Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-05-08

Holmes knew that II he could say three
words to the woman he would break the
barrier. Throughout his checkered
career. his greatest influence was with
women. They melted before him, and
they quailrd as wen MS adored him Mrs
Iitezel herself knew this. 1t was even
stated on good authority that she feared
the stories told about his evil eye" nj
that was why she didn't go 10 the prison
She knew that If she once saw Holmes
behind the bars her heart would again
he moved by that strange power which
ne wieifod once over the whole family.
that she would be induced to obey him
implicitly,and that she would come away
wiling to go before n pardoning board IN
plead for the life of the man who had
wronged. yet hypnotized her And this.
In fact, was just what Holmes had hoped
TO 90.
Since that time IL develops that
Holmes actual intention was to have
Mrs. Pietzel plead for his life. That such
was the case was shown by a letter which
nc wrote tn her lawyer. Thomas A. Fahv.
under date of May /, and which the
lawyer made public for the first time
yesterday.
built high hopes on winning over Mrs
fitezel to plead his. case for him, The
willy criminal knew that her words would
have more effect than dozen legal
plcaders. and he knew that If she spoke
al all. 1t meant respite possibly
months more of life. II was not pity for
the woman that ensendered the thought.
10 was simply move in the great game
iie vas playing against awful odds, and
when the news of her refusal to see him
or have anything 10 do with him reached
him in the darkness of his cell, he knew
that the game was lost. and that the
stake-hl- own miserable life-went with
II.
Holmes rested fairly wei, last night
but appeared nervous. this morning His
toilet was made with great care. and he
soon regained his calmness.
when the party reached the scaffold.
ami he was asked II he wanted to say
awning. Holmes stepped forward and
spoke There was no evidence Of amy
fear or dlsquiet He spoke slowly and
with measured attention TO every word;
:, triiie low At first. but louder as he pro-
ceeded, until every word WAS distinctly
audible.
Gentlemen" he said. II have very
few words TO say, in fact. | would make
no statement at this time except that by
not speaking ! would appear to acquescc
IN lie TO my execution. / only want TO
say that the extent of my wronEiongs in
taking human life consisted in the deaths
of two women. they having died at my
hands as the result of criminal opera
tons.
Il wish to also state. however so that
there will be no misunderstanding here
after. | am not guilty of taking the lives
of any OF the Pietzel family the three
children or the father. benjamin +. Pet
eel. of whose death | am now convicted
and for which l am today to be hanged.
That is all.
AS he ceased speaking he stepped back
and lIneeling between Fathers bailey and
McPake. joined with them in silent
prayer for q brief minute or two. Again
standing. ne shook the hand OF MI those
about him. and then signitied his readi-
ness for the end
He was The coolest of the entire party,
even going to the eNtremcof suggesting 10
the assistant superintendent. Richardson.
that the latter do not hurry. Take your
official exhibited some little haste, The
evident outcome of nervousness.
These We're almost his last words. The
sap was adjusted: iow-toncd. query,
toned response, Yes. goodbye" and the
trap was sprung.
IRE neck was not broken ana there
were few conrulsive witches OF the
limbs that continued for about ton min
ltes.
Al az the drop Cell and Herman W.
Midget alias II. H. Holmes. paid the
penalty for the murder of Ben amin f.
Pietzel Fifteen minutes later he WAS pro-
nounc@d dead by Drs. Sharp and Butcher.
The execution Was in every way devoid
OF sensational features.
Lawyer Rotan says that Holmes
made nc win and left no confession
Some one. probably representing some
medical institution, today offered Mr.
Rotan $1,000 for Holmes body. but the
offer was refused. Holmes had accom-
plices both in his criminal operations
and murders. and the police of Chicago
are gathering up threads which will
bring these acconplices to justice.