Evening star., 1923-03-19
DEAD WOMAN LIES
UNDER AUTO HOURS
Miss Ella Buckley Found in
WreCkage, Denuded of All
License Plates.
JOSEPH 0STHAUS HELD
Owner and Driver of Car Tells
Conflicting Stories, Ac-
cording to Police.
JOSEPH OSTHAUS HELD

: Miss Ella Buckley, thirtyfour years
old. maid for Mrs. William r. Grif-
fifth of apartment 402. 81 6tn street
northeast, was killed in an automo-
bile crash near 9Th and Hobart place,
early yesterday morning. Her body,
which lay in the wreckage of the
machine, was not discovered until
four and a half hours after the acei-
dent
Joseph Osthaus. former navy yard
machinist, of 1886 9TH street south
west, and brother of Mrs Griffith,
who was taking Miss Buckley to the
home OF his sister. was operating the
car when il struck gulley and
somersaulted. according to police. He
was arrested yesterday at the home
OF Mrs. Griffith by Headquarters De-
tectives Waldron and Sweeney, who
with Detectives Mullen. Scrivener,
Flaherty and Kelly. had been as
signed the case for investigation
TO appear at the coroner's inquest
this afternoon.
Heard Crash and Scream.
Thomas B. White and Mrs. Laura
White of 620A Hobart place. residing
not fifty yards from the scene of the
wrecked automobile. told police that
about 2:30 yesterday morning they
heard a smash and a woman's scream
followed by the noise of an automo-
bile starter.
From that time until shortly before
o'clock the body of the girl is be-
lieved to have been under the ma
chine. detectives said today. First
knowledge of the tragedy came to
the police through Arthur Byrd OF
1926 Evarts street northeast, who re-
ported finding the body of Miss Buck
ley about 6:45 o'clock.
The license plates were missing
from the car when detectives ar
rived on the scene. They were found
by boy named Edward Stewart or
vacant lot near his home, 290E
Georgia avenue. Yesterday. He turn
ed them over to the police.
TeIephoned of Accident.
Wilbur Lynch and James Gladman
of the Corby Baking Company said
they saw man call up on the tele-
phone at the bakery plant shortly
before o'clock Yesterday morning
He told some one. they said, that he
had had an accident and asked the
party on the other end of the wire
to come for him. They said a woman
came for him a short time later in
a taxicab.
Detectives found Osthaus in bed
at the home of Mrs. Griffith. He had
on his shoes and trouse rs. His arm
and face showed cuts and bruises
according to detectives.
At the home of Mrs. Griffith it was
said today the accident probably took
place about 1880 O'Clock SATURDAY
night. Osthaus had been at the house
carrier IN the evening. Miss Buckley
and a friend. Harry Dawson of Alex.
andrla, Va, were present. and Osthaus
onered to take Dawson to 18th stree
and pennsylvania avenue. il was stat.
ed. Osthaus later told the police
Dawson had changed his mind en- route
and wished to be taken 10 18th stree
and Columbia road. While returnins
with Miss Buckley to the home of hi.
sister the accident occurred
osthaus in Daze.
Osthaus told the police he could no
remember what happened between 11.3,
o'clock Saturday night and $50 YES
terday morning. It is believed he wa.
in daze during that time. What h,
did following the accident. it wa:
stated at Mrs. Griffith's home. wa.
probably the result of the iniurie.
he himself had received in the crash.
Detectives declare Osthaus mad,
conflicting statements regarding tn,
accident. At first. they say. he denier
any knowledge of it. Then he STATED
has machine had been stolen while h,
eS dl lHe ,IOIlSeufn, SATURDAY night
At O'Clock yesterday morning i
was said by detectives. he reported hi:
automobile stolen. Later still. the,
declare. he admitted that he tool
Dawson to 18th street and Columbi;
road, about 1880 O'clock, and the,
was proceeding east on Hobart place
when his mind suddenly went blank.
Mr.. and Mrs White are positive
according to the police. as to the tim,
when they heard a crash and the WON
ans screams. They looked at tn
clock, they said, according to the 20
lice. and found ii was about 80
o'clock.
Attorney T. Morris Wampler is t,
represent Osthaus at the inquest to
day. Mr.. Wampler said that no au
thorized statement from Osthau
would be Forthcoming until afte
the inquest. He would not commen
on any phase of the accident
Miss Buckley had been with Mrs
Griffith in domestic service for ap
| proximately fifteen years. it wa
| learned today. She was the daughte
of Joseph Buckley of 1888 Girart
street, a watchman at the Treasur,
Department. She is survived alst
by a sister. Mrs. Ida Saur of tn,
same address. Osthaus is marriet
and has two children.