The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-01-10

MRS. COBB'S TESTIMONY.
Her Remarkable DemeanOr
on the Witness Stand.
SHREWD, PLAUSIBLE AND COLLECTED.
A Flat Contradiction Of
Bishops Story.
TEARS FOR POOR CHARLIE"
She Would Not Marry Again the Best
Man in the World.
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD

the stand during the entire day. Her story it must
be admitted told with great care with great par
ticuarity to Details pathetic and earnest
then. in jus. the right places. and in brief the
kind of statement calculated to have effect upon
the mind of the average jnryman. Her denials of
any knowledge OF poisoning most earnest and
positive and skilful touch manifest in her tes-
timony to fegned real ignorance Of the appear
ance Of arsenic.
Early in her examination the line Of defence was
portrayed that Mr.. Cobb came to his death either
from the use Of arsencal powders taken by himself
from posons administered by Bishop during his
frequent interviews with tho husband of his para
mour. All the testimony bearing the subject of
poisoning cleverly arranged to support the the
DRY. and Mrs. Cobb related numerous instances in
which Bishop had opportunities for administering
poison if he chose. notably during his visits the
day Of her husband DEATH when Bishop handed Cobb
something that he chewing when his wife entered
the room. but the nature of which he did not ex-.
plain. The witness most positive in her decara-
tons that there had been any improper in
timacy between herself and Bishop, not even little
stolen kiss and the impression was given by the
timopy throughout that Bishop stood toward her in
the light of aspirant for her love and that she
gave him encouragement. Poor Charlie Cobb, it
may be remarked seems never to have suspected
motives. and if she spoke freely to her husband on
every other subject she gave testimony that she
had mentioned to him this most important matter
which true wife would have conHded to her hus-
band. The denias Of giving or receiving presents.
testified to by Bishop were given with great partic
ularity and in direct contradiction Of his evidence
HER APPEARANCE THE STAND.
Mrs. Cobbs demeauor on the witness stand was
modest, with nothing defiant in her tones, but
steady. resolute manner of speaking. as though
nerved up to q difficult and hazardous task. Her
memory appears to be remarkable. but this may be
explained by the fact that her counsel spent hours
yesterday afternoon and last night arranging the
programme Whether she has told the truth or not,
there is good ground for claiming that as
much reliance cannot be placed upon her evil
dence upon the four statements and confessions
and subconfessions that Bishop has given to the
public. On her cross-examination this afternoon
Mrs Cobb gave an exhibition of GOODNESS and nerve
which old lawyers admitted they had never seen
equallel. State Attorney Waller is Keen and rapid
and would confuse an ordinary witness, but Kate
Cobb is made of sterner stuff. Not single instance
during three 'icrg hours. during waerh the lawyer
exerted effort Of his power and of device of his
legal experience to shake her testimony chief lid
she waver for IN instant. Her face was that ora
Sphinx. Cold, impassive, devoid of semblancc of
ing Again and again he would cndeayor. by vary
ing inerrogatories. to lead her into contradiction
but she held her ground until there grew among the
spectators an involuntary sympathy for woman
who endured what many strong man would have
failed under. One thing is evident that If Kate Cobb
did not do the deed she was the Lady Macbeth who
spurred Bishop to his work
MRS. coBB's TESTIMONY.
The Court met at nine O'Clock. and Mrs. Kate NJ.
Cobb called the first witness for the defence.
Ae tSstb era tov1f axyifn md fbor.
quite sensation in the court room. as il known
that her testimony would outline the plan of defence
that would be adopted.
Being sworn. she testiAed:-I was married ten
years ago; Mrs. Bishop and myself were schoolgirls
together and continued our intimacy until her DEATH
Mr.. and Mrs. Bishop were married three years
husband I,a aud and he and Mr.. Bishop had long ing
and close intimacy before I married; they often
went ON trips together; Bishop finally removed to
Baltic and my husband and myself visited him there
on the occasion of the installation of the officers of
lodge of Good Templars some time later the Bishops
went to Oregon and upon returning here VIC renewed
our intimacy; Mr.. Bishop and my husband were not
together much because they were separated by
their business, but they were always friends; my
most intimate lady friend. while was living the
west side, was Hattie Bishop; her husband first be-
gan bringing provisions to my house in the spring Of
1877, and during the previous winter my husband and
myself met the Bishops at public entertainments and
often the four OF us went in company; some Of these
entertainments were dances. and danced with
Bishop and Mrs: Bishop with Mr.: Cobb. but never
danced round dances: during that spring Bishop
came 10 the house to bring provisions about four
times weekly; he would call in tho morning to take
my order and in the afternoon to deliver the
articles; my husband bought hay and meal Mt tho
store where bishop was employed, and Bishop on
one occasion. May :. moved my nethcrs furniture
TO my house, and was there several times that day.
POISONING
My husband a tall. thin. spare man at one
time he had side whskcrs but about three years ago
the beard began falling out, the hair FIRST turning
white; his whiskcrs finally became thin that he
sss rss nj. matters t. s nS AZ Mr.
Cobb very sensitive to this and his attcnuated
form, some occasions he greatly annoyed. for
instance at masqucrades. where his long. thin neck
betrayed him; he In the habit OF taking great
deal Of medicine without consulting a physician;
have known him to take California Wine Bit
tcrs Hostettcr's Bittcrs, Vinegar Bitters Atwoods
Biters and some kind OF q solution that knew little
about they were all patent medcines; he had
and unable 20 smoke in the evening cigar that
Bishop offered him. another attack was in February.
on the occasion OF opcreta of 'Linderessa in tho
town. we having tickets bu. he being unable TO at
tend in our family only my husband and little girl
drank tca and he wanted great strength 10 IL; some
times nc urchased the tea at one place and some
BISHOP FURNISHES A SPECIAL TEA
About week before Mr.. Cobb's first attack Bishop
came house to take orders. my husband being
present. and suggested that he order some tea from
Bishops store. but he refused, rcmarking that the
tea was better the stores that afternoon when
Bishop came with the orders he brought about an
ounce and told me 70 make the tea for my husband
and not LET him know where IL came from, TO
whether he would know the difference; did So and
when my husband tasted it he exclaimed. What's
IL was sample that Bishop had brought
he replied, III that's the kind of tea
ne keeps I'm sure / don't want any OF
it;' through the month of March my husband COM
paanc that he did not feel "frst rate; he kept his
medicines In chest in the kitchen, and Mr. Bishop
upon seeing them one day. inquired. do YOU Keep
drug storcY Bishop spoke ct the matter on several
other occasions during the winter aud spring of
1878 knew him TO purchase calisaya bark and Win
chcsters supcrposphate. in the April preceding his
death: their effects were weakening, resulting in
nausea and vomiting.
IuS
On the day Ut his death. June q. Bishop was there
three times, the third time few minutes past
even; he stayed only short time. and alone
with my husband in the sitting room, and
was up stairs; saw him when he
came in. and then went up stairs and returned
after Bishop had gone; on reaching the room
/ noticed that he was chewing something. and when
l inquired what IL was. he replied, something
Bishop gave mes" he complained of being sleepy.
and covered HIM UP on the lounge. and he went to
sleep; when the children returned from school they
disturbed him. and yaking up he exclaimed, ''Oh,