St. Paul daily globe., 1895-10-28
CHIEF OF FIENDS.
ii. ii. HOLMES. THE ALLEGED
MOST UNSCRUPULOUS OF
MURDERERS
WILL GO ON TRIAL TODAY.
CASE WILL BE ONE OF THE MOST
NOTED IN THE ANNALS OF
CRIME.
SURE TO GRACE A GALLONS.
A Strong Array of Witnesses Is
Ready to Appear Against
Him.

PHILADELPHIA, Pa, Oct. 81
H. II. Holmes, or Herman Mudgett,
whose name or alias has rung
throughout the length and breadth
of the continent as the most un-
scrupulous and skillful murderer of
modern times, will be PLACID on trial
for his life tomorrow morning in the
court of oyer and terminer of this
city. The specific charge to which he
will be called upon to answer is the
murder of Benjamin F. Pietzel, and
he has already officially declared
himself not guilty. The revolving
details of the many crimes with
which Holmes name has been di-
rectly or indirectly connected have
been given such publicity, and the
cold, implacable demeanor which
has characterized the man through
out has been so frequently COM
mented upon that the trial will prob
ably pass into history as the most
celebrated case known to the Grim
inal annals of the Western hemfs-
phere. The commonwealth has al
ready expended thousands of dol
lars in its efforts to bring the pris-
oner to summary justice, and there
is an indication that, should a con-
viction for murder in the first de-
gree be obtained, he will be .'rail-
roaded''
TO THE GALLONS.
Witnesses have been brought to
this city from Boston, Chicago, In
dianapolis, Irvington, Ind, and al
most every city where Holmes is
kiown to have lived at various
times. What revelations these wit
nesses will make has been kept a
profound secret by the prosecuting
officers, but there is expectation of
sensational developments Detective
Geyer, who has been for months
travelling extensively throughout
the country in search of evidences Of
Holmes movements, will be one of
the principal witnesses for the com
monwealth. The skull and portions
of the body Of Pietzel, as well as
the remains Of the boy, Howard
Pietzel, VINO is thought to have been
murdered by Holmes in Indianapo-
lis, will be exhibited during the
course of the trial.
Judge Arnold will be upon the
bench, and he has already signified
his intention of holding three ses-
s1ons day-morning, afternoon and
nlght-so long as the persons inter
ested can stand the strain. The
prosecution will be in the hands of
District Attorney Graham and a
corps of assistants, while the inter-
ests OF the prisoner will be guarded
by Messrs. Shoemaker and Rotan.
young members of the local bar.
Consequent upon the widespread
publicity given the case, it is feared
that several days will be occupied
in securing a jury of men who have
not already formed decided opin-
ions concerning the guilt or inno-
cence of Holmes.
1t is impossible to learn even an
proximately the number of witnesses
to be called on either side, but that
there will be goodly number is ap-
parent from the precautions that will
be taken to insure their entrance to
the court room.
Announcement has been made that
only those who have business there
in will be admitted and an increased
corps of court officials, augmented
by detail of reserve policemen, will
enforce this order at the doors.
THE MURDER OF PEITZEL.
if murder it was, occurred more
than a year ago. The body, burned
and blackened as if by an explo-
sion, was discovered at the house.
No. 1926 Callow Hill street. this
city on Sept. IS, 1894. AS he had been
known as an inventor named Perry,
the supposition was that he had met
death by accident, while experiment.
ing. Subsequently the charge was
made that PietZel had been muir
dered by Holmes, an attempt to de-
fraud the Fidelity Mutual Life asso-
citation, of Philadelphia, out of $10.-
600, which had been paid by the
company to Mrs. Pietzel, who was
supposed to have been a party to
the conspiracy, Holmes having first
introduced PietZel to the company.
Holmes was arrested in Boston
Nov. IL, and Mrs. Pietzel is in Gus
tody, as, probably, the principal wit
ness against him. There is a likeli-
hood of the case consuming several
weeks time unless unforeseen circum-
stances arise to bring it to a speedy
conclusion.
The remains of Howard Pietzel, found
in the Irvington house, were brought
to this city tonight by Detective Rich
ards, of indianapolis. They were car
ried in small box and were immedi-
ately taken to District Attorney Gra-
hams office, where they will be kept
until such time as they will be brought
in the case.