The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-08-18
HARRIS CONFESSES
MURDER OF POOLE
Continued from PAGE One.


day last in a nailed-up cupboard OF his
home with bullet holes and other wounds
in his head, were told to him. and he
listened TO the recital with the cool in
difference that he has displayed since his
arrest last week. after he had shot and
beaten his aunt, Mrs. Clara Harris, and
left her for dying.
Tonight Sheriff Mullican and States
Attorney Waters Of Montgomery County,
returned 10 their homes with a copy Of
the signed confession. and the advisa-
bility OF a special session Of the grand
jury Of Montgomery County is being con
sidered by the States attorney
Not Sent For by Harris.
This morning Sheriff Mullican and
States ATTORNEY Waters came 10 the
city. and. though they denied II. the re-
port was that they had come on the
request Of Harris himself The officers
called at police headquarters and Mar
shall Farnan and Capt. Humphrey assign
ed Detective Joseph Dougherty 10 20 10
the Jail and assist the officers II they
desired to sweat" the prisoner.
Detective Dougherty first went 70 Har-
ris' cell about noon and talked with
him for nearly an hour. but. while the
man reiterated his confession Of having
assaulted his aunt, he repeatedly denied
that he knew anything OF PoOle's death.
He admitted 70 the local sleuth. however.
that he had visited Poole's home, which
is about two miles beyond Travilah. early
on the morning OF July p. the day after
Poole was last seen by any one in the
neighborhood. Harris stfl insisted. how
ever. that he had again seen Poole in
Georgetown on July %. and had talked
with him.
Humphrey Takes Hold OF Him.
With that admission, Detective Dough
erty notified Sheriff N1ullican that it would
be well 20 remove Harris TO detective
headquarters 10 be questioned by Capt.
Humphrey.
The Central police station automobile
was telephoned for. and with all possible
secrecy the prisoner was rushed TO the
courthouse and into the rooms Of the
Berullon bureau.
During his experience IN the Bertllon
bureau. while Sergt. Higgins was running
his skillful fingers over his subjects body
10 obtain the measurements. Harris dis
played the first signs OF weakening.
Following the taking OF the measure
ments Harris picture was taken. and
then copy Of his finger prints. During
the last ordeal the prisoner became rest
less and squirmed about IN his chair until
advised by Sergt. Balm 20 remain quiet.
Leaving the Bertillon room, Harris was
rushed 10 Capt. Humphreys Office and
was taken before the chief sleuth.
The appearance before Capt Humphrey.
however. was only 20 allow the sleuth 70
study his man. Ten minutes later Harris
was once more taken before the chief
and the inner room was tightly closed.
Suddenly the captains door was fung
open and Sheriff Mullican was called IN
For more than an hour the questioning
was continued. the facts Of the finding
Of Poole's body being gone over. together
with the confession Of Harris regarding
his assault upon his aunt
Tangled by Questions.
In addition. Harris was asked 70 ac-
count for every minute Of his time from
10 o'clock on the night Of July o. when
Poole and he were seen leaving Traviiah
until the time the assault was committed
on his aunt on numerous questions
Harris was entangled. and finally. after
more than two hours OF solid questioning.
he YEARLY said:
Wei. I'll tell all about II. I did XII
him. but he tried TO get me frst"
Then. without any demonstration fur
Their than saying that he was glad that
the story was at last 70 come out. he
began his recital OF the terrible story
States Attorney Waters had meanwhile
been called IN and also StenographeI
Dougherty.
Asked for Cigarette
After the confession had been tran,
scribed in typewriting and he had signed
IT, Harris turned about and yaWned and
asked for a cigarette. Even the hardened
police officials could hardly repress q
shUdder az the cool manner in which the
young murderer viewed his case.
Without any further talk with the pris-
oner. Capt Humphrey and the MOntgom-
cry County officials left the Office, and
Harris was hurried back 20 the Jail De
spite the terrible story that he had told
and had signed IN the presence Of wiz
nesses. Harris still seemed little dis
tUrbed at the precariOusness OF his posi-
ton. Not once during his interview with
the officials did he inquire as 10 the con-
ditiOn OF his aunt. whom he had attacked
less than a week ago.
Harris Additional Statement.
Harris also told Of his movements dur
ing the days Immediately following the
murder.
After had left Corners, following my
leaving Poole's hut. went 10 Linthicum's
store and bought a shirt and new hat,
said Harris, going on with mis- story from
the point where he had finished his con-
fession.
I wanted 10 know what my bill was
and offered to pay it. hired team
and took my sister and friend TO Rock
vile 10 the fair, I got tired Of the fai.
during the day and went on 10 Wash
ington alone, where. in the southwestern
part Of the city, I met friends and we
had a sporty time ! hired a taxicab and
rode around, and then I returned TO Rock
Vile, picked up my sister and her friend.
hired Il team. and took them back home.
Deputy Sheriff Hewitt has been in
structed TO make every effort to locate
Mrs. Pearson. Of Washington who was
visiting Harris home at the time the
murder was committed. and who It is re-
ported, was given $50 by Harris 10 keeI
for him.
Intended to Leave Country.
Harris admits that he intended TO leave
the country before he was suspected OF
connection with Poole's disappearance,
but the real reason why he assaulted
Mrs. Harris he sti1 refuses to tell, max
ing the excuse that she had talked
about me in a way I did not like"
Sheriff MUllican will bring from Rock
vile the piece OF the cupboard from
Poole's home on which a bloody hand
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