The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1879-01-10
THE NORWICH MURDER.


The Accused on The stand-She Denies all
Intimacy with Bishop and Intimates
that He Poisoned Her Husband.
NORWICH, Jan. 9.-The Cobb trial was resumed
this morning. Mrs. Cobb was. placed on the stand
and testified she knew Bishop year before he was
married. His wife and she were school girl acquain
tances, her husband and Bishop were intimate
friends. Two years ago the two families found them
selves living near together at the west side. MRS.
Bishop was witness most intimate friend and they
frequently went to entertainments together.
Never danced round dances in her life. From the
spring of 1871 Bishop supplied the Cobb and Water
families with groceries, used also to bring them
all other sorts Of goods ordered. AS was customary
with other families sometimesit became necessary for
him to come several times day. Her husband was
always there. Three years ago his beard began to
grow thin and fall out. He was sensitive about his
thinness. Used to take Atwood's, Hostetters, Vim
egar and California Bitters Her husband was ill in
Jan. SO he could not attend to his duties Cobb use
to buy his own tea. Bishop offered to furnish it but
he declined. Used to drink it very strong. The
child also took tea but it was weak. One day Bsh-
ops brought up tea enough for drawing and said,
"fx that for Charlie tonight; he'll never know the
difference" She did SO. Charlie complained that it
was very bitter; she explained; he said, 81 don't
want any more of that tea.' Bishop had often seen
Cobbs medicines in the kitchen closet and remarked
on Them Cobb took some Of Winchester's Hypo-
phosphates; they nauseated him. Physician advised
him to continue them. The morning Cobb died Bish-
op called several times. He and Cobb We're alone at
one time. Afterwards she saw him chewing some
thing he said Bishop had given him. Soon he had a
nap but children coming in spoiled it. He arose,
stagger ed to her chair and called for his medicine
She yava Dr Dad
then called for brandy; she gave that aud sent for
the Doctor. Began rubbing his hands; he looked up
and said, "Don't be frightened, Katie; this wont
last long" He died before the doctor came (Here
witness broke down and was unable to proceed for
some time on account of her emotion.) Once in
April Bishop brought Cobb bottle of brandy, which
he alone used. Later she asked him for some whis-
key. Bishop asked who was to use it. She said
Charlie. He said he was glad he knew. He brought
the whiskey and Charlie used it. 1t made him sick
Once in April she accidentally upset private box of
Charles, out of which fell white powder. He took
the powder, threw it into the fire and said it was
poison, and added. 81 thought told you not to med
die with that box" Cobb had taken powders, in
one conversation he said poison was good for people
sometimes and they talked about the color of arsenc
She ordered hand mirror of Bishop; didn't knowi
was present till her husband came to pay bill, and
found no charge. Bishop then said it was token of
friendship While in Troy she wrote to the Bishops:
enclosing some poetry. She found the pearl pencil
case on the steamer Chauncey Vibbard, Aug 2sth,
1877. The watch charm given Bishop was philippe
ma, promised in her husbands presence. Bishop
never kissed witness at any time. Once as Joke,
she promised to buy Bishop silk handkerchief in
his wies presence Bishop made rare social calls gen.
orally came with or after his wife. Never talked Sc
riousy OF divorce or eopement, but did so jestingy
with Mrs. Bishop. She never ordered, bought, re-
ceived or administered a particle of poison to anv
one She denied all Of Bishops statements regard.
ing her visits to his house at night except on one &C.
casion when she went there to get shirt for the
wash. Neither on this nor any other occasion did
she have any criminal intercourse. The breast pin
and earrings were given her by Bishop with her hus-
bands knowledge, because she had repaired some OF
bis clothes after bis wfss death. She denied other
details OF meetings, presents and criminal intimacy
given by Bishop. The toothpick marked "Pet" she
bought aud had it so marked because her husband al
ways called her so. Bishop once took it away from
her and put it IN his pocket. The room in which
Bishop said he had criminal intercourse with wit
ness on his dead wifes bed, unfurnished at the
time he stated this occurred, and his statement was
false. She also denied that she ever conspired with
DiSuop w pVlsUu Mis- DlSuOp.
Recess was then taken.
The cross examination Of Mrs. Cobb was long and
searching and was directed to many of the minor de-
tails of the case, but little that was new or of any
Importance was brought out. Mrs. Cobb repeated her
former declaration that she had never been unath-
tul in any way to her husband. When his mother
went to wHaven Bishop wanted to take his meal.
with the Charlie told her she could do as she
pleased. he refused and he was angry, saying that
he would never ask another favor. At one 9TH
er time he seemed angry at her husband because
Charlie did not buy tea of him. When she cams
home from Troy did not kiss Bishop, only shook
hands with him. One night Bishop might have
staid hour with her when she came in to see if his
wife was there. Bishop and his wife were at her
house night but he did not stay till four o'clock
Never rode out with Bishop. Bishop once sent Cobb
a can of tomatoes. He ate some of them aud was
made sick.