The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1888-12-07
PERSISTENT OBSTRUCTION.
OF the Accused's Attorneys in
the Shoots Murder Trial,
MORE DAMAGING EVIDENCE.
The Attendance on the Trial as Great
us Ever-No Doubt that the Child
was Poisoned, but not yet Clear
Iyproyen the Mother dIdit.

6pectdI Dtp1kcn 70 ulE lWttlutNeIs
CAMBRIDGE, Ono, Dec. 6.-The fourth
day ofthe Shoots trial was full OF delays
and there has not been much progress
made. The State has met with persist
ent obstruction on the part OF the de.
fendant's attarneys, no attempt to intro
duce evidence showing that the accused
contemplated the murder of her child,
and evidence showing the motive.
The major part of the day was con-
sumed in the effort to get evidence Of
this sort before the jury. Although
the evidence for the State will hardly be
concluded before tomorrow evening,
there is no especially important evidence
yet to be brought out beyond the testi-
mony Of the chemist, Professor Howard; /;
and while it has been clearly established
that the child came to its death by poi.
son, it has not yet been proven beyond
a doubt that the mother administered
the poison. Whether this defect will
yet be supplied remains to be seen.
The attendance on the trial continues
to be as great as ever. The court room
was crowded again this afternoon with
ladies, who listened to every item Of
evidence with countenances on which
horror was mingled visibly with pity for
the silent woman in black who sat down
in the dock pressing a little child close
against her bosom. -,
T. ]. Irwin, who lived ut Adamsyille
in 1887, testified he was at work grading
his pavement opposite the Shoots house
on Tuesday, the day before Carrie Snoots
died, and heard the child cry out as in
pain, and say, "0h, mamma, / know l
anu going to die; my stomach hurts ne
soW And again witnessheard the child
saw. "Niamna, | don't want to take that
medicine; it hurts me" Witness also
testified to conversation with Mrs.
Shoots before Carrie took sick, in which
the accused said that she did not think
Carrie would be living in q year.
A rigid cross-examinatiOn failed to
weaken his evidence much.
MRS. GRACE DARNER
testified that Mrs. Shoots said to her that
she feared Carrie would not live long.
This witness was on intimate terms with
the accused, and stated in reply to the
inquiry OF the State that she bad con-
yersation with Mrs. Shoots in 1886, after
her little son Harry died, with refer
ence to her lack OF regard for Harvey
Shoots, her husband. The defense OBJ
iected to the introduction OF this evil
dence. which was sought to be given to
the Jury by the prosecution rs showing
motive, and discussion OF its COM
potency consumed agood deal OF time.
The court ruled that the relation OF hus:
band and wife was collateral and could
not be shown, and refused TO allow this
evidence to go to the Jury.
Mrs. Darner, being recalled, testified
that the accused told her in n CONVERSE
ton in January, 1887, that woman she
knew had used paris green powders and
nobody had suspected her.
Mrs. Ann Mosier testified that the ac-
cused came to her in the winter OF 1887
for paris green, which she said she
wanted to put around the roots of house
plants.
J. W. Shirer, undertaken, testified to
to the burial Of deceased and the two
disinterments.
Mrs. Mary Smythe, mother of the ac-
cused, testified to finding Paris green on
top OF the cupboard after Carrie died,
labeled "Poison." There was about
tablespoonful OF it. Witness gave it to
Mrs. Clouse, who burned it.
Eugene Printz testified to the two dis
interments Of the remains OF Carrie
Shoots, and the parties who werepresent.
ada Ailer testified to seeing washing
done at Snootses the morning Carrie
died.
Mrs. Mcknight testified that the ac-
cused came 10 her house the winter be-
fore Carrie died and asked for paris
green. She said the child was sick and
she could not leave her to go to the drug
store. She wanted paris green to put at
the roots OF house plants; she got none,
however.
Mrs. Printz testified that the same day
the accused came to her house and
asked for paris green, assigning the same
reason for wanting it.
Mrs, George Swank testified that she
came TO her house on the same errand.
The court adjourned ut 4 o'clock.
The hearing OF medical experts will
begin tomorrow.