Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-10-29
ON TRIAL ATLAST.
The Champion Rascal Of This
End Of the Century,
HERMAN NuDaErr, ALIAS HOLMES

a&AA&n&R6A0 >OO0o4 ~ &1484xAAS &AVAAM8AsAy
Faces Jary 81 PhfladelPhia 20 Answer
for the Murder q Pitzel, One Il HiD
Many Alleged Crimes-NsEurslly ths
Event L. sensasional, and the Prisoner
Fina1ly yeands Alone without Counsel or
Friend-Iseidents q the Day.
PHILADELPHIA, Oct 29.-The clocks Of
the town had scarcely ceased striking 10
when Judge Arnold, clad in the long black
gown which was recently adopted by the
Philadelphia judiciary, entered and took
his seat upon the bench to tu H. h.
Holmes for murder The prisoners real
name, Mudgett, has been SO little used In
the newspapers that when it was read
out In court the audience which packed
the room had to think moment before it
was assured that the trial 1t had come to
hear was coming OF. District Attorney
Graham and his special assistant, Thomas
W. Barlow, in whom the prosecution is
vested, were already in court, but delay
Of fifteen minutes was occasioned By the
non appearance Of counsel for the defense.
William A. Shoemaker and Samuel Ro-
b,n, young members Of the bar.
was . nay Of Sensations.
This delay was only preliminary to the
first sensation Of the dny. all Of which
may be summarized as follows: Pro
tcstations and entrcaties for continuance
Of the trial summarily overruIcd; the
sudden withdrawal Of the lawyers who
hsd hl<ho~<o ~c,,roe.,,t~x1 Tho v,~ascuop a.,
the face Of threats of disbarmcnt; the ap-
pointmept by the court Of new counsel
and the refusal Of the prisoner to &C
cept them as his defenders, and tho de
clination Of tho services Of Attorney r. o.
Noon, but that gentlsman, after learning
from the judge that he could not obtain a
continuance, declined to accept the grave
responsibility. The selection of jury
consumed several hours, Holmes freely ex
ercising his prerogntivc of challenge, and
after twelve men had been secured a recess
was taken. The afternoon session was
devoted largely to District Attorney
Graham's opening address to the jury, in
which he outlined the case in detail and
subjected the prisoner to a scathing do
nunciation.
Application fOf Moro I1D10s
In asking for a continuance Counsc
Shoemaker said: ''There are thrce hOmi
eide cases involved in this case, and ",
have had only us much time Us would b
adequate preparation on one. 1t was ex
pectcd to present newly discovered evi
nee Of such vital importance tina
Holmes would. undoubtedly be acquittes
Of this charge" Both Rotan and She's
maker, when the judge promptly refuse,
. continuance, said that II the judges de
cision was irrevocable they would with
draw from the case. but Judge ArnOl,
spoiled this by declaring that member o
the bar who would withdraw from mur
der case on the very eve Of its trial woul'
be called upon to show cause why h
should not be disbarred for unprofessions
conduct. Then Holmes declared that h
had no desire to continue with Shoemake
and ROtan, and discharged them as hi
counsel.
The Court Maintains His Stand.
"You cannot discharge them, Mr.
Holiness" said Judge Arnold "That
for the court, and If they withdraw fror
this case they will be punished" The es
animation Of jurors was about to he pr
ceeded with when Shoemaker again aros
/
forbade them from representing him in tn
case and declared that he (Holmes) woul
examine the jurors and witnesses himself
Judge Arnold said he would per1mi
Holmes to question tho jurors II he g
desired, while counsel considered the que,
ton of proceedings. Rotan and Shoema
ker arose and declared that they fe
obliged to withdraw from the case regart
less Of consequences. you must tax
the consequences them" said the judg,
and the two lawyers without further ad
left the court room.
Wanted No Help from Graham.
Two young lawyers were then called [
defend Holmes and the latter-Distri,
Attorney Graham having been consulte
in their selectiOn-declined toaccept then
Saying: "As far as aid from Mr. Graha1
lie concerned have had abundant proof |
the past year what promises of aid frol
the district attorneys Office means. Ma
be allowed a postponement until tomo
row to SEQ X. o. Moon, who Is alread
familiar with the case, and whom 1 kno
can engage:" Il
do you then refuse to allow these gel
tlemcn to defend you:''
II do, sir. II I am not allowed the col
tinunnce until tomorrow ! must ask
try the case myself"
well, we ill 60 on today" said Il
judge, land we will sec about your eLga
ing MIR. Moon later on" As stated abo'
Noon declined to serve without a cOnti
uancc. T.