Middletown transcript., 1898-12-24
AN ALIBI.

The attorneys for Mrs. Botkin who is
being tried in San Francisco for the murder
of Mrs. John P. Dunning, of Dover, are
attempting to provean alibi. The evidence
against her has been strong and direct.
John P. Dunning told the story of his
shameful life without a blush, it is said,
acknowledging his intimacy with the
woman. He refused to reveal the names of
other sweethearls while there and spent
several days in Jail in contempt of court.
Mrs. Botkin who testified Thursday in
her own behalf was cool and self-possessed
and ratified off her answers glibly enough
under question of her attorney. She said
Dunning had visited her frequently, but
that her son Beverly was always with her.
She had enjoyed what she called "a little
social life." Dunning. she said, was her
constant attendant and companion. She
also told how Dunning came to her one day
and unburdened to her story of woe that
touched her heart. She said Dunning told
her on that occasion that he was in sore
financial straits; that he had made use of
funds intrusted to his care as Western
manager of the Associated Press, and was
unable to make restitution and that he was
afraid of arrest. She gave Dunning what
slight financial aid she could to temporarily
tide him over his most pressing needs.
In reference TO a statement of Mrs. Ruoff
that she (Mrs. Botkln) had discusses quail
ties and potency of poison when ill at Mrs.
Ruoff's house, Mrs. Botkin said that she
had questioned the doctor only in reference
to toxic properties of camoel, which he had
prescribed for her, fearing that she might
take too large dose.
The progress made in the breaking down
of the case Of the prosecution was very
slight. DR.. George NJ, TyrelI was witness
but was so uncertain in his testimony and
contradicted himself so often that he did
the defence very little good: He testified
that he visited Mrs Botkin on Sunday after
| noon, July 81, between the hours Of and
o'clock, and treated her for headache.
This is the time and date sworn by Misses
Henry and Dilmars, Haas candy store, as
that when they sold Mrs. Botkin a box Of
chocolate bonbons. DR.. Tyrell, for some
reason, made no entry on his visit book
and rendered no bill for services 10 Mrs.
Botkin. He could not specify the time of
the visit better than between and in
the afternoon" When ques toned regard
/ ing arsenical poisoning, the attorney for
the prosecution made it very clear that DR..
| Tyrell knew little if anything of arsenic.
John p. Dunning was recalled by per-
mission and asked if he had told Mrs.
Botkin that his wife and daughter had
taken up their residence in Dover, Del.
He replied that he had mentioned the fact
several times.
Thomas J. Foard, of the San Francisco
post Office, testified that the package of
candy was not packed according to the
rules and that it was remarkable that the
box should have reached Delaware in gotd
order. He identified the postmarks on the
anonymous letters as being those of the
San Francisco Office, and described the
methods employed in caring for lstter
mails.
BRoTHER-IN-LAw's BOOMERANG.
| W. L. Roberts, Of Humboldt County,
brother-in-law of Mrs. Botkin, stated that
she had been in the vicinity of Eureka,
Cal. between June 2 until the end Of the
month. The prosecution admitted this
residence. It will be remembered that one
of the anonymous letters was dated about
the middle of June, but the prosecution
Il win prove that mail bag was placed on
the wharf at Eureka on steamer days, and
that letters dropped in it were not post,
marked until the steamer reached this city.
The defense will probably end this week
| and arrum menk will ro oveY IN mart waak