Evening journal., 1903-10-07
END OF WILLIAMS
EXAMINATION
Breaks Down When Oues-
toned on the Death Of
Her Children
DISTRItT-ATTORHEY COLLAPSES


poisoning her two little daughters for
their life insurance was full OF sensa-
tional Incidents. Mrs. Williams showed
signs of sharp temper at District At
torney Bells questions. and at times
showed signs OF collapse. District At
torney Bell. stung by taunt from for
mer Judge Stevenson. attorney for the
defense. collapsed completely and
tears rolled down his cheeks as he
wept convulsivoly.
Mrs. Williams was asked II on the |
day Annie died she did not frequently I
call for water She replied: "Yes, An /
ME did, but Josephine didn't"
MIR. Bell then showed that Mrs. Will |
liams had testified on her direct ex
animation that Josephine had fre-
quently called for water.
Mrs. williams seemed greatly wor-
ried. rolled her eyes about, and
showed evidence of temper in her re.
plies.
Didn't you cook the breakfast the
Friday morning the children became
in?" "Mr. Williams and l."
"You and he alone?" Yes. but An.
.nie had pains Thursday night"
Haven't you testified that the chill
Iren were first taken sick Friday
morning2" "They we're taken very
sick then"
why, after working this way, after
having your baby christened in the
Spiritualistic church, after having
that church bury your baby, did you
tell persons It was all fake2" BE
cause / found out It was"
why did you tell Coroner Dugan
you had only been in the church,
once?' 1T was none of his business"
"You lied?" NO; was there
once"
do you claim to be a medium"
mo. I'm not so crazy"
The birth of Mrs. Williams baby
Rachel was taken up. Mr.. Bell at
tempted TO draw the witness into a con-
fession that the infant was improperly
born. She denied positively that John
Williams had accused her in the pres
ence OF her sister, Lottie Burke, that
she had smothered the baby.
WAS il not true that your sister was
the only one who stayed by you?"
mo. sir"
"Did she not get you counsel7"
Il don't know that she did
"Did she not send Monaghan and
( Green up TO see your"
Il do not know"
"wen, they acted for you, didn't
they?"
Monaghan came up as a gentleman
but Green was like bull dog"
who paid them?"
Il guess they have not been pait
yet"
Don't you know the insurance com-
panies you have mentioned have paid
the counsel fees?"
That's the first I've heard of it." In
terrupted Mr.. Stevenson.
Don't You know they engaged
i Judge Stevenson and have you not said
so?"
Mr.. Stevenson objected and said It
was irrelevant anyhow. Mr.. Bell said
he wished to open up line for con-
tradiction and was permitted to pro-
ceed by the court
Following this up. he endeavored to
show that 5-year-old John Williams.
the prisoners child. had been kept out
of the way by the defendant so that
the boy could not give testimony at
the trial that would incriminate his
mother.
"Why did you not find him and bring
him into court2" asked ex-Judge
Stevenson.
Mr.. Bell arose to reply. An angry
frown was upon his brow and his tenn
per appeared to be held in check only
by great effort.
q did not want to have the spectacle
here of child testifying against its
mother" he said.
IF that is true" said Mr.. Stevenson
: you have failed in your duty"
Mr.. Bell attempted a retort. He be
gan an answer, but his emotion over
came him.
Il could not do It," he sobbed. II
was too much. I could not set the chill,
there to testify against its mother,
/ Then he collapsed altogether and grea
/ tears rolled down his checks as h
= leaned forward on his chair and wep
convulsively.
When Mr. Bell recovered his compo
sure he proceeded:
1 Were you ever n a trance?"
I Il never was in a trance"
I Did not Matte Royce testify tina
e you said you could see Laura, Ami
and Josephine while in a trance?"
Matte Boyce only could have sal
4 that as q witness so as TO get $3.50
day"
At this point Mrs Williams brols
down and cried when District Attorne
Bell piled her with so many ques
A tions about her children that she wei
!. from motherly ympathy. she said. an
{ from the terrible strain of the tria
{ which is beginning to show itself o
= the features Of the little woman
black
"Who cooked your children's FOO
before the funeral and who cooked tn
coffce?"
81 did"
. "Did any person beside yourself an
2 Mr.. Williams have the opportunity
d put poison in the food and cofce?'
s mo. sir, and can swear with m
life that no person put any poison
The food" Mrs Williams half ros'
Il from her scat and said this dramati
N cally.
n "How can you account for the ap
IS pearance OF poisonous drugs in Anna
stomach"