The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-04-27

The Detectives EndeaEOTinE to
Clear Away the Mystery in Regard
to the Slip of Paper in the Posses
sion of the GirIs-A New Clue
Hannah and Lizzie Michel, the gypsies
placed under arrest IN this city yesteT-
day. on suspicion Of having been iInpli-
Gated in the kidnapping Of Willie McCor-
mick, were released this morning Their
mother was happy when the girls were
restored to her and when the girls reach
ed their camp Just beyond the Long
Bridge a scene Of rejoicing ensued-
The local authorities were not inclined
10 attach much importance TO the finding
of the slip of paper. which It was supDos-
ed might be a connecting link in the kid
mapping case. but took the gypsies into
custody until an investigation Of the sup
posed clue could be made.
Thomas J. O'ConDell, the detective-seT-
geant from New York. who came here
70 attend the examination into the case,
it is said, is convinced that the gypsy
girls had nothing to do with the abduc-
ton Of young Mccormick
Regarding the geuuineness Of the slip
Of paper that directed suspicion toward
the gypsies, there IS a diversity Of opinion
even among those in charge OF the case.
Most OF them doubt whether the slip OF
paper was ever in the possession Of the
missing boy and call attention to many
striking differences in the handwriting
that appeared on the slip of paper found
here and that which has been furnished
as a sample direct from the pen Of Ger
trude Mccormick. VINO 1t was supposed
had written the name on the paper pick
ed up Ia the photograph gallery in this
city. The paper the gy2sies had is Of a
kind that IS in common use and might as
readily have been torn from pad IN this
city as in New York
On the other hard II is commended that
the coincidence OF the similarity Of the pa
per and some resemblance in the hand
writing is remarkable. The girls said they
found the slip Of paper in front Of the
horse bazaar, on Louisiana Avenue. be
tween Ninth and Tenth Streets northwest
Detective O'Counen has decided. TO re-
main in Washington a few days, in order
TO satisfy himself thoroughly concerning
the scrap OF paper. He and Detectives
Psrham and Weldon. Of the local force.
are deyCting their entire time to the So
luton Of the mystery. and hope TO be
able 10 announce some progress within a
short time Although the detectives be
lieve that the gypsy band across the river
are without knowledge regarding the miss
ing boy. they VIII be constantly watched
for the present Il the boy was with that
band the detectives assert that he would
have been secured yesterday morning. as
their raid upon the camp. IL company with
Ihe sheriff Of Alexandra county was at
such an early hour and SO unexpected.
that no time was given TO hide him or
get him oGt Of the way.
It Is understood that an effort viii be
made 70 search all Of the gypsy camps
IN the country, in the endeavor 10 fOCa te
the boy The father and mother Of the
gypsy girls called al Headquarters this
morning and We're questioned al some
length. Their answers were frank but
Ike those Of their children. shed but lit
tie light on the subject.
Early this morning the father Of the
girls employed F r KEYS. the attorney 10
apply for q writ Of habeas corpus The
authorities. however. foTestaIed Mr.. Keys
By releasing the girls without contest.