Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1898-12-15
MRS. BOTK,N NERVOUS.


She Tries TO Appear Calm, INT Tremblcs
Before the Jury. 8,5
San Francisco, Cal, Doe. 10. The
trial Of Mrs. Cordelia Botkin, charged
with poisoning Mrs. John r. Dpnning,
was resumed before Judge Cook yester-
day morning. despite the efforts Of
Louis II. Boardman and William II.
Harper to delay Its progress. In fact,
for all the proceedings Indicated,
neither Bosrdman nor Harper nor their
action before the Supreme Court is
known to the triai or the parties
directly interested. Neither the prose-
cution nor the defence mentioned tho
matter to Judge Cook, so that Officially
the court knows nothing about tho con-
duct Of Boardnari. ,i
Thomas NJ. Gouden, formerly post
master at Dover. Del, was the first
witness called, fIe testified that ON
/ August 9th package, oblong in shape
and addressed to Mrs. John p. Dun
ming, arrived in Dover On the evening
train from the West.
Harry Penipgton testified that he
carried the box of candy from the post
office and conveyed it to his aunt.
Leila Deane, daughter Of Mrs. Deane,
one Of the women poisoned, said she
was present when Mrs. Dunning opened
the box of candy taken from The post
Office by young Pennington. She de-
scribed The box and wrapper.
Josephine Bateman, one Of those who
ate of the poisoned candy, testified that
she was with Mrs Dunning when the
box was opened, She saw the hand
kerchief and the note found within the
box. She identified both articles when
they were shown to her.
Ethel Wilmington said she ate one
piece of the poisoned candy. She be-
came i'll the following day, and was for
a time in danger OF death.
Joshua ID. Deane, husband of one of
the deceased women, testified about
the effect the candy had on the women
John 3. Pennington, father of the
dead women, told how the candy was
received; how anonymous letters had
previously come, and about all of the
subsequent events in tho tragedy.
The court adjourned until this morn
ing. d
San Francisco, CAL, Dec. IA. The
trial of Mrs. Cordelia Botkin is pro-
ceeding with dispatch unusual TO muir
der trials. 0ne.half Of the Delaware
testimony has been already presented.
Although Mrs. Botkin tries To appear
calm, she is daily becoming more
nervous. AT times she trembles vio-
lently in her seat before the jury, At
other times she bows her head, as II
burdened with emotion. Her sister,
Dora Brown, remains with her always
When Mrs. Botkin becomes nervous.
Miss Brown takes the prisoners hand
in hers and with words Of cheer does
her best to overcome her nervousness
John B. Pennington, father of Mrs.
Dunning, was recalled to the witness
stand yesterday morning. Mr.. Knight
took him over all the minor incidents
Of the poisoning in the hope of contra
dieting him, but his effort was in vain,
as Mr.. Penington's memory WAS proof
against contradictions.
DIR. L. A. II. Bishop of Dover was the
next witness. He was asked: Ibid
you examine the arsenic found in the
candy?'' II did" he answered. WAS
it in crystalized or powdered forins''
1T was hard and lumpy in FORM He
testified as to tho symptoms of Mrs.
Dunning and Mrs. Deaile and his trent
ment OF Thorn, He did not know what
had caused the death Of his patients
until after chemical analysis OF the
candy had been made, and his FIRST i'm
preston as to the cause of the trouble
was ptomhine poisoning. He described
the suiferings Of tho patients during
the early hours and said they were
exactly similar. Lawyer Knight ques-
toned him on his knowledge Oh poisoas
and their symptoms He admitted that
he did not know the nature Of the Ill
ness OF Mrs. Dunning and Mrs. Deape
and that he did not know until two
days later that they had eaten candy.
Dr. Downs Of Dover, who also iad
attended Mrs. Dunning and Mrs
Deano, gave similar testimony.
DR.. Wolfe, the chemist who anhlyaed
some OF tho candy sent TO Mrs. Dunning,
testified that in throe pieces Of candy
he found about half o grain Of orsDnic,
lie identified some Of tho candy, but
could not identify tho box. His testi-
mony was Of an expert nature.
The Supreme Court has disposed OF
the contention Of Mr.. Harper that tile
Superior Court lacked jurisdiction. In
the case Of Mrs. BotlSin by denying
the petition filed by Harper.