The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-11-29
HOLMES IS HELD
FOR THE MURDER
OF MRS. HAMILTON
Witnesses Tell of Wo-
man Begging Man Not
to Kill Her.

Without the least show OF emotion,
and apparently less interested than
many of the spectators, Harry l.
Holmes, alias ''Duclky.'' this morning
listened TO the testimony of witnesses
at the inquest over the body OF Mrs.
Mary Hamilton, for whose death TIE
COroners jury held Holmes for the ac-
ton Of the grand jury.
His face pitted by smallpox. his
small black eyes squirting from under
his rather heavy lashes, and his gen
eral unkerpt appearance, made ii al
most impossible for those who attended
the inquest to believe that Holmes had
actually been in love with the woman
whose life he took.
Heard Woman's Pleas.
George F. Anderson, an interior dec
orator living at 1921 Duncan street. was
the first witness. His home is next
door to the scene of the tragedy-142S
Duncan street. Witness said he heard
Mrs. Groves begging ''Ducky' not to
kin her daughter. He also heard Mrs.
Hamilton say:
"Oh. Ducl1y. don't shoot I won't tell
on you"
About three minutes later, witness as
serted, he heard three pistol shots In
rapid succession. Running from the
house, he attempted to enter Mrs. Ham
ilton's Rome, but found the front door
locked. He got In through window.
Mrs. Groves turned to him said:
MY daughters shot; she'll bleed to
death"
Mr.. Anderson said that Mrs. Hamilton
seemed to be alive when he saw her.
Robert I. Warder. Of 1927 Duncan
street said that he vas eating lunun
in the kitchen of his home the night
Of the tragedy, and that he was attract
ed by noise In the rear of the house
Opening the door. he saw man climb
he remarked to his wife. THAT looks
like Holmes"
Threatened Fer Life.
Joseph L. Baker. a member OF Com
pany, United States Marine Corps. sta
toned at the Washington Barracks.
told Of n conversation he had with Mrs.
Hamilton and Holmes Monday night,
and that Holmes had displayed re-
volver. and said no would use It If "he
saw another fellow with Mrs. Hamil-
ton"
DR.. Baker, who performed the autopsy
on Mrs Hamilton, said that he found
three bullet wounds In her body. Ono
OF the bullets had entered her left
chest Just above the apex OF the heart
There were powder marks on the left
side of her face and neck, he asserted,
which Indicated that the weapon must
have been held very close to her body
when the shots were fired.
Holmes was committed Co fail. The
grand jury will probably consider the
case at an early date.
His Love Spurned.
That Holmes was deeply IN love with
Mrs Hamilton. and that Mrs. Hamilton
did not reciprocate, Is evidenced by three
letters found In the pocket Of the coat
which he left at the Hamilton home
after the tragedy. In all Of them Holmes
said that he had been the victim Of an
unrequited love affair, and that he
could stand the strain no longer. From
the letters he had evidently planned TO
kill Mrs. Hamilton, and then blow his
own brains out.
The following letter was addressed to
his mother. sisters, and brothers:
4 write you these few lines saying
gOod-by forever and may God bless you
all. Mother. ] have of late been treated
so badly by the only girl ever loved
that ] cannot stand the strain on my
mind any longer. 1t is very painful to
me to see Mary, my sweetheart. running
around with every man. know this 20
be a fact, as I nave followed her on
not trustworthy or honest in any Of her
dealings with me. She has deceived
me nightly OF late
"She pretends she IS still in love with
me. but 1 can not believe II. as II such
was so, she would not be walking the
streets with every man she met
Wen, mama, TO make n long story
short 1 will have TO stop writing at
once as 1 am so worried that 1 feel as
though I am losing my senses, or 60
ding plumb crazy.
Kill Her and Self.
Mama I am very sorry 10 think
that have got to take my sweetheart s
life and my own Shortly after shoot
ing her 1 will turn the same revolver
on myself and that will end oil OF my
troubles.
Mama. forgive me for this rash act
as I could not stand for Mary treating
me this way. GOod-hy, mother dear
Don't worry. From your son,
HENRY"
Written On the edge Of the paper was
the following:
arrange 81 so Mary and may be buried
IN the sane piece Of ground
Another letter. which was addressed
Ito my many friends, old and young,
read as follows:
Boys. before leaving this earth will
give you a little advice.
do not get wrapped up In any
woman. II you do, and she goes wrong
Il will no doubt make you do the same
as / have done; that Is, II you really
care anything for her, and II she does
wrong you VIII ger on the Job at once.
Some people will say I was a foo
for doing This. but tell you that when
you have had the experiences have
had in this love affair, you will say, y
do believe would do the same thing
Good-by. old friends, one and all. I re-
main no more. III. i. HOLMES"
A letter addressed to Mr.. and Mrs
JUST. Grand Rapids, Mich, also tolu OF
his intention To kin Mrs. Hamilton and
then end his own life.