Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-08-17
COILS DRAWN TIGHTER
CirCumStantiaI Evidence In
creases in Poole Case.
is THERE ANOTHER MAN?
Chance Remark by Travilah Suspect
Followed as Clue.
HARRIS AUNT IS IMPROVING
Has Not Said Directly Who Was
Responsible for Assault on
Her in Cornfield.
HARRIS AUNT IS IMPROVING

opinion of some of the persons interested
in the investigation that is being conducted
the recent doings of Ollie ii
Harris, confessed assailant of his aunt, Mrs
Clara Harris, and suspected of the muir
der of John Henson Poole. his third cousin
that too much talking has been done
Sheriff Mullican and Deputy Sheriff Hew-
lit, however, are satisfied that the testi
mony being gathered will place Harris ir
position from which he will find it a diff
fcult matter to eXtricate himself. Harris
statement that another devil will be
found in Travilah' attracts no particular
attention here. although the county Off
GERS will do their best to determine il
more than one man in this section had q
hand in the murder.
Scores of teams passed through here
yesterday afternoon with persons who
went TO the lonely cottage on the hillside
above the lock, in charge of Charles Pen
nifield, where 1t had been arranged to re-
open the inquest and have the jurors take
additional testimony, and those who wen,
there were disappointed. although their
curiosity was gratified at the sight of ar
undertaken from Poolesville placing the
body in a casket and removing it from the
cabin. He took the body to his establish
ment TO De kept overnight, arrangements
having been made to have 1t inferred in
the cemetery at Bellsville today
The Fathers Statement.
One of the most deeply interested spec
tators at the cabin yesterday was John
Poole. father of the murdered man. IT
was the father, who was accompanied by
Charles Pennifield, who discovered the
body of his son, and all yesterday aft
ernoon friends learned from him the story
of the finding. the father occasionally
giving vent to his grief.
II could hardly believe the reports
that Ollie Harris, MY boys third cousin
could have killed him." said Mr.. Poole.
Mr.. Poole recounted to a Star reporter
the circumstances leading up to the find
ing of the body and told something OF
the past life of his son.
He has always been a good boy. the
father stated. so far as | know he
was not addicted to the use of whisky,
tobacco in any form, nor was he pro-
fame Always industrious, he saved his
money and tried to put ii to a good use
He was in the habit of carrying between
$50 and $50 i'm his pockets and | haC
frequently warned him that some day
he might be assaulted or murdered and
robbed. but he was a splendid specimen
of manhood and thought he was able tt
tak- care of himself.
Il am certain he was attacked while
he was asleep or his assailant would
hardly have worsted him. One of my
children said she thought Henson had
about 1.30e or S1.4u0 in bank iI
Washington. but where his bank book i:
| do not know. nor can ] recall the
name of the bank in which he had his
money. but do know he had bank
account
Mother in Hospital.
Mr. Poole said he knew his son had i;
watch and diamond ring. Just foul
weeks ago. he stated. his son visited
his mother in the Georgetown Cniver
sity Hospital where she was being
treated for typhoid fever. While in TIL.
hospital on that occasion, only a day
or two before ne was murdered. he trrc
the diamond ring on his mothers fin
ger and she asked s'm TO gl[e . IT at
giving il 10 her later and went away
That was the last time his mother saw
him alive. Henson, his father stated
WAS married when his wife was only
about fifteen years Of age, and she soor
bo came tired of the country. Henson
became tired of. the city. and they sep
arated. but were not divorced.
Mrs. Poole recovered from her illness
and returned to Middlebrook. the fam
lily home. and several times she beggeG
her husband to go to the cabin on the
hillside and make inquiries for theil
son. She was certain. something haC
happened to him because he had not
been to see her for about a month anC
none of the family had heard from him
He's busy working on Mr.. Linthicum'
grain boat" the husband would tell her
land has not been to see us because he
knows everything is all right.
Eotbar U;eife Cabin
The mother would not be comforted
however. and Saturday. when the couple
had occasion To go TO Seneca Mills. Mr.
Poole told "A Star reporter his wife in
sisted upon his going to the cabin.
LAS | neared the house.. the fathe
stated Il began 10 feel that Henson va!
dead but not that he had been murdered
Leaving my horse on the road. | starte,
to climb the hill. and when | got nea
enough III get good view Of the place
stopped To listen. The east window o
the house Was covered Will HES. and
realized that nay son must be dead.
cannot describe the feeling that cam
over me. bat | stood there several III II
utes and seemed unable To move.
TO go ahead and make closer inves
tigation. he continued. was an impos
sibility. and when | found ! could not &
to the house ! went and got Char!
Permitted to go with me to the cabin.
Mr.. Poole went ON 10 relate the stor.
OF the discovery ne and Pennifield made
telling of how they had to break opel
the door OF the closet To find the body
Although the body had been there oni.
about three weeks. its condition was tina
OF the average body that is found man.
weeks after death. There was scarceI
any flesh left on the bones, and the ia
ther was able To identify il only by til
teeth. Then. too. his sons clothes wer
hanging In TIE room and closet and II
Was able to identify them.
Il am certain tie body is that Of m
boy said tine father who Was. unab l
to suppress outward evidence of the ter