The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-10-31
AWFUL CRIMES OF HOLMES
Narrowing Testimony at the Trial
Given by Mrs. Pitezel.
GREAT NERVE OF PRISONER
lie Faces the Woman Whose Husband and
Children Have Been Murdered
Without Fiinching - Some
Damaging Testimony.

Philadelphia, Oct. so. - Branded
though he is as liar, swindler ana
murderer, the pictures drawn today or
Holmes old-hearted villainy by Mrs.
Pitezel. the widow of the man for whose
murder he is being tried, presents him
in even a more revolving character than
he has yet stood revealed. Whatever
sympathy might have been excited by
Holmes friendliness and forlorn condi-
ton was effectually killed in the breasts
of all the hearers in the court room of
Mrs. Pitezel's story. She was placed
upon the witness stand today and for
three hours this afternoon and one hour
tonight she was subjected to an ordeal
that no woman in her condition had
ever been called upon to face. Her
story furnished the first really sensation
al feature that has yet been brought
out. The whole scene and the events
of the afternoon were intensely dra-
matte. Mrs. Pitezel and Holmes have
never been brought face to face until
today, since the dreadful revelations of
her childrens' murders have come out.
When woman bent and feeble was
assisted into the witness box there was
a cranin of necks in the court room,
for 1t was at once surmised that this
was Mrs. Pitezel Whether Holmes
whether the man really lacked sensibtl-
ity, 1t was impossible to say. but as the
woman stood erect before him he eX-
hibited no emotion of any kind, but, on
the contrary, gaZed fXedly at her for
fully minute AS the woman came
into che full light of the court room she
plainly showed that she had borne a
burden of sorrows, trouble that have
proved too much for her.
As One Iiypnotizcd.
Her skin was sallow and her face
was heavy and lifeless. Above her
sunken cheeks her eyes stared steadily
in front of her with a meaningless
gaze. She more resembled a woman
under influence of some strong drug
that had dulled her senses rather than
one that is In full possession of her
faculties. She sank into chair and
crouched there like an animal that
stands in fear Cf the lash. She was so
weak that. throughout the giving OF her
testimony, the court officers Stood by
her side and repeated aloud her whls-
pered replies to the questions asked her
Only once throughout the day and
evening did she look in Holmes direc-
ton. At the beginning of her testi-
mony she was asked if she knew the
in his direction and then quickly avert
ing her eyes replied that she did. 1t
was a damning story of duplicity and
knavery that she related to the court.
She was led somewhat hurriedly over
the events prior to E.tezerS death.
Then she told of Holmes coming to her
ard telling her that iiler husband stlll
lived. hut was in hiding for his con-
nect.on with the swindle of the in
surance company. How he persuaded
her to send her daughter, Alice, to
the supposed body of her
father anil returning to her home In st.
Louis extorted from her by sharp prac-
tlces all but $500 Of the 5000 she re-
ceived in payment of her husbands in
surance policy; of the persuaslons he
used to secure possession OF two or her
other children, whom he took away
with him.
II was from this period on that
Holmes cruel practices began. Yearn..
ing for a sight of her husband and
children. Holmes led her from city
TO city with the Elusive hope before
her that she would soon meet her loved
ones. So thoroughly was she under his
influence that she gave him her letters
to post to her husband and children,
and. while her heart was breaking for
word from her little ones, he was carry
ing around in his pocket letters from
them to her.
Deception Of Holmes.
After the death Of the children
Holmes carried his deception so far as
to bring her letter written in cipher
and purporting to be frcm one of her
little girls. He also worked this
strategm in a letter alleging to be
from her husband. Never once did he
give her hint that she would probably
never see her husband again, and he
told her that her children
We're well and happy.
Throughout, this long recital Mrs.
pitezel had borne up with fortitude.
but when Mr.. Graham asked her If
she ever saw the children after she
gave them into Holmes charge. she
gave way and scbbed quietly, but Bit
terly, before she could answer. Not
a whisper was heard in the court room
as the woman raised her head and in
q broken voice replied:
81 never saw my two little girls again
until saw them lying side by side in
the morgue at Toronto, and / never
saw Howard again, but was only
shown scme things that belonged to
him in Indianapolis"
Cross.Exnmmation Unavniling.
Mrs. Pitezel's testimony was most
damaging to Holmes, and the cross-ex-
animation by the counsel for the de-
fense In no way served to help him.
With the advent OF his counsel into the
case today the current which was bear
ing Holmes swiftly away when he was
alone was slightly stemmed. Although
his two attorneys have as yet decid-
ed upon no definite line of defense they
were better able to take advantage of
technicalities that arose. Holmes
himself was Of great assistance to
them, and suggested most of the ques-
tiors that were asked the witnesses.
The commonwealth today had Its
witnesses upon the stand to prove the
conspiracy to swindle the insurance
company, and the consequent motive
for the killing of Pitezel.
When cour. adjourned tonight the
prosecution had not offered all the tes-
tImony OF this character. and will have
several witnesses to swear to these cir
cumstances In the morning. The pros
ecution claims to have convincing evil
dence to convict Holmes, and the Dis
trict attorney and his assistant are
satisfied that they will easily prove
their case. The defense will ask of the
court tomorrow for a continuance for
half day or so in order to enable
them to prepare their case