Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-10-24
BARNET LETTERS
Ruled Out Of @oIineux Trial
by Judge ambert.
Admission Would b Against Ruling
Of Court Of Appeals.
Same Old Ground ofsFormer Trial Be.
ing Threshed Over.

New York. Oct. PA strong point
was scored by the defence in the trial
of Roland B. Molineux, today, when
Justice Lambert ruled out the Barnet
letters. Justice Lambert decided that
as evidence the letters must be exclud-
ed as improper, but that he was willing
to admit them simply as standard of
comparison in handwriting. The coun-
sci for the defence were highly pleased
with this decision, which is in line with
that of the court. Of appeals. which held
that the testimony relative to the let
tiers given at the f;rSt trial was irrele-
want.
Assistant District attorney Osborne
opened the proceedings by reading to
the jury. with the consent of the de-
fence. the evidence given at the last
trial by Policeman John H. Palmer.
who is sick. Palmer told of visiting
the Adams apartment and carrying
away the poison bottle and glasses.
John S. Adams Of the knickerbocker
A. c., was called to tell of the origin
of the trouble between Molineux and
Cornish. Molineux was director of
the club while Corni MAS an athletic
director Molineux sEetting up an
amateur circus ant Explained that
Cornish refused to ;the horizontal
bars MolineuX want and as cOnse-
uuence Molineuxs IN 3 was endangered
every time he pract4ed.
Mr.. Adams identified the much dis
cussed Cornish-We letters in which
Cornish writing to Nesers. the printer.
declared that Barton S. Weeks. presi
dent of the New York Athletic Club.
would do any sort d dirty work, that
ne Cornish would r'never let up I'M
til he got even with3him.'
The letter was shown to Molineux
and he made it the grounds of "A formal
complaint against Cornish. Witness
identified sMolineuX's letter of resigna-
ton from the club and another explain
ing that he resigned because he felt
that his opposition to a system that
permitted an emploYe to insult gem
tleman would make him a disturbing
element in the cluRs membership.
The defence conceded that both were
written by Molineux.
Mr.. Adams testified as lay wit
ness to MolineuX's handwriting on
number of conceded and disputed let
tiers. The cross examination referred
to the witnesses identification of the
handwriting. The letters. etc, We're
presented on standards of comprising.
Gastuva Knutt testified on an iden-
titled letter written by Elsie Gray, an
employe of his firm now dead, and
found with a sample of the powder
at 1920 Broadway. VIM. Fl. Schieffelin.
one of Molineux's cronies in the
knickerbOcker Athletic Club, identified
the letter Molineux wrote to him en-
closing a copy of Cornish's letter to
Wafer.
Felix Gallagher. who Cornish said
he at first thought had written the
Harpster letter signed H. Cornish"
was the next witness.
Did you tell MOlineuX anything
about Harpster?" Mr.. Osborne asked.
Il told Mr.. MOlineuX, discussing the
necessity of giving bonds. at the New
York A. c.. that all our bonds at the
{. We're held up be-
cause Harpster had had trouble with
Frederick Stearns & Co.
Mr. Osborne called Prof. Rudolph a.
Continued on page 2.)