PITEZEL ALIVE!

H. H. Holmes.

Benjamin Pitezel.

Cortland Evening Standard, Tuesday, November 19, 1895.

PITEZEL ALIVE!

Startling Story Told by Three Chicago Men.

HOLMES' LAWYER TRAPPED.

Double Sensation Bobs Up In the Great Murder Case.

Attorney Shoemaker Accused of Manufacturing Evidence to Further His Appeal For a New Trial—Convincing Evidence of His Guilt Produced In Court by the District Attorney—Indisputable Proof That He Procured the Signature of a Woman to a Statement Dictated by Himself by Means of Bribery—Held Under Bond For Trial—While This Was Transpiring In Philadelphia, Three Men Were Stating Positively to a Chicago Reporter That They Had Recently Seen and Talked With Benjamin F. Pitezel, Holmes' Supposed Victim.

   CHICAGO, NOV. 19.—The Daily News publishes the following story:

   James McNeary, conductor on car 676 of the Sixty-third street electric line, has sprung a now sensation in the Holmes' case by stating that Benjamin F. Pitezel is alive and that he recently talked with him on his car.

   Mr. McNeary claims there could be no mistake, as he worked nine months for Pitezel and knows the peculiarities of his voice. According to McNeary, Pitezel boarded his car a few days previous to Holmes' trial. Pitezel's beard had grown around the greater part of his face, so that he was completely disguised.

   When addressed, however, he admitted his identity and asked as a friend that McNeary keep silence as he was on his way to Philadelphia, but McNeary called in Motorman D. Letterman and he, too, claims that he had a conversation with Pitezel who took a transfer to the Cottage Grove line.

   Robert Corbett, who has been following the case for months in behalf of the Farmers' and Mechanics' National bank of Fort Worth, Tex., claims he has also seen Pitezel.

   "I never believed that Pitezel was dead," he declared to a Daily News reporter, "for the following reasons: First, when I was searching the Castle months ago the man who resembles the man seen by the conductor and motorman, and who I then thought was Pitezel, found me in the building looking over some papers. He asked me if I had seen a tool chest. I told him there was one in the front room. He said that one was not his, that he had left it in the room where I was engaged. I asked him who he was. He said Mrs. Pitezel sent him there for the tool chest, and when I asked him his name he said, after thinking a moment, 'Andrews,' and left.

   "Saturday I found that Mrs. Pitezel was stopping at 6,233 May street and sent over to ask her if she ever sent for the tool chest. Both she and her daughter Dessa declared they had not, and I also discovered that Mrs. Pitezel is wavering in her belief in the identification of Pitezel and begins to hope that the children are living, but for her husband, she does not care whether he is living or dead.

   "I believe that if Holmes is not granted a new trial Pitezel will declare himself to the governor of Pennsylvania when all other means are exhausted, and Isaac B. Hitt, Jr. and myself have his address his address in Philadelphia. Minnie Williams is stopping at the same place under the name of Mrs. E. M. Gardener, while Pitezel is known as G. D. Hall."

Detective Frank Geyer.

MANUFACTURED EVIDENCE.

Holmes' Counsel Finds Himself In A Serious Predicament.

   PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 19.—The Holmes' case has taken another sensational turn. The main actor in this, the most startling and unexpected since the celebrated case has become public, was the senior counsel for the defense, William A. Shoemaker.

   Charges of manufacturing evidence in behalf of the alleged multi-murderer by bribing a woman who knew nothing of the case to swear in his favor were publicly made in court, and the manner in which this was received by the court left little doubt in the minds of those present of the gravity of the attorney's situation.

   Yesterday had been fixed for the argument of a motion for a new trial for Holmes, and Judge Arnold who presided during the trial of two weeks ago, which resulted in Holmes' conviction for the murder of B. F. Pitezel, was joined by Judges Thayer and Willson, sitting as the court en banc.

   The proceedings were begun by Mr. Shoemaker, who arose from his seat beside his associate counsel, Mr. Rotan, and asked that the argument be postponed. He urged that since the verdict had been rendered, they had come into possession of new information and additional clues of vital importance to the case and which would result in Holmes' acquittal.

   Subsequent to the trial, he continued, they had obtained information of a person who had known Pitezel from living at 1316 Callowhill street; that after much difficulty they had found this person and procured an affidavit. This document the lawyer then produced and read.

   It was made by one Blanche A. Hannigan and was in substance as follows:

   In August, 1894, she kept a cigar store at 1239 Callowhill street, and had known and talked with Pitezel, then known as Perry. On Aug. 29, when he was in her store, she told him she would have to leave the store and visit a dying friend, whereupon Pitezel spoke of the uncertainties of life, saying he had more troubles than anyone would suppose, and that he would not care if it was he who was dying instead of her friend. He spoke of his many troubles, and added that "the end would come soon, as he couldn't stand it much longer." All his actions and words tended to show thoughts of suicide.

   In presenting this affidavit Mr. Shoemaker said that Mrs. Hannigan would have come forward with this testimony before, but she disliked notoriety and had been out of the city for some time.

   District Attorney Graham here arose and asked that, before this application be passed upon, Mrs. Hannigan be called to the stand.

   Mr. Rotan replied that they had been unable to find her, that the affidavit had been procured by John Sweckler, a detective, and that counsel would not permit her to testify until they had an opportunity to examine her privately and sift the truth of her statement.

   In response to questions from the court, Mr. Shoemaker then said that the affidavit had been written by himself at the dictation of Mrs. Hannigan.

   Upon this, Mr. Graham arose and with the utmost gravity said it became his duty to make a painful declaration. During the early part of the recent trial he had received information that efforts had been made to procure false testimony by bribery. At that time he had merely instituted a sharp watch. Later he learned that these efforts were being prosecuted to the end. Thereupon he sent for the person thus employed to furnish evidence, and she was in court at the present time.

   "I will produce her and show that she was employed by Mr. Shoemaker; that she was taken to his office and questioned; that she said she knew nothing about the case, and the attorney told her that was all right; and that she was induced, upon the payment of $20, to sign the affidavit which had already been prepared."

   This declaration came like a thunderbolt. Mr. Shoemaker grew pallid, the judges' eyes opened wider and it was some time before the buzz of the courtroom could be stilled.

   Mr. Geyer, upon being sworn, told the whole story. During the trial he was called upon by John Sweckler, who said that Mr. Shoemaker had asked him to procure a woman who lived around One Hundred and Thirtieth and Callowhill or Vine streets, who would swear to certain facts.

   The next day Sweckler again called and showed him the typewritten affidavit. This was even before the woman had been looked for. Mr. Geyer submitted the matter to the district attorney, and on his advice, after the trial, Geyer procured the woman. He introduced her to Sweckler, who in turn took her to Shoemaker. After several interviews with him she signed the affidavit and received the money in two ten-dollar bills, which she had marked with her initials for the purpose of identification.

   The supposed Mrs. Hannigan, who said her name was Margaret Reah, took the stand and corroborated this story in detail, producing the money. She declared that Shoemaker had neither read nor told her of the contents of the affidavit, and she signed in absolute ignorance.

   The statement made in court by Mr. Shoemaker that she had dictated it to him was false in toto.

   Mr. Shoemaker here arose and excitedly cried: "I did not say so. I explicitly—"

   One after the other the three judges interrupted him with, "There is no doubt whatever of your having said it."

   The district attorney then declared that he had a copy of the affidavit made in his office before the woman had been found.

   Mr. Shoemaker then pleaded for time to rebut these charges against his character, and Judge Thayer retorted, "You are certainly in a position requiring thoughtfulness."

   John Sweckler was next called, and he corroborated the preceding witness, saying that he was first employed by Shoemaker to get the woman on Nov. 4, the second day of the trial. Four or five days afterward Mr. Shoemaker dictated the affidavit to a stenographer. This was before the woman had been procured He took it from his briefs. After Sweckler had been given the affidavit he turned it over to Detective Geyer, who said he would procure the woman.

   Blanche Hannigan was not known and had not yet been procured when this affidavit was prepared.

   During all this scene Holmes sat in the dock, his cold, blue eyes leveled at Shoemaker, a sneering smile on his lips.

   Shoemaker, his face livid with excitement, finally broke from his colleague and exclaimed to the court: "I ask if I will have an opportunity to refute these charges.—I"

   "At the proper time, sir, and in the proper place," interrupted Judge Thayer severely.

   But the dismayed attorney went on and whipped himself almost into a frenzy. Tears stood in his eyes and his voice was hoarse and broken as he cried: "I am sure I can show my innocence of anything reflecting upon me as a member of this bar.

   "This is a trap—a damnable trap—set by the district attorney to destroy the humblest member of this bar.

   "I appeal to the court to grant me time to defend myself. I appeal to the members of the press," turning to the score of reporters seated nearby, "to withhold all that has been said against me in this court today until I have an opportunity to clear myself of this charge."

   Judge Thayer again cautioned the attorney: "Under the present condition of affairs, sir, I think you will find safety in silence," he said impressively.

   The young lawyer sank exhausted into his chair just in front of the dock where sat the man accused of a score of crimes smiling with cynical amusement at his onetime counsellor.

   Here Mr. Graham publicly announced that not a shadow of reproach attached to Mr. Rotan in the matter, and the members of the court individually expressed their appreciation of that fact.

   Bessie Hamill, the stenographer to whom Shoemaker dictated the affidavit, corroborated the statements of the previous witnesses.

   District Attorney Graham, in reply to Mr. Rotan, reviewed the testimony against Holmes in detail and urged that the case had been proved beyond the possibility of a reasonable doubt.

   Mr. Rotan made the closing address to the court, but developed no new contention, simply reiterating and emphasizing his former declarations, and maintaining that Pitezel had committed suicide and that the commonwealth had produced no evidence to controvert that assertion.

   At the conclusion of the argument Judge Thayer, speaking for the court, said they would give the case their gravest consideration. Then turning to Mr. Shoemaker the judge said:

   "I regret that I have now a very disagreeable duty to perform toward you, a member of this bar and an attorney of this court. In view of the developments of this morning and the testimony of the witnesses whom you have heard concerning the use you attempted to make of the affidavit you procured, the court feels it to be their duty, no other path being left open, to hold you in $1,600 bail to answer the charge of subornation of perjury, and in default of bail, to stand committed."

   "The bail is here, your honor," said the accused attorney.

   Court was then adjourned, and bail was entered at a side bar, Milton Jackson, Shoemaker's father-in-law, becoming the bondsman.

   Judge Arnold stated privately that the court was contemplating disbarment proceedings, but nothing would be done in that regard until after the disposition of the charge.

A NEW INDUSTRY.

Firm Formed to Manufacture Wash Boards and Potato Crates.

   Messrs. George S. Edwards and P. B. Canfield, under the firm name of Edwards & Canfield, are making preparations and getting machinery into shape for the purpose of starting a new manufacturing industry in the eastern part of the town. A building 24 by 60 feet in size, two stories high with a tower, has been erected near the E. & C. & N. railroad between the works of the Carriage Specialty Co. and the Forging Co. where they will begin the manufacture of a patent folding wash bench and a folding potato crate. A twenty-horse power engine and boiler have been put in and special machinery for doing the work is being placed in position. Orders have already been received for a large number of the crates and everything looks favorable for an extensive demand for these articles.

   A special feature of the works will be a large wind wheel in the tower which will furnish power for a part of the machinery. It is expected that this will be completed this week.

Back Near the Beginning.

   Mr. Stephen Brewer yesterday left with us a copy of Vol. II, No. 39 of the Cortland Democrat published Sept. 26, 1850. It was quite a different looking paper from Brother Jones' Democrat of the present. It was edited by I. S. and G. W. Hyatt, and the office was in the third floor of the Dickson block. At the head of the editorial column appears the name of Horatio Seymour of Oneida as a candidate for governor. Among the advertisements is that of the Eagle Tavern kept by E. B. Earl, and the Cortland House kept by W. S. Copeland. The paper is a six column four page sheet.

Ede Remenyi, violinist and composer..

Remarkable Sale of Tickets.

   The sale of tickets for the concert by the celebrated violinist Remenyi and his splendid company on Friday night of this week is almost unprecedented here in Cortland. With the exception of the first two rows in the parquette, part of which are also sold, only twenty-three seats forward of the posts were unclaimed at 9 o'clock this morning. The front rows in the gallery were also well spotted. The sale of course tickets which includes the entertainments in Normal hall is very large indeed. Of the 273 seats which were held to be reserved in the first twenty-one rows of seats only twenty-one seats were unclaimed at 9 o'clock this morning. It would be well for all people who want to secure seats for either Remenyi or for the course to have no delay about getting them.

A Brilliant Illumination.

   Arrangements have been completed with the electric company by the committee having in charge the Mikado production to have a most brilliant illumination during the progress of that opera. The entire stage is to be hung with Japanese lanterns in each of which is an incandescent bulb unlighted and at the entrance of his majesty, the Mikado, the regular lights will be turned down and the burners in the lanterns lighted producing an effect especially brilliant, a scene of oriental splendor seldom witnessed outside of Japan itself. This was done at Syracuse at the Mikado production last year and the audience showed its appreciation of the wonderful effect by loud cheers. There will be nothing in Cortland this season superior to this coming presentation of the Mikado.

Observed the Supervisors.

   The class in methods in geography at the Normal, accompanied by their teacher, Miss Clara J. Robinson, and by Miss Mina W. Bishop, critic of the intermediate department at the Normal, was present at the supervisors' rooms this morning at the opening of the session. The class numbered not far from fifty and filled all the seats in the room. They were there to observe the workings of local county government. The plan of work was quite new to them and many took notes. The hour spent there was doubtless a profitable one, as the chairman took pains to explain to them many of the proceedings which might not otherwise have been clearly understood.

Joseph Jefferson as Rip Van Winkle.

BREVITIES.

   —To-morrow night is Ladies' night at the Tioughnioga club.

   —New advertisements to-day are—A. S. Burgess, page 4.

   —The Thimble club met with Mrs. W. T. Bushby this afternoon.

   —Mr. George W. Roe last Friday fell heir to the sum of $701 which was left him by a friend.

   —The village trustees held a meeting last night, but transacted no business besides auditing a few bills.

   —The Ladies' Aid society of the Universalist church will serve a ten cent supper in the church to-morrow evening from 6 until 8 o'clock.

   —The Manhattan club will hold a dancing party in Empire hall Friday evening. Music will be furnished by McDermott's orchestra of five pieces.

   —The time of the funeral of Mr. George Rogers of 54 Hubbard-st. has been changed to Wednesday at 1 o'clock instead of at 12 o'clock, as previously announced.

   —Carroll C. Hitchcock was arrested by Officer Smith last night and was brought before Justice Bull this morning charged with intoxication. He paid a fine of $3 and was discharged.

   —Mr. Theron Luce, formerly of Cortland, died this morning at his home in Syracuse at the age of about forty-five years. His wife was the sister of Mrs. Ophelia Hotchkiss and the aunt of Mrs. J. H. Wallace of Cortland.

   —The excise case of The People vs. Will Donegan is set down for trial in police court on Tuesday, Nov. 26 at 10 o'clock. The case of The People vs. Michael Nix is set down for trial in police court on Thursday, Nov. 28, at 10 o'clock.

   —Joseph Jefferson comes to Ithaca under a guaranty of $1,000 and a percentage. Every seat has already been sold for the performance—which does not take place until December 28. The seats range from fifty cents to $2.50.—Ithaca Journal.

   —The meeting of the Woman's Auxiliary on Thursday afternoon Nov. 21 at 3:30 will be a continuation of the meetings of last week. Subject, "Waiting on the Lord." All women interested in Christian work are earnestly invited to be present.

   —The tickets for "The Boston Rivals" at the Opera House Dec. 3 under the auspices of the Cortland Athletic association can be purchased from the members at any time. A prize of five dollars has been offered by the association to the member selling the most tickets.

   —Invitations are out for the wedding of Miss Anna Laura Baum of Killawog and Mr. Frank Clarence Beckwith of Brooklyn which will take place at the home of the bride's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Donald McKellar, at Killawog, Thursday, Nov. 29, 1895, at 4:30 o'clock.

   —The house committee of the Tioughnioga club announce that Ladies' night on Wednesday, Nov. 20, will be informal. There will be cards and music, the latter including a few choice selections by Miss Clarice Bliven, an accomplished soprano from Ithaca, accompanied by Miss Carrie Day Halbert of Cortland. Come out ladies and bring your friends.

   —Some one has found out how far a farmer has to walk to put in and attend to forty acres of corn, says the Webster Observer. To plow the ground with a sixteen inch plow, he walks three hundred and fifty miles; to harrow it thoroughly before planting, he walks fifty miles; and to cultivate it afterwards, he will have to travel three hundred and fifty miles, making a grand total of seven hundred and fifty miles, besides garnering.