New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-09-14
THE BILLINGS TRIAL.
A SENSATIONAL SCENE YESTERDAY.
THE PRISONERS DAUGHTER TEsTIFIEs AGAINST HE
-snR nICnMFs HYsTIRICAI.

A SENSATIONAL SCENE YESTERDAY
THE PRISONERS DAUGHTER TEsIIFIEs AGAINST HIM
SHE BTCOMFs HYsTEmCAI-
BALLsToN, Sept. 13.-The trial of Billings
for the murder OF his wife was marked by one dramatic
incident OF extraordinary to-day. when Jeanne
Billings, the daughter appeared upon the witness stand.
The courtroom was crowded great number OF women
being among the spectators, wheu at $780, her name
was called. 1.-the slender figure. drapcd in the most
severe mourning, and heavily yelled, dragged itself
rather than walked through the narrow aisle leaning
IN passing upon the shoulders OF counsel and reporters
TO steady her footsteps, She passed by her father the
prisoner on the way and could have touched him, but
did not He watched her with intent gaze, but the
heavy veil hid her cOuutenance completely. II only
when she reached the witness stand ana
sremed 20 want air. that her veil was lifted. Then was
visible Of winning preftinesr. but 80 pale that
heightened 10 by the sombrcness OF her dress. Il
might nave been Of snow except for slight hectic hush
upon the cheek sympathetic murmur ran around the
courtroom Her father turned almost petulautlY frum
contemplation Of her. and picked up newspaper which
he pretended 10 read. His hands remhled ysiby, how
ever and h. presently dropped the paper and moved MS
scat near General Hughes whence ne watched tue VII
In low voice. which could be heard ike a distinct
whisper all the the witness began her es
mony for the prosecution. IL was In par o. foows:
IAN eighteen present when my mother was shot:
remember fail hers coming In after snO shot att
she was shot went 20 side door and shouted muir
der know there was no man about tntn went l" the
front door and screamed went down the yard con-
tiuued 70 scream very neaTsighted was liant ~
stood by the front door; think saw man run over by
dim ,uLes between iatIer and mother a. long
~ ] can fccohect; mother silent WIN me
sIttne-room he occupied the other bedroom opening
from the stting-room went away 10 school ia 1870,
free years ago heard them have conversation about
EerOsenei she said To- HIM .hs' sne woke up 20 tGe
door; she SAID she went and got wafer; said she
ca led father abd he SAID Keep quiet, mere must
D.. a.lp N AZ
and made har keep Quie she said that be had Sd that
he had set the IRE " get the insurance money!
she told him that had tired 10 burn her p; he then
wanted her let him have money Hhc sd, You
have NV 5000 Size told INN her hands smeed ~
sepe when she woke mp; another occasion she tod
him that he had tried 10 XII her with chOrOlurm; TINS
Eas when was au D. young; have heard her MIN
of il seyrr tinesOnce wiihin the year. she SAID tnat
she my saw hun aud told him lint he had
been trying 10 Kill her"
Dstrict Attorney Crmsby here stated that the witness
was AZ the OF the defence, aud General Hughes
began the animation. Billings leaned over the
chair and spOke for some time eXCitrdiy TO MN.
In reply 10 questions of General Hughes the witness
said am that father i ira for the murder
Of mother. remember the louer's luqdcst; was
not called TESTIFY and did not offer 70;
WAS anxious 10 discover the murderer don't re-
member OF telling coroner about threats made
by father; stayed at fathers house until sunday
after the murder; have since lived WIN my aunt,
Mrs william II iris came here on Wednesday have
not called upon my fatner nave made no suggestions to
ais counsel, and don't know that nave done anything
10 assist ate drd az the Grand Jury saw father
after flied have not seen aim since; have written
him once slnce he has been ~ ia latter desired mo
20 remain home aud 70 mis- AFFAIRS did not do 40
In conversation in the summer. noiher SAID 20 father
"YOu have tried 10 take my life twice cant remember
whether father said anything; SAID nOtniug; was
astOni-hed 10 hear such an accusation; dd not asA
father anything about III she said what was the IRE
doing at by bedroom dOOrf'
During all the testimony the wtncss was greatly agi-
tated. crying and s0bbng audiby, and elasping her
hands ~ in actual physical pain. Al this point she
turned suddenly the Judge and said feel faint.
Let me I" and rising from the witness stand moved
rapidly toward the door. Friends grasped het arm on
the way aud supported her 10 the Dstrict-AttOntys
room, where she tainted Dr. Lewis was summoned
ad and restored 10 consciousness from winch
she at relapedt into violent hysterA and remained
sometime In excited eOnd ton, screaming and crying
AN IMPORTANT DOCUMENT on HAND.
BALLsToY. Sept l3-The prosecution have a paper In
Mrs.. Bliingss handwriting. in which she Tells OF her
auarres with her husband declares that she expects 10
be murdered and IBtimates that Billings may commit
the crime The document found her person after
sbs was murdered