BRIDGEPORT, Nov. 1.--During the day the court-room has had a large number of spectators, two-thirds of whom were women. Mrs. Alexander's mother and Bassett's mother and two sisters were present. Mrs. Alexander spent much of her time in writing in her memorandum-book and reading the papers. Her face bears a grave look, which it has carried since the commencement of her trial. She is neatly attired, as is also Bassett. State Attorney Olmstead has decided not to place Bassett upon the stand to testify in the trial of Mrs. Alexander.
    John Wyncoop testified that Mrs. Alexander told him that Bassett had been to their house and taken her things; she told him the next morning that Bassett had done enough to hang him; he asked her to tell him what it was, but she refused to do so; she said that if she could get no satisfaction from Bassett she must have revenge on him.
    George Phillips testified that he knew Bassett, and that he came to his shop about four months ago and asked the witness if he had an empty flour barrel, saying he wanted one with a good strong head; Bassett purchased a barrel and took it away with him. The witness identified the brand on the head of the barrel in which the body was found as the same as that on the barrel he sold Bassett.
    Frederick S. Stevens, druggist, testified that he thought the label on the chloroform bottle shown him was his; Bassett was in his store about July 12 and bought two ounces of chloroform; Mrs. Alexander came in one day and inquired about arsenic.
    Mary Coleman testified she became acquainted with Mrs. Alexander in the County Jail, and that Mrs. Alexander read to her the manuscript of her statement of the crime, in which she speaks about the commission of the murder and the circumstances attending it.
    The State rested at 3:15 P. M., and the taking of testimony for the defense was begun.
    Mrs. Alexander testified that she had lived in Bridgeport three years and ten months; her husband lived in Chicago, and his name was Francis Henry Alexander; she had not seen him in two years and four months; she lived in the carriage factory there in July last; one day she was working at her trade in the front store-room when Frank Bassett came in the house with "Stuttering Jack;" he wanted her to get some supper; while she was getting supper Frank and "Stuttering Jack" went out in the yard to smoke; they came in and ate supper; after supper they again went out; she sewed as long as she could see; she then went to the kitchen door and saw a man lying on the lounge and Frank standing by him; she asked him what that was that smelt so; he said it was none of her business; she went back into the room and staid there a few minutes, when he called her and told her to hand him a certain bottle; she handed it to him and asked him what he was going to do; she then left the room again, and in a few moments he called her back; she asked what he wanted; he told her to stay there with him; she saw the man gasp, and said: "Oh, Frank, don't; what are you doing?" he then felt of the man's hand away down to the finger-tips; she shuddered to see him take hold of the dead man's hand; she said: "Oh, Frank, how can you?" he raised the body up in a sitting posture and asked her for the scissors; she brought them to him; he cut the coat from the bottom up and took it off; while doing this the body tilted toward the back of the lounge; he pulled it back again very savagely; he pressed the body down in the position he wanted it; she left the room and he called her back; he was taking off the shoes; he called her back to get a piece of rope, and she handed it to him from where it lay on the kitchen floor.
    The court than adjourned until Wednesday next.
    Mrs. Alexander's letters--one to Mr. Holt, asking for the interview with Bassett, and one to her mother--are full of earnest protestations of her innocence. To her mother she writes: "I am here Because I was Compelled to see a men killed. Believe me I had no hand in it myself. * * * Mother, true as god is my judge, I didn't do such a wicked deed. I could not; my Heart is to--tender to see any one suffer, let alone to kill and send before its maker, a soul unprepared Oh God have mercy on that man that done it the Judgment of man is nothing, compared to the Judgment of god, that is what I fear most." In the letter to Mr. Holt she says: "I have been faithfully Preying for some means to prove my innosense, now the only way to arrive at the truth is this. You come with chief Marsh and with (any other witness you choose to bring) and let me see Frank Bassett and speak with him--and with God's help I will soften his heart and he will tell the truth--before God and man--that his hands (Frank Bassett) stopped the victims Breath--not mine--oh god forbid I should ever do such a wicked deed. * * * I will humble myself on my knees before frank Bassett and pray him to own up that himself done the deed--not me--is it not enough to destroy my home, to rob me of all I own? without dragging me down to hell with him?"

Source:

Unknown, "The Bridgeport Murder," The New York Times, Saturday, 2 November, 1878, Page 8.