New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-02-01
MRS. HORNER TESTIFIES
COLLAPSES At FINISH.
Days Proceedings FaUorabIe again
to DR.. Simpson.
LRy TeIegranl, 70 TIE Trisune. !

RfVerhead, Long Island Jan. 3l.--For two hours
this afternoon Mrs. Ella S. Horner. widow Of Bart
ley T. Horner, faced 4 curious crowd in the Sur
folk County Courthouse. while she responded to
rapid fire Of questions from District Attorney Fur
man. DR.. James W. Simpson. her son-in-law. on
trial for murder IN the first degree the slayer Of
Mr.. Homer, eat directly IN front OF his mother-in
law and looked hxedIy at her
When the details Of her husbands death brought
1T Of weeping to Mrs. Horner DR.. Simpson, who
had always thought great deal Of his wife's
mother. actually appeared 10 sympathize with the
woman who testifying against him. When
his sister, Mrs Charles L. Bowman. who sat close
beside him. shed tears Or. Simpson was still more
distressed. He pressed his sisters hand and whis
pered words Of comfort TO her
Mrs Homer the principal witness Of the day.
Her testimony consisted chiefly Of a repetition OF
tina; given in Northport year ago. but II was de-
livered IN q far dramatic manner. Her de-
scrtption OF how she endeavored TO induce Or.
Simpson TO attend tho funeral, with his wife, OF
DR.. Pryor dramatic Mrs Horner followed
with g recital Of how her husband had called his
son-in-Iaw a contemplate cur for attending the
funeral OF the doctor, but fo- whom he would have
been murderer. The witness was not permitted
to explain the meaning OF these words.
When the gun handed to Mrs, Homer she
rose from her chair and looked with horror upon
It Mrs. Horne- almost collapsed at the end of the
afternoon hearing and was i'll in her hotel when
thu evening session opened Mrs Simpson became
hysterical It is said. because of the condition OF
her mother. and local physician sent q cerunce1e
stating that neither woman could appear IN court
the night session. This great disaD2oint-
ment TO the crowd Of people who had gone TO the
courtroom II 10 a theatrical performance,
Several gun experts we're called Wnfred Hart
ley treasurer Of the Remington Arms Company,
went into technical details. He said the piece
could be discharged, II not cooked only by the
pulling Of a trigger and a blow upon the hammer.
Mr.. Manton, accidentally" as he said. twice
snapped the hammers Of the gun while handling
It, and, when the court warned him not to repeat
# after District Attorney FurInan had fumed over
tbs possible damage the gun might sustain
planned with significance that accidents VIII hap
pen" Justice Kelly, in announcing his determine
ton not 10 take the testimony OF Detective Hughes,
pleased the defence nightly
Detective Hughes was alleged to have obtained
from DR.. Simpson some dana g1ng admissions Under
the promise that If he could clear up FIVE points
IT would aid in getting him out Of jail The detec-
tive employed by the District Attorney when
the alleged admissions were made.
Mrs. Horner II able. viii resume the stand IN
the morning She will be followed by the accused
mans wife The feeling OF sympathy for DR. Simp-
son appears 70 be waxing Many persons Expressed
the opinion to-day that he would be next week