Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-14
L|MER|CK'S
MOTHER AND SISTER
PUT UNDER ARREST
Mrs. ByWaterS Has Played
Only Minor Role in Probe
of Staying So Far.
MELTED METAL FOUND
IN STOVE BEING TESTED
Husband of Martha Bargfrede to
Be Called to Stand When Cor
oner's Inquest Resumes.

The mother and a sister of Beulah
Limerick, who was found dead with an
unexplained bullet wound in her head
two weeks ago, were taken into custody
today by police for questioning.
The mother, Mrs. Dora Limerick, has
figured prominently in the investigation
of the girls death, but the sister, Mrs.
Julia Bywaters, has played very minor
part so far.
Mrs. Bywaters' testimony at the in
quest was confined to description of
the death room when she reached the
scene. Police at the fifth precinct,
where she was taken for questioning
refused to disclose what was responsible
for the decision to re-examine her.
Mother Denies Report.
The mother was removed from her
home to the fifth precinct station
house, where she will be examined in
an effort to learn whether she asked
Mrs Martha Bargfrede not to say
anything about the gun in the. stove"
Mrs. Bargfrede told police the weapon
was supposed to have been in a coal
stove in the house at Is Nineteenth
street southeast, where Beulah met her
death.
Mrs Limerick has denied making
such a statement.
Later Mrs. Bargfrede and her hus-
band were taken to the precinct station,
where they were questioned in front Of
Mrs. Limerick and Mrs. Bywaters.
The Bargfredes were closeted in the
room with the two women and police
officials only for one-half an hour. Mrs.
Bargfrede was taken back to the De-
tention Home, where she was ordered
confined late Yesterday and Bargfrede
was taken back to the tenth precinct
station house, where he has been con-
fined since early yesterday.
1t was learned, however, that George
Henry Bargfrede, husband of Martha,
confirmed his wife's statement when
questioned last night by Assistant
United States Attorney William H.
Collins.
Capt. Edward ]. Kelly, who is in
active charge OF the investigation of
the girls death for the police depart
ment, said he would not decide whether
he would hold Mrs. Limerick until after
he had finished questioning her today.
Statement Held Important.
The alleged statement with regard
to the gun in the stove is regarded by
police as an important feature of the
case.
Further examination of piece of
melted metal found in the stove in the
death house resulted in an announce
ment today by police that they did not
believe 1t was gun When first dis
covered it was thought possible that
the piece of metal might be the re-
mains of the weapon with which the
girl was shot. The piece of metal,
which had been greatly distorted by
the heat of a fire in the stove, was
classified as a door hinge this morning,
but Collins said the metal would be
analysed to make sure it could not have
been a gun.
was placed under arrest in connection
with the case yesterday, told police she
went to the house on Nineteenth street
as soon as she learned Beulah was dead
While there she claims to have over
heard Mrs. Ethel Limerick, sister-in-
law of Beulah, t.ll the mother that
1.-The gun was in the stove"
She said Mrs. Dora Limerick then
turned to her and asked her mot to say
anything about the gun in the stove"
Bargfrede Is GriIIed.
In their effort to clear up this point,
police said they also expected to ques-
ton Mrs. Ethel Limerick some time
today
Bargfrede was grilled for three hours
by Collins last night, and told the
prosecutor that he was standing near
his wife at the time and overheard Mrs
Limerick make the request
Police declared they secured little
additional information from questioning
Bargfrede, who was placed under arrest
early yesterday.
He said he objected to his wife's as
sociations with Beulah, but denied they
had quarreled about this matter Mrs.
Bargfrede said they did have little
fuss" about Beulah.
Bargfrede denied he ever owned 25-
caliber pistol, the type of weapon with
which the fatal wound was inflicted,
and insisted that he was in his home.
447 Luray place, on the night the girl
met her death.
Bargfrede to Be Called.
Collins said that Bargfrede would be
called as a witness when the coroner's
inquest is resumed tomorrow, but indi-
Gated he did not believe the man had
any knowledge of the girls death. The
prosecutor also said that all of the per-
sons now under arrest in connection
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