The Yale expositor., 1896-05-15

adelphia to identify the supposed body
of her husband, having the little girl
go instead, and that Howe was Of the
opinion that Holmes deceived Pietzel;
that Pietzel in following out his in
structions in regard to the alleged ex-
plosion was actually killed and that
the body found was really that of PietZel.
Hedgepeth, in his communication to
the chief of police, said that he had not
received the $500 Holmes or Howard
promised him for his share in the
preliminary arrangements. Holmes
was closely Swallowed until Nov.
II, 1894, when operatives oil detective
agency arrested him. not for the crime
for which he was condemned to death,
but for horse stealing in Texas. Holmes
realized that at last he was in a danger
Gus situation, but he did not lose his
nerve or cunning. One of the Fidelity
officials went to Boston to interrogate
him on the Pietzel swindle. and he saw
a chance to avoid going to Texas. He
knew that they have q summary way
of dealing with horse thieves in the
Lone Star state, and he quickly re-
solved that his carcass would be safer
in Philadelphia, even though he con-
fessed to a charge of conspiracy to de-
fraud the insurance company. He,
therefore, told his captors he was want
ed in Philadelphia, and not in Texas.
The suspicion Holmes had killed Piet-
zels children grew into a belief, and
a systematic search was begun to OBJ
tain proof of their murder. This mis-
sion was entrusted to Detective Frank
Geyer of Philadelphia, who displayed
great tact and ability in its prosecu-
ton. He went over the entire route
taken by the prisoner from the date of
the murder of Pietzel in Philadelphia
to the Disappearance in Toronto. The
search was a difficult and puzzling one.
1t took the patient officer to st. Louis,
Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Detroit, To-
ronto, Chicago, Prescott, Ogdensburg,
ETC., and occupied several weeks.
Traces of Holmes and the children
were found at several of these places.
He was travelling with his wife, Miss
Yoke, who thought his movements
were connected with the sale of his
patent COPPER. At Indianapolis, De-
troit and Toronto he and his wife,. the
children and Mrs. Pietzel and Dessa
and the baby were within a block or
two of each other, and neither party,
outside of the arch-fiend himself, knew
of the proximity of the other The
bodies of Alice and Nellie Pietzel were
finally found in Toronto, buried in the
cellar Of house Holmes had rented
there. Holmes trial for the murder of
Benjamin +. Pietzel, which began Oct.
rs, last year, was one of the biggest
sensations which Philadelphia ever ex-
perienced Ample time had been al
lowed the prisoner to prepare for trial,
but when he entered court that day his
counsel made hard fight for postpone
ment. They declared that delay was
necessary to collect evidence for the de-
tense and for shaping the prisoners
financial affairs so that the expense Of
procuring necessary evidence might be
met. They asked for two months time.
1t was not granted.
And so the trial went on the strange
criminal examining Jurors with the skill
and GOODNESS of lawyer. When he
was deserted and his every plea for
time was refused there was a slight
change of feeling in his favor. 1t
showed itself in trifles, as when he got
his derby hat under his chair and
smashed it, more than one spectator
felt sorry that he should lose hat as
we'll as his lawyers.
Among the other murders said to
have been committed by II. II. Holmes
are the following: Benjamin F. Pitzel.
Holmes confederate, and for whose
murder Holmes was hanged today.
Alice and Nellie Pitzel, children Of
Benjamin +. Pitzel. They were killed,
the detectives say, in a house in Tor
onto and buried in cellar. Fear that
the children would betray him caused
Holmes to murder them. Howard Pit
eel, brother of the children named
above. The detectives say he was
killed either in Detroit or indianapolis
and the body made away with. George
W. Thomas; he was killed for the in
surance money on his life ut point on
the Tombigbee river below Columbus,
Miss. Proof was said to be in posses
sion of the police, but Holmes escaped.
Emily c. Cigrand-She was Holmes
typewriter, and was employed in the
place of his sister-in-law, Mamie Will
liams, at the castle" 1t is alleged
Holmes killed her and cremated the
body. Robert E. Phelps-He gained
Holmes enmity because he married
Miss Cigrand, so the detectives said,
and was butchered like the others.
Evidence of the crime was not discov-
cred until after Holmes had been con-
victed of the Pitzel murder. Mrs. Ju-
liza l.. Connor-She worked in the cas-
tie as Holmes bookkeeper. Holmes
insured her life, and then 1t is said
killed her. Pearl Connor-The Swear
old daughter of Mrs. Julia Connor. She
was killed, the detectives say, because
Holmes feared she would inform on
him to the police. Emily Van Tassel
Another castle" employe. Holmes,
it is alleged, betrayed her, then killed