The herald., 1895-10-28
Whose Crimes Have Shocked
Continent
TO BE TRIED FOR HIS LIFE
Witnesses Have Been Summoned From
Far and Near
There Is an Indication That a Verdict of
Guilty win Be Followed by Very
Prompt Hanging
Afsoclated Press Special Wire

AfsocIated Press Special Wire
PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 81. - H. II.
| Holmes or Herman Mudgett, whose
name or alias has rung throughout the
length and breadth of the continent as
the most unscrupulous and skIllful MUIR
derer OF modern times, will he placed o n
trial for his life tomorrow morning in
the court of oyer and terminer OF this
city. The specified charge to which be
will be called upon to answer is the MUIR
der of Bsnj njamin i. Pietzel. and he has
already officially declared himself NOT
guilty. The revolving details of the many
cri mes with which Holmes name has
been directly or indirectly connected,
have been given mu,h publicity, and
the cold. i'm placable demeanor which has
characterized the man throughout, has
been so frequently commented upon that
the trial will probably pass into history
as the most celebrated case known to the
criminal annals of the western hemi-
sphere. The commonwealth Las already
expended thousands of dollars in lis
efforts to bring che prisoner to summary
Justice, and there is an indication that
should conviction for murder in the
first degree be obtained be will be quick
ly 'railroaded' to the gallows.
Witnesses have been brought to this
city from Boston, Chicago, Indianapolis,
IrvIngton, Ind, and almost every city
where Holmes is known to have lived at
various times. What revelations these
witnesses will make has been kept pro-
found secret by the prosecuting officers,
but there is expectation of sensational
developments.
Detective Geyer has been for months
travelling extensively throughout the
country in search of evidence of Holmes
movements and will be one of the prin-
cipal witnesses for the commonwealth.
The skull and portions of the body OF
Pietzel as we'll as the remains OF the boy,
Howard Pietzel, who is thought to have
been murdered by Holmes in Indianap-
oils, will be exhibited during the course
of the trial.
Judge Arnold will be upon ths bench
and he has already algniied his intention
of holding three sessions day-morning,
afternoon and night-so long as the per-
sons interested can stand the strain. The
prosecution will be in the hands of Dis
trict Attorney Graham and corps OF as
sstants, while the interests of the prison
er will be guarded by MessIs. Shoemaker
| and Rotan, young members of the LEGAL
| bar.
Consequent upon the espread pub.
! lioity given the case, 1t IS feared thai
| Se"iTal Q3NS Will De OCCuplcu III heCuTlUS
a jury of men who have not already
formed decided opinions concerning the
guilt or innocence of Holmes. 1t is i'm
| possible to learn even approximately the
number of witnesses to be calle on
eitherside, but that there will be a good
ly number is apparent from the precau
' tons that will be taken to insure tbeii
entrance to the court room.
| Announcements have been made that
only those who have business therein
will be admitted and that an increased
corps OF court officers, augmented by q
detail of reserve policemen. Will enforce
| this order at the doors.
The murder Of Pitzel. if murder it was,
| occurred more than a year ago. The
body, burned and blackened as if by an
explosion, was discovered in the house
No. 1926 Callowhill street, this city, on
September 8, 1894. AS he had been known
as an inventor named Perry, the supposi-
ton was that he had met death by ac.
| cident while experimenting. Subsequent
| ly the charge was made that PItzel had
been murdered by Holmes IN an attempt
to defruud the Fidelity Mutual Life asso-
citation of Philadelphia out of $40, 600,
which had been paid by the company to
Mrs. Pitzel, who was supposed to have
! been partJ to the conspiracy, Holmes