The Washington times., 1901-12-29
MRS. DENNIS IS
SINKING FAST.
Reward Of $1,000 Offered
for Her ASSailant.
DETECTIVES STILL IN THE DARK.
Since Friday Patient Has Grown
So Weak That Physicians Are
Not Now Confident of Ultimate
Receivers, Although They Pro-
phesy Nothing.

Acting through the Police Department,
the District Commissioners yesterday Of
fered reward of 81 900 for information
leading to the arrest of the assailant OF
Mrs. Ada Gilbert Dennis. She is now near
death at the Garfield Hospital, and no clue
has yet ben obtained to the perpetrator
of the assault upon her. Detectives watch
in the corridor of the hospital, hoping for
some lucid moment as her life seemingly
GIBBS away.
After conference last night with Cap
tain Boardman and the detectives, Major
Sylvester gave out the following state
ment, proclaiming the reward:
No Aid From Patient.
'"rhe Police Department had hopes OF
securing an intimation from Mrs. Dennis
as TO how and when she was assaulted.
but the patient has not ben able to aid
the authorities in any way.
Therefore, the Commissioners have au-
thorized the Department to give 81 goo for
the arrest, or information leading to the
arrest and conviction of the person or
persons who committed the murderous as.
sault. This is hardly a usual proceeding.
but the case is unusual Where an
escaped party is known, reward is of
fered when necessary.
Mny HIVE hearing on Case
This does not mean that the police
are not at work ON the mystery of the
assault. Reports are being awaited from
the far Southwest, which may. have a
bearing on the present case. Sometime
ago, similar affair occurred in that sec
tion Of the country, the details c, which
are yet unknown here II may De such
specifications will strengthen the theory
OF some OF the officials as to responsi-
bility in the present mystery"
The story told at Garfield Hospital last
night was that Mrs. Dennis was very
low, and her death may come at any
time. Yet 1t may be delayed forty-eight
hours, while there is always present the
hope that she may rally and ultimately
gain strength 1t cannot be said that
the physicians share the belief of the
most sanguine OF Mrs Denunis' friends.
They fear the worst.
Change for the Worse.
Yesterday Mrs. Dennis lost ground, as
she had seemingly gained it for ten days
before. She was very weak. The great
strain TO which she has been subjected
since the attack upon her began to bear
uiiappy fruit Friday night the relapse
started the patient on the downward
path. Since then she has grown weak,
restless, almost TO the point of death
II wag fairly startling to the police TO
note the change for the worse in the
condition OF Mrs. Dennis. Yesterday at
noon, when reports from the hospital
grew serious. Captain Boardman ordered
four Of the detectives to return 10 watch
at the bedside of the patient. Horne,
Hartigan. McNamee, and Helan. who have
worked on the mystery since the assault
were detailed at the hospital. Hclan and
McNamee slept there last night
Detectives sim on Hand.
It being the chief object of thee detec-
tives to obtain statement from Mrs
Dennis, throwing some light on the mys-
terious assault. their continued presence
at the hospital is necessary. II Mrs.
Dennis rallies or bccCmes conscious at
all. an eeffort will be made to learn from
her lips the truth about the mystery.
Otherwise, as matters now stand, the po-
lice will be wholly in the dark.
The detectives are beginning 10 thresh |
over old ground for clue which may
solve the mystery. Detective Evans~led |
off yesterday, asking the police to locate |
a strange woman, whose actions excited |
suspicion in the immediate neighborhood |
of the Dennis residence. IT is said this |
woman came to the city from Alexandria, |
and that she had boarded near the home |
Of Mrs. Dennis for several days, some
two weeks after the murderous assault |
was committed The detective secured |
last night which led him to
think the object OF his search may be |