New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-12-07

,,s issued Holmes was to furnish proof of his
death Holmes however, appears not 10 have been
satisfied with this arrangement He actually muir
dered Pietzel in a hotel in Philadelphia
The story of the detection of Holmes is quite re-
markable The body of Pietzel was found in the
room under circumstances which Indicated that
there had been a explosion. and the coroner upon
holding an inquest reported that man named
y F. Perry had been killed by an explosion OF gas.
and as no one appeared to claim the body. 1t was
buried in the potter's field. Not long after this
the insurance company received letter from the
wife of Pietze saying that she had been informed
or was led to believe that the man said to have
been B. f. Perry. and who lost his life in Phila-
dephia by explosion was her husband Benja-
min F. PietZel.
The company began to investigate. and through
the agent in Chicago learned that man named
II. H. Holmes. who had formerly occupied office.
part of office. which Petzel had also occupied
in Chicago, the only one who could give a de-
tailed description of Petzels personal appearance
The agent found the residence OF Holmes. and
there saw a woman supposed to be the wife of
Holmes. who said that Holmes was travelling
salesman and not then at home. nor did she
know when he would return. The agent told Mrs.
Holmes what he wished to know, and left a letter
to be forwarded to Holmes.
A days later the insurance company received
a letter from Holmes, in which he stated that he
understood the company wanted some to den-
tify the body of the man who had been buried in
Philadelphia r. F. Perry. and said that he was
well acquainted with Benjamin F. Pietzel. and. as
his business would take him to Philadelphia within
a few days he would be glad to comply with their
request. Accordingly, few days later he appeared
in Philadelphia and called upon the insurance peo-
pie and told that the body of Perry was
about be exhumed; that Mrs Pietze and her
attorney their way to Philadelphia at the
time and the company would be glad if Holmes
would remain in the city and assist the identi-
fcaton.
Holmes expressed unwillingness to remain in
the city any length of time, his business called
him elsewhere. but the company Offering to
pay him for his time and assuring him that it
would be only few days before the examina ton
could be held, Holmes consented to remain. The
next day a lawyer, representing himself attor-
ney for Mrs. Pietzel. appeared, but Mrs Pietze
not with him, the excuse being that she was I'M
able to come account of Illness. so the attorney
had brought the ffteen-year-old daughter of Mrs
Pietzel to assist in the Identification. Mrs. Petzers
lawyer and Holmes introduced as strangers
to each other. After the representative of the in
surance company and of the deceased man had
agreed upon the points of identification. the body
exhumed. and upon examination it was found
to be identical with that of Benjamin +. Pietzel
The insurance company thereupon paid over to the
attorney representing Mrs. Pietze the full face of
the policy, $4,000
Some months afterward a representative of the
insurance company, while in st. Louis learned
that convict then in prison had story of con-
spracy unfold. and after interview with
the convict the representative of the insurance
company satisfied of its truth The principal
then consulted. and the company's detectives
that there had been conspiracy, but they had no
idea at that time that Holmes had murdered
Pietze They traced him from place to
other and finally found him in Boston, but their
evidence of a conspiracy not sufficient
at that time to cause his arrest Having