The New York herald., 1879-01-07
KATE COBB'S TRIAL.

COUNSEL PREPAklNG Fos IhE FINAL sihO0-
GLE-A STRONG ARRAY OF PROOF FOR THE
PROSECUTION OF THE ISSUE
THE PRISONER CONTINUES WHOLLY UNMovED.
NORWICH. Jan. 9. 1879.
The prosecution and tho defence in the Kate M.
Cobb murder case have occupied the entire day in
fortifyng themselves for the legal contest that again
begins tomorrow. Mr.. L. NJ Waller is massing an
amount of corroborative evidence that, to say the
least must prove appalling to the defence for the
chain of circumstantil facts has been ably got
together that it would seem little less than miracle
can controvert them. Bishops detailed revelation
has greatly strengthened the for the State Wit
nesses ready to indorse many points have been re-
porting themselves every day since he began his
testimony. The counsel for the defence. with Mrs.
Waterman, mother of Mrs. Cobb, were closeted with
their client the jail early this morning and spent
the day in preparing to make Bishops crossexamina-
ton to-day rigid possible. No pains will be
spared by the defence to break the effect of Bishops
testimony the jury. Bishops friends express
their perfect confidence in this. his last statement,
saying that the early teachings of his youth have
lately taken effect. and that, in state of peni-
tenco and religious trust. he has at last made
a true revelation of the whole brutal busi-
ness. Bishops father was clergyman of
the Methodist persuasion. and died suddenly
few hours after delivering discourse at Moodus. in
this State. His mother is lady much respected by
al who know her. At the time of Bishops wifes
death she was living with him aud continued to up
to the time of his arrest. She feeble and in the
this terrible tragedy with its revelations has has
tened her disease and unless justice moves faster
than usual she will not live to testify in the
When her first incarcerated her motherly
face was frequently at the JAIL where. in the
greatest bodily anguish, she did all that mother
could. The ravages of disease have weakened her
at is no
visit him. He denies any expectation OF mercy and
says to those with whom he talks IF am hanged
shall get no more than my just deserts"
UNPoPULARIrY OF THE DEATH PENALTY
But win he be hanged? In all probability he is con-
not of the heroic Puritanic sort that thought
of burning strangling man or woman in the
name Of Justice than it did OF going to church on
not only among the people but also among the OFF,
of justice "They will be hanged" is the
classes Of people. The fear that they will escape
crops out here and there in public con-
n tas of
if that jury disagrees every mothers son Of them
should be taken out and shot" and yet there is a
exceedingly high cost OF the trial to the State will
lead to the abandonment OF the case but credi-
bly, informed that the States Attorney will not surren
der until the has had many trials whatever the
cost
DEAD LAW.
To large portion OF the people 1t Is disgusting to
think that the statute books are numbered with
law, the penalty for breaking which is death, but
which cannot be enforced and it is not improbable
that repeal of the law will be asked for at the pres
ent session of the Legislature and capital punishment
be abolished the substitute for it tbelngimprsonment
for life and the removal of the pardonng power
vested in tho General Assembly to the Supreme
Court of Errors. Under such circumstances it would
be impossible for twenty murders to in eight
years i'll this county and one-half the murderers
escape while another fourth get only short terms in
prison.
In this terrible too, there to be child wit
nesses The daughter OF Kate NJ Cobb not over
twelve, will appear for the prosecution against her
mother. In summoning her the officers OF the law
were foiled One policeman spent two whole days in
trying to her out but failed. and it only
when her mother had her brought into court on
Thursday last that she legally notified to appear in
behalf Of the State. Her evidence it is expected,
will corroborate the story of Bishop that Kate put
so much morphine in her husband tea that it was
too bitter for him to drink, and he obliged to
abandon it, she having told the neighbors, "One
night papas tea was SO bitter he could not drink it,
Wesley w. Bishop has q little daughter of about the
age that will also, it is said be called upon to
testify The results of the tragedies to her have been
frightful At first she was taken in and cared for by
of his relatives. but they soon abandoned her.
and she became inmate of the Childrens Home
here where she is highly spoken Of orderly and
obedient child She undoubtedly will eventually be
given home by some of her relatives.
Another child witness was frankie, tho little son
of Edson S. Bishop, brother Of Wesley, who, 1t will
be remembered. carried the letter to Kate NJ. Cobb
This little fellow, pretty, bright and active, would
have also had his say the witness stand had not
disastrous accident proved MS death. Ihe famlly
after Wesley Bishops moved to the centre of
the State and day, while Edison s. Bishop was
fixing loaded gun. the piece was accidenty dis
charged and the contents lodged III the calf Of little
Frankie's leg.
WOMAN IRON NERVE.
The manner in which Kate NJ Cobb has endured
the trial excites universal comment. With all the
world against her she sits mute and unaffected
Egyptian sphynx. She asks no one for sympathy.
she sheds not tear. but during her stay at the
prison has slept sound nights and gained in flesh.
never once having shown bit OF wonanly
weakness. Her mother, Mrs. Waterman, who
sits by her in court. also appears more composed
under the terrible exposures OF her daughters crimes
sit side by side. less ag than the counsel
for the defence in this terribly earnest business.
Both will be put on the witness stand, and it re-
mains to be developed whether their remarkable
lance is more in their natures than in what they
have to say.
Judge culver arrived from Miedletown this after
noon. and tomorrow. at nine o'clock, the trial will
again go forward