The evening star and Newark advertiser., 1907-12-23
Further Details Of Wilson's
Confession to Philadel-
phia Police
BEFORE THE GRAND JURY
Evidence in the Murder Case
Submitted Wilson Claims He
Hid in R0mer's Room for
Robbery Accomplice
Not Mentioned.

Fuller details of the confession made
to the Philadelphia police by George
Wilson, or Williams, the negro, who
killed Frederick r. Ron1er, the Orange
undertaken, reveal an awful story CT
robbery and murder. The negro alleges
no killed Romer in self-defense after
a struggle, but the police do not believe
Romer was the aggressor. Detective
Sergeant Drabell. of Orange, says he
can convict the man without the con-
fession. The case was placed before
the Grand Jury this afternoon.
The written confession had not ar
rived in Orange from Philadelphia up
to this afternoon, but the details of 1t
were learned by an EVENING STAR
representative in Philadelphia, where
Wilson confessed to Captain of Detec-
tives Donaghy.
Il murdered Romer,'' said Wilson.
"but God knows I did not mean It.
was formerly employed in the hotel and
shortly after midnight Friday, December
ls. entered one of the rooms to rob the
place. The rooms were communicating.
| had hardly stepped inside before the oc-
cupant returned. and had hardly time to
escape into the next room before the oc-
cupant entered. Then I entered another
room. but the same thing happened there.
| then entered the first room, which was
open. had not been in the room one min
ute and had had no time to look around
when Rorner, who occupied the room, re-
turned. s---.- - S
-ltsstssffe wa s. no escape for me- hastily
hid in the closet and for the next fifteen
minutes watched Romer undress, put ou his
p2jan1as ana hang his clothing on peg
in the closet where I was hiding, not six
inches from my head.
Then when he WINS through he locked
he closet door and kept as quiet as a
mouse and after an hour. during which
| was nearly snothered. I Picked the lock
with button hook The lock made n
loud click and as stepped out 1t awoke
Romer who jumped up.
"Fe must have had a revolver under
bis pillow. He advanced and pointing the
weapon at my head he pulled the trigger
Inc revolver failed tn explode. He pulled
tbe trigger tho second time and then the
thrd. saw the man was going TO XIII
me So I srappled with him. We rolled
over on the floor. and in the mixup took
the revolver from him but before I could
rse it he took it from me. We male no
cutlery as we struggled, but have always
Thought it funny that the other guests did
rot hear us as we wrestle.
"Roner struggled to his feet and struck
me several times with the but of his re-
volver. We fell to the floor again. BY
this time was beginning to get ex-
hausted. Roner was becoming weak also.
We were struggling around the room when
Romer tried to hit me on the head with his
weapon. swinging 1t over his shoulder, as
| was back OF him, but he must have
struck himself. 1 remeber hearing a groau.
FIe relaxed his hold on me and fell heav
ily to the floor, striking his head against
the marble washstand.
when I was able, l picked him up and
carried him TO the bed. He opened his
eyes, but he did not seem to recognize me.
(Continued ON seventh PaEc.)