The Washington times. (Washington [D.C.]) 1901-1902, 1902-10-23
INQUEST ORDERED into
MURDER OF MRS. DENNIS
Another Effort to Be Made
to Discover Assailant.
MANY WITNESSES SUMMONED
Unfortunate Dressmaker's Death Due to
an Abscess on the Brain, Directly
Caused by Brutal Assault.

coroner hewitt 2unOuUCeu last HlSht
that a post norton examination OF the
remains of Mrs. Ada Gilbert Dennis, the
dressmaker who was assaulted by an
unknown person last December, and who
died early yesterday morning at Garfield
Hospital. showed that the unfortunate
woman's death was caused by an abscess
on the brain. The abscess, he stated,
was formed through particles OF the
skull penetrating the brain. due to tiie
severity OF the blow on the head dealt
Mrs. Dennis with piano stool.
The post morton examination was held
yesterday morning at the Sixth precinct
police station, to which the body was
taken from the hospital few hours AIT
was assisted in the examination by Dep
uty Coroner Glazebrook and DR.. Wade
Atkinson, the last named having attend
ed the dressmaker throughout the long
illness since the assault. At its con-
cluson Coroner hewitt issued an order
for an inquest at the Sixth precinct po-
lice station Friday morning at 10 o'clock
Still Seeking Clue.
1t is intended by the Coroner that the
inquest shall be as thorough as possible,
in order il possible to secure some new
clue to the perpetrator OF the crime.
Every person in any way connected with
the case. including relatives of the
murdered woman. boarders In her house
at the time OF the crime, and servants
will testify. Sergeants Hartigan and
Horne, of the Detective Bureau, who
have worked on the case since the as
sault was committed. were busy all day
yesterday sending out summonses. Owing
to the numerous witnesses who will be
examined. the inquest will probably be
continued on Saturday.
Mrs. Dunn, a sister of Mrs Dennis,
visited Garfield Hospital yesterday
shortly after the latters death. She no.
titled other relatives in Gettysburg, Pa,
and stated that no funeral arrange
ments would be made until they were
heard from.
The body of Mrs. Dennis is in the
morgue, and will be kept there until
after the jury for the inquest has viewed
it, when it will be removed to local
undertaking establishment and prepared
for burial. 1t is probable that the inter-
ment will be made at Gettysburg Pa
> Suffered Nearly Year.
Mrs. Dennis stay at the hospital was
one of pain and suffering, relieved only
by periods of Inconsistencies. In all
she was unconscious or semi conscious
306 days Her vitality was considered
little short Of remarkable by her ply
sicians. When first she was brought to
the hospital she weighed 100 or 1855
pounds. Just prior to her death her
weight was but eighty pounds. Upon
the side OF one of the wounds on her
head tumor was forming.
Died From Exhaustion.
Mrs. Dennis appetite up to her death
was good. Even Tuesday morning the
physicians noticed no particular change
in her condition. About o'clock Tues
day night, however, her pulse grew
weaker and she became unconscious At
2 o'clock yesterday morning the end was
seen to be near. Stimulapts were ad-
ministered, but to no avail and at
O'Clock she died. surrounded by the staff
OF physicians and nurses at Garfield
Hospital The end came peacefully
According to DR.. Reichelderfer, chief Of
surgeons at the hospital, death was due
to general exhaustion.
Early in the morning of December
10 Mrs. Dennis was found in her
chamber at her home. iii X Street
unconscious and almost I'M
recognizable from beating she had re-
ceived at the hands of an unknown as
sailant.
Revenge was believed to be the mo-
tive, for her pocketbook, containing a
large sum Of money. was found on her
bureau. and 81, 500 worth of diamonds
were undisturbed beneath her pillow.
Mrs. Dennis assailant had used piano
stool for weapon.
SHEPHERD MEMORIAL ADDRESS