The Washington times., 1902-01-14
MAY SOLVE THE MYSTERY.
Alleged to Have Said Assault Was
white Peoples Business.
DENIED HAVING SEEN WOMAN.
The Negress Alleges That Cole Told
Her He Knew Who Assaulted Mrs.
Man Into the House ON the Night
of the Crime, Who Was Masked.

In itself a startling climax to tht
Dennis assault mystery, came the arres
last night, on suspicion. of Richard Cole
negro porter, until few days ago en-
ployed at the residence of Mrs Ada Gii-
| bert Dennis. 1117 X Street.
Face to face with his would-be ac-
cusel young colored woman. who Cole
declares be has not seen for months. the
latter was the central figure In dra-
| matte scene enacted at Police Head
quarters on the eve of his arrest. Claudia
Lucas, colored, aged seventeen years. her
self a prisoner on a charge of petty lar
ceny, related to Captain Boardman and
the detectives a remarkable story which
had much TO do with tie detention OF
Cole
Negro Porter Under Arrest.
Since Mrs. Dennis made a statement on
Sunday, in which was found no clue to
her assailant, the detectives have turned
to other sources for information. Yester-
day a man visited Headquarters and talk
ed with Captain Boardman in his private
office. There was a stir after the inter-
Cole was taken to Headquarters from his
home, 20 Defrees Street there to meet
Claudia Lucas, whose statement made
earlier in the day resulted in searching
enquiry along entirely new lines.
On clue furnished by the stranger who
saw Captain Boardman, Detectives
Weldon, Lacy. and Hartigan hunted up
th., ~
covered, the police had searched on a
larceny- charge. 1t was represented. in
the first place, by Captain Boardman's
visitor that the colored girl had told
certain parties more than a month ago of
statements which she claims Richard Cole
made to her shortly after the assault
upon Mrs. Dennis.
On being found, Claudia Lucas was
taken to Headquarters, where she is said
to have acknowledged the authenticity of
the reports, which she says Cole cireu
lated. The girl was accordingly detained
and Cole was sent for, although he had
denied earlier in the day that he ever
spoke about the Dennis assault case to
the colored girl, as she alleges.
Faces His Accuser.
1t was about o'clock when Cole
reached Headquarters in charge of Detec
tives Weldon, Lacy. and Hartigan. Clau-
dia Lucas awaited his coming in Captain
Boardman's office. Being ushered into the
room, Cole removed his hat, took OFF his
overcoat with an easy air, and sat down.
Once or twice he looked at Claudia Lucas,
who, he afterward admitted. he met
some months ago, either at a dance or
party, or other social function. To the
detectives, previously, Cole had said that
he did not recall having met the girl. or
at most that he could not recollect any
acquaintance with her by her name alone.
Cole. being seated, was asked many
QUESTIONS, especially as to certain state
ments which the colored girl alleged he
had made to her. In every instance Cole
denied having said anything at all to
Claudia Lucas. He said he had not seen
the girl for months. When pressed, he
repeated his version of the incidents CT
the assault, In no wise deviating from his
former statements OF the mystery. Then
the girl repeated, in the presence of Cole,
her story, which. in substance, follJws:
Allegations Against Cole.
Some days after Mrs. Dennis was as-
saulted she met Cole on the street, not
far from the scene OF the crime. She
had met him before. at dances and the
like and she stopped to speak to him.
While they were talking the girl referred
TO the assault on Mrs. Dennis. To such
remark Cole replied lightly that the
crime did not amount to so much after
all. Then Cole stated that he knew who
assaulted Mrs. Dennis; that he had let
the man into the house on the night OF
the crime; that the man was masked, aud
that he should tell nothing about it, be-
cause the whole occurrence was white
peoples" business.
The recital of these alleged state
ments caused Cole to grow angry, ana
emphatic as we'll. He denied everything,
and, it is said. he shook his hand in the
face of Claudia Lucas.
AS he did SO he stood up. gazed about
the room, and then fastened his glance
on the colored girl.
This is the beginning of trouble for
you he said.
Locked Up for the Night.
There was a hurried consultation be-
tween Captain Boardman and his detec-
tives, and Cole was then sent to the Sixth
precinct station for the night. 1t is ad-
mitted by the detectives that nothing ap-
pears to connect him with the crime in any
way. The best that is claimed by the
police is that Cole may know something
more than has yet been brought to light
in this mysterious case. So far the negro
is held simply for the purpose of investi-
CATION.
Claudia Lucas was sent to the House OF
Detention. where she is held for a hearing
on a larceny charge. Mrs. Jennie Brown
is complainant against her.
Richard Cole was employed by Mrs
Dennis as porter and butler some time in