Evening star., 1919-01-25
MAN HUNT FAILS
TOCATCH MANIAC
WHORA|DEDHOM
Eight Suspects Taken Are
Released on Establish
ing Innocence.
MISS GEAGAN FAILING
AT HOSPITAL TODAY
Miss Hood, Also Shot by Degen-
crate, Gains in
Strength.

crate, Gains in
Strength.
The biggest man hunt in the history
Of the local police department is being
conducted today for the supposed
maniac or degenerate who attacked
three women in their homes in the
northwest section Of the city yesterday
morning, shooting two and choking his
third victim.
Eight suspects have been taken into
custody in the last twenty-four hours
but one by one they have been elimi-
mated after investigation of the stories
of their whereabouts between and
o'clock yesterday morning, the time
when the crimes were committed.
Another Held at Baltimore.
Another man was taken into custody
in Baltimore on suspicion this morn
ing and Detective Armstrong has gone
to question him. The white man and
negro arrested on suspicion as they
got of local trains in Baltimore yes
terday morning have been released
after establishing their innocence.
Inspector c. L. Grant. chief Of de-
tectives. today urged the public to
notify the police Immediately OF any
suspicious character they may see who
answers the description of the fugitive.
The police have been unable thus
far to get a, line on the assailant
from either of the two hats, one
brown and the other blue, which were
found in the neighborhood in which
the three houses were entered. The
avenue, the second at 1911 L street
and the third at 1887 l. street
Condition of Attacked Women.
Miss Martha E. Geagan Of 1912 Con-
necticut avenue. the first woman shot.
was thought to be out of danger yes
reaction during the night Her con-
dition was regarded less favorably at
Emergency Hospital today:
On. the other hand. Miss Lillian
Hood of 1897 L street, the second
woman TO be wounded, was slightly
stronger today. Little hope was en-
tertafned for her recovery yesterday.
The third victim. Miss Florence Fow-
Ter OF 1911 Il street, uiu AOt IcQuAI .
hospital treatment.
All-Night Search.
trict was combed last night by Maj.
Pullman's police, military guards and
detectives in a score of automobiles,
which were lent to the authorities
by citizens. Members Of the Home De-
tense League in each precinct assist
Maj. Pullman said today the same
agencies will all be used again to-
night in an effort to capture the
wretch should he attempt further as
saults on women in their homes.
Regarded as Depraved Character.
The statement of Miss Hood to doc
tors at Emergency Hospital that the
assailant offered her $50 If she would
warming led detectives to believe that
the man may be more a degenerate
than a maniac running at large with
oJt a purpose. The fact that he went
oniy to the rooms of women and made
10 attempt at robbery, they say, points
10 a depraved character of the type
J,i1o become temporarily deranged.
According to the police, Miss Hood
told the doctors that the man was
. leaning over her bed when she awoke
He grabbed her by the shoulder, but
when she struggled with him, accord
ing to the story told the doctors, his
thoughts evidently turned toward
escape, for it was then that he is said
TO have offered her $50 to make no
Outcry.
Since news of the crimes became
general yesterday afternoon the police
telephones have been kept busy by
citizens Offering information about
persons answering the fugitive's de-
scription or appearing demented. In
spector Grant is running down all tips
received.
Asylum Patients Eliminated.
Two asylum patients are among the
suspects who have been taken into
custody. but the police say neither is
the right man. One of them was ar
rested by Detectives Connors and
Bailey at Goth and 8 streets about II
o'clock this morning. only a few hours
after he said he walked away. from
St.s Elizabeth's Hospital The, fact
that he did not leave the institution
until early this morning eliminated
him.
This arrest resulted from informa-
AL