Evening star., 1909-05-19
ASSASS|N'S AK FOUND
important Clue in Forrest
Tragedy at Oakvile, Md.
SON IS STILL MISSING
Suspicion Against Him Confirmed
by Developments.
REPORTED TO HAVE BEEN SEEN
Whether Hiding in Neighboring
Woods or On Way to Washington
or Baltimore Is Conjecture.
REPORTED TO HAVE BEEN sEEl

OAKVILLE. Nd. May 19.-Practically
positive proof has developed that Jo-
seph B. Morgan Forrest murdered ms
father and mother. Mr.. and Mrs. Wliilam
P. Forrest, in their isolated home near
here in the finding Of the blood-stalned
AK with which the murder was COM
mitted.
The weapon was discovered In the
dinsy garret of the Forrest home by De-
tective Mayer Of the Baltimore police
force, who stumbled over 1t while MAX
ing an examination of the house at the
head of a searching party.
The belief now prevails that the mur-
der was committed Friday night. while
Mr.. and Mrs. Forrest were asleep.
A man believed to have been Joe For
rest was seen by a negro, Jim Taylor
Sunday afternoon, apparently bound 1or
Washington. Joe, however. is thought
by some to have taken the boat at
Jones Wharf on Monday for Baltimore.
1t is reported that Joe had been seen
recently at barn OF q negro, known as
Yellow Charlie Holly. who lives at Oro-
ville twelve miles from Leonardtown ana
six miles from the scene OF the MURDER.
Forrest is said to have asked Holly TOT TOT
food, and to have inquired after a pet
heifer. He was said to be carrying
double-barreled shotgun.
Day Of Constant Searching.
A large proportion Of the men of St.
Mary and Charles counties spent yester-
day either watching or actually search
ing for the missing boy. Many still
believe he is in this section and not
far from the scene of the crime. Others
think he is either dead or demented.
TNr. Trco n Il hrnfhQf-ln-IaW
the late Mrs. Forrest, who long claimed
that Joe was innocent, has given In, and
voices his now firm convlction tnat the
youth is guilty of the double murder.
There is no question of Joe's guilt,
says Dr. King, land my belief is that
the parents were murdered In the heat OF
family quarrel. Joe probably had some
words with his father, and Mrs. Forrest,
as usual, stood up for the boy; then
blows were struck and things went SO Tar
that they had to go the limit"
From another source 1t is learned that
the youth had been greatly angered at his
father for selling a yearling heifer that
Joe claimed as his own, and this may
have started the quarrel.
Indications that Joe has not been far
from his home since the murder are found
in the fact that some one had undoubted-
1y cooked and eaten one or more meals
there after the crime, and In the fact
that William Havlin had seen a man
answering Joes description on the Three
Notch road near DR.. Kings residence last
Sunday night.
Searchers Handicapped.
The man slouched along. armed with
a gun, and, when addressed by Mr.. Hav-
lin, declined to answer, but leveled his
weapon in a menacing manner. Mr.. Hav-
lin said nothing further and the man
passed on.
Through these circumstances and the
fact that Joe knows nothing Of the world
outside this little hamlet, many of the
residents believe he Is still in this sec
ton. Search. however. Is greatly handi-
capped through the continued absence Of
Sheriff Frank c. Dent, who went away
with an insane prisoner Sunday. despite
States Attorney COombs' plea, says DR..
King. that he send deputy sheriff.
In fact, notwithstanding that Sheriff
Dent was notified Of the murder last Sat-
urday, neither he nor any of his staff put
in an appearance until Monday night.
when Deputy Sheriff Daniel L. Guy
showed up and came around again yes
terday morning.
Nor has any formal notice been sent
around this section, but the news of the
murder and Of Joe's disappearance has
been allowed to sift slowly through the
telephoneless and biographies territory.
Detective Mayer of Baltimore, expected
Monday night, did not show up until yes
terday. and Deputy Sheriff Guy and DR..
King were In command.
Under them a vigorous search was
prosecuted yesterday, the little band of
searchers including Sheriff Guy. DR.. King.
Cleveland Raley, Lewis Viett, Fenwick
Herbert and newspaper men. Spread out
in line, about twenty yards apart, the
searchers went through the woods in
every direction for radius of a mile,
through dense underground. briars and
brambles, over tree trunks and across
streams, watching closely for the slight
Hope was entertained that his old,
blood stained garments might be found.
Nothing was discovered.
Joe was an ardent hunter and knows
every inch Of the woods IN this section.
More than one of the party believed that
he was watching them from some secret
cover. The we'll was sounded again and
then the weary and torn searchers de-
sisted and returned to the house Of hor-
ror.
Things Found in the House.
Despite thorough airing, the atmospheric
in the house is still unbearable and fur
ther rummaging Of the premises was
prosecuted at great risk of nausea
Among the articles brought to light be-
fore Detective Mayer found the ak was
little purse belonging to Mrs. Forrest.
containing a one-dollar bill and the ad-
dress of Mrs. Emma Spalding 400 NJ
street southwest. Washington. One trunk
still remained locked and the other two
contained nothing of especial interest.
No money was found, and doubt is now
entertained as to whether Joe obtained
any before leaving, although it is practi-
cally certain that he returned to the
house several times after the murder and
searched the premises.
On the other hand, two quarters were
picked up by the searchers on a path he
is believed to have travelled. indicating
that he was not absolutely penniless.
If he is alive, the searchers say. he
is probably crazy and will wander back
sooner or later; If he is dead, the buz-
yards will direct the people to his body.
Among the articles found is a family
Bible, giving the date of Mr.. and Mrs.
Forests wedding as November 16. 1887.