New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-03-08
MRS. CODY TELLS HER STORY.
But LETTERS WRITTEN BY HERSELF
DISCREDIT 1T.
THE EFFORT OF THE DEFENCE TO PROVE THAI
SHE BELIEVED MRS PIERCE TO BE

TIE EFFORT or THE DEFENCE TO PROVE ina
SHE BELIEVED MRS. PIERCE TO BE
JAY GouLD's DAUGHTER
Albany March AT the opening Of the trial OF
Mrs Margaret F. Cody charged With blackmaing
the heirs Of Jay Gould. this morning the defendant
was called the stand by her counsel MI DusaH'
TO testify In her own behalf She was the hrs'
witness called by the defence. when opened us
case shortly before the court adjourned on MONDAY
afternoon.
Miss Helen Gould was present. sitting in her ac-
customed place between De Lancey Ncol and Mrs
Mum David y. Carvalho. the handwriting ex-
pert and Mrs Angel sat near her
Mrs Cody first identified number Of letters
written to her from Rock Springs, Wyo by MIS-.
J. F. Pierce the alleged child OF Jay Gould and
Mrs Angel and from Mrs. Pierce's husband Inc
writer's OF these letters stated positively that Jay
Gould Mrs. Pierces father, and announced
their intention TO press the suit to secure share
in the Gould millions To Mrs. Cody was onered
a large sum- not stated. to take up and conduct
the investigation All these letters were read 10
the Jury the object being TO show that the de-
PENDANT assumed control OF the matter at the re-
quest Of others believing fully in the justice OF ther
claim
Another letter read written by James Nor
ton who adopted Mrs. Pierce. 10 Mrs. Cody 1t
stated that the papers OF adoption were signed by
Mrs Pierces own mother, Sarah Brown Inc
matter Of his adopted daughter birth. said Nor
ton was a mystery to him. He had never heard
jaw Ciould's name mentioned In this connection
At her counsers request Mrs. Cody then related
the circumstances OF her trip 10 Rouses Point in
search OF the mother OF Mrs. j. F. Pierce she
reached that town April %, 1895, and after three
days succeeded in meeting Mrs. Angel The latter
told her that Mrs. Pierce was her daughter by an
early marriage with Jason Gould the date OF
which she thought, April 2 AJ3
At this point Mrs Angel. who sat near by listen
ing intently leaned over to Dr. Mum ana said IA
an audible voice, The woman's crazy
The issue Of this marriage" continued Mrs
Cody Mrs Angel told me- q daughter who
was bound out to a Canadian weaver when two
years old Gould deserted his wife after d short
time asked her If she had the marriage GER
tihcate whereupon she related that after Gould
had left her and she had gone TO live with her
parents her father had taken the certificate from
her torn it up and thrown It into the nre
asked her II she wished me TO handle her case and
obtain her dover rights for her. and she answered
that she did. and that she would pay me half Of
what l got for her"
Mrs Angels face was study while Mrs Cody
was making these statements. She nodded ana
shook her head. smiled and frowned. and carried
on an animated conversation in LOUD Whisper
with those about her.
The reading Of letters addressed 10 Mrs Cody
was then resumed One of these from the
Rev NJ Leighton. a Presbyterian clergyman OF
Tunkhannock. Penn. who. the defence alleges per-
formed the marriage between Jay Gould and Mrs.
Angel In the letter the clergyman referred 10
the marriage and the marriage certificate.
An affidavit was read signed by Mary Ann
Shields who swore that she was servant In Mr..
Leighton's family In 1853. that she was a witness
10 the marriage Of Sarah Brown and Jay Gouid
on April Q 1888. and that they had lived together
for some time afterward.
Mrs Cody then told OF her interview with Mrs
Hovle Of Rouse's Point whose testimony yester-
Nre nd am we're
Hovles damaging testimony follows
Mrs Hoyle placed her hands over her heart
and said: But l have Information here which !
shall not divulge until I am paid for 1t. 1t VIII
Mr. Hoyle's SON whose testimony yesterday was
damaging 10 the defendants case came IN Tor MS
was Mr.. Hoye in the ROOM" inquired Mr.
Yes. he was sitting at machine there making
District A ttorney Dyer cross examined Mrs Cody;
for Mrs Pierce. gave her the hrst intmauon tha'
Mrs Angel not the wife Of Jay Gould ,...-
letter was produced by the prosecution written
nv Mrs cody 10 John Edford. son Of Mrs. Edford
formerly Mary Ann Shields, who made an AFFIDAVIT
mat she was a witness to the Gould-Angell mar
rage In this the writer asked him TO take care
S So'r Mrs Cody's side It ended follows Re
member John. that handle the money and
WIN What money did you mean" was asked:
81 meant the money which Mrs Angel would re-
c' letters 81" from Mrs Cody to Mrs Edtord
n
ing Mis- Edford If she would testify concerning
the alleged marriage the writer wished but
naming fixed sum -
MIR over then produced letter, which he said,
was one of those written by the defendant to John
Edfori Speaking Of Mrs Angel. IL said: she
was not married 10 Gould; she was married 10 an
old Frenchman. He sixty years Of age
when she FRIED This must have been the mar
riage to which your mother was witness. -, ..
This was shown 10 the witness, who was asked IL
II was in her handwriting. She replied thht she
could not tell she could not always recognize
her writing After long Questioning, she acknowl-
At ne
writing she was nrm.
The District Attorneys REORGANIZATION was
searching az this point and Mrs Cody grew FESTIVE
under H. She showed signs OF breaking down. be-
came slightly hysterical and accused Nr. Dyer or
trying 70 confuse her. The weakness was only
temporary. however as in minute she was calm
In his redirect exam ation Mr. Dugan read let
ters written to Mrs. Cody by her former counsel:
Amasa Parker. Jr.. Of Albany. The purpose or
reading these 10 show that Mrs. Cody nad iol-
lowed up her case az the instigaton Of her law
yers and that II she had committed errors II was
in pursuance OF their advice.
Just before the court adjourned Judge Gregory
asked the witness
Mrs Cody did you believe that Mrs. Angel was
married 10 this old Frenchman. DeroussaF
mo" she said Il ala not"
Then why did you say so in your letters
because | had heard several persons say SO
persons who were enemies OF Mrs. Angel
When the court convenes tomorrow the examinh,,
ton OF Mrs. Cody will be continued IL Is expected
that Mrs Angel WIFI be called TO the stand as the
next witness.
THE SURROGATE'S OFFICE INQUIRY
Members Of the Fallows committee appointed by
the Assembly to investigate the Surroeates once
In Nev-york County have declared that some OF
the evidence obtained by the committee may De
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