The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1894-12-15

yrx YoRx, Dec. i4.-Poiice Captain
cr,.don confessed before the Lsxow
,suuit,ee to-day that he had paid Sl5, :
40 to secure his captaincy. A few
bour later he was suspended from the
,,,,s BY the board OF police commits
,ou.n on recommendation of Superin-
p,dsut Byrne.. who was instructed to
DuOur. charges against him. The
i,,or committee had agreed that Cree.
don should be granted immunity from
,uui,hment for his purchase OF cap
.iucy aud when the action OF the po-
liz commissioner became known, they,
u veil as Superintendent Byrnes, were
ppointed to appear this afternoon be-
s,s the investigating body.
Captain Creedon's confe ssion was the
Errs,t sensation yet brought forth by
hs Axow committee. 1n itself, the
au,,in's statements were merely con-
i,naton Of the testimony elected be.
kte the session yesterday, but the
r,rtljng facts essentially interviewer
With this sensational exposure affects
lie tint Of dishonor and corruption upon
man who have held some OF the most
MpOnsible offices in the gift OF the
community.
Bu. public censure is not heaped on
Creedon's head. He had served in the
heal police department for thirty years
nth honor aud distinction. He ia a
vsrscarred veteran, whose record
,hOxs that in ntwenty-three engagements
d the civil war he risked his life for his
uunlry. The captains fault is forgot
au by the popular mind in sympathy
ir bis present trying position and re-
,pect for his past record. The day was
nplsle with exciting aud dramatic Incl
dents In consequence OF the Lexow
Committee proceedings throughout the
ui5riAl channels that bear relation to
The public departments involved In the
Investigation.
Commissioner Sheehan, when told OF
Creedon's statement, asked: "Who got
he money!"
When told that this point had not We
bseuIully developed, he said: That's
What they want to find out. II they
keep up their investigation long enough
lgusss they will"
DRAMATIC AND SENSATIONAL.
The scenes in and around the meeting
room Of the committee in the old Tweed
court house were intensely dramatic
and sensational.
Men we're moved by passions and
emotions they had never felt before.
The court room was filed with more
than five hundred persons, witnesses
ialerspersed with representative citi.
isni, who were desirous OF hearing the
tesimony. Captain Creedon had said
on the witness stand that he paid no
money for his captaincy. But to-day,
alter Captain Schmittberger, who is un-
tdsiindiclment, refused the request OF
biz counsel to answer questions.
Cieedon was allowed an opportunity TO
tel the truth and he told it.
The witness spoke slowly with down
ea't eyes. He was moved by conflict
ingemotions and the sympathies OF his
auditors went out to the white.haired
veteran. In a straightforward, though
.hlme.faced manner, he told how he
mad risen from the position Of patrol
man to sergeancy; how at last cap
Illncy was offered him-for money.
Iae expense OF educating his eight chill.
g'en had been very heavy and
10 wanted the position OF cap
IAN with its increased emolu.
hents. But he had submitted the
matter to his friends. They raised the
money. The amount necessary to &C.
cure the appointment was $4,000. be-
cause Sergeant Wiegand had offered
S"OOO, and his friends, Barney
H0nrke, and John W. Reppenhagen, se'
cured the money, ostensibly on his
ho'es. He paid the money to ex-As-
embIyman John J. Martin, 1t was his
understanding that the funds went TO
iolice Commissioner Voorhees,, now
police justice.
REPENTANCE HAD ITS REWARD.
The conclusion OF Captain Crcedon's
h'timony was followed by an impress
ave pause. Then Mr.. Gol apologized
io' causing the captain the unpleasant
aess he had experienced, Tears suf-
.u'el Creedon's eyes. A sympathetic
s"snot TRn through tho audience.
and" continued Mr.. Gof, at is the
unanimous opinion Of this committee
iaa' IN view Of the splendid services you
.ave . rendered to your country and the
@minunity, the public interests will
ao' DO snbseryed by disturbing your
position as police captain"
tNen there wa- burst oil applause,
S sueh as no man could stop. Captain
.fGedon arose. Tears filed his eyes
T Sla his face twitched with emotion.
'ugh each member OF tho committee
.H .a1 Counsel Golf, Jerome and Moss
,aooE his hand warmly. There was
T.'',er TIao'',er burst Of applause, and Captain
SIeelnn walked from tho court room
Syylng. Men trembling with pent-up
n'g' Setog' grasped his hand in SYM
Pathetic PITY.
Inen John ". RcpponhAgen testified
%"' "i. he handled tho money. lie was
",eh ,-h We money and in turn he turned
Tte' $1,000 Of IL to "lloncs" John
Tstl, Trstl,n !or tho benefit OF Commissioner
tLoVH'ileS'. lie kept tho remaining $1,000
W himself. lle was tho Ro.beLwOen.
hheppenhRgen swore that Voorhees,
'ei u he said no did not got tho money.