The Press., 1896-04-23

Detective Frank P. Geyer, of the bu- reau of police, Philadelphia, has publish ed book on the Holmes -Pitezel case. In this book Geyer takes most of the credit for the capture of Holmes. The newspapers that have recently published Holmes confession also give much credit to Geyer. It is we'll known to the officials of the Fidelity Life Insurance company, and to many others, that the credit of terminating the career of fraud and mur- der of Holmes is due to William E. Gary, a former resident of Stafford. When the officials of the Fidelity Life Insurance Hedgepeth to the effect that Holmes, or Howard as he was known to Hedgepeth, had swindled the company, they did not take much stock in the letter. From certain statements in the letter, Gary was convinced that it was worthy of tn- vestigation. Gary argued so we'll that the company instructed him to proceed with the case. The results are we'll
 
 whom the credit is due for the arrest of Holmes, MT. Fouse, the president of the company replied as follows: "In reply to your inquiry of the 18th inst, have to say, that MT. w. E. Gary has always been given the credit of not only inspir- ing the investigation, but of making the commencement. The undertaking was too gigantic for any one man. We had at one time six on the chase in pursuit of Holmes. All were directed from this office in their investigation, but more credit Is due to w. E. Gary than anyone else. In work of this character, how ever, it is not prudent to give too much publicity to the methods employed, or to the men who employ them It is not best that everybody should know the men and methods. One party engaged in the case was struck by happy thought which proved quite successful, was so elated over it, and said so much about it, that he succeeded in having himself rele- gated to the rear. Whenever a man for the sake of notoriety forgets duty, he makes a mistake. This is something that w. E. Gary has never done, which is feature in his makeup that is highly appreciated. Yours truly, L. c. Fouse," '" president. Geyer's book gives Gary credit for being a shrewd officer, and of doing considerable work on the case. Holmes in his confession, published in the papers, gives Geyer much credit but does not speak of Gary. Gary is so familiar with the case that the following letter from him, telling what he thinks of Holmes's confession is of interest:
 "PITTsBURG, PA, APRIL IA, 1896. DEAR B.:
 The Holmes confession turned out about as I expected. The story cost $8 500, and was rewritten before it went to the printer, as Holmes does not give credit to District Attorneys office or Geyer as alleged. Some of the parties Holmes claims to have killed, 1 know are alive. Miss Kate Darke, who Holmes claims was his sixteenth victim, is now living in Omaha, or was there few months ago. Dr. Russell, the alleged second victim, is living in Michigan. Roman Van Tassant. No. 12, is alive and we'll in Arkansas. Robert Latimer, is thought to be in Chicago. Gertrude Connor, who it was claimed by Holmes was poisoned by him, did not die for six or seven weeks after leaving Chicago for Iowa. There is evidence of 22 murders but I do not believe there were more than this number. Hastily,
 w. E. Gary"