New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-15
WEBSTER" WITHIN REACH.
THE MYSTERIOUS COLONEL BELIEVED
TO BE A MAN NAMED HEPBURN.

BROOKLYN BRIBERY CASES BY THE
CONFESSION OF IsLEs-AssIsTANT
DISTRICT ATTORNEY CLARK
HUNTING HIGHER GAME.
Dstrict-Attorney Josiah T. Marean. OF Brooklyn
In a public statement which he made last night,
clearly indicated his conviction that the Colonel
Webster who was principal In tho scene IN tho
Sinclair Hotel when the use OF money In influencing
the March Grand Jury was proposed 10 Frederick
G.. Isles. secretary OF tho Grand Jury, is a man
named Hepburn. OF Manhattan. The District-At-
torney believes that Hepburn and Colonel webster
are one and the same person. because the descrip-
ton given by Isles OF Colonel Webster corresponds
precisely with the description OF Hepburns physical
features.
within twenty-four hours" said Mr.. Marean.
I'VE shall mako certain whether or not Mr.. Hep
burn Is the Colonel Webster known to Mr. Isles
II is not necessary for to Issue subpoena for
Hepburn. and by so doing we might Illustrate the
ends of justice. Hepburn cannot get away. nor
would It be to his interest to attempt IT, because II
would be clear indication Of guilt. The police
know where he is. and are ready to stop him II he
should attempt to get beyond their reach. We could
not make the the description given but
as the man can be had at any time we have no.
considered IL necessary.
District-Attorney Marean says ne has found out
that Hepburn Is cousin OF Police Commissioner
Philips, whose private secretary Chares M w nhht,
was present when the suggestion Of bribery was
made. Hepburn has been frequent visitor Mt
Police Commissioner Philips's house. both before
and since Philips received his appointment to the
Police Board. Mr.. Marean says that IL Hepburn
Is Webster he IS not the man who was seen with
Henry d. Ohlsen within two days OK the latters
strange death In his ONCE in Adams-st. Hepburn
would have had object In being with Ohlsen.
Mr. Marean believes that none OF tho men con-
cerned in the conspiracy to bribe the Grand Jury
OF higher standing IN political circles than Isles
and Hepburn. This statement OF the District
Attorney had the effect OF neutralzing damaging
rumors which were in circulation yesterday that
the investigation would soon involve several persons
OF prominence In State politics II is said that
Hepburn has a sister who lives In Sterling Place.
Brooklyn.
The theory that Ohlsen murdered by per-
implicated In the conspiracy 10 no longer held
either by the District-Attorney by tho police OF
Brooklyn Tho Brooklyn police have the credit
for settling this point. while to tho Manhattan
police Is credited tho discovery OF Colonel Web
ster's" identity.
Some time to-day the Disrict-Attorney will
range a meeting between Isles and Hepburn. Isles
has expressed a willingness 10 meet any person
who IS suspected Of being the original Colonel
Webster" and has said that no will have no diff
Guilty IN identifying tho man who offered him tho
money
Commissioner Philips and Former Commissioner
Willis still maintain the silence which they have
refused TO break FOR several days. Mr.. Philips
says tina, he Is no, at all ashamed Of anything that
he has done. and that all that hc has TO say will
be said when he appears in court
EDWARDS VOTED FOR WILLIS
Thomas Edwards the Court-s. real-e.ta,e dealer
tho foreman OF the Grand Jury. who has furnished
considerable Information regarding the transactions
OF the men who attempted 10 bride the Jurors made
an answer last night 10 charges in which he had
been accused of partisanship I'm lis willingness 10
mp.i'aic the prominent Republicans involved In tho
case. NJ. Edwards says that far political
reasons are concerned. there was every ndrcement
for him - conceal his knoWledg, o. wrongdo.ns on
tho part OF public officials concerned In tho Grand
Jurys investigation. Mr.. Edwards has never been
specially active In politics but he has always sym
pathzed with the Wills faciiol OF the Republican
party. Last .all he voted the regular Republican
ticket on which Mr.. Wills candidate He
says that n he were Democrat tnctlonal op-
poncn, % Mr.. Willis there might be some ground
for accusing him OF partisan motives. BIZ; his sup
port Of Mr.. Willis. no believes should relieve him
OF that insnuaton
AS a taxpayer" said Mr. Edwards Il consid-
cred It my duty myself and my fellow-citizcn TO
assist In any plan which would make II n difficult
matter hereafter for public officials to loo, tho
public treasury 10 attempt TO cover up their
wrongdolng by bribery. Influenced In my
actions by no other consideration"
Although Mr.. EdwardSs place OF business II In
the First Ward. and little moro than hundred
ya.ds distant from Mr. Wlilis's store. Mr. Ed
wards is not personally acquainted with Mr.
He says that tho story OF Ohlsen's murder is
absurd II anybody WAS in danger OF bc!ng
this point his vicws coincide with those OF the Dis
trict-Atorrcy. who says b!untly that the murder
theory originated IN the minds OF Ohsens relatives.
who found that they could collect no mony on Ohl-
sens $1,000 life Insurance policy. II 1t were proved
tfgps1 .fa In ftIfN,
provided that IN case the holder o. the policy com
mi'ied suicide within ono year OF the date OF tho
policy tho insurance company would refuse TO pay
the principal This was not known 10 Chlsen'8 rea-
ment and it vas only after they had found tha,
they could collect nothing If Ohlsen was suicide
that they began TO advance the murder theory.
ISLES SHOWS SIGNS OF WORRY.
MI Isles when seen at hts home in Hancock Est.
appeared 10 be somewhat broken down |
IN health. The Incidents OF the last month have |
worked upon him until he appears to be on tho |
verge OF illness lie says that he has thrown him |
self upon the mercy OF the District-Attorney. and
that he hopes 10 DO treated with consideration on |
that account. In conversation with reporter Isles
was the point yesterday OF telling exnct!y how |
he induced TO accept a bride but he stopped |
himself Just no about TO reach the mos, |
interesting point In tho narrative. He infiu- |
encel to disclose his knowledge OF tho bribery |
conspiracy by the examples OF Edwards and |
After learning that Edwards and schott had |
made statements" he SAID 81 hurried down town |
10 them. They urged me TO relate my full |
knowledsc OF the case. and 10 expose those who |
had bribed me. They argued that the real bribers |
ough. to be punished. and that owed Il to myself |
and to my family to make clean breas, OF the
matter. | thought II all that night and the |
next day told every thing The news OF my con- |
nection with tho AFFAIR was a great shock to my |
wife. and she Is nearly Frustrated with grief All |
say II that In moment OF weakness | was |
tempted and gave in Although tho District |
Attorney has not promised that | Will not be |
prosecuted hope 10 escape punishment. but for
all | know may DO arrested within half an |
hour"
Mr. Isles IL stcnographer by occupation. and he |
held stenographcrs position In the City Clo'k \ |
office until he was removed by the Democrats on |
January Il because OF his connection with the Re |
publican party Last fall he OF the lead |
err in the Low campaign In the Twenty NTH Ward. |