The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-03-23
INQUEST HELD
INTO MURDER CASE
AT CAMP SPRINGS
Remains of Piano Tuner
Found in Woods by
Two Boys.

With interest IN that section at fever
heat. a eoroner's jury at Camp Springs,
Md, began this afternoon to investigate
the cause Of the death of Charles Need
ham, travelling piano timer, whose
decomposed body was fouId yesterday
IA Roberts woods. above Camp Springs,
by two negro boys. A number Of resi-
dents OF Prince George county looked
at the remains this morning and said
they were Enthusiastically those of Need
ham, at the same time expressing the
conviction that the man had been muir
dered. Needham worked short time
in Washington before going to Prince
George county.
The preliminary investigation Of Mag
istrate Edison FOLSOM, acting coroner.
indicates that the presumed murder wall
be a mystery most difficult Of unravel-
ing.
Struck From Behind.
Needham skull Is crushed at the
base as though he had been struck
from behind. Through his neck Is a
hole presumably made by a bullet.
When found his coat was twisted and
pulled over his shoulders. as though he
had been dragged some distance in
the WOODS.
The clues 20 the perpetrators of the
deed or the manner in which IL was
accomplished are remote. About De
Cember Is Needlam went to Prince
George county to play for James b.
/ BlanfoTd, q contractor, living near
SurraIt. on December e he said ne
would return 70 Washington for a
short time, but would report for MY
again in three days.
Several days later a negro driver for
Buck Middleton, farmer, passed a
road near where the body was found
yesterday and saw hat. mask OF
whisky, a pair Of gloves, and a Dag OF
tobacco lying by the roadside he
thought nothing Of the matter at the
time Wagon tracks we're also seen
leading of into the wOoGs.
Saw Strangers in Woods.
About the only other tenable clue is.
one furnished by Roy SOper, a young
farmer. who saw two strange men tslk-
ing I'm the Roberts woods two weeks
sfter Christmas. One OF them was
about nifty years OF age, and DoJh
seemed IN very earnest conversation
The talk occurred near where Need
hams body was discovered. SopeF ~
be one OF the most important witness =
az the inquest begun this afternoon
The last time Needham was seen our
ing the early part or the Christmas nor
idays. when he played piano AZ NLl4-
he nut an old plano together, q Ieal
which occasiOned much comment ABOUT
the c0unfrvside Il is recalled that ne
was then dressed in q blue coat, sweat
CT. striped trousers, and blue vest
There can be no doubt that the de5d
man is Needham. however as Lae Douy
was this morning Identified by MI ban
ford and others who knew the man.
Found by COIafed Boys.
-rbn bc5e yyas found ny Charles and
wallard Sims, two small COlOred boys.
who were hunting bird nests through
the woods at the time. II was taken 20
the farm Of Charles Piper. where the
Inguest is being held today. It is feared
that Ir will be impossible 20 qenntely
determine the wounds causing the
mans death on account OF the cohdltlOl
Of the body. which has lain in the WOODS
Tor over two months. The SPOT upon
which il was discovered is lonely
rIaca a mile above Camp Springs. on
what is known as the T. B. roadway
Needham is said 10 have told some OF
his friends in Prince George county tnat
ne had relatives in Lowell, Mass. Otner
than this nothing is known OF the man.
Efforts are being made BY the county
authorities to get in communication
with Needhams relatives A paper
found in Needhams pocket indicated
that he had worked for Philip SNYDER,
OF SIG r street southeast before going
10 Prince George county. He Is also
remembered as having been employed IN
several Washington resorts, where MS
playing attracted attention.
Camp Springs Is thronged this after
noon with scores OF curious people who
have come miles 10 see the remains OF
the murdered man, as the affair has
awakened unusual interest. The inquest
began at o clock. p. B. Middleton being