Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-02-10
THE CORNISH CASE,
Inquiry Into the Poisoning Of
Mrs, Kate J, Adams,
CROWDS OF PEOPLE GATHER.
They Are Refused admission, However,
to the Courtroom.
His Testimony Unsatisfactory to the
District Attorney-IIis Relations
roughly

NEW YORK, February 9.-The inquiry
into the death Of Mrs. Kate j. Adams,
who died after taking bromo-seltzer con-
tanning cyanide of mercury, which had
been sent through the mails 10 Harry S.
Cornish. physical director of the Knick-
erbocker Athletic Club, was begun by
Coroner Hart to-day. Crowds of people,
VINO gathered early in the corridors of
the Criminal Court Building, We're re-
where there were present only those IN
timately connected with the case or in
terested in public capacity.
Little difficulty was experienced in
securing jury. and then Harry Cornish
was put on the stand, and the taking Of
his testimony occupied the entire day.
TESTIMONY UNSATISFACTORY.
According to District-Attorney Gard-
ner, who was present at the inquiry for
a brief period and who was represented
by Assistant Attorney Osborne, the testl-
mOny given by Cornish was not entirely
satisfactory. nor. the District Attorney
asserted. was IL as complete as had been
expected. Roland B. Molineux's name was
brought into the case at the start, and
Cornish's relations with Molineux We're
gone into thoroughly.
During the early part Of the examination
Cornish was very self-possessed. and gave
mis- answers quickly. Toward the end OF
the examination he gave his answers with
muCn more deliberatiOn, and sometimes
after careful consideration A large eX-
tent of the time Of tO-day's session was
| taken up in retclling the story Of the re-
| ceipt OF the package through the mail.
| and the giving OF the poison to Mrs.
| Adams, but the progress of the case to-
| morrow is not likely TO be interfered with
! by details so frequently published.
CLUB ACCUSATIONS.
During his testimony Cornish said he
| had never had any quarrel with any
| KnickerbOckcr Athletic Club member,
( but that twice charges had been prefer
red against him. He was accused. he said.
Of saying things about two members of
the club TO a third member. The charges
| We're made by g. g. Hughes. ana the
names of the two members involved We're
| Roland r. MolneuX and II. p. Barnet.
| That was two years ago. and the witness
could not remember further details.
| What did Hughes say to you of Moli-
| neuX and Barnett" asked the Assistant
/ District Attorney.
4
his money by the improper use Of house
| property owned in Newark. He said |
| accused Barnet Of improper practices"
| did that mean that MOlineuX let his
| houses for improper purposes
| "That and his gambling | should think
| IS what he meant. The charges were dis
| missed"
| Cornish denied again and again that
there was any truth in the charges pre-
ferred against him. He said he under
stood that at a conference held after a
dinner at the Union League Club, Mr..
! Molineux had declared that he would
leave the Knlckerbocker Athletic Club
unless he Cornish was discharged from
its employ.
| CROSS EXAMINATION MERCILESS.
| Mr.. Osborne's crOss-eXamination was
| mcrciless, and Cornish got mixed up in
his dates. Cornish finally explained that
| he did not consider that Molineux's state
| ment could be called charges.
"Did YOU have any idea who sent you
that box?" asked Mr.. Osborne. suddenly.
II have no idea. / was in no position
TO know"
Did you not tell Captain McCluskey,"
reading from a typewriter statement,
ct came over me in an instant when
thought Of Molineux-that is just the fel-
low who sent that box TO meY
| Cornish replied that that must have
been his impression when he made the
| statement 10 McCluskey. He could not
| think of any man on earth with whom he
had any kind Of quarrel that could leave
a feeling of vindictyeness.
when witness heard about the hand
writing il struck him that the writing on
the wrappers was like the writing OF Moli-
neux. If did not make any charge he
said.
"Don't you think it was a charge when
van told the Chief Of Detectives of New
york that the only man in the world who
could have done il was MolineuNY
NO. made no charge. Anything said
! to McCluskey was made as a suggestion
to aid him in his work
Cornish said he had heard that Moh-
neux. since he left the Knickerbocker
cub. had written a letter about him.
AN ADMISSION.
In answer to Coroner Hart. Cornish ac-
knowledged that he had said this morn
inc that DR.. Phillips had told him that II.
g Barnet. a member OF the club VINO
died recently under suspicious circum-
stances. was poisoned. Witness knew OF
no one who had a common cause OF en-
mity toward himself and Barnet He knew
Barnet very slightly.
| II was said atter the duJouliHi'ilt '''''1
II was not at all sure that either Mr.. OF
Mrs. Nolineux would be called TO TESTIFY.
GARDENERS DIssAT1sFACTIoN
After the adjournment District-Attor-
nev Gardiner expressed dissatisfaction az
| Cornish's evasion Of questions. and said
"The fact that Cornish gave MIS-
Adams the poison is in evidence. and II
behooves him 10 clear his own skirts. Tn
der the law. his admission OF giving the
poison makes IL possible 10 secure MS IN
Sictment for murder Whether or not
| tbis will he done remains, OF course, at
| -