The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-01-09

A box Of dates stuffed with bits Of
English walnuts and arsenic was the
gle young Prescott Able. the hand
some sixteen-year-old son OF Mrs. Lillian
p. Able Of Rockville. Md. received a
few days since Despite the efforts OF
the family 70 keep the details OF the
diabolieal plot against the boys life
from the public, the particulars have
gradually become known.
Mrs Able aud her aged mother, Mrs.
Prescott make their home at the COch-
ran Hotel. In Rockville. Young Prescott
Able. an only son. and incidentally heir
To many thousands OF dollars from his
Grandfather Abbe's estate when he be-
comes twenty-one, resides with his
mother. Two weeks ago an express
package came for the boy. without
marks 70 Indicate the sender
Poison Is Found.
Why the grandmother should have
been suspicious OF the package and
opened Il before the young man arrived
home Is a family secret and would not
be divulged. This she did. however. and
noticing the rather ragged condition OF
one OF the stuffed dates which she found
on top tn the package. examined IL close
y. She foupd the top Of the date filled
Nith walnuts. Beneath was a fine white
powder.
Every date In the top layer was sim
Harry doctorsd Beneath this layer the
dates appeared 10 be OF the ordinary
kind-the powder being absent
She called the young man and directed
D. H.
Mannar- He examined the powder. pro-
pounced Il poison. and the States attor-
nCy was Immediately pOtihed snd began
work on the case. There was enough
arsenic in each date 10 kin six persons.
Believe They Have Clue.
Seen last evenin~ the boy's mother
and grandmother refused to talk con-
cerning the affair. except 10 admit the
truth OF the foregoing facts. Yes,
II Is true, too horribly true" said Mrs.
Able. we don't just know what to
do or say. Il is awful TO contemplate
what might have happened had
mother here not been at home and
had her suspicious aroused. OF course.
we believe We have some clue. but We
are not discussing this. the matter is
in the hands Of the States attorney,
and You had best see him"
Yong Able was also very reticent.
and beyond the statement that he was
glad he didn't get IL, would not discuss
The case. The family IS Possessed OF
bic means. Mrs. Prescott, his
grand. gOther. being quite wealthy.
His father, DIR. Edward II. Able. OF
Washington, was formerly a resident OF
Rockville. Some years ago he obtained
a divorce and has since remarked. II
IS generally understood that the boy
and his father are on good terms and
frequently see one another. An effort
was made by a Times reporter this
morning to see DR.. Able at his apart
ments at the Dupont, but he declined to
be interviewed.
States Attorney Talks.
States Attorney Robert Peter. was
seen at his home in Rockville last night
He stated that heretofore he had re-
fusei TO express himself TO anyone in
regard to the matter. in Difference 10
The ihmily's wishes. and had for this
reason laughingly pronounced the story
a hoax" when questioned. How
ever" said Mr. Peter. "the facts have
become known here. Just in what man
ner they became public / don't know,
but the story is true. Il is one of the
most nefariOus crimes which ] have
ever tried 10 fathOm. We hope 10 md
the perpetrator, but ! am not at liberty
10 say IN what manner we are working
toward this end or the information we
have TO work upon.
Mr. Peter admitted that he had pri-
vate detectives at work on the case
Those in charge OF the investigation
would not admit that any particplar
person or persons was suspected.
IL is understood that -he bOy has
number of relatives in New York or
in sections adjacent thereto.
The contents of the viii OF the older
DR.. Able are not generally known, nor
Is Il known OUTSIDE of 1he family. the
exaCt SUM- bsqueathed 20 young Pres
colt or what the disposition of this
legacy would be In case of the dealt.
of TIE heir. These questions are problem
atical and many different rumors are
afiOat
No Personal Enemies.
The boy has no personal enemies, how
ever. and II Is the consensus Of opinion
that the legacy is the real root OF the
kilair
II Is freely admitted that an analysis
Of the suspicious powder, made in Wash
ington. developed the fact that il was
pure arsenic. and had it not been for the
imperfect closing OF one OF the dates
its presence might not have been dsscov-
cred. The story first prevalent that the
box contained candy was incorrect
DEATH FOR BURGLARY.
CHICAGO. H.. Jan. s.-Death or i'm
prisonment for life as a punishment for
burglary was recommended by the State
legislative committee OF the city council
at its meeting