The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-05-25
Resigns On Eve of OiVprcs-
 Conspiracy Charges
CIRCUS RIDERS STORY
Mclaughlin a Member of the Force for 39 Years-Worked for Gould to Get Evidence of Wife's
 Former Marriage.

New York, May 24.-Capt William w.. Mclaughlin. thirty-nine years a mem Der of the New York police department will retire from the force at midnight to- night. The former inspector today made application for retirement on half pay and as he has served his twenty-five years and no charges against him are pending, Commissioner Bingham had no alternative but to grant the application.
 This retirement will remove McLaugh- lin as a figure in the alleged Gould con- spiracy. The captain had been i'll with bronchitis and it was understood that he was soon to have been examined by physician to determine when he would be able to appear before the deputy comnis- soner and explan his alleged connection with the affair of which Lieut.. Frank Peabody told Deputy Commissioner Han son last night However, as the appli- cation for retirement forestalled any pos sible charges, Mclaughlin may be said to be out of the case.
 Broke Up Red Hook Gang.
 Mclaughlin has been a member of the police force since November 26 1888. He was made a captain for breaking up tho famous Red Hook gang of river thieves. In 1890 he was appointed an inspector. In 1895 Mclaughlin was convicted of extor- ton at the Lexow investigation, spent several days in the rombs under sentence. but got a new trial, was acquitted and renstated.
 While Mclaughlin was preparing his ap- plication for retirement today Deputy
 
 investigation at police headquarters and 1t was learned that Howard Gould and his wife had been served with subpeonas to appear before him and tell what they know about the participation of Peabody and Mclaughlin in Goulds seeareh for divorce evidence.
 Edward Sholes. the formar- circus rider, who is credited with having started the report that Mrs. Howard Gould, while Miss Katherine Clemmons, had been mar rled in Baltimore to Samuel Dawson, threw more light upon the connection Of the police with the Gould family troubles. He was questioned by Commissioners Han son after relating conversation he had had with Big Hawley" in regard to the alleged marriage and their investigation of it in Baltimore, he said
 Circus Riders Story.
 Later I was summoned to Inspector McBaughlin's s office He put me through a long examination and cross-questioned me very closely. He asked me if l was sure that the woman who married Dawson was Mrs. Gould. I told him all l knew anrput it, and then l werf with him to ere lancy Nicoll's office and told Mir Nicoil Mir ,What I had told the inspector and of stay, and Big Hawley' and others. T To- all l had to do with the affair"
 : tba 3aid that Inspector Mclaughlin neV. eitizan ested a visit to the district attofs,at tb aTice. Delaney Nicoll, upon whom, shootin5gel for Howard Gould, Mrs. Goudl se tee of her suit for perma ? nent sep SeMpon the grounds of assertion, the end Sd inhuman treatment, including a pformatimspiracy against her, today made nightment explaining his connection withome aaffir. In brief Nlcoll says that the poyce heard that crime had been committed In that Katherine Clemmons, while having a husband llv- ing, married Howard Gould. Very proper ly he holds, the police looked into the matter at his suggestion. When they had satisfied themselves that the gossip concerning Mrs. Gould was baseless ttey dropped their investigations.
 There was nothing done," MT. Nlcoll adds, Ion behalf of MT. Gould, which was unusual, irregular, extraordinary. or orthet than any other citizen has right to have done for him."
 It was said tonight that the retirement of Mclaughlin and the explanation of Nicoll would not stop the inquiry.