Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1889-02-27
GREAT DAY FOR IRELAND
Pigott Confesses to Forging
the Parnell Letters.
FLEEs TO ESCAPE PROSECUTION.

The Latest Sensation Is the Greatest of
All-Sir Charles Russell Chagrined at
the Perjured Forger's Escape-suspicion
That He Was Assisted by The Times.
LONDON, Feb. 27.-Pigott has fied Pigott
confessed before he fled! This announcement
fairly dazed London Nothing else has been
talked of. The squirming, doubling perjurer
and forger has ruined the case Of The Times.
and It is hoped by many The Times itself
All sorts Of rumors as to Pigott's wherea-
bouts have been in circulation. What appears
to be the best founded Of all Of these reports
is the one alleging that the forger has gone
to Antwerp 1t is known that he was penni-
fess, and where he obtained the money neces-
sary for his journey abroad is a mystery that
no one has yet been able to solve.
Two private detectives, whose employers
are not definitely known, kept Pigott under
surveillance, and these worthless have also
disappeared
The Scotland Yard officials profess the most
profound ignorance not only Of Pigott's
whereabouts, but Of anything else concerning
him.
There is intense interest to know the mean
ing of Justice Hannens remarks to Sir Charles
Russell wherein he said: "There have been
more documents found than you are aware
Of and the public are prepared for further
surprises
Many assert with great positiveness that
Pigott has escaped from the country with the
connivance of The Times Those who hold
this view also assert that The Times is now
anxious 10 withdraw the whole case from
from further investigation, and that the dis
appearance of Pigott is the first step taken by
the managers of the journal toward that end.
In fact, before the commission opened, the
judges had a private consultation in their
room. It is reported that they were CON
sidering proposition of The Times to with
draw from the case, to which the Parnellites
very strongly object.
The withdrawal of The Times would put a
stop to the proceeding and leave the Irish
leaders no chance to refute the ISLANDERS which
have been heaped upon them during the past
three months
It would also involve a winding up Of the
commission, for which nobody is prepared
and with which nobody but The Times would
be satisfied
Should The Times persist in its intention,
as rumored, the court will probably bring
about a suspension Of the trial by adjourning
until both sides are ready to resume or the
court decides that the investigation must
60 on.
Pigott's houSekeeper at Kingstown. near
Dublin, received a telegram on Monday in
structing her to ''burn all the papers in the
black box, and in conformity with these in
stTuctions the papers were destroyed.
Jubilation is the note among the Liberals
as well as the Nationalist, but the leaders of
the latter are really furious over what they
call "the Pigott trick of The Times and
Tory government in conniving at the forger's
escape They claim that they will be able
TO substantiate the truth Of this.
Pigott, unlimited, called at Mr.. T.abou-
chere's office ON Saturday and said that he
desired to confess Mr. Labouchere would
not listen to him unless witnesses were
present. Whereupon witnesses were called,
including Mr.. George Augustus Sala, and
Pigott made the confession as stated.
The confession of the forger was then pro-
duced. In it Pigott admits that he forged all
the letters ascribed to Messrs. Egan, PaInell,
Davitt and O'Kelly. He also admits that he
perjured himself before the commission.
In the Bow Street police court Solicitor
Lewis, at the instance Of Mr. Parnell, applied
for "a warrant for the arrest Of Pigott The
warrant was issued ON the charge Of perjury
and forgery.
Mr. ParneA's progress 10 the Bow Street
court TO obtain warrant for Pigott's arrest
was a continuous ovation. He was followed
by an ever increasing crowd, who cheered
him repeatedly.
There was curious delay in issuing the war
rant 1t was not made out until evening,
thus giving Pigott good time to escape.