The herald., 1897-03-30
SOME VERY CURIOUS DETAILS
REV. j. s. THOMSON INvEsTI-
GATES THOSE PICTURES
A Hearsay Reflection on Miss Holmes
Character Injudiciously Extorted
From a Witness - A Male
Disciple in Petticoats

The LIBEL suit piou5h' W
sephine Holmes against the Times-Mir'
ror Publishing Co in the United states
circuit court is certainly drawing at
traction. Yesterday. again, there was
quite a gathering in the court room
and the details of the evidence were fol-
lowed with the same close interest as
on the previous days of the trial.
Inasmuch as it was o'clock in the
afternoon before the trial of the case was
resumed, and the evidence that was ad-
duced was almost entirely corrooora-
tive. there was a lack of that freshness
and ginger, so to speak, that character
lied the previous hearings. AT the same
time what new evidence did come out
was not only important, but in one OF
two cases decidedly interesting.
Students of Shakespeare will remem
her when Prince Hal is treated to dis
ouisition upon spiritualism by Llewellyn,
the plucky and war-like Welsh chief
tain. Il can call spirits from the vasty
deep" claims the Welshman with indfg-
nant protest against his power being
doubted. "Aye, but will they come
when you do call?" dryly queries Prince
Hal. and that inquiry is now again be-
ing made in the case of Miss Josephine
Holmes.
According to the testimony of the wit
nesses so far the lady claimed that she
not only could call the spirits but they
trotted out obediently when she did call.
Truth to tell, the only point of differ
erce between Mrs. Van Auken, who is
most delightfully."- frank in her state
ments. and Miss Holmes, lies in the fact
that the former now claims that the
nethermost recesses of hell are made to
yield UP spirits, and that Miss Holmes is
in league, knowingly or unknowingly,
with the father of iniquity himself.
There is no difference between Miss
Holmes and her renegade follower re-
garding the appearance and actual
manifestation OF the spirits; the ques-
ton is merely regarding their color
black or white, good or evil.
THE DEVILS PERSONALITY.
Right there a question of the old the
ology-old, and not yet consigned to the
limbo of forgotten things, by any means
regarding the personality of the devil is
raised So far only side illusions have
been made to Miss Holmes spiritual
wanderings in the Internal regions and
yet there are thousands Of people who
without being particularly religious or
holding any decided opinions regarding
the actual existence Of his satanic maj
esty, have a strong curiosity to know il
the devil is an actual parsonage and
whether he is as he has been commonly
depicted. Has he got horns and long.
wiggly tail? Has he cloven feet, and IL
his favorite color red? These are mat
ters of moment from an antiquarian II
not from a theological standpoint.
But Mrs Mary c. Van, Auken, while
under cross-eXamination yesterday, was
not questioned with view to elicit any
such details, and it is only in the event
of her being recalled that it may be
hoped Senator White or Mr.. Gage may
be able to CLEAN from her some informa-
tion on these points that may have been
afforded by Miss Holmes in the days
when the house on Pearl street became
so filled with devils that the family had
to quit.
Mrs Van Auken. upon cross exami-
nation by Mr.. kendrick. stated that she
severed her connection with Miss
Holmes in 1898 Miss Holmes told her
that she didn't come to the classes for
instruction, but just to pick flaws
and that consequently she had better
cease attending. But witnesses hus-
band was told he could remain but -
didn't, and thenceforward witness only
met Miss Holmes in a casual way
The witness confessed that she had new
er been in Belmont hall and knew moth
ing of what was taught there.
But you say you are on friendly
terms with Miss Holmes?' inquired Mr.
Ken6rick.
Just as much as ever in my life" was
the response.
You have never felt any angry or un-
friendly feeling?"
Il won't say that; when I realized
that l had been fooled l confess tina,
was put out"
Isn't it fact that the last time you
met her you offered to kiss her, and
she said SHE didn't want any Judas
kiss?"
That is not true" responded witness
Indignantly. II said to my husband as
we left her al that time that one thing
/ had learned from her, ard that was
to be satisfied with everybody, and
wss satisfied to be clear Of her"
LETTERS IN RESERVE.
\ let;er written by Miss Holmes from
Omaha to witness had been introduced
In evidence, and counsel desired TO know
how Il passed cut of witness possession
In explaining the matter Mrs. Van Au-
ken said:
After the publication Of the Belmont
Hall article some body sent detective
named Lawson to me, and he asked ms
what knew, ard told him. / gave hin
that letter-and others, too" the wit
aess tackled on the latter assertion vol
urtarily.
Where are they?" queried counsel.
II dent know" knowingly answered
witness, but l guess Senator White ha'
them"
who are they from? ?"
DO you want me to tell?"
Yes"
The witness then, in a gossipy way. an
swered the question in as roundabou
way as possible. introducing furthel
damaging testimony against Mis-
Holmes.
well. her sister died at Highlands,
began witness. "and as they had told
Hes about me. | wrote to the landlady O,
tha hnuco whora tfcv efoppad cirrirr