The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1895-10-30
MURDERER HOLMES IS TIRED
And Asks for the Assistance OF
Counsel
TESTIMONY TAKING BEGUN
The Defendant Skillfu!ly CrOss-Examines
the Accusing Witnesses
The Case Promises to Rival the Durrant Trial
in Length, With New Sensations
Every Day
Associated Press Special Wire

| PHlLADELPHlA,O Oct. 29.-lt became
! apparent tonight that the picturesque,
and startling features OF H. II. Holmes
career were not to be confined to his de-
structive wanderings over the American
continent, for with each successive day
comes something still more strange and
unexpected.
Yesterday he dismissed his counsel and
began to try his own case because the
court refused to grant the plea made by
them for continuance. They left the
court, in spite of Judge Arnold's threats
to disbar them, aud religiously kept
awav. Tonight after fighting s"gle-hand-
ed against the tremendous machinery of
the commonwealth land apparently over
whelming evidence which has been
forged around him, he threw up his
hands and sent for his lawyers, Messrs.
! Shoemaker and Rotan. Then he told the
court what he had DONE and consent to
their continuing with the defense was
given.
There was an impression that this was
but another part of the by-play, following
Holmes personal failure to catch the
sympathy OF the court and jury by max
ing himself our a much wronged man,
forced to fight alone what would he his
last battle, despite his Ignorance Of the
technicalities of the law and his alleged
physical infirmity.
The important work of the trial, the
taking of testimony, was begun this
morning at 10 o'clock, ard with the ex-
ception of brief Intern issions at lunch
and supper time, was continued until
nearly 8 o'clock tonight. 1t had heel the
intention of the court to sit until 10
o'clock, but the absence of witness him
dered this, and an adjournment was
taken.
The star witnesses Of the trial, Mrs.
Pitzel, Detective Geyer, Agent Perry of
the swindled insurance company and the
archcriminal himself remain to be heard.
and also nearly two score of others. Dis
trict Attorney Graham remarked today
that there was likelihood of the trial
outrivalling the Durrant case in point of
time, put that if night sessions were held
regularly it might be concluded within
month or less. Holmes made a plea
Ills evening, asking the court to hold
but two sessions day. In pleading he
said his health was such that he felt I'M
able to continue his cross-examniations
of the witnesses, and besides he was SUBJ
jecl to sick headaches. Judge Arnold in
sisted, however, on holding an extra SEES
sion tonight, at least, and said tomorrow
could be attended to when 1T came.
During the supper recess which follow
ed this incident Holmes privately said
that :he preparation of his case in his
cell last night had kept him until 4
o'clock in the morning, and that he was
reused from bed two hours later. In
addition to this he had not taken ANY,
thing from last night until l o'clock this
afternoon. 1t was after making this state
ment that he sent for his attorneys. Up
to that time there had been general
impression that human nature could not
stand the terrible ordeal which he had
set for himslf, and that il he persisted in
going on with his own case there would
be break down before long. All day as
he is charged with numbering gaZed at
him from a large crayon portrait placed
upright on the district attorneys desk in
view OF the entire court. Next to this
was an equally large sized picture of
Daug her Alice, whose death is also laid
on his shoulders. but he did not seem to
be affected. His stolid demeanor never
deserted him for an instant
The announcement that the taking of
evidence would Segln today drew a still
larger crowd to the cisy hall, but the adj
miraple police arrangements kept every
|
terested in the case.
| The days proceedings were begun by
District Attorney Graham, who arose and
said to the court: II desire to say to the
court, in view OF what was said last night
before the adjournment of the court, that
the lady known as Miss Yoke and Miss
Howard was sent for. saw the prisoner
and had ample opportunity for an inter
view with him "
! This is the woman concerning whom
there was warm passage at arms last
evening between Mr.. Graham and Holmes
the latter 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 a three minute inter
view with the woman and asked that il
be renewed during the noon recess. His
request was granted. Jeanette Pitzel,
ODESSA" the daughter of the dead man,
was the first witness called. She is a
slender pale girl of about II years. She
was called merely to identity several large
Canyons OF her father. which she diu.
Eugens Smith, who found Pitzels
body in the Callow Hill street house, tn en-
told detailed story of his discovery
which has already been fully published.
The witness was present when the
corpse, OF Pitzel was exhumed from the
potter's field and was there first intro
duced to Holmes. Lawyer Howe of ST.
Louis, Alice Pitzel. the young daughter,
and the insurance officers were there.
The body was recognized by tho witness
as Pitzels. Holmes offered $50 to have
the corpse cremated and asked Howe
about 1t. The lawyer answered that the
widow would nrst have to be consulted.
Holmes told the Insurance people of the
marks of Identification. and after the body
had been dug up he pulled out lance
and cut a wart and Other marks from 10
corpse.
Holmes, on cross eXamination askel a
| number of immaterial questions that
showed much legal skill in their con struc-
ton. He presented II strange picture,
standing in the dock with his pencil lev
eled at the witness, trying to confuse
him. Holmes subjected Smith to a long
| and searching examination, dwelling
upon every point of the testimony adj
duced by the com m on wealth, but the wit
ness was mistaken. Eventually becom-
ing exasperated and in consequence of an
immatarial word from Mr.. Graham
Holmes exclaimed II object to the
blood-thirsty manner in which the dis
trict attorney and ttis witness are trying
to draw the inference that / rushed into
the potters' field and mutilated the dead
body of my friend"
You are drawing the inference your
self. said Mr.. Graham.
Dr. W. J. Scott was called aud at this
Juncture Holmes renewed his plea to have
all witnesses except the one on the stand
excluded from the room.
Mr.. Graham oDje,ted to this and