The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1895-11-02
EVIDENCE IS ALL In
The Holmes Murder Trial Takes q
Sharp and Sudden Turn.
IT'S TO BE ARGUED TO-DAY
Wen Probably Know by Tonight
Whether the Wretch Is to
Swing-The Prisoner Pale
and Care-Worn.

Philadelphia, Nov. 1.-To-morrow
night the world will probably know
whether or not Holmes will hang. In
cidentally. Holmes. who Is not now a
part OF the world, but a mere shrunken
figure with a number. a cage and all
mems enmity. will himself know.
When the trial began last Monday.
everybody anticipated a siege OF at
least two weeks. but yesterday the case
took a sudden turn, and to-day anoth-
er which will help to push II to a swift
conclusion. The decision of Judge Ar
mold that no testimony would be adj
mitted other than that bearing direct
ly on the murder of Benjamin +. Pit
eel had the effect of keeping out
group of greusome exhibits and silenc-
ing about 80 witnesses brought here
from Canada, New England and the
West, and supported for six days at
the commemorative expense. 1t pre-
vented the Offering in evidence Of the
mouldered bones OF the boy Howard
Ptzel. the stove in which he burned
the clothes he wore. the toys he played
with and the trunk which smothered
out the lives OF the girls, Alice and
Nellie.
Besides 1t put a quietus on Detective
Meyer, whose detailed account of his
travels over the continent In a success
full search for evidence OF Holmes de-
struotive movements would have made
a thrilling tale. District Attorney Gra-
ham fought as hard as he knew how TO
get this evidence in. but the law was
against him and the defense scored hts
first victory. When he found himself
bested. ne said he would close his case
this morning, and he kept mis- word.
He did not even exhibit the skull of
Pitzel. thereby disappointing a lot OF
people who love to revel in the horri-
bic.
That is our case" had scarcely fall
4 en- from the lips of the commonweafuh's
prosecutor. before counsel for the de-
fense had arisen and made what many
| persons characterized as a bold bluff"
and many more as playing the last
/ card left. He confidently told the
count that the commonwealth had not
made out It's case and asked Judge Ar
mold to tell the jury so and wind up the
trial tonight. District Attorney Gra-
ham smiled an official smile and said
this was too absurd to argue. but Judge
Arnold expressed no opinion other than
that the case would have to proceed.
Then the counsel made the astonishing
statement that they wanted time to
find out what the defense was going 10
be, because they had been so busy HIST
ening to the evidence against them
that they had not had a chance 20 pre-
pare an argument to II. The court was
\ not very anxious to create another de-
lay, but finally suspended business and
gave the attorneys an hours talk with
Holmes This over. dhey came back to
court and pleased everybody except the
morbid mob by declaring that they
| would call no witnesses and would
| submit the case on the argument alone.
This will begin tomorrow morning and
the lawyers said would end before the
| day Is over.
There Is an impression that Lawyer
Moon will do the talking for the de-
fense. and his forensic ability Is OF no
mean order. n was he whom Holmes
called upon last Monday when he dis
missed his lawyers. Mr. Moon deciin-
Ing the task through lack of time for
preparation. He admitted being fanil-
isr with the main facts. and will be
well qualified TO address the jury.
There was no change in Holmes de-
meanor to-day. although a keen OBJ
server might have perceived deeper
pallor on his cheeks. and In his blue
eyes the subdued glare OF wild beast
tracked 20 earth ali last. But bt needed
keen eye TO detect II. II h was there.