The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1890-12-10
Trial OF John j. Grinnell for
the Murder OF Engineer
Cornell.
Brief History of the Lives Of the
Principal Actors in the
Affair.
The Verdict Of the Jury Anxiously
Awaited "A Telegraph Man
ager Skips.

MASON CITY, Ia, Dec. S.-Speeial:
The trial OF John j, Grinnell for the
murder OF George Cornell at North Me
Gregor was up before Judge Hoyt at a
special session Of the court OF Clayton
county yesterday morning. All the
principals In the affair are present. The
work OF impanelling jury has begun.
The murder occurred on "Wednesday
night, July I6. George Cornell, OF Du-
buque, was an engineer on the Milwau-
kee. His slayer was the well known
court reporter, John j. Grinnell, OF Me-
Gregor. Cornell had been paying much
attention 70 Mrs. Grinnell, and, as was
charged, had been undnly intimate with
her. These, In brief, are the leading
facts In the case. The shooting occurred
at II o'clock on Wednesday night, in the
lunch room OF the railroad eating
house at North McGregor, OF which
Henry Cornell, the murdered mans
uncle was landlord. Cornell
had had this run for over year, coming
into North McGregor at Ii o'clock and
going back to Dubuque on the engine of
the 4:30 train In the morning. Grinnell,
who evidently knew when Cornell would
arrive, was In the hotel waiting for him,
having been there several hours. Some
of the railroad men around the depot
who knew OF Grinnelfs threat 10 shoot
Cornell, had evidently warned the latter,
Is the engineer had received a dispatch
when coming up on his run from Du-
buque To North MeGregor 70 look out
for Grinnell, and Ii Is said that the
warning had been reported in person
when the train arrived before Cornell
left his engine. He was evidently on
the lookout for Grinnell as he took his
fireman with him when he went 20 the
hotel to get his lunch. He told the fire.
man TO look In the lunch room for Grin
nell, describing him a. man with a
crntch. But Grinnell. who Is lame and
does sometimes use q erutch, happened
TO have only cane, and the hre-
man not knowing him by sight,
did not recognize him. Cornell, con-
trary 20 his usual custom of entering the
eating house by the lunch room door,
came la through the hotel Office door
and passed through the ufffce into the
lunch room, and crossed the room taking
bis position about the middle of the
wash stand, which Is about ten feet long,
one end joining the lunch counter at
right angles. Grinnell stood In the angle
formed by the washstand and lunch
counter. Several travelling men were
standing near. Cornell stopped 10 turn
on the water and raised his head TO take
look around the room, turning toward
the lunch counter. Just as he did so,
Grinnell, who was then drinking cup
of coffee, pulled bis revolver and fired
the fatal shot. lt entered Cornells fore
head, directly over the left eye and
lodged at the base of the brain. Cor
nell dropped 10 the floor, but was quickly
lifted to cot and medical aid summoned.
Grinnell for fully two minutes remained
where he stood when he fired the fatal
shot, not saying a word. The bystand-
ers finally seized Grinnell and took the
revolver from him. lie then ex-
claimed, my God, what have /
done?" and S"rhis man has ruined
my family GFinnell was taken into
custody aud removed to Elkader, where
he was lodged In jail. At preliminary
hearing he waived examination and ball
was liked at 81, 600, which was secured.
Cornell lived six days aud died. Grin
nell was again arrested and gave bonds
for s., 900. At the October term OF
-eonKt he WAS indicted for murder Grin
nelfs defense temporary insanity.
Since the shooting he has resided at De-
corah, while his wife lives with her
parents at Lansing. Mrs. Grinneli, who
figures so prominently In the affair, Is q
charming woman, and an expert short
hand reporter. When questioned as 10
her relations with Cornell, she said
'Yes, loved him and he loved me.
have his letters to prove it. His love
went so far that he said to Mr.. Grinnell
one day that he loved me madly, was
abundantly able 10 support me, and
that he would have me and that II IL
could not be settled any other way, one
OF them must die" The affair has
created intense interest throughout this
aud neIghboring states and the verdict
OF the jury will be- anxiously awaited