New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-01-15
THE KyIFFIN INQUEST AT TRENTON.
TESTIMONY OF THE DEAD woMAN'S MOTHER
THE DOCTORS AND MISS PURsELL's


Trenton, y. J.. JAN II CSpeciaD.-The inquest into
the death Of Mrs. Myri Knifin was continued to-day.
Mrs. James Nuri ny. the aged mother Of Mrs. Knifin,
was the first witness she said the relations Of DE-,
Knifhn and his wife were always pleasant and Mrs.
Knifin and Miss PurselI like sisters She knew
nothing of the murder of her daughter further than
what Miss Purscll has told her and what she has
heard from the police and read in the newspapers.
lis it not fact the witness was asked. that
your husband opposed 70 the marriage Of youI
daughter and Or. Knifiinl'
Il never heard any objection from my husband,'
she replied. DR.. Knlfn and my husband were dis
each other because the Doctor and Myra ncves
asked his consent to their marriage
Was your consent asked -
NO, they we're married weeks before knew
it,"
How came it that they married in that way"
"Well they considered that they were both Of AN
and had a right to do as they pleased
Did DR.. Knifn ask forgiveness for his con-
ductl"
He asked mine. bus not that Of my husband.'
Was yonr daughters life insuredl"
Not that | know Of
County Physician Charles b. Leavitt described the
condition Of Mrs. Knfin's body when he was called
and what the post-moTem examination revealed He
and the other doctors present came to the conclusion
that Mrs. Knin had not died natural death. An
irritating volatile substance had been applied to her
pO,rilS and mouth. The Odor OF ether was not per-
ceptIblc and the physicians decided that it was not
ether that had been used. From indications the doc
tors believed chloroform had been used in this
case and that death due to it, There were no
signs that Mrs Kniiin had been choked.
Dr. IL. Waldberg Coleman corroborated DR.. Leavitts
evidence The witness said that he had looked care
fully at the scratches on the dead womans face and
thought they had been made by a small hand on ons
ide of the face. The scratches ran upward an awk'
ward way for the person to have made them herself;
but might have been done while the person was un'
der the partial influence of anaesthetc. The mark
could not be made after death.
DO YOU think the choroform was placed IN con-
tact with the face -
Yes the signs indicated that it was used evidently
in large quantities
What quantities would be required TO Kill person
in Mrs. Knfln's condition.
Her heart was small and it would take very
small quantity. Twenty drops have frequently killed
men in less than two minutes ~
Gould Miss Purscll have been under the ihhueh0s
Of chlOrOfOrm for four hours :!
David Pursell. brother Of Emma Pursel was called
TO the stand and asked If he believed that burglars
entered the house and murdered Mrs knifln: 4.
Yes, | do he answered. " | have emp0yed 90
tectiycs in th, case have found that the shutters
to the window opening on the porch bear evidence oi
have found by investigation that the bolt was insecure
and after being fastened. that little force from tno
inside would spring the shutter Open found chair
in The dining room with the broken, as though
person stood IL ard had put his heel through "
# might have been done by a short stout man. while
endcavorng to light the gas The chair had recently
Leon IIutchincs q house furnisher. of North War
place of business and spent evenings there Il have
known him good while said Mr. lIutchings. but
can say that he never had fast horse In his nfe'
Did you ever hear him anything concerning
Miss PurSel or hear him r.dcned abont herr
No. sir. DR.. knin is 0f a reserved nature. ana
never indulgcd in talk about ladies'
The inquest has been adjourned until next Monday.