Evening star., 1899-02-04
ADAMS POISONING CASE
Probable Missing Link in New York
Mystery Discovered in Washington.
Comparison Made and Opinion Rem
torney Hay as an Expert.

The famous Adams poisoning case, which
has mystified the New York police authori-
ties, they being as yet unable to name the
murderer, has an interesting Washington
end, and much with regard to clearing up
the peculiar crime will await, doubtless
the result of operations that have been
going on in this city for the past ten days.
Those who have followed the case are
aware that tie identification of the person
or persons connected with the poisoning
depends largely upon the association of the
handwriting the Christmas package,
which contained the deadly drug with those
suspected of having a motive in bringing
about the death of Harry Cornish. The
package was sent to this young man, but
was inadvertently left in Mrs Adams pos
session, and she, thinking it a bromo prepa-
ration, took the fatal dose.
Mr.. Edwin 3. Hay, the Weli-known at
torney of this city, has been engaged for
number of days past in comparing the
handwriting on the package with that OF
young Molineux, chemist, whose name
has been persstently associated with the
crime. The specimens were sent here from
New York. and are excellent fac-similes.
The original papers in the case were also
in the hands of Mr.. Hay, who made a care
ful and thorough examination of every part
of the writing. Mr. Hay has had a wide
experience as student of chirography, and
eral occasions rendered valuable assistance
to the Treasury Department officials in this
respect.
MIR. Hays Opinion.
During the course of his examination OF
the specimens connected with the New York
murder case Mr.. Hay has been consulted
by Mr.. H. A. Spencer of the metropolis, also
a recognized authority In handwriting. Mr..
Hays opinion in the matter under investi-
cation is as follows:
Since making the examination of the
Fowler envelope, the Won Mohl envelope,
the Barnet order, the Fowler order, the
Won Mohl order. the small specimen of
Molineux writing, and the all-mportant
original letter and envelope containing it,
and reaching the conclusion and rendering
the opinion, that is, that Molineux wrote
the Barnet letters, l have also examined
the Cornish letter l am of the opinion
that the author of the Barnet specimens is
also the author of the Cornish letter.
4 have made comparisons between the
Cornish letter and all of the Barnet writ
ings with the inscription upon the CORNISH
wrapper, from which | am of the opinion
that the writer of the Barnet and the Cor
nish letters is the writer of the inscription
on the Cornish wrapper.
Therefore. being fully convinced, and
having rendered the opinion in accordance
Herewith, that Molineux is the author OF
the Barnet writings the only conclusion
possible and logical is that Moineux wrote
the inscription upon the wrapper OF the
Cornish Christmas package"
Possesses Original Papers.
Mr.. Hay has had an advantage over the
experts in New York in having had in his
possession some of the original writings of
MolineuX, from which he made the COM
parisons with all the manuscripts in the
case. Therefore. he has had stronger facts
upon which to base an opinion. The orig
inal letters, written by Molineux and in
the possession of Mr.. Hay, are private
property, and have been treated as such.
Mr.. Hay is not officially connected with the
Treasury Department as stated in some Of
the New York newspapers.
There is no possible doubt said Mr.. Hay
to reporter for i he Star this afternoon
''as to the identity of the handwrittngs.
The facts of resemblance are all present,
and the opinion is well founded
The New Yorh authorities claim now to
know the murderer, but have so far made
no arrests. Should the Identification of the
handwriting be necessary in fixing the guilt
for the crime, Mr.. Hays opinion will no
doubt play prominent part in the trial
should the case ever progress that far