The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-08-29
HARD FOR POLICE.
Principals in Atlantic City
Shooting and Their Friends
All Agree That It Was Done by
a Robber.
OFFICERS DOUBT 1T.
Trying Hard to Fasten on Hus-
band Of the Woman.
He Seems to Haye an Alibi That
Is Unassailable.
OFFICERS DOUBT 1T.

Atlantic City, N j., Aug. 2e.-Up to
this afternoon the police have made
little progress toward solving the mys-
terry surrounding the shooting of Chas
b. Roberts, the wealthy Baltimorean
on the board walk Wednesday night,
while he was riding in a closed roll
ing chair with Mrs. w. s. G.. Williams,
also of Baltimore. The police say they
are disinclined to accept as final the
statement of Mr.. Roberts and Mrs
Williams that the shooting was done
by masked man who attempted to
rob them until they have investigated
conflicting statements made by some
of those who have been mentioned
in the case.
Chief of Police Woodruff of this city
has not yet received a report from De-
tective Harry Wilson, who was sent to
Baltimore to investigate certain mat
tiers for the chief. No warrants have
been issued for any person and no
such action will be taken until the
police are satisfied that they know
who did the shooting. The police say
they have no intention at the present
time to arrest any one merely on sus-
picion.
In running out clews the authorities
are trying to find out where all per-
soma mentioned in the case were on
the night of the shooting. Among
these are the husband of Mrs, VIII
liams. He says and he is corroborated
by his friends that he was in Balti-
more Wednesday night. Chief Wood
ruff says he wants it distinctly under
stood that he does not deny these
statements, but that it Is his duty to
learn to his own satisfaction that they
are true.
Reports from the bedside of Mr.
Roberts are to the effect that he is
resting easy.
Mrs. Roberts may be allowed to see
him later in the day. Police officials
have not so far been allowed to inter-
view the wounded man. The bullet Is
still in his liver and there are still
fears that complications may set in.
The police have received two anony-
nous letters in which the writer's at
tempt to help the authorities to clear
up the mystery. Today one letter
came from Baltimore, another from
Camden, N. J., and both are believed
to have been written by women. Chief
of Police Woodruff refuses to divulge
what the letters contain, but he con-
siders them important enough to
notify the Baltimore authorities that
he had received them. The letter from
Baltimore, 1t is said, contains state
ment that certain persons connected
with the case were seen together in
Boston.
Mrs. Roberts, wife of the wounded
man, today denied absolutely that
there were any relations between her
husband and Mrs. Williams which
would lead to believe anything but
robbery was the cause of the shooting
1.-The robbery theory is the only one
that I entertain for a moment" Mrs
Roberts said. You have heard the
police theory of personal vengeance, of
and are the best friends and have
been since childhood. We live close
together in Baltimore. She had the
right of old and close friendship to be
with Mr.. Roberts. There is absolutely
nothing in this excepting an attempted
holdup.''
Where Was Williams?
Baltimore, Aug. 29.-Local interest
in the mysterious shooting of Charles
B. Roberts, the wealthy Baltimore
business and society man at Atlantic
City last Wednesday night centered
chiefly today in the Investigations now
being carried on here by Detective
Wilson of Atlantic City police de-
partment Immediately upon reach
ing here yesterday Wilson called
upon Captain of Detectives Humph-
rey. The latter readily promised that
the Baltimore detectives would do
everything possible to help their
| Atlantic City brethren and assigned
| two detectives to assist the officer
from the seaside city. The Atlantic
| City authorities desire to learn posi-
| lively from w. G. Williams. husband
| of the woman who was with Mr..
Roberts at the time of the shooting,
where he was on Wednesday night.
The efforts of the police to get a
| statement from Mr.. Williams yester-
| day were unsuccessful SO far as could
! be learned. Friends of Mr.. Williams
| are emphatic in their declarations
that he was at his country home at
Long Green and this fact can easily
| be proven.
Williams Proves an Abb.
Baltimore, Aug. 29.-William S. G.
| Williams, whose wife was with Charles
B. Roberts, when the latter was shot at
Atlantic City last Wednesday, has been
| interviewed by police detectives. VIII