Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-12-30
A BIG HAUL AT WITR0CK'S
$4,000 OF TRE STOLEN EX-
PRESS MONEY RECOVERED.

His sM other and Sisters Not Parties to
the Crime-HaiGht the Instigstor of
the Robbery-An Instance of Reporto-
rial Shrewdness.
LEAvENwoRTH, KAN, Dec. 20 When
the Rock Island train arrived last night
four men in charge OF another hastily left
the rear coach, and, jumping into a hack,
were rapidly driven toward North Leav-
enworth. A reporter caught glimpse OF
the man covered by the other four and
saw the well known face Of Fred. Wit
rock. The detectives with their prisoner
were driven directly to the Witrock resi-
dence. When the reporter, VINO had fol-
lowed, reached the house the party had
entered, and in a moment thereafter
means could be heard IN the house, CON-
ing from the mother and two sisters of
the now noted train robber.
THE REPO a1",.: AT WORK.
The reporter besieged the house, but
failed to gain admi ttkt4 until reinforced
by Col. Anthony, of the Times, who EN-
ploys one OF Witrock's sisters as book
keeper. With Mr.. Anthony's aid en-
trance to the house was effected, but both
men were promptly elected by the detec-
tives. Their subsequent efforts to inter-
view the inmates of the house through
closed doors and windows produced
9mall results. But shortly after mid.
night the detectives who brought Wit
rock to the city left the house with the
prisoner and repaired to a hotel, where
they took room and retired.
MRS. wITROCK's STORY.
While two officers were absent with
young Witrock from the house, Mrs.
W 4nn
knew of the case, as her sons connection
with it could no: be concealed. Between
broken sobs she admitted that Fred had
participated in the robbery, but would
be released as he had confessed all TO the
detectives. She SAID that shortly after
the robbery Oscar Cook came to Leaven-
worth and visited her one evening and,
after talking to her for some time, said
Fred was in trouble, that he had made
large sum of money on wheat deal in
Chicago and had some difficulty with the
broker over the matter, which ended by
his shooting the latter, that he had to flee
from the country, and wanted his mother
to take care of the money until she heard
from him further.
FOUR PACKAGES OF CASH.
This she agreed to do, and the money
was lett in her possession. Some time
after this another young man, who lives
in this city, but whose identity she re-
fused TO dlvulge. called and left another
package of money, and on two other oc-
casions two other young men called at
different times and left money, which
they said had come from Fred. When
asked if she knew the amounts or sum
total she said thct she did not, that they
were large packages, but she had never
counted the money, believing implicitly in
Fred's story and thinking she was aiding
him by caring for his property and not
dreaming but that he came by it honestly.
She had no occasion to use any Of the
money, having money OF her own.
AN HONEST WOMAN.
When asked how the detectives hap
pened to be here searching her house she
said: "When | heard of Fred's arrest
Immediately wrote to the express COM
papy telling them of the money and re-
Quested them to come to LeavenwOrth,
and that is undoubtedly why they are
here" This seemed to be about all that
Mrs. Witrock could tell and the reporter
passed to another room where two OF the
detectives were seated. In response to a
question as to the amount OF money they
lad discovered, they disclaimed all
knowledge of any money having been
found at the house. The detectives were
told what Mrs. Witrock had said, and
they then admitted that large amount
had been secured. When asked where
it had been secreted one of the men said
that some of it was found under barn,
but not on Mrs. Witrock's premises. He
atterward denied this story and said that
the details as told by Mrs. Witrock were
substantially correct.
PINKERToN's ADMISSIONS.
At this juncture a knock was heard,
and the officers who had been absent
with Fred Witrock returned. Mr.. Pinker-
ton was asked about the amount of
money recovered. He at first denied that
that was what he was here for, and that
any money had been recovered. When
asked what an empty tin box had con-
tanned which was standing near by, he
said it was about $4,000, and bore all the
indications of not having been tampered
with, but he could not say. Mr.. Pinker-
ton fully exonerated Mrs. Witrock and
the family. They had only done what
others would do under the circum-
stances. They had done nothing wrong,
and he anticipated that ''when we come TO
examine what we have got we will find
il all in the same condition as she re-
ceived it.v This ended The talk on the
subject. Before going to bed Robert
Pinkerton visited the Times Office and
corroborated in his statements all that
had been said by Mrs. Witrock. He re-
Iue6u 10 give uNbdllb Vi bhO u aus
action, but declared that no promises or
inducements were held out to Witrock TO
make confession. that whatever be did
was done voluntarily without promise
that he would not be prosecuted. ltcould
not be ascertained whether additional
arrests will be made or not.
CONFIRMED AT CHICAGO.
CHICAGO, Dec. 28.-William A. Pinker-
ton to-day confirms the report that his de-
tectives took Witrock TO Leavenworth,
where his mother last night delivered to
the officers apout $4,000 of stolen money.
1t is stated that convincing proof OF
Haigbts completely in the san Francisco
express robbery is In possession OF the
Pinkertons, and there is no longer
doubt that BaIght was the instigator OF
the crime and Weaver and Witrock were
his partners. 1t was Haight, 1t is said,
who conceived the idea Of writing to j.
B. Barrett. the route agent, i'll order TO
get a copy of that gentleman's letter
heads. Haight also had bogus business
cards with the name Of Nv. L. Damsell,
Superintendent" on. them. The Ptnker-
tons have learned that the plotters tried
to have these letter heads and cards
printed In St. Louis, but they were either
afraid to do so or could not do 80, and
they had the work done In this city by