New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-03-27
BIGAMY, MURDER, SUICIDE
ONE MANS Many CRIMES.
London Public Stirred by Series Of
Shocking Disclosures.

London, March 26.-Public interest continues
to be largely absorbed IN the extraordinary de-
velopments following the suicide OF g man
named George Crossman. On the night OF
March % Crossnan. who was living IN the
spectacle suburb Of Kensalrise. killed himself
TO avoid arrest by the police. whose suspicious
had been aroused regarding the contents Of
trunk which Crossman was sending away from
his house. On opening the trunk the body OF
a woman was found incased IN cement. An in
vestigation proved that she was murdered
about six months ego, and that she was
Of Cheeseman's eight wives Five OF his wives
were traced and found alive. IS dead and
two are missing. The identity Of the body
found IN the cement cannot yet be ascertained,
on account Of decomposition and injury 70 the
skull which had been split with az axe SIM
llar instrument. The police believe It possible
that the investigation may prove that Cross
man adopted a similar method IN Kidding him
self Of other superauous wives. OF whom It IL
suspected he may have had several who have
not yet been traced.
Though only about thirty years old, Cross
mans career rivals that OF the most famous
criminals. Under various aliases he led
double. and even triple, married life, posing
successfully. according to the fancy OF the mo-
ment as an engineer compositor. Nvigmaker
or bookmaker. His chief means OF support
however, appear to have been derived from his
wives several oc whom he secured through ad-
vertisements. IN 1890 Crossman was sentenced
10 fvs years. Imprisonment for bissmy, and
when he killed himself he still was on ticket-of-
leave. His nelghbors always regarded Cross
man as a respectable man who led a quiet and
uninteresting life.
MARRIAGE on WHOLESALE PLAN.
Crossman's first wife died. apparently from
~ 1907 q FTipd in 1898
at Maidstone and the game year contracted a
bigarnous marriage at Maldon. with the result
that he was sentenced TO five years penal servi-
tude Good conduct in prison enabled him TO
avoid the fun term. once free. he set 70 work
TO marry 10y wholesale. Wife no. 4 was quickly
secured. She and her baby recently were liv-
ing at Cheeseman's house at Kensolrise At
Reading Cr1ssman secured a Afth wife. under
the mama Of Seaton. A month later he married
again. The whereabouts and fate OF tho sixth
wife are stu uncertain. Having three women
living at different places as his wife, Crossrnsn
took fourth wife.
For year he kept up tho deception, and sp-
parently none OF his wives had tho taintest sus-
pic!ors OF his honesty Crossman found his
eighth wife in the young daughter Of a London
railroad emp!oye, and she IS supposed 70 be the
victim ne incased II cement
At the time OF his suicide Crossrnhn thus had
i've wives, besides several children. The dis
covery occurred through the suspicious OF a
lodger 10 whom CrossmGn let some rooms at
keusalrIse. Tor several weens the ledger had
noticed an obnoxious odOr and complained OF Il
but Crossrnan attributed Il 70 the drains At
this period Croesuan was living with one OF his
many wives, who occupied the same room where
7 the dead body os the other wife was concealed
IN n trunk. The ledger traced the odor thereto.
and CrOssmau agreed to send the trunk away.
PURSUIT ENDS N SUICIDE
on TIE evening o: March %. while moving tho
trunk. ne Iodeers suspicious were further In
creased. and when he saw black huid ooza
from tho trunk he went 10 police station.
Just as the rrcwsoIne load was being lfted into
O. cart the police arrived. With a cry, Crossman
started % run. For three-quarters OF milo
he fed Tor his life. The police gained on him.
and Just as the foremost OF the pursuers were
on his heels Crossuan pulled n razor from his
rocket and cut his throat from ear 70 ear. Death
Z was almost instantaneous.
The body found IN the trunk. from which the
cement has now been clipped or, - that OF a
young woman. u was only partially dressed.
The police theory IS that CrUssman. while tho
woman WAS undressing struck her from behind
with an axe. completely seyeriug portion or
the skull part OF which Is now missing.