Eagle River Democrat. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1893-1896, 1895-07-29
CHILD'S BONES FOUND.
Remains Are Probably Those of
Howard Pietzel or of Ger
trude Conner.

Chicago, ILL.,, July 24.-What seems be-
yond a doubt to be portions of a human
skeleton were found today in the base
meht of H H. Holmes building in Six
ty-third street The bones were viewed
by number of detectives and workmen,
all of whom pronounced them portion of
human backbone and ribs. Chief of Po-
lice Badenoch was notified and immediate
~ went to the house. The chief said that
the find apparently left little doubt that
murder had been committed, and the coro-
ner was notified to take charge of the
CHASTITY discovery.
The supposed bones were found by one
of the laborers who for several days
have been digging in the dark basement
Of Holmes house, where various bits Of
evidence had been found that encouraged
the police in their search for the remains
of Miss Minnie Williams and her sister.
The find today was made at depth OF
about two feet, close to a founda ton wall
in the basement The detectives who are
in charge of the work were confident that
the bones were those of a woman, but
a physician was called in to make an ex-
animation. Inspector Fitzpatrick said
that the supposition was that the bones
were part of the remains of one of the
Williams sisters and that he was expect
ing more important developments at any
time.
Packed in Ouicklime.
The bones were packed in damp earth
which had been mixed with Quicklime.
Seven ribs We're found and with them
what resembled bit Of jaw with two teeth
attached. A portion of a lady's jacket
with large pulled sleeve lay with the
bones and on the cloth was a bunch of
hair, which, however, was SO badly dis
colored that it's original shade could not
be determined
Chief Badenoch this afternoon pro-
nounced the bones found in Holmes base
ment to be those of child from to
10 years of age. The surmisc is that
the skeleton is that of Little Howard
Pietzel or Mrs. Connor's little daughter
Gertrude.
Holmes at Sixty-third and Wallace
streets has been marked for destruction
by the building department Inspector
Laughlin has sent a letter to Building
Commissioner Downer calling attention
to the many defects in the structure and
pronouncing it menace to life and limb.
During the exploration of the secret
rooms and concealed stairways the fimsy
and infiammable nature of the building
was discovered.
Dr. Charles North, to whom the bones
were submitted. pronounced them portions
of human skeleton. He had not APP
piled chemical tests. he said, but after a
superficial examination he had no doubt
that they were human bones. The find
was mysterious, as neither the skull nor
any of the leg bones We're found with the
ribs and bits of vertebrae. A small vial
containing a peculiar-looking fluid was
found with the skeleton but its nature
could not be determined without tests,
and it was accordingly sent to a chemist
for analysis.
Indianapolis, Ind, July Detective
Geyer arrived this afternoon. He is
satisfied that Howard Pietzel was
never taken away from here and that
Holmes followed the plan practiced in
other cities. Rented house here in
which he murdered the boy and buried
him probably under the house. 1t is
on this theory that he will work here
and he has evidently some important in
formation which he is not willing to
make public