The Roanoke daily times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1895-1897, 1895-10-30

apparent tonight that the picturesque
and startling features of H. a. Holmes
career was not to be confined to his
destructive wanderings over the Amer
lean continent for with each successive
day comes something still more strange
and unexpected.
Yesterday he dism ssed 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
the court In spite of Judge Arnold's
threats to disbar them and religiously
keps away. Tonight, after fighting
tooth and,nail single. b and ed against the
tremendous machinery Of the common.
wealth and tho apparently complete
chain of evidence which has been forged
around bin he threw up his hands and
s>nt for his lawyers, Messrs. Sheen sker
and Rotan.
Then he told the court what he had
done, and reluctant consent to their
continuing 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
sympathy OF the court and jury by max.
Ing himself out much wronged man,
forced to fight alone what may prove to
be his laos battle. in spite Of his igno-
rance OF the technicslitios of the law
and his alleged physical infirmity.
At 10 O'Clock the jury was brought
into the room and court was formally
opened. The days proceedings were be.
gun by District Attorney Graham, who
arose and said to the court: ~ desire to
say to the court, in view Of what was
said last night before the ad iournment
of court, that the lady known as Miss
Yoke and Mrs. Howard was sent for,
saw the prisoner and had ample oppor-
tunity for an interview with him."
Ihis Is tho woman concerning whom
there was warm passage at arms last
evening between Mr.. Graham and
Holmes, the latter declaring that the
woman was his wife, and that Mr.. Ora
ham had done all in his power to separ-
ate them.
When Mr.. Graham concluded Holmes
said that he had only had u three
minute interview with the woman, and
asked that it be renewed during the
noon recess. His request was granted.
Jeannette Pietzel, ODESSA" the
daughter of the dead man, was the first
witness called. She was called merely
to identify several large crayons of her
father, which she did.
Eugene Smith, who found Pietzel's
body in a Callowhill street house on
September 4, 1904. then told detailed
story OF his discovery, which has already
been fully published. He had become
acquainted with the dead man ON
August 90, 1894, through business con-
corning patsn.e, which Pietzsl was sup
posed to have held. He saw him sew
eral times during the following week.
0rn
ms pocket when he came to the dates.
Holmes objected to bis referring to
them unless they were in his own hand
writing. Smith admitted that the
papers had been prepared, and the
court sustained the objection.
Smith said that during his first visit
10 Pie:zol, whom he knew by the name
OF Percy, Holmes came in, and, giving a
nod or sign to Pie,Zel, went upstairs.
A moment later Pietzel excused him
self and followed him. He returned
very shortly, but Holmes remained up.
stairs The witness was present when
the corpse OF PietZsl was exhumed from
the PotteTs' Field, and IVES there frat
introduced to Holmes. Lawyer Howe,
of ST. Louis Alice Pie'zsl, the young
daughter, and the insurance officers
were there.
The body was recognized by the wit
ness as Piezsi's. Holmes offared $40
to have the corpse cremated and asked
Howe about it. The lawyer answered
that the widow would frat have to be
consulted. Holmes told the insurance
people OF the marks of Identification
and after the body had been dug up he
pulled out lance and cut q wart and
other marks from the corpse. at this
time witness had recognized Holmes as
1he man ne had seen go upstairs in the
Callowbill street. house.
Holmes, on Cross examination, asked
number OF immaterisl questions, but
showed much legal skill in their con-
struction.
Dr.. VIM j. Scott was called, and at
This junctu'e Holmes asked to have all
Witnesses, except the one on the stand,
excluded from the room
Mr.. Graham objected 10 this and
Judge Arnold upheld the district attor-
ney. Holmes asked for end was granted
an exception TO the ruling. Holmes
compromised by asking that the wit
nesses connected with the murder of
Benjamin f. Pietzsl be excluded. This
was granted him, and as Holmes called
out the names of these witnesses. thew
left the room.
After the witnesses bad all left the
room, Holmes asked IL his wife was to
be witness. ''She ia not in the court
room" said the prosecutor. land I de-
cline to say whether or not she will be-
O wi tness"
DR.. Scott WAS then permitted to tell
his story. which concerned his having
been called in to examine Pietzel's BODY.
after It's discovery. He explained the
situation of the room and the arrange
Tnent of the windOWs sO thar tho eun