Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-10-02
SYLVIA IS HELD
FOR GRAND Jury
Police Suspect in Staying of
Soda Dispenser Wood
Makes New DeniaIs.
TEN GIVE TESTIMONY

Joseph Sylvia. arrested in connec-
ton with the murder and robbery OF
Emmett E. Wood, soda dispenser in
the Liggett store at 14th and G
streets, two weeks ago. yesterday
afternoon was held for the action of
the grand jury at the inquest con-
Quoted at the morgue by Coroner
hewitt. He was taken to Jail.
Seated in the waiting room at the
morgue was Mrs. Florence sylvia
wife No. 2, who was married to sylvia
while his first wife was living, ano
who had not been divorced. She was
not called as a witness, and when
Sylvia was about to leave for jail
she made no move to say farewell 10
him until he called to her from the
corridor, where he was in CUSTODY OF
the detectives.
Even then she evinced no desire to
display a friendliness for him.
he Pleads for a Kiss.
kiss me goodbye" said the &C
cused man. You know l am lnno-
cent -.
.But not of the other" said the lit
tie woman. referring to the marriage
when his first wife had not been ireeo
from him. q, -
'sWon't you kiss me good-bye?" he
asked, and the woman drew nearer
and stood mute while sylvia klsss'
her. ..,.
he called, as she withdrew. Always
bear that in mind"
Sylvia Without Counsel.
Assistant United States Attorneys
RoIitha I. Laws and Glenn Willett
represented the government. Sylvia
was not represented BY counsel. Zen
witnesses were examined by the coro-
ner Thew included Detectives Fred
M. Cornwell. Joseph C. Morgan. Dr.
william Browne Carr, deputy coroner
and Miss Mary Burgess, Wliham n
Ford, Henry b. Floyd. Lincoln Reese;
wallace johnson. Samuel Houston ano
Marie Howard. employees OF the Lig-
gett store.
Noting new was ELECTED at the hear
ing The several witnesses told OF
Sylyia's movements the day OF the
homicide and the preceding day. They
fold of how he had been seen in the
store with Wood and of his going to
the basement with him. In the base
ment. It was testified, he was -seen In
conversation with Wood and others
employed In the store.
Last Seen With Wood.
Witnesses declared Sylvia was the
last nerson seen with Wood before the
finding Of the latter's body. The jury
heard evidence as to. the inquiry
started by Sylvia for Wood. the rea-
son for it, as Sylvia explained it. be-
ing to find him and get the money he
had collected for the purchase OF
ring for him.
Detective Cornwell, who brought
the prisoner from Columbus, Ohio.
where he surrendered to the police.
declared Sylvia had made no enort 10
account for his whereabouts between
1920 and 1 o'clock the day OF the
murder, about the time Wood Is sup
posed to have been slain.
Sylvia Makes Denials.
I Sylvia, in his own behalf, declared
he did not see anything o. Wood
after 11:45 o'clock, when, he stated.
wood walked from the store with .
man who resembled Henry A. Starr.
former Lggett emp1oye. who Is un-
der arrest for alleged endorsement.
He said he still believed the man was
Starr.
quarter of twelve that day., Sylvia
declared. That's the Gods honest
truth" .
ceased as little Wood. said he was a
fine boy and that he (Sylvia) had done
all he could to help him along. He
denied the testimony OF the several
LfgRett employees who told OF seeing
him in the basement Of the building
the day of the murder.