The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-01-15
THE NORWICH POISONING.
Closing of the Testimony in the Kate
Cobb Trial.
COURTSIIIP "REMINISCENCES.
Discovery of Kate's Pocket Mem
orandum Book.
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD. ]


BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD.
NORWICH. Conn, Jan. IA. 1879.
The trial of Mrs. Kate NJ. Cobb reached its third
week to-day. The testimony was completed it was
mainly offered in rebuttal and of very important
character; in fact OF the principal witnesses that
the State wished to call not placed upon the stand
as was understood at the last moment that he was
not quite clear upon the evidence that was expected
from him. that Bishop coming from Mrs.
Cobbs house at four O'Clock morning when her
husband was in Troy. Much OF the testimony was
mere odds and ends-lttle points calculated to sts-
tain and give completeness to the general proof.
The counsellors wranged over them more persist
emily than even the testimony in chief. for it
evident that these last scraps going to the jury
would be better remembered. perhaps. than the
earlier evidence.
An important witness for the State the sister
of Bishops wife. who brought out new point-that
Mrs. Bishop, instead of confding fully in Mrs.
Cobb's purity regarded her relations with Bishop
more or less jealous and on two occasions said
very plainly. But whether in earnest terms or
jokingly other peculiar things had been said
was not made evident. The remark in church that
wesley had no eyes for anybody but Kate"
was of the most telling points of the day. The
defence made earnest effort to break the effect OF
the testimony of Mrs. Cobb's little daughter. Della
testimony, and in this they fairly successful.
the jury being left to decide between the evidence of
two three adults the side, and that of ten
year-old child on the other Summing up
the evidence in rebuttal to-day. however.
it is not clear that the case for either
side was materially benefited strengthened
The court room was thronged with spectators the
asseblage being scarcely less than that present at
the more important days of the trial. when Bishop
and Mrs. Cobb gave their testimony The attendance
Of ladies was noticeable, including not only elderly
matrons who would naturally be expected to have
interest in the trial. but trim young misses, who
found in the presence Of their elders desirable
moral support.
The afternoon consumed in arguments. Mr..
Ripley. young Norwich gentleman associated with
State Attorney Waller. making the opening address
for the State giving well arranged presentation of
the case. He was followed by S. s. Thresher for the
defence. State Attorney Waller speaks tomorrow
morning, and his effort is anticipated with much in
tercst he is possessed of fine oratorcal abilities
Congressman Wait, senior counsel for the defence,
will make the closing argument and the case will
probably 20 to the jury during the afternoon session
The State contemplated to-day calling upon Bishop
to plead on the indictment which he and Mrs.
Cobb are jointly indicted. but it questionable
what the effect would be upon the present case. and
1t was, perhaps wisely ueclucu 10 tnls INC
present. Bishop will plead guilty. and under the
Connecticut STATUES the Court will decide the degree.
whether first or Second. and sentence him accord
ingly. If he does not plead. and there is every
probability that he will. he will be tried next month
The defence discovered important piece of evil
dence to-day, but unfortunately. late to be intro
duced.
MORE ABOUT "PET
It is little leather covered pocket memorandum
book, with entries made during the courtship of
Mrs. Cobb and her husband. These entries in
the handwriting of BOTH and if the book could have
been put in evidence would have gone far to corrobo
rate her testimony that she and her husband called
each other ..Pet" and to dispel the belief
that this term was used only between
Bishop and herself. Mrs. Cobb explained
to the HERALD correspondent that the
existence Of this book did not to her until to-
day that it was found In place where she kept
msmentoes of her earlier and happier days and that
it had been used by herself and Charlie as medium
TOR exchanging the ENDORSEMENTS OF lovers. Its con-
tents mainly OF a poetical nature. One is ad-
dressed Dear Charlie and signed pet"
Several other entries in Hates handwriting
several are signed "Kittie" "Kato.'' Kitten and
Peggy" all early pet names Of the writer. One
hs in cors pe writing ING eer spa
cut from printed matter and pasted on
the page. and on the opposite page is Kato's
face. Mrs. Cobb turned to one of the pages and ex
claimed, There. that's what wanted to md There
two original stanzas written III ls65. the first by
Charlie, and my answer to It,
The first reads as follows:-
Thy love for me Is by me retnrnea
Aud trust may not part again
TIL we part TO meet in heaven
The stanza in reply reads:-
TO CHARLIE.
In pleasures dream, or sorrows hour
IL crowded hall or lonely bower,
The business OF my NE shall be
That the entries were made about the date stated
is evidenced by some prose entries Of prominent
events such as the surrender or Lee the assassina
ton of Lincoln. &C. That this important little SOU
yenir of the past should not have come to light until
now when too late to be of any use, is singular
circumstance; yet. ii it had. the defence might
have made reasonable claim that endcaring terms
used during courtshp apt to be abandoned after
some years of married life, and that the fact that the
testimony should have been that Charlie cobb had
not used them much in later years was reasonable
proof of such presumption.
TESTIMONY THE FAST REVIEWED.
The first witness for the State in rebuttal this
morning was w. II. Cougdon, of the Coroners
jury, who called by the State to testify to the
statements before that tribunal He testified Mrs.
Waterman q witness before the Coroner's jury
and testified that she received the tea short
time after Cobb's sickness in February; Mrs. Cobb
stated that her mother received the tea few
days after her husbands first sickness; Mrs. Water
man made statement of Bishops bringing tea;
Mrs Cobb said her husband always purchased the tea
and husband and some one else being present, con-
versation occurred about her husband eanness and
that Charlie said no would have to take arsenic to
fatten: she asked who the third person was, but
could nos tell; she answered many times asked
that there but three persons present at the time;
after Mrs. Cobb was removed from her chair to the
lounge III a faintiny condition Mrs. Waterman was
called in. and Mrs. Waterman said Don't you know,
Katy. / th,rcy' and Kate replied, "Oh, yes
mothers: 1t was you'll" Mrs. Cobb said nothing about
her husbands chewing anything black ON the day of
his death.
Cross-cxamined-Thcy spoke about the converse
ton about Mr.. Cobbs leanncss and his suggestion
that arsenic fattenng: thought Mrs. Cobb. un-
der the circumstances. stood her examination very
well; do not know whether she tainted.
Redirect--Shc said she was ready and willing to
answer all questions asked.
OTHER TESTIMONY.
DR.. William y. I. Perkins rccaed-T visited Mr..
Cobbs house in April; Mrs. Cobb said she had
been giving him some quininc that she had
in the house; present at the Cor
oner's inquest aud was requested by Mr..
Waller to visit Mrs Cobb and gee ii she able TO
attend the Coroncr's inquest; Mrs. Cobb, Mrs Water
ran and myscli wont 10 tho nuuoa In a hack. she