New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-11-01

himself went on the witness stand. He was the
first witness for the defence He told the story
of his life. He related the troubles at the KniCk
erbocker Athletic Club and his quarrels with
Harry s. Cornish. the TO whom was sent
through the mails the poison that killed Mrs.
Katherine j. Adams. lie denied fatty all knowl-
edge of the preparation or the sending of the
poison. He contradcted every charge OF the
prosecution tending to connect him with the
death of Mrs. Adams. He asserted that he
never had written the sO-caIIed Cornish letter
which the prosecution insists showed his vio-
lent hatred of Cornish and which the experts
have declared was in the same handwriting as
that of the address on the poison package
1t the first time Molineux had been heard
in testimony in his own defence since the cOro-
ner's inquest. early in 1890. He had the paIlOr
of long confinement in prison. but he gave his
testimony with clear voice and In a positive
manner which created a favorable impression
He not permitted to testify on the first trial
which resulted in his conviction 1t took Moli-
neux about two hours yesterday to tell his story
on direct examination. led on by Ex-Governor
Frank s. Black
Assistant District Attorney Osborne spent sew
eral hours in a severe crOss-examination. but
failed to break down the wi9ness. lead him into
contradictions or compel him TO make any dam
aging admissions. The crOss-examination was
borne however. was able. by a clever ruse. 10
get before the jury the important parts OF testi
mOny given at the former trial by Mamie Me
landO and Policeman Farrell. Of Newark. n. ].
MELANDo GIRLS TESTIMONY.
The MeIando girl testified at the former trial
that she saw in Alolineux's room In Newark
previous to the death of Mrs Adams some Of the
blue writing paper with interIaced ereseenrs
as W 20 OF he
in evidence, and MOlineux admitted that he had
used such paper in another letter. Farrell
testified in the former trial that he MolI-
neux near store In Newark where the bottle
holder containing the poison package pur-
chased on the day of the purchase. Both the
Melando girl and Farrell were unwilling wit
nesses, and they have been kept away from the
present trial. Mr.. Osborne tried to have their
former testimony read 70 ths jury. but Justice
Lambert ruled IL out.
BY asking Molineux yesterday IL he ever had
heard the Melando girl say other than In her
former testimony" II she had seen any of the
blue crested paper in his room IN Newark. Mr..
Osborne was able 20 get the fact OF such testi-
mony impressed upon the jury. Justice Lam
bert allowed that method Of procedure although
Ex-Governor Black protested against II. and took
exceptions because Mr.. Osborne read from the
testimony ruled out In preparing his questions
placed before the jury.
Apparently encouraged by his success. Mr.
Osborne later made vigorous attempt 20 get
before the jury the Barnet letters the introduc-
tiOon of which at the former trial was one of the
reasons for granting a new trial He argued
thai since Molineux had been permitted to an
swer questions about Barnet and the illness
which caused his death. the letters alleged by
the prosecution TO have been written by MoIi-
neux in his name should be admitted as evil
denoe. Justice Lambert was firm. however. and
ruled the letters out.
Early In the cross-examination Of Molineux
there was dramatic incident that looked al
most like an open rupture between the prose-
cutor and the court. Mr. Osborne was trying
to disconcert Molineux by hurting back at him
questions he had answered and Justice Lam
bert interfered to prevent needless delay IN the
progress of the examination. Mr. Osborne came
near openly defying the court in railing against
what he called the courts Interruptions" He
was rebuked quickly. and told 70 continue. and
Justice Lambert announced that he would in
terrupt counsel every time a question that had
been answered was repeated.
MOLINEUx WASN'T TIRED.
Mr. Osborne was tired of the cross-examina-
tion before Molineux was. and asked for an ad-
journment. saying both were tired; but Molineux
declared he was not tired. and the examination
went on until an hour late in the afternoon.
when District Attorney Jerome asked for an
adjournment on the ground that the prosecution
had been surprised by the decision to let loli-
neux testify and was not prepared fully for the
cross-examination. At the end Of the day Moii-
neux's counsel declared that he had stood the
merciless attack of the prosecution in a manner
that demonstrated his innocence His bearing
during the ordeal had been confident He smiled
at Mr.. Osborne many times in making replies.
and most of his answers were given without
perceptible hesitation
Twice in his direct examination MOlineux hes
ftated to reply TO questions which his counsel
insisted that he should answer. The first time
was when he admitted that at the age of SIX
teen he had been named as correspondent in a
divorce case and had been sent out of the State
for a time The second time when he was
Obliged to tell of an alteration he had with
Cornish at the Knickerbocker Athletic Club
and was Obliged to mention vile epithet which
Cornish had applied to him.
The questioning Of MoIineux on the witness
stand yesterday covered all the incidents by
which the prosecution had expected 70 connect
hin, with the death OF Mrs Adams in her home
late in December. 1898. 1t is the theory of the
prosecution that intense hatred OF Harry S.
Cornish led the prisoner 70 send 20 Cornish. az
the Knickerbocker Athletic Club. a silver bottle
holder containing what was meant TO be mis-
taken for a package OF bromo seltzer. The
package really contained Kutnow powder poi
soned with cyanide of mercury. The package
was received by Cornish about Christmas time.
and he took 1t to the fiat where he board
ing with Mrs Adams and her daughter. Mrs
Roeers Mrs Adams complained of head
ache and Cornish mixed her dose OF the sup
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