Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1895-07-08
MRS. FARRELL's TRIAL.

After series of sensational disclos.
ures on the witness stand at La Plata,
Md, on Saturday, the trial of pretty
Mrs. Belle Farrall for the alleged MUIR
| der OF her husband in order that she
/ might wed Eugene Hall, was adjourn
| ed until this morning.
Eugene Hall, who failed to answer
4 when called on Saturday, and for
whom an attachment was issued, ap-
peared in court in the custody of a
! deputy sheriff. Hall claimed to have
been i'll at Cheltenham. The court di-
rected that he furnish bonds in the sum
of 81 600 for his appearance from day
to day, or be confined in jeil until ex-
cused.
The most convincing circumstantial
testimony adduced in court on Satur-
day was that of Betty Greenfield. col.
ored; William Bruce Thomas and Al
bert Bowling, bookkeeper, the latter
of whom identified several of Mrs. Far
rails compromising letters to Hall.
written after her husbeud was pois-
oned.
Betty Greenfield described visit she
made to the hotel last fall when Eu-
gene 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 OF
me. 1 bet it won't be three weeks af-
ter Christmas before he stends in Mr.
Halls shoes.n The reference was to
Hall.
The witness, Thomas, stated that on
the Sunday following Mr.. Farrall;s
death he called at the hotel with Hall.
The latter inquired of Mrs. Farrall if
she had sent for him, and the accused
answered in the affirmative, adding
that she understood rumor was in
circulation that he had shown letters
from her containing proof that MIR. Far.
rail- had been poisoned.
She then explained to Hall that she
had purchased bottle of strychnine, a
portion of which her husband and her.
self placed in the meat house for the
purpose of killing rats. Mrs. Farrall
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 husband objected on
the ground that it could be used in a
| further crusade against rats.
Bookkeeper Bowling fully establish
ed that it was in Mrs. Ferralfs hand
that several letters introduced in evil
dence were written. In one of these
Mrs. Farrall inquired of Hall if there
was anything binding between you
and that girl. 1t hurts me to see you
act strange and distant, when you have
told me it would kill you to part with
me. love and esteem you more than
all the world"
The letter also referred to "our trip !;
if it was to be taken over again,
would leave undone what we did. but
it was to show how much cared for
you and for your pleasure.
In another letter Mrs. Farrall wrote
to Hall: 81 know you could not 60 back
on me after what we have been to each
other. You must not forget that am
of an affectiorate disposition and like to
be petted. So I hope you will under
stand hereafter and do likewise. Would
it not be we'll if we were only married
We would be so happy. | will be true
to you as long as we live. II we have
to live this way much longer / should
not wonder if we both pined away.
You must drink lots of beer. We are
man and wife, only the ring has not
been exchanged at the altar"
The State sprung quite surprise
upon the defense by suddenly calling to
the stand Eugene Hall. Hall took the
stand and seemed to be quite nervous.
After answering the preliminary ques-
tions as to his age, occupation, &C., he
stated that he had known the prisoner
for about six months. After considera-
bic questioning by Mr.. Mitchell he ad.
mitted having known her since last
summer. He said he had met her at
Marshall Hall last fall, and gone to
Washington with her, but had not re-
manned with her after reaching Wash.
Ington. He said he had boarded at the
house OF Mr.. Farrall and had been at
the house of MIR. Scott Hicks.
Continuing, Hall very unwillingly
related about his several visits tc
Washington in which it had been pre.
viously testified that Mrs. Farrall ac.
companied him. He stoutly denied
that the prisoner had ever gone with
him to Washington, but admitted that
the two had gone to that city on the
same train and also that they had re
turned at the same time. He admitted
having shown some letters to Maurict
Fegan and to W. W. Early and telling
them that they were from Mrs. Farrall
but said that ne had lied to them. Ht
said that he had received several let
ters from Mrs. Farrall and that she hat
written him two or three, and whel
; questioned as to the nature of thei
contents replied that they were al
written on business. When asked .
question by Mr. Mitchell as to certail
visit he had made on one of his trips t.
Washington he refused to answer
Judge Briscoe severely reprimandet
the witness and ordered him to answe
the question unless it incriminated hin
in any way. He said it did ant
! was excused from relating an accoun
] of the visit.
MIR. Mitchell questioned the wines
whether he had ever kissed Mrs. Far
rail-. At first he refused to answer. bu
on second thought said shat he nigh
have, but he didn't remember Wit
iness positively denied ever putting hi