The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-10-03
MRS. COBB SAYS IT IS A LIE.
,.,svoprs CONFESSION MIXING 4
rpFtr SENSATION IN CONNECTICUT
r.. scene In Prison when the Norwich
Grocer Read 10 ~ brother Mason hi.
,,orv OF How he and his Pnramour Com
.,,,cd 10 Poison her Husband aud his Wife.

.,orv or How he and his Paramour Con-
.pircd TO Poison her Husband aud his Wire.
Norwlcu. Conn, Oct. 2.-The verbatim re-
nor, of Wesley W. Bishops confession in THE |
s,,N This morning created great sensation |
h.r, lint the opinion In regard to II is most un- |
,,y.r,ble 10 the man. The confession is very |
universally regarded M the attempt OF
p,shop 10 excuse himself. while throwing all |
,h, blame both Of instgating the two murders
.rlof the actual giving Of the poison to Mrs. |
plshop and Mr.. Cobb. upon her. Although no
d,ubt is entertained OF the substantial truth Of
pisbou's ayerments in regard to his accom-
Mice il is believed that throughout he has sup
,ressed the truth as TO his own guilt.
Mrs Cobb. when approached by the iniler this
mornine. broke forth into vehement denuncia-
,ion Of Bishop and his confession. Her face
aushed and her eyes darted fire rs she drew
berselfup and exclaimed: | love Wes Bishopl
Why. what could want Of himS had good
husband without him. The story is Il base lie.'
Tat SuN's correspondent visited the county
nail in which Bishop and Mrs Cobb are con-
aucd. enrly this morning. but the jailer. Mr..
Tlia- Beckwith said that he was under strict
orders from the public prosecutors to allow no
one an interview with either prisoner. In the
course OF long conversation Mr.. Beckwith
made known many interesting and important
circumstances preceding. leading to. and at
tending the confession. " II is no surprise TO
me- said the iailer ingling his prison keys.
rs he sat in his large easy chair before the
breezy office window which overlooks the pic
turcsque banks OF the Thames. Il have known
that this was coming for over two months. Ever
since Yves Bishop and Mrs. Cobb were pre-
.ented n short time ago by the Grand Jury for
trial az the Superior Court on a charge OF MUIR
der in the first degree both have been more or
less gloomy and depressed: that is IL il is pos
siblc for two persons Of such temperament IA
theirs 10 really be depressed Wesley showed
the greatest change. He was moody and irri-
table and sat all day in his cell silent and
thoughtful. He called to me at times. and his
manner showed clearly that his mind was bur
dened 10y secret that he desired and was re-
seven weeks ago last Sunday morning he
called me TO his cell saying that he wished TO
ulN with me. He began To talk generally OF the
subject ot the poisoning. and gradually circled
down TO the crime with which he stood accused.
He said in relation to his wife's death that he
had nothing TO do with its cause. Then ne
added Nv brother Edson and my mother and
others know, however. that it is true that Kate
Cobb had a hand in Watching her and admin
istering the medicine. Still | am reluctant To
say that. for If do Kate will get the idea that
am trying to shield myself by throwing the
whole blame on her. and she may let tho whole
- Le, what out 2 asked quickly.
trump up some story about the death out Of re-
sentiment against me-.
that Kate should throw the whole guilt OF tue
commission Of the crime on you.
o VEL Nell II she does so Bishop replied quickly
right back on herself"
At this point Mr.. Beckwth refused to hear
anything further. saying that he would not listen
% Bishop II the latter was going on to commu-
nicate any secret 70 MIN that he tBeckwithl had
never been on the witness stand in his life to
Intend intend to S5 COMMIT himself by listening to words
court. S' % He bade Bishop to look on him as simply
his laller not as his confessor.
Before this point was reached" added Mr.;
Beckwth Bishop had told mt OF the wies and
beguilements Mrs. Cobb had used to entice him
10 her side. H. told me that 5he met him at her
door when he called. embraced him, called him
pet names, put her arms around him. pinned
buronhole bouquets TO the lapel OF his coat.
and sssurrd linn Of her love by pr,tents and in
church together occupied the same pew. and
Wesley always sat next 10 Kate and they looked
over the same hymn book.
In the last few weeks Jailer Beckwth says
Wesley has been frequently visited by his
b adysee la6er 'as his Uncle msE Mi Mr. BsHGp
and others. Mr.. Montgomery has ALWAYS re-
fused 20 listen 70 any words bearing directly on
In view of the shortness OF this life If he had
any sin on hls soul 70 confess Il. and make his
appeals oil Mr. 5. b. Bishop who is prominent
deacon IN the Broadway Congregational Church
Of this city, have produced their effect in break
ing down the weak backbone OF the prisoner.
On Saturday night last s. b. Bishop leh
alone IN the cell with his nephew for over two
hours and when he came out he said 10 Mr.
le,sw;h that Wesley desired that Mr.. Rufus
N. Ladd. James Greenwood. and he rs. b.
Bishop meet in the prison on the following
thes- gentlemen entered the corridor of the
lall ana took seats at a small table at one end
near the entrance door and at the foot OF the
,rlh steps leading 70 the upper tisrs OF cells
Nh b'rkwtn would not listen TO the interyiew
sihough ne furnished pen, ink and foolscap
men he wished 70 make. Then Bishop slowly,
ana Al times with considerable agitation, told
us story OF his crime, his uncle taking down the
however, Mr.. Ladd absolutely , refused
soD,l,iu 20 listen until Bishop swore that the
isai tie truth. Gi O'Clock the men men st sat al
lhg' and Ladd and Greenwood listening. As
eVlne services are held in the Jail corridor each
sunday afternoon, Mr.. BeckwIth permitted the
p@ary @ 70 adjourn 70 his parlor and in that apart;
n.enl 'le remain nder OF the story was rehearsed
shq aIaI gommued TO writing. 1t was after 9
yelQck, and the evening shadows had gathered
;hcSiy in the dusky old building when the con-
sessloh was finished and Bishop affixed his
istpet'lre. s.t T1e paper was given TO Mr. Ladd
enhl ehl Ne took i home with him. and after retir-
ing placed II under his pillow. but he was so
sgtr3me bY the scene through which he had
fa,f'd tAa he was unable 10 sleep all night
~ tle morning he disclosed the secret to John
,bafsww and Elisha j. Slocum and another
-, g't,"u. ney with Messr5. treenWoOd
anu , u; Bishop. agreed to visit Bishop that
n.-n' n' ana race We the story from the lips Of the
plnop'f. They did SO. remaining in the Jail
I3Ilors ha.l the night The confession had
ken srnl 10 Mayor Waller early in the day. and
sn in'h'i the paper IN his safe. refusing 10
"'iTiM any One 10 use II for publication.
tli.,'' llrmeni in this city has continued un-
,ns, ~ tl-lay. and II is the universal feeling
H." ao,,s, ,s,ll NJ least cannot escape the gallows.
iu, ,r,l " lnlt he has no expectation Of sscap-
f1r wv EAirr sentence than Imprisonment
wrent t.e saying that At the best his lie is utterly
iiinaeed his account Of Mrs. Cobb's first propo-
ins 4. l" nm o Eli nor husband and his wife
him H.. yea uublic sympathy so much against
dix "ul X VIII be difficult to get an unpreju-
wss W. Jury o. sit in the forthcoming trial. II
49, 'ou VIII remember. as follows
ul. l4hi wille eonyersing. asked Kate where all
a.k4d ~ -nil. % end. Sne replied; " don't know !
swrr',' ,'"I % .ic ever expected 10 be mine She
Ma, 'la'.l, do not know " said knew OF ony.one
"Hs,1n way "as by getung divorce. Kate replied;
nom Hn-l,' sri divorce from YOU. but could not
Icli In asked her II she could not conduct her.
Win 80" a "hf That Charles would get dissatisfied
unt ' '"Ne her Kate snii that would not work
wotnd a., 'NN-ii -O much Of her ana the children he
tot'..n, ,Nll' almost ANYTHING from her rather than
/ un,l,,W H'!nfWnu We talked Of an olopement but
scn n"l iid uot the meHn-to warrant such
sad "Tienr M saVt up uis idea., Kate ren
l. ifY e.. ."l' more way ! asked. what
live win. "'t i'Fhr D 1T - To bury those now
OhFrlr, N,ti n'T % she would be willing to bury
wtU ti..t' Wv ,lhf oi IN Tpulied. /