Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1874-04-02
0R0SSMAN.RARNHM.
The Examination Concluded - " has q Nambsf
Of Witnesses say About 1.-THE Prisoners
Bound over.

[From the Prairie do Chen Union, March 20
The examination of George and
Matilda BarnuIn, charged with the
posing of Mrs. cyrena Crossman, in
October last, was held before Justice
Viele, on Friday and Saturday of asst
week. Several witnesses were exam
ined, and a large number OF persons
were present TO hear the testimony.
The case is involved in considerable
mystery, and is creating much talk
and some interest. District Attorney
butcher appeared for the State, aud
Hon. U Ii Thomas for the defense.
A. a. BaeSucker soon: He lived in
Wauzeka he knew Mrs. Cyrena
Crossman lived about one-quarter oi
a mile from her residence, and was
well acquainted with the circumstances
of the family, and regarded her as
well off, she having short time before
her death some three or four hundred
dollars in hard money, and other p r
sonal property to the amount of three
or fonr hundred dollars more, aud real
estate worth $1,000; did not regard
Mrs. Crossman as q woman who
sQuandered her meanN, or one who
was extravagant in her living; on the
contrary, she was very economical
and rather penurious; the last time he
saw Mrs. Crossinan alive was on the
Friday previous to he. being found
dead tins was 10 o'clock in the morn
Ing no other person was there; Sun
day she was found dead; he went
over; found there George Barnum,
Mrs. Duffy and others; when the body
was found it was greatly distorted
and the limbs terrib y contracted
post-mOrtem ex mlnatiOn made for
bruises no serious ones found did
not know Of her having Tn advertised
otes previous TO her death defendant
George Barnum told him after her
death that she had such notes, but
that they were either lost or else she
had stuck them away somewhere
| Sunday Matilda said she had stayed
with Mrs. Crossnan Friday night;
| Monday she said it was on thursday
| that she was there the witness = own
daughter called Thursday evening !;
Mrs. Gro sman was alone at that time.
Joe Anterior ST0rn: Had known
Mrs. Crossman twelve or fifteen years;
he helped take up the body tor exam
nation knew it was her body from
the outline of features and from de
scription given of coffin and grave;
the body was taken up on the night Of
the 2sth of February is administrator
of the estate had conversation with
Ii Beach in relation TO the n tes, at
the time Barnum stepped up; think
she WAS a saving, industrious woman
never W her drunk or drink anything;
took charge of Elects shortly after
Mrs. Crossman died all the money
found was sixty cents III small purse;
diligent search WAS made.
Il Beach saOorn: Notes given by
witness to Cyrena Crossman presented
and recognized; were to be paid on
one weeks notice; viii st engaged
with Anterior in front of my store
talking of id notes, George Barnum
came up and said: "what notes! !"
and then SAIL "be God, ] don't be
lieve she ever had such notes notes,
and if she did she sold them;" knew
Mrs. Crossman twelve or fourteen
years; Mis- Crossman was particularly
careful of her money considered her
very much of lady never suspected
that she drank she had frequently
cal ed at his house, and he at hers.
D. Mcintyre sporn: Witness and
wife went 10 call on Mrs. Crossman
Sunday his wife went to the door and
knocked; no response; opened the
door and went in saw Mrs CroSsman
lying on the floor, partly under the
bed she was much frightened ran
out and said Mrs Crossman was deak;
they went to give the alarm to the
neighbors; when they came back and
found q house full defendants were
there never knew Mrs. Crossman to
drink, only heard she did when told
| by wife that she was dead, said:
probably dead drunk > countenance
Of the corpse spotted, purple and
white; limbs distorted as if cramped
John Davis S,Dorn: l. the Justice
who held inquest previous to burial
no person sworn on inquest; opinion
was that she died from the effects OF
liquor limbs drawn up, courtenance
purple; Matilda said she had been
with Mrs. Crossinan Friday left be-
cause she was 80 bad and 1isagreeab
she could stay any longer; Matilda
had said to him that Mrs. CrosSman
had given her everything for her at
tendance upon ner, and she wanted
to know if she could hold the properly;
had no will, but had been promised
one.
Chancey Blnncher SWorn: Known
Mrs. Crossnan fifteen years; her
habits were very industrious and eco
nomical ; her means of support small
farm, three COWS, and pr fits realized
from sale of garden Vegetables was
present when the bapdy was exhu ned
recognized it by the clothing and fea
lures.
DR.. Mason SUorn. A praciicing
physician; was present when the body
was taken up on the night Of the 18th
of February, 1874 removed the entire
stomach mHde test, first for arsenic
failed u discover any j; made test for
strychnine and found q very deci ed
reaction of the organ, showing strych |
nine enough to produce death has
seen her when he thought she was
drunk
w r. Cole stcorn. Saw Mrs. Cross
man few weeks previous to her death
with about 5000, moro or l-ss; never
saw the money afterwa d +, n yer saw
it after her death; does not know Of
her purchasing any thing OF oonse.
quence; Matilda says on Sunday she |
was at CHEESEMAN'S; FRIDAY night the |
Lodi. NIB nd Oh.