The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-02-10
CORNISH IS PUMPED
On the Inquest in the Adams
Poisoning Case.
STATE HARD AFTER HIM
In an Attempt to Connect Him
With the Crime.
STATE HARD AFTER HIN

New York. Feb. s-The inquiry into the
death of Mrs. Kate ]. Adams, who died
after taking bromo-seitzer containing cya-
hide 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 people who gathered
early in the corridors of the criminal court
building were refused admission TO the
coroner's court, where there were present
only those intimately connected with the
case or interested in public capacity.
The taking of the testimony Of Harry Cor
nish occupied the entire day and he VIII
go on the stand again tomorrow. Accord
ing to District Attorney Gardiner, who
was himself present at the inquiry for a
brief period and who was represented by
Assistant District Attorney Osborne, the
testimony given by Cornish was not en-
tirely satisfactory, nor. the district at
torney asserted, was it as complete as had
been expected. Roland B. Moineux 5
name was brought into the case at the
start and Cornish's relations with Molin-
eux were gone into thoroughly. During
the early part Of the examination Cornish
was very self possessed and gave his an
swers with much elaboration and some
times after a careful consideration.
The most generally accepted theory Of
the crime has been that some person or
persons with a secret to hide had attempt
ed to dispose of those having knowledge
haf "a az
a former member of the Knickerbocker
Athletic club. who died November 10, had
fallen a victim to poison, sent to him
anonymously in the mails.
Harry Cornish was the first witness.
Mr. Cornish told of receiving the bottle
of medicine and the silver bottle-holder
at the Knickerbocker club on December
q and of preserving the wrapper, and or
subsequently taking the articles to the
fiat where he lived with Mrs. Adams and
Mrs Rogers. He narrated the circum-
stances leading TO the preparation of
dose of the drug for Mrs. Adams, who,
after drinking, remarked that it was very
bitter. Cornish said he drank what was
left in the glass and said: That IS all
right Then they sat down TO read but
W
Come and hold mamma" He found Mrs.
Adams apparently very i'll, in the bath
room. He hurried the hall boy for doc
tor and ran to drug store for instruc-
tons. The druggist gave him sweet spir-
its of ammonia for her. doctor having
arrived, Mr.. Cornish ran for DR.. Hitch
coo and later fetched DIR. Potter. Mrs.
Adams died and the doctors told him the
case must be reported to the coroner. The
witness said he went to Assistant Dis
trict Attorney Mcintyre, his personal
friend, and asked him TO expedite the &C
ton of the coroner. All this while, wit
ness said. he was i'll. He went TO the
club about o'c.ock p. m. Mrs. Adams
death occurred during the forenoon) and
there was taken i'll. DR.. Phillips gave him
treatment for over an hour, using stom-
ach pump Witness could suggest no mo-
tive for the poisoning; he had no quarrel
with anyone and so far as he knew. had
no enemies. Subsequently he modified this
statement and admitted that he had diff
ferences," one being about eighteen
months ago.
Mr.. Cornish was questioned about the Ill
ness and death Of II. c. Barnett, the ques-
tionins bringing out the fact that the two
men had not been o the best Of terms.
Cornishs information regarding Barnett's
Illness was obtained through DR.. Phillips,
who attended him before another doctor
was called in.
your attention was not called to the
Barnett case until after the Adams case?'
mo" replied Mr.. Cornish.
Dr EobilIipS
were similar to Barnett's?'
mo"
"Dr Phillips told you Barnett was taken
with terrible vomiting?'
Yes"
And you were?'
yes"
How long was 1t after Mrs. Adams
death before he told you about Barnett's
death?"
''I don't know"