The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-05-21
BISHOP SAVING HIS NECK.
THE CLOSING SCENE IN THE CONNECT
eur POISONING CISE


oner sentenced 60 state Prison for Life.
No1twTrH, Conn, May Gothic closing
scene in tho poisoning conspiracy which re-
suited In the death of Charles H. Cobb Jr.. and
Mrs. Wesley W. Bishop in the spring and sum-
mer OF 1873 was enacted in the Superior Court
room In this city to-day. Spectators had gath
cred early in anticipation. and Mt 2 o'clock
when the court was called to order by the high
voice Of Sheriff Batcs. every seat behind the
rail was filled. Lawyers and physicians and
several ccrcymen. who had been either wit
nesses or Interested Observers OF the trial Of
Mrs Cobb. wore grouped In the lobbics or In
front OF the Judges desk. A moment later
Judge Culver. who four months ago sentenced
Knte NJ Cobb to life Imprisonment in the State
prison. took his seat
Bishop Ind been driven down from his prison
cell by Jailcr Beckwith and subordinate Gus
todinn and as his gaunt form and haggard
countcnancc passed swiftly across the court
room n momeninry rustic Of excitement dis
turhed the almost hronthlrss silence. which was
uninterrupted thenceiorward 10 the end He
snt down at the foot Of the Shcril's desk guard
cd 10y his Iailcr and iankcd On ono side by his
uncle. Deacon 5. i. Bishop. J.. W. Dudley. and
9t'gr relatives; He was dressed In black, and
his black SLOUGH hat showed u narrow weed Of
mourning Tor his dend mother. Tho gold chain
That danglcd urross ms vest bore the dainty
blue ribbon Of temperance. His wan face.
his manner. and his mir had changed
Little in tue past few months, except
that his extreme pallor was still more
pronounced. his eyes more Wild and unnatural.
tue lines about the mouth more sharply drawn.
and his movements more nervous aud rct less.
His physical proslration and waning b, IN
were more Clearly shown in the fcvprish sid KY
tint Of his shrunken skin. He glanced over tho
court room and then turned his lace toward the
southern windows, one OF which had been
raised to relieve the oppressive weight OF the
muggy air. and fixed his eyes steadily on the
q nppNrputly
most unintercsted spectator in the room. His
face showed not trace OF emotion.
The lawyers rustled their papers on the table
and there was moments pause 81 uncertainty:
Then States Attorney I. NJ. WALLER arose and
II your Honor please. Wesley W. Bishop.
who was indicted for the murder OF Charles II.
Goth. Jf.. and Harriet NJ. Bishop. has hereto
fore pleaded not guilty to these Indictments
am informed 10y Ills counsel that he now de-
sirss 20 plead guilty OF the murder OF Mr.. Cobb.
He ia ready. sir" replied Mr.. Lippitt. who.
In obedience to the order of the Sheriff the
cadayerous form OF Bishop stlly arose, his
Who held Sf DE indcment in his hand Wesley
WIS already familiar with this document. and
the formal reciiing Of It was dispensed with.
Are you ready 70 plead AS cd Clerk Park.
am" replied Bishop. firmly.
" What IL your plea
am guilty. replied Bishop without the
degree" He then sat down. and Gazed calmly
through the window,
pitt, arose. his snowy hair brushed back from
his face. He was moved by the situation. his
voice was husky at times. aud his mauner was
solemn and dgnified. lie reviewed the i'm
uottant features OF the tragedy from beginning
TO end, and powerfully and eloqucntly set forth
the fact that through all the winnings OF the
conspiracy Kate VI. Cobb was the evil temptress
ana the master spirit II was she who first
threw her charm over Bishop at the Breed Hall
gathering. She bcckoned To him from the
window Of her house. threw kisses to him and
fell upon his neck. called him 10 appointed
meetings. and sent poems to him when they
were parted. He admitted his complete faith in
the guilt OF his client but deprecated the infer
ence that he was acuated by anything but sim
cerc desire that absolute justice should be done
70 the state as well as 10 Bishop. The plea OF
Mr.. Lippitt was that Bishop was the pliable in
strumCnt in the hands Of the stronger criminal,
that he had been assured tacitly. II not by word
that his confession OF guilt would rebound t.
his own advantage; that il was mainly by his
been secured. and that he ought not to be more
severely punished than the principal in the
sagacity. vigilance. and energy of Prosecutor
Waller and acknowledged his profound ad-
miratiOn Of the courage. Intellectual strength
and eXtraord inary nerve Of Mrs, Cobb. He con-
Guided ms follows: " trust that States Attorney
Waller and his Honor the Court Will accept this
plea.
Judge Culver said that II tho Court had been
taken unawarcs II might have asked time fol
deiibcration. but the plea had been antic pated
He cited similar eases in criminal IursI ru-
dencc. spoke u the great service 10 the STATE
Bishops conlessiQn had rendered. and nc.
'clt'u tne ule"' MT ,lrThs hMu ne, please
enter it on the record ~ the court"
Bishop. stand M, said his Honor. Hay,
you anything TO sayY"
" No.. replied tho prisoner. so family that HE
counsel was obliged to communicate the word
TO the Judge.
" Bishop" said the Judge. II Won had mad,
no confession. and had been found guilty oil
murder m the second degree. there would hav,
been room for doubt Of your guilt. but now
your crime is proved beyond a doubt" Til,
Judge spoke faelingly Of the consequences OF
the murder. and closed by saying: have ~
doubt that You rculi2e your crime in its full
enormiy No discretion b. left with me. ano
there ought 20 be- none. The sentence IL that
YOU Zoe confined in State prison during your
natural lie"
Bishop received his sentence with perfect
composurc. He silently bowed his had and lcf
the court room with his jaier. lie will not be
taken 10 Methersned until tho expiration Of
the ten days which are granted by the state IN
similar cuses. The indictment for the murder
he ever receive Legislative pardon he will b,
tried for that crime.