The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-11-20

81. Paul. Nov. N.-The case against
Rev. James G. Hull. accused OF attempted
wife-poisoning. came 10 sudden and
sensational end In the district court this
stand since yesterday afternoon. and had
entered categorical dental to all the
states evidence in regard To the admin
istering by him OF arsenic mixed with the
medicine which his wife was taking.
Then the stale sprung surprise in the
shape of a letter which Huii had written
whiie In Portland. Or, last February. 10
Rev. l. l.. Spence, an intimate friend.
VINO was then in Fernando. Cal. Ia this
letter he stated that his wife was very
SICK, that she was suffering from a cam
Ger. and that he expected TO be called
nome at any time. and that he thought
she would not live through the year. He
also stated that an operation had been
performed for the removal OF the cancer.
but that II had broken out again spence
ana HUI had been old friends aud chums
ana when the former heard af the charge
against Hull he remembered the letter he
received last February. and, thinking its
contents would excuipate his friend, he
inclosed 1t 10 some one In Minnesota. The
state Ia some Way got track of this letter
and today put il In as evidence.
Hull was as first inclined 10 deny that
ne had written such a letter. but upon be-
ing urged by his attorney. finally admitted
It's authorship. The evidence of the states
witnesses and Huli's own admissions in
his previous testimony, showed that there
had been no talk OF cancer for a year
previous to the date OF the letter, ana that
the surgical operation had simply been the
dressing Of slight laesration. The state
Claimed that the letter placed in evidence
VAS written with the Intention of prepar-
Ing MS friends for the death OF his Wife
and to provide a plausible cause therefor
At the opening Of the afternoon session.
HuiIs attorney arose. and, addressing the
court. stated that the last evidence pro-
duced (the letter. WAS OF such charae-
ter a. to remove all further doubts as to
nis clients guilt. and that upon his advice
Hull had agreed to withdraw his plea Of
not guilty and to throw himself upon tho
mercy OF the court. lie further stated that
he now believed that Huns mind was uu-
tsiancsd. and asked the courts merciful
consideration OF the plea.
Hun then formally withdrew his plea of
not guilty. and Judge Eagan sentenced
him 10 six years in the SitllwatAx peusten-
tiary
Hull had bern pastor OF the Clinton Ave-
nue. Methodist Episcopal church until
ABOUT year ago. and at that time achiev-
ed considerable notoriety by cha friru that
the trustees of his church were members
OF the A. A.. A.. and were seeking ~ re-
inovai IN order to get minister who was
In sympathy with that organization. This
resulted In charges being brought against
him In the state conference. and ultimately
TN his suspension from preaching for .
year.
Last August he was arrested on COM
plaint of his wife. who charged that for a
year or more he had been slowly poison-
ing her by the administration of arsenic
mixed with her medicines and with arti-
cies OF food. The motive as shown by
the evidence of the state In the trial Just
ended. was life insurance policy for
f2.Mo which Hun had prevailed upon his
wife TO take out in his favor. II WAS also
shown. and Hull admitted II on the wit
ness stand. that he had been criminaiiy
intimate with his wifes niece, n girl -
IS. who was living with them. Mrs. Hun
testified that her husband. upon being
charged with his misconduct. finally adj
mtted IT.
Hull has claimed all along that his wife
had been subject 10 fits OF insanity since
childhood and had treated him harshiy
The couples 1s-year-oid daughter was
an important witness for the state. The
scene I'm court today when HuiNchanged
his plea and was sentenced wasNan ex-
tremeiy dramatic one.
Judge Eagan, I'm sentencing the prison.
er. expressed the opinion that he was not
altogether of sound mind. and according
~ imposed light sentence. the punish
ment prescribed by law being from five
10 ten years.