The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1895-11-19

Snewu 10 Hav- Been Manufactured
by Holmes Leading Counsel~- Mrs.
Hauuigan Contessts in court that
She Received S2O for Her A fiji avit--
TAX at Disbarment Proceedings.
PHILADELPHIA, Pa, Nov. 18.-The
Holmes case took another sensational
turn to-day. The main actor in this,
the most startling and unexpected
since the celebrated case has become
public. was the senior counsel for the
defense, VIM. A. Shoemaker. Charges
of manufacturing evidence in behalf
of the alleged multi-murderer by brlb-
ing woman who knew nothing OF the
case to swear in his favor were pub
licly made in court, and the manner
in which this was received by the
court left little doubt i'll the mind OF
those present of the gravity of the
attorneys situation.
To-day had been fixed for the argu-
nent of a motion for new trial for
Holmes, and Judge Arnold, who pre-
sided during the trial of two weeks
ago, which resulted in Holmes con-
yiction for the murder of B. +. Pietzel,
was Joined by Judges Thayer and Will
son, sitting as the court.
The proceedings were begun by Mr.
Shoemaker, who arose from his seat
beside his associate counsel, Mr.. Ro-
tan, and asked that the argument be
postponed He urged that since the
verdict had been rendered they had
come into possession of new lnforma-
ton and additional clues of vital inn
portance to their case, and which
would result in Holmes acquittal.
Subsequent to the trial, he continued,
they had obtained information of a
person who had known Pietzel when
he lived at 1916 Callowhill street; that
after much difficulty they had found
this person and procured an affidavit.
This document the lawyer then pro-
duced and read. 1t was made by one
Blanche A. Hannigan, and was, in sub
stance, as follows:
In August, 1894, she kept cigar
store at 1899 Callowhill street, and had
known and talked with Pietzel, then
known as Perry. On August 20, when
he was in her store, she told him she
would have to leave the store and visit
q dying friend, whereupon PietZel
spoke of the uncertainties of life, say
ing he had more troubles than any one
would suppose, and that he would not
care If it was he who was dying in
stead of her friend. He spoke of his
many troubles and added that 1.-The
end would come soon, as he could not
stand it much longer"
All his actions and words tended to
show thoughts of suicide. In present
ing this affidavit Mr.. Shoemaker said
that Mrs. Hannigan would have come
forward with her testimony before, bnt
she disliked notoriety and had been out
of the city for some time. As soon,
however, as she found that there was
a life at stake, she had come forward.
Besides, this important new testi-
mony, Shoemaker went on. there were
many other clues to be run down, some
of which had come to their knowledge
as late as Saturday. They, therefore,
pleaded for a postponement of the final
argument
District-Attorney Graham rose and
asked that before this application be
passed upon, Mrs. Hannigan be called
to the stand. Mr.. Rotan replied that
they had a great deal of trouble to find
her: but the affidavit had been pro-
cured by John Sweickler, a detective,
and that counsel could not permit her
to testify until they had an opportuni-
ty to examine her privately and sift
the truth of her statements. In re-
sponse to questions from the court
Mr. Shoemaker then said that the af-
fdavithad been written by himself al
the dictation Of Mrs. Hannigan.
Upon this, Mr.. Graham arose and
with. the utmost gravity, said it be-
came his duty to make a painful decla-
ration. During the early part of the
recent trial, he had received informa-
ton that efforts had been made to
procure false testimony by bribery
Al that time he had merely instituted
a sharp watch. Later, he learned that
these efforts were being prosecuted to
the end. Thereupon he sen1 for the
person thus employed to furnish evi
dence, and she was in court at the
present time.
II will produce her and show that
she was employed by Mr.. Shoemaker;
that she was taken to his Office and
questioned, that she said she knew
nSthing about the case, andsthe attor
new told her that was all right, and
that she was induced, upon the pay
nent to her of $50, TO sign the affida
Wit. which had been already prepared.
This declaration came like thun
serbolt Mr.. Shoemaker grew palliC
and the Judges eyes opened wider anC
it was some moments before the buzz
in the court room could be stilled
Then MrRotan tried TO protest against
this Impeachment of his colleague
and Shoemaker made an attempt to bt
heard, but the court ordered that the
witness be first heard Mr.. Graham
here said he first desired to call detec
tive Grier.
Mr.. Grier, upon being sworn, told
,he whole story. During the trial h,
was called upon by no.SweiclSler, ,whC
said that Mr.. Shoemaker had asked
him for the typewriter affidavit This
was even before the woman had beer
locked for. Mr.. Grier submitted The
mater TO the district attorney and, OF
natter 10 the district attorne,
and, On his advice after th'
wiAl Grir procured the woman. HI
iGsdassA her 70 Sweicklsr who IL