The San Francisco call., 1898-12-15
AN ACCUSING WITNESS


QdY.
 Professor Thomas Price, who said that for forty years he had been an analytical chemist was the first witness of the day. Mir. Hosmers opening question was: What is arsenic?" To this he replied that it was one of the elements, and a metal in character. He doubted If 1t was a poison unless mixed with alkalies, when it became a deadly poison. He then re- counted having received eight pieces of chocolate candy from Chief Lees to be analysed.
 Professor Price told in simple language the methods employed and the results ob- tained by him. He found microscopic crystals of arsenious acid in the candy. One piece contained seven and 56-100 grains; another over five grains and the others nearly two grains each. No Jumps were found, it being mostly of an amor phous, pulverzed nature. Of ten pieces he examined in Chief Lees office later two showed lump arsenic. One of these Jumps weighed nearly eight grains. The aggregate amount found in eight pieces was eighteen grains.
 Asked as to the smallest dose that would kill, he replied that it varied under different conditions, but two to three grains was a lethal dose and would cause death. The witness told of the different tests made by him and showed the speci- mems resulting from the tests.
 Attorney Knight then took the witness for cross-examination and questioned him regarding the possibilities of poison de- veloping about a copper candy kettle. This was a possibility, he said, but poison would only appear in minute particles. Asked as to what produced colors he said that was something the philosophers had been unable to determine.
 The witness said it would be impossible for powdered arsenic to assume lump form. although the latter might become powdered in transportation. He saw no evidence of the chocolate having been broken to insert the arsenic. Questioned by MT. Hosmer he said that arsenic had never been used to bleach hats to his knowledge. It's bleaching power was light.
 Dr. Wolf was recalled and said he had never heard of arsenic being used to bleach straw. He also said that crystal inc arsenic is sometimes found pulverized and if placed in water submitted to moisture it would assume an amorphus condition.
 Frank Grey, pharmacist, employed in the Owl Drug Store, was the next wit ness. MT Hosmer's first question was: "Do you know the defendant, Mrs Bot kin?" He replied: "Yes, by sight" He knew her since August, 1897, having seen her at the Baldwin Pharmacy prior to his going to the Owl. On June 1st of this year she applied to him for arsenic. He asked for what purpose she required it and was told it was for bleaching straw hats. He suggested oxalic acid and chlorate of lime as being more effective, but she insisted on the arsenic, as she had been accustomed to using it. He finally gave her two ounces of pulveriZed ar senic, marked it poison and asked her to step to another desk. where the sale could be recorded. She gave him the name, Mrs. Botkin, and the address, Victoria Hotel, Hyde and California streets.
 "Is the defendant the person who pur- chased the arsenic?" asked MT Hosmer. Botkn stood up and the witness replied: That is the lady" He said he delivered the arsenic to Mrs. Botkin and she left the store with 1t.
 On cross-examination MT. Knight asked him where he was born and educated, and then went at once to the period the wit ness spent at Ukiah. He was asked why he left the employ of Hoffman at Ukiah. After an objection by MT. Hosmer, he said it was to take position at the in- sane asylum. He was discharged from there. Did not know why. Later he said he was succeeded by relative of the manager.
 He did not ask Mrs. Botkin to sign her name in the poison register, as 1t was neither the custom nor the law. MT. Knight tried to trace other sales of var ious poisons, but the witness fell back on his book of record, without which he was not sure. MT. Knight wanted the original record, but only a photographic copy was available.
 'I want the book, the original record" said Mir. Knight.
 "Then you'll have to wait" replied Chief Lees.
 Attorney Knight came back with, "Who says so? I will not cross-examine the witness until l get the book of original entry
 The witness was excused until o'clock and David Green took his place on the stand He is employed as a druggist at the corner of Clay and Kearny streets, but was formerly employed in the Star Drug Store, Market street, opposite Fifth. While there he sold two ounces of arsenic to a woman who was "fashily dressed, stout and somewhat prepossessfng."
 Judge Cook: ''State your best opinion as to Mrs. Botkin being the woman" MT. Knight told Mrs. Botkin to stand up, and Mr. Hosmer objected to his manner, say ing he was intimidating the witnesses and that it must stop. Judge Cook admon- iShed MT. Knight not 10 raise ms voice. Replying to the Judges question, Mir Green said: "She reminds me of her" He was asked what she asked for and what she purchased, but objection was made and sustained by Judge Cook. Hosmer explained that he expected to show the character of the arsenic sold to a woman who said she had been to the Owl Drug Store MT. Knight objected on the ground that the man stated that he did not rec ognize Mrs Botkin as the woman. Judge Cook asked the witness: Do you, in your own mind, believe and will you state under oath that she is the woman?" The witness could not answer
 On cross-examination MT. Knight com menced to ask the same questions that he objected to counsel for the prosecution asking When reminded of this he per- mitted the witness to retire. Frank Grey was the first witness dur ing the afternoon session, and contrary to expectations was not severely cross examined He recalled no purchasers at the Owl Drug Store on June l. A big business was done there, but not in poisons. The hour from l to was us- ually dull one. few purchasers being present.