Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-01-29
JOHN A. HOLMES
TAKES STAND IN
HIS own bEHAlF
Nan Charged With Murder Of Mrs
-Imma Ghys Testifies for First
Time During Trial.
STATE RESTS CASE YESTERDAY
Proceedings Today Enli.rned BY Ere.
quent and Heated Clashes
y, During Examination.

John "A. Holmes, charged with the
murder 4of Mrs Emma Ghys, who was
shot in East Moline on May 2s. took
the stand in his own behalf for the
first time this morning in circuit
e,,urt. TINT state having rested yester-
dac afterh Don.
Sta,,'s Attorney Thompson at all
times Strongly opposed efforts OF the
counsel for defense to paint homes
character as lilly white through
lengthy and expIal. atory answer given
hy the defendant or direct exam1na-
ton Consequently the prosecutor
constantly interrupted c. J. SCARE by
objections to majority of the questions
nut TO Holmes, with result rha. 'he
arguments became very heated al
times.
In referring TO Mrs Alice Garrison
the woman in the case. Holmes aaiu :,
"To me she was like child IN my .''u
are She often called me DADDY.
Then he proceeded to relate OF his as
sociations with Mrs. Garrison. OF MS
meeting her for the first time IN Mar
sai,les and how she came to him when
ne SpfuTeu -
line four years ago. Holmes stated
that he vas 60 years old and that IN
addition to acting as fire marshai a'
the Marseiles plant in East Moline'
he had at other previous times peen d
teacher. having taught in hve graded
schools and business college. homes
explained that when Mrs. GARRISON
first came to him she was pennies
and that he decided to take care OF
her He said that Mrs. Garrison had
told him tiat she married Harry Gar
rison. who was drowned some Time
afterward at Atlantic City. n j.
Mrs, Garriosn On Stand.
Mrs, Alice Garriosn, who was I'M
able 10 report Saturday because OF an
attack of tonsilitis. was able 10 re.
enme the stand when court convened
at o'clock Yesterday afternoon IN the
Holmes murder trial. Cross-e2aniih-
alton of this star witness was taken
ND again She was permitted 10 TEL
where she had lived since the shoot1ne
on Nav IS She stated That after she
left Frankel's place in East Mollhe
She had lived at 1906 First avenue
and at the Annex hotel In ROCK Is
land prior to moving to Davenport
where she row resides Upon inquiry
as TO the character of these places, she
designated them as rooming houses
and denied any knowledge of either
being a place Of i'll fame.
An effort was made by c. ]. Searlt
in oss-examinirg. to submit a bible
in the evidence This question was ob
ipcted to. as were several other ques
tions with reference to if and writing
contained in it. The writing on one
page she identified as her own. The
defense was unsuccessful in an effor
to get before the jury an identification
of the witness as Allie Redgrave, tina
name appearing on the f1yleaf as thu
one receiving the bible as gift, al
though the inscription was PARTIAL,
mutilated Mrs Garrison had previ
ouslv stated that she had never mar
ried man named Redgrave and fur
Their questioning along these lines wa
rot allowed by Judge Church. -.
Church and Searle Clash.
At one time during the hearing yes
terday afternoon Mr. Searle and Judg
Church exchanged warm words. State
Attorney Thompson. on the redirec
examination. asked Mrs. Garrison how
she became addicted to the morphin
tabit Objection was made by MI
Seare Judge Church said. "Yol
we're No to your eyes in that matte
Yourself Mr. Searle then objectel
with considerable force TO the remarl
Of the court. The judge added. "Io'
spent an hour on that subject OF
cross-e xamination" Mr. Searle thel
directed further remarks to the cour
and was told to sit down. Mr.. Scarf
indicated to the court mat he woul'
sit down. but that he would take hi
time to do it, Thereupon Judge Churcl
ordered the bailiff to cause the attor
new to be seated. However. before tn
hailiff arrived at the counsel's table
Mr.. Searle was seated.
"raking 10 Chances"
Frank Maberry, East Moline polio
officer, testified that after the shootin
Holmes said to him: II went up Their
and asked TO see Alice. She (Mrs
Ghysl said, get out or III kill YOU
was dark in the bathroom and coul
not see Il she had gun, but | WASH
going to take any chances" Maberrj
on cross-examination admitted havin
stated ar the coroner's inquest tina
Holmes had told him that Mrs. Ghy
has been instrumental in breaking u
his home.