The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-04-25
Court OF Oyer and Tcrminer.
Before Judge Edmonds, and Aldermen Adams an


pended until tomorrow. G..
Court OF Oyer and Tcrmincr.
Before Judge Edmonds, and Aldermen Adams and
Downing.
TRIAL OF MATHEW WOOD FOR THE MURDER OF HIS
WIFE.
APRIL N-[SEcoNp DAY HENRY McFARLANp
called, and his examination proceeded with
Knows man named John Dwyer he is prisoners land
lord; did not see him at the house the day witnesses
sister died; thinks he saw him at Reeds does not
collect that witness said thing about his sister being
poisoned Is sure that made signs to him yester
day. while under examinations has not been told by any
person that signs made to him. does not remember
that any one conversed with him the subject of this
trial; in the District Attorneys Office; does not
know whether he conversed about the not [The
stupidity Of the witness SUCH that the request
of the Court the District Attorney and the prisoners
counsel consented to let him go down
MARGARET REED sworn, and examined for the prose-
uions fourteen years of age she is the daughter Of
1t was next to the prisoners house; there is alley
between the two houses; recollects the day which
the prisoner wife died. witness there that MORN
ing; the prisoners room was on the first floor; there
are about three steps going up to it, there table
between the door and the window; there fire.
place In the ROOM but not in use; there also bed
in the ROOM it was between eight and nine o'clock in
the morning when witness there; had her break
fast before she there prisoner and his wife were
both there; he sitting down by the stove, and
she was getting the breakfast ready; there
pancakes in pan on tho stove and two more
plate witness saw the BATTER it was shown to her by
the prisoners wife, it was made in tin pan; witness
eat some Of the cakes; she sat on n chair the
tasted the cakes she remarked that they had very
ad taste; prisoner said his wife must have put too
much saaratus in the batter; witness thought the
cakes looked rather yellow, and said he replied that
he had put some molasses in them, he had it
done board the boats where he worked; prisoners
wife also said she thought they had very bad aste
Wood the prisoner, moved from the place where
he was sitting witness cat about half of of the
cakes; the prisoners wife eat of the cakes; did
not take any notice of how much she eat Wood eat
none; his wife said he told her when she back
with the molasses that he had had his breakfast he
alaI nf fannr aCtar,,
eat the cake she went up stairs to her mothers room;
in about quarter of an hour after eating the cake
witness commenced vomiting; Mrs. Wood invited wit
to eat the cake; w God did not; not think
from the position she in, that Wood could see
that she was eating; he might have what was
the plae Witness stomach was very sick she felt
If IT was burning witness was thirsty and could
drink all the time; felt great heat about her throat
her face much swollen; she vomitcd considerably;
continued sick until about five O'Clock in the after
confined to her bed for about ten days; the
prisoner in to witness several times during
the day; he came in first few minutes after she
taken sick; witness asked him how his wife felt he
said she any better that he did not expect
she'd live; he looked frightened; when Dr. M'kenna
put his hand ON witnesses stomach and pressed upon
it was very sore
did not what the matter with his wife, did
he ark witness what allied her self he looked wild and
frightened.
Crossezamined- say how long they lived there;
they there the summer before; frequently in
the ROOM never saw them quarrelling; frequently met
the prisoner there he never acted unkndly towards
her. that witness saw; there was no difference between
them the morning of the they seemed to
be attached to each other; it is n thing for
persons who make cakes to put salaratus in them
rats about the alley does not know whcth
er the prisoner his wife had any arsenic in the house,
the cakes were made Of Indian meal and flour he said
that he had eaten the cakes that his wife had baked
whilst she went for the molasses.
To a .Jr'or-Alrs. Wood went for the molasses, and
had got back before witness went into the room.
MARY REED sworn and examined for the prosecution.
Is the mother of the last Witness soon after her daugh
ter became sick her bowels became very much affected
Wood, the prisoner, called at witnesses house, thinks
about 10 minutes after her daughter took sick he said
his wife very bad; that she throwing off, and
all swollen; witness went immediately to Susan ;
when went in she sitting by the stove think
the prisoner followed he down stairs his wife had her
clothes open in 'front.' if to get air witness asked
her what the matter does not think prisoner
there when witness asked the question.
Counsel for prisoner objected to giving the dcclara
tions made by Mrs Wood when Wood gas not there
The objection over-rulcd.
WI1SEss-Whcn went in asked her what was the
natter she replied she thought she had got what would
do her, and added " God forgive him." she said she
thought she done; witness told her she might get
better; Wood said she would be well enough; she
replied, she long expected that something ke it,
after prisoner said she would be well enough she
said shc knew she was donc she said that she had gone
for molasscs and that while she was away, he baked
some cakes, and put moasses in the batter and that
She the deceased had eaten the cakes when she
back and that her heart and all from her throat down,
burning. and complained that her feet and hands
cold; her vomit different times and she drank
considerable; cannot say that she was swollen; her
hands and nails were quite black; the prisoner
take out what she vomited, while witness in
the room; afterwards him from my own room,
carry it out n second time; thinks Wood was in the
when his wife said she had eaten the cakes saw
cake in the closet when ] went there to get her .
drink when went there afterwards. i. was gone
ray that Mrs Wood said her husband took the cake
from the closet; continued there about half an hour;
she was getting worse all along; she said more than
once, she knew she done.
TO The Co,uf.-The doctor did not come there until
between IL and o'clock Wood in and out all the
time; minister sent for, and saw her before she
died witness did not talk much to her after the first
time, although she was in and out afterwards.
The DISTRICT ATTORNEY here about to give in evil
dence the dying declarations OF the deceased. The
prisoners counsel interposcd, the ground that the
previous testimony of the witness did not bring the
case within the rule governing dying declarations
The Court, for the present ruled out the testimony
WITNEss-Wood was asked to go for doctor, and he
refused; the deceased said they had money the wit
witness was in and out afterwards; don't remember
that shc afterwards heard her say anything about her
situation; she repeated the expression that she was
done;n afterwards, during the day cake with my
husband similar to the one in the closet; thinks
it was the same; Dwyer and my husband brought it
out Of the yard
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES to going into Woods, my
daughter sick was moi frightened at the sickness
Of either until after the doctor told they had taken
poison; the doctor told the witness that her daughter
would get over il, but Mrs. Wood was doubtful; this
was between twelve and one o'clock
Q.W no did you find ut Woods house the first time
you went there that morning!
A.-Wood and his wife
Q.-Did not Wood at that time appear anxious to
have you leave the room
A-No sir. When was about leaving he invited
me to stay longer.
Q--Wh conversation passed between you at that
time!
AL asked him what time he home the night
before. lie 'sid lie was home carly and his wife said
lark me"
L,ytct ereminaiion rcsrmedWtness put the doc easrd
b, there before the evening OF the occurrence
ria o'clock Wood was not there; saw her Afterwards
that night she stated something To me about wHtt
wood had done the night before. The witness
about state whui it deceased had told her when
pltoncrs counsel interposcd, and the Court stopped
the witness.
kotrnr REED examined FOX the prose .uton-Lived
ia the alley way with Wood and his wife;
lrs cod about twelve o'clock, the day of her death;
hc made declaration to as TO her situations;
no cakes in the house; one that was given to me
by john Dryer witness gave it to lsaac Cockliair,
deputy Coroner; called Dr.. McKemna in oil the street;
told " God he ought to about doctor he seemed
careless about it IL was suggested to him by
prcs.nt to go TO Twenty street 1t about
o'clock when DR.. Mckeuna came and raw her
C,oss-o9amrsd lie started to go for doctor wit
ness started after him and found him in the Eighth
avenue talking to another man lac said he could not
find the house he was at the time within dozen
houses 81 II.
~. r. n