The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1889-06-18
WOODRUFF'S LAST.
The Horsethief Alleged to Be Con-
necsed With the Cronin MUIR
der Tells New Story.
a Mistake in Dates Which Gives the
Whole Narrative a Very
FIshy Flavor.
An Allegation that Alex. Sullivan Paid
the Rent for the Carlson Cottage
for Williams.

CHICAGO. June la.-All previous confes-
sions of Woodruff, the horse thief, who has
been indicted for completely in the Cronin
tragedy, were eclipsed yesterday by an en-
tirely new story from him published in the
| Times. He contradicts and discredits
every other statement heretofore attributed
to him, and now appears in the role of an
ex-member of the Canadian militia, claim
ing that he was trusted by Cronin's alleged
| murderers because he furnished Fenian
spies with valuable Information durlEg
one of the military raids into Canada
Woodruff says he arrived in Chicago
March rs and obtained work from q gar
dener on Southport avenue, not far
from the Carlson cottage. After three or
four days work for the gardener, Woodruff
was taken sick. His narrative says:
"With the intention of going to the county
hospital, drifted into O'Sullivan's place.
made up my mind he was Fenian, and
reminded him of certain scenes during The
Fenian raid into Canada 1 went over
| during that raid as a volunteer in the
Twenty-fourth Kent Battalion, whose
headquarters were at Chatham. We went
as far as Niagara. At that time l was as
signed to the adjutants department, and
gave To some Fenian spies, who came 10
our camp, such points as l learned while
in that place. That was my FIRST coDnec-
ton with the Clan-na-Gael. O'Sullivan
possible From there / came down town
and went TO work In Deans livery
stable" Woodruff tells how he met De-
tective Coughlin soon after and had a drink
with him. He conveyed the impression
that Coughlin knew him 70 be thlef, and
that he believed the detective 20 be
"fence." While walking together they
met OSullivan and the latter mentioned
WOodruff's request for employment
Coughlin quizzed Woodruff, that man in
his line should want work ana Woodruff
then told Of meeting, early In April, one
Melville, whom he had known in Callfor-
MIA Melville, he said, was great friend
of Desmond and "Sand Lott kear-
ney during the labor troubles there.
Melville and Detective Coughlin were
drinking together in south side saloon
and Woodruff Joined them. Coughlin soon
left and the other two made the rounds OF
the disreputable houses for q while, after
which Melville took leave, saying he was
stopping at McCoy's hotel. Melville gave
Woodruff a small sum of money and said
he wanted 20 see him again in few days.
Afterward Woodruff met Coughlin on the
north side talking with a man whom Wood
ruff calls McDOugall. He claims MeDou-
gall told him his name was now Williams.
Woodruff had known McDOugall or VIII
liams as an old worker for the Clan-na
Gael. After private interview between
Coughlin and Williams, the latter took
Woodruff to the west side and talked with
him. When Woodruff told Williams he was
"busted," the latter said "Why don't you
go down and see Alexander Sullivan ,"
Woodruff replit he was not ready TO be
sent 70 Europe. The pair then proceeded
to liz Clark street This is the place
where as has been frequently published,
the furniture of the Carlson cottage was
first stored Williams would not tell
Woodruff what he wanted HIM to do, but
urged him few days later 20 go over and
see Alexander Sullivan. He finally did
and told him McDowgal1 sent him over.
Mr. Sullivan said: "McDougall? oh, you
mean Williams, don't you?"
Woodruff replied yes, and Sullivan said
he had nothing TO say; that he had never
met Woodruff before. Woodruff told him
he was looking for a job, and on Sullivan
asking him what kind of work he would
like, he replied: Anything in Gods
world, IL there is any money in it." Sulli-
van looked at him sharply and replied: ''lf
1 hear of anything for you. I'll let
Williams know of it,"
Next day, on the North side, when in
company with Williams, they met Sullivan.
He took Williams ON one side and
handed him money, saying Now pay that
rent" Then, seeing Woodruff, Sullivan
told him he must not take offense at his
very busy and had a great many applica-
tions for jobs. Wednesday before the
murder Woodruff met Coughlin, who asked
him TO take note over 10 Sullivan. This
used by the Fenians when Woodruff was at
Niagara He looked at il aud says il read,
''GOing up to p. O'oullivan's."
The remainder of the confession deals
mainly with the night of the murder, and
COughlin, so Woodruff alleges, paid
him twenty-five dollars TO bring
10 Lincoln avenue from Deans
livesy stable a conveyance in which
trunk.could be carried. Near Ashland and
Lincoln avenues Melville and a man named
O'Shea, alias Mike McDougall, joined
woodruff. The latter says this man was a
machinest or blacksmith from Philadel-
phia, but that he had known him in Witch
ita, Kas- Melville, he said, he had also
met before in Peoria, in connection with
Irish affairs. They drove out TO the Carl.
son cottage, reaching there about a. m
The two men went In and soon after p.
O'Sullivan, Melville and Williams came out
carrying trunk which they placed in the
wagon Here follows a new version of
the ride with the trunk and the disposal of
the body in the sewer. Woodruff now
says the intention was TO have the trunk
sunk in Lake Michigan, of Lincoln
park but thinking they were pur-
sued the plan was abandoned. Woodruff
claims that Cronins instrument case was
probably buried or thrown into the Lake
by Melville and Williams when they left
the wagon in the woods for a short time.
He does not know what disposition was
made Of the clothing. Woodruff concludes
with the assertion that he has recently been
approached by lawer who offered TO take
his case gra.utiously and that this lawyer
had to keep strict silence, as he and Alex
ander Sullivan's attorney would work in
unison and that one OF Sulliyans bondsmen
had agreed TO pay for Woodrufl's defense.
The climax of the whole confession" is an
assertion by Woodruff that all his previous
alleged confessions" are bogus and that
this Is the first and only statement
l have made since my arrest" The
intimation being that the other
confessions" were given circulation by
interested persons to create the impression
that he (Woodruffl was liar. Woodruff
gave his age when arrested as 26 years
The last Fenian invasion of Canada occur
red about 1856. This would make Wood
ruff about s years old when, according TO
his own story, he was member of ihe
Canadian militia and first became intimate
with the Fenians.
Woodruff was visited IN jail in the after
noon and found deeply engrossed in the
preparation of another confession, which,
be says, is to be much more sensational
than any of the preceding ones BE reiter-
animation altered IL in many important
particulars. He said he was only % years
| old, but insisted that he took an active part
| in the Fenisn rebellion, which, he says,
occurred in 1878. His date does not agree
with history. He said he visited the
flats at liz Clark street April 20, when
the fact is the fiat was vacated
by the mysterious stranger March y
WoodrufTs statement that he met Melville
April and that the latter was stopping at
| McCoy's hotel, Is met by the hotel register,
which shows Melville left there March 20.
| Woodruff further said this afternoon that
he was with DIR. Cr0nin and Sullivan the
| night of and previous 10 the murder of the
| doctor. This conflicts with his morning
/ confession. IN which he says he played
/ cards all that evening. When asked why
| be told this last story. after having told so
| many others, Woodruff replied. well, /
was promised the influence OF great
paper in my behalf"
To-day Miss Psully, sister of q saloon
| keeper, quoted last night as corrobOrating
Woodruft's latest state ment, denied EN-
i phatically an interview attributed TO her.
She says she knows nothing of Alexander
Sullivan, and never saw anyone answering
bis description with Woodruff Her
brother also denies the important features
Of the interview represented as coming
| from him.
Before the Grand Jury.
CHICAGO, June E.-At the session To-
day Of the grand jury investigating the
/ Crouiu case Audrex 4 nnOuao eas.f6a5