The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-10-31
MOLINEUX WAS
PUT ON THE STAND.
Interesting Incident in Now Fa-
nous New York Muir
der Case.
He Tells of His Quarrel With Cor
nish at a New York
Club.
He Declares His Absolute Innocence
of an Attempt on Cor
nish's Life.

New York Oct S1-The defense opened
to-day in the trial of Roland B. Molineux,
charged with the murder Of Mrs. Rather
Inc j. Adams
The crowd which thronged the GRIM
tnal courts building to-day was probably
the largest seen there.
AS soon as the jury was polled. For
mer Governor Black began his opening
address 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 incriminative letters. When
he had finished he called out: Roland
B. Molneux, take the witness chair
MolIneux on the Stand.
Replying to the first question OF the
lawyer, Molineu1 gave HIS age as 10 years,
told the date Of his arrest and the length
Of time he was In the Tombs and IN sing
Sing prison. He said he took a course IN
chemistry in Cooper Union after he left
school. When he was 16 years old he
went to Utah and Mexico. He was CO.
respondent in a divorce suit, ana 1t was
thought better that he should leave the
city for a while. He returned to New
York year alter and got employment in
his fathers firm, Devoe. Reynolds & Co.,
paints and colors. He continued With that
firm until he went to Newark as the SUI
perintendent of the color factory or Nor
ris Hermann & Co. He was O. member
of the Knickerbocker Athletic club for
two years, resigning in 1897, when he went
to the New York Athletic club. He was
a member of the governing board Of the
Knickerbocker Athletic club.
Ills Trouble With Cornish.
Molineux said he did not approve Of
Cornish's management Of the bath or OF
the gymnasium He made formal COM
t,,+ lob Ia
Cornish had spoken dlsrespectfully about
Mr.. Weeks, the president Of the New York
Athletic club.
He said he objected to a man In Corn
ish's position In the club occupying a
room. spending the clubs money without
having to account to anyone and also to
his use Of the clubs stationery to write his
insulting opinions and threats against an
officer of friendly club.
THE club thought he was in the right
and just before 1 resigned met Cornish
on the stairs.
What did you say?'
He called me a - and said I had not
succeeded in getting him out. I replied
no. you VIM -
Had you any feelings Of bitter animos-
3ty towards him when you left the club?'
II was very angry"
Mr.. Black.
mo" replied Moineux.
Did you ever see it?"
mo"
On Dec 20 he went to Columbia college.
and he thought it probable that he 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 Cortland street,
which Is four blocks away The poison
package was mailed at the general post
office.
The Poison Package.
did you mail the poison package?'
mo, SIR"
when did you first see the address on
the package7"
II think at the last trial. I have never
had 1t in my hands"
The questions of counsel were then d.
rooted to the material used in color mix
ing.
Molineux said that cyanide Of mercury
had never been used by him.
Mr.. Black showed Molineux the Barnet
and Cornish letters and the poison pack
age wrapper, and asked: Did you write
that address?'
II did not"
"Did you ever see 1t before?"
mot before this trial was begun"
The whole list Of disputed writing was
shown one at q time and Molineux said
he had never seen the letters before or
the Photographic reproductions. He had
never used bromo settler and had never
bought any. The poison bottle was shown
and Moineux said 1t was the first time
he had seen 1t.
Letter to DR.. Burns.
Mr.. Black then produced the letter
written to DR.. Burns applying for a GER
tain patent medicine and inclosine 25
cents in payment. This letter was writ
ten on the blue interlaced crescent paper.
DO you recognize this letter." he was
asked
Il do. I wrote it," Molineaux replied.
1T Is signed by my name"
Tell the jury why you wrote that let
ter" 1o'
Il hurt my groin exercising and saw
the advertisement Of the salve and wrote
Two Of the disputed writings, letters
=, also asking for patent medicines and
signed II. Cornish" are written on SINH
- lar paper and are among the writings
MoI1neaux said he never wrote or saw
There were some further questions
along this line. Molineaux replying direct
ly to each. His counsel then said:
t A Direct Denial.
Il Now. Molineaux, I ask you again, do
i, you know anything Of this crime?"
f- Absolutely nothing"
n You are not guilty of this crfne?"
am absolutely innocent Of any part
= or knowledge Of it
g With this question and answer before
"a the jury Ex-Governor Black announced the
Z. close OF the direct examination.
The Cross-Examnatlon
Assistant District Attorney Osborne
conducted the cross examination. Mol.
ineux said he went west when he was ID
years old because Of the divorce suit. He
f. did not know how the suit resulted.
WAS the matter Of such little import
ance to your asked Mr.. Osborne, "tha1
you did not find out what happened to the
suit In which you were so much inter-
ested? The persons in the suit were your
friends and
At this point Justice Lambert inter.
rupted the prosecutor. He spoke in a low
tone and his words were not heard, but
Mr.. Osborne turned and said:
Il cannot GROSS examine this witness
II your honor interrupts me-
Justice Lambert replied: '"r shall in.
terr11pt you whenever YOU break the