Evening star., 1901-12-19
Physicians Make Statement Regard
ing Mrs. Dennis Condition.
NO QUESTIONING PERMITTED TODAY Y
Detectives Actively interested in
the Investigation,
BUT HAVE NO CLU E 8

Mrs. Ada Gilbert Dennis. who was muir
derously assaulted by some one unknown
over week ago, and whose condition has
been exceedingly critical ever since was
believed TO be somewhat better this morn
ing. The attending physicians were great
ly surprised when they visited the hos
pitai and noted the change for the better.
Yesterday morning her condition was so
serious that her death was expected before
many hours A saline solution was admin
istered yesterday. stated in The Star,
and the patient was restored to conscious
ness, but it was feared the effect would not
be lasting. The result, however, proves to
be slightly encouraging.
Mrs. Dennis spent fairly good night,
suffering hut little pain. and this morning
her pulse was rather strong. Her tempera-
ture was nearly normal and she had taken
nourishment during the night While there
is apparently a change in the patients con-
dition for the better the doctors hold out
no hope of recovery. They have deter
mined that the patient shall be kept per-
fectly quiet. Her mind is little clearer
than it was yesterday, and with absolute
rest and quiet, it is hoped a further i'm
provement may follow Mrs. Dennis must
volunteer 4 statement concerning the as
sault committed upon her if any is made.
as the doctors will not permit her to be
questioned. Visitors are not permitted to
see her, although her sister was allowed
to enter the room yesterday and remain
only a minute.
But very few friends cali at the hospital.
as they know they cannot see the injured
woman. They rely upon the telephone to
get their information, and one man Is kept
busy answering the calls.
Effort to Get Ante-MOrtem Statement.
Mr.. Alexander II. Semmes, assistant dis
trict attorney made two trips to the hos
pital after 3 o'clock yesterday afternoon
and spent more than two hours there, en-
deavoring to obtain an ante-mortem state
ment from Mrs. Dennis. When he reached
the hospital. Mr.. Semmes was told that
she was in about as good condition to talk
as she would ever be. Accompanied by
three detectives who were duty he went
to the room occupied by her and made an
effort to gain from her something which
would bear on the tragedy. At one time
ne feIt that success would crown his ef
forts. but soon afterward the sick woman
made contradictory statements. After re-
naming with her fully an hour he went
away and returned about Z O'Clock On
the occasion of his second visit he found
the patient apparently suffering consider
able pain Her answers, said Mr.. Semmes,
after the close of the interview, were SINH
lar to what might be expected from an
Intoxicated person. She contradicted her.
self a number of times when responding to
questions 1t is explained that her brain
Was not very active, requiring considerable
effort in responding to questions.
Several times Mrs. Dennis answers indi-
Gated that she had not remembered the pur-
port of the questions. Mr.. Semmes said
his two visits had been productive of moth
ing which would render assistance to the
officers. His experience in the sick room
last night, he said, was an unpleasant one
and Judging from the wounds as he saw
them. he thought the weman's recovery
would be marvellous. In his opinion, he
said. the blow which fractured the thick
part of the skull over the right eye must
have been delivered with great force.
Regarding the Weapon.
Major Sylvester and Captain Boardman
are still of the opinion that the seat of
the piano stool was the weapon used In
the case. 1t is discovered that there is
more blood on it than was at first sup
posed The seat. it is argued. acted as a
shield and prevented the squirting Of the
blood toward the person who welded It,
Yesterday 1t was found by the police off,
cialS that the seat weighs six and one-half
pounds Nothing else in the shape of a
weapon has been found.
Nothing has yet developed in connection
with the Overcoat found in the catch-basn
at the northeast corner of 18th and n
streets. three days after the murderous as
sault was committed. Many persons whose
coats had been stolen have called at head
quarters and looked at the garment, which
mas not Yet been claimed. While no for
maj offer of a reward has been made in
the case by the police Major Sylvester
says ne will pay literally for any informa-
tion which will be of assistance in solving