Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-10-24
Inquiry Regarding Death of
Mrs. Ada Gilbert Dennis.
OPENING TESTIMONY
WITNESSES TELL WHAT THEY
KNOW OF THE CRIME.
Body of the Victim Buried This
Afternoon in Rock Creek
Cemetery.

Long before the hour set for the inquest
over the body of Mrs. Ada Gilbert Dennis
TO begin Lieut.. Moores police station was
the scene of a large gathering of people
who were anxious to hear the testimony in
the case Not since the inquest in the Ken
more Hotel tragedy had there been so
many people about the station attracted
there because OF hearing to determine, If
possible who had taken life. Friends of the
victim Of the K street tragedy were among
those on hand who were anxious to have
the police solve the mystery. Detectives
Horne and Hartigan. who had labored to
solve the problem, and who spent many
days and nights on the case, were on hand
early, looking after the witnesses. They
had summoned about twenty-five persons
to appear before the jury to tell what they
could about the circumstances surrounding
the death wounds. Lieut.. Moore made all
the arrangements he could which would
facilitate matters and add to the comfort
of those who were engaged in the investi-
CATION.
Coroner hewitt had arranged to begin the
hearing early in the morning. on account
of the large number of witnesses to be eX-
amined. II was his opinion that the in
quest could hardly be finished in one day,
and in making the arrangements he pro-
vided for a session of two days.
Some disappoin was occasiOned by
the report of the detectives that one i'm
portant witness In the case, Richard Cole,
would be unable to attend on account of
illness. He Is suffering from an attack of
fyphoid fever. and will not be able to leave
his home for several days at least.
Illness of Witness Cole.
Coroner hewitt visited police headquarters
about O'Clock this morning and consulted
the detectives about the case There was
suggestion made that the hearing be
postponed on account of Richard Coles Ill
ness. but 1t was finally decided to swear
the jury and hear most of the witnesses.
An adjournment will probably then be
taken until such time Cole will be able
10 appear. His testimony Is deemed i'm
portant. for the reason that he attended
10 Mrs. Dennis financial matters to some
extent, andfos the further reason that he
was acquainted with most of her callers,
including those who had patronized her.
Since the death of Mrs. Dennis, talk of
Samuel J. Presley's possible connection
with the case has been revived Thinking
an effort might be made to implicate Pres
ley, who committed suicide in the house adj
Joining that of Mrs Dennis. while the po-
lice were investigating the tragedy. Attor-
ney Scaggs notified brothers of the dead
man that the inquest would be held to-
day. Two of them residents of New Or
jeans, came here to attend 1t. Their at
forney was also present. District Attorney
Gould was in attendance and cross-exam-
ined the witnesses.
Soon after the members OF the jury were
sworn Undertaken Lowe removed the body
of Mrs. Dennis from the morgue to his
place of business, where it was prepared
for burial. At 2 o'clock this afternoon
funeral services over the body were con-
Quoted at St. Margaret's Church. The in
terment was at Rock Creek cemetery.
=. First Witness Sworn.
Miss Mary J. Doyle, who occupied a room
N Mrs. Dennis house. was the first witness
sworn. She now lives at 1875 street.
Where did you live in December last?'
the coroner asked.
AT iii X street" she responded Gin
Mrs Dennis house"
Miss Doyle last saw Mrs. Dennis before
the assault was committed about 5 O'Clock
the afternoon Of December 0, when she
was at the dinner table with her and the
latter's mother-in-law. Witness was awak-
ened about seven minutes after 4 o'clock
the morning Of December 10. when Mr..
Gross a roomer in the house returned
home. Mr.. Gross, she explained. Is a news
paper man and works at night Witness
got up and looked at the clock. She re-
turned to bed with the intention of
naming until the usual rising hour. Half
an hour afterward she heard noise in
the room OF the lower floor.
Miss Doyle said she believed that Mrs.
Dennis was grooming, and upon going to
the door OF the room of Smith Winchell.
she got him to accompany her to the hall
way on the lower floor. She went to the
door of Mrs. Dennis sleeping apartment
and called to her. Mrs Dennis answered.
'Oh. Mary and repeated witness name
several times.
Witness held the doorknob while Mr..
Winchell broke open the door When she
entered the room all was in darkness. Miss
Doyle addressed the occupant of the room
and the latter said: "Oh. my head"
When the gas lighted and witness
saw the blood she thought her friend had
had a hemorrhage. A physician sent
for without delay. Witness informed the
Jury Of the condition of affairs about the
room. and told of how the wounded woman
had been beaten.
Acquaintance Of Eighteen Years.
..How long had you known Mrs Dennis?"
District Attorney Gould asked.
Eighteen years she answered.
The witness repeated the story of the
theories AROIIT EOOD