Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1910-10-01

That Harris hat lay a foot distant
from his head and that there were
spots of blood underneath its brim,
was one of the important develop
ments of the preliminary session of
the Coroner's jury.
In the event that Harris shot him
self through the back of the head as
contended by the police, the explana-
ton of how his hat could have been
specked with blood and have been re-
moved foot from his head doubtless
will interest the Coroner's jury.
Testimony was also brought out that
Harris, when found. had his arms
stretched alongside his body, and that
they we're not in the cramped attitude
which would have been natural had
Harris performed feat in contortion
and shot himself from the rear
Many Curious Spectators.
When the Coroner's jury assembled
the inquest room at the District
Morgue was thronged with curious
specta ors, who evinced the deepest
interest in the proceedings, and in the
anterooms and about the building were
congregated the two score or more
witnesses who are expected to throw
some light upon Harris movements on
the night of the tragedy. his general
character and the motive for either
suicide or murder.
Mrs. Mabel OHara and Melvin Har
ris, sister and brother, respectively
OF Norval T. Harris, were represented
by Attorney Wilton J. Lambert, who
will combat the stigma. OF suicide
placed upon the name of Harris by the
police, and the original certificate oil
suicide issued by the Coroner.
The District Attorneys office, which
is now evincing deep interest in the
mystery, was represented by Assistant
District Attorney Charles H. Turner
who Intercepted every witness. Re
representatives. of The Times also were
present. in view of the fact that ever
since Harris was declared suicide by
the police The Times has maintained
that the Investigation of his death had
been of the most cursory nature.
Gun Experts Present.
There were also present several gun
experts who are expected to testify as
to the inpossibility of Harris infiict
ing wound upon himself without
leaving traces CT powder burns.
Spencer Roberts. the policeman on
duty in the vicinity of Ninth and
streets southwest on the night that
Harris was killed, will be called. Mr.
Roberts adheres to his story that he
passed over the spot where Harris
body was found several times ON the
Nigh in question. and that Harris was
not lying dead there at the hour of
1850 or 10 o'clock, as claimed by Cen
trail Office men.
Two other witnesses were found
who passed this identical spot that
night, and who viii testify that Har-
ris' body was not seen by them at
about / o'clock These statements
thoroughly discredt the contention OF
the police that the pistol shot which
ended Harris life was fired at 1880
o'clock Saturday night, August 27.
Clinton Cantwell, one OF the men
who reported the finding OF Harris
body, was one of the first witnesses
heard. Mr.. Cantwell said that at about
$50 o'clock on the morning of August
% an unknown colored man pointed
out the body of Harris and then disap-
peared. This man. he said, refused to
go up to the body, saying:
"Ycu know what the police will do
to a negro"
There were no evidences of a strug.
gle declared Mr. Cantwell, and Harris
had nothing in his hand.
How far distant was his hat?" ask
ed Attorney Lambert.