The Washington times., 1905-02-06
YOUNG ''RAFFLESS"
BOLDLY CONFESSES
Chris Smith Says Play IN
spired Him.
TELLS STORY OF EXPLOITS
Pleasure and Excitement OF Personal
Risk His Only Motive-Woman's
Tears Save Ring.
TELLS STORY OF EXPLOITS

1SdIS save king.
NEW YORK Feb e--Christopher
Smith the nineteen-year-old lad arrest
ed in Harlem billiard room Friday
night as the "hold-up' man of New
York, has made a full confession to
Capt. Stephen O'Brien at police head
quarters. narrating all that transpired
IN each house where he demanded
money at the pistol point.
With neither braVado nor reserve he
told his story as a spirited schoolboy
would recount an exciting lark of
holiday. seeming utterly unmindful of
the long term of Imprisonment which
may be awaiting him. He did not be-
come a desperate for money. It was
just for the thrill and excitement of the
thing, he said
Z watched that play 'Raffies, " he
told the captain, and it just stirred my
blood 1t was delightful II was all so
easy and so wonderfully thrilling, Won
dered why these things could not be
done in New York. 1 have proved that
they can. I had some very narrow es-
eapes and 1 had u lot of fun, but 1
didn't get much money, only $50 all
told"
Could Have Been Easily Caught.
He denied having anything to do with
the General AIcCook robbery or the rob-
bing II the woman in d Fifth avenue
stage, but of all the others, the - 0erz,
Shipman Talbot and Fraternity Club
house robberies, he related every detail
and also told of another robbery in a
house in West Seventy-sixth street, of
which no report has ever been made TO
the police, but which is now being in
Vestigated
There he said he compelled a wealthy
woman to take a diamond ring from her
finger and give it to him, but when he
saw her crying pitifully, his heart soft
ened and he gave it back to her after
which they had a friendly chat and she
asked him to have something TO eat.
In each case he said police were near
the houses when he came out and that
If he had been followed or an cutlery
had been made he could easily have
been captured.
After the Woerz robbery, on January
9, he said he wrote to Mr.. Woerz, warn
ing him to stop talking about the affair
or have s house blown up with dyna-
mite. After writing the letter" he
said, Il telephoned TO him, giving him
fun assurance that [ meant all ] had
said in the letter.
Police Fear Suicide.
Captain o'Brien is impressed with the
boys intelligence and his strangely
humorous view of his conduct. and fire.
QuentIy commented upon the unusual
nature of the case as he was telling
OF The confession last night. He said
Smith was an enthusiast in the matter
Of pistol MAJ ksrlanship and had tola
him that he was so expert with 4 re-
yolver he could hit 5o-cent piece at
fifty yards rine times cut OF ten.
Since Smith was locked up at head
quarters u constant guard of two men
has been placed in front Of his cell
This was done because of apprehension
that he would commit suicide.
Late yesterda-e afternoon Smith teld
his guard that ne was tired OF having
two men constantly peeping at him and
that If they would send for Captain
o. rien he was ready TO confess every
thing o.Brien hurried TO his cell and
found the young man in CHEEKY mood
The Confession.
I've been thinking this thing all
over he said, ''and if you have a few
minutes to spare / think ! viii tell you
the whole story. I want TO pat an end
10 all the foolish things that are being
said about me. and have the matter over
with. I'm ready. If you are
Captain O'Brien told him TO go ahead.
The young man leaned back in an easy
position. and talked for half an hour
This is essentially his statement:
III begin with the Woerz house, First
OF all / want TO deny that I threatened
the life Of the girl there or pointed nay
revolver at her. They tell me her name
is Clara Hoffman, and that she is Mr.
WoerZ's niece. / saw her mere yes
terday- Well, when I rang the door
bell there she came 10 the door. 1
stepped in quickly and took q gun out Of
each pocket and held them down by my
site. OF course she was frightened
and began TO sort OF gasp.
. 'You'H not be harmed, I said. but I
want money, quick She said some
Thing about her husband nor having
any money, ana that he was upstairs.
went TO the second floor on the jump
When ] got into a room / saw some
5eweiry lying on a dresser. bug I didn't
touch II.
How He Robbed Mr. Woerz.
= shouted Hey there, ana Mr..
Woerz came into the room / ieveIed
the guns III him and said: You're the
man I'm after; ! want your money OF
course, he was ratified. In one corner
OF the room was d safe. He pointed to-
ward that and said: shall / open
it, No, / said, don't wait for that;
give me what you've got. He did
Then / backed out Of the house Not
TO feet from the house was bicycle
policeman.
Now we'll take the Dr.. Talbot stunt.
I v NJ in there and told the girl l
wanted TO see the doctor, I didn't point
revolver at her either Presently l
got busy with The doctor, and while we
were having our little conversation
down came two young men from up
stairs. with gymnasium suits on. one
of them had rife but nothing hap
pened
Amused by Columbia Exploit.
When Smith came 10 the hold-up a
the Columbia fraternity club house, In
West nth street. he laughed heartily,
telling Contain q E2-iere that The col