Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-10-30
THE HOLMES TRIAL.
PUBLIC NOT ADMITTED TO THE
COURTROOM THIS TIME.
Probable Line OF Defence-The De-
feudant's Lawyers Return To Hin
and Again Take Up His Case-Open-
Ing Testimony.

PHILADELPHIA, PA, October ~
The second day of the Holmes trial did
not attract nearly so great a crowd this
morning as yesterday. as the public had
learned they would not be admitted to the
courtroom. Throughout all last night.
in the loneliness of his cell in the county
prison. Holmes worked steadily. prepar-
ing his case. He filled sheet after sheet
of foolscap. and the watchers outside his
cell door wondered when he would seek
rest 1t was only as the first ray of the
sun began to food its way through the
narrow slit that does duty for window
I'm the cells OF the county prison that
Holmes threw himself OH his cot. he
slept an hour, and was up and once more
busy writing until told It was time To
start for court.
Promptly at 10 o'clock the jury filed
into the box. \ moment afterward
Holmes followed. Despite his long ana
sleepess night he looked fresh ana
bright and while waiting for the DIS
trict Attorney TO come in he chatted with
the court officers. In compliance win
Holiness request. the dock was much
pearer the bar than Yesterday. The
better hear the Court and be heard. \
small deal table. with toolscap and pens
and ink, was in front of him.
District-Attorney Graham announced TO
the court that Mrs Howard, as Holiness
latest wife H. known. had seen the
prisoner this morning. before ne was
brought into court. What took place at
this Interview Is known only To the pris-
oner and the woman.
Ii would seem from the line or question:
ing pursued by Holmes this morning tlat
he will base his defence on the theory
that PietZel committed suicide. From the
District Attorneys opening argument
and from the testimony OF the few Wit
nesses already examined. this defence is
untenable. and unless Holmes can bring
out some stronger facts than appear he
Is already "A convicted man
WITNESSES
The witnesses at the morning session
of the court were PietZels eldest daugh-
tel. Jeanette: Eugene Smith, the man
who discovered PietZcfs body, and VINO
krew Pi.tzel under 'he name of Perry;
these two for the purposes ot hlehtl'E'
ana two physicians. Scott ana Matterh,
who testified that death was caused by
chloroform poisoning.
During the recess Holmes again saw
his wife Miss Yohe).
The court reconyened at 2:D o cIoch'
DR.. Scott resuming his place in the WIZ
ness-stand. and Holmes began his cross
examination. DR.. Mattern, who Is physi-
clan 10 the Coroner was also cross-eX-
amined. and he was followed by
Dr Henry Lehman. an expert In chemis-
try. In these examinations Holmes dis
played his thorough medical knowledge
and preparation for this trial. He an
nounced his intention 20 call all three
medical men as witnesses for himSelt
later on. Coroner Ashbridge WAS the next
witness examined. The papers III the case
OF Pietzers daughter in the suits TO re-
coyar the insurance on Pietzers life
We're read.
Holmes asked the Court If he woulI
no, order two sessions a day. instead OF
three. as he was afraid of breaking down
under the strain and becoming sick. He
said that he was subject to sick head
aches. and that he had been suffering
from one all day. The Court said that
a session would be held tonight and then
Holiness request would be considered.
At so o'clock the court adjourned Until
: o'clock.
HOLINESS LAWYERS RETURN.
The court reconvened promptly at
trict- Attorney to come i'm Holmes busted
himself reading an account Of the days
proceedings in an afternoon paper. Be-
fore witness had been called Holmes
stated to the court that owing To the
criticism ievelled at his counsel FOR with
drawing. he had asked them To resume
charge OF his case. In moment Messrs'
Shoemaker and Rotan. the TWO lawyers
who withdrew from the case yesterday
came into court, and the former made
an explanation TO Judge Arnold. ana he
permitted them 10 take up the case again.
They conducted Holiness side Of the case
from that time
All of the testimony at the evening ses-
sion WAS directed 10 establishing the
identity of the body found as that OF
PietZel.
The court adjourned at so o'clock un-
til tomorrow.