The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-09-18
BILLINGS AND Mrs. CURTIS.
STILL FURTHER TESTIMONY CONCERN
mo 7HEIR RELfTIONS
Tho Murdered Wife'. Mother on tho Stand
The chickering's of Husband aud VIE
The Latter. Approximations of Murder.

fipltls SulVhiHN hlp'H hiih WhA'hiiN NV Nh'NH
Of takers distributed over the railroad tracks
District Attorney Ormsby Mr.. Pike. Cen
Hughes. and Mr. Potter wcro conspicuous in
these groups and Squire Washburn. Sam
Philo, Officer Wolfe, Oncer Chase. and other
witnesses were surrounded by circles OF ac-
uuaintanccs. The jury took their seats at the
ringing Of tho bell They seem to be plain
practical mon. Eleven wear turn-down collars.
and ono Piccadly The prisoners father
and the Rev Mr.. Ford took seats within the bar
and awaited the appearance OF the prisoner.
Samuel Phio was the first witness. Maggie
Mahoney swore that he was discharged from
hIr. Blingss employ because he was con-
nrmod nuisance. She swore that no had n
private interview with Mrs. Billings on the day
Of tho murder. Phlo wears n striped muslin
shirt, and has altogether an unkempt look. He
sworc that he was at Mr.. Hammond's all the
afternoon. slept there and did not 20 away from
there. He roomed down stairs.
Mrs Mary Passnow. u worthy matron. wore
pendant gold earrings. a striped shawl black
t'' and bonnet hidden beneath blue
vol. coke with n French accent. She
sworc that she was at Mr.. Billngss house on
the night OF the murder and the night after
ward. On the latter night she heard Mr..
Billings ask Maggie Mahoney why there
wore so many women around the house.
mtkklt IfDllth Nuui oHt WIS ulItllh u Htt) III
the house alone and had sent for them. Mr..
Billings said. What are YOU afraid of" Shc
answered that she WIS afraid Of being shot.
Mr. Billings said that he thought she was not IN
for the one it hit He asked her to call Jennie.
She die, 50. but Jennie refused to come down
stairs. Mrs. Passnow told him that she thought
his wife died cruel death. He replied that he
thought II was an easy death. and asked her
whether e sne yepn IKE to die sqc9 9e"Ih
said. Well would like To die so,' Mrs. Pass.
now asserted that " i was all on her account
referring to Mrs. Curtis. and Mr.. Billings re-
piled that what had been done could not be un
done
On cross examination Mrs. passnow sworo
murder Maggie Mahoney told Mr.. Billings that
the more she thought Of it the more fully she
Mr.. Billings replied On. no, Maggie. 1t was
not meant Tor you. Whoever ilred the shot must
Maggie told him that he hnd done a bad job by
going over, to Mrs; lIarris..s on the day q thr
murder. He replied. That's il. l didn't
know that it was going to happen"
Tne wi,9 S STorGg Ie@i IN Apr before the
She S visited the 6ousd at MR., "Bliness invita-
ton. and that Mrs. Billings showed her around
the house. and Mrs Pnssnow complimented her
Gen. Huehcs|What lid She say to you then
about her fears Of being shot
Tho prosecution objected.
Gen. Hughes said that hc desired to show
that when Mrs. iassnow complmentcd Mrs.
Billings ON her nice situation the latter replied
that she didn't take so much comfort because
she had fears Of being shot. She added that
only The night before slo hni heard .nuehnIv
prowling round the rose bush AZ the window.
and expressed fear that some OF the Curtises
might nlure hor. This was the rose bush over
which the fatal shot was at"rward fired. The
General then quoted the shaw case. wherein
similar testimony was ruled out. and the ruling
was aiterward reversed 10y decision Of the
Mr.. Moak said that If the question was al
lowed lie should claim the right e. prove by
number Of witnesses where Mrs. Billings really
expected the shot to come from. ana he would
willingly withdraw the objection 10 obtain the
Judge Iandon said TINT the shaw case was
different. tn" question governed thoughts ana
not acts. he excluded t. Ihc defence took an
Gen Hughes resumed the REORGANIZATION.
Mrs. Passnow swore positively that she was in
and heard Jennie Billings scream that She had
seen man run across the street and go be-
hind the lumber pile. On the next morning she
heard Jennie saw that they need not look west
OF the house Tor track. for the man who shot
her mother ran across the road toward the
river and wore an old -l0urhy hat. hut he ram
30 fast that she could not dos 'rh" his clothes.
Since the murder. at Jrnnics invitation. Mrs.
Passnow called at hex Aunt harriss. Referring
say So Mrs rassnow y Tho witness .answered,
Yes. Jennie. you did 81" said that she
" didn't remember telling me- g.. and begged
me 70 say nothing more about it, The witness
replied, Jennie. would not tell iie about It
uncle and John c. sherman, Jonule's anianced
husband. heard this cOnyersaton
On a redirect exam nation Mrs Pas now
sworc that jennie was very much excited when
she screamed that the man who did il ran be-
ever. drew out the fact that on that night Mrs.
Passnow heard Mrs. Harris say tothe daughter:
Jennie. you are n"arsight"d. and thought
you saw man behind the lumber pile when
you didn't. You muslin, say So.
Mrs. Mary Harris mother of the murdered
woman. took the stand. sne Is an Old lady, se
semblipg her granddauslter IA feature She
NOR gs S1aSh3ned sSS@ Gns sN wSIe s@S
her handkerchief q her eyes, and was notion