Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1895-10-31
THE HOLMES TRIAL.

In the Holmes murder trial in Phila-
delphia yesterday Mrs. Pitezel, the
widow of the man for whose murder
he is being tried, was placed upon the
witness stand, and for four hours she
was subjected to an ordeal that no
woman in her condition had ever been
called upon to face. Her story furn-
ished the first really sensational feature
that has yet been brought out. The
whole scene and the events of the after
noon were intensely dramatic.
Mrs. Pitezel and Holmes were never
brought face to face until yesterday
since the dreadful revelations of her
children's murders have come out.
When woman, bent and feeble, was
assisted into the witness box there was
crening of necks in the court room,
for it was at once surmised that this
was Mrs. Pitezel. Whether Holmes
had schooled himself to face her, or
whether the man really lacked sensibili-
ty, it was impossible to say, but as the
woman stood before him he ex-
hibited no emotion of any kind, but OH
the contrary, gazed fxedly at her for
fully minute.
AS the woman came into the full
light of the court room she plainly
showed that she had borne q burden of
sorrows, troubles that have proven too
heavy for her. Her skin was sallow
and her face was heavy and lifeless.
Above her sunken cheeks her lack
luster eyes stared steadily in front of
her with meaninglC gaze. She
more resembled woman under the
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
of the lash. She was so weak that,
throughout the giving of her testimony
the court officers stood by her side and
repeated aloud her whispered replies
to the questions asked her.
Only once throughout the day and
evening did she look in Holmes's di-
direction. At the beginning of her tes-
timony she was asked if she knew the
prisoner. She cast one hurriedilglance
IN his direction and then quickly avert
ing her eyes replied that she did.
1t was damning story of duplicity
and knavery that she related to the
court. She was led somewhat hurried
ly over the events prior to Pitezel's
death. Then she told of Holiness
coming to her and telling her that her
husband still lived, but was in hiding
for his connection with the swindle of
the insurance company; she related
how he persuaded her to send her
daughter Alice to identify the supposed
body of her father and returning to Ter
home in st. Louis eXtorted from her by
sharp practice all but $500 of the 5000
she received in payment of her hus-
bands insurance policy; OF the persua-
sions he used to secure possession of two
of her other children, whom he took
away with him.
1t was from this period that Holiness
cruel practices began. Yearning for 8
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 carrying around
in his pocket letters from them to her.
After the death of the children
Holmes carried his deception so far as
to bring to her letter written in cipher
and purporting to be from one of her
little girls. He also worked this strata
gem in letter alleging to be from her
husband. Never once did he give her
q hint that she would probably never
see her husband again, and he constant
ly told her that her children were we'll
and happy.
Throught this long recital Mrs. Pite-
Eel 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 sobbed quietly but bitterly
before she could answer. Not whisp-
er was heard in the courtroom as the
woman raised her head and in q broken
voice, replied:
.'I never saw my two little girls
again until I saw them lying side by
side in the morgue at Toronto, and l
never saw Howard again, but was only
shown some things that belonged to
him in Indianapolis"
Mrs. Pitezel's testimony was most
damaging to Holmes, and the cross
examination by the counsel for the
defense in no way served to help him.
With the advent of his counsel into the
case to-day the current which was bear
ing Holmes swiftly away when he was
alone, was slightly stemmed.
Although his two attorneys have as
yet decided upon no definite line OF
defense, they were better able to take
advantage of the technicslities that
arose. Holmes himself was of great
assistance to them, and suggested most
of the questions that were asked the
witnesses.
A False Diagnosis.
La Crime is confounded by many person: