The New York herald., 1879-12-01
VEO POISONED BLAIR!
Attempt to Fix the Crime
on Mary Connolly.
O N T H E r A c K
Searching Cross-Examinato of the Wit
nesses for the Prosecution


Contrary to general expectation the examina
ton in the case of the alleged poisoning
OF Charles E. Blair. of Chatham Village.
N. Y. by Joseph and Mary volkmer con-
cluded yesterday. Two hours devoted to the
taking of testimony in Essex Market Court. and yet
only the cross-examination Of witness
brought to close. while that of another was but
half finished. The prisoners counsel are making an
obstinate fight for them. and say that some days
VIII eapse before the work they have entered upon
will be brought to end. They propose TO devote
two three days to the cross-examination Of Mary
Connolly alone.
Justice Duffy was going over the police returns
when Charles Blair and Mary Connolly entered Essex
Market Court with Detectives Wade and Hess. They
were shown into the private examination room.
Blair chatted pleasantly with those around He said
that telegram had reached him from his son
stating that the OF adventure had travelled
to his home. and that the village papers were de-
voting no little amount Of space to the matter. ~
am annoyed" he said. "to see how my motives have
been misrepresented. It because l pitied the
condition of Mrs. volkmer that visited her."
'Then you visited Mrs. volkmer out Of charity?"
he was asked.
Purely"
"That visit" said Justice Duffy. entering the
room. NEARLY ended your acts OF charity"
The examination OF yesterday began about half
past ten. Mary Connolly nervously approached the
magistrate and sad:-"These lawyers are defending
everybody but myself. 1 would like to have one
too"
That's necessary" said the Justice; II will
look out for you myself and see that you are not
imposed upon"
THANK Your Honor" she said.
Bring out the prisoners" said the Justice.
Joseph and Mary volkmer were then brought into
court. chair placed for the woman while her
husband stood by her slde Previous to the open
ing of Blalr's testimony Lawyer Bogert said:-"I
object to the presence of Mrs: Connolly. ask that
she be sent in the examination room that nothing
the witness testifes to may be heard by her," The
woman was then removed.
BLAIR CRoss-ExAMINED.
On Saturday Blair had brought the events Of the
day which he is said to have been poisoned down
to Ave O'Clock in the evening. He was cross-exam-
ined yesterday to the events from that time on.
In to Mr.. Bogerts questions Blair said that
at five o'clock last Wednesday evening Mrs.
Connolly. Mary volkmer and himself were the only
| persons in the room at No. ia Essex street, as
| Volkmer had before that time left the house; he
said he in the from five O'Clock until half
| past ten eleven, when he retired; during that
time he did not leave the house; volkmer came in
about half-past nine O'Clock. which was about an
| hour before witness went to bed; he drank some
| lager beer before volkmer's arrival; the first
| drink oil beer he had was soon after Mrs.
| Connolly in. between Eve and six O'Clock; ;
it then his intention to return that night
to Worcester; 1t very small glassful he drank
| three-quarters rs much as a mug would hold; Mrs.
! Volkmer brought it to him and he only drank that
one glassful; pitcherful was brought in; they all
| drank from it while it in his sight and the
| pfil was
minutes afterward fresh beer purchased by
| Mrs Volkmer and he drank again out of the same
| glass, which marked with small flower; the
liquor was poured out in his presence by Mrs. Con-
| molly, and was handed to him by her; tho same
length of time elapsed before third pitcher Of beer
was brought and he drank again; the glass was in
this instance also handed him by the Irish woman.
Then the witness related the symptoms that fol-
lowed. l commenced to grow sick. he said, after
this; had violent pains across my temples then a
severe headache and great sickness at the stomach
drst became i'll At six O'Clock but did not leave the
room Ivomited little and felt better for moment
two after this drank my fourth glass, gradually
and at interval OF twenty-five minutes between it
continued; said. I'm going to have return Of
my sick headaches felt it was only headache;
the pains were accompanied with violent vomiting;
Volkmer in later with pitcher of BEER he
poured out glassful for me; Mrs. Connolly
handed it to me; took swallow ana
"Tm getting very SICK" l said to Vok.
mer, "rve got very severe attack OF sick head
ache; think 1 will go to the Occidental Hotel; :"
when I got up from my chair found my knees
were shaky and limbs powerless; was weak all
over. and told him that it was out of my power to
walk half way to the hotel; upon reseating myself
vomited again; volkmer said to me. well. il you
can't go. do you want to lie DOWN. '.Yes. an
swered, anywhere" it was then that he proposed
that 1 should go into his bedroom and sleep on his
bed. to which agreed. provided was allowed to
lie in the front OF it when lconsen'ea 10 ms Pre-,
was not known to me; got into bed and pail was
put the floor beside me. because thought
should vomit again.
soLIcrrUpE FOR THE SICK MAN.
Now. Mr.. Blair" said counsel. what did Mrs.
.:she proposed to 20 for physician; volkmer said
something to her in German; her exact words were.
Wen send for doctor for you; this refused to
let her do; Mrs. Connolly in the kitchen all this
time and saw what she was d. ting by the light that
burned there; it was on the Aitchen table; from
kitchen; the stove and two winavws were in view.
also tho foot OF bed which was placed on the
floor after retired; Mrs. Connolly when left the
room had her bonnet and shawl on. and said that
she was going home. but she didn't go the con-
trary. saw her walking about several times in tho
night.
aches and that they were generally very severe;
the only thing he noticed unusual was general weak
ness q symptom he had never experienced before;
his head did not swim and no did not believe that
tine lager had affected him; previous his visit to
the volkmers, slight lunch after he left the boat
the only food he had taken until he ate hearty
meal at their house late in the atternoon after von
ing he felt little better but the headache did not
leave him and there was great nausea Witness said
that u rule when he vomited ho felt much better
and that when the headache came he generally
vonited. ''On this OCCASION" he said. III vomited
more than usual; the last time did SO there a
very bitter taste; the pain extended away down my
body; remained In bed until seven o'clock in the
morning; Mrs. volkmer got up first to prepare
baeakfast, and then arose; Mrs. Connolly was up
and partially dressed she did speak to me, and
1 made no complaint of feeling sick she then left
the house. and Mrs. Vokmer prepared breakfast, but
1 contented myself with cup of tea; remained
until the detectives came; up to the time they ar
rived did not think had been poisoned; all tho
knowledge have about the morphine has been i'm
parted to me by Mrs. Connolly Blairs cross
examination was ended at this point.
MARY CONNOLLY UNDER FIRE.
Counsellor next took up the cross-oxamination of
Mrs. Connolly. When she was sworn Justice Duffy
said to her :--'I told you would protect you IL
could. now caution you that IL you are asked any
thing which, by answering, will degrade you you
think will do so, you say. refuse to reply,