The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-01-09
KRGBS CONFESSES ALL
The Vandal Claims TO Be Mentally
irresponsible.
The Victim of n Peculiar Disease
Mania Additional Complaints
Filed Against the Frisoner-Poiicc
Uncertain What TO DO With Him.

Max Krebs, also known as Herman Max
Krebs, has acknowledged that be is guilty
of the acts Of vandalism which have re-
Gently alarmed the women and annoyed the
police Of this city. He made a full con-
fession to Detectives Parham and Gailaher
at the District Jail Sunday. Not only did
he admit that he is the man who for weeks
past terrorized the female population of
Washington, but in his statement admitted
that he had been under arrest for, similar
offences committed in New York and Phil
adelphia. ,
Krebs claims to have been actuated IN
every instance by a peculiar disease over
which he had no control. His statement is
confirmed by Drs d. X. Shute and J. r.
| hewitt, who examined him at the jail, The
physicians say that while the case of Krebs
is one infrequently met with, it is by no
means unusual. Similar cases, they say,
have from time to time attracted the at
tention Of the medical world.
| When arraigned in court about ten days
ago krebs was granted trial by jury. 1t
is expected that he will be given hearing
at early date.
Now that the man under arrest has con-
| fessed to being the garment slasher, it is
expected that additional complaints against
| him will be lodged with the police. An
other victim of what is now termed by the
| police "Krebsmania' made complaint yes
terday. She is Mrs. George W. Loefiler, OF
2409 Brightwood Avenue northwest. Ac-
cording 10 her complaint, her dress was cut
while she was in the Centre Market on the
M hars M drnc ync
cut in three places, and peculiar thing
about the cutting is that Mrs Loeffier sus-
pected well-dressed woman whom she
describes as being OF dark complexion and
stout build. The police are Convinced that
krebs was also responsible for this case OF
dress cutting. When the report was re-
ceived at headquarters IL was at first
thought that another Gutter" was at work.
but when the date OF the cutting was noted
il was decided that II was simply late
complaint against the prisoner at the Jail
Now that the identity of the dress
cutter has been unquestionably established
the police are at a loss to know what 10
do with the man. He admits that there
is no cure for mis- peculiar disease, and
the physicians who examined him are of
the same opinion. The police say that in
view of the pitiable condition of Krebs IL
is hardly probable that he can be legally
punished for the charges against him.
They say, however, that should the prisoner
be set at liberty 1t is probable that lie
would continue his practices. IL is, there
fore. the opinion that Krebs will be COM
mitted TO an insane asylum or other similar
Institution unless his parents, who are said
TO be wealthy residents of Germany, agree
TO take charge OF him.
Irrespective of what becomes of Krebs
the police will now rest satisfied that they
have cleared up a mystery which bothered
the officials OF at least two other cities.
II will not be necessary now unless more
cutting is complained of for the police
to exercise the unusual vigil ordered since |
the cutting first attracted attention. Dur
ing the weeks that the cutter" slashed at
will many complaints we're made against |
him and sixteen were recorded at head |
quarters. Those compliments gave the |
police as many descriptions of the person |
supposed 10 have done the cutting. AS a |
result at least twelve persons were i
Swallowed for days. At no time Was q /
description given by which Krcbs might |
have been recognized. AS a rule. when |
his victims discovered that their garments /
had been cut they recalled some person
who by accident probably jostled them
while in crowd either in a store or on
the street. As a result the police were
asked TO look out for men and women of
all sizes and shapes and all compilations.
The complainants in most instances were
positive that they could identify the cutter.
mooted question at present. and one
that viii probably have to be decided b.
Major Sylvester. arises over the DISPOSE
ton of the reward Of 500 offered for the
arrest Of the vandal. At present there
are two claimants for the reward in the
persons OF Detective Parham, who ar
rested Krebs. and NJ. o. Chance who de-
cd no in no Of NJ
dress Of Mrs. Chance.
Since the matter of the disposition OF
the reward was raised. the real circunI-
stances attending the arrest of Krebs have
been made public. Mr.. Chance was a caller
at Police Headquarters yesterday morn
ing and claimed that he was entitled to
he reward. In reference to the matter
ne said:
Il saw Krebs cut my wife's dress and at
,nce demanded that Policeman Elliot. sta
Toned at the crossing at Seventh Street
md Pennsylvania Avenue. place the man
inder arrest. He questioned Krebs. whom
I appears he had previously met in
usual way. The man protested his inno-
,ence and Elliot declined TO take him into
,ustody. The following morning I called
It Headquarters and gave the police the
,eneht of what information l had"
Inspector Boardman corroborates the
statement OF Mr.. Chance, and said that /
Detective Parham was detailed on the case
after the complaint of Mr.
nance had been made.
"Parham." said Inspector Boardman.
sought Policeman Elliot, and from him
earned the name and address Of the man
rho cit Mrs. Chances dress. Elliot said
lie knew the man slightly, and had re,
emily directed him to house in Street
Ghere krebs secured a room. Elliot did :
ot believe Krebs was guilty Of the Of
ence complained of. Detective Parham
will be remembered, arrested Krebs at
be place where the latter was employed,
nd later the facts Of his escapsdes in
lew York and Philadelphia developed. II !
vas through the efforts of Parham that
ir.ns WIS yesterday In ced to m; Ike a I
ull confession"