Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-04-19
PUZZLES THE POLICE
Strange Disappearance OF
Two Annapolis Women.
ARTICLES FOUND IN CREEK
Stream Dragged for Bodies Without
Success.
NO BASIS FOR ANY THEORY
Mrs. John 81. White and Her Sister.
Miss Alice Shores, Last Seen on
the Evening of April s.
ARTICLES FOUND IN CREEK
NO BASIS FOR ANY THEORY

Special Dispatch to The Star.
| ANNAPOLIS, Md. April 19.-Interest In
| the mysterious disappearance from this
city two weeks ago of Mrs. John H.
White. an invalid, and Miss Alice Shores,
her sister, the former f1fty-one and the
| latter fifty-three years of age, has been
awakened this week by remarks by Judge
James R. Brashears in directing the
grand jury to investigate and the offer of
| reward Of $3.50 for the recovery Of the
| bodies. The recovery Of articles Of wear
ing apparel and an umbrella from Spa
creek. 1t was thought, indicated that the
bodies of the women were in that stream,
but thorough dragging failed to reveal
their presence there.
1t was generally believed that Mrs.
White, the invalid, had accidentally fallen
overheard or had jumped In purposely
and that her sister was drowned in an
effort to rescue her, but later develop
ments have not convinced the authorities
that the bodies are actually in the water,
and Judge Brashiers, commenting upon
| the disappearance of the women, told the
grand jury he thought 1t was time to do
something.
Laid Before the Grand Jury.
The Judge recited the story Of their dis
appearance and concluded:
Maybe it was suicide. but, at the same
time If there had been a murder COM
mitted the theory of suicide and the
finding of a woman's hat near the scene
would naturally throw off suspicion.
These ladies have been missing for some
days now, and the time to do something
has come
NJ H Green, states attorney. and
Charles Obery. chief OF police. are taking
an active interest in the investigation.
II the mystery is not soon solved, 1t is
stated. Baltimore detectives may be
brought here to make an investigation.
Searching parties have explored the
banks Of the little stream since the dis
appearance Of the women and the subse-
almost unspoiled, but absolutely no trace
of the women has been found.
Mrs. Whites hat was dragged from the
bottom OF the creek only recently, a
recovered. The two hats. boa and UNI
brella are In the hands Of the authorities
and the police think they may prove
valuable in event OF its developing that
The pin IN the hat Of Mrs. White was
bent and the clasp on the boa had been
broken OF. indicating. 1t is thought, that
the wearer Of the articles had been en-
stream. There is no certainty. however,
that the bodies are in Spa creek, although
it is generally supposed that the women
lost their lives in the water.
Until the bodies are found the au-
thorities believe they will be unable to
solve the mystery Of the disappearance
Of the women. John II. White, husband
of one Of the women. IL eighty years Of
age, and the continued unexplained alb
sence of his wife is making his condition
pitiable.
Women Last Seen April S.
Mrs. White, who had Just recovered
from a serious illness. and Miss Shores.
who had nursed her. left the White home
about o'clock the evening Of April
to visit q relative going down Franklin
street In the direction Of what Is known
as "Woman's Cove There was moth
ing about their conduct that evening to
indicate that they were depressed or that
they contemplated any rash act, and rel
atives are firmly Of the opinion that they
had not entered into q suicide pact.
Nothing has been seen Of the women
since the night they were observed going
in the direction Of the creek. their dis
appearance shortly afterward having
been SO complete that the authorities have
been unable to find the slightest link to
chain that promises q solution of the
mystery. The finding of one hat In good
condition at Franklin street and the re-
covery Of the other one some distance
away. the authorities admit. does not as
sist them much in their investigation OF
the affair.
Murder Theory Discussed.
1t is realized by those who are engaged
In the Investigation of the affair that the
women may have been murdered and
their hats thrown into the creek. as
Judge Brashears suggested, to throw OF
suspicion.
But" said one Of the Investigators,
where is the motive for murder? The
women were not thought to have any
considerable sum Of money on them
when they disappeared. nor did they have
any known enemies"
Spa creek has been dragged several
times, but only the hat, umbrella and
boa have been given up by the water.
States Attorney Green speaking Of the
mystery. said he had absolutely nothing
to offer the grand jury. The case, he
said. is one of the most battling mysteries
that has claimed the attention of the
authorities for number of years. No
body is suspected of having murdered
the women. he stated, and he feels GER
tain that they had entered into no suicide
pact.
Relatives of the women are doing
everything In their power to solve the
mystery. Their offer of a reward Of $3.50.
1t Is thought, will be the means Of en-
~