The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-02-02
THE ApsoM WIFE POISONING CASE.
HuLson County Court OF Oyer and Ter
miner.
Before Judges Ogden, FAX and Pope.

hoSpAY-FIRsF
Tho nng OF this interesting case, which adds stQl
furhe he reputation Of New Jersey Tor poisoning,
attracted largo " persons who seemed anx
Sousy interested in the fate the unfortunate Alison
Every effort has been by the friends OF Alison
obtain for him al the. advantages which the accused
mht have they have retained for the defence Messrs.
ERv Wright ana A. o. Zabrieski, two Of the leading
lawyers Of the state. The Attorney General W l.. Day
ton has associated with him j. scudder for the prose
suton From the array OF talent on either side there
ntte doubt that iul justice VIII be sought and ob-
,ained for and by the accused and the
panel Of fo yeight jurors called when IL was
found several missing which
us rebuke from Judge ogden Who although consider ing
me reluctance with which persons attend jurors
trial for life, obliged those absent to show why
they should not be committed for contempt Of Cou. in
addition to the infection of the usual hne.
Alison brought into court at half past eleven He
middle height, and OF rather nord complexion
lie showed signs OF nervousness, but talked and look
sd around with all the apparent unconcern OF mere
sitter long examination of those Of the panel who
supposed 70 be preludcaily inclined towards the
prisoner The following selected juors:-C. Van
ymst, Moore scott, John W. smith, Henry Dodd, Lewis
Mitchell, Michael Pryor. Nm. H. Donaldscn, Francis
Fyee, Henry spcers, Chris d. Mills, Robert e. Wilson,
MI seadder opened for the prosecution He briefly
the leading features Of the against the
cused lie stated that Mrs. Alison had died, beyond the
shadow Of doubt, from posonrom one Of the surest
deadest persons known Mr.. scudder dwelt briefly
the thI eats used by Alison against his WIFE e aud
the motive for the crme-the interest ia
and affection for the servant girl, Julia Ken
pcdy. He further explained the interest taken 10
the servant after her leaving his employ; Absoa's
visits white residing in Jersey City subsequent to
having left his house, ana his sending her money while
IN Europe, were each reviewed. The accused attended
his wife alone, administered powders, and when she lay
dead showed a complete reluctance TO any investigation
taking place; threatened the life Of Mrs Absons brother
when he stated he thought such examination
ry only repeated persuasion permitted the lawful
examination OF his deceased wife These pursued the
District Attorney, are Inc leading features which we
mony.
duly sworn, deposes as follows reside at Mr.. Brands;
lived little OF the Comunipaw road; lived next door to
died l knew Mrs. Alison only by sight; went to her
house the morning Of her DEATH 1t ut twenty minutes
and asked me to go there to 20 into the house went
IN the back kitchen, and went up stairs; found Mrs.
oun Mrs Abson dead Ms Rov uen uD WIN me
the body was lying the bed il was in the farther part
the To % y on Mrs me ey r as q Inc bed NO
there; Mrs. Bioy said that she would liked to have
seen her before she died. and asked why she had not
there nothing else said (Here the witness through
nervousness could proceed no further and set aside
MIS-. Mary Boy, being duly sworn-I live at Communi
paw have lived there eight years; was acquainted with
Mrs. Alison; haa known her six seven years: Mrs
Abson's name was jane was at Mrs. Abson's on the
morning Of her DEATH wanted twenty three
at the time; Absons eldest daughter called me; her
name was Elizabeth went through the kitchen through
tho sitting room and up stars when went up saw Mr.
Alison; asked him why he didn't call before he dii
he said he couldn't leave her. don't remember what he
sad to me next Ieit the room little before SIX Mrs
twenty minutes after came; Alison went out AMI
back again while remained there; the little children
not about they IN bed; Elizabeth In the
with U.s. she about seventeen cannot say how
Elizabeth dressed when she called for me; Mr. Alb
alone IN the when entered it he said that
his wife had takea at at quarter past one, that she
died in the it, that the IL very strong he said his
wife asked him hold her head and rub her legs that
she cold he said that he did he said he gave her
powder at quarter past one no said she took dt al
aft he 10 A AZ
squarter past rne; he said she took lit after this pow
der also; went home at six and returned in about two
hours when returned up in tho house and, try
ting to get in, found the door locked; Mrs Robinson, my
SER and Elizabeth: then came down stairs and went
home after that did not return until evening-Fiay
this time brought old Lady TO Mrs Alison; after
we went back again; saw one powder there saw it
the manelpeco in the where the corpse ly
ing MIR Alison opened the powder Mrs. steele tasted of
II, and then Alison threw it into the stove Mrs steele
said The powder tasted bitter Charlotte Brand and
Mr. Alison present when she tasted ~ Mr. Alison did
not speak OF the cause Of her death; was there
Brand washed the body; Mr. Alison was there a. the
time; know Julia Kennedy; she lived with Mr. Alison
two years ana months; saw Mrs. Alison Thursday
morning before she died; h said he called the children
but they fell asleep again, and he was alone VITA her
when she dad; the powder in a White paper; Mr.
Alison nIst took the paper IRON the maatepioce; he
opened the powder and gave II into Ms seeles hand,
she tasted Il; he took the powder back and threw
INTO The five; saw 10 other powders was not Ia tho
habit Of visiting Grs Alison but she came nearly every
day TO me; we were always very ultimate.
waS asleep when Elizabeth called
Mrs Alison had been sick for nine or ten days. she often
stayed IN bed day or so she said she was eoogt forty
eve years old found Mrs Abson's hand perfectly warm
and without Stiffness her feet were quite warm also she
laid perfectly natural.
Margaret doore-I live down in the woods near Green
Vile; knew Alison for six years. home when Mrs.
Alison died went down to her house on Friday morning.
Elizabeth there else there Elizabeth
said Alison was York didn't see the body TIL he
home the door was locked and Elizabeth sd her father
had the key; stad there until Alison back when
he returned went W stairs Alison stood BY the foot
of the bed; Mr. Bennett who was there, SAID "Mr. Ab
SATURDAY my sister would not live til Chris,mas, and
that she would never 60 down stairs III she went feet
foremost Mr. Bennett said, "And were to shoot
you now il would be serving you right last summer
Alison said he'd put an end 70 0 hes ea.encs and
In my house; no one besides myself was there at
the time Mr. Alison came 10 my door and said thai his
existence IL be could; he stad only few minutes;
went every week 70 Mr. Abson,s 70 wash last summer
and his wife, they arguing heard Mr.. Alison say
"Go wey, don't want you near me-" this was after
what passed at my house.
Margaret Moore cross. examined-I asked him how
Mrs Alison was lac said ste would Ike die he said he
had arscnc in the bureau drawer, but she too
ming take II when be offered it to her. he sad he would
gys her something that would her existence the
doctor wouldn't ind II out; told him he couldn't live
with her peace he ought to leave her and the children
and leave them the place; told Jack, tho man live
with, this conversation first; also told 70 Elizabeth
Scott didn't tell this my the Coroner
inquest, did no, think Of It; knew Mr.. Alison was sus
pectcd Of poisoning his wife when at tho Coroncr's
Jury; live with Jack Hogan; he Is not my husband.
James Dorm, examned-l belong at fiverpoo was last
on Il Persia; have been years and half in The
Cunard lne; have been before the mast aud as petty
officer; Mr.. Alison nve times saw Julia Kennedy
twice three tm,s in Lverpoo Alison or
three times To a shpmate " mine the Asia; there
fret Alison; Alison board the ship hour
before sailed he asked me 10 fetch g. 10 Julia, who
living with his sister IN Liyerpoo told him would
do II, Il be would trust mo with the money took the
money bad time for further conversation; all
fnffl a rnl In Jytsnrf
morning, Julia hadn't yet arrived there Tuesday
morning went board the ship 10 get paid II
seven clock when got to Juli4g SISTERS house the Sc
cont tine; found her there said, here Jua, here IL
some money Mr. Alison sent; don't recocct time OF
1871. u. ILL., H.