Evening star., 1901-12-21
CONDITION GROWS BETTER
MRS. DENNIS EVIDENTLY ON THE
ROAD TO RECOVERY.
Not Regarded as Out of Danger, How
ever-susgestion That Police
Offer Reward.

Mrs. Ada Gilbert Dennis, who has been
under treatment at Garfield Hospital since
she was so mysteriousiy assaulted at her
home. No 1117 X street northwest, a Pc
riod Of eleven days, was In better condition
this morning than she has been at any
time since the assault was committed. Last
night she failed to take the nourishment
offered her and the physicians were some
what alarmed. but this morning this diff
Guilty was overcome and the result was re-
garded as highly encouraging. Mrs. Den
mis- was able last night to recognize Dr.
Wade H. Atkinson, who has been her at
tending physician for several years.
While 1t is believed she is in much bet
ter state than she was several days ago. IL
Is nevertheless stated that she Is TAR from
being out of danger, and a change for the
worse may occur at any time. No effort
has been made in the past three days to
obtain from Mrs. Dennis statement bear
Ing on the tragedy, and until her MIND Is
fully restored to its normal condition no
further effort in this direction Is likely TO
be made. Mr.. z. B. Hay. who was Mrs.
Dennis legal adviser. has returned home
from a business trip to South Carolina he
states he never knew of anybody bearing
her i'll will and is unable to account for the
attempt made upon her life. Mr.. Hay was
at police headquarters today.
The police have not yet learned any
thing in the case which will assist them in
apprehending the assailant of Mrs. Dennis.
The overcoat found In the sewer at 18th
and N streets two days after the assault
was committed has not yet been identified
as having belonged to any person known
to the officers. Yesterday afternoon the
colored member of the sewer department
who found it called at headquarters and
claimed the garment. He was told by Capt.
Boardman that the coat would be held for
identification, possibly for several weeks.
Maj. Sylvester has not yet heard from
the Louisiana or Texas authorities con-
cerning the former life Of Samuel G. Pres
ley, who committed suicide in the house
adjoining that in which Mrs. Dennis was
assaulted, and about whom inquiry was
made.
Recommends a Reward.
The District Commissioners have received
a letter from citizen suggesting that Ma
jor Sylvester, the superintendent Of police
be authorized to offer a large reward for
Information leading to the arrest and con-
viction Of the assailant Of Mrs. Dennis
Continuing. the writer. who is a clerk tr
the Treasury Department, says:
Il write this not from any morbid inter.
est in the case, but because Of the fac
that ladies of my acquaintance are nervou.
and frightened on account OF the mys
terfous assaults and robberies Of recent oc
currence. As long as the available appro
priations hold out. money should not b.
spared in the investigation OF the Dennf:
case. It Is sad state Of affairs wher
neither man nor woman is safe at home IL
bed, either In family hotel or q private
residence.
''If the detectives have no In portant IN
formation additional to what has been pub
lished, the theory OF attempted robbery
should not be entirely eliminated from the
Dennis case. The police department Il
severely, but Tin my opinion) unjustly criti
cised. I suppose everything possible ha.
been done except the offering Of a reward
Some say that information In case Of thi.
kind should not be given to the press, but
I am not sure as to that. Newspaper re
porters have done excellent service in de
tecting crime, and they might aid in thi.
most mysterious case. Now is the time fol
Gaborian, Old Sleuth, Conan Doyle, Sher
lock Holmes. Foxy Quiller and Anna Kath
crime Green to come forward and do some
thing practical to solve an actual mystery
1t is time there should be something
DOING"