Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-01-02
District Attorney Fears Molineux's
Counsel Has Surprise.
TRIES TO FORCE WEEKS HAND
That Adams Letter is a Sort of
irritation.
CORNISH ON THE STAND

NEW YORK, January with the OPEN
ing of the forty-seventh day of the trial of
Roland Burnham MolineuX for the alleged
murder of Mrs katherine J. Adams, on
December 2S, 1888, but little apparent pro-
gress, aside f.om the examination of ex-
pert handwriting witnesses. had been made.
The defense asserts that the prosecution
has not yet proved the death by poison of
Mrs. Adams. although DR.. Wendell C. Phil
lips. who attended both Barnet and Cornish
testified that it was mis- opinion that they
both suffered from mercurial poisoning and
that the death of Barnet and Mrs. Adams
was caused by the same poison.
1t is almost a foregone conclusion among
those most interested in the trial that the
defense has some sort of surprise in store.
Assistant District Attorney Osborne, for
the state, who has been heretofore so san
guine as to the result and who has con-
Quoted his case with a great deal of assllr-
ance. does no. admit that such can be the
case, Dat II Is apparent, nevertheless, that
he is more watchful of the legal tactics of
the defense han he had been before.
Trying to Force Defense's Hand,
With the testimony of John D. Adams,
secretary of the knickerbocker Athletic
Club. and Harry S. Cornish, already intro
duced, he has given the appearance of
wanting to force Mr.. Weeks to bring out
whatever surprise he has in store.
Ever since the letters of John D. Adams
which Mr.. Adams asserted from the wit
ness stand had been stolen from his posses
sion, and which he begged the court to ey
cluue, out winch We're introduced by the
defense ami marked for identification, Mr..
osborne has been uneasy. What the CON
tents of those letters are no one can tell.
They We're placed in the custody of the
court, and Mr.. Weeks asked that no one bt.
allowed to see them.
That feature concluded the examina-
Hoh OF Adams. who was followed on the
stand by Cornish. The latter's direct ex-
animation was short. and he was soon
turned over to Mr. Weeks for cross-exami-
nation AT the adjournment of court on
friday afternoon last over New Year Cornish
vas on the stand under cross-examination
by counsel for the defense, which was re-
sumed today
Witness Memory Refreshed,
Mr.. Weeks started in by questioning
Cornish about the testimony he gave in re-
gard to his return home from the club on
the night of December 81 1895 Cornish
today said that he returned home a little
late that night. Mr.. Weeks asked who
had suggested this testimony since his ex-
animation last week. and Cornish replied
that 1t was not the result of a SUGGESTION
but that his memory had been refreshed by
a man named Harry A. King.
You have testified that you took bromo
settler on or about Thanksgiving day be-
fore ths?''
Yes
Where did you take it?"
I'm the club"
Who made it?''
Myself"
Did you read the directions on the bot
tle?"
There was no bottle"
Cornish said that his stomach was feel
fhe hart dor
something for it. Some dry bromo seltzar
was put in a glass for him and he mixed it
for himself.
You have been twenty years interested
in caring for athletes?" asked Mr.. Weeks
Yes"
And you never recommended anything
to them for bad stomach"
How did you know it was bromo-seltzer
you tt Ok?'
Il was told So"
You did not notice any peculiar taste
about it,"
That which you tasted on the morning
of December Is. did you notice a peculiar
taste about that?"
Did you say to Mrs. Adams, That's all
right?' y
Il did"
After you had tasted it for herr"
NO before. Her remark was the cause
of my tasting it,
Took His Meals at Different Places,
The witness said he took his meals part
of the time at the knickerbocker Athletic
Club and part of the time at his apart
ments about the date of Mrs. Adams
death.
Now. Mr.. Cornish, why did you select
a room in West s4th street when your bust
ness was so far away" asked Mr.. Weeks
No particular reason. l asked Mrs.
Adams TO look around for me and find a
room. l was tired of living at the club
Did the selection of that room come
from the fact that Mr.. and Mrs. Rogers
also lived in West S4th street at the same
timer
No
Did you ever call on them at 10 West
saith street,"
Yes
When did you live in this street,"
I'm October. 1897
Did you ever meet Mr.. Rogers there?''
No"
Did you know that they were separated
at that timer
There ensued discussion between wit
ness and counsel to what Cornish learn
ed of the separation between Mr. and Mrs
Rogers. Cornish asserted that he could
not remember when he got this informal
ton. MIR. Weeks questioned Cornish about
his birth and the positions he occupied up
to the time he came to New York Cor
Hisii Sdiu lie was llaTTleQ IN hartford, and
went to Chicago in 1893, his wife joining
him later and remaining there until lie
left. His wife procured divorce in March,
1897. He had known a Mrs. Small who
died In 1884; he was never known as Mr.
Small. He could not be positive about the
Gate when he first met Mrs. Small. Her
real name was Mrs. Patterson.
Relations with Mrs. Small,
Mr.. Weeks went on with a searching ex-
animation as to Cornish's relations with
Mrs. Small. The witness said he had not
known her husband. He had her sent to a
hospital before she died, and he paid
for her burial. In answer to one of Mr.
Weeks questions Cornish replied, with irri-
tation. You ought to know all about that.
The physician told your detective all about
it."
Mr.. Weeks stopped and looked at the wit
ness for moment.
You seem to know more about this than
1 do
Yes. The physician told me all about 1t"
Then you had occasion to go out to Chi
cago and inquire about these things?"
Cornish hesitated a moment Yes, I
have been out there" he replied at last
Mr.. Weeks asked Cornish IL Mrs Adams
had had any breakfast on the morning of