Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-10-29

very last moment, displayed the nerve
which has invariably characterized him. and
undertook his own defense. The result was
not what most persons expected.
Instead of the Case thereby degeneratng
into n farce, as his recent attorneys had
predicted, the gaunt and pallid prisoner in
the dock revealed quickness of percep-
ton and an instinct of self-defense in the
sharply-put questions of which many a
young barrister would be proud. And SO
far had his pleadings for right and justice
met recognition that little table provided
with pens, ink and paper was placed in
the prisoners dock that he might have all
the privileges ordinarily accorded to at
torneys.
With man of less nerve force and brain
power ths n Holmes. acting the composite
role of prisoner at the bar and counsel for
the defense. the spectacle would indeed
have been farcical. Bat not for an instant
does he lose control of himself. BE it thrust
or parry from the court or from the keen
Holmes is equal to the emergency and the
listener somehow feels that he does not get
altogether the worst Of the argument
At 10 o'clock the jury was brought into
the room and, Judge Arnold appearing a
moment later. court was formally opened.
Meantime Holmes. in the custody of a
court officer. was placed in the dock. He
showed no change in personal appearance
or deEeanor from yesterday and while the
crier was pronouncing the stereotyped
formula which declares the court open and
concludes with the prayer, God save the
commonwealth and this honorable court,'
Holmes stood up in the lock, his hands
clasped in front of him and his head slight
ly inclined. He busted himself for some
moments afterward arranging his papers
in lawyer-like fashion on the desk in front
of him, and reading over notes or perhaps
his defense. so far as arranged by himself
last night in the dismal solitude of his cell
The days proceedings We're begun by
District Attorney Graham. who arose and
said to the court: Il desire to say to the
court in view of what was said last night
before the adjournment of court, that the
lady, known as Miss Yoke and Mrs. How
ard, was sent for. saw the prisoner and
had ample opportunity for an interview
with him.
Holmes Contrndicts the District At
tOrney.
This is the woman concerning whom there
was warm passase-at-arms last evening
between Mr.. Graham and Holmes, the lat
ter declaring that the woman was his wife
and that Mr.. Graham had done all in his
power to separate them.
When Mr. Graham concluded Holmes said
that he had only had three-minute inter-
view with the woman, and asked that it be
renewed during the noon recess. HIS re-
quest was granted.
Then the prisoner asked that a plan be
produced of the Callowhill street house. in
which he is alleged to have murdered Ben
jamin F. Pitezel.
The district attorney said such plan
was in court and would be produced at the
proper time
Il also ask Holmes continued, that a
quantity of the liquor which Mr.. Graham
said l used in my efforts to eXterminat te
the Pitezel family be submitted to analysis.
| want to prove that while it contains a
small quantity of nitro-slycerine, it is en-
tirely harmless, and is sold in every drug
store
"Do YOU mean the liquor YOU left with
Mrs. Pitezel in Burlington, Vt.?'
YES"
THAT has never been in my possession
Then came another request from the pris-
oner He wanted to know If during the tes-
timony of one witness all the others should
not be excluded from the court room.
Judge Arnold answered that this would
be done if the exigency arose.
Taking Testimony.
There was a lull for a moment, and then
began the big work Of the trial-the taking
OF testimony.
Jeanette Pitezel, "Dessa," the daughter
of the dead man, was the first witness
called. She is a slender, pale girl of about
seventeen. and was neatly attired in dark
gray. Sne was called merely to identify
several large crayons of her father, which
she did.
"Cross-examine" said the district attor-
Eey.
Holmes, but when told that now never
was the time to question the witness, at
least on the picture question. he asked:
"Are these good pictures of your father
as you last saw him, or two years before?'
LAS 1 last saw him."
'Tnat is ALL
John Townsend, a photographer en-
ployed in the detective service, and VIM.
H. Kau, private photographer, then ider-
titled photographs of Holmes taken by
them after his arrest.
Eugene Smith, who found Pitezers body
in the Callowhill street house on Sep
tember 4. 1894, then told a detailed story
of his discovery, which has been already
fully published. He had become acallainta,l