Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-06-17

CHICAGO, June 17.-Frank Woodruffs fourth
confession as to who killed Cronin was dinged
into the ears of all Chicago yesterday by q
horde OF noisy newsboys. In this, his latest
disclosure, Woodruff attempts to show the guilt
OF every person now under arrest or suspected
by the police. He contradicts the confession
he made to the officers and reporters at the
Twelfth street station after his arrest. the con-
fession he made to Capt. Setback, and the con-
fession he made to Chief Hubbard. The horse
thief was found yesterday afternoon deeply
engaged in the preparation of still another
confession, which he says will be more terribly
sensational than any of the preceding ones.
He had finished five or six closely written
foolscap pages, which he promises will be made
public in a day or so. His feet were thrust
through the bars in his cell door, his head was
head was resting on his hands, and his elbows
were planted on opposite edges OF the small
pine table. Spread out before his eyes was
newspaper opened to the page devoted to the
latest news in the Cronin case. He put away
the newspaper and the fooscap pages he had
written and said he was ready to answer ques-
tions He did answer them for over an hour
and during that time changed even his latest
confession IN the most important parts.
LUXE DILLON ON THE CONFESSION.
Luke Dillon received no word from New
result of the test, and considers that upon
Maroney's identification hangs the fate Of the
present theory of the prosecution. When
asked what he thought of Frank Woodruff's
alleged confession, Mr.. Dillon said:
Il do not know what to make of it; Wood
ruff certainly made several inconsistent state
ments. l do not care to discuss his story until
l have had time to make more thorough ex-
animation of its details"
DO you know Of any blacksmith by the name
Of McDongall2"
4 do not. Woodruff may have meant
Mcdonald, the man now under arrest in New
York city
"What do you think Of Michael Davitt's re-
ported utterances on the Cronin case?"
michael Davitt would show better judg-
ment If he talked about something he knew
more about He will have to answer for the
language he used in that interview, if he was
reported correctly. He evidently totally mis-
understands the temper Of the Irish people Of
America"
MANY DETAILS coRRoBoRATED.
The Times this morning says that many of
the details of Woodruff's confession pub
lished by that paper yesterday have been cor
roborated, and announces its belief in the
truth of it SO far as Woodruff was concerned.
That paper says Woodruff very reluctant
about making statement He had been mis-
represented all along he said Each day stories
appeared in the papers of which he had never
heard until he saw them in print. He said he
was without friends and had made up his mind
to say nothing more, but to take his chances.
Finally. upon the assurance that the friends of
law and order were amply strong in the state
of Illinois to see that his truthful confession
will not work to his detriment, he consented,
and told the story as published
HIS SHARE IN THE CRIME GREAT.
The Times further says: The suspects and
their attorneys knew that Woodruffs share IN
the crime was great that he might weaken
| at any moment and tell the whole story
Statements have been falsely attributed to him
and afterward promptly denied for the pur-
pose of confusing the mind. and to create
! disbelief i'll anything he might ultimately say.
There were those, however who saw through
this conspiracy to sacrifice one man for the
safety of all involved in this dark crime, and
measures were taken which resulted in bring
ing Woodruff to realizing sense of his perilous
position. Once fully alive to it he made a clean
breast of the whole matter and gave the story
which has solved the mystery Of the Cronin
murder,