The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-02-15
Vas Reviewed iOr the Information Of
Coroner.
BELIEVED BARNET WAS POISONED
Molineaux Swore That He Knew Moth
ing of Cyanide of Potassium,
and Had Never Seen Any
of the Drug


neaux was recalled today when the inquest
into the death of Mrs. Kate Adams was re-
sumed. He was asked to tell of any dis
pute he had ever had with Harry Cornish
of the Knickerbocker Athletic club, and in
reply said that their first difference had
arisen in 1896 over improper language used
in the club by a man named French. Mo-
lineaux said his next difference with Cor
nish was in the beginning of 1897, when he
was asked to get up an amateur circus for
April 20. He was chairman of the circus
committee, and Cornish worked against him
in every way he could.
Witness said when he first went to live
at the Knickerbocker club Cornish had the
run in hand and did pretty much as he
wished. Through the influence of witness
Cornish was deprived of the superinten-
dency of the club and the use of the room.
The relations between Barnet and Cornish
were So bad that Barnet wrote to Cornish
because he could not talk to him. When
witness gave an order for some new horl-
zontal bars and they were delivered he
found that they came from another maker
than the one from whom he had ordered it.
The change had been made by Cornish.
COmpiatDeu TO ballanbIne
Witness complained of this to Mr.. Henry
Seers and Mr.. Bailantine. "At the same
time continued the witness, at showed
Mr.. Ballantine a clipping from a newspa-
per containing letter which had been
written to a member of the New York Ath-
'letic club rejecting upon its president, Bar
tow S. Weeks. Mr. Ballantine asked me If
he thought it was true Cornish had written
such. a letter. I said yes, and told him I
could get the letter, which I did and gave
it to him. Mr.. Ballantine then. suggested
that he give dinner to which Mr.. Watson,
Mr.. Weeks, Mrs. Seers,i Mrs. Adams and
myself were invited. This dinner was given
at the Union League club. The letter was
discussed at that time, and Mr.. Cornish
was reprimanded although no charges were
preferred against him. At the dinner an
apology was extended to Mr. Weeks on be-
half of Cornish"
Witness had suggested to Mr.. Ballantine
that Cornish be either disciplined or dis
missed from the club Witness was not in
a position to say why Cornish was not DIS
missed, but he believed several members OF
the club were In league with Cornish and
were receiving money from him. Mr.. Bar
net did not know anything about Cornish's
charges, as they were of an ugly charac-
ter and Mr. Adams did not want to have
Barnet told
.'What was the charger" asked Mr.. Os-
borne.
A Disagrceable Charge
Molineaux replied: ut was disagreed
bic charge and one which L hesitate in re-
peating. The evidence was entirely hear
say and l would rather not tell what 1t
was"
Being pressed for an answer, witness
said: II would rather not tell at this
time. 1t is too nasty, although 1 will tell
you in private
Witness said Malcolm Ford had also had
trouble with Cornish Ford finally left the
club.
Here the examination went into the re-
lations between John d. Adams, one of the
governors of the Knickerbocker club, Cor
nish and two boys employed at the club.
Questioning then reverted to Cornish.
Witness said he had intimated that IL
Cornish did not leave the club, witness
would He had a strong feeling against
Cornish
Answering questions, Molineaux said
that Barnet had known his wife before her
marriage, Witness presented Miss Cheese
boro to Barnet at the Metropolitan opera
house at a concert. Barnet paid her con-
siderable attention; called upon her, sent
her flowers; took her to dinner and paid
her other attentions due lady from a
gentleman. Molineaux said he did not
know that a picture was taken of his wife
and Barnet together He did not that Cor
nsh had ever had any communication with
his wife.
Was Not Jealous of Barnet
Mr.. Osborne asked witness if he knew
whether his wife was ever in love with
Barnet. Molineaux replied that he thought
his wife admired Barnet, but he had never
been jealous of Barnet nor had he ex-
pressed any hostility toward him. He did
not know personally that letters had
passed between Barnet and his wife, but
he had heard that his wife had written to
him during the summer. Mr.. Osborne
picked up a letter from the table and
asked witness If 1t was in his wife's hand
writing to which he replied that it ap-
peared to be to the best of his knowledge.
He also said that he had never seen the
letter, but that he knew his wife had
written and that she had done so with his
consent
"When was that letter written?"
Shortly after 1 heard Barnet was sick
/ think the date was November 25.'
"She was not your wife then?'
NO.
Witness said he had told Miss Cheseboro
that Barnet was sick and he believed he
had suggested sending him flowers Mr.
Osborne began to read the letter, which
was as follows
"I am distressed to learn of your Illness.
I arrived home Saturday and am exceed
ingly sorry to learn that you have been SO
indisposed.
won't you let nae know when you are
able to be about? 1 want SO much to see
you. Is that you do not believe me? If
you would only let me prove to you my
sincerity. Do not be cross and pray you
to accept my very best wishes. Yours.
"BLANCTIE.~
Knew Nothing of the Poison
witness said he had no reason to believe
that Barnet was In love with Miss Cheese