Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-25
WOMAN CUT TO DEATH
Brutal Christmas Eve Muir
der at Hillsdale.
VICTIM CLAIRVOYANT
BLooDHoUNDS PLACED ON THE
TRAIL OF MURDERER.
Three Neighbors Saw Man Run From
the House-Police Running
Down Clues.
VICTIM CLAIRV0YANT

Hillsdale was the scene of sensational
murder last night and the mystery sur
rounding the crime kept policemen and de-
tectives busy all night. The victim Of the
tragedy was Mrs. Catherine Jordan, color
ed. She was a clairvoyant and was famil-
iarly known as Kate.
A dirk knife was used, and with the sharp
blade wound was inflicted in the left side
of the woman's face. The weapon, which
had a bone handle, had probably never been
used before.
Several cuts about the womans body and
arm were inflicted besides the fatal injury
OF the face. This wound extended from in
front Of the left ear across and through the
jugular vein. Death was due to hemorrhage.
When the Anacostia police learned Of the
crime they lost no time starting an investi-
cation and sending word to Capt. Board
man Of the affair. The murder was COM
mitted about 7:3O o'clock, and an hour later
several detectives were working. with the
police Of Anacostia.
Bloodhounds on Trail.
Detective Trumbo's bloodhounds, Ray
and Mamie" were taken to Hillsdale and,
while it is true that the dogs were not sue
cessful, the detectives who watched their
movements were well satisfied with their
work. The animals were taken to the
house, but it was late before they were
given start, and then the snow interfered
with their movements.
Taking the scent of the murderer at the
house, the hounds went to the upper floor
and then returned. They followed the tracks
OF the Womans slayer far witnesses
had seen him go, and for this reason the Of
hcers knew they were on the right trail.
Leaving the house, they went through an
opening in the fence followed down How
ard avenue from the scene Of the murder
to Nichols avenue and to the Birney public
school. From the school they took path
across the tracks of the Shepherd branch
Of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad, and
followed the scent as far as the river.
There the dogs showed that they were
puzzled, and they gave up the pursuit.
Whether this was because the murderer
had crossed the river in boat or had man
aged to get in the snow where his scent
was no longer diScernible, the officers OH
the case were unable to tell.
1t was the general Impression last night
that the man had managed to get a, boat,
and had left the vicinity of Hillsdale and
Anacostia in this way.
Capt. Boardmans first inquiry was as to
whether a boat was missing. This could
not be learned last night. The officers were
instructed to make further inquiries along
this line this morning. Detectives Parham
and Flather worked on the case last night
with the owner Of the hounds. This morn
ing Detectives Muller and Baur were also
detailed on the case to follow up the ques-
tion Of the ownership of the weapon.
Mrs. Jordan Was a Widow.
Mrs. Jordan was widow about fifty
years old, and lived in Howard avenue be-
tween Nichols avenue and the river. A
young colored man, David Smith, occupied
a room in the house and had lived there
several years. He is employed as porter
in a HillSdale grocery store, and was at his
place of employment last night at the time
the crime was committed.
Mrs. Jordan had been in her room only
short time when the fatal assault was COM
mitted. She had been shopping and had
purchased a goose and some canned goods.
These purchases she had placed on table
and was probably getting ready to put them
away when the attack was made.
1t Is apparent that her slayer had been
secreted in closet under the stairway, for
a chair upon which some person had evil
IDENTIFY been sitting was found in there and
the door was open.
From a point near the closet door through
the hall to the front door were numerous
bloodstains. The police are certain that
the woman struggled through the hall with
her assailant, and it is believed that the
death wound was probably about the last
one inflicted
She screamed Murder about the time
the front door was reached and her cries
attracted the attention Of several women
who were in the street. Mrs. Patsy Bundy,
colored, who lives the second door from
the home Of the victim, was returning home
about the time Mrs. Jordan reached the
front Of her house, and, upon seeing blood
streaming from the dying woman, cried:
For Gods sake. don't come near me!
What's the matter?'
"I'm Cut to Death"
I'm cut to DEATH" Mrs. Jordan replied
Mrs Jordan staggered along the path
leading to the home Of Mrs Bundy and
foil ho bo1 bo
rested ON the brick sidewalk, while her head
fell on the porch. Dr. Scott was summoned
and Mrs. Bundy also went for DR. Giles
DR.. Scott who reached the woman first
pronounced her dead.
Barbara Bundy, Lizzie Scott and Annie
Bundy appeared upon the scene an instant
after Mrs. Bundy had addressed the dying
woman, and when they realized what mad
occurred they started to follow the MUIR
derer, who was hurrying away.
Don't follow that man." Mrs. Bundy
called to them. He'll cut you"
All the women could say about the mur-
derer was that he was of brown skin and
that he wore what had the appearance of
cigarette hat. Coroner hewitt visited the
scene of the murder and had the body re-
moved to the morgue, in order that
not be held until the police are able to pre-
sent something of interest to the jury.
Murdered Woman Well Known.
MIS- JORDAN was well known among the
residents of Anacostia and Hillsdale and
she also had large circle of acquaintances
in the CITY, She had been known as a for
tune teller for many years and had been
visited by hundreds of persons who wanted
to know something Of their future.
She had a life interest in the property
where she lived, The property is owned by
Mrs. Catherine Cephas Of 81 Forest street,
Baltimore, who is an aunt Of the murdered
woman. An uncle of Mrs. Jordan is Daniel
Murray, assistant librarian at the Congress
sional Library. Dorsey F. Seville, who mar
ried sister of Mrs. Jordan, was seen by
the detectives last night and he called at
police headquarters this morning TO discuss
the affair and to lend what assistance he
could to the detectives.
Seville as well as the police think robbery
was the motive that prompted the deed.
Mrs Jordan had bank account and was
thought to have had considerable money in
her house. She often had money about the