Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-05-02
MURDER OR SUICIDE?
OFFICERS IN DOUBT REGARDING
TURNER'S DEATH.
No Further Action to Be Taken by
Local Authorities-Result Of
Inquest Yesterday.

No further action is to be taken by the
local authorities in the case of Lewis Tur-
ner of Southeast Washington, whose dead
body was found in the woods on the farm
Of Mr.. W. d. Pyles Saturday last. Derec
tive Hartigan's visit to the Prince Georges
county almhouse yesterday when the body
was exhumed for examination, concluded
the work of the local police unless some
thing should develop to show that Turner's
life was taken in this Jurisdiction. So far
as the matter of solving the mystery ie
concerned nothing was accomplished yes
terday, except the finding of the vest with
the cut through the right side over the point
in Turner's side, where DR.. Evans reported
he had found a stab wound.
The superintendent of the county aims
house was not on hand yesterday when the
county officials and the Washington officer
reached there. Sheriff Hardesty was alb
sent also and there was not q deputy on
hand to represent him. The grave had beer
county cemetery, and the old people, i'll
mates of the home, gathered about the
building, curious to know and see what was
to be done. These old people discussed the
case among themselves and occa sionally
one of them would give his views to thoseV
who were engaged in making the investiga-
ton. One of them. an elderly man, was
anxious to convince the authorities that
the crime of murder had been committed.
In support of his theory he cited a number
of cases of suicide committed in the county
and recalled that not one of them had gone
to so secluded a spot as that in which
Turner's body was found.
Doubt Expressed.
1t was agreed by those in charge of the
case that there was considerable doubt and
uncertainty surrounding it, as Health Of
ficer Griffith stated yesterday, and that
with the elimination of the stab wound the
case would have appeared more like one of
suicide than murder. The county health
officer said the case looked strongly like
one of murder to him, from what he had
been told. He had heard statements of De-
tecttve Hartigan and DR.. Evans before he
reached such conclusion
Mr.. Levin, the county prosecuting officer
is undecided about the case, although he
leans toward the theory that Turner took
his own life He conferred with Mrs. Tur-
ner, the widow, and had learned from her
of her husbands conduct during their short
married life She said he had treated her
we'll and there had never been an unpleas-
ant word between them. She was satisfied
something troubled him during the week
prior to the time he disappeared, although
he did not tell her SO. 1t is thought by
some of his friends that he was worried
about the young lady at Saxon, Iowa, to
whom Turner is said to have been mar
ried. Turner had been in the habit of re-
ceiving letters from a lady in Iowa fire.
quently up to the time he and Miss Lizzie
Fairall were married in Southeast Wash
ington. No letters came to him after the
marriage. so far as his relatives know
1t is contended by the local police that
because of this unknown trouble Turner
concluded he would end his life, and it was
for this purpose that he bought the re-
volver. On the other hand, it is stated,
Turner had told friends he was going to
Charles county to visit rela tives. They be-
lieve that while tramping over the road he
became involved in a row with somebody
and was stabbed to death, and that his
body was afterward dragged into the
woods. He may also have become despond-
ent 1t is argued, and gone into the woods
and ended his own life. There has been no
thorough search made of the paths leading
from the Silver Hill road to the spot where
the body was found for knife nor is it
likely that such a search is going to be
made
Relatives May Remove Remains.
1t is expected that the brothers of the
deceased will come here and get the body
for interment in Charles county. Mrs Tur-
ner visited police headquarters this morn
ing and talked with Capt. Boardman She
inquired about what was done yesterday
and said she had not heard from her hus-
bands relatives. Unless she hears from
them she will probably not remove her
husbands remains until fall