The sun., 1878-12-30
KATE COBB AND W. BISHOP.
TIE DOUBLE CRIME FOR WHICH THEY
ARE CALLED TO 1NSWER.
Putting Out Of the Way the wife OF One and
the Husband of the Other. that there Might
he No Obstacle In the Way TO their Union.


Wesley w. Bishop as her accomplice in that
crime and principal in the poisoning of his
wife, is set down for trial in the Superior Court
OF New London County on Tuesday next.
In the preliminary trial of the accused per-
sons in the City Court of this city in July last.
Judge Kellogg supported the indictment OF the
Grand Jury and bound them over for trial at
the November term OF the Superior Court. The
case was called at the opening Of the court on
Nov. 13. but was postponed until Dec. 81. in or
der TO allow counsel for the defence more time
Tor preparation. and because DR.. Paddock an
important witness. would not return until then
from n tour In Europe.
Public opinion. that had lost none OF its Bit
ter animosity in the lapse of time. sharply
criticised this delay Of Justice. arguing per-
haps more or less correctly. that 1t was simply
device of counsel to put of the day as long as
possible. in the hope that Bishop, who has long
been in failing health. might quietly die in Jail
of consumption. But Bishops life. apparently.
does not hang by SO fragile thread as Mrs.
Cobb's lawyers imagined.
After his confessions Bishop regained his
courage. he felt that hc had satisfied his con-
science. and had fully cxpiated his offence.
Strangely enough religious peace and Joy
entered his heart. and to all his visitors he ex-
pressed great satisfaction with the world and
and spiritual JUNCTION that he had found pence
and favor with God. His assumed spiritual ex:
periences have operated we'll on his physical
condition. and the hope OF the LAWYERS that he
would not live to meet his trial ia dissipated.
Bishop is sufficiently healthy to live for years.
and Mrs Cobb was never IN better health. hnv-
ing gained thirty pounds IN weight since her
Incarceration IN jail.
For many years tho families of Cobb and
Bishop lived in pleasant cottages on the west
side OF the city. in the same neighborhood. and
on terms Of the most trustfu Intimacy. The
fought Side bV side in the Rebellion.
returned home after the war with honorable
records were members of the Grand Army
brotherhood. held influential positions in the
same Masonic society. and were in every respect
apparently as devotedto TO each other as brothers.
Between their wives there seemed TO exist the
same tender aud loving attachment
Notwithstanding the seemingly anectionate
iound food in dark suspicious and insinuations
II whispered that Bishop, who drove the
market wagon OF Charles Huburt. tarried
longer in the house of Kate Cobb when her
husband was away at his work than was neces-
sary IN the delivery of her groceries. Il was
noticed too. that when the two families walkedto
the same church on q sunday morning Bishop
band followed with the children and that when
they took seats in the same pew Kate sat by the
side Mesiey. and looked over the same hymn
book when they sang, She was often seen at
frequently escorted her home. unaccompanied
by her husband, ut late hours of the night A
"wife's inhdelity" and husbands blind
credulity" were the topics that were most dis
cussed in the homes OF west side neighbors.
IIhe general rumors were borne 70 the ears Of
wi q and his friend with unaffected faith
On the 4th Of February OF this year. Mrs.
afternoon sleigh Rl ride his fSey had sprited %
horse ard dAshng cutter. and AS they sped up
and down the avenues of the city their CHEEKY
voices and smiling faces were noted by many.
They returned home in the early evening, and
a few hours later Mrs. Bishop was seized with
violent structures convulsl ions, and benumbing
sensations. A physician. DIR. Bailey was sum-
moned. who administered Intellectual remedies.
that night and on the succeeding days. but ad-
mtted that he was unable 10 ascribe the symp-
toms 70 any disease with which he was ac-
ouainted. Mrs. Bishop lay hour after hour In
her darkened bedroom. now shaken by terrible
spasms. and again sinking into deathlke
etupors with pallld face and motionless form.
Occasionally her husband. stealing moment
from his business. stood ut her bedside admin
lstertng MEDICINES. and sometimes II was the
face OF hrs. Cobb that the dying woman saw
bending over nor pillow. No one else entered
the chamber Ii Is hinted by those most init
matey associated with the case. that in the
coming trial the veil that hangs over the death
bed OF Mrs Bishop will be lifted. and picture
OF "A dying wiles suspicion and discovery Of a
crime that came too late 10 be availing will be
Mrs. Bishop died on Thursday noon. Feb. 7.
1873. She was buried few days thereafter
The neighborhood was agitated with gossip for
several weeks. but. as II assumed no definite
shape, the discussion OF the case gradually died
out. A short time after the body OF Mrs. Bishop
had been buried a grand mourning meeting Of
both the Bishop and Cobb families were mem
bers. was held. Tears and resolutions OF sor-
to the memory OF the dear deceased sister "
Tears were also shed over the bowed head OF
the heart-broke Bishop and that Of Kate Cobb,
who mourned the rreparable loss of her dear
est friend" Then Mrs. Cobb advanced silently.
IN her heavy mourning attire. 10 the front OF the
poetry about her dead friend The last lines
were: She is not dsad. she is not dead. She
lives within my heart
Then the meeting was adjourned and Bishop
went back to his grocery. and Kate 70 her home.
lew days aiterward the inconsolable Bishop
was lovingly gazing down upon the brown hair
into the lapel Of his coat His visits to her
more frequent and OF longer duration.
A few days beforethe sickness OF Mrs. Bishop.
Charlie Cobb WAS taken with severe constric-
and lhinSing that the attack had been caused
by his usual spring, biliousness he bought
cathartic biters and began To take them. The
bittsrs did not produce the usual effect. The
more he took Of them the more unpleasant his
sensations become. and he at length threw the
mrdlcln" away. On the last OF February. Cobb
was alta ked 10y the strange constructions diz-
ziness, and vomiting that OVerpowered him the
first Of the month He consulted the best medi-
cal skill. but Il WAS powerless 70 remove his
trouble entirely. He was doctored for all man
ner of diseases, but chiefly for lead poisoning
his symptoas indicating that ailmeut. On the
lst OF April he had another severe attack. simi-
lar 10 the preceding ones. and at different inter
walls these attacks continued through the month
OF May. Medical prescriptions Afforded him
slight and only ten porary relief. At this time
his form had become worn TO a shadow, lis
eyesight failed, he shuiIled around his house
and garden with UNCERTAIN, totterlng steps. hie
hair fell out and his beard dropped from his
face. He WAS evidently on the verge Of the
grave
rhe 7th Of June was lovely summer day
T0inpted by the serene weather and freshly in
spred by the halmy aud nyigorating breeze
Cobb walked briskly IN his garden in the morn
ing sunlight At about noon he entered his
house. ana said I'M CHEEKY tone TO his wife:
am feeling much better to-day in fact. haven't
felt 50 we'll in long time"
Al dinner he ate with greater relish than
usual, and INDUCED in cheerful conversation
with Kate. Al the close OF the meal She handed
HIM cup of tea, "A portion of which he drank
H. put the cup down and said; Oh. feel Sc
strangely all over I'm burning up inside,
II reeed. and fell into the arms OF his wife
who bore MIN 10 a sofa. His face worked in O
momcutary spesm OF pain. then his form
straightened and stiiiened. ana he lay dead
His iaSt unsuspectng words 10 his wife were
Don't Doe alarmed. Kate. IT'S nothing
lhr subsequent developments in this story
OF double crime followed rapidly The suspi.
cions OF Mr. Cobb. sr., that his son had beer
murdered by poisoning; the enforced au.
toIsy; the chemical analysis tnat revealed ar
seulcal poison enough ia CObb's remains 10 de.
strpy the ives Of a dozen men; the arrest o
Bishop and Mrs Cobb. aud their commitment
e. lull the dislnlerment of the remains Of Mrs
Bishop: the discovery Of deadly doses Of a sim
liar DOlspQ iu her hystpm the indictment bX