The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-06-30
HOLMES ON THE STAND.
The Alleged Murderer Tells His Story to
the Jury.

The Alleged Murderer Tells His story to
the Jury.
SPRINoFIELD, Mass, June 30.-The
third day of the Holmes murder trial
opened in the Superior Court here yester-
day. The prisoner appeared to be break
Ing down under the severe mental strain
incident to his trial.
He was visited by his sister and by his
little son. The visit effected him greatly.
Chief of Police Connors OF Chicopee,
was the first witness called yesterday.
He was subjected to severe cross exam
ination by Lawyer Green, council for the
defence. His testimony related to the
finding and Identification OF the body
and to the funeral service.
His testimony was unshaken. Wit
ness said he went to Providence to see
the prisoners sister and described the
interview.
Dennis Mack, g policeman was next next
Connors in November when they visited
the prisoners house. While the chief
was digging, q part of the right leg was
exposed and witness heard Holmes ex-
claim, "That's her."
Witness testified to prisoners nervous
ness on this occasion. DR.. 8: M. Tuttie,
condition Of the body when examined by
him. The doctor testified to finding
sand in the windpiPe, thus showing that
the unfortunate woman was buried alive.
At the opening of the afternoon
session the counsel for the Common
wealth announced that the testimony for
the prosecution was finished and Lawyer
Druce outlined the case OF the defense.
He reviewed the prisoners life, particu-
larly emphasizing his sickness and mis-
fortunes.
He stated that testimony would be in
troduced to show that Mrs. Holmes was
seen later than September1. 1. The prison.
or was then called to the witness stand
and answered to his name in clear tone.
He then began Q minute history OF his
life, starting with his early days spent In
Burlington, VT, and then of his subse-
quent entering the army where he re-
ceived injuries from which he never fully
He told Of his wandering life from one
city to another and OF his marriage rela-
tions, the important points in which were
brought out In the rigid cross examine
tion which followed.
Attorney General Pillsbury began his
quest ioning by inquiring into his physi-
cal condition, which the defense claimed
was so seriously impaired. The common
wealth showed that he was in possession
Of sufficient physical strength to make
application for a position on the police
force and occasionally to assault his wife,
on which charge he had previously been
arrested. He denies ever having threat
ened his wife when sober, but admitted
that he might have done so when drunk.
Upon close questioning he said he rec
ognized the dress upon the body as be-
longing to his wife. 1t was red dress,
he said, with a white trimming. He
denied that she ever had gray dress.
The prisoner then related an incident
about George Mayo, whom he alleges to
have suspected as the murderer. He said
that Mayo once came to his home and
taking his wife by the arm, said he was
going to stay all night.
He admitted that he had been on good
terms with Mayo and the latter had once
told him that he wished he had such a
woman. When questioned later about
the last time he saw his wife, he said in
direct contradiction TO his previous state
ment, that she had no gray dress; that
she had on q gray dress when she came
home from work Sept. 1, and that she
then changed It and said something about
going to Holyoke.
He admitted that he never made any
search for his lost wife. He denied that
he was aware that his wife had taken
steps to bring suit for separate mainten-
ance or that he had ever made the remark
that she would never live to carry out
the suit. The attorney general had near
ly finished the cross examination when
the court adiourned