Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-31
MOL|NEUX ON STAND
Declares His Innocence Of
Mrs. Adams Death.
BIG CROWD IN COURT
TELLS OF HIS WHEREABOUTS
DECEMBER 81, 1898.
Also Recounts His Difficulty With
Cornish at the Knickerbocker
Athletic Club.
BIG CROWD IN COURT

NEW YORK, October 31.-The defense
opened today in the trial of Roland b.
Molineux, charged with the murder OF
Mrs. Katherine ]. Adams, and soon after
the opening of court former Governor
Frank S. Black announced that the first
witness for the defense would be the ac-
cused man. This marked a departure from
the course of Molineuxs lawyers at the
first trial, when the defense offered no evil
dence at all.
The crowd which tfronged the criminal
courts building today was probably the
largest even seen there. The regular po-
lice force on hand was not large enough
to control the situation, and extra police
men were sent from nearby stations to
aid in preserving order. Men and women
were forced out of the building in large
numbers but, Notwithstanding, 200 persons
more than could be seated managed to get
into the trial room and considerable con-
fusion resulted. When Molineux was
brought into court it was found that some
one had removed his customary chair, and
also that of his father and both had to
stand until chairs were borrowed from an
other court room.
Opening by Molineux's Attorney.
AS soon as the jury was polled former
Governor Black began his opening address.
He kept the promise he made yesterday,
and spoke for less than five minutes. He
declared the accused man innocent of any
connection with the crime, and promised
to show to the satisfaction Of the jury
that MolineuX never wrote any of the in
eliminating letters or the address on the
poison package.
When he had finished he called out: "Ro-
land B. Molneux, take the witness chair"
Replying to the first question of his law
Mnli yTn a fU-SlN
years, told the date of his arrest and the
length of the time he was in the Tombs
and in Sing Sing prison
He said he took course in chemistry in
Cooper Union after he left school. When
he was sixteen years old he went to Utah
and Mexico. He was correspondent in di-
vorce suit, and it was thought better that
he should leave the city for a while. He
returned to New York year later and got
employment in his ia theirs firm, Devoe,
Reynolds and Company, paints and colors.
He continued with that firm until he went
to Newark as superintendent of the color
factory of Morris Hermann and Company.
He was a member of the knickerbocker
Athletic Club for two years, resigning in
1897, when he went to the New York Ath-
letic Club. He was a member of the gov
erning board of the Knickerbocker Athletic
Club.
Did Not Approve Of Cornish.
Molineux said he did not approve of Cor
iliSll management Ol Tie Udln OF OF the
gymnasium. He complained about the hori-
zontal bar he had to USE but Cornish didn't
carry out his directions. He made formal
complaint about Cornish because he thought
Cornish had spoken disrespectfully about
Mr.. Weeks, the president of the New York
Athletic Club. Molineux said he presented
this matter to the authorities of the Knick-
erbocker Club, but no official action was
taken on this complaint. The witness spoke
to Cornish directly about ha
or twice.
Molineux, continuing, testified that he OBJ
Jected to man in Cornish's position in the
club occupying a room spending the clubs
money without having to account to any
one and also to his use of the clubs sta
tionery to write his insulting opini MS and
threats against IN officer of friendly club.
did you speak to Cornish about your
feelings?'' asked Mr.. Black
He knew l had practically said that If
he did not get out of the club I would" re-
piled Molineux. THE club thought he was
in the right, and just before I resigned /
met Cornish on the stairs
What did you say?"
He called me - and said I had
not succeeded in getting him out. 1 re-
piled, No; you win"
Had you any feelings of bitter animosity
to him when you left the club?"
"I Was Very Angry" Said Witness.
Molineux said he talked to Rudolph Heles
Cornish was any good There was no
trouble between the witness and Harpster;
Molineux, as a member of the house COM
mittee, was instructed to reprimand Harp
ster, but there was nothing serious Mr..
Black then questioned the defendant as to his
movements on December 81, 1898, and M1li-
neux said that he went to Newark as
usual, that day. to attend to business, and
returned to New York in the even ng
DID you buy the bottle holder?" asked
Mr.. Black.
No" replied Molineux.
did you ever see it?''
mo-
On December % he said he went to CO.
lumbia College, and he thought 1t probable
Ihat ne called at the New York Office of his
firm, as was his custom to do almost every
day.
In the evening he went to the opera. He
was not nearer to the general post office
that day than Cortlandt street which is
Tour blocks away. The poison package was
mailed at the general post office.
UnIr ,afl