The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-10-30
SEVERE STRAIN.
Holmes Pleads rur u Discont:auance
Of Night Sessions.
FINALLY RECALLED HIS COUNSEL
Taking OF Testimony In the
Famous Case Has Begun.

PHILADKLPHIA, Oct. 30.--It became mp.
parent last night that tho picturesque and
startling features Of II II. Holmes career
were not to be confined to his destructive
wandorings over the American continent,
for with each successive day comes some
thing still more strange and unexpected.
On Monday he dismissed his counsel
and began to try his own case, because the
court refused to grant the plea made by
them for a continuance. They left tho
courtroom in spite of Judge Arnold's
threat to disbar them, and re)igiously
kept away. Last night, after fighting
tooth and nall single-banded against tho
tremendous machinery OF the common
wealth, and the apparently complete chain
of evidence which has been forged around
him, he threw up his hands and sent for
his lawyers, Messrs. Shoemaker and
Rotan. Then he told the court what hs
had done, AMI consent Of their continu
ing with the defense was given.
There was an impression that this was
but another piece Of by-play following
Holmes personal failure to catch the sym
pathy of the court and jury by making
himself out much-wrongeG man, forced
to fight alone what may prove TO be his
last battle, in spite OF his ignorance OF the
technicalties OF the law and his alleged
physical infirmity.
The big work Of the trial--taking testi-
mony-was begun yesterday morning at
10 o'clock, and with the exception OF brief
intermissions at lunch and supper time,
was continued until nearly . o'clock last
night. 1t had been the intention of tho
court to sit until 10, but the absence Of
witness hindered this. and an adjourn.
ment was taken. The star witnesses OF
the trial-Mrs. Pitezel, Detective Gcyer,
Agent Perry Of the swindled Insurance
company and the arch criminal himself
yet remain to be heard, AS also nearly two
score OF others.
District Attorney Graham remarked
that there was "a likelihood of the trial
outrivaling the Durrant case in point OF
time, but that IL night sessions were held
regularly 1t might be concluded
within . Month or Less.
Holmes made plea last evening asking
the court 10 hold but two sessions day.
In plaintive tones he said that his physical
condition was such that he felt unable To
continue the cross-cxamination of the wit
ncsses, and, besides, he was subject to sick
headaches.
Judge Arnold insisted, however, upon
holding an extra session last night at
least, and said tomorrow could be at
tended to when it came. During the sup.
per recess which followed this incident,
Holmes privately said that the prepara-
ton of his case In his cell Monday night
had kept him up until 4 o clock yesterday
morning, and then he was reused from
bed two hours later. In addition TO this,
he had not eaten anything from Monday
night until o'clock yesterday afternoon.
It was after making this statement that
he sent for his counsel.
Up to that time there had been general
impression thut human nature gould not
stand the terrible ordeal which he had set
for himself, and that II he persisted in
going on with his own case he would
break down before long
All day, as he sat in the dock, the eyes
of the man he is charged with numbering
gazed at him from n large crayon portrait
placed upright on the district attorneys
desk In full view OF the entire court
Next TO this was a largo sized picture OF
the daughter, Alice, whose death is also
laid on his shoulders. But Holmes did
not seem to be affected. His stolid de-
meapor never deserted him for an instant
The announcement that the taking OF
evidence would begin yesterday drew q
still larger crowd to the city hall, but tho
admirable police arrangements kept every
body out of the courtroom except attorneys
and. those concerned In the case. The in
terest manifested in the case is not con-
fined to one class. During the day, Judge
Arnold had no less than eight visitors-sll
judges--from this and other cities in tho
state Besides, the head of every munich
pal department was noticed in the room
at different times, including the mayor.
scalIy May Not Recover.