Evening star., 1920-03-15
TRACKING SLAYER
OF MRS. Mann
Police Regard Articles Found
Near Body as Valuable
Clues.

With what they believe to be an
excellent description of the slayer of
Mrs Gertrude Mann. the music teach
er whose body was found III q lonely
spot OF woods just off Connecticut
avenue and Rodman street Friday,
police today are more sanguine over
his early capture.
BIT by bit. Inspector Grant and his
corps Of detectives have gathered ev-
idence and are convinced that the
murderer is a colored man who about
SIX months ago pursued several wom-
en- not far fron the spot where Mrs.
Mann's body was found. This sus-
picious 1nan, IT Is said, carried club,
but the women whom he frightened were
unable to describe It TO the police.
Twine nAd Keyh Found.
Another important link in the al
ready well forged chain of evidence
is a piece Of Irvine which was tied
about Mrs. Mann's neck. The twine
is Of a texture similar to that used
for binding wheat, which leads the
police to believe that it may have
come from a farm.
.
which were found near the body. One
Of the knvs belongs to a magnetic box
OF an automobile, suggesting the pos
sibility of the slayer owning a ma
chine, or being employed as chauf-
feur.
Although police scout the theory
that the twine found around Mrs.
to death, they recalled that a guam
tity of twine was found near the spot
where an Assault was committed be-
tween Chevy Chase and WiSconSin n
avenue last summer. FOR which . COL
of'ed man soon is to be placed on trial
In Rockville.
Links of evidence which tho police
an initiated handkerchief. which the
slayer obviously used as a gag. q torn
handbag, club. and q stone and tor
toise rings which held the handbag on
Mrs. MAnn's arms when she was at
tackled and the blood and water
soaked twins; Taking Of the twine
from Mrs. Mann's neck was done
without consent Of those Interested in
the police investigation, and has
caused police officials to express in
dignation at the act.
FeStFelhts Are Traced.
Inspector Grant and his corps OF de-
tectfres made a searching investiga-
tton yesterday and late last night OF
the ground near the scene OF the mur-
der, ana traced footprints up an in
cline along Quebec street EARLY this
morning they Resumed the search. and
hope to establish the identity Of the
murderer today.
In the police bulletin this morning
Inspector Gessford, acting superin-
tendent Of police. Instructed all mem
bers Of the department to make every
effort and spare no expense in appre-
hehdfng the slayer. who is described
as being a medium brown skinned
negro. twenty years old, about five
feet five inches In height and weigh
ing ls0 pounds. Tie man is said tc
have worn round-toed shoes, Size 6H
and may have scratche on hands and
face. and probably has bloodstains or
his clothing.
f'1e police slso were instructed te
canvass shoe-shining eSta bffShnnents
to ascertain whether a coiof-ed mar
with his shoes and clothing covered
with yellow clay ifad Been 4 patren
Brother Of victfm Arrives.
George H. Harrison. brother Of Mrs.
Mann. reached this city yestefday y
from his home in Galesburg. H., and
this morning he accompanied Miss
Margaret F. Mann. his niece and
daughter OF the victim OF the aftocfous
murder, to police headauartefs.
Mrs. Mann's body win be taken to
Galesburx.