The age-herald., 1898-12-17
SET BACK FOR
 THE DEFENSE The BOtkin Case Increasing in
 Interest
 TESTIMONY WAS INTRODUCED Showing That Accused Wrote the Anonymous Letter. THE HANDKERCHIEF IDENTIFIED As One Purchased by Mrs. Botkin from a San Francisco Merchant.
As One Purchased by Mrs. Botkin from
 a San Francisco Merchant.
DEFENDING COUNSEL DIsMAYED
Evidence So Far Heard Damaging in the Extreme, and Cross-Examina- ton of Witnesses Has Servedto
 Strengthen Their Stories.

San Francisco, December 16.-The defense in the Botkin trial today received the worst setback 1t has experienced since the case opened. The testimony of two witnesses was so convincing that dismay at its in- troduction was plainly written upon the faces of the accused woman and her coun- sel. The evidence clearly showed that Mrs. Botkin wrote the anonymous letters sent to Mrs. Dunning from this city apprising her of the alleged misconduct of her hus- band, and informing the dead woman that she had grounds for commencing a suit for divorce; the handkerchief which was en- closed in the box of poisoned candy was proven to have been purchased in this city by Mrs Botkin, another link in the chain of the prosecution.
 The first important witness was Mrs. Grace Harris, who was employed In the City of Paris dry goods store during May and June of this year. Mrs. Harris told or the purchase of the handkerchief and iden- ti6ed the article which she sold and stated positively that Mrs. Botkin was the pur- chaser.
 Certain of the Identity
 She was certain of the identity or ine woman, as Mrs. Botkin so resempleo Mrs' Harris own mother that the similarity oaused her to wonder. She was certain or the handkerchief because 1t bore price mark which she herself had stamped upon tho article. Cross-examination rather strengthened her evidence than otherwise, as 1t brought out the fact that Mrs. Harris took Mrs Botkin's address, which the pur- chaser gave as the Victoria hotel, where she resided up to the time of her arrest.
 Mrs. Rouff, an aged lady, told of her &C., ouaintance with the woman, which was that of an intimate. Mrs. Rouff said that on one occasion when she called on Mrs. Botkin at her rooms the defendant showed her a handkerchief, asking her if it was not a beautiful one for the price. Mrs. Rouff recognized the handkerchief sent to Mrs. Dunning as being exactly like the one Mrs. Botkin showed her. The witness then identified Mrs Botkin's writing and pointed out its peculiarities. When shown the note which was enclosed in the box of candy Mrs. Rouff stated that she believed it to have been written by Mrs. Botkin. She discussed the samples of writing shown her with the ability of an expert. She recog- nized the language of the letters as being that of Mrs. Botkin also.
 Told of Conversation
 Witness then told of a conversation she had with the defendant on the different poisons and their qualifications for killing mice. Later, Mrs. Botkin was taken sick and while under treatment discussed poisons with her physicians She thought the action of strychnine too harsh and spoke of arsenic as being mild in its action and seemed well informed upon it's other symptoms. She told of visit made to her home by Mrs. Botzin shortly after the per- petration of the crime. Mrs. Botkin was greatly excited and 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 pur- pose. Defendant became agitated when in- formed by Mrs. Rouff that she would have to give her name when she purchased the poison. Upon cross examination Mrs Rouff intimated that she thought Mrs. Botkin's illness at the time she asked so many many questions of the doctors about poisons, was & sham. She stated at the time Mrs. Bot kin visited her, after the crime had been committed. she felt certain of Mrs. Botkin's guilt In the matter, but explained her sym pathy 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 out. Adjourned until Monday.