HOLMES CASE--PART FIVE

H. H. Holmes.

Cortland Evening Standard, Saturday, November 2, 1895.

HOLMES TRIAL WOUND UP.

His Case Will Probably Go to the Jury This Afternoon.

   PHILADELPHIA, NOV. 2.—Tonight the world will probably know whether or not Holmes will hang.

   When the trial began last Monday, everybody anticipated a siege of at least two weeks, but Thursday the case took one sudden turn and yesterday another which will help to push it to swift conclusion.

   The decision of Judge Arnold that no testimony would be admitted other than that bearing directly on the murder of Benjamin F. Pitezel had the effect of keeping out a group of gruesome exhibits and silencing about 30 witnesses brought here from Canada, New England and the West, and supported for six days at the commonwealth's expense. It prevented the offering in evidence of the mouldered bones of the boy, Howard Pitezel; the stove in which he was burned; the clothes the little fellow wore when he had a body to put inside them, and the toys he played with; and the trunk which smothered out the lives of the girls, Alice and Nellie. Besides it put a quietus on Detective Greyer, whose detailed narrative of his travels over the continent in a successful search for evidence of Holmes' destructive movements, would have made a thrilling tale [The Devil in the White City].

   District Attorney Graham fought as hard as he knew how to get this evidence in, but the law was against him and the defense scored its first and probably its last victory. When he found himself bested, he said he would close his case in the morning and he kept his word. He did not even exhibit the skull of Pitezel, thereby disappointing a lot of people who love to revel in the horrible.

   "This is our case," had scarcely fallen from the lips of the commonwealth's prosecutor before counsel for the defense had calmly arisen and made what many persons characterized as a "bold bluff" and many more as playing the last card left.

   They confidently told the court that the commonwealth had not made out its case and asked Judge Arnold to tell the jury so and wind up the trial then and there.

   District Attorney Graham smiled an official smile and said this was too absurd to answer, but Judge Arnold expressed no opinion other than that the case would have to proceed.

   Then counsel made the astonishing statement that they wanted time to find out what the defense was going to be, because they had been so busy listening to the evidence against them they had not had a chance to prepare an answer to it. The court was not very anxious to create another delay, but finally suspended business and gave the attorneys an hour's talk with Holmes. This over, they came back to court and pleased everybody except the morbid mob by declaring that they would call no witnesses, but submit the case on argument alone.

   This began this morning, and the lawyers say it will end before the day will be over.

   There is an impression that Lawyer R. O. Moon will do the talking for the defense, and his forensic ability is of no mean order. It was he whom Holmes called upon last Monday when he dismissed his lawyers, Mr. Moon declining the task through lack of time for preparation. He admitted being familiar with the main facts and will be well qualified to address the jury.

   There was no change in Holmes' demeanor, although a keen observer might have perceived a deeper pallor on his cheeks and in his blue eyes the subdued glare of a wild beast tracked to earth.

Charges Against Brewers.

   ROCHESTER, NOV. 2.—Warrants were sworn out against John C. Enders, president of the Miller Brewing company of this city, and Frank Keeting, foreman of the brewery. The charges against the brewing company are these: The officers are charged first, with bottling ale and porter in their brewery building, in contravention of the statute that forbids the bottling of any spirituous liquor on the same premises where it is manufactured; secondly, withdrawing said ale and porter from casks upon which there were no revenue stamps and upon which the government tax had not been paid. A third charge is that of using old and cancelled revenue stamps.

Japan Buying Battleships.

   LONDON. Nov. 2.—The Daily News announces this morning that a Tyneside firm has just received a Japanese order to build three new battleships.

PAGE TWO—EDITORIALS.

All Together.

   The closing week of the campaign finds Republicans confident all along the line. The state committee reports the prospects bright for victory. The election of our excellent state ticket is conceded by the opposition, when not speaking for publication. Democrats as well as Republicans realize that the vote and count will be fair and honest. This means the removal of the handicap of 20,000 to 30,000 fraudulent votes which heretofore have swollen the Democratic total. Thus much the reforms of the new election laws and the transfer of police authority in New York to honest hands have accomplished.  The flawless records of the state office candidates for re-election, appeal to voters who put them in office two years ago to renew their commissions.

   To the election of our excellent Republican local nominees there is substantially no opposition. Their defeat is impossible. But not an effort should be relaxed on this account. Every Republican voter should be got to the polls, and assurance made doubly sure that he votes right and so that his vote will be counted. The larger the majority this year the surer will victory be in 1896.

Republican Associations.

To the Editor of the Standard:

   SIR—On Monday evening, Oct. 21, some of the most active and enthusiastic Republicans of the town of Cortlandville met in the county committee rooms and informally discussed the feasibility of effecting a permanent organization in the various election districts of the town, for the purpose of doing more effective campaign work, relieving the county committee of a part of its labors, reducing the expenses of the campaigns to candidates, getting out the full party strength for registry and at elections, and for furthering the interests of the Republican party generally.

   There was a great unity and harmony of sentiment on the subject upon the part of all, for it is beginning to be realized that with the continual growth of Cortland, more systematic party work is required. Few Republicans realize that about five-sixths of the normal Republican majority of the county is given by the town of Cortlandville.

   Plans were arranged for preliminary meetings, to be held in each of the election districts and during the present week such meetings were held, to which the most earnest workers in the party ranks were invited and the following officers of the various districts were elected:

   Election District No. 1.—John H. Kelley, chairman; A. E. Seymour, secretary.

   No. 2.—Frank P. Saunders, chairman; Frank A. Phelps, secretary.

   No. 3.—H. S. Fuller, chairman; A. B. Corwin, secretary.

   No. 4.—R. T. Peck, chairman; H. A. Dickinson, secretary; G. T. Maxon, C. E. Ingalls, H. L. Bronson, F. J. Doubleday and W. W. Hout.

   No. 6.—C. P. Walrad, chairmin; E. M. Santee, secretary. R. L Davis, A. H. Watkins, E. W. Bates.

   No. 7.—B. L. Webb, chairman; G. H. Garrison, secretary. Z. H. Tanner, A. G. Klotten, E. C. Palmer.

   No. 8.—Harry Swan, chairman; F. E. Parks, secretary; J. C. Thompson, James Summers, L. W. Rood, Fred H. Green, Cyrus Hatfield.

   No. 9.—Daniel Lucy, chairman; W. L. Baker, secretary; C. F. Brown, G. J. Maycumber, W. D. Tisdale, S. N. Holden, D. G. Corwin.

   No. 5.—E. C. Alger, chairman; Geo. T. Latimer, secretary; H. T. Bushnell, D. C. Beers, L. E. Burnham, Frank Costello, Smith Job.

   Last evening the chairmen and secretaries of the different district organizations met at the office of H. L. Bronson, with the idea of effecting a central organization. All of the districts were represented, except No. 10, and the meeting was organized with C. P. Walrad chairman and E. M. Santee secretary pro tem. The objects of the organization were discussed by several of the members and the best of good feeling was manifested. After an informal discussion a motion was made and carried that the committee select a committeeman-at-large who should be chairman of the central committee. After several scattering ballots were taken Horace L Bronson was unanimously chosen.

   The following additional officers were then chosen: A. E. Seymour and W. L. Baker, vice chairmen; E. M. Santee, secretary and B. L. Webb, treasurer.

   As a committee to draw up by-laws, the chair named Messrs. H. A. Dickinson, E. M. Santee, A. E. Seymour, B. L. Webb and F. P. Saunders.

   The meeting then adjourned, subject to the call of the chair.

   Lists will be left in the various districts and it is the desire that every Republican enroll himself in the organization.

   Yours truly,

   E. M. SANTEE.

Messenger House Hotel.

DEMOCRATS DINE.

Chairman Rowley Entertains the County Committee at the Messenger House.

   Chairman Clayton E. Rowley of the Democratic county committee entertained the fellow members of his committee at one of Mine Host Ingraham's elaborate dinners in the private diningroom at the Messenger House at 12:30 o'clock to-day. Nineteen gentlemen sat down to the table. Hon. L. J. Fitzgerald and Hon. O. U. Kellogg had both been invited, but both were called out of town by business, the former to Syracuse, the latter to Binghamton.

   The following were present: F. M. Benjamin, Cincinnatus; Clayton E. Rowley, Benton B. Jones, John Courtney, Jr., George C. Hubbard, S. S. Knox, H. T. Dana, F. L. McDowell. Hubert R. Maine, James Dougherty, Cortland; Adelbert Holmes, Cuyler; John B. Reagan, Freetown; J. J. Murray, A. H. Van Hoesen, Preble; F. M. Hazard, Scott; L. D. Finn, Taylor; Patrick Comerford, P. J. Vincent, Truxton; Jefferson Greene, Willet.

   There was no speech-making with the exception of two stories, one told by Chairman Rowley and the other by Dr. Dana, both of which brought down the house. After the enthusiastic reception given to these no one eke ventured to attempt anything of the kind, for fear of falling so far behind as to be out of sight. Scarcely ever has the Democratic committee had a chairman who was more thoroughly popular in every respect with his associates than Mr. Rowley, and the little courtesy shown to them today by no means detracted from that popularity.

   A regular business meeting of the committee was held at their rooms this morning.

DRESS REFORM.

Its Advocates Hold a Convention in the Presbyterian Parlors.

   Advocates of dress reform are frequent in these days. They appear singly and in groups. They express the argument, each for her own particular attire, through the newspapers and by word of mouth. The person who believes in the ordinary every day garb of our mothers is considered a back number. The different styles of attire, each of which is claimed to be the best and only, are legion. The local agitation upon this subject has grown so that the result was a convention of the dress reformers at the Presbyterian church parlors last night at 8 o'clock. The admission was twenty-five cents and there was a large attendance.

   Miss M. F. Hendrick was chairman and Mrs. D. D. Bardwell, secretary of the meeting. In fitting words the chairman set forth the object of the gathering and said that representatives were present from various parts of this country and from foreign countries attired each in the costume which she respectively considered the best, and that as called upon each would appear upon the stage and explain the advantage of her own costume. Questions would be welcomed from the audience in general.

   The following responded:

   Friend Rachael Fox, Quaker costume, (Mrs. George W. McGraw.)

   Frau Katrina von Putt Kamer, Germany, (Miss Cornelia Adams.)

   Ora San, Japan, (Miss Lena V. Lovell.)

   Madame Kibrizli Mahamet Pasha, Turkey, (Mrs. C. P. Walrad.)

   Miss Mahatta, New York City, (Miss Cornelia L. Brown.)

   Madame Olga Olosen, Sweden, (Mrs. Wm. R. Cole.)

   Kenotah, an Indian maiden, (Miss Mabel Brewer.)

   Miss Laura Ler, Boston rational dress—bloomers, (Miss Emma E. Hill.)

   Mrs. Solomon Smith, an advocate of pockets, (Mrs. E. D. Blodgett.)

   A telegram was read signed by Dr. Mary Walker, saying that she was detained by professional duties from being present.

   At the conclusion of the convention refreshments were served and a social hour was spent very pleasantly.

   The net receipts were $26.55.

BUSINESS CHANGE.

D. H. Bingham Re-enters the Clothing Trade With Bingham & Miller.

   D. H. Bingham, having satisfactorily arranged with A. S. Burgess his agreement not to re-enter the clothing business here in Cortland, has sold to S. N. Holden his interest in the coal firm of Holden & Bingham and will associate himself with Bingham & Miller in the clothing and furnishing trade under the firm name of Bingham Brothers & Miller. Mr. H. F Bingham and Mr. John Miller, who constituted the old firm, have built up for themselves a fine business and attract trade not only throughout the whole of this county, but from adjoining counties as well. Mr. D. H. Bingham has had about seventeen years experience in the clothing business and well understands its every detail. He is popular and will very materially strengthen the new firm.

   The store is about to be enlarged by the addition of the entire store now occupied by Glann & Clark, who are in a few days to move one door further south. The two stores will be connected by an archway and a larger line of children's wear and a new line of trunks and traveling bags will be carried.

   Mr. Holden will continue the coal business at the old stand, 39 Main-st., where all accounts of the late firm will be adjusted.

BREVITIES.

   —Oliver Curtis Perry, the train robber and desperado, who recently escaped from the Matteawan asylum but was recaptured and taken to Auburn prison, was yesterday taken back to Matteawan.

   —The Homer letter to-day on the eighth page announces the death of Mr.  J. Albert Sherman, which occurred this morning as a result of pneumonia. He was well known in Cortland.

  

Cortland & Homer Traction Co. car 17 at A. P. McGraw Corset factory.

FREIGHT BY TROLLEY.

First Car Runs to McGrawville—Lime for Corset Factory.

   The first freight car passed over the McGrawville division of the electric road this morning. It was an empty box car and left Cortland at 8 o'clock. The car passed around the curves smoothly and ran very nicely over the entire line, returning at 9:30. It was attached to one of the regular trolley cars. At 10:30 o'clock another car was taken over. This one was loaded with lime for the McGraw Corset Co.