New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-05-06
WHY SHE KILLED GIRL.
Mrs. POzceH Tells of a Life and
Death Struggle.

Dover. Del May 5-For the first time since the
discovery OF the mangled body Of Estelle Albin in
her attic, Mrs Mary A. Powell the seIf-confessed
slayer Of the girl broke down to-day. She gave
vent to her feelings while under cross-eXamina-
tion and sobbed though her heart would break
She cried out in her anguish: oh did not mean
TO do it,
The woman's passionate weeping brought tears
to many Of the spectators. The womans lawyers
wept Attorney General Ward was dignifed but
merciless, and piled the with questions
relative the struggle with the girl in the garnet
Mrs Powell was asked tell Of her movements
on the day Miss Albin killed, and in describing
the house she said:
dresser in the summer Kitchen. Essie was just
inside the door or the Washhouse, Watching me.
She looked mad. 1 said nothing TO her. and she
said nothing / gathered up the bottles and
opened G the ' garrett Ft door closing it aft after me-
While was putting down the bottles heard the
coming up the stairs. II Essie She seized me
her twice with bottle that was III my hand.
She pulled to the floor with her. She again
Choke me to death She took off her apron and
tried 10 place il IN my mouth took a knife from
me. The knife was in my sore right hand, and l
dd NOT know what to o did not want TO cut
her then changed the knife to my other hand;
rot know what 70 DO and was blood al over
it will look like suicide" and did so
When the court reconvened after the recess At
torney General Ward began his cross-examnation
Of Mrs. Powell. She was asked If she attended the
coroner's inquest the body of Essie Albn on
She admitted she witness at the inquest,
and declared that she did not tell the truth because
she afraid her husband would kin her.
Did you not swear" asked the Attorney Cen
eral that the last you saw Of Essie on February
when she went out TO get the dinner pot?'
4 did. and il not true
while YOU were putting down those bottles and
Essie Albin approached you, did she have anything
In that right hand?'
know I 1Gvrf
How it. then, that you struck at her hand
with that beer bottle?'
Because did not know but she had something
in il. the way il drawn"
How il you aimed at her hand and struck
her head?'
Because her right side was nearest TO me. and
her hand moved quicker than her head
Mrs. Powell then said that. while she struggled
with Essie the girl got her knee her right
hand, and, while holding her firmly by the throat.
Essie tore off her apron and proceeded to choke
the time.
How did you get that knife out of your right
pocket and get il open IL she was holding your
hand under her knees?" asked MI. Ward.
II snatched IL out"
How long did you fight. You say. before you
cut her2'
'.WelI I was losing strength and knew she
was going take nv life. But Mrs. Powell
did not finish the sentence. Here she broke down
and sobbed plteously Rocking TO and fro she
mOaned and cried. oh ! didn't mean do Itr'
while the crowd I'm the courtroom gazed I'm amaze
ment at the remarkable change in the stold
woman
Justice Spruance ordered a glass Of water and a
came quiet and her cross-examlnation was con-
Guided %