Eagle River Democrat. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1893-1896, 1895-08-05
THE POLICE GIVE UP.
Strong Evidence of Guilt, but Not
Enough to Convince
a Jury.

Chicago, ILL.,, Aug. 1.-The police &C.
knowledged today their complete defeat
so far in the effort to secure direct evil
dence against II. II. Holmes. Dozens
of promising clues have been carefully
investigated, witness after witness who
was confidently expected to tell all, has
been examined without result, and at
last the detectives are forced to admit
that their efforts have been unayailing
so far as real proof of guilt is con-
cerned. fbA
This was admitted by Inspector Fitz-
patrick today. "When we started or
the case,' he said, 1--WE knew it would
be almost impossible to get anyone we
any case Of murder, yet we thought u
our duty to investigate and we have
done the best we could. We believe
several crimes have been committed and
believe that Holmes and his confed-
crates are guilty of several murders,
but so far we are unable to prove our
belief correct. We have no evidence
against any of the men under suspicion
if it were presented to the grand jury. :
Pat Quinlan was given a two hours
session in the sweat box today, but the
result was as unsatisfac Glory as the pre-
vious examinations of the ex-janitor
Quinlan gives no evidence of weakening
and stubbornly sticks to his statement
that he knows absolutely nothing OF any
killing.
The police received word today of the
mysterious hauling away from sethe
Holmes house one night of several large
boxes. The boxes were taken from the
castle during Holmes residence there.
Several detectives were detailed on the
new lead in the case.
n,A ycf
into whose hands the viscera of Alice
and Nellie Pitzel had been committed
to determine if possible whether any
traces of poison could be found has de-
cided to postpone further examination
until a definite line of action has been
determined upon by the authorities in
Philadelphia.
Holmes Latest Confession.
A special to the Post from Philadelphia
says that Holmes, the alleged wholesale
murderer. was asked today in an inter-
view: "Can you explain how so many
bones, came to be concealed in the base
ment and other parts of your Chicago
house?
''I will answer that question in this
way" he replied. "Every person who
has known me is aware that | am doc
fectlyl well in Chicago that there was q
restaurant in my building during the
Worlds fair At that tine there were
lots of bones from fowls and other
cooked animals thrown outside the build
ing. Lots Of these bones, mo doubt,
found their way to the cellar. During
the time lived in the building l brought
several cadavers there both for scientific
and peeuniary purposes. This may ac-
say sSyn th 12F rs e SnS1 me one's0 ponce
sNVill you explain your relations with
Minnie Williams?"
The poor girl was. a great friend of
mine. She was unfortunate in more
ways than one. | cannot but believe
that she is still alive, although God only
knows as she is a fugitive from justice
on account of the awful tragedy which
resulted in the killing of her sister. /
care to say nothing more about her at
this time.
SIS it true that Minnie Williams
killed her sister Nana?'
Yes, it all came about over jealous
quarrel, during the heat of passion, in
which poor Minnie threw stool at Mana
It struck her on the head. She died
shortly afterward."
1T is reported that some Of your fami-
ly were the victims Of insanity. Is this
true?''
1T is. My uncle died insane at Bur-
lington, Vt. The insanity streak in our
FAMILY comes from In0Cner size. L want
to say, however, that / am still compos
mentis, although in view Of the absurd
reports that have gone out about me it
might be question as to whether Tor
my accusers are the craZier."
will you deny or. affirm the report
that you are rich man?"
"AIy money is principally tied up in
real estate. Part of this is incumbered
and part is clear. If were out of here
might be able to turn up 100000 with
out much difficulty"
DO you belong to any religious denom-
ination?" A
No, I am believer in the teachings Of
Tom Paine and Ingersoll.'
! M n,1aR IN Drnr7p41os