The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-10-02

The stephens Case.
PROGRESS OF THE CORoNER's INQUEST.
The inquest in the case Of Mrs. Stephens resumed
yesterday afternoon, at Bellevue Hospital. But wit
ness was examined The medical gentlemen, Drs Dore
mus and Wood not ready 10 report Tho following
testimony was adduced-
George Davis being duly sworn, deposes and says-I
bookkeeper at the commission house No. l69 Front
street. am no relative Of Mr.. or Mrs stephens; have
known the family for about six years. am intimate
acquaintance Of Mr. Stephens have been the habit Of
visiting Mr. Stephens aths house. first visited the fami
ly at No les West Twenty street, made about
two visits every week during the time have been
acquainted with the family they had no chill
dren since my acquaintance ! don't know how
many they have had !; have knowledge ex-
ccpt by hearing that they had but one child !;
generally went to the sick TO inquire for myself
deceased very kind friend Of mine Mrs. Stephens
was moral, quiet Industrious and prudent woman can
remember at what period Of deceased's illness went
to her; was present during the first week of her i'll
ness; when visited deceased generally made inquiries
in the sitting room before entered the bedroom gene
rally met Miss Fanny Bell, but sometimes met Mr. Ste
phens Miss Sophia Bell and Mrs Hannah don't remem
generally went into he bedroom Of INV own accord dur
ing the time visited deceased saw medicine admins
tered to her; seldom remained more than one or two
minutes when went In Miss Fanny Bell and Mrs. Han
nah were generally in attendance; saw Mrs. Han
nah there two or three times ! sometimes re-
u
sometimes ten or fifteen minutes after leaving the
sick ROOM the two evenings preceding the death Of de-
ceased went into deceaseds room and held the basin for
her while she vomiting; attended her in ths
three times; think Sophia Bell and FRS. Hannah were
present at the time attended deceased the matter thrown
or Mrs. stephens stomach was Of dark brown color
and resemh!c beer or porter never took any audanum
do not know the smell OF laudanum the matter thrown off
eceased's stomach may have had portion Of audanum
in without my knowledge deceased did not speak to
after before the vomting to the best of recolec
ton ! never saw any medicine administered to de-
TO deceased; never mark Mrs. Ste.
phens' eye; l believe If deceased had black eye
! would have seen it; cannot swear that de-
ceased had not a black eye; / found any rats
about the premises; heard that rats annoy
ing anybody in that house; never knew that any pow
ders purchased by Mr. stephens TO kill rats don't
think deceased was properly attended by the Misses Bell
Mrs Hannah the only person who paid proper aten
ton to deceased was present the night Of the deceased
death; went there about 10 O'Clock p NJ and again
10h O'Clock; conversed with deceased that night, but
whether was on the first or last visit cannot say; she
repeated a verse of hymn there others in the
ROOM had no further conversation with deceased |
know Of why the Misses Bell should not pay pro-
per attention to deceased heard them make any
kind remark about deceascd never heard deceased make
any request that not complied with by the Misses
Bell never Mr. Stephens there except the night
preceding the death of his wife.
O. At any time during your visit did you miss
both Of the Misses Bell from the bedroom and sitting
rooms A. don't remember that ! did; as a general
present
@ When you held the basin for deceased were the
MISSES bell present. n. Yes, they were DOtn IN the
ting room; was equally intimate terms with Mr.. and
Mrs Stephens did not meet Mr.. Stephens in his house
often during his wifes illness previous her Illness
had suspicion Of deceased having been poisoned but
always thought she not well attended there
evidence Of want OF attention. knew Of cclng exist
between deceased and the Misses Bell there
Miss Fanny Bell to get deceased the bowl when attended
deceased; cannot tell how long II is since first
formed Of suspicious having been entertained regarding
the death OF Mrs Stephens know OF reasons why the
Misses Bell should not pay proper attention TO the de-
ceased
O. Would strangers have attended deceased with more
kindness than did the Misses BcS A. don't think they
would the evening preceding the death Of deceased Mr.
Stephens came into the sick and leaned tho
bed when deceased threw her around his and
embraced him IN the aectionae manner, saying she
hoped she would meet him in heaven: am impartial
witness this case but think that fact should be known
Mrs stephens had yoitcd previous TO this interview with
her husband
O. Did Mr.. Stephens return the embraced A. He did
he seemed very much affected.
When did you first hear Of poison having been ad-
ministered 10 the deceased? A. saw il in the NEw YoRK
HERALD in the testimony of Miss Fanny Bell
O. When did you Mr. Stephens lastS A. Tho day
before yesterday went to see Stephens OF my
cord went into the Tombs the Franklin street sidc
before arrived at deccaseds bedside with the bowl she
had vUmted two three times think saw some
small bottles standing ON table or washstnd in the sick
room.
had visited the prisoner at the Tombs and nj his request he
had subpUned witness for the defence lie then referred
10 the chemical analysis being made by DR. Doremus
and said that the medical gentlemen would not he able
report until Monday evening next liz thought II would
be advisable, therefore 10 adjourn the inquest until Tues
day morning when he hoped 10 be able TO close he
and be inmaed his intention Of examining young Bell on