The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-01-26
The DRAMA ENDS.
W.B.Cnnningham Enters a Plea
of Guilty.
Judge Dana Sentences Auto
Thief Five to Ten Years.
ASSAILS MRS. FERGUSON
Says She Is Responsible for His
Trouble.
Makes a Dramatic Statement
for State Journal.

L
drama surrounding the stealing of
Chester Woodwards automobile from
the Topeka garage on November 19,
which has had a premier place in To-
peka criminal records for the past three
months, took place this morning when
W. B. Cunningham, the self-confessed
thief, went before Judge Dana in the
district court and pleaded guilty to
burglary in the second degree. He was
sentenced to the penitentiary from five
to ten years, on the indeterminate plan,
pending good behavior.
AS he has done on all recent prev
ious occasions when the officers were
around, the prisoner again this morn
ing acted out the most excruciating
semblance of paralytic and rheumatic
pain in his legs. He hobbled along in
the most wobbly way imaginable.
twisting and screwing his face into
wreaths of wrinkles.
When arraigned before the court he
stood up of his own accord and in low
dramatic tones, pleaded his guilt. He
was given his sentence and was led
away without demonstration in the
court room. Out in the corridor he met
Mrs. W. G. Firguson, with whose hus-
band he had been in the map business.
He stopped in front of her and said
you are satisfied You have killed me
now. You are dOne.''
All of the witnesses in the case were
present, thirteen in number. The state
Will pay their fees and they will be
heavy.
Cunningham was put in the same cell
at the county Jail with his wife.
Vashti Cunningham, who is serving
sentence at that place of six months,
Tor being an accessory after the crime
with her husband in stealing the auto
mobile The two have been allowed
the day together.
This morning Mrs. w. G. Firguson
called to see Cunningham. She was at
Lima, o., when he was arrested there
on December 8 for the theft. Cunning
ham scored her roundly, accusing her
Of causing his downfall and breaking
up his family. Then he gave ner
stiff moral lecture and ended it up by
quoting copiously from the Scriptures.
Mrs. Firguson wept, according to the
officers, who stood by and witnessed
the affair.
Cunningham was then seen by
State Journal reporter and asked to
talk. He did so at length.
You want me to say something, don't
you?" he said Haven't you printed
enough about me? And wasn't about
half of it untrue? But then I will tell
you why I am here today. My corpse
would nave been under the cedars IN
the churchyard but for this little faith
full wife who sits by my side. (Mrs.
Cunningham started to weep. 1t is at
her plea, her earnest, fearful behest,
that I am sitting behind these prison
bars this bright morning. I would have
taken my life, ruthlessly would I have
Wrenched it out, had it no. been for her.
She wanted me to live. to wait through
the awful prison years to come, and
then to return to her again a free man,
to begin anew the life which has been
so happy to US both. She wants me to
wipe out all the old days and set our
faces up the hill and face the battle
again. (Here Mrs. Cunningham sobbed
VIOLENTLY. I do not know why / erred.
I cannot say. A high school and a col
legiate graduate of Oberlin, am.
had advantages and good chances. I
know what is right and wrong. But it
seems as if some men will err. can
not say why I made this mistake I
know / am punished here for some
cause, for some reason. Gods hand is
in it. Fearful years of suffering and
privation lie before me. But they are
as nothing when I think of the faith
full. true-hearted little wife by my side
battling against life alone And even
that would not have been so bad. But
they have her confined here for six
months as an accessory to my crime.
Before God, she is innocent. She did no
wrong. To my last drop of blood would
1 have maintained that statement and
I maintain it still But the officers took
this little wife away by herself in an
other cell and piled her with questions
not what she said. May God forgive me
if I have made her suffer But I shall
live it out and come back to her and
begin the fight again. She has been
faithful and true and good. God lie
with her"
Then Cunningham suddenly chang
ed sails and let loose a jargon Of crltl-
cism against Mrs. G: W F1rguisson;;, .lt
is her hobby to break up families, ne
said. "She broke I'D mine She|
caused our trouble.
"Now, Mr.. Reporter" said the pris-
oner, Just give me a square deal
Don't deal the cards out from the bot
tom of the deck This IS the last
story, you know. and do what IS
right
County Attorney Hungate thinks
that Cunningham is the most finished
criminal actor he ever saw He is a
wonder at the game" said the county
attorney. ssHe can ring it in to a pro-
fessional finish" And that is un-
doubtedly true. He is shrewd without
question. AS a Pinkerton detective in
Cleveland he won medals and honor
able mention for his work He is an
expert mechanical engineer He has
a good education and uses 1t to ad-l
vantage But his imitation of regret
and sorrow over the theft is some
thing marvellous and worthy of a $10Ol
per week artist on the stage.
The officers attempted unsuccessful
lv to fasten the NiclSum murder upon
him The crime occurred the same
night on which he stole the automo-
biIe But the evidence would not
hang together although it looked
rather convincing for time.
Temperatures in Large Cities.
Chicago. Jan. 26--7 a. m. tempera-