The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-12-23
MRS. BOTKIM'S DEFENSE
Some Uncertain Testimony by
DR.. Tyrell.
AN ATTEMPT AT AN ALIBI
Trying to Break Down the Evidence
Given by Miss Henry and Miss Dit
marr-Dr. Tyrell Made No
Charge for His Visit.

San Francisco, Dec. 22-The defense
Of Mrs. Cordelia Botkin for the murder
Of Mrs. John p. Dunning commenced
to-day. but the progress made in the
breaking down of the case of the prose-
cution was very slight.
DIR. George NJ. Tyrell was the princi-
pal witness for the defense to-day. DIR.
Tyrell, however. was so uncertain i'm
his testimony and contradicted himself
so often that he did the defense but lit
tie good. He testified that he visited
Mrs. Botkin on Sunday afternoon. July
81. between the hours Of 8 and O'Clock
and treated her for headache. This is
the time and date sworn to by Misses
Henry and Ditmarr Of Haas candy
store. when they sold Mrs Bctiin a
box OF chocolate bon bons. DIR. Tyrell
for some reason, made no entry i'm his
visit book and rendered no bill for serv-
Ices to airs. Botkin. He could not
specify the time of his visit better
than between and o'clock in the
afternoon"
When questioned regarding arsenical
poisoning. the attorney for the prosecu-
ton made IL very clear that DIR. Tyrell
knew very little or anything of ar
senic.
Thomas ]. Ford of the San Francisco
postoffice testified that the package of
CANDY was not packed according to the
rules and IL was remarkable that the
box should have reached Delaware i'm
good order. He identified the post
marks on the anonymous letters as be-
ing those of the San Francisco post
office and described the methods en-
ployed in the caring for letter mails.
John II. Dunning was recalled by per-
mission and aGkad az he Ars
Botkin that his wife and daughter had
taken up their residence i'm Dover, Del
He replied that he had mentioned the
fact several times.
w. l.. Roberts of Humboldt county,
a brother-in-law of the accused, stated
that Mrs. Botkin had been in the Vicin-
ity of Eureka, Cal, between the 2d of
June until the end of the month. The
prosecution admitted this residence IL
will be remembered that one of the
anonymous letters was dated about the
middle of June. but the prosecution will
prove that a mail bag was placed on
the wharf at Eureka on steamers and
that letters were dropped in il and not
postmarked until the steamer reached
this city.
DIR. w. F. McNutt testified that tho
only reliable way to prove arsenical
poison was by an autopsy
John II. Walsington. floor manager
OF the City of Paris store, where the
handkerchief sent Mrs. Dunning's lit
tie daughter was alleged to have been
bought, testified as to the methods used
In transferring purchases from one de-
partment to another and the delivery
of goods, but nothing Of importance
was brought out.
Mrs. Botkin was called to the stand
at late hour this afternoon. she told
OF her acquaintance with Dunning.
denying many of his statements. She
also denied such of the testimony of
Mrs. Lizzie Livernash, a reporter, who
testified to the hysterical condition of
Mrs. Botkin when informed OF Mrs.
Dunning's death. and of several in
eliminating admissions made by Mrs.
Botkin in interviews with her. She de-
MED ever having purchased candy OF
Haas or that she ever purchased a
handkerchief of the City Of Paris store
She will continue her testimony to-
morrow.