The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-12-30
TUE BIG EXPRESS ROBBERY.


LEAvENwoRTH, Kan, Dec. 2a-It was learned
at a late hour last night that Detective Pinker.
ton came to this city in response to a summons
from Mrs. Whitrock. sJim Cummings's' mother,
who informed him (Pinkerton) that she had i'm
portant Information for him.. When Pinkerton
arrived at Mrs. Witrock's house he was handed
an express package containing $22. 600 in cur
rency, which Witrock had sent to his family
after the robbery, sending word by the msssen-
ger who brought it that he had won it by gam-
bling aud speculations. He directed his family
to keep the money secreted for him, as he had
shot a man in Chicago, and told them that it
would be attached for damages, and that he was
obliged to leave Chicago on account of this
shooting. The money had not been disturbed
and was in the original wrappers. Mr.. Pinker-
ton will probably remain here during tomorrow.
1t is supposed that Witrock, during one of his
visits to this city, hid large sums of the stolen
money and that he will now turn 1t over to the
detectives. There has already been recovered
OF the stolen money about $40, 600.
Shortly after midnight the detectives who
brought Fred Witrock, alias 'Jim Cummings"
to this city, left the Witrock house with their
o WV AVPoAOA w ~ hObCAf ehOy
took q room and retired. While the two officers
were absent with young Witrock Mrs. Witrock
was induced by a reporter to tell what she knew
Of the case, as her sons connection with IL could
not be concealed. Between broken sobs she ad-
mitted that Fred had participated in the rob-
berry, but would be released, as he had confessed
all to the detectives. She said that shortly after
the robbery Oscar Cook came to Leavenworth
and visited her one evening, and, after
fnfkinr In hap FOR cNrxn %srrn cid Tu1I ~-nr -
trouble; that he bad made a large sum of
money on a wheat deal in Chicago and had some
difficulty with a 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 his 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 or two
other occasions 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 sums total she said she did not;
that they were large packages, but she had
never counted it, believing implicitly in Freds
story and thinking she was aiding him by caring
for bis property. aud not dreaming but that he
came by it honestly; she had no occasion to use
any OF 1T, having money of her own. When
asked how the detectives happened to be
here searching her house, she said: "'When
1 read of Fred's arrest l immediately
wrote to the express company, telling them
of the money, and requesting 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 into
another room, where two of the detectives were
seated. In response to a question as to the
amount of money they had recovered, they dis
claimed all knowledge of any money having
been found at the house. They were told what
Mrs. Witrock had said. and then admitted that
an amount had been secured. When asked
where it had been secreted, they said that some
of it was found under 8 barn, but not on Mrs.
Witrocks premises. They afterward denied
this story, and said that the details as told by
Mrs. Witrock were substantially correct. At
this %juncture a knock was hea I'd, and the two
officers who had been absent with Fred Witrock
returned. Mr.. Pinkerton 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
about BIG .0G0, and it bore all indications of not
having been tempered with, but he could not
say. Pinkerton fully exonerated Mrs. Witrock
and family; they had only done what others
would do under the circumstances. They have
done nothing wrong" said Mr.. Pinkerton, land
l anticipate that when we come to examine what
we have got we will find it all in the same con-
dition as she received it." This ended talk on
the subject.
Before going to bed Robert Pinkerton visited
the Times Office, and corroborated in his state
ments all that had been said by Mrs. Witrock.
He refused to give the minnti4 of the transac-
ton, but declared that no promises or induce
ments were held out to Witrock to make a con-
fession; that whatever he did was done volun-
tarily, without a promise that he would not be
prosecuted. 1t could not be ascertained wheth-
er additional arrests will be made to-day.
Col. L.. g. Weir. superintendent of the Adams
Express Company, states that the amount stolen
last October was between $81, 600 and $82, 600.
He had charge of the payment Of these losses at
the time of the robbery.