The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1879-01-04
THE NORWICH MURDER.
How Mrs. Cobb and Her Param our Got
Rid of Her Has With Ar
senic, M orphine and Strychntne

How Mrs. Cobb and Her Param our GOT
Rid of Her Hasband-Dosed With Ar
senic, Morphine and strychnine.
NORWICH, Ct, Jan. 3.-After the recess in the
Cobb trial. DR.. Paddock was briefly cross-examined
and then came the great sensation of the trial. in the
appearance on the witness stand of Wesley W.
Bishop, the alleged paramour of Mrs. Cobb, and her
accomplish in the double murder of Mrs. Charles H.
Cobb and Mrs. Hattie Bishop. He was dressed in a
faultless costume and wore prominently attached to
lis watch chain charm, said to have been given
him by Mrs. Cobb. He also displayed conspicuously
In his button hole, knot of blue ribbon as sign of
his total abstinence principles He said that he knew
he was not bound to testify and criminate himself
and that no inducements had been held out to him to
testify. He had known Kate Cobb fourteen wears
but bis acq uaintance became more intimate in the
winter OF 1877. de then accompanied her several
tunes to dances, and frequently danced with her.
HIS business was driving grocer's delivery wagon
and he delivered to families in living the same house.
SO he saw her three or four times week. In NAV 1877
she began giving him ORDERS and he used to see her
several times day, sometimes as often as five or six
times. July 16, 1871 gave her hand mirror telling
her it was token of friendship and that the motives
we're pure regard. She accepted it. The next week
he Wlote her letter explaining his feelings. She
answered it Immediately. (These letters were iden-
ufied) She sent him one day piece of poetry
expressive of her feelings. He gave her gold tin
ped pencil in August. She said she should tell Charlie
(her husbanG that che found it. Charlie did not
know OF the presents or letters. She once gave him
a watch chain. Other presents followed. In the
ia OF 1915 VISITED her often while her husband was
away. They kissed each other and embraced at
these visits, and sat in each others Iaps Asked her
one night if she ever expected to be his She said yes
asked her lOWY She said sha Inf
would all come right somehow. If she had no chill
dren she would elope with him. He said that he
couldn't afford that, and suggested coupl of d.
vorces. She answered: "No, 1 cannot get divorce.
have no grounds for it." He suggested that she
make grounds for it. She answered that her bus
Dand would not leave her, let her do what she might
She knew OF only one way of becoming free and that
was by burying her husband.
At this point several other poems, which had been
sent him, were Introduced They were mostly of
the sentimental SORT
The next morning talked of buryng her husband
again, and she said she would do it if he woud helm
her. They discussed different kinds of poisons He
suggested strychnine, acone and morphine. 1t was
settled that she was to become free by burying her
husband, and he by getting divorce from his wife.
In January Charley went to Troy and witness
spent his evenings with Kate during CHARLES abb
sence Ihey agreed to be married on his 33d birthday
which came near Christmas Before Charlie went to
Troy, Kate said, II hope something will happen to
him to save me the trouble of giving him poison"
BY request got eight grains of morphine to have
ready if he came back all right.
During Charles absence 10 Troy spent each night
with Kate and passed the time in kissing and en-
braciDg During this time treated his wife SO badly
that she actually began to talk of a divorce. The
frst of February Kate said she had mixed morphine
with her husbands tea. but it made it so bitter that
ne wound not drink it.. He then got more morphine
anu Win IL made some pills, she representing that
sne coud get hen husband to take them. She con.
tinued to administer strychnne, arsenic and NOR
phne, until two days berore Charles DEATH with no
visible effect
At this point the court adjourned til O'Clock to.
morrow morning,