The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-05-21
IN TIE CRIMINAL COURT
Detective Holland to Be Arraigned
for Trial Tomorrow.
He Is Charged With Criminal Libel
Against Senator Taliaferro-Case of
Olaf Pn1lcssen, Charged With the
Murder of His Wife md Julia
HaEensbcch, Mny Be Postponed.

Two important cases are set for trial
during the current week in Criminal Court
No. /. The trial of Olaf Pallessen, who is
charged with a double murder is set to
begin this morning, and that Of Jay G.
Holland, charged with criminal libel
against Senator James P. Taliaferro, Of
Florida, is scheduled to commence tomor-
row in the same court before Justice Cla-
baugh. From what was learned on Satur-
day it appears to be unlikely, however.
that Pallessen will be called to trial to-
day. If he were to be put on trial today
it would be Impossible to conclude the
case before tomorrow, and the trial of
Holland would be interfered with and Of
necessity postponed for a day or two.
The circumstances connected with the
two cases makes it highly improbable that
the District Attorney will consent to a
postponement of the Holland case, because
of the expense the Government has in
CURED to secure the presence of impor
tant witnesses who will testify on behalf
Of the prosecution. One of the witnesses
has been summoned from San Francisco,
while Others have been brought here L'om
Florida, New York, Richmond, and Phila-
delphia- Under these circumstancgs. 1t is
hardly probable that the trial of this case
will be postponed. On the other hand all
the witnesses in the Pallessen case are
residents of Washington and can be readily
summoned to attend at any time at little
expense or inconvenience to either the de-
PENDANT or to the Government.
The alleged libel for which Holland is
called to answer is based upon an inter-
view published in New York newspaper,
in which he is said to have accused Sena-
tor Taliaferro with being implicated in a
scheme to defraud the United States Gov
eminent during the Spanish war.
In the interview referred to, Holland stat
ed that during the war he was detective
employed by the Government, with head
quarters at jacksonville Fla. While SO
employed, he said, from information he re-
ceiyed he was led to believe that there
was a scheme on foot to rob the Govern
ment Of about 215,000 pounds of bacon.
He investigated the rumor and stated that
he learned that 1t was true. The plan of
operation. he said, was that the quarter
master of the army corps at Jacksonville
was to condemn the quantity Of bacon
named and then the meat was to be
shipped to Kingston and other places and
sold.
The interview then goes on to state that
Holland said that the plan arranged was
carried into effect; that the bacon, 215, 900
pounds, was condemned and sold. In the
interview Holland also implicated Major
United States Army, who was at
the time the bacon was condemned and
sold stationed at Jacksonville. Since an
ind Soft MOI ba
has been at large on bail.
The crime for which Pallessen will be
put on trial for his life was committed on
March u, last, and the circumstances sur
II are still fresh In the mind of
The public. The double murder with which
he is charged was committed about 4
o'clock in the afternoon, at his own home,
and his victims were his wife, Josephine
Pallessen, and Julia Hagensbech, the two
year-old child of a neighbor, who was Wis
iting Mrs. Pallessen. For some months
before the crime was committed, 1t Is
said, Pallessen, who was an Industrious,
hard working man, had been out of em- |
ployment. All that he had saved was spent |
in the support of his wife and children, |
and with nothing to do and no money, the |
outlook was very gloomy to him. 1t is |
said that his many failures TO obtain work |
effected his mind and he became melan-
holy and morose.
On the afternoon on which Pallessen |
murdered his wife and Julia Hagensbech
le had just returned to his home after
,eing out all day in search Of work. He
ook a seat in the room with his wife,
Who was sewing. Mrs. Hagensbech, the
mother of the child which was killed. was
llso present. Noticing that Pallessen APP
reared very low spirited his wife sug
rested that he take dose of medicine
which she had obtained for him. This
eemed to arouse Pallessen to a state of
anger, and, without utter
ng a word, he rose and rushed into the
lining room, Just in the rear OF the sit
ing room, and secured large carving
nife. His manner of leaving the room
harmed his wife and Mrs. Hagensbech,
with her child in her arms.
ID the way, and Mrs. Pallessen followed.
he latter, however, had not got as
If as the pavement when she was over
aken by her husband. who plunged a
nife into her back. With a groan she
INK to the ground and in few minutes
led.
Pallessen then pursued Mrs. Hagensbach
nd overlook her in the street. He at
lcked her and the child which she was
irrying. He dealt them several blows be-
IRE he WIS btODpeu Dy peopie WHO Hsu |
altered. 1t was too late, however, to save
lie life of the child, which had been killed
y blow with the knife. Mrs. Hagens-
ech was also severely wounded. For sew
raj days it was doubtful If she would re-
over from the effects OF the wounds in
lcted upon her.
When arrested Pailessen stated that he
as impelled TO commit the murders by a
over over which he had no control. He
aid that he had been inspired TO kill four
eople, but he did not say who the others
ere. When he was arraigned in Criminal
curt No. before Justice Clabaugh he
loaded guilty TO the charges. The plea
as not accepted. and the clerk was in
ructed to enter a plea of not guilty upon
e record. Pallessen will be defended by
ttorncy Andrew Y. Bradley. and il is
lderstood that the defence will be plea
insanity.