The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-05-07


eyes, a temptation unresisting made his
muscles work nervously sudden lurch
and then he realized he was sheep
ishly looking into the face of the death
watchman in front OF his cell.
He turned away the naked truth OF
his own position made him faint at heart
The world had taunted him, and, Ike
the despised man-eater of the Jungle he
stood there at bay. realizing his own
puny self to be only target for truth,
justice and peace.
The bull ring of Spain was more ac-
ceptable to him In this hour when he
possibly might, perchance, take another
life, than to remain where he is, under
close watch. with no hopes of self f-de-
structlon or olemency at the last mo-
ment.
For 10 months Holmes has been under
the ban of the law. while men went here
and there !n quest or evidence. Today
the slayer Of b. f. Pitezel. who was MUIR
dered Sept. 20, "a; Howard Pitezel. oct.
10. "a: Alice and Nellie Pitezel. Oct. %,
"a; Minnie and Mamie Williams, in 1892.
besides possible others. Witnessed his
own -prenarations for death
Late last night, with the purging
prayer of the priest. the soul of Holmes
was ready 20 go before its maker and be
judged for tie acts its cwner committed
while here on earth. Homes then had
made his final confession and the ears
of Rev Father Daley, his spiritual ad-
wiser, heard POSSIBLY the only true, con-
t.ite and heartfelt confession made dur
ing the prisoners long stay in the place
OF Incarceration.
Holmes began the solemn preparations
for the salvation OF his blackened soul
yesterday. lie prayed all day, and when
dark came he was visited by the Criest
IN the garb OF forgiveness. and the be-
ginning Of the end :hen took place. The
murderer kneeled, and with bowed head
declared himself unworthy in the eyes
OF his Maker, and begged for the forgive
ness which was granted the renitent
thief on the cross.
Holmes oegan his East at - o'clock last
nisat, which lasted until this morning
when he partook Of the communion.
Then for the firrt time Holmes had be-
"nme a communicate Of the Roman
Catholic church. The symbolic wafer
which was carried ON The chalice by the
criest was then swallowed through the
lips that have lied, and the murderer
was then ready. after a breakfast, TO be-
gin the devotions Immediately preceding
the march to the scaffold These de-
vCtions. including the recital of the
litany for the dead and other prayers
for the dying, were mingled at times
with the chant OF the priest, and the
pleadings for forgiveness. Holmes had
been studying them since Father Daley
FIRST visited him, and he knew the pray
ers by heart. TIe went to the gallows
v ith these on his lips and died with n
prayer of forgiveness just as the last
sight OF the world faded away forever
from his view.
1t was learned yesterday that Holmes
had, in reality. been the sole agent I'm
bringing Mrs. Pitescl to this city, and
that his only object was TO have her ap-
pear before either the governor or the
board of pardons, and, by appealing.
secure him a further lease on his life,
which was blotted out forever this morn
ing.
Mrs. pitczel came here solely at the
instigation OF Holmes himself, and her
presence here was due TO one of the
greatest coups ever made by king or
Diplomat
Seated in the gloom OF his cell at Moy-
who had cruelty wronged the widow, was
then at work darkly conjuring up
schemes TO save himself from the inn
pending fate on the gallow-~ and that one
of these schemes. worthy Of the cunning
OF only the prisoner himself, was that
which included. among other provisions,
the bringing OF the woman TO this city.
and her final appearance. pleading for
the life of the man who had wronged her,
and thereby securing TO him a longer
lease Of life.
Holmes knew when his mind concocted
q at dark scheme that once he had the
woman before him be could so play upon
her mind az to gain his point With him
IL was game In which the stake was
Efe. lie made his moves with precision
and care and planned his actions all In
srch way that. as he himself thought,
"oheckmating' would be impossible. His
FIRST move was TO brirg Mrs. Pletzel here.
This he did. Notwithstanding what Ia
"a ia 10 the contrary it was ne that
brought the broker hearted widow 10
tris city, and on the night Of her arrival
the willy criminal, In his own mind,
chaikcd up ohe point, as they say VA
sporting circles. ito the good" and be-
gan right away to look out for move
NO. %
Move No. was 10 get few minutes
conversation with The woman he had so
brutally wrongcd. lie wanted TO see her
FOR Just I've minutes" ne is quoted as
having said when told ttnt she was not
willing to hold a conversation with him,
and then. finally. when he found she
would not he led into his trap. he became
frantic and made every inducement to
her. aud at the last moment pleaded for
Just word"
Holmes knew that II he could say three