The Washington times., 1901-12-16
MRS. DENNIS SUFFERS
A SLIGHT RELAPSE,
HIGH FEVER CAUSES ALARM.
No Clue Yet Found to the Mystery Of
the 4.sault-PoIice StiII Work
ing ON Improbable
Theories.

Amid the bygone years we must
search for a motive TO explain the
murderous assault on Mrs. Ada Gil
bert Dennis. She has no known en-
envy. Her character seems above re-
proach. No recent quarrel. no dispute
or misunderstanding. of whatever ma
ture. comes to mar her record as a
woman-gene-ous. quiet unassuming
II would seem that the foe OF the for
gotten past had arisen to commit this
crime
Il have visited the scene of the as
sault. ] have called at Garfield Hos
pital ! lind only theory. vague and
uncertain. to advance as TO the motive
Of the attack. Unknown dealings with
unknown parties, or party, probably
years ago may have led to the mys-
terry. ry."-Assistant United States Dis
trict Attorney \. II Semmes. on the
Dennis assault case.
Mrs. Dcnnis' Condition.
As night came. after Sunday filed
with reports varied and confused. Dr.
Wade Il. Atkinson. attending family ply
stefan to Mrs. Dennis, gave out state
ment as to her condition:
Mrs. Dennis is not so we'll tonight
Her temperature has risen during the
day. At O'Clock this evening IL was
l02. Ii is an anfavorable symptom II
may be only temporary. however On
the whole, the setback is not to be taken
too seriously"
With the police aothing developed to
clear away the vel hiding the Identity
of the assailant. The same story was
told, that no arrest had been made or
was even expected. barring sudden de-
velopmeu;s. Half a dozen detectives
worked through the day. They sought out
everyone who might know Mrs Dennis,
her relatives, or friends. They showed
tho coat found in the sewer st Thirteenth
and Streets northwest several days
ago to hundred people. They followed
what may possibly be a clue in certain
letters now held by Headquarters men.
Last night nothing had come OF II all
Letters Mny Hold secret.
IN the letters held BY detectiyeu NAV
he the key to the lock which guards the
mystery. No inkling thus far has come
out whence came these letters or what
they contain 1t is known only that half
r dozen or more missives were produrad
and reac Ia secret at Headuuarters lata
saturday night The detectives then de-
parted taxing with them the letters. AS
20 then contents all is conjecture. IL
has been binted by somebody that Ne
Dennis might have written fhesc ietta,s
II has been said that they might have
Deeh written 10 her. II is certain. how
ever, mat whatever they may contain M
;iue TO the assailant OF the woman has
'eeh FOUND which promises early restllts
Yesterday at Garfield Hospital WAS q
Iuiet day, as other Sundays have bean
\ few friends OF Mrs. Dennis called IN
inquire for her. Her sister. Mrs. Dunn Of
u street northwest. was there for a
q" moments. Dr. Atkinson visited his
Datlcnl three times. With Drs. Reicheld
'rter ana Dr. Thompson he held short
ak about noon. II was agreed that Nrs
Dennis was holding hor own. Sbortiy
her temperature rose ~ 40.
srees. At l02 IL stopped rising. and late
ast night slight fall was noticed. This
last event gave fresh hope to physicians
md friends. II is stated positively. how
yer that Mrs. Dennis is not yet out OF
hanger.
Detectives Kept busy.
On constant watch at Garfield may .,e
'ound two detectives Thus four men
'ound out the twenty-fcur hours. In the
hight time. Detectives Helan and Nc
Nance are detailed az the hospital De-
eeiiNes Horno and Bartigan do duty from
morning until night They are ready a.
my and all times. should Mrs Dennis re
over consciousness. 50 that she can make
rational statement as TO the agseul,
lpon her. Not only this, however. The
detectives keep watch generally on every
me who makes enquiries about Mrs. Den
lis.
Some OF such visitors have cyen been
Questioned. il being thought that possibly
clue or plausible theory respecting The
motive for the crime or the Identity OF
he assaiiant might thus bo discovered
-ikowise. at times. these detectives are
allied from the hospital TO run down a
imposed clue which may develop else
ghere
Captain Boardman. at Headquarters.
aid to reporter last night: There
Gems TO be nothing at all new In this
ase. We hope Mrs. Dennis viii recover.
n the meantime. however. we are follow
ns out all mriner Of suggestions. As yet |
'c have lssrncs but littie."