The Washington times., 1909-11-28
Poole Murdered
In a Lonely Hut

The crime for which Harris was placed
on trial was the murder Of John Henson
Poole, who was killed the night Of
July q in a lonely hut near Penny
fields lock. on the Chesapeake and Ohio
canal. a short distance north of Ira
vilah, where he lived alone. He was
struck on the head with Ratchet and
shot two or three times In the head
with a rife, after which his body was
wrapped In a blanket and hid in a
closet OF the house.
The crime was not discovered until
three weeks later, when the young
mans father. John W. Poole, becoming
alarmed at the failure Of his son 10
pay his regular visits 70 the home Of
his parents or 10 write them, Instituted
a search. After making inquiries at
Travilah and learning that his boy had
not been there for three weeks he went
10 his sons house. Upon entering the
little shanty he was startled and shock
ed at seeing bloodstains on the hoor
and furniture, and. following the trail
OF blood. he discovered the badly de-
composed body OF his son in the closet.
Arrested for Assault.
The morning OF the day Poole's body
was discovered Harris was arrested for
q murderous assault two days before
upon his aunt Mrs. Clara Harris. wife
OF Gwynn Earis, whom he attacked as
the two were crossing a field near their
homes at Traviiah together. Mrs. Har-
ris wac struck on the head with a piece
OF iron twelve or fifteen inches in length.
which was found covered with blood
near the scene or the attack. She was
struck several blows, her skull being
fractured and her scalp badly lacerated.
she was also shot IN the head with a
.A-caIiber revolver. She was found soon
afterward in an unconscious condition
and for several days her condition was
critical. but she fully recovered
After attacking his aunt Harris dis
appeared and for two DAYS ana nights
he was sought FOR fir and vide About
3 O'Clock the night following the assault
he walked Into his fathers home at
Travilah. almost in a sNge OF collapse
from fright, worry, and lack Of food.
He frankly told the members OF his
family that Il was he who attacked his
aunt, His only explanation was that
were crossing the field and that in his
frenzy he struck her with the piece OF
Iron and then shot her.
Harris Story.
Harris told the members Of his family
that after attakincg his aunt he started
in the direction OF Washington, intend
ing to board an electric car below Rock
Vile. but after travelling several miles.
discovered that he had left his money
at home. He went back 10 Travilah
and waited until night, when he ap-
preached his home. intending 20 change
ais clothing. get his money and 60 He
house he nOtiSed several men nearby.
and suepecting they were officers. he
went 20 the public school building at
Trayilah. gained entrance through a
window and hid in the attic. where he
remained until the following night,
when he went home. He told his people
that his first impulse after committing
the crime was 10 commit suiside bus
hat his heart failed him.
Harris arrest the following morning
was due TO member OF his family,
who had word sent 20 Sheriff Mullican
at Rockville that the youth was at
home Deputy Sheriff Hewitt and Spe-
e1al Deputy Moukden procured team
and hurried 20 the Harris home. They
found Harris secreted I'm closet. where
he had hid Immediately upon arising,
but ne came out when ordered, and
offered no resistance when Informed he
was under arrest. He accused his faith
or OF having informed on him, and the
latter's only reply was: ITS the best
thing for you, ollie; let the law take
It's course
Taken to Baltimore.
In view or the excited condition Of the
public mind II was deemed best 10 re-
move Harris to the jail at Baltimore
for safekeeping. and the day following
his arrest ne was conveyed there,
where ne remained until two weeks ago,
when he was brought back 10 Rockville
10 be IN readiness for trial
A day or two after his arrival IN Bal
timore he was taken into the Office or
Captain Of Detectives Humphrey and
put through severe "(sWeatlnK" He
al first denied all knowledge OF how
Poole met his death, but finally broke
down and confessed. The confession
was taken down by stenographer ana
signed by Harris and will probably be
used as evidence at the trial.