The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-10-30
HOLMES GIVES IT UP
THE CONDUCT OF HIS OWN CASE.
After Acting as Counsel for Himself
torneys He summariIy Dismissed.
BOLD PLAY FOR SYMPATHY
THAT SEEMS TO HAVE HAD LITTLE
EFFECT on JUDGE AND JURY.
Morning, Afternoon and Night Ses-
sions of the Court, Despite the Pris-
oner's PIaintfve Plea for Rest.
EXAMINATION OF WITNESSES
TESTIMONY THAT POINTS TO HOLMES
As THE MURDERER OF PIETZEL.
Remarkable Display Of Nerve by the
Defendant-He Exhibits Shrewd-
ness I'm Questioning an Expert.
Morning, Afternoon and Night Ses-
sions of the Court, Despite the Pris-
oner's Plaintfve Plea for Rest.
EXAMINATION OF WITNESSES
TESTIMONY THAT POINTS TO HOLMES
As THE MURDERER OF PIETZEL.
Remarkable Display Of Nerve by the
Defendant-He Exhibits Shrewd-
ness I'm Questioning an Expert.

PHILADELPHIA, Oct 29.-It became ap-
parent tonight that the picturesque and
startling features of III. III. Holiness career
were not to be confined to his destructive
wanderings over the American continent,
for with each successive day comes some
thing 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
I'm spite Of Judge Arnold's threats 10 dis
bar them and religiously kept away. To-
night. after fighting tooth and nail single
handed against the tremendous machinery
of the Commonwealth and the apparently
complete chain of evidence which has been
forged around him, he threw up his hands
and sent for his lawyers, Messrs. Shoe
maker and Rotan Then he told the court
what he had done, and reluctant con-
sent to their continuing with the defense
was given. There was an impression that
this was but another piece of by-play fol-
lowing Holiness personal failure to catch
the sympathy OF the court and jury by
making himself out q much wronged man,
forced to fight alone what may prove to be
his last battle in spite Of his ignorance Of
the technicaities of the law and his alleged
physical infirmity.
The big work of the trial-taking testi-
mony-was begun this morning at 10 o'clock
and with the exception of brief intermis-
sions at lunch and supper time
tinued until nearly 3 o'clock tonight. 1t
had been the intention of the court to sit
until 10. but the absence of witness
hindered this and an adjournment was
taken. The star witnesses of the trial
Mrs. Pietzel, detective Geyer, agent Perry.
arch criminal himself--yet remain to be
heard. as also nearly two score OF others.
District Attorney Graham remarked to-day
that there was a likelihood of the trial out
rivaling the Durrant case in point of time,
but that If night sessions were held regular
ly 1T might be concluded within a month or
less. Holmes made plea this evening
asking the court to hold but two sessions
day. In plaintive tones, he said that his
physical condition was such that he felt
unable to continue his cross-examination
of the witnesses, and, besides, he was
subject to sick headaches. Judge Arnold
insisted, however, on holding an extra ses-
sion tonight at least and said tomorrow
could be attended to when it came.
During the supper recess which followed
this incident, Holmes privately said that
the preparation of his case in his cell last
night had kept him up until 4 o'clock in
the morning and then he aroused from
bed two hours later. In addition TO this
he had not eaten anything from last night
until O'Clock this afternoon. 1t was after
making this statement that he sent for his
counsel Up to that time there had been
general impression that human nature
could not stand the terrible ordeal which
he had set for himself and that If he per-
sisted in going on with his own case there
would be break down before long. All
day, as he sat in the dock, the eyes of the
man he Is charged with numbering gazed
at him from large crayon portrait, placed
upright on the district attorneys desk, in
full view of the entire court. Next to this
was an equally large sized picture Of the
daughter. Alice, whose death is also laid
on his shoulders. But Holmes did not seem
TO be affected. His stolid demeanor never
deserted him for an instant
The announcement that the taking of
evidence would begin to-day drew a still
larger crowd to the City Hall, but the
admirable police arrangements kept every
body out of the court room except attorneys
and those concerned I'm the case. The in
terest manifested in the case is not confined
TO one class. During the day Judge Arnold
had no less than eight visitors, all Judges
from this and other cities in the State.
Besides, the head OF every municipal de-
partment was noticed in the room at diff
ferent times, including the Mayor.