The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-12-17
AGAINST MRS. BOTKIN
DAMAGING EVIDENCE INTRODUCED
AT HER TRIAL FOR MURDER.
Testimony Showing that She Wrote
Anonymous Letters to Mrs. Dun
ning-Handker chief Identified.

SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 16.-The defense
in the Botkin murder trial to-day received
the worst set back it has experienced since
the case opened. The evidence of two of
the witnesses examined to-day was of such
a convincing nature that the chagrin caused
by its introduction was plainly written upon
the faces of the accused woman and her
counsel. The evidence clearly showed that
Mrs. Botkin wrote the anonymous letters
sent to Mrs. Dunning from this city, ap-
prising Mrs. Dunning of the alleged miscon-
duct of her husband and informing the dead
woman that she had grounds for COM
mencing suit for divorce and the hand
kerchief which was Enclosed in the box of
poisoned candy was proven to have been
purchased in this city by Mrs. Botkin an
other link in the chain of prosecution.
The first important witness was Mrs.
Grace Harris who employed in the City
of Paris dry goods store during May and
June of this year. Mrs. Harris told of the
purchase of the handkerchief and identified
the article which she sold and stated posi-
lively that Mrs. BotlIin was the purchaser
She was certain of the identity of the Wo-
man for the reason that Mrs. Botkin so
Tesembled Mrs. Harris's own mother that
the similarity caused her to wonder. She
was certain of the handkerchief because it
bore price mark which she herself had
stamped upon the article. Cross examina-
ton rather strengthened her evidence than
otherwise, rs it brought out the fact that
Mrs. Harris took Mrs Botkin's address
which the purchaser gave as the Victoria
Hotel, where she resided up to the time of
her arrest.
Mrs. Rouff, an aged woman and resi-
dent of Stockton, Cal, told of her acquaint-
ance with the plaintiff, which was that of an
intimate. She also knew Dunning very we'll
Mrs Rouff said that on one occasion when
she called on Mrs. Botkin at her rooms the
IL fer =ff
her If 1t was not beautiful one for the
price. Mrs. Rouf recognized the handker-
chief sent to Mrs Cummings daughter as
being exactly like the one Mrs Botkin
showed her The witness then identified
Mrs Botkins handwriting in the anonymous
letter sent to Mrs. Dunning. Mrs Rouff
was familiar with Mrs. Botkin's writing and
pointed out its peculiarities. When shown
the note which was ncosed in the box of
candy Mrs. Roun stated that she believed
it to have been written by Mrs. Botkin She
discussed the samples of writing shown her
niZed the language of the letters as being
that of Mrs. BOtkin also. Witness then told
of conversation she had with the defend
ant on the different poisons and their quail
fications for killing mice. Later Mrs. Botkin
was taken sick and while under treatment
discussed poisons with her physicians She
thought the action of strychnne too harsh
and spoke of arsenic as being mild in its
action and seemed we'll informed upon it's
ether symptoms. She told of another visit
to her Stockton home. It was made shortly
after the preparation of the crime. Mrs
BotkH was greatly eXclted ana talked ABOUT
poisons, anonymous letters and made other
remarks that puzzled Mrs Rouff On one
occasion Mrs. Botkin talked to the witness
about bleaching hats and remarked that she
had heard that arsenic was used for that
purpose. Defendant became agitated when
Informed by Mrs. Rouff that she would have
to give her name when she purchased the
poison
Upon cross-examination Mrs. Rouff in
timated that she thought Mrs. Botkin's i'll
ness. at the time she asked so many ques-
tons of the doctors about poisons. was a.
sham. She stated that at the time Mrs Bot
kin visited her after the crime had been com
mitted she felt certain of Mrs. Botkin's guilt
in the matter. but explained her sympathy
for her and her care of her during the brief
illness as being impelled by Christian spirit
Several other witnesses were called but
nothing of great importance was brought
ont. The court then adjourned until Mon
day