The sun., 1902-11-12

pert chemist, analysed the contents Of
the bromo-seltzer bottle and found
that it contained a mixture of bromo-
seltzer and cyanide Of mercury, and an
analysis of the organs of Mrs. ADAMS
showed the presence of prussic' acid,
which is poison resulting from cyan
ide of mercury. Mrs. ADAMS had died
from mercuric cyanide poison.
The whole question in the case, there
fore, was: Who sent the bottle con-
tanning the cyanide of mercury to HARRY
s. CoRNIsH?'
II was shown on the trial that MoLI-
NEUX, who was "A director of the knic kerr
booker Athletic Club. had had quarrel
with CORNISH, an athletic instructor in
that club, and that the Governing Com
mittee had sustained CORNISH; that
MoLINEUX had resigned from the club,
and that CORNISH had subsequently adj
dressed MoLINEuX in very insulting
language. ii was claimed by the prose-
cution that this quarrel showed motive
on the part of MoLINEUx for trying to
kill CORNISH. In answer to this theory
counsel for defendant in his summing
up urged that the motive alleged was
inadequate, and that the motive for the
killing of NIrs. KATHARINE J. ADAMS
must be sought for in another quarter,
and logically could only be found in
some person who might be anxious to
cause her death. The theory of the
prosecution was that as MoLINEUX was
a chemist he must have been familiar
with the composition and manufacture
of cyanide of mercury: that the address
on the poison package was in the hand
writing of MOIISEUX. and that in point
of fact, he had mailed the package at
about o'clock on the afternoon Of Dec.
23 1898, at the New York Post Office.
Prof. EULTE, Columbia University
professor, testified that MoIINEuX was
with him on that day from before II
o'clock noon until 4a5 O'Clock in the
afternoon, and that MoLINEUx could
not have reached the Post Office within
an hour from the time he left him. And
a Mrs. STEPHENSON testified that she
happened, on that afternoon. To be at
the Post on ce when the package in
question was mailed, and that the man
who mailed it was not the accused
In addition 10 this positive alibi, the
prisoner took the stand, and by his clear
and frank manner favorably impressed
the jury and the public.
On the other hand, the evidence
adduced by the prosecution was infer
entail and circumstantial, and it de-
pended for much of its force on the
testimony of handwriting experts. who
swore that the address on the poison
package was in the handwriting of
MoLINEUx, and that il was written
in the same handwriting as a letter
written by MoLINErx to BURNS, which
the defence admitted was genuine.
Mr.. Justice LAMBERT of the Supreme
Court, who presided at this trial, has
shown marked ability, and is to be COM
mended for his success in preserving
order and in checking any outbreak
on the part Of the prosecution. His
charge was able and impartial. In the
course Of his address he said:
mo one saw the defendant procure either of
these articles. No one saw the defendant seal the
package address It, deposit It In the General Pos;
Once or do any one OF the things charged against
him. You here for the purpose OF determining
whether the people have established the necessary
case to convict the detendan, of the crime !"
1t is evident from the verdict of the
jury that the prosecution failed to cstab-
lish its necessary case. We believe
that the result is just and right and
that it would have been a most unfort-
unate day for the people of this State
if verdict against the prisoner had
been rendered, based on such vague
and unsatisfactory evidence And in
so saying we cannot refrain from offer
ing word of heartfelt congratuation
to that grizzled and SCARED veteran
who In defence Of his son passed through
four years for him more terrible than
the four years in which he offered his
life in defence of his country.