The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-06-10
THE BORDEN MURDER TRIAL
Skillfnl DISCRIMINATION by the
Prisoners Principal Attorney.
Witnesses for the Prosecution Confused BIZ
Ex-Governor RObinson-Evidence in
Regard to The IIatchets.

One-haif OF the spectators In the court
house this morning were women. So per-
sistent have they become in their attempts
to get into the room where the Borden
murder trial Is being held that the orier
has buIit at the entrance an obstruction so
that only one persOn may pass In at time.
Miss Borden evidently appreciates the Sit
uaton. since she remarked to Deputy
Sheriff KIRBY. one of her guards at the
dock. as she glanced abont and saw the
swarm. that in some Of the houses in the
CITY the homework must be neglected. She
conversed with Governor Robinson until
court opened, and appeared very much in
earn est about something.
The first witness called this morning was
Assistant Marshal Fleet. Ex-Governor
Robinson made skillful and long examin-
alton of officer Fleet, and disclosed the
fact that other hatchets than the handleless
Ratchet were found in the box by the
chimney, and that there were piles of ashes
in the room. The handleless hatcbet was
found on the witnesses second visit to the
cellar on the day of the murder. Witness
also admitted that the search in the house
that day was not very thorough. Mr.. Rob-
inson led Fleet into Q contradiction of yes
terday's testimony that the broken part of
the hatchet handle was covered with ashes
like the blade. He also said he put the
handleless Ratchet back where he found il;
that IL was not produced of the preliminary
hearing, and that he did not testify about
it ct that time because he did not think it
was used for the murder. He said he
reached the Borden house at l1:45 on the
day of the murder.
Officer Harrington was next called. Dur
ing his testimony as TO the condition of tho
bodies the prisoner looked down and
nervously fingered her black fan. He testi-
he'd that the prisoner said she left her
father reading paper and after twenty
minutes found him dead; and that she said
the motive was not robbery, as everything
was right about the house. Officer Har-
rington also testified that the prisoner was
not In tears during the interview on the
day of the murder. and that she was very
positive as TO the exact time she was In
the barn. He described very fully the
prisoners dress at the time, causing
laughter among the ladies. On crossseX-
animation Harrington contradicted his for
iner testimony as TO an inquiryof Lizzie. but
afteward admitted that the former testi
mony was correct. He repeated q detailed
description of the prisoners dress. and the
prisoner twice leaned her head on her arm
and laughed heartily for the tirst time in
the trial. Robinson also Involved witness
in O contradiction of former testimony as
TO the condition OF the barn door and win
dow. Witness contradlcted Fleet as to the
place whore one Ratchet was found.
Officer Doherty was put on the stand at
noon. and described his experience at the
B0rden's on the day of the murder.
officer Mullaly took the stand next His
direct testimony as to the condition of the
premises on the day of the murder de-
veloped nothing new except a corrobora-
ton of Fleets testimony as to finding tho
handleless batchet The broken handle
was clean. but the blade was covered with
ashes.
The only matter Of Importance brought
out at the opening of the afternoon session
was the fact that the broken part of the
handle of the small Ratchet. which was
missing. was seen by officer Mullaly. but
the prosecution protested Ignorance OF the
piece Mullaly said Fleet found it and put
il bnck with the Ratchet. During Fleets
testimony ne never referred to the matter,
and cOnsidera bic surprise was felt and ex-
pressed.
Fleet was recalled and examined. Ell.
though the State objec ted. He said he
never saw anything there in the nature of
piece of handle with fresh break in it.
sensation was caused by this testimo-
ny. District Attorney KnowltOn. on being
asked for this extra piece of handle said
he did not have 1t, and this was tho first
time he had ever heard of Ii. Mr. Knowl-
ton said he desired TO have some body sent TO
Fall River, to the Bordens. to see if this
piece of wood. referred to above, was In the
box; all he wanted was justice.
That's all we want" SAID Ex-Governor
Robinson
We'll, you have not any objection to our
sending an officer over there to about
it, have you?" asked Mr. Knowlton.
mo such question has arisen yet" said
ex-Govenror Robinson. land we will pass
it now unless the court rules against it."
The court decided il was not necessary to
proceed any further just now.
IL hA ofn ,1op
in Bristol county. was called to tell her
story of what took place at the inquest in
Fall River. Asked If there was some con-
versation between the district attorney
and Miss Borden, Ex-Governor Robinson
arose and asked that the further examins-
tion of this witness be dispened with until
few explanations could be made of the
important question which this testimony
proposed TO be Submitted brought up. A
lengthy consultation took place between
the Chief Justice and senior counsel. while
the junior counsel for the defense put their
heads together to see when they could get
to Fall River and examine the box. The
result of the consultation was that Miss
White got no further in her testimony. and
George A. Pettee was called, who developed
nothiDg important.
Augustus p. German gave unim portane
testimony and Mrs Churchill was recalled
and cross-examined. She said she thou Qht
Bridgets dress was light one. somewhat
faded. She did not remember whether
there was any blue or not in il.
The government having no witnesses
ready just then and the arguments being IN
order upon she admissi on of Miss Whites
testimony, the court dismissed the Jury IN
TIL tomorrow. Before they retired Chief
Justice Mason cautioned them against dis
cussing the case and reminding them that
they eould hear but one part at n time:
that they must he careful about making up
their minds as TO the weight Of any evil
dence until 1t was all in aud carefully
weighed.
Ex-Gavernor Robinson as u Cross 2 aminer
Julian Ealphs Report. in New York san.
Then Governor Robinson came into the drama
in the courtroom In his celebrated aud powerful
role as a eEoss-examincr. he is sinpy perfect.
IL Ia delight 10 hear him and ioy 10 see how he