The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1895-11-02
Holmes Changes His Mind About
Doing Without Lawyers
THE TAKING OF TESTIMONY
Physicians Strongly Assert That Pictzel
Came to His Death by ChlOrG-
form Poisoning.

Philadelphia, oct. 29.-It became ap-
parent tonight that the picturesque and
startling features Of H. H. Holmes
career were not to be confined to his de-
structive wanderings over the Amer
lean continent, for with each successive
day comes something still more strange
and unexpected. Yesterday he dismiss
ed his counsel and began to try his own
case because the court refused to grant
the plea made by them for a continu-
ance.
Tonight, after fighting single-handed
against the tremendous machinery of
the commonwealth and apparently
overwhelming evidence which has been
forged around him, he threw up his
hands and sent for his lawyers, Shoe
maker & Rotan. Then he told the
court what he had done and consented
to their continuing with the defense.
The important work Of the trial-the
taking Of testimony-was begun this
morning and with the exception of brief
intermissions a lunch and supper time
was continued until nearly o'clock
tonight.
The star witnesses Of the trial-Mrs
Pietzel, Detective Geyer, Agent Perry
of the swindled insurance company and
the arch-criminal himself-remain to
be heard, as we'll as two others. The
announcement that the taking Of evil
dence would begin today drew a still
larger crowd to the city hail. but the
admirable police arrangements kept ev-
erybody out except attorneys and those
interested in the case
Holmes, in custody of a court officer,
was placed in the dock. The days pro-
ceedings were begun by District Attor-
ney Graham, who arose and said: Il
desire to say to the court, in view of
what was said last night before the
adjournment of court, that the lady
known as Miss Yorke and Mrs. Howard,
was sent for, saw the prisoner and had
ample opportunity for an interview
with him."
When Mr.. Graham concluded, Holmes
said that he had only had a three
minute interview with the woman, and
asked that it be renewed during the
noon recess. His request was granted.
Then the prisoner asked that plan be
produced Of the Callow Hill street
house where he is believed to have
murdered Pietzel The district attorney
said such a plan was in court and
would be produced at the proper time.
II also ask" Holmes continued, that
=, ,,,,,.4i+.. - 1t-...- .-.t.t-,. A.. l,..-,-.--
Sai6 ,,sod ~ -0 - ~, &C.,,
the Pietzel family be submitted to an
alysis. I want to prove that while it
contains but a small quantity of nitro
glycerine, it is entirely harmless, and
is sold i'm every drug store"
''Do You mean the liquor you left with
Mrs. Pietzel in Burlington, VT p" yes"
THAT has never been in my possess
-
''l an ai'o .'is' ,Iues1 ~ ON .ie
-, - - ~ ~" IL O ~, .li7
-. ,..,..l-s IN, ",'
- '''N '''' NC '0'
80, , ..
- 70 nc ''i''
.,.,,...-l.-' way, ~ '''
~ i-''.''- -Ai-i-l-D'
Je"nel'e Ilel@el' Dessa' lhe dauSh-
Ter OF 1ne aeau man. was lhe nrst wit
ness called She was called 10 ldenuIy
several large crayons OF her father
Wnlch she dlu'
Johh townsend photographer en-
Ployed IN the detective service ana
Nilil"Ih IL, Nau' private photograph
er' uheh laehtlhed the photographs or
loil'ieS taken py lheih aller ms arrest
eugene 9Ill.n' VINO louhd fletzel
oouy ~ 1Ie Oello" mn slres1 mousse on
80, .e'l Is - ioo1 me" eoiu " ue''ileu
already INV nublisbea Tba Tri+nass
was nreeent whom the cornea of piot,e1
was exbumed from the notte,,s eeld
and was tbere FIRST introduced -
Holroes
LAWYER Howe of ST. T.o,is Alice pia+-
eel. the Young daughter and the insur-
ance officers were there. The bod,, v,ae
recognized nv tho witness nc piet1ol,,