The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-05-14
THE VOSBURGH TRIAL
A Baptist Minister Accused Of Poison
ing His Wife.
COMPLAINANT'S TESTIMONY.
Scenes in the Hudson County Over
and Termner.


Tho trial OF Rev. George b. vosburgh, pastor Of the
Bergen Baptist Church, on Madison avenue, Jersey
City Heights Tor alleged attempt 10 poison his
VIE, was begun yesterday morning In the Hudson
Coualy Oyer and Terminer beioro Judges Knapp,
Garretson. Quaiie and BrlnkerhoG Tho court room
crowded with church members, large number
OF tho congregation Of tho Bergen Baptist Church
being among them. Mrs Hattie T. vosburgh, Ihs
VITO Of the accused, occupied a scat within the
railing, some distance from her husband. She
attired In u SUIT OF dark green silk and neat dark
hat Near her sat Miss Ida vosburgh, sister OF tie
accused AID Rev. Mrs. PnUbe A. Hannaford, pastor -
the Second Unversalist Church, Jersey CIV Among
the clergy men present were Rev. Hiram Eddy, d. D,
OF the First Froe Union Church Rev. J. u goulks,
OF the Emory Methodist Episcopal Church; Rev.
George X. Alien. OF the North Baptist Church; Rev.
DR.. MacCymoni, of this city, and Rev. DR.. Ps.ts Of
Philadelphia
The accused pastor dressed IN . suit OF black.
He appeared at case, and during tho
OF the first witness twice smiled ~ tho abrupt
and humorous manner OF . examining coupsci He
represented by Ex-Governor Joseph d. Bedle and
ex-senator Charles II. Winao!d lilo occupied a scat
between them, aud behind him sat his bondsmeu,
ex-Mayor Charles Solder and William Robinson.
The Court opened at hall past ten, and District
:
prosecution by Attorney General Stockton, at ouco
moved tho trial OF the indictment against Mr. vos-
burRh. Eacn side allowed six challenges. The
defense challenged three Jurors and the state six.
jury was selected IN tbree quarters OF an hour.
Mr.. Mctill opeued Tor The state He referred TO the
sacred calling Of the defendant whose profession places
him above trial like this lie expanea tha Grand
Jury had, after great dehberaton nmoasiy agreed
10 order The presentment George b. vosbursh be-
came acquainted with Hattie Il. slckles whiie he
college III Stuy vosant New YORK, ana soon after
married her. He had long desired that chia might
hn .nrt A l.,tn
were never reaizcd mis- temper soured toward hia
wife through TINS unoriunate circumstances. He did
not hesitate aitcrward 10 accuse ner Of mapractcc.
The defendant was twenty-egnt years Of age and
wife thirty. While In TINS relation TO oach other
tainod pastoratc the Bergon Baptlst Church A
ysnr ago Mrs. Vosburgn became suddenly III after
husband. and IRON .hs. time until February Of THIS
year she was nausoatcd aud sckiy lu January heg
voyAHt called In rne latter dismissed and DR..
Cornell homeopathic physician, was called IN. Tue
latter nndng inc lady growing no better suspected
act tho medicine In February Mr. James Sickiea
came from Stuyvosant 10 visit MA vosourgh, hia
sister.
While stopping at the house he the defendant
COOK beeistoak intended Tor Mrs. vosburgh, nnd saw
him sprinkle powder over 1t. He also at dinercnt
times saw h IN mix powders IN water, tea ana med.
cine intended Tor his wife. When MIRA vosburph
swallowed preparations she vomltsa, ana retained
noshing in her stomach. All things prepared alter
ward by Mr.. VosDurgh Tor his vito we're saved and
taken TO Professor Doromus Of shis CITY. sod
found 70 contain antimoniai poison. These tests
District Attorney, but always with the same result
THE VI ST WITNESS.
When no had conciuded Prosecutor McGtll called
James n. Sckies brothcr.in-law oil tho defendant.
who testified that he resided ~ stuyvosauL NJ r.,
ard that ne was Mrs. vosburgh's brother; nc VISITED
his sister in Jersey City the vth oil February last;
she could not retain anything on her stomach; lew
days after bis arrival he thought Mira vosburgh
bursn were in lns room; tho witness asked Mr. vos.
burgh 10 pray Tor Hattie, but vosburgh motoned 10
die pcaceaO.y; on the istn OF February she
was worry poorly; at tho breakfast that day M vos-
burgh came down stairs and hoped aroma luoi.
| liant manner. ana was humm,ng a soug called '.Old
Black Joe;" he camo TO whore Mrs. sickies and
swung leg into Mrs s,okes' lap looked :, The Wit.
! ness and said, snow what do you think Of the old
swered les;" that day The witness never gave
Mrs. Vosbur.h anything prepared uy her husband;
water, tea aad medicine; those he hl,sd into
yiaIs aud TOOK thom TO DR.. Doremus; he found Ia
vosburgh's study aud In coat scuIe small pieces Vi
whiie paper such as druggists usa Tor wrapping sp
powders; whatever was taken by Mrs vosburgh from
The witnoss or h's wife she retained her stomach
and said that Il tasted different from what ner nus
baud gave hsr; Mr. Vosburgh frequently remarked
that his vile would d,e on February Il Mr. yosbargh
SAID TO tho witness and Mr.. 5ickcs, Now Il IL
your turn to sit up with Hattie Tonight Watch
her very close, because 1 think she will
pass away. have so many people die,
know. II abe doesn'l do tonight she win
to-nofrowi she win soon be ready Tor you 10 take
ns s' Ss Ss M vGs s
District A..orney snd n,s c"usn, = b. Smaller, law
yer, residing Al No las West Forty thru street, IN
THIS city on tho 10th ne, with his wiie, took charge
OF MrA Vosbursn ana IRON that day she Dsg,n 10
prove; what Mr. vosburg prepared was thrown Gus
and food prepared by sickIes and sccrsted In
the clothes OF herself anu witness aud smug slcd nlo
the sex chamber; by tho 26,h she had recovered
sufficiently TO Get up.
THIS CROSS. ANIMATION
Ex-senator winnsd cross-cxam,nod the witness
bat elected nothing new. The counssi's steutoriau
tones ABRUPT manner several times confused the
witness so that Attorney eeneral STOCKTON address
Ing The Couri, said 1--WE will not attempts an objsc-
ton TO this extraordinary but will
comment on it In ming M
Mr. Winfield repned:-''i am obliged 10 the Astor.
ney for this premature piece OF information"
The cross-ex had been hnisn ed when
the Court adjourned nj tour o'clock this NOR
ing.