The San Francisco call., 1898-12-17
MRS. BOTKIN HAS MET HER
 WORST ACCUSER IN MRS. RUOFF
Mrs. Harris Was an Important
 Witness.

The prosecutors of Mrs. Cordelia Bot kin introduced yesterday most damag- ing testimony against the accused wo- man. The evidence given excited the audience and disconcerted the attorneys for the defense. Mrs Botkin was visi- bly, affected and her face and eyes lost the evidences of unconcern which had thus far marked them at the trial. The situation was serious one for her and even casual observer could see the rapidly changing emotions that played over her features
 Something of terrible solemnity was given to the scene by Judge Cook him self. The audience had been f1ippant and boisterous during the morning ses- sion. Men and women laughed when they pleased and audibly discussed the situation Judge Cook threatened to clear the courtroom, but his warning passed unheeded. There was a repetition of the offense, and then the Judge spoke a reprimand that will not soon be forgotten. Judge Cook begged the audience to remember that they were not in a vaudeville theater. but in court of justice. This proceeding" he declared, lis to consider the death of two human beings and the life of an- other"
 The first sensation of the day was created by Mrs. Grace Harris. who proved to be one of the most important witnesses of the case. Her testimony bears directly upon the vital issue of the trial, and before her startling evil dence was concluded there was a mur- mur of astonishment throughout the throng in the courtroom. The prose- cution had sprung it's first surprise. and with Mrs. Harris had filled another gap in the line of startling circumstantial evidence against Mrs. Botkin.
 The public knew the police could prove that the handkerchief found in the box of poisoned candy had been purchased at the City of Paris The fact that the saleswoman who sold the handkerchief could also identify the purchaser had been kept a profound se- cret. When Mrs. Harris took the wit ness stand few expected the course the testimony would take. Mrs. Harris de- clared that late in May or early in June Of this year she had sold two handker- chiefs, just like that in the candy box to a woman who gave her address as the Victoria Hotel.
 This statement seemed to disconcert and confuse Mrs. Botkn to the last degree. Her face flushed and she fan ned herself with nervous, restless en- ergy. Her attorneys sat silently watch ing the witness on the stand. The tes- timony had come like a thunderbolt. But Mrs. Harris had not as yet con- cluded. She declared that she was sure that the woman who bought the handkerchiefs was Mrs. Cordelia Bot kin.
 George Knight tried in every way to break the force of this testimony, but he simply added to its effect. Under cross examination Mrs. Harris was alert, sharp, quiet-spoken and confi- dent. She told Knight that she was sure she was not mistaken in her iden- tification, as Mrs. Botkins face re- minded her strongly of her own mothers. She recalled the incident of the sale because in selling as she had done she violated the rules of the house. Knight did succeed, however, in drawing from the witness the fact that she knew of no record of the sale or of the delivery. Beyond this the cross examiner could do nothing, and for the first time during the trial he abandoned the attempt and notified Mrs. Harris that he would recall her for further cross examination.
 It was left to Mrs. Elmira Ruoff, the former friend, conf1dante and adviser of Mrs Botkin, to become the prisoners worst accuser. Mrs. Ruoff was next upon the witness stand and gave the most sensational testimony of the trial. Her manner was such that even the Assistant District Attorney urged her not to show i'll feeling upon the witness stand. She replied that what was con- strued to be i'll feeling was simply the emphatic assertion of positive facts.
 Mrs. Ruoff outlined the whole dis graceful story of the relation between Cunning and Mrs. Botkin. She told of the first assignation, of clandestine meetings, of midnight suppers and carousals. She sketched scenes after ward at the races and trips to the park and the Cliff House. She left nothing untold that might lay the foundation upon which the prosecution Is building a proof of the motive for the crime of which Mrs. Botkin is acc used.