Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-13
CRIME NEAR DISTRICT LINE
Body Found in Woods Near Seat
Pleasant, Md.
HEAD WAS ALMOST SEVERED
Child Colored and Apparently
About Ten Years Old-Not
Yet Identified.

n SoiohOi . july al oil I1pucst tiiS
morning at Chesapeake Junction over the
body Of an unidentified colored girl, which
was found in the woods near the District
line yesterday afternoon. gave a verdict
that death had resulted from a wound
in the throat inflicted by a person to the
jury unknown with an instrument not
specified. The inquest was conducted by
Judge Behrend Of Prince George coun-
ty, Md.
The jury was composed Of John A.
Schultz. foreman: r. s. Wells. 8. NJ.
Sweeney. James Bennett. w. F. Allen.
W. s. Rollins. H. w. Grove. Joseph
Farnan. Beaver Rollins. F. s. Coffron
and Mendel Behrend.
Several hundred residents attended the
inquest. gathering about the small frame
building at the District line and glanc-
ing through the windows Of the place.
Scores of colored residents Of the neigh
rend with the view Of having the body
identified II possible. but the only infor-
nation leading to identity was furnished
by several colored women residing near
bSth street northeast. who stated that they
had seen the little girl pass their homes
on a number of occasions. No one in
the neighborhood has been found who
saw the girl about the place. 1t was
reported that q mans hat had been found
near where the body was discovered. but
fact.
Young Hunter Makes Discovery.
The body was discovered yesterday aft
ernoon by Roy Rollins. eighteen years
old. while hunting on the farm Of George
Palmer. Seat Pleasant. Prince George
county. Md. Rollins. accompanied by his
two rabbit dogs, left his home about 3
o'clock for the purpose of taking a hunt
ing trip through the surrounding woods.
He entered the woods on III. Palmer s
place. and had gone but a short distance
when his attention was attracted to the
barking Of one of the dogs.
The animal was scratching among the
leaves and Rollins decided to make an in
vestigation. Upon going to the spot he
found that the dog mad scratched leaves
| from the face Of a dead colored girl.
Rollins was frightened. but soon col
lected himself and made his way to the
District line. where he informed resi-
dents Of his discovery. Sheriff Frank
| inquiry.
The body was found In pine woods
| about three-Quarters Of q mile from the
District line and about 100 yards back
railroad 1t was about fifty yards from
a small path leading along the side OF
the woods. and was completely hidden
from view by three large trees which had
been felled. The body had been covered
by leaves which had apparently been
tons Of q struggle. but there were blood
marks on leaves Immediately under the
head.
CHASTITY Spectacle.
The head had nearly been severed from
the body. only a few strands Of skin
remaining near the back Of the neck. A
deep cash extended from the upper lip
across the left jaw and under the ear.
A number OF persons searched the
ground about the place in an effort to
locate the weapon with which the crime
had been committed. but no trace Of II
could be found. About ten feet from
the spot where the body was found there
was a bed Of leaves which appeared
to have been made by the murderer to
rest upon. but nothing could be discovered
about the place that would lead to an
Identification.
The child had been dead about fifteen
hours when the body was discovered. She
was about ten years Of age and four feet
tall. She was clad In q red and white
small plaid dress. with white yoke, and
wore black stockings and black shoes.
The shoes bear the name of .'Bostonian
School Shoe" On the child's left forehead
was q scar about one-half an inch In
length. which appeared to have been re-
ceived some time ago.
Washington Police Advised.
The Washington police were informed
Of the finding Of the body. and Detectives
Weldon and Burlingame were sent to aid
in the investigation. Detective Mullin
later arrived. and also assisted. Police
Photographer Sandberg of the Washing
.ha "a ho dv yo
morning. 1t is the impression of the au-
thorities that the murdered girl is not
known in this city. as her dress appears
to be that of a resident of the suburbs or
Of the country.
1t Is expected that the body will be
turned over to an undertaken today for
burial.