Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1896-05-14
THE FIEND HOLMES IS DEAD
|REFUTEs ALL FORMER CONFESSIONS
BEFORE HANGING.
Claims tie is Innocent of tho Crime of
Which lie Was Convicted Was RE-
sponsibie For the Death of Two
Women Only.

Philadelphia, Pa. May 7.-IIolmes was
hanged in the jail yard this forenoon.
The drop fell at 1912 and 20 minutes later
he was pronounced dead The execution
was in every way devoid of sensational
Features. TO the last the murderer was
self-possessed and cool and apparently
thoughtlcss of the future. Notwithstand-
ling his recent confession in which he adj
mttcd tho killing of a score of persons
he rcfuted everything and almost his last
words were a point blank denial of any
crimes committed except the deaths of
two women. With the murder of the
members of the Pctzel family he denied
all completely. particularly of the father,
for whose death he suffered tho penalty
The persons holding tickets of admission
to the Jail began to arrive as early as $50
O'Clock.
At . o'clock the gates were opened and
the four score or moro having tickets
passed into the inner courts Sheriff
element preceded the crowd and was
awaiting the arrival of those comprs-
ing his jury that they might be sworn
MANY prominent men were In attendance,
sovcral from other cities. Notably among
Them were DR.. Macdonald, Of Washington
the famous Criminoogist, Sheriff $. II.
Mason of Baltimore. Professor w. Eaterly
Ashton and Ernest Laplacc of the Medico-
Chirurgical college, Or John S. Miller of
81. Joseph hospital Detective Frank Gcy-
pr. who conducted the case, President
rous and Solicitor Campbell of the Tidcl-
|ty Mutual Life Insurance company. Dr.
j. Howard Taylor, representing the medi-
,al staff. Captain of Detectives Miller, ana
Lawyer Rotan, who conducted the defence
bf Holmes during the trial
Mr.. Rotan was early at the prison. but
had been preceded by Rev. Father DALEY
nd Father McPakc. who administered
he last rights of the church to the con-
lemned man They arrived shortly after
o'clock and only few minutes after
lolmcs had arisen.
Holmes retired about midnight and slept
oundly during the entire time until called
t 6 o'clock. SO sound were his slumbcrs
n fact that twice was he called before
Weakening.
When tho arrival of Fathers Daley and
IcPake was announced, he greeted them
warmly but with no show of undue emo
ion and with the same air of sclf-pos-
.ssion that had marked his conduct
throughout the entire case. They admin
sered the sacrament of communion and
very possible facility for privacy was
attended by Superintendent Perkins of
he prison. For nearly two hours they
emainc1 in the cell within, and then
scre almost Immediately succecdcd by
iwyer Rotan.
Pleasantly also he greeted him. There
vorldly affairs and this time was taken
or giving the final details and cXpiana-
ons. While discussing his affairs break
lst was served and he seemed to heartily
njoy tho meal. 1t consisted of eggs,
oast and coffee.
When breakfast was over Holmes pre-
AIRED to dress himself. He refused to
on a new suit, but arraycd himself in
'ousers, vest AMI cutaway coat of some
ark mixed goods that had been worn
u him frequently before. Even in this he
as careful, giving every attention to
ven the most minute details of the toilet.
he collar and necktie were not worn
ut their place was taken by white
handkerchief knotted carelessly about the
eek.
The time had been slowly dragging
ong as the many details and incidents
ere being enacted. Ten o'clock had just
bundled when a call came from the cell
brridor for Sheriff Clements He had
zen gone but a moment when the doors
aiding through the long corridor in which
as placed the scaffold were opened, and
no by two the sheriff, the jury, and the
illnesses passed down.
The last man of those attending had
st passed through the doors and the lat
fr closed, when from beyond was heard
be slow and measured tread of the little
Ptcre comprising the death party. From
e other side was heard the approaching
irty, their muillcd tread like a solemn
accompaniment to the queries of the
tests and the low tones of the responses
Holmes.
Then, preceded by Sheriff Clements and
iperintendent Perkins, Holmes stepped
pom the trap.
On tho right was Father Daley, to the
II Father McPakc, and bringing up the
ar were Lawyer Rotan and assistant,
iperintendcnt Richardson.
The little party stood for a moment look
* down. and then, in response to n sig
II from one of those beside him, Holmes
epped forward and spoke. There was
evidence of fear or dsduict He spoke
pwly and with measured attention to
cry word, n trhe low at first, but louder
he proceeded until every word was dis
ncty audible.
Gentlemen, / have very few words
say. In fact ! would make no state
mt at this time except that by not
caking ] would appear to acquiesce in
q in my execution. i only want to say
at the eXtfilt of my wrong doings in
king human life consisted in the death
two women, they having died at my
Inds as Il result of criminal operations.
wish to also state, however, SO there
II be no misunderstanding hereafter. |
not guilty of taking the lives of any
the PictZcl family, the three children,
the father, Benjamin f.. Pietzcl of
hose death | am convicted and for
lich | am to-day to be hanged. That is
>"
As he ceased speaking he stepped bacl;
id kneeling with Fathers Daley and Nc
Ike joined with them in silent prayer FOX
minute or two. He then arose and while
final preparations We're being made
was the coolest of the party, When all
rs ready he said good bye and the traI
is sprung.
rhe body was allowed to hang 80 min
es and was then cut down and placed
a coffin. At 1890 the big iron doors in
e rear OF the prison were swung oper
d the undertakers' wagon rolled out
e wagon drove rapidly to Mount Mo-
h cemetery, where the plain black cas-.
h was placed in the vault, where it will
Dbably remain few days, when il will
quietly inferred In another grave yard
he neck was not broken and there were
few convulsive witches of the limbs
1t continued for about 10 minutes. The
Up was sprung at precisely 1912, and Il
nutes later Holmes was pronounced
Id, although the body was not cut down
til 1913 The body was taken in charge
Undertaken J. j. O'Rpurke and Mt
lock this afternoon it was placed in a
alt in Mount Moriah cemetry. There
re no services
here was no autopsy, Holmes having
strict injunctons to that effect. Proba-
the real story of Holmes crimes will
yer be known. Father Daley, to whom
confessed either last night or this
|rning, holds the secret of the church.
Ir. Rotan, Holmes lawyer, declined tC
whether or not Holmes intended 10
Ike any restitution to Mrs. PietZel OF
vision for any of the three women &c