The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-08-29

Five detectives under Capt. Boardman,
Of police headquarters. made quick work
of a mystery following the discovery
about daylight yesterday OF the body Of
Norval T. Harris, twenty-one years old.
at a lonely spot in l street southwest
with a bullet wound behind the right ear.
his pistol gone, and no powder marks on
his flesh.
They will furnish Coroner hewitt with
evidence at the inquest this afternoon
that Harris. who lived with his uncle
and aunt Mr. and Mrs. r. A. Harris, at
435 Massachusetts avenue. and was a
street inspector. killed himself. and that
his pistol was taken by a negro who was
afraid TO put IL down. Detective Cox
Will testify that telegram in the young
mans possession purporting 20 have come
from Baltimore was written by Harris
himself. as shown by comparison with
his handwriting. and will offer proof that
Harris mind had been cloudy. Another
will offer proof that the young man had
been having ups and downs in love and
was disappointed by a young woman Of
Baltimore last Monday. when he went
there obviously 10 effect n reconciliation.
Negro Reports Tragedy.
About o'clock yesterday morning a
negro. in a state of excitement. reported
70 Clinton Cantwell. Of 724 Seventh street.
end John 'FIuey, Of II2 Eleventh street,
who were standing at Seventh and H
streets. that man was dead on the side
walk in I street. between Ninth and
Water streets. They went 70 the scene,
the informant refusing 20 follow. and
disappeared without giving his name.
Examination showed the man had been
dead several hours. The negro could
have had nothing 10 do with the shoot
ing. for he would have been farther from
the scene than II street II he was "a
fugitive several hours before he saw
Cantwell and Fluey three blocks away.
The fatal bullet ranged upward through
both lobes OF the brain and flattened
itself against the foreskull There were
no powder burns near the wound. as are
sometimes found in cases OF suicide. But
with the revolver held IN the right hand
a foot from the head by Harris. or even
pressed against his head, there could
have been a lack Of powder burns. and
the bullet would undoubtedly have ranged
upward
OF MOrsse Turn Of Mind
Detective Cox says Harris was Of
morose mind. and during the past three
weeks had shown signs OF arrangement
He carried a pistol n a holster. on which
he had inscribed. Il bought this little
pocket piece 20 pass the time away.
Something 10 keep me company"
In the young mans room. in New York
avenue. were found fragments OF strange
correspondence. One was a letter dated
August 20. signed "Florie" and Daisy"
which read
Dear; STAY where Won arc for no one knowA Tell
Noral not to wory about father. hr ne can't find
you. STAY with n. H. wul SEQ you both in the
morning. sunday
This IS meaningless. so far as the de-
tectlves were able to ascertain. and rela-
tives OF the young man cannot account
for IL.
The telegram, which the police say was
written by Harris. read
"Bc IN Baltimore at a. m. Tuesday
without fail FlOrie Leidman. room IA,
Rennert's CBaltimore)."
no one by that name lives at the Bal
timore hotel The telegram was on
Eending blank rather than a receiving
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