The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-02-14

The Coroner.s investigation OF This
MysferfousPofsonlng Begun-Cornish
ON the Stand

New York. February a.-The inquiry
into the death of Mrs. Kate J. Adams,
who died after taking bromo seltzer
containing syanide OF mercury, which
had been sent through the mails TO
Harry S. Cornish. physical director Of
the Knickerbocker Athletic Club. was
begun by Coroner Hart today. Crowds
Of peope who gathered early in the
corridors OF the criminal court build
ing, were refused admission TO the
c~ornoner's court, where there were
present only those intimately connect
ed with the case or interested in a
public capacity.
Little difficulty was experienced in
securing a jury and then Harry Cor
nish vas put on the stand. The TAX
ing OF his testimony occupied the en-
tire day and he will go on the stand
again tomorrow. According TO Dis
trict Attorney Gardiner, who was him.
self present at the inquiry for a brief
period, and who was represented by
Assistant District Attorney Osborne,
the testimony given by Cornish was
not entirely satisfactory, nor, the dis
trict attorney asserted, was il as COM
plete as had been expected. Roland B.
Molineux's name was brought into the
case at the start and Cornish's rela-
tions with Molineux were gone into
thoroughly.
During the early part OF the exami-
nat ion Corni was very self-possessed
and gave his nSwer quickly. Toward
the end Of the examination he gave his
with much more elaboration
and some times after a careful on
sideration. A large amount of the
time of today's session was taken up
in re-telling the story Of the receipt Of
he package through the mail and the
giving of the poison to Mrs. Adams.
but the progress of the case is not
likely to be interfered with tomorrow
with details that have been so fire.
quent1y published.
During his testimony today Cornish
said that he never had any personal
quarrel with any member of the
knickerbocker Athletic Club, but twice
charges had been preferred against
him.. He was accused, ne said, of say
ing things about w members OF the
club to a third member. The charges
were made by c. c. Hughes and the
names of the two members involved in
the quarrel We're Roland b. MolineuX
and H 2. Barnet. That was two years
g n the witness could not remem-
Der further details.
What did Hughes a to you of
Molineux and Barnett? asked Mr.. Os-
borne, the assistant district attorney.
He a that 1 said thai Molineux
had made his money by the improper
use OF house property he owned in New
York. He said 1 accused Barnett of
improper practice with women"
Did that mean that Molineux let
his house for purposes of prostitu-
tion?"
That n his gambling / should
think is what he heant. The charges
were dismissed"
Il have no idea; l was in no posi-
ton to know
Did you not tell Captain McClus-
key" reading from a typewriter state
ment: 1T came over me in an instant
when 1 thought of Molineux-that is
just the fellow who SEM hat box to
me-"
Cornish replied that must have beer
his impression when he made the
statement to McCluskey.
In answer to Coroner Hart, Cornish
acknowledged that he had said this
morning that DR.. Philips told him H.
Z. Barnett, a member of the club, who
died recently under suspicious circum-
stances, was poisoned. Witness knew
OF no n who la a common cause of
enm1ty toward himself and Barnett.
He knew Barnett very slightly.
1t was said after the adjournment
that 1T was not at all sure hat either
Mr.. or Mrs. Molineux would be called
to testify.
After the adjournment District At
torney Gardiner expressed dissatisfac-
ton of Cornish's evasion of questions
and said: THE fact that Cornish gave
Mrs. Adams the poison is in evidence
and it behooves him to clear his own
skirts. Under the law his admission of
giving the poison makes it possible to
secure his indictment for murder.
Whether or not this will be done, re-
mains, of course, to be at the discre-
ton of this Office