The San Francisco call., 1898-12-18
Sensational Rumors Were Circu- lated and Created C0nsterna-
 tiOn for the Prosecution.
Defendant, Overcome by the Ordeal of the Trial, Is Attended by Physicians De
 fense Ready With Its Witnesses.

For a few hours yesterday there was consternation in the camp of the prose cutors of Mrs. Cordelia Botkin.
 The evidence that had been introduced on Friday created a profound impression but it was widely rumored that certain members of the jury had already eX- pressed opinions which could not and would not be changed by evidence. This startling rumor was at once called to the attention of the authorities, and an i'm mediate investigation was made by the police and other officers of the prosecu- ton.
 The information that was taken to police headquarters was very definite and specific It was claimed that at least two and perhaps three of the jurors who have been sworn to try Mrs. Botkin for murder had already expressed a judgment on the merits of the case to some of their friends. The information seemed to bear the stamp of accuracy, and the inquiry at once followed.
 The information was sifted to the bot tom The laxity with which the jury was drawn seemed to give color to the report, but the closest and most thorough tnVesti- gation failed to reveal any verit1cation. No one who would say that juror had spoken to him could be found. The mem gs could not be questioned. The police pur- sued their investigations until they satis- fled themselves that there was nothing of truth in the report. The affair for a time created some excitement If the re- port had been substantiated there is little question that the matter would have been called to the attention of the court.
 The authorities are convinced now, how ever, that the report, while warranting im- mediate attention, had no substantial foundation. When the case is resumed to- morrow morning the prosecution will pre- sent its remaining witnesses. The of fcers of the State expect to finish before the day is over Whether this is done or not depends largely upon the defense and the extent of the cross-eXaminatiOn. Miss Livernash will be the first witness of the day, and if time remains during the ses- sion John P. Dunning will be the last.
 It is anticipated that Miss Livernash will be sharply cross-eXamined. What shall be done with Cunning is a matter of conjecture. In reference to this wit ness the defense is in a very peculiar sit uation. A cross-eXamination of Dunning that would tend to expose thoroughly the character of his intimacy with Mrs. Bot kin would be on the same lines as the tes- timony already introduced by the prose- cution. Such evidence would be designed, as the prosecution has planned it, to show the motive which it is alleged Mrs. Botkin had for the crime for which she is ac- cused.
 The prosecution will also introduce to- morrow the testimony of three experts on handwriting to show that the anonymous letters and the addresses on the box of poisoned candy were written by Mrs. Botkin. All of these experts agree that the accused woman wrote all of the let ters, notes and the addresses. This tes- timony will be supplemented by the posi- tive assertions of Mrs. Elmira Ruoff and John P. Cunning to the same effect. Both of these people are familiar with the handwriting of Mrs. Botkin and are con- vinced that their opinion is correct.
 The defense does not intend to devote much time, if any, to discussion of pen manship. The legal defenders of Mrs. Bot kin maintain that expert testimony of this character has no standing of value in a court. Experts testify as they are paid, and it is claimed will do so for the side in a controversy that pays them best. Little effort will be made, therefore, to combat the testimony of the experts. The police have devoted a great deal of time to this phase of the case.
 Mrs. Botkin was i'll enough yesterday to require the services of a physician. The mental strain of the trial has weighed heavily upon her. Until Friday she ef- fected an air of unconcern to disguise the suffering and distress she endured. On Friday she could no longer conceal her feelings and was visibly agitated during the long ordeal in which her once closest