The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1895-10-30

! PHILADELPHIA. Oct 29.-It be-
I came apparent tonight that the pic
turesque and startling features of II.
I II. Holmes career were not to be con-
fined to his destructive wanderings
over the American continent, for with
each successive day comes something
/ still more strange and unexpected.
Yesterday 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 the court in spite of Judge ATnOld'S
threats to disbar them and rehgiOusly
kept away. Tonight after fighting sim
gle handed against the tremendous ma
chinery Of the commonwealth and ap-
parently overwhelming evidence which
I has been forged around him. he threw
up his hands and sent for his lawyers.
Messrs. Shoemaker and Rolau. Then
he told the court what he had done
and consent to their continuing with
] the defense was granted.
There was an impression that this
I was but another part of the byplay
following Holmes personal failure to
catch the sympathy of the court and
jury by making himself out a much
WrOnged man. forced to fight alone.
what would be his last battle despite
his ignorance of the technicalities OF
the law and his alleged physical in
trinity.
The Important Work of the Trial,
the taking of testimony-was begun
( this morning a 10 O'Clock and with the
exception of brief intermissfons at
lunch and supper time. was continued
until nearly o'clock tonight. 1t had
been the intention Of the court to sit
until 10. but the absence of a witness
hindered this and an adjournment was
taken. The star witness of the trial
Mrs. Pitzel Detective Geyer. Agent
Perry of the swindled insurance COM
pany and the arCh-criminal himself
remain to be heard as also nearly two
scores of others. District Attorney
Graham remarked today that there
was likelihood of the trial Outrivaling
the Durrant case in point of time, but
that if night sessions were held regu-
larly it might be concluded within a
month or less. Holmes made plea this
evening asking the court to hold but
two sessions a day. In pleading, he
said his health was such that he felt
BILE to continue his crOss-eXanlina@
tons of the witnesses and besides he
was subjected to sick headaches.
Judge Arnold insisted. however. on
holding an extra session tonight at
least and said tomorrow could be at
tended to when it came.
During the supper recess which fol-
lowed this incident, Holmes privately
said that the preparation of his case
in his cell last night had kept him up
until o'clock in the morning and that
he was reused from bed two hours
later
Slept But Two Hours
In addition to this he had not eaten
anything from last night until 1 o'clock
this afternoon. 1t was after making
this statement that he sent for his at
torneys. Up to that time there had
been a general impression that human
nature could not stand the terrible or
deal which he had set for himself and
that if he persisted in going on with
his own case there would be a break
down before long All day as he sat
in the dock, the eyes Of the man ne
is charged with numbering gaZed at
him from a. large crayon portrait
ney's desk, in full view Of the entire
court Next to this was an equally
large sized picture Of the daughter.
Alice whose death is also laid on his
shoulders, but he did not seem to be
affected. His stoIid demeanor never
deserted him for an instant
The announcement that the taking
of evidence would begin today drew al
still larger crowd to the city hail. but
; the admirable police arrangements
kept everybody out except attorneys
and those interested in the case.
Interest in the case is not confined
to one class. During the day Judge
Arnold had no less than eight visitors.
all Judges from this and other cities.
besides the head of every municipal
department was noticed in the room
at different times including the mayor.
At 10 o'clock the jury was brought
into the room, and Judge Arnold APP
, pearing a moment later the court was
formally opened.
Taking Testimony Begins.
Meantime Holmes. in custody Of a
court officer, was placed in the dock.
The days proceedings were begun by
District Attorney Graham. who arose
and said to the court: L desire to say
to the court, in view Of what was said
last night before the adjournment Of
the court. that the lady known as Miss
Yorke and Mrs Howard was sent for,
saw the prisoner, and had ample OPP
4 portunity for an interview with him
4 This is the woman concerning whom
e there was a warm passage alarms last
4 evening between Mr.. Graham and
2 Holmes, the latter declaring that the
: woman was his wife and that Mr.. Gra-
r ham had done all in his power to separ-
s ate them.
it When Mr.. Graham concluded Holmes
f said that he had only had three
O minute interview with the woman. and
: asked that it be renewed during the
T. noon recess. His request was granted
Then the prisoner asked that plan
be produced of the Callowhill street
house where he is believed to have
murdered PitZel The district attorney
), said such a plan was in court and
: would be produced at the proper time
4 also ask. Holmes continued. "bhat
e quantity of the liquor which Mr..
: Graham said I used in my efforts to
:. exterminate the Pitzel family be sub