The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-12-30
CUMMINGS'S CAPTURE.
THE STORY OF HIS MOTHER AT
LEAvENWORTH.
Rerty.flve Thousand Dollars OF the
Money Recovered and All the
Thieves Bagged.

LEAvKNwoRTH, KA December 20
Shortly after midnight the detective;
who brought Fred Witrock, alias Jim
Cummings, to this city left the Wit
rock house with their prisoner and re-
paired to hotel, where they took q
room and retired. While the two
officers were absent with yonng Wit.
trock from the house MIRA Witrock
was induced by reporter to tell what
abe knew OF the case, IS Der sons con-
nection with it could not be concealed.
Between broken sobs she admitted
that Fred had participated in the rob-
berry, but would be released, a. he
had confessed all to the detectives.
She said that shortly after the robbery
Oscar Cook came 20 Leavenworth end
visited her one evening, and after
talking to Der some time said Fred
was in trouble; that he had made a
large sum OF money on wheat deals in
Chicago, and had had some difficulty
with broker over the matter which
ended by his shooting the latter ;
that he had to fee from the
country and wanted his mother
to take care of the money until
she heard from him further. This
she agreed to do, and the money was
left in her possession. Some time
after this another young man, who
lives in this city, but whose identity
she refused TO divulge, called and left
another package of money, and that
on two other occasions two other
young men called ct different times
and left money, which they say had
come from Fred. When asked if she
knew the amounts for the total sum
she said she did not; that they were
large packages, but she had never
couptsd it, believing implicitly in
Fred's story, and thinking she wss
aiding him by caring for his prop
erty, and not dreaming but that he
came by it honestly; she had no occa-
sion to use any of it, having money Of
her own. When asked bow the de.
t. ctives happened to be here search
ing her house, she said: "When ]
read of FIed's arrest l Immediately
wrote to the express company telling
them Of the money and requesting
them to come to Leavenworth, ard
that is undoubtedly why they are
here, This seems to be about all
Mrs. Witrock could tell, and the re.
porter passed into another room,
where two of the detectives were
seated. In response to question to
one as 10 the amount Of the money
they had discovered be disclsimed
all knowledge of money having been
found at the house. He wss told
what Mrs. Witrock had said, and
then admitted that an amount had
been secured. When asked where it
had been eecreted, he said that some
of it was found under barn, but not
on Mrs. Wtrock's premises He
afterward denied this story and said
that the details as tod by Mrs. Wit
rock were substantially correct. At
this iunctuTe knock was heard, and
the two officers who had besn absent
with Fred Witr0ck returned. Mr..
Piukerton was asked about the amount
of money recovered. He al first denied
that was what he was here for and
that any money had been recovered.
When asked what an empty tin box
had contained, which was staoding
near by, he eaid it was about $4,000,
and bore all indications of not having
been tempered with, but he could not
ray. PlnkeIton iuily exonersted |
Mrs. WitIock and family; they
had only done what others |
would 90 under the c;icum-
stances. "They have done nothing |
wrong" said Mr. Pinkerton, "and l |
anticipate that when we come to ex.
anime what we have got, we will find |
it all ia the same condition as she re-
ceived it." This ended talk on the |
subject. Before going 10 bed. Robert
Pinkerton visited the Times Office and
corrobolated in his statements all that
had been said by Mrs. Wihock. He
refused 10 give the minutiae of the
bat declared that no
promises or inducements were held
out to Witrock TO make q confession;
that whatever he did was done volun-
harily without promise that he would
not be prosecuted. It could not be
ascertained whether additional arrests
will be made today.
The Confession of Mrs. witrOck.
ST. LOUIS, No., December ga
special from Leavenworth, Kas., says:
II was leaned at late hour last night
that Dete ctivs Pinkerton came to this
city in respor SO TO a summons from
Mrs. WitTock, "Jim Cummlngs's"
mother, who informed him (Pinker-
;on) that she had important informa-
ion for him. When Pinkerlon ar.
~ , l. 1. |