Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-31
DREW INQUEST FARCE
District Attorney Spares Wit
nesses Embarrassment.
READY TO DROP MYSTERY
Important Testimony Not Called for
and Coroner Silent.
CASE HANDLED WITH GLOVES
Carrie Weaver, Chum of Dead Girl,
Still Absent and Presence
Not Exacted.
READY TO DROP MYSTERY
CASE HANDLED WITH GLOVES

TROY. y. Y, July 31--Coroner NJ. III.
Strope today made public his findings as
the result of the inquest into the death
of Hazel L. Drew. whose body was found
in Teal pond July II.
The finding is that the death was
caused by ''extravasation of blood in the
dura mater. caused by a blow on the
head from some blunt instrument in some
manner unknown
The chief of the detective bureau says
there are yet clues that have not been
fully followed out. and he is still hopeful
of results. A change in methods will be
inaugurated from now on and results are
promised
What is nov regarded as the most
promising clue is the runabout. containing
two strange men, which was seen on the
Talborton road at Teal pond on the night
of July Z. when Hazel Drew was supposed
to have gone to a violent death.
Ready to Abandon Case.
At the conclusion of the coroner's in
quest here yesterday-a proceeding that
was nothing more than rank travesty-
District Attorney % Brien complacently
announced that he had run down all the
he did not know where to turn for new
evidence.
His Office will now draw a veil over the
tragedy. and unless by some magic
chance the murderer delivers himself up.
allow 1t to remain forever a mystery.
So, with the great and powerful ma
chnery of his Office at his command. the
district attorney will cease his effort to
find the perpetratOr of one of the most re-
markable murders ever committed In this
state.
The closing of the inquest. which had
its dull and istless start last Monday, was
more in the nature of a polite parlor
assemblage than a vigorous, serious at
tempt to throw light upon the murder.
Coroner Strope asked not one question
o. any of the witnesses. He left it all to
the district attorney who took on a Cnes-
terfeldian air that plainly set at ease all
tfcularIy careful was the district attorney
to avoid any searching questions that
might draw from any of his witnesses a
shadow Of an idea touching upon the vital
problem Of who killed Hazel Drew.
"Aunt Minnie" Tells Nothing.
A glaring illustration of this was his
handling of Miss Minnie Taylor, the Sc
cretive spinster aunt of the slain girl.
Miss Taylor had never told the district
attorney the secrets she holds of Hazels
life. which revealed would without doubt
do much toward pointing the way of the
murderer.
Aunt Minnie" called to the stand.
smiled and admitted that she and Hazel
Drew had gone around together as she
put it. The district attorney got to the
point of disclosing something as to those
trips and suddenly dropped that line of
questioning.
Not one circumstance, not solitary
name did the district attorney ask for
that might help clear up the identity of
the murderer.
Mrs. John Drew. Hazel's mother, told
the coroner that Hazel spoke to her July
= OF Willie Drew. her youngest brother
being at the farm of Mrs. Libbie Sowal-
sky. on lonely Bears Head road. Here
was something new. The boy had told
a newspaper man that he expected Hazel
to visit him about July 7. the night of the
murder. But before Mrs. Drew spoke
ster's assertion that Hazel actually knew
he was at the isolated farm.
Since the Drew boy made his revelation
the supposition has gained ground that
home and. intercepted. was taken to
Teafs Pond and murdered by some one
who had. probably. attempted an attack
upon her.
erence to her brother. whom she idolized,
there was stir in the courthouse room
where the inquest was going on. Every
one expected that the district attorney
~oulu quickly follow the point I'D and at
least ask Mrs. Drew If Hazel had signifed
her intention of calling on her brother
Instead. Mr.. OBrien dropped it right
there and allowed Mrs Drew to leave the
stand. She hastily made her escape.
Important Witnesses Not Called.
1t was expected that Tom Sowalsky, the
haif-minded son OF Mrs Sowalsky, would
be called to thoroughly account for his
movements the night of the murder, but
neither he nor his mother was subpoenaed
70 attend the amazing inquest.
Mr.. O'Brien spared all of Hazel Drew's
relatives in his velvet darted questions.
He asked II they could account for the
murder and was content when all solemn
ly replied that they could not. His ques-
tions had no bearing upon the girls past
life, they were merely perfunctory and
SKINNED lightly over the facts already
brought out.
Carrie Weaver Hazers confidant. was
not at the inquest. According to in
formation obtained last night she is still
Oh her vacation at Springfield, Ohio, and
II appears that no consistent effort was
made to have her appear before the cor
oner.
When the inquest was over the silent
Coroner Strope edged his way through
the crowd. He was intercepted and asked
what verdict he would render. The cor
oner safely replied: Tn have to think
it over and give a verdict tomorrow.
In the city last night the utmost indig-
nation Is expressed over the farcical wind
UP OF the investigation.