracture and confused wound little
above which suppose had been made before the fire.
and perhaps before DEATH do not think blood would
proceeded from it if the wound had been inflicted after
death; there fracture also OF the small bone oil the
right which appeared not to be charred and there
fore 1t must have been recent fractures can
not Judging from appearances say that the fire
muncaed before after DEATH observed no blsters;
from pieces OF dress found the body, think there is
| no doubt she dressed at the time OF the fire
| ABRAHAM f. MILLER called and sworn reside about
four hundred yards from the house OF George opseman
there after the fire dscovered the child
lay between the mother and the wall and within about
foot OF the wall.
| ABRAHAM HousEmAS Jr., called and sworn--i am
brother George Houseman, husband of deceased;
side about six hundred yards from him. went to bed a.
bout quarter before O'Clock that night; got up just
about the they got the fire OUT the bodies had been
found when reached the fire; did not know on that
night where the was that belonged to George my
brother.
Q-Do you remember conversation that passed be-
tween yourself and relatives as to this money?
Mr. MoRRI.oN objected to the question, and contended
that was illegal and inadmssibehat conversations
of witness with third parties not trial. was not evil
dence could not be admitted by the Commissioner.
District Attorney CLARKE claimed the admission the
ground that the investigation was held to eucidate all
facts that would throw any light upon the murder, and
that therefore evidence that would not be strictly legal
the accused trial should be admitted in order to
trace all testimony connected with this affair
Commissioner PHELPs decided that he view ed the inves
tgation before him similar to that held before
Grand Jury and that therefore great lat
de of enquiry should be extended both sides He had
desire crcumscrbe the bounds Of investigation
to preclude the admission OF any testimony that would
aid the of justice either against or IN favor OF the
prisoner He hoped that she would be able to show her
of the charge against her but from the
OF this investigation he had determined to
even rule relative the admission OF testimony
rather than conne either party within narrow limits He
could improperly in the question: and therefore
dered IL TO be answered
| Mr. MoRRIsoN again and contended against the
decision concluding by stating that he felt it his duty to
his client well the witness to advise him not to
swer any question tending to reveal conversations be-
tween himself and rolatives-and that the Commissioner
could take his course and commit the witness to p
son if he pleased.
Pending this question: which had been decided, the com
missioner adjourned the Investigation until 10 o'clock
| Monday morning. t