The herald., 1898-12-03
AN UNSKILLFUL LIAR
SHOULD NOT TRY BLACKMAIL
BUSINESS
MRS. coDY's BAD MEMORY
Makes Her the Easy Prey Of Attor-
neys in the Gould Case Now
on Trial
Associated Press Special Wire

ALBANY, n. Y, Dec. 2.-The crossex-
animation of Mrs. Margaret Cody on trial
for the alleged blackmailing Of the Gould
heirs, was continued today. She was
questioned minutely as to her experience in
searching for lost heirs and in collecting evil
dence concerning people who were claimants
to estates. Counsel tried to show that she
had not been employed by Mrs. Pierce, the
daughter of Mrs. Angel, but had, on her
own voltion, connected herself with the
case of trying to prove their relationship
with Jay Gould. She admitted that Mrs.
Pierce had not paid her any money to come
East to secure evidence by, and she said she
he'd been promised remuneration, If success
full. She was asked if it was not her prac-
tice to secure money by interesting herself
in matters similar to the Angell-Gould
suits. To this she replied that whatever
she did was in line OF professional service.
Counsel asked if she had asked the detec-
tive sergeant if the complainant in the
backmail case for which she was arrested
was not John Mackay of California ?Thiswas
objected to and the objection was sustained
Counsel then read letter which Mrs. Cody
wrote Mackay some time before, stating that
she knew who was responsible for the disas-
ter in the Sandhill mine and telling him
'He had better give her the money
She admitted she wrote it and said that
she had lost 100000 through the investments
suggested by Mackay, who rendered her prac-
tically pauper, and it was to compel him
to return some of the money that she wrote
that letter. She testified that Mrs. Pierce
sent her certificate of marriage between
Sarah Brown and Jay Gould in New York
City in 1858.
She was shown stenographic minutes OF
her testimony in New York City in the
Angell- Gould case, in which she said she
had received such certificate. She could
not recolect having given such testimony.
She first learned of the identity of Mrs.
Angel about May, 1895. She was to be
given a certain share of what was made in
the case.
''Do you swear positively that you did
not know that you were coming to Rouse's
| Point to see woman known as Mrs. Angel,
believed to be Mrs. Perce's mother and the
| wife of Jay Gould!" asked counsel.
Il did not
''Then, how do you account for this?"
asked the attorney, reading letter writ
ten to Fannie Walker of Michigan and
signed by Mrs. Cody asking if she knew the
address of Mrs. Angel, her sister, who was
the mother of Mrs. Pierce OF Missouri. This
letter was dated February, 1895, three
months before the time when Mrs. Cody
swore that she first heard of the exist
ence of Mrs. Angel.
| Mrs. Cody, who had shown much nervous
ness and distress at the close questioning OF
the attorney for the prosecution, turned
pale, leaned back in the witness chair
and asked for glass OF water. 1t was evi
dent to those about her that she was about
to collapse A consultation with Judge
Gregory was had by the attorneys for the
prosecution and the defense as to whether ii
was proper to continue the examination
Judge Gregory suggested that physician
be called and an examination be made and
that a recess be taken. This was agreed to
and the family physician of Judge Gregory
was called and recess was taken until
afternoon.
A physician found that Mrs. Cody was suf
ferng from nervous prostration. When the
court reconvened, Mrs. Cody insisted on re
turning to the witness box, but Mr.. Nicho
said he did not wish to cross-examlne hei
further in her present condition, and it was
agreed between the opposing counsel and the
Judge that her examination should be post
poned until Monday.