The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-03-16
PARKHURST PLOT TALE LIE.
ROGERS. WHO INVENTED 1T, CON"
FESSES GLEEFULLY,
And Is Put I'm the TOmbs Under SIS 900,
Not for Narrowing the Feelings Of
mr.. Parkhurst mt Frank Moss but for
PerJurIOusly Accusing sergt. Shells.

Not for Narrowing the Feelings Of
Dr. Parkhurst and Frank Moss but for
PerJurIOusly Accusing sergt. Shells.
There was no police plot to kill the Rev.
DR.. Charles H. Parkhurst. 1t was all a
dream. Larry Rogers, stool pigeon, ex-
prison guard and former elevator man at
Police Headquarters, says so. He is one
Of the men who accused Sergt. John Shells
Of the West Tooth street station and Police
man John Phelan Of the City Hall station.
Rogers seems to think 1t Is a joke on The
Parkhurst Society. He is in the Tombs
under $4,000 bail for perjury. His COM
panion in the making Of affidavits in con-
nection with the "p!~t," Richard Wilson,
has vanished.
Rogers, who acts and talks like a crazy
man, was brought before Magistrate Wahle
yesterday afternoon. District Attorney
Jerome had the affidavits which had been
sworn to by Rogers andWilson before Magis-
trate Wahle and on which summonses were
issued for Shells and Phelan. Before they
signed the afidavits Rogers and Wilson
had been warned that If they weren't telling
the truth they would be charged with
perjury. Mr.. Jerome read Rogers's afi-
davit TO him.
us that true?" Mr.. Jerome asked.
Not a word Of It," said Rogers, cheer
fully. Mr., Jerome smiled. Shells and
Phelan looked grim. Mr.. Jerome had told
them that they ought to be represented by
counsel, but they said they didn't want
any counsel. Finally, they sent for Lawyer
Louis j. Grant, which delayed the proceed
ings for some time. Rogers went on with
this story:
Everything In the affidavit is untrue.
Kelly Robert A. Kelly, who is connected
with the Citizens Unionl told me that it
was a good scheme. He said he wanted to
make his job strong. They made the balls
and | fred them. ! was stringin' them
guyin' 'em. Kelly said 1t would make his
job for life. They took me to DR.. Park
hurst. Then I was taken to Mr.. Moss
office. Kelly told me the story to tell DR..
Parkhurst. He said that DR.. Parkhurst
had a grievance against Sergt. Shells, De-
tective Sergeant Hahn, Detective Ieardon
Of your office, Judge Ito Mr.. Jeromel and
Cant. Mcnermott. He said to get after
Shells first. Then l was brought to your
Office and l told you. Yes, boss, i lied,
l fooled you, yes.
"They told me to get a man to oorrob-
crate my story. l got Wilson. They said
he was too young but / said he'd stand for
anything"
1t then appeared that in his conversation
with Mr.. Jerome Rogers said that MIR.
Jerome could have his men overhear him
and Wilson discuss the scheme. So a
couple of county detectives went to Rogers's
house and hid behind a door all night while
pnDoru and Nlilopn toILal II uyae n rpnl
dime novel scene. Rogers talked of black
Jacks, revolver and "the mar with the top
hat, the Teller with the whiskers, old Park
hurst-the man we'll stretch"
ESQ all thai conversation was fixed up to
fool my men?s said Mr.. Jerome.
Every bit of it," said Rogers.
Il ask that Rogers be held for the Grand
Jury for perjury said Mr.. jerome.
Motion granted, said Magistrate Wahle.
Il couldn't do anything but investigate
this case" said Mr.. Jerome. 1T was
brought to me by Mr.. Moss. l had my own
opinion Of it. If l hadn't taken some action
and DR.. Parkhurst had fallen and cut his
head there would nave been another Nc
Auliffe case
that's right said Magistrate Wahle.
Mr.. Jerome said afterward that he had
expected no other outcome to the case.
Rogers, it seems, was put out of the West
Tooth street station when his son was ar
rested and he had a grievance against
Sergeant Shells. He also needed money,
Mr.. Jerome thinks.
Mr.. Jerome doesn't believe Rogers's story
about Kelly. Kelly said that Rogers came
TO him with he story and tina he took Rogers
to DR.. P%arkhust. Rogers will be indicted
to-day. The perjury charge is made by
Sergeant Shells.
just before the hearing began yesterday
Mr.. Jerome received this note from Frank
Moss:
My DEAR Mr.. JERoMF-My experience with
Wilson dissipated the doubt that | had of
Rogers's story. l am convin ced that IL is
true. The unfortunate publicity and notice
10 Shells and Phclan prevent any further
detective work and may prevent the making
OF a case. bur ! think that Rogers and Wilson
should be believed and should be protected.
II these men should be prosecuted for giving
inf formation it would deter others from giving
Information. Yours truly, FRANK Moss,
This was dated March 10. Later Mr..
Moss made a statement in which he said that
he had every reason to believe that Rogers's
story had beer c~orroborated by Wilson.
He said that Kelly did nothing more than
his duty.