Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-25
HARRIS PUT ON TRIAL
Pleads Not Guilty to Murder
of John Henson Poole.
FOUR JURORS IN THE BOX
Court Adjourns Until Tomorrow
After Exhausting Two Panels.
PRISONER IS UNCONCERNED
Appears in Rockville Courtroom
Neatly Attired and Chewing Gum.
Double Charge Against Him.
FOUR JURORS IN THE BOX
PRISONER IS UNCONCERNED
erial From Staff CORRESPONDENT.

Special From STAFF Correspondent
ROCKVILLE, Md, November %
Charged with a murder of the foulest
nature and with an assault to kill. horri-
bic i'm its details, Oliver Herman Harris,
a young Montgomery county farmer. was
placed on trial for his life here this morn
ing.
There being no cognizance taken by
the laws or the constituted authorities Of
the state of Maryland of Thanksgiving
day. young Harris walked out of the
county Jail and into the courtroom this
morning at a time when most people
were beginning day of pleasure or of
rest
In the courtroom to meet him were his
father, Jefferson D. Harris: his mother.
and his sister. There also were John w.
Poole and his wife. the parents of young
John Henson Poole, whom Harris is ac-
cused of killing. and Mrs. Clara Harris
wife of young Harris uncle. Gwynn Har-
ris whom the defendant brutally assault
ed two nights before he was arrested last
July.
Two Judges on Bench.
On the bench were Judges James b
Henderson and John c. Motter OF the cli
cuit court of Montgomery county. VINO
are trying the case. States At'ofheS
Bowie F. Waters is conducting the prose
c,tiOn. assisted by Speciai Attorney
Charles W. Prettyman. Harris is repre-
sented nv Attorneys Edward c. Peter ant
Robert B. Peter.
oliver Herman Harris, the defendant
is twenty-four years old: He mas hTu. We,
in Montgomery county all ms nhe -.
fa amiIy is we'll known in TINS sectioH al,
&c highly respected. The young man nov
IN trisi always bore q good reputation
and when he was arrested on cnafge'
of murderous assault. and murder persons
living in his neighborhood were oun
founded.
John Henson Poole. the man for who's
murder Harris is being tried bore rep
utation not of the very best. In Novem
ber. 1905 he killed Thomas Peacock OF
Harrisons Island as the result or quar-
rel in a cornfield. but was acquitted Oh
grounds of self-defense. He was marrleo
but did not live with his w1fe.
Mrs. Harris to Testify.
Mrs. Clara Harris will figure prominent
" as witness for the prosecution. SHE
;s exnected to testify as to her nephew $
assault upon her. The motive ascrlpel
for both of the crimes Harris is charged
with is robbery. He is known 10 ha''
had good deal of money between ths
time Poole was killed and the time he
Harris, was arrested, three weeks iatel
He is reported to have peen IN io.'
nth vo,Ing Virginia girl. While hi:
money lasted he spent most of 1t on her
Eyarv cent went for having a goot
time. ~,
automobiles. carriages and theaters ap
pealed to the young farmer, ana ne III
dulged himself in these iuAuries ""eh
ever he could afford them.
There was nothing distinctive anou
Harris appearance as he stood up In tii'
courtroom and heard John L. brunett
clerk of the court. reading the to.ii ~
charge of murder. He is OF lileuiull
height sallow complexion. has lsh
hrou-n hair and gray eyes He wore
oio;r, h,ue suit. white shirt and brow
w. Pleads Not Guilty.
Throughout the reading of the arralsn
mont Harris showed no sign of emotion
He eved the clerk TRANQUILITY and chewe'
gum steadily
"Oliver Herman Harris. are you guilt!
of the charge whereof you stand indicted
or not guilty., tic AiSih
had finished reading the arraignment.
Not guilty" replied Harrls' Will
slight tremor in his voice.
Counsel for the defense then MADE lor
NAL demurrer to the indictment.
Four Jurors Secured.
After the arraignment of the accused
and the filing of the demurrer to the IN
dictment, talesmen were examined TO Sc
cure the Jury. The regular panel OF TWEEN
tv-four and an additional panel or tWent!
talesmen were exhausted and but fou
iurors secured They are John n. Cor
dell farmer living near ClarksourS
J.ouis w. Barnesly, farmer living hea
Oakdale: Charles 0. Bean, carpenter
Rockville and Leonard l.. Nicholson. for
merlv an employe of the governmen
Sarvice at Washington, but now resi-
dent of Rockville.
When the second panel was exhausted
the court took a recess until tomorrow II
order to obtain additional talesmen
Under the law, the state and the ac
cused each have twenty peremptory chal
lenees Today the state exercised II
right in the case of one man ana the de
fense in twelve instances. The remainde
of the talesmen were excused Tor cause b.
the court.
The difficulty in securing jury seem
tn arise from the fact that nearly every
body knows Of the case ana mas eithe
formed an opinion that Is fixed or eX
pressed one that leaves him open TO TIL
RIGHT Of challenge.