New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-09-18
PRICE THREE CENTS.
THREE WRECKERS CONFESS
GETTING AT THE FACTS OF THE MONTREAL
EXPRESS DISASTER
BREASTS OF THEIR PARTICIPATION In
THE CRIME-kIERNAN AND CORDIAL,
THOUGH IMPLICATED, PROTEST
THEIR INNOCENCE
THEIR INNOCENCE
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE IkiBUSE.I

Troy Sept. lit is certain that three Of tho
five train-wrcckcrs confined in tho Troy Jail
have confessed their participation in tie crime
Of wreckng the Montreal Express on the Central
road. They arc John Reed. Arthur Buctt and
Thomas Cainc Reed was the first man arrested:
the other two were caught in Canada last week.
John Herman and John Cordial, the other prison-
ers. stOutly maintain their innocence In fact
Reed. Buett and Canc tell reporters that they
have not confessed, but the confessions are in
the possession of r. A. Parmcntrr. and they will
I've submitted to the Grand Jury tomorrow.
Herman and Cordial were brought into court this
morning. They conferred with their counsel,
William J. I.udden, and Master Workman lee.
The defendants announced that they were ready
for an examination. X. \. Parmcnlcr. who ap-
peared for the railroad company, protested that
Ludden had not been retained to defend Cninc.
Reed and Bnctt. Mr.. I.uddrn insisted that he
was counsel for all five prisoners. After discus
sion it decided TO POSTPONE the examination
until Friday at = p M. Mr.. Parmcntcr refused
to he interviewed.
II is probable that the text Of the confessions
will he made public on Friday. From Trustworthy
source it is learned that Reeds confession mad
September in the hearing of Pvcn witnesses.
The confessions of Game and I'uP,t faint ones.
and are witnessed by two outsiders They
foTTODOIHIe inc SOTy IDiu Dy IVFu "
that Reed, Herman, Cordial, Buctt and Cane,
all members of the knights of Labor and Nrw-
York Central Railroad strikers, mot in liquor
store in Albany and talked over the situation. All
agreed that something should bc done to cripple
the railroad, which was getting the best OF the
controversy. The men VINO have confessed state
that their sole purpose WAS to cripple the railroad
and they did not give the question that there
might bc loss Of life thought II was decided
10 wreck a train at distance from Albany, -
that there would he delay in getting 10 tho scene
of the wreck. Another thought was that il woult
bc considerably removed from telegraph station,
and before the authorities could be Informed and
the track cleared other trains would arrive and
the tracks would be blocked for long distance.
The place selected was four miles below Green
bush. II answered the purpose Of the wrckers
in every particular. The party placed
tho Instructions on tic track Thursday nl.ht,
September I. and then fled over the hills, and, TAX
ing q circuitous route. returned to East Albany.
The pbefructons wrecked the Montreal ENprc>s.
On their way hac; to Albany the wrcricrs
stopped al The house of resident of firrcnhn>h,
not far from the village. to qn"nch their thirs.
They wcr" rec"gn7"d II is siltl. al that lin"
as Reed. BIett and Game. Ii Herman and Cordial
were with the party AZ that time they were oit
nf SlSHt nlnc ana bucit, III lnclr Wrlt'P9
statements, declare that they returned the
United States voluntarily. They captured
at Prescott, on Canadian soi, and they fully nm.
dersood that they were not obliged 10 return "a
the United States without r'lnisiton. These
fornalitics were waived by the fugitiycs
If you'll agree not TO handruiI II, We will 20
back Ia Albany quietly and not give you any
troubc. they said Ia Detectives Price and Dunn.
who ma lc the arrest
Both tanr and Blc;t also declare that thcI
statements were made without being promised
rmption from punishment These men all stale that
the wrerklng of the train was not advocated
AZ any meeting Of The local assembly o,
knights of Labor to which the prisoners belong
Mr. Parmenter has carefully examined the
fes>i"nS and has ANNOUNCED rs his opinion that
no legal flaw exists in the documents
In court today bail in the cases Of kicrnan
end Cordial WIS fixed NJ 100000 each. The
knights of Labor are paying al! possible attention
10 tEcN' two men and are supplying them viii,
food at the Jail. The other thr'r Stunned bv
the Knights and are hring fed by the railroad
company. Ii is not believed that tho testimony
against Herman and Cordial can establish their
identity with the wreckeIs of the Montreal E\
press, but the full extent Of the evidence against
them cannot bc aSccrtaincd.