The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-11-14
MOLINEUX TRIAL.
Gets Under Way at Last and
Jury is Being Selected.

New York, Nov. 1.-THE case of the
people against Robert B. Molineux
charged with the murder of Mrs.
Catharine J. Adams, was called for
trial in the court of general sessions to-
day. Recorder Golf was on the bench.
According to the prosecution Molineux
who was a member of the KnickerbOck-
er Athletic club sent poison through
the mails to Harry Cornish, the clubs
instructor in athletics, because of
grudge against Cornish, growing out of
a contest over the control of certain
matters within the organization. This
poison which was contained in a bottle
of what was supposed to be headache
medicine, the prosecution further al
leges was taken by Cornish to Mrs.
Adams home where he boarded. An
other member of the household was
Mrs. Adams daughter. Mrs. Eva Rog-
ers. Mrs. Adams complained on Decem-
ber IS, 1898, of feeling i'll and some of
the supposed headache medicine was
given her by Mrs Rogers. The death
of Mrs adams followed in a few min
utes. An investigation showed that she
had died Of cyanide of mercury poison
ing.
1t is understood that the prosecution
hold in allegiance a charge that MOlineux
caused the death of H. c. Barnet,
former friend, by means similar to
those which he is alleged to have set
on foot for the destruction of Cornish.
Barnet had been attentive to Mrs
MolineUx prior to her marriage. Gen
e. T. MOlineux, father of the accused,
was permitted to sit beside the prison
er, when he was brought into court.
Barlow S Weeks of counsel for the
prisoner Immediately raised the point
that the Indictment of his client having
been found in the supreme court the
trial should be before that tribunal.
Counsel said that in view of Recorder
Colts having said last week that he
would not try the case unless salts
factory to both sides the defense ask
that you exercise the power vested in
you and transfer this case to the Su-
preme court. We do not ask this for
delay" continued Mr.. Weeks, I'VE ap-
peal to your hOnOr's sense of fairness,
to your hOnor's power to make the
transfer. We are ready to go down to
the supreme court today and proceed
with the trial of this case. District At
torney Gardiner defended the course of
the prosecution and accused the defense
of playing for delay. Mr.. Weeks at
tempted to reply but was interrupted
sharply by Recorder GOff who said: 81
cannot permit this. I have listened
patiently and can allow no more time
to be taken up. The counsel for de-
fendant has stated his readiness to go
to trial. The question is presented 10
me now as to the removal of this case.
There does not appear to the court any
legal reason why this case shall not go
to trial. The case is now in the court of
general sessions concluded the recOr-
der.
The defandant's counsel asked that
the court entertain a motion to dis
miss the Indictment.
Recorder Golf consented to hear the
motion, but would not agree to enter
tain it. Defendants counsel then offer
ed the reason for the motion.
After Mr. Weeks had read for some
time, Recorder Gof said:
This is simply disgracefu1 and re-
fuse to hear any more. Your remarks
are trivial"
The work of selecting a jury was then
begun. The first man called was eXcuS-
ed because of sensitiveness on the sub
ject Of capital punishment.