Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-06-15

some Of his time also to preserving furs.
He was asked if prussic acid was ever used in
the care of furs, but his answer was objected to
by the defense and ordered stricken out. He
had no knowledge Of the effect Of acid on furs
Nathaniel Hathaway. analytica chemist New
Bedford, was next called.
He was acquainted with prussic acid in both
forms; it is usually sold in 2 per cent dilution.
He was asked about the suitability Of the
drug in connection with furs, and the question
was objected to.
The court considered the question o very
broad one and the matter was ruled out.
The question was put In substantially the
same form, using sealskin furs as the basis Of
the inquiry, and the answer was that it was I'M
suitable and also unsuitable for use in cleaning
furs.
Witness said it was quite volatile and that in
volatile form had no effect Of distributed in
the air upon any person in its reach; it had no
use as m acid in cleaning furs.
Cross-examined- volatile l mean that it
passes of i'll the air other acids do. said the
witness. and tine names of other acids
cited, among them benIine. and benzine he
knew was used quite extensively; also ether
and naptha and chlorosorm. but which were
dangerous to have about the house because of
their explosive tendencies.
Witness considered that because an article
was volatile this was practically no ground Of
objection il rerson was careful about using it.
Witness said he considered arsenic a dangerous
drug; he never used it to beautify his complex
ion, and Gov Robinson. who conducting the
examination. said he would not insist upon it
that he ought to use il.
EVIDENCE THROWN OUT.
After consultation the justices at 1920 an
nounced that the preliminary evidence did
not come up TO the proffer and excluded
the evidence of attempted purchase of prussic
acid.
After introduction Of exhibits at 1925 the
commonwealth rested its case and o recess for
fifteen minutes was taken.
During the recess the prisoner talked
earnestly with Mrs. Fessenden of Boston, the
first lady who has spoken to her in court room.
Another consultation began between counsel
and the court, at the conclusion of which Gov.
Robinson asked for ten minutes in which to
arrange matters for the opening of the defense.
it being understood that the prosecution would
take up more time than it had today.
At 1880 the jury filed into the court room
again.
THE DFFENsE OPENS.
Counsel for the defense were already to be-
gin the plan of their side Of the case, and Mr..
Jennins became their spokesman.
He said: One of the victims Of this murder
was a personal friend. and / had known him
since boy, and if betray more affection than
would seem natural it must be ascribed to this
feeling, u lawyer does not cease ever to be q
equaled only by the time and place Of the muir
ders. 1 don't propose to go into detail abou.
the character Of those wounds, you know what
they we're.
The person who was arrested for doing the
deed was the youngest daughter of one Of the
victims. Up to that time she was Of spotless
character and reputation: who had moved in
and out Of that house for twenty
one years with her mother and father
and sister. We shall show you that this young
woman had led a spotless life, interested in
ligious and charitable work. and vet for some
reason the government seemed to have fastened
the crime upon her. There is always outcry
for somebody to be punished for such a crime,
but we want the guilty punished, not the inno-
cent.
"Our law. and 1t is the one which you have
sworn to apply to this case, presumes
every man to be innocent until he is
proved guilty. The law is for the protection
Of the living The law Of Massachusetts to-
day draws about the person of everybody the
circle Of innocence until the contrary Is
proven l say this is mysterious case. and
every thinking man must say the same. but
you are not here to say how 1t was committed
to say by whom. You simply to
answer to this defendant to say you are
satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt that she is
guilty or innocent, and reasonable doubt is q
doubt for which you can furnish q good rea-
son.
There are two kinds Of evidence. direct and
circumstantial; the first is the testimony Of
persons who have seen and heard and felt; cir
cumstantial evidence is entirely different. /
want to say that there is no particle Of direct
evidence against Lizzie Borden to connect her
with this crime; it is wholly and absolutely
circumstantial"
The prisoner sat with her face buried In her
handkerchief during counsel's plea.
THE FIRST WITNESS.
Mr.. Jennings closed his address at II 80, and
Martha Chagnon was called to the stand She
testified that at II O'Clock on the night before
the murder she heard noise like tho pounding
on wood in the direction Of the Borden fence
continued for five minutes.
Cross-examined by Mr.. Knowlton-Noise
seemed to come from that direction, but the
windows were closed and witness made no
investigation.
Mrs Chagnon confirmed her stepdaughter's
testimony about the noise. Cross-examined, first
thought it sounded like dog.
John ". Grouard testified that he painted
the Borden house in May, 1892. and he thought
that the prisoner was in the vicinity Of the
paint tubs.
The court excluded the evidence that the fall
before the murder Mrs. Durfee saw an angry
discussion between Mr. Borden and . stranger.
Charles NJ. Clifford and Criah Kirby said that
they saw a man on the street steps near the
Chagnon house at II O'Clock ON the night before
the murder.
Mark Chase said he saw o man with brown
hat and black coat in q buggy in front Of the
Borden house just before II o'clock.
RECESS TAKEN.
Recess was then taken.
Another Hatchet Found.
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