Great Falls weekly tribune., 1895-11-01
HOLMES ON TRIAL
The Alleged Murder of Pi'Hel Is
Finally Before the Bar of
Justice.
REMARKABLE SCENES IN COURT
A Series Of Complications Never be
fore Witnessed in the | nited
States.


PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 2S. - H. ii.
Holmes. or Herman W. Mudgctt. which
he says is his baptismal name, was put
on trial in the court of oyer and terml-
ner today for the murder of benjamin
+. Pitzel in this city on Sept. ,, lS9l.
The developments of the first day veri-
fled better perhaps than ever before the
force of the maxim that truth is stranger
than fiction. From the nature OF the
case and the startling stories concerning
it which have gained currency during
the past year, sensational revelations
were naturally to be expected when he
who has come to be remarked as the
most sllillful and au,tacious criminal of
modern times was placed on trial for his
life. Yet what did occur in court SO far
surpassed all expectations that the most
scarcely have conceived today's events.
Protestations and entreaties for a con-
tinuance of the trial were summariy
overruled; the sudden withdrawal Of
the lawyers who had hitherto repre-
sented the prisoner in the face of threats
of disbarment; the appointment by the
court of new counsel and the refusal by
the prisoner to accept them as his de-
tenders; the decination of another law
yer to serve after being selected by
Holmes. and finally the prisoner trying
L rnt to nf
sundry passages at arms between Holmes
and the commonwealth prosecuting Of
ficer, is a summary of what occurred.
The Jury was obtained before , o'clock
and the prosecutor finished his opening
address before adjournment.
The days proceedings began when
Shoemaker and Protan moved for a
siXty-days' continuance on account of
lately discovered evidence. This was
promptly refused, as was also their mo-
tion for continuance until tomorrow,
Finding the Judge iBeyor4bie they, as a
last resort. declared that they would
withdraw from the case. Judge Arnold
warned them that if they did they would
lay them selves open to Cistarment.
Thereupor Holmes declared from the
dock that under tha circumstances ne
would not permit lL-m 10 defend MIN
He therefore dismissed ,aens G,Jm his
service and the lawyers left the
room ia spite # the c,urt'd threats
Judge Arnold tHea appoi4ted +. N.
SohoGeld ana }. VI. t'huy 70 assume
charge If tie defense. bat Holmes again
iuterposed. He declared he would rot
place uia life IN the hands OF two youDG
men who knew the caae only ly hear,
say, and eventually, when his personal
eutreati-s for pnafppnement we're re-
fused. be declared he would himself try
the case. Meanwhile he Expressed de-
sire TO ,.cUre The services Of Attorney
Il. Q, VI 3on, but that gentleman, after
learning from the j1tge tnat he could
rot obtain continuance, declined tt
accept the grave responsibility.
The selection Of jury consumed sey
eral hours. Holmes freely cEercsed hi
prerogagiya of challenger, and after
mal Aad bann secured recess w,
taken, the afternoon session was dc
voted arg.. H. District Attawry Gra
ham, opening aaG.yss ~ tAe iuny.
which h. outlined rbe ra~. in dlD@
and subjected Ga. prisoner .o a soatujn
,.Hmai4.l.a. IioIAos. AaHcvcr, wa