The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-03-15
CORDOBA IS FOUND GUILTY.
JURY CONVICTS PASTOR AFTER
SIX HOURS DELIBERATION.

NEW BRUgsWIcK, N. j., March it.-Th'
jury which has been bearing the evideno'
against ]. Frank Cordova, the former South
| River pastor, on the charge Of abandoning
! his wife, came In At 10 o'clock to-nigh. With
a verdict Of guilty. The case went TO the
! jury ct toolock, and an hour later the juror
came into court and reported that they
/ could not agree, Judge Woodbridge Strong
: sent them back 10 deliberate further.
That the jury took 20 long 10 reach q
, verdict was a surprise. Abandonment IL
punishable in New jersey under a recent
| Law by one year In prison OF $500 fine.
Cordova's defenoeWas that his wife bad
asked him to leave, that he had supported
her slnoe TO the best Of his means and that
II there had been any dessrtion 1t did not
take place in MiddleseE county, In which
he IL being tried.
Tomorrow Cordova goes into the
prisoners dock again before another jury.
Tho charge is assault upon Mrs. Cordova.
She alleges he beat her while in a rage over
charges she made against Miss Bovine.
Tho jury in this case has already been
impanelled
Prosecutor George Berdine. In his sum-
ming up, pictured Cordova as a perSe-
Cuted fellow, neglected by the woman
who had borne him three children, fleeing
because he had a Wretched home.
He ridiculed the doctrine Of Lawyer
Cook that a man may leave his wife for
other women.
'Mr. Cook is not married. said the Prose
cItoT. The young lady who IL honored
with his attentions now
Mr. Cook objected to having his personal
affairs drawn into the case and the Prose
cutor did not continue.
Cordova spent a very uncomfortable
time on the witness stand this morning in
his own defence, He fought against mem
tionlng the name Of Julia Bovine, the girl
With whom he eloped twice. The prose-
cutor tried time and time again to get him
TO tell who had travelled with him; whether
be had spent any money on any one else,
and even produced a bill made out In Cor
doya's name showing that he had bought
female attire at Philadelphia store. To
all questions along this line Cordova re-
fused 10 answer on the ground that be might
incriminAte himself
Cordova told Of going to Philadelphia,
Washington and New Mexico. He refused
TO saY II any one accompanied him or II he
paid the expenses Of the one who was
with him.
The Prosecutor showed Cordova bill OF
Charles Herman Of South River for groceries
and asked him II he knew about II.
i will not answer that unless am per-
mittod to tell all about the circumstances.
There are some things that cannot DO
answered with a yes or mo- replied
Cordova. Suppose ] asked you II you
had stopped beating your wife; you could
you can't ask me that" replied the
Prosecutor. Il might ask you that peril
nently, though
IF you should say no. it would indicate
that you are beating your wife, and II you
should answer yes that you had once
The explanation OF the witness amused
the courtroom.
The Court ruled out letters h Mrs.
CordOva had written TO her hue while
he was in New Mexico, the letters nding
20 show the forgiveness Of the wife, the
Court holding that the State Of New Jersey
was prosecuting Cordova, not his wife. and
that, even IL she did forgive him, II would
have no bearing on the case.
Cordova said that he had left 500 worth
Of personal property and that his wife had
secured the proceeds from its sale.
How do you know that?' demanded the
Prosecutor.
Il have it in her letters and know by
witnesses in court, he replied. The Court |
dence and that they would have TO be pro- |
duced.
There was a long delay while Lawyers |
Cook and Clark searched for the letters. |
Mr.. Cook accused Mr. Obre. Mrs. Cordovas |
brother. Of conoealing some letters. Tho |
prosecutor stated positively that the State I
had no other letters, and the Court said that |
L could not compel any one except the |
State 10 produce letters.
Cordova has been meek and submissive |
49,
after the adjournment Of court at noon
when he was angry. A photographer
ran ahead Of him and tried 20 get picture
Of him as he was being led back TO jail
Cordova sought TO hide his face with his
hat, and when the photographer acct
the ex-minister smashed It into splinters
with vigorous kicks. That act pleased
The prisoner more than anything since
he has been In jail, excepting the time
Misc Bovine. She is still in Jail. The State
finished with her last night. and she will
be formally discharged from
II IL doubtful II the girl will 20
10 her home. She has pleaded TO be per
mitted 20 remain b. jail until CordovR Is
released.
To a reporter who asked Mrs. j. F. Cor
dova In the Judges room at the court
house to-day, II she intended TO seek a
divorce from Cordova, she said that she
WOulont give MIN Inht 6Atl61aCNlOn.
Desperate as was his love for Julia BOVINE
CordovR also found time 10 write love
letters 10 his wife. These letters have
been turned over 70 Prosecutor Berdine.
The Prosecutor also has some fervent |
verses written by the versatile ex-parson
10 Jail and dedicated 20 Miss Bovine. To
ME wife he wrote
Deat-Oh, ,darling-I am 90 anxious for
ust one little word OF pardon; forgive me
or baby's sake and say 70 mo Frank |
orRive you for our own three babies sake; |
,ome 10 US" May God have mercy on me !
Ind spare our baby.
Perhaps you think me bold 20 address
Tou this way after all that has passed PoT
Gods sake have mercy on me just once more.
Il not, ! may die soon. ] don't think lose
leah, but ] am getting RTAyer all the time.
md careless. don't polish my shoes or
Eash my teeth
The verses TO Miss Bovine were inspired.
le says, by some words Of the jail chaplain.
They follow:
Though prison walls and prison bar
Keep mated souls apart
To lanRuish mid the dark and Gloom
And crush the loving heart
It's but a penance dear,
And We must keep up our good cheer,
For God on high 4 love itseif
And help from Him Is near.
He Il not harsh and well he knoWs
That by some accident
A oiTCums thnoe will cause a soul
With nngIligh he rant