Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-01-04
MURDER TRIAL.
Trial Of Kate NJ. Cobb and Wesley W..
Bishop for a Double Murder.
FOURTH IA rs TROCEEDINGS.

NORWICH, January 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 par
amour of Mrs. Cobb, and her accomplice in
the double murder of Mr.. Charles ii. Cobb
and Mrs. Hattie Bishop. He was dressed in
faultless costume, and wore prominently at
tached to his watch chain a charm said to
have been given him by Mrs. Cobb. He also
displayed conspicuously in his button hole
knot of blue ribbon, as a sign of his total alb
stincnce principles.
He said that he knew he was not bound to
testify and crininate himself, and that no in
duccment had been held out to him to lead
him to testify.
He had known Kate NJ. Cobb fourteen
years, but his acquaintance became more in
innate in the winter of 1871 He then ac-
companied her several times to dances, and
frequently danced with her.
His business was driving a grocer's deliv-
cry wagon, and he delivered to families living
in the same house. so he saw her three or
four times a week.
In May, 1877, she began giving him orders
| and he used to see her several times a day
sometimes often five or six times. July
10Th, 1877, gave her "A hand mirror, telling
her it was token ST friendship, and that the
motives were pure regard. She accepted it.
The next week he wrote her letter explain
| ing his feelings. She answered it immedi-
ately These letters are destroyed. She
sent him one day piece of poetry, the last
verses of which are as follows:
''Since have known his love was mine,
| No longer need my soul repine.
With JOY lift my eyes above,
For love is Heaven, and Heaven is love-
| This is no longer earth to me,
While DER it flows the glory sea;
| For life has grown bliss divine,
Since have known his love was mine
He probably wrote her fifty letters and re-
ceived as many from her, which were all de-
stroyed. Gave her gold tipped pencil in
August She said she should tell Charlie
Cher husband) that she found it. Charlie did
not know of the presents or letters. She
once gave him watch chain. Other pres
cnts followed.
In the fall of 1877 visited her often while
her husband was away. They kissed each
other and embraced at these visits, and sat in
each others laps asked her one night if she
ever expected to be his she said yes asked
her how: she said that she did not know, but
it woud all come out right somehow; if she
had no children she would elope with him he
said that he could not afford that and suggest
ed a couple of divorces; she answered ''No l
cannot get divorce, | have no grounds for
it." He suggested that she make grounds
for it. She answered that her husband 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 over the sugges-
ton of burying her husband, and she said she
would do it if he would help her. Discussed
different kinds of poison; he suggested
strychnne, aconite and morphine; it was set
tied that she was to become free by burying
her husbund and he by getting a divorce from
his wife.
In January Charley went to Troy, and wit
ness spent his evenings with Kate during
Charities absence. They agreed to be mar
ried on his thirty-third birthday, which came
near Christmas. Before Charlie went to
Troy, Kate said, II hope something will hap
pen to him to save me the trouble of giving
him poison" BY her request | got eight
grains of morphine to have ready if he came
back all right.
During Charles absence in Troy spent
each night with Kate; passed the time in
kissing and embracing. During this time
treated his wife so badly that she actually
began to talk of divorce.
The first of February Kate said she had
mixed morphine with her husbands tea, but
it made it so bitter that he would not drink it.
He then got more morphine and with it made
some pills, she representing that she could
get her husband to take them. Made three
pills. She continued to administer strych-
nine, arsenic and morphine until two days
before Charles death, with no visible effect
At this point the court adjourned to nine