Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-12-06
| THE TRIAL OF h(l|gEUX.
The Prosecution Springs a Sensational
Witness.

MOLINEUX, AND WHO ASSIST
ED Him IN ONE UNDERMINED
SCHEME, GOES UPON THE
STAND AND TELLS OF MOLI-
NEUX ENMTTY FOR HARRY
CORNISH.
NEW YORK, December 5.-The sur
prise of the day In the trial of Roland
B. Molineux for the murder of Rather
inc ]. Adams was the sudden introduce
ton by the prosecution Of direct tes-
timony that Molineux harbored bitter
enmity toward Harry Cornish and A.
A. Harpster, former employe of the
Knickerbocker Athletic club and a
friend of Cornish: further that Moli-
neux sought in a roundabout way by
having an agent write to Harpster's
former employer over false signature
TO obtain information rejecting on
Harpster's character, that he might use
the information to Harpsters injury.
This new testimony which was ex-
tracted from an unwilling friend of Mol
ineux, is important not only as showing
motive for Molineux's seeking the
death of Cornish, but as confirming
the theory CT the prosecution that Mol
ineux wrote or caused to be written
several letters, falsly signed, asking for
drugs and medicines.
The witness testified concerning the
Lott - al
Rudolph Heiles, of Newark, n j., for
mer cashier of the Knickerbccfer Ath-
letic club. Heiles worked beside Harp
ster, who was clerk in the club. Moli-
neux said he wanted to learn something
damaging about Harpster for the pur-
pose of getting him dismissed.
Thereupon Heiles testified he wrote
letter to Frederick Stearns & Com
pany, Of Detroit, who formerly employ
ed Harpster, asking for information as
to Harpster's reputation. Heiles sign
ed the letter Charles Jacobs & Com
pany."
The witness testified that Molineux
said Harpster had been responsible for
his leaving the Knickerbocker Athlet-
ic club; that Harpster was a dirty
loafer and the same kind Of man as
Cornish"
In answer to questions put by Mr..
Osborne, Heiles said he had DESTROYED
the letter ne received in answer to the
one sent by him to Stearns & Com
pany. He did this about two months
after the death of Mrs. Adams.
Heiles was asked by Mr.. Osborne II
he read the newspapers during the
course of the inquest and replied in
the affirmative.
rs it not fact that you then learn
ed for the first time said the assist
ant district attorney, that letter
written to Frederick Stearns & Com
pany and signed by the bogus Cornish,
had been found and that as soon az
you read that in the newspaper ac-
counts of the inquest, you Immediately
destroyed the letter you had received
from the Stearns Company in answer
to the one you wrote them and signed
Charles H. Jacobs?"
Yes" replied the witness.
is it not fact that you destroyed
that letter because you knew you were
destroying a clew?"
Yes" said Heiles.
rs it not also a fact that you knew
when you destroyed that letter that
the man who had written the bogus
Cornish letters TO Frederick Stearns &.
Company was this man accused OF the
crime?"
Yes" again replied the witness.
The witness was then taken In hand
by Recorder Golf who examined him
for several minutes, the examination
+frr in - - a.
brought out by the prosecution.
Frank c. Mclaughlin, an employe Of
Frederick Stearns & Co., of Detroit,
was also placed upon the stand
Mr.. Weeks objected to the introduce
ton of this witness at this time. He
was overruled and the witness was ask
ed if there had ever been In the employ
of Frederick Stearns & Co. man
named A. A. Hsrpster. He answered
in the Affirmative, and said that he had
been employed there about four or FIVE
years. As soon as the name of Harp
ster was mentioned Mr.. Weeks arose
and objected, on the ground that the
man mentioned was beyond the juris-
diction OF this county and that such in
PRODUCTION at this time was not in any
way relevant or competent. The court
overruled the objection by Mr.. Weeks,
who objected seriously ana persistently.
He insisted ON explaining the suitua-
ton, but was not allowed 10 do so, and
was peremptorily sent to his seat.
The witness was shown letter, pre-
sumably written to that firm and sign
ed H. Cornish" and asked If he recog-
nized IT, The witness identified it, Civ
ing the exact date ON which the letter
was received. II was received October
q, 1898. Another letter was shown and
identified as having been received by
Frederick Stearns & Company on De-
cember q, 1898. Both letters in evil
dence and marked as exhibits.
Mr.. Osborne then asked the witness
If the firm made answer to the letters.
The answer was in the affirmative.
Witness said Frederick Stearns was an
acquaintance of H. Cornish. Witness
then produced letter press copy Of
the answer sent in reply to the letter
signed H. Cornish inquiring about
Harpster. Mr.. Mclaughlin sw0re he
had known Cornish for some time.
TIE first witness called for the prosec1i-
ton was DR.. Edward F. Hitchcock the
physician who was called to attend Mrs.
Adams Immediately after she discovered
that she had taken the poison which re-
suited in her death The cross-exarr1ina-
ton. conducted BY Barlow S Weeks. was
long and severe. but the attorney for the
defense failed 10 shake the testimony o<
TIA witness f-~7~sr.r-