The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-04-27
THBGYPST GIRLS RELEASED
No Evidence to Connect Them With
the Mccormick Kidnapping.

The Detectives EndeavOrins to
Clear Away the Mystery in Regard
to the slip of Paper in the Posses
sion of the GfrIs-A New Clue
Hannah and Lizzie Michel. the gypsies
placed under arrest IN this city yester-
day, on suspicion Of having been lmpll-
Gated in the kidnapping Of Willie McCoT-
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
to attach much importance to the finding
of the slip of paper, which it was supPos-
ed might be connecting link in the kid
mapping case, but took the gyDsies into
custody until an investigation Of the sup
posed clue could be made
Thomas J O'ConneH, the detective-ser-
geant from New York, who came here
10 attend the examination into the case.
1t is said, IS convinced that the gypsy
girls had nothing TO do with the abduC-
ton Of young Mccormick
Regarding the genuineness 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, who il was supposed
had written the name on the paper pick
ed up in the photograph gallery in this
city The paper the gypsies had is Of q
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 hand It is contended 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'ConneH has decided. 10 re-
main in Washington q few days, in order
10 satisfy himself thoroughly concerning
the scrap Of paper. He and Detectives
Parham and Weldon Of the local force,
are devoting their entire time to the So
luton Of the mystery, and nope 10 be
able 10 announce some progress within a
short time Although the detectives be
ueve that the gypsy band across the river
are without knowledge regarding the miss
ing boy. they VIII be constantly watched
for the present II the boy was with that
band the detectives assert that ne would
have been secured yesterday morning az
their raid upon the camp. Ia company with
the sheriff Of Alexandria county. was al
such an early hour and SO unexpected
that no tine was given TO hide him OF
get him ont of the way
It is understood that an effort viii be
made to search all Of the gypsy camps
FL the country. in the eudeavor 70 locate
the boy The father and mother OF the
gypsy girls called al Headquarters this
morning, and were questioned al some
length. Their answers were frank but
like 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. Il
apply for q writ Of habeas corpus. The
authorities. however. forestaIled M Key:
by releasing the girls without a contest