Evening star., 1901-12-11

seem TO think that the person VINO commit
ted the crime made an effort to raise the
seat Of the stool to stand upon it In order to
reach the fastening on the window. In so
doing. ii is suggested, the seat was raised
far enough to cause 1t to fall The window
Is an exceptionally high one and only very
tall person Is able to reach the fastening
when standing on the floor.
Searching for Clues.
Yesterday it was stated that the plant
had been knocked inside the window, but
members Of the police force who were upon
the scene early yesterday morning say that
such is not the case. Precinct Detective
Evans. who was among the early arrivals
at the house says the flower pot was
knocked outside showing it was probably
overturned by the assaiant when leaving
the house and not when entering. 1ester-
day afternoon after partial investigation
of the case had been made and the police
photographer had finished his work, the
double pariors of the house were turned
over to the care of Lieut.. Byrnes of the
second precinct, and he admitted only those
who had business there.
A thorough search of the room was made
for evidence which would tend to fasten
the crime upon some particular Individual,
but none was found. Secreted in the wood
work of the big folding bed on which Mrs.
Dennis was so horribly beaten Precinct
Detective Evans found chamois bag in
which Mrs. Dennis kept her diamonds In
the bag he found diamond brooch. dia-
mond stickpin and pair of diamond ear
cash.
Suspicious Incidents.
Only two nights ago the back gate on
the premises at the home of Mrs. Dennis
was found open. which was something un-
usual. as was the finding of the front door
open Monday night by the coiored man,
Richard Cole. 1t is the opinion of some of
the victims friends that her assailant had
been there and opened~the gate early in
the evening, intending to call later ana
commit murder. '-'c
The finding of the back gate open. it is
believed, indicates that the criminal In
tended or expected to effect aneentrance
from the rear, and only postponed the visit
because of being alarmed. In looking about
for a motive the police have been told
that Mrs Dennis. who is fairly we'll TO do,
had made a will and her manner of dis
posing of her property had caused dlsap-
when her nephew. Mr.. William H Johns
of Gettysburg. Pa was notified by wire
of his aunt's condition some dlssattsfac-
tion was shown Mr.. Johns is a carpenter
and builder and had charge Of his aunt's
business affairs in Pennsylvania, where her
parents lived at the time of her birth.
Recently he sold some property at Get
tysburg for her. In all probability he will
take charge of her affairs here, as he is the
nearest male relative here. Because of
what his aunt said when he called upon her
at the hospital this morning he is under the
impression that female inflicted the in
juries.
Her Sister Calls.
At the X street house today there was
the same crowd of curious people gathered
on the sidewalk as there was yesterday and
last night. Lieut.. Byrpes had a policeman
stationed at the door and only occupants
of the house and those who had business
there were admitted The ladies In the en-
ploy of Mrs. Dennis were on hand this morn
ing usual and the police permitted them
Of Il
without Interruption. The work room Is on
the second floor front. Precinct Detective
Evans interviewed the young ladies, but, it
is stated. he succeeded in ascertaining moth
Ing material to the case. This morning,
shortly after Mr. Johns visit to the hospital.
Mrs Kate Dunn, sister of the patient.
who lives at 112 street northwest, called
and was anxious to see her sister.
The doctors told her of her sisters condi-
tion. but informed her that one would
be permitted to disturb the patient Abso-
lutte rest. she was told is necessary. and
she went away without being admitted to
the sick room Mrs. Dunn. in conversation
with Star reporter said that she has
number of relatives In Pennsylvania and
Maryland. Her brothers, she stated, live
out west. but just where she could not tell,
as she had not seen some of them for forty
years One sister lives near Hagerstown.
Her Experiences.
Mrs. Dennis, 1t appears, has had one or
more exciting experience with intruders,
but not since she moved to the X street
house. On one occasion 1t is stated a
man came to her rooms late at night and
when she heard him at the door she went
TO see what he wanted, carrying her pistol
in her hand. When the man saw the wea-
pom pointed toward him his plea was that
he wanted bread. After being convinced
that the woman meant business with her
weapon he departed Another time 1t is
said. she found a man attempting to enter
a secOnd-story window of her home by
means of a ladder, and he too was fright
ened off with weapon. For many years
Mrs. Dennis had kept her revolver be-
meath her pillow and she abandoned the
practice only a short time ago, because
the weapon had frightened the chamber
maid.
EXami ming n Hatehet.
Detective McNamee relieved Detectives
Horne and Hartigan at the hospital TODAY.
Major Sylvester will keep an officer on
duty there to take Mrs Dennis statement
In the event of her recovering her strength
enough TO be able to tell the story of her
experience 1t Is thought that she will
tell what she knows when she is fully
conscious and is strong enough to stand
the strain Several persons called during
the day and wanted TO see the patient but
were refused admittance to her ROOM
A small, oid-faShioned hatchet one which
has probably been in the ia mily for many
years. was found today by Detectives Wee
don and Browne. They found it in a closet
mother-in-law of the wounded woman
which is on the second floor in the rear
part OF the building There were indica-
tlons OF rust and other stains on the iron
as We'll as on the wooden handle The
detectives turned the hatchet over to Capt
Boardman. who submitted it to Prof Hird,
the chemist in the health department
No Blood Stains Found.
Inc professor made close examination
Tor blood stains. but failed to find any
He did find paint stains on the handle and
on the blade
MI Flemming, said to be former Ken
tucklan. Is expected here from Chicago
late thls afternoon and the police hope to
obtain from him some information con-
cerning Mrs Dennis and her friends
Mr Flemming, il is stated, had been in
the habit Of stopping at the X street house
whlle In the city, as had his son. Yester-
day morning. shortly after the woman was
discovered TO have been assaulted. a tele-
gram was sent to Mr. Fien1ming and he
wired IN response that he would leave Chi
caso late In the afternoon and would ar