Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-11-22

advice she received from the British rep
resentatfve in this country.
While the prisoners were being detained
at the courthouse they discussed their
case freely with Star reporter and told
something of their life before they came
to this country declaring they had come
here about four months ago for the first
time.
Mrs. McCracken's Statement.
Mrs. McCracken told a Star reporter
that she was a native of Berwick-on-the-
Tweed. but that she left there when she
vas rather young and went to a country
place about fifty miles from Edinburgh.
There, she said. she lived for a number of
years, being the wife of John McCracken.
a farmer. Five years ago. she said. and
tears appeared in her eyes. McCracken
died. and about four months ago she
came to this country. She declared she
had come here from New York. staying
in Baltimore short while. The daugh-
ters frequently interrupted the conVersa-
ton to offer correction or make an ex-
PLANTATION of something that was said or
to question the authority of the police In
causing their arrest.
Mrs McCracken and her daughters re-
sponded to the questions asked them by
the reporter. They entered vigorous de-
malls to the suggestions that they had
been known under the names of Alcorn
and Fitzgerald, the names whlch were
found upon papers taken from the Con-
necticut avenue house by Detectives Far
ham and Evans, and others which were
found in the Baltimore house and turned
over to the local detectives. They were
told of the finding of the papers upon
which the names were found, and MISS
Ruth admitted that her brother mad as
sumed the name of Fitzgerald when he
wanted to go in business in Baltim 1re.
1.-The papers belonged to friends of
ours" volunteered the mother.
You are right said the daughter;
they didn't belong to us.
Deny the Name of Alcorn.
"What about the name Alcorn?" one of
the daughters was asked. THE police
think that that is your real name"
Not so." said Miss Ruth McCracken.
THAT name was probably on the papers
belonging to our friends
Il guess they saw the name on the COM
munion book said Miss Annie Jane In
q stage whisper.
They were told that the name was upon
a church book and it showed that Ruth
and Annie Alcorn" had been received into
The Presbyterian Church.
what Presby terian Church do you
| mean?' asked one of the daughters.
They repeated that they had never been
known under the name of Alcorn or Fitz-
been west of this city.
| Mrs. McCracken said she had done moth
! ing in this city more than to get credit.
| She intended to pay for what she bought.
would be charged interest upon the
amounts of some of the bills.
That is true broke in Miss Ruth.
| Mother got credit, and she is will either
| return the goods or pay for them at the
| proper time
| And" added the mother. I'm salts
| fed that there is not single merchant
| with whom we dealt who is willing to 60
| into court and make charges against me-"
She stated that one of them who was
in Baltimore the other day told her he
| had not the slightest desire to prosecute
| her. and she asked that he be summoned
to court to see her.
| Committed to Jail.
The four members of the family were
ordered to be committed to Jail this after
noon from the Police Court. and about the
middle of the afternoon they were con-
veyed to that institution
| The requisition papers which were
brought here were made returnable to the
Police Court of the District. Shortly
| after IL o'clock Deputy Marshals Henry
| Johnson and A. w. Cash removed the de-
| PENDANTS from the District Supreme Court
building to the Police Court building
| WHeTe d luncheon OF llSn ana oysters was
| ordered for them. They ate that in a
small room connecting with the Office of
! the United States marshal
| Prosecuting Attorney Ralph Given made
the motion to the court for the commit
ment of the defendants to Jail. Three
warrants. charging grand larceny and in
Evolving all four members of the family,
were filed with the court. and the COM
mitments were asked on those warrants.
BY order of Judge Kimbal they were
| committed.
Basis Of Claim of Immunity.
The McCrackens will claim immunity
from prosecution in the local courts or
the basis of being English subjects ac-
cording to information learned this morn.
ing. Shortly after being brought here
young McCracken called up the British
embassy on the telephone and stated his
case. He maintains, it is underst ood, thai
the family are British subjects. and that
they have been staying in this country
| only a short time. He also claims tha,
they have the protection given foreigners
| travelling in this country. 1t Is under
stood the British embassy has instructed
him to put in writing his claims to Brit
ish citizenship and his assertion of inno-
osnce of the charges against him.
| Attorney H. +. Woodard called at the
Police Court this afternoon and had a
conference with young McCracken. He
states he will represent the family in
court.
In ordering the quartet to be committed
to Jail. Judge Kimball fixed the bond for
their release at 5000 each. Attorney
Woodward this afternoon stated that an
effort would be made to raise the S12 ,OOC
bond.