The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1917-08-12

For twenty-five years the two Bal
timore detectives assigned now to the
Brandon murder mystery have been
successful detectors OF murderers and
, other criminals. They have semi
probably a score OF men to the gal
lows, many score to the penitentiary.
and have solved crime cases which
baffled other Investigators.
The records Of the Baltimore office
show that Detectives John Kratz and
Herman Pohler have begun counties
cases without 4 clue OF any sort, and
have succeeded in making arrests and
getting convictions. They are re-
garded as two Of the best third de-
gree" men in the country. Each OF
the detectives has a record for
breaking down" suspects.
With the exception OF the local au-
thOrities at Annapolis and the assist
ance rendered by special investiga-
tors engaged by The Times. Detec-
tives Kratz and Pohler are working
unAided on the Brandon murder. The
Baltimore police department believes
IL the murder can be solved they will
solve IL.
DChuCE1NG ma nCNhOalCaA-
Both OF the detectives are deliber-
ate and methodical in their opera
tions. They never jump at conelu-
sIons, and nothing excites or rushes
them.
Xratz is a tall, angular man. with
small keen blues eyes, while Pohler Is
short, stockIly-b built man, with
large brown eyes full of alertness
Each Of the detectives has solved a
murder or arson mystery in practical
ly every county OF the State.
KratE has been on the Baltimore
police force for thirty-one years
In 1894, Kratz was promoted from q
sergeant to the detective force. POh
Ter has been on the force thirty-hve
years, and was made a detective In
1898. Although not partners, they
have worked together on many cases
in which request was made that the
best detectives in Baltimore be sent
to the scene.
Pinned Crime On NeEoes.
One OF the most famous cases In
which the two detectives worked to-
Gether was the murder OF John Cole
man, at Chestertown, Nd, about two
case after the local authorities had
been completely bafied. and without
the slightest clue on which to work,
they finally pinned the crime on two
negroes. Their guilt was so clearly
established that the men OF Chester
town were determining to lynch the
prisoners, even going so far as to
turn out the town lights and break
into a blacksmith shop to get a rope.
The negroes were saved by the rush
ing of militia to Chestertown.
They were convicted, one OF them
getting a life sentence. The other
WAS given eighteen years in the peni-
Tertiary.
Kratz established a reputation for
himself more than thirty years ago.
when he solved the mystery OF the
murder OF Mrs. Martha Snyder.
He fastened the crime upon Miss
Kunder Gunder Batz, a servant who
formerly worked in the Snyder home.
Her guilt was established by her pos
session OF one-half OF torn IS bill.
which had been stolen from Mrs.
Snyder's bureau.
Hacked Woman to Death.
The servant was convicted OF hack
ing Mrs. Snyder to death with
Ratchet. There Is no type OF crime
which Kratz and Pohler have not
solved, according to their records at
the Baltimore Central office. They
have frequently been the recipients
OF rewards running as high as 5000
for solving mysteries and clearing UP
crime.
Krstz received $40 some years ago