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

THE ALLEGED MOTIVE
The motive OF the murder was taken, there-
fore. TO be hatred of Cornish Almost immedi-
ately suspicion directed against Molineux.
because he was supposed to be the chief enemy
Cornish had. The two men had quarreIled at
the club. and their trouble had reached a stage
where Molineux had announced that one OF the
men must leave the club. The decision OF the
clubs directors had been against Molineux and
ne had resigned from the club. At his last
meeting with Cornish the latter had applied to
him particularly vile and abusive epithet and
had glOried in his triumph
The address OF the poison package had been
preserved, and an examination of it in connec-
tlon with some of MOlineUx's writings led
perts IN handwriting to declare that the writing
on the address in MOlineux's own hand.
Later there came to light some letters which
the experts said also had been written by NIoli-
neux. and they seemed to strengthen the case
against him. There were letters signed H.
Cornish" and III. c. Barnet making inquiries
OF kind TO indicate that the writer was look
Ing for Information for a vindictive purpose
They asked for replies to be sent to a private
. letter box. and the man who let the boxes there
said MOlineux had hired one Of the boxes.
Barnet had died. and the discovery Of the
letters sent In his name led to suspicious that
he had been enemy Of MOIineux and had
heen poisoned The suspicion itself was made
use OF in connection with the letters 70 build up
the case against the accused man.
The detectives traced the bottle holder to a
store in Newark. and tried to get evidence that
Moilneux had purchased IL there. Apparently
IL had been bought by man who wore red
beard. MOlineux had black hair and wore no
, beard. and the detectives tried to get evidence
that he had disguised himself
When IL was discovered that the poison that
killed Mrs. Adams was cyanide OF mercury an
effort was made 70 prove that MoIneux was an
expert chemist and knew how to compound the
poison He had been employed in a factory In
Newark where colOrs were manufactured. and
some OF the ingredients Of me colors manu-
faetured there could be used in the preparation
of cyanide of mercury.
The crowd that fought for admission to the
Criminal Branch OF the Supreme Court 70 wit
ness the trial twice as 'arge yesterday as on
any previous day. The report that NIolineux
was to testify had gone through the Criminal
Courts Building before the time for opening the
| courtroom. and everybody there wanted to gain
admission to hear the testimony.
EX-GOVERNOR BLACKS ADDRESS.
As soon as the court was ready at the be-
/ ginning OF the days session Ex-Governor Black
made a brief address 20 the jury in opening the
case for the defence. He talked only few min-
utes. and II was evident that he was saving his
voice. which was somewhat hoarse. He said:
SHOULD consume your time BY any elaborate out
line OF the plan Of defence for our defence is 50
shall show that the sO-called poisons which tnis
defendant used In his business as a chemist were
ordinary articles OF merchandise. such any one
/ of you gentlemen OF this jury could go out and
stryehnne. and the possession Of WHICH by per-
session OF strychnine In the house of person who
We shall SHOW that this defendant never had a
letter box that he % had % any S 5 w
or ever knew anything about the address in the
called poison package.
We shall travel very much the same road that
has been travelled by the prosecution in this trial.
and we hope to clear Up some OF the things & which @
only show that the defendant never wrote the ad
that from the very nature Of his education and his
calling he was noe sufficiently expert 70 write that
address on any Of the samples Of handwriting IN
We shall prove this not only by expert witnesses.
but also by the defendant himself. who will take
the stand and meet you. gentlemen. face to face.
is absolutely innocent OF this charge.
Ex-Governor Black spok, in a voice so low
that II was inaudible three feet away from
where he stood. facing the jury When he had
finished he called out:
Roland B. Molineux. take the witness chairg'
MoLINEUx IN WITNESS CHAIR.
Molireux arose from his seat walked around
a table where the newspaper reporters sat.
passed up behind the jury box. took the oath
and walked up two steps. seating himself in the
witness chair. He was paler than usual but
caIm and ne spoke with a clear voice in reply TO
the questions Of Ex-Governor Black.
mfr. MOlineux." began Mr. Black in low
tone Of voice. you are the defendant in this
case?'
Yes. sir replied the witness. and the ex-
animation for a time was continued. 20 give In
formation Of MOIneux's life, follows:
o-And you were arrested. chaTged with this
crime? Ayes. sir; In February o Ess -
Q-Have you been ever since IN prison: A-1es.
o-How old are you- A-Thirty-six years old.
O.-Where were you born? An BROOKLYN
O-Where were YOU educated? AIT the Brook
lS .sSnhIe nigh School also took lessons at the Poly
o."Any place else? Al took two courses IN
e4s"VFss e@WSat y year was that An 1ss and 1sst
90to% TsSrE 9lG ~sEf eId you at 's AAo0u'
soWhat did you do after you left Cooper Urione
9Did :, yoS Si5sE"SEd ysl % similar 1, P7fe as OF
o.-And you were employed there during the year
i'Ss- 9.-Tou are married. are you not2 A.-Yes sir
0-And you lived soatinpOgsy g;5 with your wife
DUrins your lifetime were you ever far from,
she state OF Nsx-Yerkc A-YsS sir went to
NAMED IN DIVORCE CASE
suit and Il was thought better that should leave
o.IYou we're sixteen years old them A-Te-.
sir.
O.-YOu were a member Of several clubs? A.
Yes sir I was a member Of the Manhattan At1-
letic Club. the KnekerbOcker Athletic club and
the New-YOFL Athletic Club
Q.-When did you Join the Knickerboczer Ath-
letic Club? Am 1895.
O-What did YOU while YOU in the club
that Is in the athletic line? Al used compete
gymnastics. My specially was the horizontal
bar.
O-Untl how long did YOU continue to make this
your speciality A.-Until the summer Of my ar
rest.
Q-What official position did you held IN th.
New-York Athletic Club when you Joined it, Al
wa. a mber Of, the board Of governors
Q-Whar you in the knickeroOcker Attn
Iatic CIub9 Al was on the house COMMITTEES.