The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-12-17

SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. is.-The de-
sense IN tho Botkln murder trial to-day
received the worst setback It has ex-
perienced Eince the case opened. The
evidence OF two OF the witnesses exaul-
ined 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. Botlsin wrote the anonVmouV
letters sent to Mrs. Dunnlng nom this
city, apprlsing Mrs. punning OF the
alleged misconduct Of her husband ana
informing the dead woman that she had
nrounds for commencing suit for de
yorce: the handkerchief which was en-
closed In the box OF poisoned candy was
proven to have been purchAbed i1 this
citV BY Mrs. Botkln. another link IN the
chain OF the prosecution.
THE first Important witness was Mrs'
Grace Harris, who was employed IN tIe
city Of Paris dry goods store. during
Nav and June OF this Eear. Mrs' har-
ris told OF the purchase Of the handker-
chieS and identiFed the article which she
SSid and gtated positively that Mrs.
T1tIdn Vag the purchaser. She was GER
TAIN az tho Identity Of the woman, for
the reason that Mrs. Botkin so feEeIn- Z
bIed Mrs. Harris own mother, that the
similarity CAUSED her to wonder. sne
was certain OF the Handkerchief oe-
cause It bore a price mark when sne
herself had stamped upon the etuele, 2
Cross examination rather strenstnene91
her evidence than otherwise, ana u
brought out the fact that Mrs: Harris
took Mrs. Botkins' address when, tile ~.
purchaser gave ag the victoria hotest
where she resided up TO the time ot hsr
arrest. - .t-
dent Of stockton, Gala, told Of her ae-
0uaintance with the plaintih. which
was that OF an intimate friend. She al
10 knew Dunnlng very we'll MIS-
ROM said that on one occasion when
she called on Mrs. Botkln at her rooms
the defendant showed her a hAndker-
chief asking her if II was not beautl-
ful one FOR the price;
Ms. RoufE recognized the handker-
chief sent to Mrs. Dunnlng's dauEhter
a being exactly like the one Mrs. Bot
KIN showed her. The witness then
Identified Mrs. BotISin'B haIid4yti ~
the anonymous letter sent % MFe' Jun ~.
ming. 3Ira. Rouh was familiar Win
Mrs. Botlcin's writing and pointed out
it's peculiarities. When shown the note
which was lnclosed in the box OF caUdy'
Mrs. Rouff stated that she believed II
70 have been written bv Mrs. bSthti. i.
She dIscussed the samples OF writing
shown her with the ability OF an expert
She recognized the language OF the let
{ers as. that of Mrs. Botkin.
Witness told OF a conversation she
had with the defendant on the diner-
ent polsons and their qualifications lot
l,IIlinF mice. Later, Mrs. Botlkln was
taken sick and while under treatment
dIscusged pOIsons with her physicians.
She thought the action OF Etrychnine
too harsh and smoke OF arsenic % being
mild in its action and seemed well IN
formed upon its other symptoms she
told OF another visit to her stockton
home. II was made shortly after the
perpetratIen OF the crime. Mrs. BotKin
was greatly excited and talked apoue
poisons, Anonymous letters alld MADE
remarks that puzzled Mrs. Roun. On
one occasion Mrs. Botltin talkea 10 fhe
witness about bleaching hats and re-
marked that she had heard that esseesS
was used for that purpose. Deten91llt 0@.l.
becage sRItated when informed hy Ms.
RouR that she would have to give her
name when she purchased the poison.
IJpon cross-exRmInation Mrs. Reun tns
Hnnated that she thought Mrs. Botldns
iiiness at the time She asked 30 MANY
question OF the doctors about poiSons,
was q sham. She stated that ct the
time Mrs. BotIEin visited her after the
crIroe mad been committed, Ghe tex GER
tain of Mrs. Botkin's guilt IN me mat
ter, but explained her sympathy tos nsl y,
oy6 he,. care OF her during the brief ill-
moss as beine impelled by Christian
snlrit. Several other witnesses were
called, but nothing OF great lmportanea
was brought out.
The court adjourned until MONDAY, :