The herald., 1895-09-04
HOLMES IN FORT WORTH
He Represented Himself to Be a
Mr.. Pratt
WAS THE AGENT OF HOLMES
Started to Erect a Building on Minnie
Williams Property
WAS THE AGENT OF HOLMES
1t Was Not Finished, shough-E. W. Bets
and A. d. Wheeler Tell Something OF
Holmes Career in Ft. Worth

Los Angeles is considerably behind the
average city of :its population in that it
has up to date failed TO have any missing
son or daughter whose death could be
traced to the doors OF alleged murderer
Holmes. There are quite number of
people residing here, however, who have
at some time within the past fifteen years
met this most notorious of characters.
Recently The Herald published story OF
Holmes doings while a meoical student
at the University of Michigan wnen c.
ID. Willard, secretary of the chambe of
commerc e, was also there. Still another
account comes of Holmes while he was in
Fort Worth. Tex. Two gentlemen who
have recently arrived from there knew
Holmes and had also seen Minnie Will
liams, one of his victims. Their names
are L. W. Belts, the tailor on South
Spring street, and the other is A. D.
Wheeler, a friend who is staying with
MIN.
1t was one year ago when the former
met Holmes Mt Fort Worth. Mr.. Belts
had clothing parIors then ana the mur-
| derer came 10 bs measured for several
suits. Holmes introduced himself as Mr..
Pratt, and represented that he was the
agent of wealthy Chicago capitalists
named Holmes. The capitalist had re-
Gently purchased a large lot in the center
of the town and was erecting Il fine busi-
ness block on the land. The lot belonged
to Minnie Williams, having been left to
| her by bachelor uncle.
Mr.. Belts says that he often saw Pratt,
| but the capitalist Homes never. appeared
at the Establishment. Pratt ran bill of
about $120 for his Clothes and when it
sx,nc eAI 49, I. T.
would OK. it and then the money would
be forthcoming. Pratt also contracted
| another account which he failed to liqui-
date, as he left Fort Worth suddenly. say
ing he wanted to get more money from
Homes and from the sale of some horses
! in order to complete the erection of the
| building. And he never came back.
Mr.. Belts did not lose any money on this
| transaction, however, as Pratt had left
piece OF dress goods to be made up which
was retained and added to the stock.
Holmes was man of pleasant ad-
| dress, says Mr.. Belts; very quiet and re-
| tiring and the last person he would have
suspected OF having committed the awful
crimes with which he is now charged.
While in Fort Worth Holmes was seen
frequently out driving With some woman
much younger than himself, and who.
rumor said, came with him from Chi
cago; but whether this is true is not
| Known by Mr.. Belts.
| Mr.. Wheeler lives in Fort Worth, and
while he did not know the erstwhle
| Pratt was we'll acquainted with DR.. Will
| Jams. the uncle OF Holmes victim. DIR.
Williams had lived in Fort Worth for
many years and had accumulated consid-
erable property. He was bachelor and
eccentric to a marked degree. He had
| quite q comfortable practice established
and enjoyed life in a quiet way. His
two nieces, Annie and Minnie lived with
him. as their parents had died when
they were very young. Old DR.. Williams
seemed to be very fond of the little
orphans and did all in his mower to make
them happy. Finally they were sent
| away to school. What became of Annie
| the elder sister, Mr.. Wheeler does not re-
| mem ber but after their uncle died Minnie
returned. All the property was left to
| her. A. Stephen Terry was appointed
| guardian or administrator and later he
was succeeded by J. +. Copper. When
the girl became of age sne went away and
Mr.. Wheeler lost sight of her.
The lot on which Holmes had started
to erect the business block is one OF the
most valuable in Fort Worth, being on
the princial thoroughfare of that place.
At last accounts the partially completed
building was in the hands of the sheriff.