The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-12-02
"HOLMES' CURSE"


BY the strange death of the Rev. Henry j.
McPake, whose body was found early wednes
day morning in the basement OF 81. Pauls
Academy at Philadelphia. attention has been
drawn again, says New York Herald corre-
spondent, to the remarkable fatality which
has pursued those persons who were promi-
nent in :he last act of the tragedy which end
ed ON the scaffold in Moyamensing prison,
when II. H. Holmes paid the penalty for his
many dendish crimes.
Father McPake was with Holmes on the
scaffod Just before the many times murderer
was hanged. Like others who were closely
Identified with the conviction Of Holmes, vio-
lent death has overtaken him. MIR. Biles, the
foreman OF the jury, was killed by An electric
wire and superintendent Perkins OF the Moy'
anensing prison took his own life.
or the others closely connected with the case
many have suffered misfortune. More than
half the members of the jury have sustained
heavy losses, both financial and domestic,
while Of this number more thnn one has met
practical ruin. One after another they have
met reverses which were insurmountable, un-
der which they succumbed.
Judges who took part in the case were
caught IN the maelstrom OF misfortune Illness
and financial losses overlook them. Nor did
the evil influence stop there.
The district attorney in the case. George ).
Graham, who was one of the leading men in
politics in Pennsylvania, and whose political
star was in the ascendant until he entered the
case, met serious reverses all sides.
He WIS once prominently mentioned for the
United States Senate; today he has practical
ly dropped cut of the political whrl in the
keystone state. George Barlow, who assisted
Mr.. Graham in the prosecution of the MUIR
derer, did not escape misfortune. AT one time
soon after the trial he became seriously i'll,
and there seemed little hope Of his recovery.
These are only the most striking instances of
the Holmes 'evl influence" Several other
persons, witnesses principally, have felt it in
the form of minor embarrassments and
troubles, and of these the most ignorant firm
ly, absolutely believe in it. The cool-headed
man OF horse sense says, "Accident!" The
superstitious ascribe the remarkable train OF
misfortune to Holmes curse " Whatever il
may be called, it has been Needless Of rank or
station.
In the case of Father Mcpuke n coroners
jury has decided that death was due TO nat
ural causes. basing its decision on that OF Cor
oner's Physician Cattoll, who examined the
body ana arrived at the conclusion lnat uealu
was aue 20 uraemia. The verdict was rem
dersd apparently in defiance OF the fact that
when Father McPake's body was found the
pockets of his clothing had been rifed. His
watch, pocketbook and other valuables were
gone. Added TO the robbery, which in itself
indicated murder, were the facts that when
the body was found there a long abra-
sion across the forehead, which indicated that
the priest had been struck down with club,
and the nose was broken.
1t is possible that these 1isfgurements were
| the results Of the priests fall into the area
| way OF st. Pauls Academy, whence the body
| rolled down the short stairs into the base
| ment There the body was found at o'clock
| in the morning by Mrs. Robert Reed, the jan
| itress of the academy.
| But there Is another story. This is to the
| effect that vendetta had been declared
| against priests of the parish by Italians and
| that Father McPalse had fallen victim. The
| police we're unable TO find anything which
| would substantate tins belief. Hence the
| theory was dismissed with the scores of Others
| which were advanced.
Father McPake was 30 years old. He was
| assigned to Annunciation parish about two
| years ago and made hundreds of friends Be
| fore Holmes was led to the gallows Father Me
| Pake spent great deal of time with him
Now he goes to his grave victim OF violenct
and n victim OF Holmes curse"