UULMUS’ LAST CHANCE
Murderer’s Case Before the supreme
Court of Pennsylvania.
MR. ROTAN’S STRONG APPEAL
He- Says Much Extraueous Matter _\Vas
Admitted on the Trial—District
Attorney Graham’s Replye'l‘he
Court’s Decision Reserved.
PHILADELPHIA. Feb. 4.—Another page
was turned today in the manifold misad-
ventures of H. H. Holmes, murderer. The
supreme court of the state listened to a
long and tedious argument on the appeal
taken by the defense from the verdict of
murder in the first degree rendered last
November. Since that time the lcwe1
court refused a motion for a new trial, the
sentence of death was passed upon Holmes,
and arrangements were set on foot to ex—
peditiously remove the extraordinary crim-
inal from the face of creation. Even con-
damned murderers have rights, howover,
and Holmes’ lawyers fought at every step.
Should the court affirm the decision of the
jury, Governor Hastings may be appealed
to for executive clemency, and should he
decline to interpose, then Holmes must
hang.
For some time prior to the opening oi
the court a big crowd filled the room.
Promptly upon the stroke of the hour, the
court, clad in its sable gowns, entered. All
, 11. 11. HOLMES. ‘ i
the judges were present, headed by Chief
J usticegSterrett. The others are Justices
Williams, Greene, McColum, Mitchell,
Dean and Fill. The commonwealth was
represented by District Attorney Graham
' and Assistant District Attorney Barlow.
Samuel P. Rotan conducted the opening
argument for the appeal, and associated
with him was R. 0. Moon. William A.
ShOemaker, originally the senior counsel
for Holmes, who became involved in a
charge oflprocuring the production of false
testimony in the case, did not appear.
Mr. Rotan’s Plea.
Mr. Rotan began the proceedings. First
,he recited to the court the details of the
charges against Holmes and the conduct of
. the'recent trial. In support of the appeal
it was urged that the verdict wasagainst
"the law and the evidence. Upon the finding
of the bodies of the Pitezel children, coun-
sel declared, the commonwealth had jump-
ed to the conclusion that Holmes had mur-
dered Pitezel, although therewas no testi-
mony to support such an accusation. He
referred to the unsuccessfulapplications by
counsel for a continuance of the trial and
their withdrawal as a consequence of the
_court’s refusal. '{l‘hey had wanted the
case postponed because they sufiered from
a lack of funds and could not get all their
witnesses. Eventually they had been
obliged to go to trial practically without a
defense. The most important fact dwelt
upon by counsel, however, was the intro-
duction of irrelevant evidence regarding
the other crimes charged against Holmes
and having no connection with the death
of B. F. Pitezel, for whose murder Holmes
was on trial. .
At the very outset, Mr. Rotan declared,
this tremendous error had been made by _
District Attorney Graham in his opening
address to the jury, when, because of their
temporary withdrawal, the prisoner was
without counsel. In that speech Graham
went over all the outside crimes and even
went so far as to intimate that Holmes had
seduced little Alice Pitezel in the house of
Mrs. Alcorn, 1905 North Eleventh street,
where he afterward had his alleged wife,
Miss Yoke, or Mrs. Howard. All this tes—
timony was ruled out by the court when
offered.
Miss Yoke’s Testimony.
The next point taken up was the testi-
mony of this Miss Yoke. The defense ob-
jected to this on the ground that she was
. the legal wife of Holmes and could not
therefore testify against him. The com-
monwealth, however, had gained its point
by claiming to prove that she was only
one of several wives and therefore compe-
. tent to testify.
In conclusion, the lawyer took up the
charge of Judge Arnold to the' Jury and
pointed out in it eri'brs in expressions cal-
culated to influence the jury against the
prisoner.
District Attorney Graham replied to Mr.
Rotan’ s argument. He took up the 0b-
jection to his opening speech to the jury
and said that after the fullest review and
consideration he had been convinced that
every particle of the testimony concerning
the othercrimes should have been admit-
ted. In overruling the motion for a new
trial the court. had said that it should
have been admitted. They were not sepa-
rate afiairs, argued Mr. Graham, but all
were part and parcel of a single crime
committed upon a number of victims. N 0
man could take the story in detail without
feeling that every act in this marvelous
drama was linked together by a single
purpose, and to dismember it would be to
destroy it.
Mr. Graham next dwelt upon the com-
petency of Miss Yoke’ s testimony, con-
tending that it had been proved beyond
question that she was not Holmes’ wife.
He then took up every other question in—
volved and argued them at much length.
Mr. Moon made the closing address in fa—
vor of the appeal. \
The entire argument was upon the law
questions involved. The court reserved its
decision.
Colonel “K P. Thompson Dead.
NEW YORK, Feb. 4.—Colone1 William
P. Thompson, the well known financier
and railroad man, and president of the
National Lead company, died today. Colo-
nel Thompson contracted a severe cold on
a recent prOSpecting tour through West
Virginia. He arrived in Baltimore last
Thursday, and his condition became so
alarming that he came to this city imme-
diately in a special car.
-Adwrtme in the "H.- Ze'ie. "
THE CUBAN REBELLION.
Insurgents Driven From .Houses by the
Bay onet—A Train Attacked.
HAVANA, Feb. 4. ——The column of troops
commanded by General Luque, at San
Juan Martinez, in the province of Pinar
del Rio, has dislodged from that place the
rebel band commanded by Verona. Dur-
ing the fight the insurgents had to be
driven out of the houses of the village at
the point of the bayonet. They left seven
men killed, and the Spanish captured four
prisoners and a quantity of arms. On the
government side three men were seriously
Wounded and two slightly wounded.
vera battalion, has been engaged with the
rebels commanded by Galas, numbering
about 500 men, near Caguinas. The one-
rest of their killed and the wounded. The
troops lost four killed.
The insurgent leader Diaz, at the head
of a strong force of insurgents, attacked a
train conveying provisions and ammuni-
tion and convoyed by troops between San
Felipe and Paso Redondo, south of this
city and not far from Batabano. The
troops forming the convoy numbered only
50 men, but they made a gallant defense.
Eventually four companies of troops were
sent to the assistance of the convoy, and.
the insurgents retreated, leaving three
men killed and 14 rifles behind them after
having plundered and partly burned the
train. Major Lopez Tobazuelo, one ser-
geant and eight soldiers were killed on the
Spanish side, and one officer and six sol-
diers were wounded.
Advices received here today from the
province of Pinar del Rio say that the
forces of Antonio Maceo, when last report-
ed, were moving southeast through Paso
Real and Los Palacios toward the south-
ern coast, apparently with the intention of
pushing on eastward toward the province
of Havana and forcing the military line
drawn north and south between Manges,
Artemisa, Guanajay and Mariel, not far
from the borders of the province of Pinar
del Rio.
Now a Building Combination.
PITTSBURG, Feb. 4. —The organization
Of a national union of housesmiths and
bridge builders, which has been agitated
since the formation of the Bridge and
Structural Iron Workers’ union of Pitts-
burg, will probably by accomplished at a
delegate convention in this city during the
week. A convention of the Pittsburg,
New York. Chicago and Detroit'- unions
will open at Moorehead’s hall Wednesday.
Archbishop ‘Valsh on Schools.
TORONTO, Feb. 4. ~Arclibishop Walsh
will address a letter to the press stating his
position on the Manitoba school question.
This action on his part is due to appeals
made to him by the governor general and
Hon. Wilfred Laurier, urging that his in-
fluence be exerted in promoting unity
among all sects. In his letter the arch-
cal and can best be‘settled by Manitoba.
Death of Spencer \V. .Coe.
WINSTED, Conn, Feb.' 4. ——Spencer W.
Coe of New York city died at the age of
(53. Mr. Coe was formerly a partner of
Mayor Sstrcng of N eW-York ‘and was also
at one time associated with George Bliss,
who died in New York yesterday. He
was connectedrwith the New York firm of
H. B. Clafiin, 'and he also had the distinc-
tion of being one of the founders of the
Union League club of New York.
A Vessel Burned at Sea.
a SEATTLE, Wash. Feb. 4.—The barken-
tine Mcdoc, just arrived, reports having
sighted a vessel burning at sea west of
Cape Flattery. Thevessel is supposed to
be the Nineveh, which sailed Jan. 16 from
Vancouver for the British south colonies.
When sighted, the vessel’s stern was all
on fire and the mizzenmast was gone. It
could not be ascertained whether she was
a. bark or a ship.
Mrs. Carter’s Livery Bill.
NEW YORK, Feb. 4.——Mrs. Leslie Carter,
the actress, was to have been examined to—
day in supplementary proceedings as to
her financial ability to pay a judgment of
$1,409 obtained against her by Henry Pur-
vogel for a livery bill. Franklin Bischoff,
the referee, was arrested Saturday and
locked up in Ludlcw Street jail in a suit
brought to recover money.
Up Go lVire Nails.
errsaunc, Feb. 4.—The Wire Nail
Manufacturers’ association has addressed
a circular letter to the jobbing trade giving
notice of another advance in prices of 15
cents per hundredweight. This will change
the base rate from $2.25 to $2.40 per hun—
dredweight, which is the highest price
asked for wire nails in many years.
A Hudson Bay Expedition. __ e'
OTTAWA, Feb. 4.——The government is
preparing to send an expedition to Hudson
bay next summer. The object is the es-
tablishment of customs' offices to prevent
American Whalers from smuggling goods
into the country, and also to complete the
investigation into the navigabilityof the
straits.
The St. Paul hIoved Again.
LONG .BRANCH, N. .T., Feb. 4.——-The
stranded American liner was hauled 28
feet along her sandy bed on an unusually
high tide today, but the wreckers could
get her :, no farther. Both wind and wave
were favorable for the attempt to float the
craft.
Shipwrecked Mariners Rescued.
Pour TOWNSBEND, Wash., Feb. 4.—The
ship Louis Walsh from Callao brought two
of the crew—Steward Chase and Cook
Mitchell—from the ship Parthia, which
was burned at sea several weeks ago 38
miles southwest of Juan Fernandez island.
\Villiams Arrested In Chicago.
CHICAGO, Feb. 4.—-George Williams,
said to be wanted in New York for manip-
ulating the accounts of Birdseye 85 Birds-
eye of that city was arrested here. Wil-
liams denies the charge.
to await the arrival of New York oflicers.
England Refers Italy’s Request to France.
LONDON, Feb. 4.—The Times today pub-
lishes a dispatch from gRome that Great
Britain has referred to France for her ap-
proval Italy’s request that passage for
her troops be allowed her through Zoila
on the Somalicoast.
. Martinez Campos In Spain.
MADRID, Feb. 4.—-General Martinez
Campos has arrived at Corunna from Cuba.
A dispatch from Havana says that the
members of the rebel government in Cuba
have taken refuge in the town of Sierra
Maestra.
A Prominent Physician Dead.
AMSTERDAM, N. Y., Feb. 4.-—Dr. James
M. Rose, enact the best known and most
prominent physicians in Otsego county, is
dead, aged 80 years. He was a graduate
of Fairfield Medical college.
Q .
i: Don’t miss Friday’s Gamma.-
o
Major Gonzales, commanding the Tala- .
my left five killed and retired with the‘
his brother at Sag Harbor.
bishop will'declare that the question is lo-'
He will be held ,
'3 B IBM! A SUIUIUU
The Intimate Friend of PresidentAr-
thur Takes His Life.
DUE TO BUSINESS TROUBLE.
Sketch of 'the Adventurous Career of a.
Lion “'ho "fielded. Great Political In-
' flucuce In New York City—He“
“’as Once a Sailor Boy.
NEW YORK, Feb. 4.-——-Ex-Police Com-
missioner Stephen B. French, who was for
several years the intimate friend of Ches-
tor A. Arthur, afterward president of the
United States, shot and instantly killed
himself today in his house at One Hun-
dred and Fortieth street and the Boule-
vard. He used a revolver, putting a bullet
through his heart.
Mrs. French found her husband’s bady
today. She had called him a few minutes
before, and after waiting for him a suffi-
cient time, as she thought, to dress she
Went up again. Opening the door she saw
him lying on the floor undressed, with
blood flowing from his breast. She ran out
and called Patrolman Charles F. Thomp-
son, who went for Dr. Franklin of the
Montefiore home across the street. When
the physician saw the wound, he said death
had been instantaneous.
From the little that could be learned on
first inquiry it was inferred that reverses
in connection with Wall street business
had made the (ex-commissioner despondent.
Mr. French was best known as an ac-
tive politician of the stalwart type, hav-
ing been an ally of Arthur and Conkling
in their contest with President Garfield.
He was born at Riverhead, N. Y., in 1829,
and went to sea at an early age, having
made a three years’ voyage before .the
mast while under 18 years of age. In 1849 -
he went to California with the first gold
hunters. He sailed in the ship Seneca,
taking six months for the voyage. He
then began an adventurous career, includ-
ing gold mining, keeping a hotel in San
Francisco, running a vessel to the Sand-
wich Islands, koepinga store at Marysviile
and making and losing several moderate
fortunes in the short period of five years.
In Politics.
In 1854 Mr. French returned to the east
and Went into the shipping business with
He soon after
went into politics as a Whig and was elect—
ed treasurer of Suffolk county, a position
which he held for seven years, being chosen
many times as delegate to the Republican
state conventions at a later date. In this
way he became, acquainted with the party
managers, and as a member of the Repub-
lican state central committee hedeveloped
a taste for political mannmment which
, brought him into contact n'At-h prominent
men in the party. He was defeated for
congress in 1874 in his district and in
1875 was defeated for county treasurer by
2.votes In February, 1876, he was ap—
pointed appraiser of the port of New York
by President Grant, and a short time aft-
erward tool: up his residence in this'city,
where he seen became'important in the
party.
He was: .. moved from the custom house
in 187 1 :. 21.. for a time devoted himself
solely to parxy politics. - He workedhard,
and when 1‘. over Cooper took ‘his‘seat in
the city hall 0:1 Jan. 1, 1879, strong pres-
sure was brought to hear on '-him‘ to g1ve
French a salaried office in the city govern-
ment. General Arthur used his influence,
and the result was French' s appointment
as police ccmmissmne‘r in May of that
year. He took the place of. Joel B. Er-
bardt, who'had been holding over for two
years. Within six months 'an eflort was
made to secure his removal on the ground
that he had, with his associates, been dere-
lict in appointing inspectors of eleCtion.
The cause of the trouble at that time was
the deadlock in 'which Tammany -Hall
and the Republicans were allied'to defeat
Mayor Cooper and the independents. '-
A Notable Investigation.
When Mayor Grace came into office, he
preferred charges against Mr. French on
the ground that he was responsible for the
filthy condition of the streets (that Work
then being in the province of the police de-
partmcnt), and the investigation was a
notable one, Mr. Frenchl :einrr represented
by Senator Conkling. George Bliss David
Dudley Field and others. it W? 5 general-
ly believed that Governor Cornell, who had.
been an Opponent of Mr. French, would
remove him, but he did not. and Mr.
French held office until 1889. when James
J. Martin was appointed to succeed'him.
Since that time he had not held public
office and devoted himself fora time to
his duties as leader of the old Fifth assem-
bly district.
Brooks Not to Succeed Spurgeon.
LONDON Feb. 4. —The report cabled here
that the Rev. John A. Brooks of Memphis
had been called to the pastorate of Spur~
gecn’s tabernacle is not correct. The sec-
retary of the tabernacle said: “I am ut-
terly at a loss to know whence the report
emanated. We- have not meditated any
change, and the Rev. Thomas Spurgeon
has no thought of leaving.”
NORWALK, CONN
o UR ‘Jdfi‘iUflR r SJLES’
Ended in a blaze cf glory...1argést., in the hiSDOI‘l-YZOf’our'
buSiness, ‘
gratifying and encouraging
We do not purpose resting 0n past laurels---we must
keep up the gOO'd work Our Mammoth Store will be
made greater. if possible, and We are determined that the
wants of our many patrons will be Carefully looked after.
EGGDS
“Our efi‘orts and aims in giving the public hou-
est and popular goods, at the very lowest prices,have
been thoroughly appreciated. and the result is indeed
¢
BEGINNING SATURDAY, FEBRUARY I,
WE OFFER THREE BIG BARGAINS IN
DRESS GOODS, ALL NEWLY PURCHASED.
One lot Fancy Mixtures, new Spring goods—makers needed money—we bought ear
sacrifice.
The regular price is 25c; per yard,
12:}0.
real. value from 38c to 50c; per yard, 25c.
”10 pieces. 50-inch Fine English Twills, warranted all pure Wool, extra fine count," a
bargain at 75c; Saturday we open the price at-50c.
IH
THE HONEST PLUMBER.
W. e. HOLMES.
7 Water Street,
IS PREPARED TO DO ALL MANNEB OF
PLUMBING WORK
Tin 3111811661 11011 110018131111 Worker.
LL were; AND MATERIALS «GUARAN-
TEED or BEST QUALITY, AND
PRICES FAIR AND VERY
REASONABLE.
1113*. c. nor-nuns,
'7 WATER STREET.
MEEKER COAL CO.
0011., 11001), BRICK,
’ LIME, CEMENT, IILE PIPE.
OFFICE W[THG as s..H HOLMES
MAIN STREET. NORWALK.
SIDN SIDH . for. Main an" ’ fall 3
Rev. Joseph Coofiearly Blind.
ROCHESTER, Feb. 4.-—Rev. Joseph Cook,
the famous Boston Congregationalist who
recently returned from Australia and J a-
pan, is at the sanitarium, Clifton Springs,
suffering from an acute form of nervous
prostration. He is nearly blind owing to
a weakness of the optic nerve. He will be
taken to his cottage at Lake George 1n the
spring.
Against Prison lIIade Goods.
' ALBANY, Feb. 4.—Senator Wilcox in
the senate and Assemblyman ‘Hobbie in
the assembly will tomorrow introduce five
bills prepared by the state prison commis-
sion embodying their recommendations to
the legislature and carrying out the provi-
sion of the revised constitutiOn relative to
the prohibition of the sale of prison made
goods.
0:: I Secret Mission.
NEW YORK, Feb. 4. -——On board the' Co-
lumbian line steamer Finance from Colon
Were General C. M. Sarria of the Colom-
bian army and Senor J. A. Arango, Jr.
Both kept very quiet and talked but little
to their fellow passengers. Their mission
is believed to be secret.
“lilorton. Bliss 81 Co.” to Be Continued.
NEW YORK, Feb. 4.——The firm of Mor-
ton, Bliss & Co. will not be afiected by
the death of Mr. George Bliss, as under
the articles of copartnership the firm name
will continue as heretofore until 1899.
Rome Savings Bank Not Opened.
ROME, N. Y., Feb. 4.-—By order of the
state banking department the Rome Sav-
ings bank was not opened today and will
not be until its'afl'airs have been examined
bySate Examiner Backus.
—Advertise in the GAZETTE.
50 pieces All-wool French Twills. in black and colors; also Fancy Plaids, every yard new,
great
OPENED.
Prof. . George Yoerger has
opened _, his Boxing school
for the winter. .
Private instructions at the
pupils home if desired. A I
Full course, 12 lessons,
$10.
Annnnss’
- Prof. George Yoerger.
Norwaik, Conn
Or apply at this office.
0. H. HARVEY’S
CITY
EMPLOYMENT
AGENCY.
Ladies and Gentlemen desiring first-
class help‘ 1n any capacity can obtain the
same immediately at the above agency;
also those wishing pcs1tions, either male
or female, can. secure emyloyment.
“710. H. HARVEY, Harvey’ 8 Shoe Store,
70 North Main street. South Norwalk.
STILL GOING ONIp
The] Gr
HAR‘
Q
at Bankrupt 8
OF G. H. HARVEY’S STOCK OF
BO TS SHOES 81 RUBB ‘ ' RS
><IO CLOSE OUI EVERYTHING IS BEING SOLD III PRICES NEVER HEARD 0F BEIORE>S< I
Come Early. Store Open until 9 o’clock Week Days, and 10 Saturdays.
'70 NORTH MAIN STREET
’8 SHOE
Norwalk Chronicler