The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-11-17

Hatred engendered by her common law
husband. was the explanation offered by
Edna p. Howard, a negro, for the murder +,
OF her eight-year-old daughter Mary near
Chesapeake Junction, on November
last.
The woman confessed TO the murder
which has been puzzling the authorities
for days. after two hours OF the third
degree" worked by Detectives Cox, Null
lin, Berman. Warren, and Evans at the
Central office last night
She was arrested yesterday afternoon
when she appeared at the morgue to
Identify her child. She told the detectives
she had sent the child 20 friends house
early in the morning and had not seen
her since. Detective Berman spent two
hours with her during the afternoon in a
vain EFFORT 20 locate the house where she
claimed 20 have left the child.
Gives Her Reasons.
/ She said she had cut the child's throat
with a razor because Raymond Carver,
with whom she lived. constantly abused
the girl and threatened 20 leave her IL
she did not get rid Of her.
I told Mary on the morning OF the
NINTH" she said. that we we're going
10 spend a day in Palmer's woods. She
thought she and I were going on a pic
mic, and was very glad. She kissed me
and told me I was awful good 20 her.
I'VE left home, 1871 Seaton street. a
/ little after o'clock, when the other
children had gone 20 school. Previously,
III had borrowed from Carver. razor
which he kept on his bureau. Mary
laughed all during the ride on the cars
but I didn't notice her much. had
planned 20 XIII her and felt Ike she
was dead already. When we reached
/ Chesapeake Junction. I picked up an old
| newspaper lying on bench.
Mary asked me what I was going 10
do with Il. but I didn't tell her. was
/ taking IL along 10 gather leaves in so I
/ could hide her body.
1--WE walked about half a mile along
the railroad track and climbed a wire
fence leading into PalmeTs woods. Mary
wanted 10 go farther on 10 place, she
said, where we could pick berries, but
/ told her I was tired.
when we got 20 a quiet part OF the
field. I drew the razor from under my
coat and held il in my right hand
Then put my left arm around her. She
didn't seem frightened. She ASKED me
what 7 was going 10 do.
Il didn't answer. but cut for her neck
with the razor. She only cried Once-that
was when II touched her skin. When
cut her the first time. she almost fell but
/ held her up and cut again. I suppose
the effort she made 20 knock my hand
away was what caused the cut on her
face.
She Is Not Sorry.
Tn not sorry did Il. Carver used TO
beat her and knock her around He was
after her all the time. I would rather
! have seen her dead than abused so.
. planned 70 kin her the night before
b took her IN the woods"
I The woman is now in the First precinct
awaiting reQu!sition papers. which vii
be procured by Sheriff Suit, Of Upper
. Marlboro. to-day. She will be tried n
Maryland Carver IS held IN the Sixth
J precinct as a witness. pending action by
, the Maryland authorities.
Since Friday the police have been seek
= ing the person who killed the child He
: body was found in a desolate part O
: Palmers woods with the head almos
severed from the body. Leaves. hastily
gathered. partially covered II.