Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-21
ROADH0USE FIGHT
C[UESARE LACKING
Probers Agree First ExpIana-
ton of Shooting
Is False.

Sullen silence was encountered at
almost every turn by Washington and
Maryland police investigating today the
shooting early yesterday morning In
Green Gables, nearby Maryland road
house, of Wesley Charles Poutra and
Joe Houser, still in critical condition
in Emergency Hospital.
Hampered by the stubborn refusal
to talk or apparent evasion Of all those
intimately connected with the shooting.
investigators are no nearer solution CT
the mystery Of what lies behind the
shooting than they were when 1t &C.
CURED.
Out Of a maze of conflicting details,
but one thing is agreed upon by every
one working on the case and that IS
that the frst explanation offered is
false either wholly or In part.
Visit Wounded Men.
Mrs. Louis r. Behrens, wife of the
principal witness. and Mrs. Poutra Wis
tied the wounded men at the hospital
today. Ruth Bradley, whose driving
permit was found In the roadhouse, has
not been located by the police.
Mrs. Behrens said she was not at
Green Gables and knew nothing of
what took place there as her husband
had been too Ill to talk to her. She
was Miss Belle Calhoun before her mar
riage to Behrens. she declared.
County Policeman F. T. Prince said
this morning he will interview some time
today the proprietor of a Ninth street
cafe. thought to have been present at
the roadhouse. The man could not be
located this morning. According to the
theory held by the Maryland author
tiles, the cafe proprietor and the man
who did the shooting came to Green
Gables together. They had one or more
women with them, police think.
The shooting occurred about $40
o'clock yesterday morning. Poutra and
Houser were wounded during a general
fight. Behrens, who with John Law
Twenty-flrst street, was arrested at
Emergency Hospital by Headquarters
Detectives r. H. Mansfield and Curtis
Trammell, was struck on the head with
blunt weapon and his scalp split
Thirteen stitches were taken Bremen
brought Houser to the hospital. Both
men were held under bond yesterday
as material witnesses.
RehrenS' Story to Ohicial.
In his statement to States Attorney
j. Frank Parraris, Behrens said he and
Poutra, friend, were riding along
Ninth street between midnight and
o'clock, when Poutra recognized s girl
at the corner Of street. They stopped
her companion was introduced as Joe
and they were invited to accompany
party to Green Gables.
I'VE were kind of lonesome and look
ing for excitement, so We drove along
behind them" Behrens stated.
After he had danced with three
girls, Behrends declared, he was sum-
moned outside to the porch by Joe"
and another man, accusing him Of try
ing to steal his girl" The matter was
amicably settled and they all went in
side and sat down together at table.
A few minutes later the man got up
and slapped Behrens in the mouth.
During the scuffle which ensued Ben
rens was struck on the head and the
shots were fired, how many is not
known .tts
The man who fired the shots was said
by witnesses to have left the scene In
a car bearing Pennsylvania tags. Police
were told he is a Philadelphian They
were also given his name, but he has not
been apprehended
At the hospital today both victims OF
the shooting were reported to be con-
siderably improved, although Poutra Is
not conceded more than an even chance
to recover.