New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-01-14
THE KNIFFIN INQUEST.
JURORS FIND POLICE-JUSTICE MATHESoN
OBSTINATE.


AS To THE oDoR OF SOME DRUGIN
THE ROOM WHERE THE MUIR
DER WAS COMMITTED.
IBr TELEGRArH TO THE TRBuSEl
Trenton, n. j. Jan. l3.-The coroner's inquest
| touching the death of Myra Knifiin the murdered
wife of DR.. Arthur S. Knfin, was resumed at the
courthouse to-day. The public interest in the
strange case is as keen as ever and hundreds
stood in the overcrowded courthouse eager to hear
the testimony. Polce-Justice Matheson the first
witness, read his evidence, and also his cOnclu-
sons concerning the case. He was among the
first at the kniffin residence on the morning after
the murder. From the appearance and condition
of the clothing on Mrs. KnifIin's bed, he was of
opinion that she had not struggled for her life.
He discovered marks indicating that any door
or window had been forced When the witness
and another official undertook to question Miss
Purcell concerning the occurrences during the
night, DIR. Shannon interfered with the examina-
| ton. He suggested answer to her, and ths
witness asked him TO leave the room. The
latter feared that DR.. Shannon might have some
| restraining influence over her In every obstruc-
ton that the police authorities have met in this
case they ran against DR.. Shannon. His
conduct, said the witness, was in marked con-
trast with that of David Purcell, the brother Of
the accused girl. David Purcell had been frank.
open and candid in every particular.
Later, the witness said that he desired TO con-
tradlct some of the statements made by DR..
Shannon on the stand. DR.. Shannon had testi-
fed that when he went up 10 Washingtons
Crossing to meet DR.. Knifin, who his
way home from Warren County, having received
the news of his wifes. death, that he (Shannon)
met him before lie reached Trenton with the con-
sent of the Justice. This, said the Judge, was
not true. He had told Shannon TO telegraph DR..
Kninin. but instead he went up the road and
met him in person. Shannon seemed surprised
to learn that the police knew Of his trip to Wash
ingtons Crossing.
e Do you object to giving Miss Purceus
statement TO yOu?" asked juror.
81 do" said Justice Matheson.
"Why?"
Because / don't intend to disclose evidence
that may tend to interfere with the ends of JUS
tice"
Would her statement not assist us in arriving
at an opinion as to how this woman came by her
death?"
d" don't know"
"I Is it not our duty to find out who committed
this murder, and If so, how can we perform our
duty when the authorities refuse 10 give US in
formation?"
Il know my duty" said Justice Matheson.
" The Grand Jury Will meet in a few days, aud
wish to lay our most important evidence be-
fore them
The police said another juror, are de-
voted to one single theory of the case, and seem
to be making no effort to follow clews generally"
" How do you know what they are doing?" re-
joined the witness
Don't you think that by your action the end
of justice may be defeated?"
NO, | do not. The police authorities are
Indifferent concerning the finding OF this jury"
Il Tor one object to the stand taken by this
witness said Foreman Sterling.
Il don't care what you object to. you can't
compel 10 answer
The jurors were indignant. and several lively
passages between them and the witness occurred.
He made it plain that he had not consulted with
anybody with reference to suppressing his evi-
dence. lie said he assumed the responsibility,
and one of the jurors remarked that IL would
be better ii lie consulted with the prosecutor of
the peas. Justice Matheson acted the hint
later, and was advised by the prosecutor 10 lay
Miss Purcells statement before the jury. lie
promised to do
Druggist Patterson was recalled, and eyeins
Foreman Sterling of the jury, said " BE just as
quick as you eau, now.
ling up and old courthouse rang with laughter.
Nlr Patterson was asked what had been the tenor
OF Miss Purcells remarks TO him since her arrest
on suspicion of murder.
Why" replied Patterson she said to Inc that
if she and Dr kniflin had been enamored OF each
other they could just pick up and n.y.
" hat did she mean by that
why, that they could nave run away without
removing Mrs. kniiiin.'
DO YOU think they were smtten?'
NO. don't. If they ever made love To each
"A
not the way do when | make love Laughter
DIR. j. Edwin Fisher, Trenton dentist. testhed
that he used 10 be in the employ OF DR.. hniffin.
lie never heard unpleasant words between hnlilin
and his wife. and never observed any intimacy
between DIR. knlnin and Miss Purcell. Once DR.;
knliln chased Miss Purcell into a room and closed
the door. Mrs. knlflin, who was in another part
OF the house, heard the noise, followed them into
| the room and asked:
What are you doing here?'
She came out of the room laughing presently
and never thought anything OF the matter.
had ever said that DIR. Kniilin told him that one
woman wasn't enough for him.
Alter recess Justice Matheson produced Miss
Purcclls statement II was made in the presence
of himself. Prosecutor Stockton. Chief McCnesney
and Detective Pllger Inere was nothing In 10
that has not ncen already published. She told
of the hour that she and Mrs. knlhin retired after
entertaining company, how they fastened the door
Of the room leading 10 their bedroom and ar
RANCID to run to the windows ANA scream should
burglars come: then her awakening by Mrs.
was grabbed from behind, while a wet cloth
pressed over her face. She screamed. heard Mrs.
kninin scream also and tnen tell TO the floor
unconscious knowing more until she was
picked up by DR.. Shannon.
Hugh Swayze swore that he among the
persons in tie kniilin house on the morning that
ihc murder was discovered. and that there a
sickcuing smell in Mrs. knillins room He could
not say whether the odor was of chloroform or
ether towel was found the floor, under
Mrs Knilin's bed. II smellcd if it had been
saturated with some drug The towel was pro-
duccd, and the witness said that II had the same
odor still, bat much fainter. The Jurors eN-
amined the towel and, while some thought that
there was peculiar Odor about 1t, Others held
that there WAS not.
Miss Anna w Beers tcSt flied that She and her