Evening star., 1909-08-18


NO: my aunt did not know and no one
on earth knew up to this confession that
killed the man. 1 assaulted my aunt for
the purpose OF robbing her. Ny aunt al
/ ways kept considerable money hidden in
her house. and whenever she went, away
she always brought it to my home and
LETT 1t there. l knew this, and the day l
assaulted her l decoyed her from her
house.
Il sent word that relative was i'll at
my house and that she was wanted. was
sure that she would come and bring along
her money, because she always feared
| that her house would be robbed while she
! was away. l laid in wait for her, and
when she started across the field I as
saulted her. l wanted her money, that
was ALL"
You said the other day that It was not
robbery. Which is right?" he was ques-
toned
Robbery was the motive and nothing
else,' Harris replied with some agitation.
Will Ask for Special Grand Jury.
| When Harris had finished his state
ment to Capt. Pumphrey, the Montsom-
cry county officials were called into his
room to listen to what the prisoner had
| to say, stenographic account Of his
statement being made. The statement
was signed by Harris and turned over to
the Montgomery county officers. 1t was
| arranged that the panel should be cut
from the door OF the closet in Poole's s
ca bin today and sent to Baltimore for ex-
animation by the experts.
Upon his return to Rockville last night
States Attorney Waters said he would
ask that the grand jury be convened next
month for the investigation of the crimes
upon a speedy trial, not being willing to
wait until the regular term of the court
in November.
Residents of Travilah, Potomac and the
country about the Potomac river and the
Chesapeake and Ohio canal, where Poole
and Harris were we'll known, do not be-
lieve Harris told of the exact circum-
stances of the murder. Few if any of
them believe his story, and none seems
to believe he slept at his own home the
night of July 81. They are inclined to
believe he spent the night in the cabin
with Poole and that the murder was
committed long before morning.
Letter Hinted at Crime.
States Attorney Waters and Sheriff
Mullican left Rockville early this morn
ing and went to the Travilah section to
continue their investigation Of the mur-
der. 1t is their intention to interview
persons whose names were mentioned by
Harris during his talk in Baltimore yes
IefQay ana 10 get what OtHeF lHIOThlatlON
they can about the affair. While both
officers We're well satisfied with yester-
days developments in Baltimore, they
will leave no stone unturned In their ef-
forts to get at the bottom Of the affair.
One of the pieces of evidence regarded
as most damaging thus far obtained was
letter taken from Harris in Baltimore
yesterday. The letter was written by him
three or four days before the assault on
his aunt was committed and was ad
1ro Sod In friend whncn
name is withheld. In the letter Harris
limited at terrible crime having been
committed I'm the Travilah neighborhOod
and suggested that the county officers
and apprehending the guilty one that
they couldn't catch cold.
Surprise was expressed that the pris-
oner should have retained this letter. as
he had plenty of time to get rid of it.
Jefferson D. Harris, father of the prison
err did not know until he called at the
| house of Sheriff Mullican this morning
that his son had made confession. The
object of his visit to the sheriff was to
get a permit to see his son in Jail.
You don't mean to say he has admit
ted having killed him." said the prisoners
father who was greatly affected.
timore. Mr. Harris called on States At
torney Waters and asked that the case
be disposed OF as speedily as possible
Thomas Everhart. uncle of Ollie Harris.
was also In ROCKVILLE this nOrnlns
Mr.. Everhart. who is brother of Mrs
Harris, said his sister was improving
She has not been told OF the murder Of
Poole, nor does she even know her
nephew has been arrested. Her attend
ing physician has directed that no news
about the crime be told, her, fearing 1t
would result disastrously to the patient
Edward c. Peter has been retained to de-
fend Harris It is believed that change
Of venue will be asked when the case is
called for trial, as Harris will probabl
claim he cannot get Justice in Mont
gomery county. Should such a change
he granted. it is believed the trial will