Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1910-09-10
LODGE TO PROBE
DEATH OF HARRIS
Modern Woodmen of America Also
Dispute Suicide Theory.
DETECTIVES TO REPORT SOON

Investigation Being Conducted BY
Major Sylvester, Chief Of the Wash
ington Police Department, Under
His Personal Supervision, May Set
tie Mystery-Resusts of Detectives
investigation Being Eagerly Await
ed.
Washington, Sept. s. -Convinced
that Norval T. Harris did not kill him
self, as first claimed by the police,
Washington Camp, No. 11,464. Modern
Woodmen of America. of which Har-
ris was a member, has resolved to
push an independent investigation OF
the mysterious death of the young
street inspector.
This decision On the part of Harris
felIow-woodmen adds further interest
to the reopened investigation which
has been ordered by Major Sylvester,
superintendent of police, and presages
developments that may clear up the
murder or suicide, whichever it may
be, of Harris.
The course decided upon by the
Modern Woodmen is the result largely
OF the disclosures made during the
past week, which tended to show that
the suicide theory of the police and
coroner had been hastily formed, and
that there were circumstances relat-
ing to the death of Harris which
should not be forever shrouded in
doubt
viii Soon Report.
Since Major Sylvester assumed
charge of real investigation of the
case, Detective Weldon. Lieutenant
Fathers and Detective Grant have
worked increasingly on the mystery.
In an effort to throw some light up
on the life of Harris, his associates
and his love affairs. the fiancee of the
young man was questioned by the de-
tectives
There was also present at Detective
Headquarters another girl who figures
n one of Harris several love affairs.
Another Woman in Case.
1t also develops that Harris was sup
posed to be in love with still another
woman, whose identity has not yet
been learned by the police.
This girl is the one who visited the
undertaking establishment the day
after Harris was killed and tearfully
entreated the undertaken to open the
casket in order that she might gaze
upon the face of the dead man.
Taken in connection with the state
ment of Harris supposed real fiancee,
who knew nothing of his affairs with
other women. these developments of
are now regarded as significant in
that they may bear upon the frequent
visits made by Harris to Baltimore. I'll
was these visits. which Harris refused
to explain to his fancee. that caused
the break between the two a few days
before the young mans death.
The unknown girl visitor to the un.
dertakng establishment made the re-
mark in the presence of several other
persons assembled there that Harris
had an engagement with her the Sat
urday night that he was killed or com
mitted suicide. She bemoaned the fact
that he had not kept this engagement
saying that if he had his death would
have been prevented.
Detectives Nonchalant.
; Inasmuch as the police had practi-
cally decided that Harris slew himself
however, the story of the girl was not
| fully investigated.
The night before he was killed Har-
ris took an excursion trip under the
auspices of the Woodmen. After he
returned, about II o'clock. he went to
Halls summer garden, in southwest
Washington. Here he was heard in a
quarrel with an unknown companion,
who followed him into the bar AT
the rear of the garden sat several 9th
er women and men with whom Harris
had evidently come into the place.
The party left the saloon about mid
light, according to Proprietor Frank
Hall Mr. Hall said that one Of Har-
ris's companions was endeavoring to
persuade him against some plan which
they were discussing. Mr.. Hall is UNI
able to state whether this converse
ton concerned contemplated selfde-
struction, a fight, or a murder