New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-05-31
LEGAL CIRCLES STARTLED.
CONFESSION duplicates ROCHESTER,
LAWYERS IN A JEWELRY ROBBERY.
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE rR1BrxE.I


Rochester, May 3G.-It is generally believed
that the police and the District Attorney are in
nossession Of facts which, when made public,
viii create a profound sensa ton in legal circles
Of this city. Although nothing has Yet been
alleged formally. rumors have been numerous,
and recent developments have substantiated
them 50 far il. connecting the names Of lawyers
in this city with q daring jewelry robbery. for
which three men are now under sentence 10
auburn Prison. 4 confession Of a fourth, who
is charged with receiving the stolen property,
IS openly declared 70 be- a lie, concocted for
the purpose Of shielding others who are sus-
pec-ed Of having used him a tool. The po-
ice say that the whole affair is unparalleled in
The criminal annals Of Rochester for daring and
recklessness.
About eight months ago the house of two sis
tiers named French aud Gardiner was robbed in
broad daylight by three men without disguise.
The women were beaten and bound, and jewelry
valued at about $500 was taken. After long
chase the police arrested three well known
young men about town on the charge Of having
committed the robbery. Two Of them were
rested in a Michigan lumber camp. They were
indicted Joe Sharp stood trial and was con-
vicred. After several weeks the other two
pleaded guilty. They were Frank Mclaughlin
and Frank Mcmahon. All three were sentenced
10 long terms in Auburn. Every one thought
that The mystery Of the robbery had been
cleared I'D when sharp was convicted. but be
tween that event and the pleading OF his asso-
GATES the city was startled by the arrest OF
Frank J Wood, a supposedly respectable and
honest young man, who was employed a
travelling salesman for d large crOckery firm in
this city. The charge against him was receiv-
ing stolen property and in mis- private safe were
found TWO boxes Of jeWelry, valued at about
III FgT.aw,~z
theirs
Later lot Of the jewelry was recovered from
2 pawnshop in a Pennsylvania city. Wood was
indicted Yesterday he pleaded guilty. and be
fore he was Temauded To jail gave TO County
Judge Sutherland a written confession. The
judge was aSICniShed at its contents. and re-
fused 70 give II out for publication until the
ing the name Il the person accused was pub
Eshed. II is that of a man who committed sui
eide TWO weeks ago. William H Burnett,
jeweAr Wood said that he was the from
whom he had obtained the stolen jewels
This confession and its accompanying accusa-
say pure fabriCations. made for the pur-
pose OF diveTting suspicion from the real Grim
inal. They openly declare that the opportune
death Of Burnett gave 10 the guilty person
needed jeveller TO push forward as the miss
ing link. some one who identified with the
diamond trade The dead could not speak. and
the pencil written statement was given at the
last moment. Burnett committed suicide be-
cause If an Indictment against him for shock
ing crime but one far removed from that
charged by Wood.
Just how this move on the part Of Wood will
influence the court when sentence IS pronounced
next Tuesday IS q matter Of conjecture.