Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-01-10
CHARGES MAY BE DROPPED
TWO Young MEN ACCUSED OF HIGH
WAY ROBBERY.
But Prosecuting Witness Later Asks
That Case Be Nelle PrOssed-De-
PENDANTS Give Bond.

The serious charge of highway robbery
was preferred against Guy c. Harris and
Ralph r. Harris, brothers, twenty-six and
twenty-eight years old, respectively, who
were arrested this morning by Precinct De-
tective Herndon and Bicycle Policeman
Plemmons of the first precinct and Police
man Quinlan of the sixth precinct. Frank
S. Butler is the complainant in the case.
He alleges that he was knocked down and
robbed of solitaire diamond stud valued
at $3.50, and a gold watch and chain with
an Elk charm attached, worth S125. The
affair was reported to have occurred early
this morning. and the Harris brothers were
arrested before Z o'clock. All the property
alleged to have been taken from Butter
was recovered from the home of Ralph r.
Harris No. 26 f street northwest In their
own behalf the young men who were ar
rested state that one of them loaned Butler
SO on his jewelry, and the latter was to
have redeemed it this morning.
They deny that they assaulted Butler, or
that they took his jewelry. A warrant al
leging the serious offense stated was issued
from tine Poiice Court today ana nearing IN
VIII probably be given the accused in the
Police Court tomorrow morning, unless, as
seems probable, the case is settled.
The Harris brothers are prosperous mer-
chants, having come here from Pennsyl-
Vania about five years ago. They are the
originators of what are known as Harris
sailed peanuts, and have the candy priyi-
lege at several of the local theaters. About
two months ago their mother was burned to
death al her home on Indiana avenue near
Sd street, while she was preparing dinner.
The young men have always borne a good
reputation, and their friends are confident
the affair is q mistake.
Buffers Statement of the Case.
Butler reported the case to the police
early this morning. Last night, he stated,
he met the two young men on D street near
the Fat Mems Club, and the three visited a
number of places together during the night.
Butler claimed that the ssault was COM
mitted at the site of the new building Of
the United States Electric Light Company.
He alleged that he was knocked down by
his companions and landed against pile of
building material. 1t was when he fell on
this material that he claims he was in
jured and robbed.
Policemen McDaniels and McQuade made
an investigation and then went out in citi-
Zens clothes to look for the men against
whom the complaint had been made. Guy
Harris had not returned to his room at 906
Pennsylvania avenue northwest, but the
officers obtained a photograph of him,
which was afterward identified by Butler as
one of the men who had been with him
during the night. Precinct Detective Hern-
don was sent for and he started out with
Policemen Plemmons and Quinlan.
Defendants Explain.
The officers found that Guy Harris had
gone home to spend the few remaining
hours of the night with his brother No
attempt had been made by them to conceal
anything, and soon as the young men
were told why they had been arrested they
surrendered the jewelry and told of hav-
ing made the loan of $40 on it.
Attorneys James l.. Pugh and Campbell
Darlington succeeded this afternoon in get
ting bail for the men. They were released
on security of 81 600 each for their appear
ance in court. A little later Mr.. Butler
asked the prosecuting attorney to nolle
pros the case. The attorney decided,
however, that he could not do so until he
had time to investigate the charges, but it
is probable that the action suggested will
be taken tomorrow.