The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1891-11-05
JOHN GADDIS'S SLAYER
He Was Arraigned at East Green
wich To-Day.
RHODES CORNELL Is VERY COOL.
He Takes "a Serious Change Not Too
SeriousIy-The Testimony of DIR. Win
sor' the Medical Examiner.


this morning by towns people and resi-
dents of Arctic and vicinity to listen to
the arraignment of Rhodes Cornell, before
Judge Warner, for the murder of John
Gaddis. At 1910 A. NJ, Cornell, accom-
panied by his counsel. Walter Stiness, en-
tered the room. He pleaded mot guilty"
TO the indictment.
A. II. Greene and Parker appeared for
the State
Henry A. Thomas was the first witness,
and he identified the report of the autopsy
as presented 10 him in the report of the
coroner's inquest on the body OF John
Gaddis.
DR.. Winsor, medical examiner, took the
stand and identified the report of the au-
topsy which he made TO the coroner. The
autopsy revealed a perforation of the alb
domen on the right side one and one-half
inches long and one inch broad situated
about two inches to the right and two
idches above the umbilicus The perfo-
ration was made by fine shot fired at close
range.
DR.. Winsor stated that DIR. r. W. Smith
and Arthur j. Matterson were present at
the autopsy. He saw Mr.. Gaddis within
twenty-five minutes after he was shot.
He found Gaddis leaning against Mrs.
Cornell's sister. Gaddis had fallen TO the
floor. He was very pale and suffering
great deal of pain.
The wound was necessarily fatal. The
doctor conversed with Goddis who realized
he was mortally wounded, and he sent
for his people and made his will
The doctor read "A memorandum of n
statement made by Mr.. Gaddis to the
effect that Rhodes Cornell shot him with
"A double barrelled shot gun about 3 p. m,
making this statement before Il. c. Civ
ney and Robert lie May, Mrs. Cornell and
Mrs. Reynolds. Gaddis statrd that Mrs.
Cornell struck Mrs. Reynolds and he
(Gadds) went TO her protection and
and shot him.
Regarding his condition Gaddis would
say with painful anxiety at intervals Pm
fixed" Il never can get out OF this"
"This ends me"
On cross-examination DIR. Winsor said
he told Gaddis his wound was mortal
about one hour after he was shot.
He made his will between 4:30 aud
o'clock. Prior TO the arrival of DIR. Win
sor no effort had been made with towels
or handkerchiefs to stop bleeding, for the
hemorrhage was very slight on the outside.
DR. Winsor said Gaddis made no state
ment regarding the purpose for which he
had called at the house, nor did he say
anything as to whether Cornell was drunk
or sober Gaddis appeared to be perfectly
sober
Cornell was found by the doctor lying
i'm the bedroom on the bed. He Appeared
TO be asleep, but on the doctors approach
spoke TO him. He seemed to be slightly
intoxicated. The doctor Immediately
sent for the officers and Cornell was
placed under arrest. He took the whole
proceedings very coolly.
DIR. Smith of River Point took the
stand. He was at the bedside of Gaddis
-. Il. I,.l 1t. IL
autopsy was held, which showed death
resulted from hemorrhage of the mesen-
tary vessels from laceration by gun shots
L. G. Giveney, constable, was the next
witness called, and at 1l:50 his eXamina-
tion was in progress.
Cornell will of course be held.
During the morning Cornell sat on the
right of his counsel closely following all
the testimony. HIS shrewd eyes glanced
sharply at the witnesses rs they gave the
various details of events of Oct. 81. His
face was flushed and looked anxious, care
worn and haggard.
His hands were tremulous, and when
the blood stained garments of Gadds were
produced he wrenched his toil-stained
hands more violently and chewed faster
on his tobacco.
His whole demeanor however was that
of man who fully realized the position
in which he is placed, and who is deter
line for his liberty.
Constable Lionel G.. Gibney said: put
handouts on the prisoner and left him
living on the bed. / asked Cornell why he
did Ii and he said he was not going to
have any house of ill-fame maze of his
house
We had no further conversation till i'm
the court house, when he said if |
wouldn't testify against him he would get
out of it all right, Offering me s. to re-
lease him.
Cornell was hollering and swearing all
the way down like drunken man. He
shop. So he wasn't too drunk To recog-
nize places.
Robert lie May, police constable of An
thony, also testified.
With the exception of Mrs. Cornell ana
Mrs Reynolds the testimony il all in Mr.
Greene said no was informed and thinks
these two have departed TO escape testify
ing.
Mr. Stiness said the State cannot com
pei Mrs. Cornell TO testify. Judge War
ner said that sheriff Sprague informed
him that he knows where the women have
perhape gone. At l245 p. IN. the court
took "A recess.
After the recess George s. Bennett testi-
fled TO seeing Cornell in his cell. He said /:
1--WE had no row. / shot him accident
ally"
Mr.. Stiness said "Iwould be satisfied TO
have my client bound over for man
slaughter and be allowed 20 furnish bail"
lie was accordingly bound over tn the
grind jury for murder
The Rawson Fountain society.
The 10th annual meeting of the Raw
gr,t Ept INT fain mol gfap ,laxs