The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-10-31
HOLMES WAS PITILESS.
MRS. PIETzEL TELLS OF MS HEART
LESS DECEPTION.
A Pitifui Scene ms the Old Lady Tells Of the
Strands of Addiction Woven Into
the Web of Her Life.

PHILADELPHIA, PA. Oct. 3o.-Brand-
ed though he is as a liar, swindler. and
murderer. the picture drawn to-day Of
Holmes cold-hearted viliiany by Mrs.
Pietzel 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 friendless and forlorn
condition, was effectualiy killed In tha
breasts OF all the hearers I'm the court
room of Mrs. Pietzel's story. She was
placed upon the witness stand to->ay. and
for ...ree 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 sensational
feature that has yet been brought out.
The whole scene and the events OF toe
afternoon were intensely dramatic. Mrs.
PietZel and Holmes have never been
brought face 10 face until to-day since
the dreadful revelations OF her childrens
murders have come out. When woman
bent and feeble, was assisted to the wit
ness box. there was a craning of necks
I'm the courtroom, for il was at once sur
missed that this was Mrs. PietZel.
Whether Holmes had schooed himself
to face her, or whether the man really
lacked sensbility. il was impossible to
say, but as the woman stood erect before
him he exhibited 10 emotion of any kind,
but, on the contrary. gazed fixediy at
her for fully minute.
BunD1S.D WITH SORROW.
As the woman came into the full light
OF the courtroom she plainly shoMed
that she had borne a burden or sorrows,
troubles that have proven too heavy Tor
her. Her skin was sallow ana hcr race
was heavy and lifeless. Above her SUNK
en- cheeks her lack-lustre eyes stared
steadily in front OF her with meanilis-
less gaze She resembled woman uidt :
the influence OF some strong uius 'ial
had dullcd her senses, rather imam -hc
that is in fun possession of her faculties.
She sank into a chair and crouched there
IKE an animal that stands in Tear or
the lash. She was so weak that through J.
out the giving OF her testimony the court
officers stood by her side and repeated
aloud her whispered replies TO the ques-
lions asked her
only once throughout the day and even
ing did she LOOK in Holmes direction. Al
the beginning OF her testimony sne was
asked III she knew the prisoner. she cast
one hurried glance In his direction, ana
then quickly ayertins her eyes, replied
that she did. 1t was q tanning story OF
dupllcity and kndVery that she reldteu
to the court. She was led somewhat hur-
death Then she told of Holmes coming
to her and telling her that her husband
still lived. but was I'm hiding for MS con-
nectiOn with the swindle of the insurance
company. How he persuaded her 10 sehu
her daughter Alice to Identify the sup
posed body OF her father, and or MS re-
turn 10 her home in st. Louis ana eAtor-
ton from her by sharp practices all but
$500 OF the $40 she received III Payilene !
OF her husbands insurance policy; or
the persuasions he used 10 secure posses
sion Of two of her other children, whom
he took away with him.
PURSUING VAIN HOPE.
II was from this period that Holmes
cruel practices began. learnlng Tor
sight of her husband and children, Holmes
had led her from city TO city win 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 nus
band and children, and while her heart
was breaking for a word from her H.tle
ones he was carrying around in his
pocket letters from them 70 her.
After the death Of the children, Holmes
carried his deception so far as 10 bfihS
10 her a letter written in cipher ana ptr-
porting 10 be from one OF her little girls.
lie also worked this stratagem IN let
ter alleging 10 be from her husband.
Never once did he give her a hint tnat
she would probably never see ner husDaHu
again. and he constantly told her that
her children were well and happy.
Throughout this long recital Mrs. Pet
eel had borne up with fortitude, Out Wheh
MIR. Graham asked her If she ever saw
the children after she gave them into
Holmes charge, she gave way ana SOD,
bed quietly but bitterly before she could
answer Not a whisper was heard IN the
courtroom az the woman raised her he1a
and I'm a broken voice replied:
II never saw my little girls again uhtil
| saw them lying side by side IN tie
morgue at Toronto. and } never sa"
Howard again, but was only SHOWN some
things that belonged 10 him IN lndianapo-
lis"
DAMAGING TO HOLMES.