The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-08-29
Interesting Interview with the Noted
Criminal I'm His Cell at Moya-
mcnsing Prison.
DETECTIVE GEYER'S VIEWS
HE THINKS HOLMES Is ONE OF THE
GREATEST LIARS ON EARTH.
Confession by j. G. Allen, Called ''Mas-
New Light on the Famous Case.

PHILADELPHIA, Pa, Aug. 2S.-When a
reporter called at Moyamensing prison to-
day for the purpose of interviewing III. H.
Holmes the alleged slayer of many human
beings, he asked him to talk in reference
to the finding of human remains, supposed
to be those of Howard Pietzel, in the
chimney of house at Irvington, Ind by
detective Frank Geyer and inspector Gary.
The prisoner was not loath to talk to an
accredited representative OF the press in
general He was not cast down nor did
he seem worried over the grewsome news
that comes from the West. In fact, he
was in a more jovial mood than he has
been for some time. 1t may not be that
because Howard Pietzel was dead that
he was seemingly light-hearted and yet it
may be, for the finding of those charred
bones seems to carry out his suggestions,
made some time ago. When the reporter
called Holmes had just ceased working on
the final chapter of his autobiography and
turned TO greet his attorney, w. A. Shoe
maker, at the cell door. In answer to a
question as TO what he thought OF the
new find made by the detectives he said:
'I think probably that the bones found
by the detectives at Irvington are all that
remains mortal OF little Howard Pietzel.
In a statement / made some time ago
intimated that the officers should search in
and about some of the suburban districts
of Indianapolis. IL they really wished 20
gain the information they sought in refer
ence to Howard. Had my hints been fol-
lowed and acted on then much time and,
no doubt. a considerable amount Of money
would have been saved"
What reason have you for thinking that
the bones found are those of the missing
Pietzel boy?'
"HATCH" THE MURDERER.
'T will tell you just why think So On
Oct. 9. 1894, was In restaurant in Indian
apolis with the children, and was seen
there with them by the walters. did
some shopping later In the day with my
wife, whom L accompanied to the theater
in the evening. The next morning I left
for Chicago, but before doing so 1 met
Hatch by appointment at a barber shop and
gave Howard into his charge. The
reason 1 did this was that the boy
said he would rather be with
Miss Williams than with us, as
a mutual affection existed between them.
She was in the city at that time.
after my arrival in Chicago. which was
on Oct. IL, 1 left for Detroit, where
again met Hatch by appointment. AS 1
did not see Howard asked for him and
Hatch told me that the boy had gone to
Buffalo with Miss Williams. But now in
the light of recent and startling develop
ments 1 have concluded that Hatch's state
ments were false; and as the child is not
alive, 1 have further concluded that his
remains must be found somewhere between
Indianapolis and Chicago
"As you have stated on previous occa-
sions that If the boy were dead. you
thought Hatch must have killed him. Now
if you still think so. what would be his
motive for so doing?
I'm my opinion" said Holmes, it was
simply a matter of dollars and cents with
him. and in this way: 1t had been agreed
that he and Miss Williams were to go to
Europe and take the children with them.
They had been supplied with money to
do so and my opinion Is that Hatch killed
the boy for the purpose OF getting the funds
he used for his Howard's) expenses abroad
and also to deceive Minnie Williams by
telling her that the children were all with
me-
"since YOU have so repeatedly declared
your innocence of these murders, do you
think that you will be able TO prove tnat
you are innocent?"
SURE HE IS INNOCENT.
.T do. most certainly for 1t is very
clear that If this boy was seen alive and
well on Oct. and 10, and as l left IL
dianapolis on the latter day, and have not
been within one hundred miles of 1t since,
it would be a physical irnpossibility for
me 10 have been in Irvington at that time.
My every step is known and my state
ments are conceded by the authorities to
be correct in every detail as to my move
ments at that time.
''You have also stated that you intended
sending the children to London. What
was the object of such step?'
'In answer TO this l will endeavor to be
brief and will only say that 1t is ques-
ton which covers a great deal of ground
Mrs. Pietzel had been laborng un-
der the impression that her husband
was alive and in hiding on
account of the insurance fraud,
for which was convicted. AS she knew it
was a fraud il was very desirable that she
be taken from this country, because her
absence would lessen the chances of officers
determining my implication in the matter
AS she would not willingly 60 it was neces-
sary for me to resort TO strategy. This 1
did by attempting to get the children out
of the country, by telling them that Miss
Williams was to accompany them to their
father l then told Mrs. Pietzel that if she
wanted to see her husband she would have
to accompany me there also This she
agreed to do"