Evening journal., 1913-12-17
HOLMES WILL
SURVIVE HIS
PISTOL SHOTS
Wound in Head Only Super
IiCiaI, Though Body In
jury BOtherS
WATCH HOSPITAL TO
PREVENT HIS ESCAPE

Thomas F. Holmes, aged 80 years,
of No. 1120 E street, who, while re-
sisting arrest yesterday afternoon
fired several shots at Patrolmen
Brown and Rodenheiser and then shot
himself twice, is still under guard at
The Delaware Hospital. Holmes has
a chance for recovery, according to
the physicians at the hospital, al
though the bullet he fired into his
right chest has not been located. This
morning DR. H. A. Cleaver had Holmes
removed TO the X-Ray room, where
he took a photograph of Holmes body.
This will be developed some time to-
day.
The physicians have been compelled
10 have the X-Ray taken, as, after
probing several times for the bullet,
it could not be located. The bullet
fired by Holmes into his head caused
only a superficial injury, the leaden
ball not penetrating the skull. II
merely caused a furrow along the
mans scalp. The bullet that enter
ed his right chest, however, entered
the body few inches under the arm
nit but whether it imbedded itself in
a rib or continued into his body, only
the X-Ray photograph will show.
Holmes, who was under the inhu-
ence OF liquor when taken to the nos
pital. has refused to discuss the shoot
ing with the physicians or the police
Whenever the subject is broached 70
him he appears to be unable to com
prehend what is said. This has caus-
ed the physiciano TO believe that
Holmes is feigning. At no time has
he been unconscious, however, and
while he has had several slight hem
orrhages, the attending physicians be
lieve he will recover.
To prevent Holmes fran escaping
from the hospital or again injurina
himself. Chief of Police Black has or
dered an officer to remain at the hos
pital. officer Edwards was on duty
there last evening and he was relleV'
ed this morning by officer McDannell
Officer Rodenheiser, one OF the pa
trolmen whom Holmes shot at In ms
report Of the shooting, to Chief blact
saws that when he went to the Holmes
house at II o'clock yesterday morn
ing. Holmes was not to be seen anS
no one answered his knocks on I'M
door. About ten minutes later,
hrother-in-law of Holmes, Howard
Arthur. reported to him that Holmes
VAS in the house.
Officers Rodenheiser and Brow
then went to the house ana Once
Rodenheiser started to crawl throue
the front window when Holmes ap
peared at a parlor window and ue
manded tc know what tie once
wanted. The officer. seeing the pearl
handled gun IN Homes hand cease
crawling through the window an
while coaxing Holmes 10 come on
front Holmes started 10 fire I'M
was at II o'clock and from then unit
the time Sergeant Kelleher arrived a
the house with several police Holme
held the officers at bay. Shortly be
fore the extra police arrived, Ohcer
prown and Rodonheiser heard Nv
shots and when Sergeant kellene
broke open the door of the house VII
an axe. Holmes was found on a couc
with his seventeen-months' '-old infai
in his arms. .s ,
.,,alte fight was apparent when Oi
the Holmes house and found the pae
door barricaded with chair.
In addition to the note LETT o
uolmes. addressed to his wife, he ais
wrote a letter conveying threat
solf-destruction TO Sherman Como
of No $40 IL Walnut street, VINO r.
ceived the letter yesterday. II reao
"Don't blame me Goodbye OF
nal They are trying TO put sohleol
else in the middle, and won't stan
for IL" ao-s,ar
Conner is at a loss to understau
the meaning of the note.
Holmes. who was armed WIN
nearl handled revolver, had a supp
nf bullets. if he had cared TO get tnei
Theee we're in the room or hoDe
wilson boarder, at the house, al
in addition to these. about tltty IN a
there also was a large calibre reNo
yer there. .b
II Is Thought by some persons TN
Holmes shot himself in the hallway
his home as large clot OF bloou "
found on the floor there
That Officer Brown was shooting e'o
,o Holmes when he fired through I
door was evident by search OF I
hallway. The carpet had been cut by
hullett and as the officer was III
street when he fired, his bullet was GU
TO Holmes legs.
When the charge OF contempt OF eou
and non support against Holmes W
cclled in CITY Court this morning =
sistant City Solicitor Lynn informed
court that Holmes would probably
cover from his injuries and asked that
case b. continued for two weeks. Jud
Churchman granted the continuance
additional charge of assault with into
10 commit murder on the officers "
tried to arrest Holmes has been pref
red against him.