Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-07-13
SUSPECT IS TAKEN
|NM|LLS MURDER
Wandering Musician, Picked
Up on Farm, Held for
Questioning.

Frank Polan, n wandering musician
81 years old, who gives his address in
Washington as lila Eleventh street
was picked up this morning on a farm
near Coiesville, Md, under question
able circumstances, and Is being held
for investigation in connection with
the murder of Edwin j.. Mills, DC
years. prosperous Hunting Hill dairy.
man, last Thursday at dawn. at the
courthouse in Rockville by States At
torney Robert Peter. jr.. and Lieut.
James Manning. Baltimore sleuth
leaders in the murder investigation.
Polan. who, according to papers on
his person has been under treatment
at Walter Reed Hospital, was taken
into custody by County Officer George
c. .Windham, following the receipt of
information last night that strange
man had been seen lettering in the
woods. Windham, in company with
others in the Colesville district.
searched the woods last night, but
could not find him.
This morning, however, the man
was seen again, this time attempting
to get>a "handout" at a farm in the
neighborhood. Windham. upon receiv-
ing this word, went to the farmhouse
where he was eating.
Rushed to Rockville.
After casual conversation. Wind
ham says he mentioned the Mills muir
der. whereupon Polan is alleged by
the officer to have turned white and
trembled." 1t was said that Polan
had a Washington newspaper in his
pocket which was folded so the story
of the Mills murder was on top.
Rushing Polan to the courthouse at
Rockville. he Immediately was griled
by States Attorney Peter and Lieut.
Manning.
Description Held Similar.
When picked up, Polan, according
to the authorities. had growth of
beard, dirty clothing, and Vas gener.
ally unkempt He was described as be.
ing from 20 to rs years old. having
black mustache. dark hair and
about 5 feet inches in height. 1t
was said that this description close
ly followed the description given to
the authorities by Clarence Miles, 20
year.old farmland at the Mills farm,
who witnessed the shooting.
While not unduly optimistic that
Polan has any connection with the
Mills murder, the authorities said
after questioning him they would hold
him for further investigation.
The taking into custody of Polan
caused much excitement at Rockville.
coming on the top of other rumors
of action which were being circulated
regarding the Mills murder.
The developments fused new life
int inn, hi 4,
was threatening to die out, following
the declaration Of Lieut. Manning yes
terday that after following more than
100 leads that he was no farther than
he was when he arrived last Thurs.
day morning a few hours after the
murder.
Polan, according to the authorities,
told farm people he accosted in the
Colesville district that he was out of
work and in need of food. 1t was
said that he had a decidedly emaciat-
ed appearance.
Probe Reported Threat.
The authorities also were investi-
eating this morning information given
them by William Welsh, manager of
a prominent pool parlor in Rockville.
Mr.. Welsh is represented as having
told the authorities that one or the
men who already have been under
suspicion and closely questioned in
the Mills murder made threat
against Mills and another man in his
pool parlor a short time ago.
1t was understood that this state
ment of Welsh had caused the
authorities to determine to carefully
review this angle of the case.
Another startling rumOr freely
circulated about the Rockville court
house today was that certain per-
son, who has been prominent in the
murder investigation himself. is
being regarded with suspicion.
Records at Walter Reed Hospital
reveal that Frank Polan, jr., was en-
tered there as q patient November D,
1926, and discharged from the hospital
on April last.
While at the hospital he was in
ward So for treatment of mental
diseases.