New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-02-25
WIFE KILLER GIVES UP.
usyfMOND CONFESSES ALL
Slover Returns after Police 4ban-
don Search.

,li,sny Feb. 23.-John Cross Hammond walked
-, Police Headquarters in this city at 2:3O
..,o,k this afternoon, disclosed his identity to
=, ofHcers in charge. and two hours later con-
s.ssas 10 District Attorney Addington and Chief
!, Police Hyatt that he had murdered bis wife.
.-u-eheth Wilbur-Cramp Hammond on Noyen-
= - and had placed her body in a trunk IN
-, home in South FerTy-st, where, partly de-
.--posed il was found by the police two weeks
- Since the discovery OF the crime and
s.muond's subsequent flight circulars contain
:, description OF him have been scattered
.,.0pchout the country. but in his confession
u.nnond says he has been in Albany since
~ Friday night, at the saloon kept by his
s-,Asr-in-law. John Mangini in State-st.. in
:, satre Of the city, few hundred yards from
s,gs Headquarters.
% also said that he had been in Buffalo on
,,,,ssv. in Syracuse the next day and in Sche-
,.,ady early Wednesday afternoon. walking
,-,n that place TO his parents home, IN Cohoes.
.hout nine miles from Albany. where he re-
-,sined until he came 10 Albany Friday night.
.s Hammond was plentifully supplied with
rouey when he left here and as all trace OF
hin had been lost in Helena, Mont where his
cousin. Arthur Strong, who accompanied him on
his hirht deserted him on Thanksgiving Day.
the police Of this city had practically abandoned
the search and expressed the belief that he
had lefi the country. When he walked into
headquarters this afternoon. accompanied by
his sister and her husband, the detective in
charge would hardly believe that this was the
man for whom the police OF the whole country
were supposed 10 have been searching since
November %. the Gay on which the body Of
Hammond's wife was found. Hammond said
10 the police:
You have been after me for the past four
months. / am Hammond and / want TO give
myself Up and have the matter all over with
he Vas Immediately placed under arrest, but
before the arrival Of the District Attorney talked
freely with reporters about his wanderings since
leaving Albany. He told how he had ouarrelled
with his wife on Sunday afternoon while both
were drinking whiskey. He said that he picked
W glass and threw il at her, hitting her on the
head ana killing her. He told OF his sleeping in
The house with the body for two nights before
having the city, but refused TO say whether
not he placed the body in the trunk He would
not talk further al that time, asking to be al
lowed 10 rest, but after e few hours rest he
MADE q complete confession
District Attorney Addington tonight gave out
the following statement:
John c. Hammond late this afternoon con-
ltsSr- 20 hl1tllS MS Wlre on sunday afternoon,
November i He said he had QuarreIled with
her ana that he had struck her with a glass.
which blow caused her death A few minutes
later he denied this part OF his confession and
stated thaI hls Nlte had picked Up a plate. but
thai, before she could FIRE II he grabbed her
and stIangleO her 10 death. After doubling IN
The body, he placed IL IN the trunk He then
went 10 nearby store and bought some chic
Tlce Of lime, which he sprinkled over the body
and all around the apartments OF the couple.
Hammond SAID he murdered his wife 10 get her
money " hen he left Albany he had about
Sl4Do, which his wife had drawn from the bank
with The Intention OF buying a farm.
since leaving the city, he says he has been
arrested ten times in many places for va
grancy ana IntOXlcation he has been all
through the West and IN the Klondike for
several weeks He corrobOrates the story told
by Arthur Strong, his cousin. on the Iatter's
return 10 Rouses Point
Hammond, who is twenty-four years old, IS a
cabinet maker. He was married TO Mrs Wilbur
Cramp fen years ago She was twice his age.
and is said TO have been extremely jealous Of
him. Hammond has been indicted for murder
in the FIRST degree and District Attorney Ad-
ongt0n said tonight that he would arraign him
N the supreme Court before Justice Howard
one week from Monday.