Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-07-06
Damaging Testimony Against Mrs.
Farrall.
THE PRISONER FEELS ITS SIGNIFICANCE
How Her Letters to Hall Were
Obtained.
GREAT INTEREST MANIFESTED
Special Dispatch to The Evening Star.

in the trial of Mrs. Belle Farrall for muir
der has added considerably 10 the already
great interest manifested in the case, and
today. the closing one of the first week OF
the hearing, It appeared as though business
generally had been discontinued through
out Charles county, and fair representa-
ton of the populace assembled in the town
hall to witness the proceedings.
Eugene Hall, who failed to answer when
called yesterday, and for whom an attach
ment was issued, had not REACHED court
this morning, but forwarded to the states
attorney a note dated Cheltenham, Prince
Georges county, explaining that the writer
was i'll and would report at La Plata at the
earliest possible moment. An alleged GER
tihcate from DIR. ]. b. Latimer accompan-
led the communication.
Judge Briscoe, however, Immediately
ordered that another attachment be issu-
cd, and directed Sheriff Albrittain to take
Hall into custody and bring him before
the court Immediately, but in case the
party was too i'll TO be moved, to have
deputy remain with him until he Is able 20
travel.
One of the attorneys intimated that the
certificate from the physician might be
forgery.
The statement yesterday by witnesses
for the prosecution seemed to produce an
extremely distressing effect on Mrs. Far
rail-. Instead of keeping her eyes fastened
on the witnesses and eagerly listening to
every word spoken, as has heretofore been
her habit, she sat with bowed head, and
her thoughts seemed foreign to the matters
transpiring in the court room. A marble
like pallor overspread her face, its inten-
sity being heightened by her somber black
costume.
The state first called to the stand this
morning a colored woman named Maria
Wade who gave testimony that did not diff
fer materially from the evidence of Matilda
Wade yesterday.
Next Betty Greenfield. also colored. de-
scribed a visit she made to the hotel last
fall when Eugene Hall was there. Mrs.
Farrall said to the witness: There's the
prettiest little fellow you ever saw in the
dining room. and he is stuck on me- bet
II won't be three weeks after Christmas
before he stands in Mr.. FarralPs Shoes
The reference was to Hall.
Another cciored woman named JuEa
Thomas made sta tementS of the same gen.
eral nature as did the preceding witnesses,
and then young man named William
Bruce Thomas took the stand.
After Farrnirs Death.
He stated that on the Sunday following
Mr.. Farralrs death he called at the hotel
with Hall. The latter inquired of Mrs.
Farrall if she had sent for him and the ac-
cused answered in the affirmative, adding
that she understood rumor was in ctrcu-
lation that he had shown letters from her
containing proof that Mr.. Farrall had been
poisoned.
She then explained to Hall that she had
purchased a bottle of strychnine, Dor
ton of which her husband and herself
placed in the meat house for the purpose
of killing rats. Mrs. Farran went on to
say that she suggested that the remainder
of the strychnine be buried, for fear the
children might get hold Of it, but her nus
band objected on the ground that it could
be used in further crusade against rats
While at the hotel Mrs. Farrall and Hall
left the room where the two were sitting
and were absent about forty-fve minutes.
John ]. Jones. resident of Hughesville,
testified that Mr.. Ferrall was in good
health and spirits early in the evening.
when later he was taken fatally i'll. The
intention of the state undoubtedly was to
show that the deceased had no thought of
suicide in the possibility of such theory
being advanced by the defense.
Letters Identified.
Albert Bowling. bookkeeper in Hughes
vile, who claimed to be familiar with the
handwriting of Mrs. Farrall, identified
three letters produced by the state as writ
ten by the accused. The letters were then
placed in evidence and read to the jury by
Attorney Mitchell
One was without date, and in 1t Mrs
Farrall inquired of Hall If there was ANY
thing binding between you and that girl.
1t hurts me to see you act strange and dis
tant when you have told me it would kill
you to part with me. I love and esteem
you more than all the world"
The letter also referred to our trips; II
1t was to be taken over again, / would
leave undone what we did. but it was to
show how much 1 cared for you and for
your pleasure"
The letter closed with the words write
to me and say you are mine . forey We
headed: My own dear Gene"
Among other statements contained In 1t
were Il know you could not go back on
me after what We have been to each other.
You must not forget that I am of an af-
fectionate disposition and like to be petted.
So I hope you will understand hereafter
and do likewise. / would go on the train
with you, but people will talk. I will do
anything to please you, but We must look
to looks
third letter. After making denial that she
had firted with some person designated
"W E." Mrs. Farrall wrote: would IT
not be well If We were only married? we
would be 50 happy. | will be true to you
as lcrg as we live. If we have to live this
way much longer I should not wonder if
we both pinned away. You must drink lots
of beer. We are man and wife, only the
May I ask you to treat Mr.. F. with all
courtesy due, for you know what he will
suspect If You don't?
During the reading of the letters Mrs
Farrall remained as mobonless as marble.
STEELE the Letters.
Maurice Fergang. a locomotive engineer,
told that Hall read the letters in question
tain possession of them, and later turned
them over to the states attorney. The
witness also testified that Hall frequently
read letters from Mrs. Farrsll. and that
she often was "A passenger or his train in
company with Hail.
Several times during the examination
lively tits occurred between Col Wilmer
and the with sss.
The court sat without a recess until
O'clock and then adjourned until Monday
morning.
Hall Arrives.
Before adjournment Hall reached La
Plata in the custody of deputy sheriff.
The court directed that he furnish bonds
in the sum of $1,000 for his appearance
from day to day. or be confined in jail I'M
til excused. Accompanied by the sheriff he
set out in search OF surety.
Mrs. Fnrrnll's Love for Whisky.
At the afternoon session of the trial yester-
day Olympia Burch. the young woman en-
ployed at Farralls Hotel, in Hughesville,
resumed the stand. Amor other things.
the witness testified that Mrs Farrall was
accustomed to drink frequently.
From what did she drink the whisky"
asked the states attorney.
cont of bottles and pitchers MOSTLY"