Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1886-12-30
THE GREAT ROBBERY.
WITR0CK, ALIAS jim CUMMINGS. MAKES
A FULL CONFESSION.
Over $4,000 Of the Stolen Money Returned
Mysterious Visit to LsaTsnwOrth, Where Il
Was COneealed-Ths Mother Of the RObber
lntsryiswsd-WitrOek Enruute 10 81. Louis

When the S:35 train on the Rock Island
road came into the Union depot last night,
five men alighted, and, keeping close to-
gether, hurried away up the street and
were soon lost sight Of. There was moth
ing in their appearance or conduct that
would attract notice, but some one stand
ing on the platform, who saw the party,
remarked that one of them looked like
WitrOck. A reporter undertook TO locate
the quintette, but no trace of the strangers
could be found. Two reporters then yis-
tied the home of Witrock, where they took
a stand and made a survey of the sur
rouUdings. All was quiet in the yard and
about the house, and the blinds were
closed.
The reporters then entered and advanced
up the walk, and when within few feet
OF the porch voices were heard in the
house, speaking in low tones. Then 4
woman's voice, exclsiming "Oh, Fred"
was heard. One of the reporters stepped
boldly upon the porch and knocked.
THE DOOR WAS UNLOCKED
and partially opened, revealing tall, fine
looking man, standing uncovered IN the
middle of the room. 1t was Fred WitrOck,
and it was evident from the expression on
his face that he was worried. At first he
absolutely refused to allow any one to step
out on the porch, but at last opened the
door so a view could be had; he WAS seen
only for a small space Oftime.
The stranger at the door avoided all
questions, saying only enough to leave the
impression that he and his partners were
detectives, and, therefore, on business OF a
most important nature. He said, too,
that nothing would be done until morning
and with that he bOlted the door. About
that time face appeared at the transom,
and another strange man looked out. The
reporters made a motion teigning to he
leaving. The face went away, seemingly
satisfied, and noise like the crumphug Of
paper was heard.
PEEPISG THROUGH THE KEYHOLE
the three detectives were seen busily ran
slcking the room, examining papers, and
every nook and cOrner Nothing could be
distinctly made out, bue the noise of the
crumpling paper was still distinctly heard.
Finally the reporters were admitted by one
of the detectives, who, when asked II he
had come to make additional arrests, said
he could not answer.
Where did YOU come from was
asked.
Il must refuse to answer.
Did YOU come from Chicago
There is no use to ask anything fur
ther"
when are you going away?'
| Il don't know.
Were witrock and Emma Moore living
together when he was arrested?'
II don't know. They occupied Hat
some place in the city, but l don't know
whether they occupied the same room or
not; this can tell you.
THAT MYSTERIOUS NOISE.
All this time the strange noise, like the
/ handling of slips of paper were heard IN
\ the parlOr, and again the face appeared at
\ the transom. Finding their interviewing
I efforts a failure, the reporters again went
I away. but were soon back i'll the vicinity
auaiu. Suddenly a man was seen eau
! tiously comingup Middle street, and as he
neared where the newspaper men were
concealed it was noticed that he had re-
yolver in his hand. The reporters then
stepped out and made themselves known.
/ By that lime two men had come from
second street. One of them was one OF the
/ detectives, while the other was Witrock.
| They carried bundle between them, but
what il contained and where they had
rotten il could not be surmised. The
three men then went upon the porch and
/ held a short conversation. The package
WIS then handed to the leader OF the party
and all three passed into the house and the
/ door WAS closed.
! wITROCH MAKES \ COMPLETE CONFESSION.
| LATER-WitrOck has made full con-
fession of the robbery, but ut present 1t
cannot be stated who are the aceompliceS.
4 large amount of money has been recov-
cred. it having been concealed in a box
under barn near the house. The detec-
tives were taken 10 the spot and the box
iug up. 1t was brought to this city by
Cook, and concealed by him and three
other Young men whose names are not
known. NThe amount of the money re-
covered has not been learned.