The Washington times., 1911-11-22
Police Confident Smith Will Confess

ing to show that Smith left the vir-
ginia shipyards with one of their
wrenches.
The Times also. today. learned more
of Smiths record. which shows that
this is not the first time he has been
accused of a serious crime.
According to @. w. Stout. 1923 Forty
fifth street. Newport News. with whom
Smith boarded during short stay In
the Virginia city, Smith has a bad repu-
tation This Is borne out by his record
formerly was employed on a farm as
laborer. william Stout, pal OF
Smith, and son of G.. w. Stout. con.
says Smith is zone of the best men he
TO a reporter OF The Times today, the
elder Stout told Of his acquaintance
I've first knew Smith in Seat
Pleasant, Md, several years ago." Stout
said. "He boarded with us then. In
1908, Smith shot and killed a man, ex-
rob him. He was released. In the fall
of 1909, I had Smith arrested for shoot
ing at me with revolver. He was
sentenced to serve six months in jail"
toward clearing up the crime from
lived at 1898 Maryland avenue north
east. and later at 50 I street northeast,
"Paddle-feet," who are believed to have
been with Smith on the night Mickle
was murdered. The exact identity Of
The actress sS camn4. be learned at this
place of abode, but is said to have
been on intimate terms with Mrs.
Davis. They formerly lived at 1919
Union street.
"Paddle-feet" Failed.
"Paddle-feet," as the mysterious
woman in the case is known, was one
of the star attractions which Stout ond
Smith had in vaudeville company
which they organized several weeks
ago, and which went out of business in
Baltimore aauss after sear the first night, be.
Stout says he has not been In WASH
ington since october 10.
The police have visited the houses
where MIS-. Davis and tho actress are
said to have lived. but as yet have
been unable to find either of them.
Lieut.. Carl Fathers and Detective Joe
Grant, of the Fourth precinct, spent tn,
greater part Of last night and large
part of today in Alexandria, where the
women are known. trying to find them.
The most dramatic incident Of the en-
tire investigation occurred at the Casn-
atty Hospital last night. when Smith
where his supposed victim is quartered.
and forced to stand over his bedside
ard speak to him.
The moment the prisoner entered the
ward he halted, became visibly excited,
and made an effort to step back. Cap
tain Daley, of the Ninth precinct,
pushed him for|ard toward the hos
pital cot, and then 1t was that Smith
egained his composure. He strobe to-
ward the bed containing the ged
form of Bennett, and hovered over It
for several seconds.
Speak to ME, Bennett: speak TO me-
he cried. why don't you speak to me?
Don't you know me?'' But the man
did not regain consciousness
Hoped for Recovery.
Smith, assuming the stoical attitude
which has characterized him since his
arrest, then told the police that he
hoped Bennett would regain conscious
ness, as then nc would be cleared.
Smith has been put through the third
degree" by the police since his arrest
Monday. Day and night he has been
questioned and cross-questioned. But
the detectives have been unable to
snake his statements so far getting
information concerning the Mickle muir
der Is concerned, although they say ne
has contradicted himself score II
times.
Cleveland Walker, one of the men
whom Smith says he was with last
Thursday night was placed in a cell ad-
Joining Smiths at the Ninth precinct
last night, and assisted the police in
their sweating" process. Walker at
first loudly cursed and DETAINED Smith.
and when the latter began to answer
back Walker made him the target for a
series of adroit questions. But little
additional information was gained from
this method however, This morning at
2:30 o'clock. after Smith had been sleep
ing soundly for several hours, he was
suddenly awakened and put On the grill.
This availed but little.