The Washington times., 1903-07-09
BURGLAR WEBER POSED
AS CHURCH MEMBER
ConfesseS to Having Plum
dered NeighbOrS.
A REVELATION TO HIS WIFE
Tells Her He Leaped From Train That
She Might Gain Six Thousand
Dollars Insurance.

WHITE PLAINS, n. Y, July 9.-CIose
watch is being kept over John Weber.
the man who posed as a gentleman of
leisure by day in his comfortable home
Rt Chappaqua and plup1 1ered the homes
Of neighbors and frieads by night. for
fear of his attempti4g suicide. as he
seems to be in a state of penitence al
most bordering on frenzy Two men are
watching him IN his cell in the white
Plains Jail day and night
Weber is in a weak condition. two of
his ribs having been fractured and one
OF his lungs punctured in his wild but
vain effort to escape his captor by jump
Ing from the moving train near Scars
dale. The Jail physician says. however,
that he will recover.
Now that his Jekyll- HYDE existence
has been discovered. Weber does not
hesitate to admit his guilt, and to tell
OF his career of crime. He is tall and
slim. of comely appearance. thirty-six
years old. and wears short, reddish
mustache. His conversation shows re-
hnement and education. He said yes
terday:
i came from Kentucky fifteen years
ago. Since then l have lived in New
York city most OF the time, Although
was born a Catholic. Joined the Sal
walton Army. in which was active here
j was good man then. with the love Of
God in my heart. I met my wife. who
was good Christian woman, seven
years ago. She was Norwegian We
were married in New York I was en-
ployed as stenographer there and en-
gased IN other honest occupations.
Robbed Himself, Robbed Others.
About two years ago. when we were
living in Unionville. was coming up
from New York with my wife. when I
was robbed on the train of $500 prac-
tically all I had in the world. I then
started to play the races in order to get
back my money. but 1 only lost more
and ran into debt. The sight OF my fam
lily starving. the fact that our little
baby grew pinched nearly drove me to
desperation, and l began doing wrong.
My wife has told me often that she
would rather see her husband deal than
arrested. but 1 always kept the knowi-
edge OF my wrongdoing from her.
Il used to tell her 1 got the handsome
furniture and things at auction. and she
believed me-
Wife Stands by Him.
When Weber's wife called on him at
the jail there was an affecting scene
Ee said to her: Il tried to jump off the
train because I wished to kin myself
Ny life was insured for $1,000. and I
thought this money would be of more
value TO you and the children .hap nv
worthless self could possibly be-"
His wife replied: II shall not desert
you, nor have l lost all faith in you.
You must live to lead a better life. for
our children's sake. I will take in
washing. If necessary. to support the
children. We must both look to God"
Mrs. Weber said that she had no
knowledge Of her husbands wrongdoing.
The sudden discovery that all the com
forts she has been enjoying were lille
gitimate and stolen from others entirely
Frustrated her at first, but she has now
nerved herself TO face the wretched situ-
ation. The children have been sent 20
relatives
Enthusiastic Worker.
Weber's neighbors at Chappaqua ex-
press supreme astonishment that ne
could be the mysterious burglar who has
been plundering the section for the past
month. Although Weber had not long
been a resident OF the section. he had
made good socially" as one Of his
noighbors expressed it. He attended the
Methodist Church and was enthusiastic
IN religious work
Just as soon as he moved into the sec
tion the burglaries began. They were
daring robberies, too. some of them in
broad daylight. and there was no trace
OF the mysterious craftsman.
Booty Worth $4,000.
Among the piunder found hidden in
Weber's house were the following: A
handsome Jewel case filed with rings
and brooches. typewriter. a score Of
watches. light gold breastpin, gold and
silver dagger, four clocks and silver
ware. bric-a-brac and household orna-
tANhN0 - 49, ? A'H|AA PUN ut lUtdl
police believe from the number OF
watches and pocketbooks found in
weber's house that he was a Dickpocket
as well as a burglar A black rubber
mask made out OF woman's bathing
cap was found.
The booty found in the garrett of his
house and IN secret closets cut in the
wells has Up to this time amounted TO
Sc 900. and the police have found pawn
tickets which are supposed TO represent
property worth several times this
amount.
Weber will be arTaigned before mag
istrate as soon as his condition i'm
proves.
Suspecting Weber. Constable Fred
Wild followed him last night TO the
an.e-room OF the Brooklyn Bridge. where
Weber opened a yalise. exposing a stolen
watch. Wild arrested him. On III re-
turn trip Weber leaped suddenly from
the train.
ACCUSED BY WIDOWS.
CppTNCETEI ID III Julv q-Adolpb