SERIAL KILLER HOLMES EMBRACES CATHOLICISM

H. H. Holmes.

Cortland Evening Standard, Friday, April 17, 1896.

HOLMES IS A CATHOLIC.

Doomed Murderer Confirmed and Baptized.

IS EVIDENTLY MUCH IMPRESSED.

The Fact of Holmes Embracing the Catholic Faith May Be Taken as an

Indication That He Will Not Attempt to Commit Suicide.

   PHILADELPHIA, April 17.—H. H. Holmes has been baptized and received into the Catholic church. The ceremony was performed by Rev. P. S. Dailey, pastor of the Church of the Annunciation, within the four walls of Holmes' cell at the prison. Besides Holmes and Father Dailey there were present Rev. Fathers De Cantillon, Higgins and McCabe.

   Holmes was expecting his visitors and greeted them cordially when they entered his cell. After a brief conversation of a general nature, Father Dailey began his brief preparations for the ceremony.

   The white surplice and stole, which are always worn during the Catholic baptismal service, had been brought to the prison wrapped in a small package. Those were donned by Father Dailey who then proceeded to receive from Holmes the confession of faith which is required of those who enter the Catholic faith.

   The condemned man went through the ceremony slowly and solemnly and with every evidence of sincerity. His responses were made in a firm voice, and his eyes seldom wandered from Father Dailey's face.

   Then followed the baptism. As is often done in cases of persons received into the Catholic church who have been baptized in the Protestant faith, the baptism was made conditional. Holmes was unable to fully satisfy Father Dailey that he had been baptized into the Congregational church, of which he claims to have been a member since childhood. Had Father Dailey been sure that Holmes had been so baptized, the second ceremony would not have been performed, the first being recognized.

   When Father Dailey placed the stole upon the condemned man's head, the latter stood erect and rigid, evidently impressed by the sacred nature of the act. With solemnity ringing in every tone of his voice [he] pronounced the words of the baptismal rites and sprinkled the typifying water upon Holmes.

   The ceremony was then over and the man, who has but a little over three weeks to live, had become a member of the church, one of whose faithful representatives had been his clerical source of comfort and consolation since the words of his death warrant fell upon his ears.

   One phase of Holmes' reception into the Catholic church is of peculiar interest. Catholics have impressed upon them from the moment they are received into the church the fact that no one who dies by his or her own hand can enter the Kingdom of Heaven. No suicide is now buried in consecrated ground. Holmes having embraced the Catholic faith so short a time before the date set for his execution, has evidently decided to wait for the gallows rather than attempt self-destruction, if he ever contemplated it.

Valuable Gift to Cornell.

   ITHACA, N. Y., April. 17.—Cornell college has just been made the recipient of a valuable collection of books on South America, a collection made by Herbert H. Smith, an alumnus, during an eight years' sojourn in Brazil. The gift comprises 700 pamphlets. The books are valuable because published solely in South America and seldom appear in markets of Europe or this country. The volumes include works of travel and histories of Brazil, Venezuela and British Guiana.

BASEBALL SEASON OPENED.

Results of the First Day's Games of the National League.

PAGE TWO—EDITORIALS.

For Coast Defence.

   The Democratic New York Sun commenting on the action of a Republican house heartily approves of its action for coast defences. It says: "In the same liberal and patriotic spirit that marked its dealing with the navy appropriation, the house has now passed an admirable fortifications bill.

   As with the former measure, which carried more than $31,500,000, so with the present, which involves, first and last, $11,384,613, the house has not taken a dollar from what the committee asked, while the committee in turn had accepted freely the estimates of the ordinance and engineer officers, and had granted millions more than the secretary of war asked. As the navy bill too, brought out not a voice or a vote against it, nor the taking of the yeas and nays, having as its only criticism that we ought to give more rather than less, so we find the fortifications bill passed without a division, the only speakers against it being one who desired to have it still more generous in outlays, and another who favored floating instead of fixed defences for the seaboard.

   It seems to us that this unprecedented liberality and extraordinary union of sentiment as to coast protection possesses great significance. It shows that the American spirit is roused, through the length and breadth of the land, to guard against the possibility of foreign aggressions.

   It now remains for the senate to deal with this measure. The action of its committee on the navy bill, as passed by the house, has been in most respects liberal, although some questionable restrictions have been put on the provisions for new battle ships and torpedo boats. But the senate has for many years shown zeal in pushing forward the coast defences, and there is every reason to suppose that it will be true to its tradition now. The session's work will be a noble one both for the ships and the forts.

   ◘ There is a tone of the tragic and terrible in the following extract from a report of the grand jury of Chicago: ''Testimony given before this body shows that the public offices of the city and county are honeycombed with corruption and many officials are steeped in crime. Public affairs have been prostituted for private gain, and things have become so rotten that the very life of the city is imperiled." Of how many other cities than Chicago is this true?

A Cortland Made Wheel.

   A novelty in the shape of a bicycle was exhibited at the STANDARD office this morning. It is fitted with twenty-four-inch wheels and special handlebars, with other points about the frame which gives it a very striking appearance. This wheel was built by Thomas and Robert Kennedy of Cortland and will be on exhibition in G. F. Beaudry's store tonight. It weighs nineteen pounds.

The First Appearance.

   The street sprinkler made its first appearance this afternoon on Main-st.

There does not seem to be any immediate use for it on Railroad-st., however, as that street from Main to Church is very muddy. The gutters are filled with mud, brick, sticks and coal ashes so that the water has no chance to run off. One of the business men on that street was out this afternoon with a hoe trying to get a passage so that the water from the melting snow might run from in front of his place.

Three Aged Sisters.

   Mrs. Nancy Grant, mother of Mrs. Clinton D. Bouton, yesterday reached the ninetieth anniversary of her birth, and in celebration of the event a company of relatives assembled at the home of ex-Mayor and Mrs. Bouton. Among those present were Mrs. Grant's sisters, Mrs. Polly Labar, aged 86 of Dryden, and Mrs. Angeline Brown of Cortland aged 81, whose birthday was the day preceding that of her eldest sister. There were present four generations of the Grant family, viz., Mrs. Grant, Mrs. C. D. Bouton, Mrs. D. N. Van Hoesen and Master Grant Van Hoesen. On the Brown side there were represented three generations—Mrs. Brown, Mrs. Ellis and Mrs. Meacham. It is a notable fact that each of the aged sisters is in good health.—Ithaca Daily Journal, April 15.

MRS. J. T. DAVERN & CO.

Muslin Underwear Sale Tuesday and Wednesday, April 21 and 22.

   The April event that is a matter of eager concern to every woman in Cortland county.

   Our great annual sale of muslin underwear, greater than ever this year. Larger stock, greater variety, better styles, finer qualities and lower prices. Night gowns, corset covers, drawers, chemise, long skirts, short skirts and children's short skirts.

   The garments named give only a glimmering glimpse of the extent of the stock of muslin underwear bought for this great April event. Just as good value as the qualities and prices mount upward.

   Night gowns in all prices from 75 cts. to $10. At the prices marked all the

above goods will be sold for cash only. In connection with this great sale we will also show our immence new line of shirt waists. One hundred fifty dozen in dimities, lawns, linen and percale in checks, stripes and figures. All of our shirt waists have the large bishop sleeve.

"The Man in the Iron Mask."

   Miss Brandon Douglas who will appear in "The Man in the Iron Mask" at the Cortland Opera House, April 23, in addition to being an actress of rare ability, has earned for herself a high reputation as a water color artist. Her pictures showing an almost masculine breadth of touch but truly feminine in their choice of subjects are eagerly sought by connoisseurs. It would seem this talented young actress was mindful of the old saying, "That they who would woo one of the muses must be on good terms with her sisters."

A Half Century Old.

   The Pennsylvania railroad was a half century old on Monday and the Philadelphia Times of the next day devoted nearly four pages to a description of the celebration of that event in that city. Excellent cuts of nearly all the officers and directors were given. A great reception was held in the directors' room and a public meeting was held in the Academy of Music. It was decidedly a jubilee occasion, and this great railroad may well feel proud of the success which it has attained in its half century of existence.

BREVITIES.

   —Dillon Brothers have closed their engagement for the week at the Homer opera house.

   —Chas. A. Ingalls of Willet has sold his Dictator stallion for $500 to George Stevens of Willet.

   —Remember the Y. M. C. A. anniversary exercises Sunday evening held in the various churches.

   —The case of Phillip Sugerman against John H. Miller is on trial before Justice T. H. Dowd and a jury to-day.

   —New advertisements to-day are—Dey Brothers, boy's clothing, page 6;

Wesson-Nivison Co., war! war! page 7.

   —The Salvation Army will hold a "Praise God" meeting on Sunday afternoon at 3 o'clock at the W. C. T. U. rooms.

   —Mrs. C. H. V. Elliott very pleasantly entertained twenty ladies at whist yesterday afternoon. Refreshments were served.

   —The Alpha C. L. S. C. will meet with Mrs. F. J. Doubleday, 44 Port Watson-st., Monday evening, April 20, at 7:30 o'clock.

   —The funeral of Mrs. Mary Van Rensellaer will be held to-morrow afternoon at the Universalist church at 3 P. M. Prayer at the house at 2:30.

   —The funeral of Mrs. William DeHart will be held from the residence of her father, W. S. Hoxie, 43 Greenbush-st., Sunday at 12:30 o'clock. Burial in

Moravia.

   —Mrs. F. D. Reese has joined the Loyal Legion. The doctor is a strong advocate of bicycling for ladies and has started the practice in his own family with a Loyal wheel.

   —A bill has been introduced in the state assembly making adequate ventilation in schools, churches, theatres, etc., compulsory. A violation of the law is punishable by a fine of $100.

   —The Lehigh Valley Railroad company has arranged with the Electric company to transfer passengers from the E., C. & N. depot to the Inlet depot. Coupons are attached to tickets for this purpose.—Ithaca Journal.

   —A regulation went into effect in Binghamton yesterday forbidding under penalty of a fine any person riding in the streets of that city at a greater speed than eight miles an hour. The police are directed to arrest all offenders.

   —Lehigh Valley linemen passed over this branch last week, putting the telegraph wire, etc., in first-class shape, It is said the Lehigh people will expend $300,000 on the roadbed this season and put it in the best possible shape. The train service will also be improved.—DeRuyter Gleaner.