New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-09-19
MRS. HAMILTON ON TRIAL.
TELLING IN COURT THE STORY OF THE
STABBING OF THE NURSE.
THE INJURED WOMAN, THE DEFENDANT AND
MR. HAMILTON TEsTIFY-oUESTIoNs THE
PRISONER WOULD NOT ANSWER.
tBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.

lux Of several hundred people into this village this
morning, all bent on attending the trial Of Mrs.
EVangeline Hamilton, and long before the courthouse
was opened the lawn in front crowded. 1t was
Just 10 O'Clock when the door swung open, and
the spectators had barely time be seated when it was
Whispered around that Mrs. Hamilton was being led
from the sherhs house TO the courtroom. When
she stepped up the central aisle everybody gazed on
her' She wore Galnsborough hat black dress
trimmed with white satin, black beaded bodice and
flowing DiTectoe coat. She was pale and thin as
compared with the day when she left Atlantic City
Tor Mays Landing and her eyes possessed none OF
the fiery sparkle then so noticeable. She was ac
companed up the aisle by Mrs Rupp and Mrs. Don
nelly, the nurse. and all took seats within tho rail-
Mrs. Hamilton sitting close her counsel, Captain
Ferry Mr.. Hamilton came In few minutes later
and took seat by Mrs. Rupp. Baby Beatrice was
also in the courtroom in the arms Of her new nnrse
From the moment Mrs. Hamilton took hcr seat sho
sob5ed almost nccssantly, while her husband wore
nonchaant air.
After many challenges from Captain Perry, jury
Of twelve men was obtained and Prosecutor Thomp-
opened for the State by briefly reviewing the case
Dr. Crosby, the first witness for the prosecution
told lie found Mrs. Donnely at the Noll Cottage
the day of the stabblng. He described her wound
The she had received three inches long, two
and half inches wide and two inches deep.
Mary Ann DOnnclly next called. She said:
was in Mrs Hamilton's employ on August 20 as
for the child 1 first Mrs. Hamilton between
80 and o'clock the day OF the stabbng She and
her husband up that hour She called me to her
to unlock trunk. to the room and saw that
Mr. Hamilton dressed L refused to 90 I'm. Later
1 for a policeman. Mrs. Hamlton's request L
went 10 Atlantlc-ave. l several officers but re-
turned and told her could any. Prior to the
time OF the cutting the several times. The
cutting took place between Il and |. had asked per-
mission go the When came back Mrs. Ham
iton told get and called me vile names
grabbed her by the wrists and told her TO
take that back trofcrring to the names). When let
her up she hit with whskoy bottle. On returning
the later she had hold OF Mr. Hamilton and
had him iammed up against the wall His coat was cut
and tom 1 had my hand the knob OF the door, when
she swayed forward and struck me with dagger or
knife. said "oh. Mr.. Hamilton Look She has cut me-
The witness identified the knife which had been used
by Mrs Hamilton. She then resumed her testimony
On Saturday had put the knife in the bottom Of the
trunk. l do not know how 1t got out.
Crossexamined by Captain Perry, the witness said
am married woman and live in New-York. saw
my husband just before went to California with the Ham
ntons at his home No 31G East Thirty y-ninthst New
had living with my husband for about
year. Ny husband did leave me, left him
The witness admitted that she was ordered out OF
the room by Mrs. Hamihon and after having thrown
Mrs Hamilton the bed. she did away, but almost
Immediately returned to the room and the alteration
began again. The questioning Of counsel for the de-
fence was evidently 20 establish an assault on MIS-
Hamilton by the nurse previous to the cutting. Inc
witness admitted having taken two drinks OF brandy
that day before the stabbing. Mrs. Don
nelly was asked If she had taken the diamonds
Of Mrs Hamilton and Indignantly denied H.
Further examination related to the holding of Mrs
Hamilton on the bed and the latterS white wrapper,
which sha had on when the cutting took place, was
shown the witness and she denied that she had torn
It when she had hold Of Mrs Hamilton, although she
garment was badly torn. Mrs. Donnelly was then
allowed to retire.
All eyes were centred on the witncssstand as
Robert Ray Hamilton called and slowly but
firmly stepped up on tho platform and took the OATH
He dd not look at his wife, but ten times during the
first half Of his examination referred to her as ue
defendant lie started in at once to answer the queS
tlons of Captain Perry as to the beginning OF the
trouble between the nurse and his WIFE, IL Deeah
In New-York some months ago. "nen
Mrs Donnelly came home drunk. Tie stated that
both he and his wife discharged the nurse that morn
ing but she refused 80. Then he detailed the
quarrel he had with his wife, and stated that it was
about a yearly sum Of money for Mrs. Hamilton anu
that a separation talked of seriously that morn
ing lie related how the nurse returned IN drunken
condition and cursed Mrs. Hamilton, and SAID that sue
had seen her marriage certificate and knew her 70 DC
a vile woman before her marriage; how the nurse was
elected from the room twice and returning the thu
time and making desperate rush to get at MIS-
Hamilton was cut by the latter
on the morning the aitray occurred 'ne nurse na'
been drinking and used abusive language 10 inc Ut
fendant Mrs. Donnelly came into the room aoou'
o'clock that morning. Witness was sitting on inc
bed with a sheet wrapped around him, as MIS- ham
nton had torn his undeplothng from him during
a domestic quarrel Mrs. Hamilton struck him with
a parasol and broke it his shoulder. There
had been trouble about his purchasing ucAetS ior
New-York the previous evening Mrs. Hamilton not
wanting 10 go. In the morning thlS was r9Nerseu'
1t was then that his nightshirt was torn ana also
the coat. which was lying on the bed, the defendant
ripping it during her Gt Of anger Later the MUSE
cane into the room with two let
crs giving witness one and retaining the other Ihls
she refused to give up and the defendant toh het
she was discharged. Ms Donneliy said she "ouu
not 20 and witness told her she must. Nl'hoSS sd4u
there had been considerable argument between the
defendant and himself that morning relative 10
separation and an annual aloNanc Ior Acl. 6
said he had agreed TO give her 9o'OOo year. Du ''
Mr. Hamilton related the manner in which the
quarrel started between Mrs. DUnnely and the deiehu
ant When the trouble hr't GeSan, s.ted he red Inv NJ
the out Of the room ana Vas as5Ioeu ~ to;
Kupp, who had entered in the meantime anu anu ~, uooh
place OF safety. Witness succceuea III sett7 , .c c
nurse out OF the room, but shc can't rus Iusn1e e 80 O';
e1elamng Let ,,S me at bSfb Somen S having their
fingers in each others mOulnS ,.,.... -. Nou
Mrs. Elizabeth RqpP the proPreugfSs Uf N1i as
10 her entering the and removing inc DaDS 10
a place OF SAFETY. witness was present "len -lIs
Hamilton attempted 10 assault the nurse Win dh
Infants bath-tub. r..,,t,,, Han,
When Counsellor Perry called Mrs kvangeHne ham,
uton to the stand she walked with nfih seP aLa L
had ceased weeping. Alter scdtHe IelS'la IeS, I'll
nervousy twisted a feather fan which She carried
she related her story in a hating IhdhneI. 9ile
Hamilton stated that the nurse was Of quarIelSoue
nature and on the morning the ARRAY occurred t hda
remarked that she was tired OF seeing me dt uia'
poor devil ali the time7 meaning Mr. iIamlltoh
Witness was afraid to call her life her own during INC
time Mrs DOnnClly was IN hep uinPi9SS e.
Mrs Hamilton told the story of the ARRAY, ohe
said that during the struggle the nurse plehei w d
whskey bottle and tried to hit ner WIN oNIr M MI
busban,;s shoulder. Mrs. Hamilton then relaed NV
be nurse threw her on the bed. The nurse vas lean
Ing over witness and her knee was pressing On t o f
ness stomar5 The witness picked up me KNIFE IIum
The bed ana reaching around her husband. VIM wa
trying 10 separate them she struck az her h
I'm selfdefence she did think she had cur, her.
and dld moi know OF the wOmans injury unll tIe
officers came to arrest her The nurse han pie'iouSiS