Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-08-12
POSSE SCOURS WOODS
Sheriff in Pursuit of Mrs.
Harris AssaiIant.
BRUTAL CRIME COMMITTED
Woman Beaten With Iron Bar and
Skull Crushed.
HER CONDITION IS SERIOUS
Found in a Cornfield in an Uncon-
scious Condition by
Farm Hand.
BRUTAL CRIME COMMITTED
Err CONDITION IS SERIOUS
Special Dispaich 10 The star.

Special Dispatch TO The Star.
ROCKVILLE, Nd. August 12.-Sherif
Mullcan and Deputy Sheriff Small OF
Montgomery county are at the head of a
posse which is searching this afterIoo on
near Travilah, this county. for the as
sa liant OF Mrs Clara Harris, wife Of
Gwynn Harris, an engineer. who was
murderously assaulted in a cornfield near
her home about q o clock this morning.
Sheriff Mullican has asked the Wash
ington police TO try TO apprehend Ollie
harris. nephew Of Mrs. Harris, who, he
says, is accused OF having committed the
assault.
Mrs. Harris is said TO be in critical
condition and there are grave doubts as
to her recovery. She was struck several
times with an iron bar. twelve or fifteen
inches long, which was found covered
With blood near the scene of the attack.
Her skull was crushed and she was rem
dered unconscious. She was found in
this condition half an hour later by
Charles Connors, a farm hand. as he was
crossing the field on his way to work.
Extremely Serious Condition.
Mrs. Harris was carried to her home
and Dr. Charles II. Nourse of Darnes-
town, Md. summoned. Her injuries were
dressed. He pronounced her condition as
extremely serious. lie is inclined u
think there is d slight chance for her
recovery.
Later in the morning Mrs. Harris par
italy recovered consciousness, but was in
such a daZed condition that she was un-
able To throw any light on the occurrence
further than to state that she was struck
by "A man.
last night except Mrs. Harris and her
son John, about nineteen years of age
Her husband was absent with 4 thresa-
ing engine.
Mrs. Harris Was Alone.
Early this morning the son left to join
his father several miles away. Soon after
the son left Mrs Harris started across
the field to the home of her sister, Mrs
Jefferson Harris, about a quarter OF a
mile away. and when in the middle OF
the field. about 100 yards from her door,
she was attacked. Mrs. Harris husband
was notified at once of the brutal assault
aud returned home.
States Attorney Waters. Sheriff Multi
can and Deputy Sheriff Small about .
o'clock this morning were notified by tele-
phone and went to the scene of the crime
After an investigation they organized the
posse. Mrs. Harris is highly respected in
the community and her neighbors are
much wrought up over the brutal assault.
Local Police Notified.
Inspector Boardman this aft teraoon re-
ceived message from the MONTGOMERY
county authorities asking that the police
here assis in iocat ng Ollie Harris a
nephew of Mrs. Harris. who is suspected
of having committed the crime. Sheriff
Mullican sent the request and furnished
a description of the young man. He said
that Hairs is twenty-three years of age
about five feet seven inches tall and
weighs about 16o pounds. He has me-
dunn complexion, ligh> eyes. dark hair
and smooth face. II is said he disap-
peared this morning, wearing Il blue serge
suit, soft brown hat and Light shirt. The
sheriff said that While the charge upon