Evening star., 1901-04-27
GYPSY MAIDS RELEASED
No INFORMATION OBTAINED TO con-
yICT OF KIDNAPPING.
The Mccormick Boys Disappearance
Remains n Mystery-Gir1s Re-
turn to Camp.

Hannah and Lizzie Michel, the gypsy
maidens who were arrested yesterday morn
Ing in the camp across the river ana
brought over here on the suspicion that
they knew something about the disappear
ance of William Mccormick, as published
In yesterdays Star, were released from
custody this morning. Their mother. who
Is known as the queen" of the tribe. was
at the house of detention when the girls
were released. and the meeting between her
and her daughters was an affectionate one.
Instead of returning to the business part
of the city to tell fortunes the maids were
taken directly to the camp. where they re-
ceived a hearty welcome, their approa ch
being signal for an outpourne Of the pop
ulatiOn of the queer-lOoking village.
Detective OConneii of New York arrived
here last night to follow up what be-
lieved to have been the most important clue
that had been obtained. The piece of pa
per mentioned as having been found by a
photographer the day the gypsy girl visited
his establishment and upon which appeared
the word ''GertrUde,' the name of sister
of the Mccormick boy. was turned over to
Inspector BOardman when it reached here
from New York. This piece of paper, it
was alleged, was in the boys pocket when
he disappeared. 1t was said the name was
written on the slip by the boys sister.
Photographer kemethy had read in a
New York paper about a slip of paper
having been in the boys pocket. and when
he found it on table in his gallery he
thought it might serve as clue to the so
luton of the mystery. Ii sent to the
Mccormick home at High Bridge, New
York. and, it is stated the child Gertrude
identified the signature she had written
upon it, and the New York detective had
her again write the name on the same
paper. 1t is stated that the last writing
does not resemble the name that was al
ready on the paper, although no hand
writing expert has passed upon it so far
as is known.
Inspector ROardman's Opinion.
Inspector Boardman rendered what as
sistance he could in the case, but he never
had very strong belief that the arrest of
the girls would develop anything Of i'm
pcrtance. Detective O'Connell arrived here
early last evening and remained in con-
sultation with local detectives and the girls
until about midnight. Policeman Berman
of the first precinct acted as Interpreter,
but no Information of value was obtained.
Early this morning the mother of the
girls, who was accompanied by a male
member of the tribe, called at police head
quarters. The former explained that her
husband was not a member Of the tribe,
saying she was compelled to leave him.
Her male friend. she stated, has two wives
and is the father of fifteen children. They
wanted no other peoples children, she
said. for they can hardly feed their own.
She became very much excited when she
discussed her troubles, and referred to the
vacrancy law prosecutions and the fines
amounting to $40 which she had paid.
And the next day they took my girls"
she added.
The mother stated that she came to this
country from Russia about six months ago.
When they reached Canada the party sepa-
rated because of the large number, and
the tribe that is now here started this way.
They remained at Portland, Me-, several
days and later they made their way to
Boston They also stopped at Reading.
Philadelphia and Baltimore, but were not
in New York. She concluded by saying
she would go in church and take a thou
sand Oaths that her girls are innocent
One thousand rooms, from 3 francs per
day aight and service fncluded), Is what
alone the Grand Hotel in Paris, the most
luxurious and best furnished of all similar
establishments. can offer its vast clientele.
Tariff sent free-AdVt