The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-03-16
THE ALLEGED WIFE POISONING.
Case for the Prose- utiOn CIosed-The Testi-
mony for the Defence Opened by the Ex-
animation or the Prisoners Child, a LIsti.
Gtri Seven Years OF age.

mony for tho Defence Opened by the Ex-
animation OF the Prisoner's Child, a LLsti.
Gtri Seven Years of age.
COURT OF OYER AND TERMIHER.
Before Hon. Judge Roosevelt
DAY.
MARCH 15TAe People James st>phea;.-rhe interest
In this continues unaoated. large easy chair
placed in the jury boz for Mr. Brush, juror wbo is
suffering from indspositon.
Or. Charles Phelps OF Bellevue gospita testified that
he had key TO the where the body Of Mrs
stephens lying, and tha. be did nc. any person
10 have that key or 90 ythpg to tho body while
in his charge.
DR.. Wood recalled and oeposed ,ha. when he
commenced practice, about twenty years ago he made
nearly all the post examinations for the Coroner
and has made great many since arsenic may be taken
into the stomach and tho patient may die from the effects
without any change taking place in that organ.
Mr. Ashmead submitted tha. this testimony was rama-
teral the witness had been already thoroughly examined
After discussion the Doctor permitted pro-
ceed He said that If lsrge quantity taken, the
v %oSs OF ans s S s you'd pafn a
suffer for many hours; he would then die, aud
inflammation either in form or in particles might be
lound the color the lining of the stomach would differ
and be dark red crimson scarlet and black various
iDetances; in other instances there would bo erosion
rupp'ng up OF the MEMBER In other perora-
on has been attributed 10 arsenc s also recorded
OF liberation and perforaon Of the ntestnes The Doc
t proceeded to speak Of the effects OF arsenic the
duodeuDu the rectu and other portions OF the nestnes
which would be inflammation and at those places
toned Inflammation would be seen, whether arsenic
applied TO the stomach, the skin ulcer the skin
the bladder would be collapsed and the kidneys would
in condition to cause flow Of blood TO the parts affect
ed the brain is usually clear and serene, the lungs
alphabetically Affected because Of the
produces death when taken in small quantities for length
OF time the shrunken and hppocrated countenance IS
common in ali diseases where the nervous has re-
en- hat n bndv ma ha ua1
which poisoned without observing any morbid effects
because Injuries the nervous system without leaving
any trace Of the destroyer behind Inc witness then de-
scribed the effects On the nerves to be paralysis.
To the Court-Saw a body short time ago, which was
buried in Greenwood twelve months since, and it could
not be recognized; in dry ground or high ground,
where tbe water would run off, the body would be longer
and moisture produced decomposition very
rapidly; the majority Of bodies which six months
buried could be recognized with difficulty more ex
pernced in bodies buried short time than those buried
length Of tme has seen bodies twentyfour hours after
death which could scarcely be recognized and has
bodies in cold weather preserved for weeks; in July.
August, and September, bodies have to be buried
every day. as decomposition takes place 80 rapidly that
would be most offensive.
Mr. Ashmead moved tba. before the prosecution rested
their they should be compelled to bring forward all
the witnesses they had examined at the Coroners inquest
and before the committing magistrate.
The District Attorney objected and the Court sustained
the objection.
TESTIMONY FOR THE DEFENCE CHILD WITNESS.
Mr. Ashmead announced to the Court that order to
save
formal opening. They would, therefore, claim that two
counsel on their side might sum up when the
being submitted jury He called the prisoners
child Isabella Jane Stephens and requested the Court to
nterogate her to her knowledge OF the nature Of
She is an intelligent and pretty looking child and spoke
without temidty.
Q By the court-How old are you my little girls
A. Seven years Of age O. Doyou know what rs TO take
an oalhY A. Yes, str. Q. Who told your No answer
O. Have you been going 10 Sunday schoolf A. Yes, sir
went last winter. y The winter before thatp A. Yes
SIR @ The winter before that. A. Yes, sr O. What
would be the consequences you were 70 take oath
aud no, tell The truth Noanswer. = Suppose you were
OF you? A. ] would so to hell fire. q. VINO told you
that9 A. My father; don't remember when he me
knew the catechsm go 20 the Twenty street
sunday schools have learned the first snd second
chnm.
Inc Court asked the District Attorney he objected 10
the child as a witness.
The ns.rict Attorney said he did
The Court would ADMIT the testimony for what 1t was
worth.
Mr. Asbmead objected to the Cour. making the remark
in The presence OF the jury
The Dstrict Attorney submitted that the child should be
exsuined any other Witness and that leading ques
tons should be put to her.
Mr.. Ashmead con,endsd that the same rule should be
extended her 10 the Bells who asked lead
ing questions by the counsel for the prosecution.
1he chd then sworn, and IL truly painful to
the ear 10 hear the usual form /, the Little
THE evidence you shall give between peo-
pie OF the State Of New York and James Stephens pr
at the bar, shall be the tru,n the whole u;n and
O. by Mr.. Asomead-How old are you, Belap A. Seven
years old, sir. q When we're you seven years
OLD A.. On the 9Th Of August; know MISS
Fanny Bell; my mother sick at one
time; saw Fanny Bell give my mother powders; she
took them of the clock she gave them her twice.
che gave them 10 her in table spoon my aunt Hannah
vailed on my mother when she was sick was sick once
Q. What made you sickf A. ate fummery; II
Tuesday; my mother was sick then Y: Who gave You
the nummeryS A. said "Cousn, can have this S'' and
the said, Yes else but my mother sick that
Gay; Fanny Bell was not sick that day 1t was on Friday
Colo csSbaSe my father was moi upEna %
mother heard Fanny Bell call my mother liar; saw
Fanny Bell go 10 hit my mother with bench.
Here at the request OF Mr.. Ashmead, all the witnesses
the and defence (except the medical men)
were directed retire from the court and occupy seps
O. Can you recoIlect the DAY when Ms Stevenson (he
boss nother) died2 A. do not, SIR don't remember
any conversation between my father and mother the
the funeral OF Mrs. stevenson my father went TO
the funeral ceremony; my mother did not go she did
20; my faber at home that day Afterwards
painting not AZ home the day my mother
died; was over at my aunt Hanpahs; 20 to Sunday
school, have received premiums for learning the cate
cbsm.
Mr. sedgwick said the chis character did not require
Ir. Ashmeao-They have told me At the Sunday school
that she one Of the best and most intelligent children
there.
Cross examined by NJ. Schafer-I am living with my
aunt l lived In Twenty seventh street until /
about two months ago; was in my mothers
room the oay ate the hummery. O. Did any one tell
you snce this trial alcommenced that WAS dummery you
ate? A. Yes, sr q Who told your A. My cousin, So
phla Hannah q. Did you know that you were 70 oe
witness in this caseY A. Yes sir; knew II yesterday;
Mr.. Ashesd told Sunday night; was AZ bis house
he not talking 70 me- Tor an hour-aoout quarter OF
hour; the fummery was white and tasted sour DID
not taste ike pickle. Did TASTE like sour apple2
A. Yes sir; I do no. know what boiled rice Is; don't
think / ever saw sny boiled rice; don't know what
s ~nss If IN n ''f was eS ssr as s' T. was
about four O'Clock, after came from school;