The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-04-18
The SLAYER OF GADDIS.
The Selection Of a Jury at East Green
wich To-Day.
A REVIEW OF The CASE,
Justices Douglas and Wilbur Opened the
Court and the Jury Went to View the
Cottage Where Cornell Shot Gaddis-
Opposition to Mrs. Corneli's Testimony.

EAST GREENWICH, April 1s.-The old
court house was crowded to the doors
this morning and the sidewalk in front of
the ancient temple Of justice was occupied
by groups OF men who were busily en-
gagged in discussing the merits of a case,
the trial Of which was soon to begin with
in the building.
The case was that of State VS.. Rhodes
Cornell, the defendant being under in
dictment for murder.
The trial Of this case will recall the
terrible tragedy which so shocked the peo-
pie living in the town of Coventry, aud
which occurred in the village Of Anthony,
the last day of October, 1891.
There was then residing in that village
in very prettily situated cottage, a fami-
ly consisting of Rhodes Cornell, his wife
and the latter's sister, a Mrs. Reynolds.
Cornell had been married once before he
took this wife, who was an industrious
employe in the Anthony mill.
lie was "a dissipated fellow, and the ex-
penses Of maintaining the household was
apparently sustained by the two women.
Mrs. Reynolds husband, who is a para
lytic, had lived at the house for several
months, but for certain reasons had gone
to Franklin, Mass, To live.
There resided in the village of Arctic
Centre bother Of lager beer and tonics.
He was unmarried, was somewhat noted
as Lothario, ana rs the owner of fast
trotter lie began to visit the Cornell
house several months before the tragedy
occurred aud his attentions to Mrs. viii
liams were SO marked that the neighbors
and later all the villagers began to talk
about his conduct.
On Saturday, Oct. 81, 1891, the women
came home from the mill at / o'clock,
there being the usual Saturday half-holi-
day, on account OF the ten-hour law.
When they had taken their lunch they
began to wash up the kitchen floor, and
while they were thus engaged Cornell
came home drunk.
lie had been in the house but few min
utes before he made an assault on Mrs.
Reynolds knocking her over, but infiict-
ing no serious injury.
The women threatened to send for an
officer and Cornell went out to get some
more liquor.
On his return he went to his bedroom,
which led off the kitchen, and lay down.
About this time Gaddis hitched up his
blooded trotter and notified his barkeeper
that he was going TO Anthony and that he
would be back in an hour.
When he reached the Cornell cottage he
went into the kitchen and sat down in
chair near the stove.
NOTfltll nlfils anu COf1llIlR OuU Oh
his room saw Mrs. Reynolds and her
friend.
Being excited by the liquor he had
drank, he became thoroughly incensed,
and again assaulted Mrs. Reynolds.
Gaddis interfered, aud threw Cornell to
the floor, and as soon as he released Cor
nell the latter ran To his room, and at
once returned with n shotgun in his hand.
Gaddis saw him and attempted to run
into pantry, the door of which was next
to that of the bed room.
AS he reached the threfhold Cornell
raised the gun and fired, sending a heavy
charge of bird shot into Gaddiss abdo-
men.
He stood so near Gaddis that the lat
ter's vest was blown almost to pieces. and
all his intestines were SO lacerated that he
died within three hours.
Cornell then went back to his room,
laid down on the bed and either sank with
slumber or simulated sleep SO closely
that the constable who came to arrest him
had to skake him to awaken him.
Cornell was taken to the Jail in this
town as soon as Gaddis had identified him
as his sssailant, and from that time to the
present he has absolutely refused to talk
with anybody concerning the tragedy,
although every effort has been put forth
to get an interview out of him.
But one statement was made by him
and that was when he was being carried
to the Jail.
Cornell had no funds with which to
conduct his defense, hut popular sub
scription list was opened and the money
was fort hcoming. Col. Walter X. Stiness
was secured to defend him, and it was
said that the defense would be of a most
startling character.
After The shooting the Cornell House
was closed up and the two women disap.
peared. Later they were found in Frank
lin MneG and fla WIFI auraa1 m
TO the trial aud testify against her hus-
band
Col. Stiness has been apprised of this
and will strenuously oppose the introduc-
tion of her testimony, and the belief is
that it will be excluded.
The entire session was taken up i'm en-
pannelling jury. Many of the panel
drawn for this occasion had either read
the papers and formed an opinion. or else
lived in Anthony and had heard SO much
on both sides as to give them an opinion
as to Cornells guilt or innocence which no
juror was asked ii he had contributed
or been asked TO contribute to the Cornell
defense fund.
After the jury had been secured the
counsel for the defense moved for view
Of the premises by the jury.
Justices Wilbur and Douglas agreed TO
this, and the jury, accompanied by Attor-
ney General Burbank. the prisoner aud
Col. Stiness, started across country TO
Anthony They will not be back till late
In the afternoon, so that but little testi-
timony can he put in to-day by the gov
ernment.
Cornell looks much better than he did
at the time he was arraigned in the lower
court.
Mrs. Reynolds was in court and ap-
peared to be much-interested spectator.
She is to testify against Cornell. The
trial will probably run on for three days.
COMSTOCK GOT 1T
Aldartnan,s Cnunl GIuos