Evening journal., 1914-06-13
death OF WOMAN
Continues MYSTERY
Baltimore Police So Far in
the Dark in Miss Winter
Case
MAN IN CASE
SUGGESTS SUICIDE
By The Unlted Preas.

al Aniote1, Mu.s June 10
Whether Ella G. Winter. young, good
looking and popular was murdered
or killed herself because she believed
the man to whom she had given her
entire affections had tired of her, may
never be solved. The authorities ad-
nit they are cropping in the dark.
D. Meredith Reese, Jr., wealthy law
yer, clubman and expert yachtsman,
the man ip the case" suggests that
the girl drowned herself. In the
same breath he insists that he never
had any intention" Of marrying the
girl. The county authorities openly
charge the girl was murdered They
assert that Reese has not been frank
with them; that he knows much that
might aid them in solving the mys-
terry. But up to the present no charge
of completely in the alleged crime has
been made against Reese. He is free to
go and come as he pleases. And he
Indignantly denies any knowledge
whatever regarding the manner in
which the young stenographer met
deatn
The body of the girl was found
floating in Curtis Bay early last Mon
day. The Thursday night before she
had met Reese at a boat float and ac-
companied him in a launch to a shore
resort. Peter Bell, bartender at this
place, saw the couple depart. Reese
says he landed the girl at a float,
from which she planned to board
car for home shortly afterward Lee
Miller, boat attendant at this particu-
lar float, says the girl did not land
there that night Her hat was found
far to the northwest eof where the
body was picked up. | is admitted it
could not have floated ere.
For a whole week n Z, States At
torney Green and Sheriff Potee have
tried to reconcile the known facts
with suicide theory They today
admit this is impossible.
Il don't care what Reese or any
one else may say or think" said At
torney Green today, Miss Winter did
not commit suicide / will not say
what caused her death But it was
not suicide. | hope to solve the l-.ys-
terry"
When the body was found, Reese, ad-
mitting the closest of friendships for
years with Miss Winter, suggested
that she had come back to the wharf
after he left her, fallen overheard
and been accidentally drowned. This
theory he has now abandoned He,
says that he believes now she delib-
erately committed suicide. In proof of
this he cites statements Of Mrs. Jen-
ME Herald, a friend of the dead girl's
who says Ella threatened to kill her
self. Mrs. Herald's daughter. Ruth.
also says Miss Winter must have been
self-slain because she was a girl of
moods"
But neither Reese nor those who
cling to the suicide theory clear M
the hat mystery or explain why il I
was that Miller, the boat attendant
did not see the girl brought ashore by
Reese.
Two autopsies have been held on
the body. All they have established so
far is that drowning probably did not
cause death. No water was found in
the girls lungs. Friends of the dead
girl are inclined to criticize the Anne I
Arundel county authorities Reese has
not been questioned by Attorney Green.
John Rice, negro deck hand on Reese's
houseboat, has been detained But he
has stubbornly disclaimed all knowledge
OF any circumstances surrounding the
death Of the girl. As matter OF fact
he has been questioned so far only in
pertunctory manner although the au-
.horities have been urged to use third
iegree methods to get him to talk.
Two brothers Of Miss Winter entered
he case today. They take open excep-
ion TO the suicide theory.
Our sister never had any intention OF
suicide" declared George
Winter. "She may have been aciden-
ally drowned, but she never killed her
Sheriff Potee and the brothers Of the
lead girl today searched brickyard
md woods near where the hat was
ound. This is one of the loneliest spots
n the Cabin Branch section. Whether
hey found anything to support the
murder theory is not vet known. They
re also seeking information from the
other woman who shared Reese's af
ections. Her identity is closely guard
q as it is thought she knows little
hat would aid the inquiry.
The hat worn by Miss Winter on
he night she disappeared was taken
o Annapolis this morning by Sheriff
'ohn z. Potee, of Anne Arundel
county.
Sheriff Potee said that States At
orney Green had asked him for the
iat, which was found Friday a week
go in Curtis Creek.
The investigation into the girls .
cath was resumed at Annapolis to-
ay when the authorities questioned
ohm Rice, colored. who was cook for |
}. Meredith Reese, Jr.. with whom
llss Winter was last seen.
Reese doesn't believe that Ella
suicide any more than we
o. He is trying to shift the blame
rom himself now. and trying to put {
on Ella" I
This statement was made this !
forming by Mrs. Hattie McCabe. Of
1ashington, a married sister of Miss
winter, In reference to Reese's ex-
ressed belief that the young woman '
'as not drowned accidentally, but {
lat she committed suicide. o
Ella was not of a morose dispo- y
tion," the sister continued, "and
az never made any threats at self p
estruction. She was of a quiet and r
stiring disposition. but not melan- v
loly" f