The Washington times., 1936-03-14


Although I was disappointed
not to be in on Mr.. Perkins inter-
view, too, I considered that after
all had had a big break in hear
ing the other two. watched for
the paper that night with double
excitement. Sure enough, the press
had got the story. The principals
name was all over the front page,
pictures of him, of the high
school, and most everyone con-
nected with it were plastered on
every page.
So far as the interview with
Perkins went, the results were
pretty slim. He admitted that
Hymn was right, that he had called
on Miss Sinclair at about nine
o'clock that night. He said that he
had stayed but short time, for
from her attire, which was that
in which she had been discovered,
and the appearance of her desk,
he believed that she was busy;
in fact, she had said she had an
important letter to write. He had
called unexpectedly for a book she
had mentioned, chatted with her
not more than fifteen minutes.
leaving by nine-fifteen.
Mr.. Perkins, questioned about
this silence in regard to this call,
Al made statement to the
reporters. I copy it from my scrap
book:
Nov that the fact called upon
Miss Sinclair the night she was
murdered has been noted, the
question of why I did not say so
Immediately has arisen. The
answer is very simple. Her death
was great shock to me, as she
was pleasant, likable woman and
an efficient teacher, and murder
is always horrible in itself
II knew Miss Sinclair outside of
school hours as a person of refined
tastes and cultured interests. We
found that we had a common love
of books and often exchanged our
current reading. called upon her
perhaps twice a week, staying
only short time. Our relation
ship was purely friendly and
casual.
II was and am most anxious
to do all in my power to assist
the investigation of Miss Sinclair's
unhappy murder. I have turned
over all information at the school.
given of my time and that of my
teachers in an attempt to help the
authorities. I failed to see, how
ever, that my brief personal call
upon the young woman that even
ing had any significance. Since the
case developed aspects that have
been made sensational, consider
ed that it was very Objectionable to
be involved in it in any personal
capacity. especially Objectionable
to anyone in my position.
II do not see that the chance of
my having called there for book
on that particular night can be
construed in any way as evidence.
That is the explanation of my
silence"
The explanation was not very
satisfactory to a town that was
thoroughly aroused over the affair.
Connie was the type that appealed
to everyone, except some cats, and
even they thought Mr.. Perkins 81
lence caddish. That kids thought
he was just yellow" I am afraid
he had rather hard time with
discipline after that. Some people
thought that there was more back
of it than appeared. but on the
whole, don't think many were
convinced that he was guilty of
numbering her.
The time element was bad for
both Perkins and Hym, and of the
two, most people were reader to
condemn Hymn. According to their
statements, she must have been
murdered between 9:15 and $50.
Mr.. Perkins admitted leaving at
9:15, insisting she was alive and
we'll at that time. Hymn testified
that he found her dead at $50
Unless someone unknown could
have entered between those two
times, one of them must have
killed her.
What the police thought then, I
don't know. They must have ques-
toned the men very strenuously,
but both stuck to their stories.
Hymn was held. but Perkins was
released after Is hours. This fact,
added to the other fact that no mo-
tive could he asta ahlishad for Pnr.