The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-08-03
CANNOT CORNER HOLMES
impossible to Obtain Evidence Of
Murder Against Him.
PHILADELPHIA Is ANXIOUS
The Ono City That Now Eutcrtatns Hope
Of COnVicting Him district
Attorney ~ nc.
tcrmincd.

Philadelphia. Aug. III II. II.
Holmes IL convicted OF murder II begins
To look very much as II he would have
to be found guilty right here In Phila-
delphia. While bones ihnumerable have
been dug up In various parts ~ the
country, and mysterious disappear
ances galore have been laid up against
him. II was admitted yesterday that
very little II any tangible proof that
would tend to hang him has been pro-
duced.
Chicago police authorities admitted
yesterday that they We're baiiled and
the prosecuting attorney at Toronto has
come to u standstill In his investiga-
tions. That District Attorney Graham
realizes this fact. and that he intends
to bend his efforts toward securing con-
yiction here was evidenced yesterday.
For nearly two hours Mr.. Graham,
Special Assistant District Attorney
Barlow and Lawyer Thomas Fahy,
representing Mrs. Pietzel, had long
conference. When 1t terminated Mr..
Graham announced that Detective
Geyer would be recalled. II shall bring
Mr.. Clever back" he said mot because
the search for Howard PietZel has been
abandoned: but for the purpose OF COM
pairing notes.
"The search Is to be renewed ana
continued, and no effort or expense VIII
he shared to reach the muchdeslred re-
sult. The officers of the Fidelity Mu-
tual Life association are giving me All
the assistance ] require to prosecute
this search, so that the question oi
whether Howard PietZel Is alive or
dead may be settled. and If dead the
manner and cause of his death ascer-
tanned.
II shall not decide where Holmes
shall be tried until every means within
the limitations of my office are exhaust
ed in the effort to find the missing child
or his remains. II were to stop now
the mother Of the child might never
know with certainty whether her boy
was among the living or also shared the
fate of her two little daughters. To set
at rest this question for her and at the
same time to strengthen and benefit
the commonwealth's case Is my pres
ent purpose.
II have no idea that we shall obtain
from Holmes any information which
may aid us in finding the boy. Up to
the present time everything / have
learned from him has been false and
misleading, and has not aided us in the
lesat degree in solving this great mys-
terry"
Confident Of Escape.
Holmes is fully aware that the au-
thorities have by no means got clear
case against him, and he says he is con-
ident that nothing can be proved
against him. Yesterday he went over
everything. step by step. and said he
did not know where Mrs. Conner was
declared that Miss Cigrand was alive
and well with friends. and that Minnie
Williams could be found whenever
wanted.
When asked about the Pietzel chill
dren the prisoner declared that he did
not know whether the bodies found
were those of the Pietzel children or not
hut II they were he declared they We're
killed by Hatch. Holmes still stuck
to his story that Pietzel committed
suicide.
Lawyer Shoemaker. Holmes counsel
had long conference with the prisoner
yesterday, and after 1t was over he an
nounced that they were prepared to
disprove any charges of murder, no
matter when brought.
Chicago. Aug. 1.-The police at En-
glewood continued the attempt to trace
the missing Williams girls yesterday.
or Annie but little Is known, and Min.
ME has been traced to June. 1893. Let
ters were found showing that she was
In the confidence OF Holmes, and was
supposed by people living at a dis
tance to be a man and a partner of
Holmes. A letter from Ferandall of
Aurora referred to a deal In which
Holmes and Minnie Williams were in
terested. The effects OF the Quinlans
were nearched. but nothing was found.
Inspector Fitzpatrick denies that At
torney Capps has Instructions to try
and get Convict Ahlen released from the
penlten.iary. but says he was told TO
simply try and get what information he
ccu'd from the man without maklns
any definite promise of reward.
Drug Clerks Story.
A druggists clerk has told the police
that he was at one time employed in
the Castle" drug store, and knew
Holmes and considered him very no.
culiar.
lie always wanted so much chloro-
Iorm,' the clerk said. II was only n
rev months there. and sometimes sold
this drug to Holmes nine or ten times
week, and each time In large auanti-
Ties. i asked him what he used Il. for
on several occasions. but he gave me
unsatisfactory answers. At last I re-
fused to let him have any more, saving
l was afraid he was not using Il for
any good purpose. He then told me
he was making some experiments, and
the following day showed me a bottle
with white liquid In Il. When he
opened the bottle a very heavy vapor
arose to which he set fire. He also told
me that the gas was poisonous.
Some time after. when he got more
chloroform. I asked him if his experI.
ments were nearly completed. and then
he said he was not making any more
experiments"
Anderson. Ind, Aug. Mrs. Philla
Cigrand and her mother say they do not
believe Holmes statement that Emellne
Cigrand was married 70 him. and then
went into convent In Minnesota. The
missing girls sister says DIR. Clgrand
and other relatives In Chicago all
agree in the belief that Emeline was
murdered by Holmes.
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