The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1909-04-09
Wants to Get the Trouble Off
His Conscience and Be
Free
HELLO up GREAT NORTHERN
OVERLAND EXPRESS N 1905
Shipped From Seattle as Seaman and
Has Been Living in England and
Wales Ever Sincc-Story Has Ap.
pearance OF Truth.

Seattle, April 9.-From across the
Atlantic there comes the cry of
Charles H. Crooks. alias Harry Miller,
confessed train robber. who says he
is willing to clear up the mystery of
one Of the boldest robberies In the
history of the Pacific northwest and
to do pennance for his participation
in the crime. Crook says he was a
member of the party that robbed the
Great Northern overland express train
near Richmond Beach on October 2,
1905, and for the arrest of whom, with
his two companions, feward of $16,-
900 was offered.
The confession was made willingly
by Crooks to Police Sergeant James
Thomas, of Narbeth, County of Penn
brokeshire, Wales. where the man is
held for trial on charges of false pre-
tense and larceny. The Welsh au-
thorities are disposed to help an ex-
tradition of the man. yielding him up
for the greater crime. The confess
sion and the letter OF explanation ac-
companying it, were sent to Chief of
Police Irving Ward.
Was In Seattle.
Although he is in slight error in
some of his details. 1t is established
that Crooks. or Miller. was in Seattle
at the time of the robbery and that
he sailed from here as he indicates in
his confession. The police are dispos-
ed to believe that he is telling the
truth and the Great Northern Express
company Is SO favorably impressed
that Detective Ed Walsh. the latter's
special agent here, has Seen dispatch
ed to st. Paul to look up the history
Of the case in the head office and to
take steps toward extraditing the con-
fessed robber.
Writing from Pembrogeshtre Con-
stabulary headquarters, Haverford-
west Castle, Irw. Summers, chief con-
stable of the country, under date of
March Is, says:
Charles Crooks is now in custody
under the name of Harry Miller and
awaiting trial. charged with false pre-
lenses and larceny.
1T there is any truth in the state
ment and you want him. kindly cause
the necessary steps to be taken for
his eXtradition. l will render you all
the assistance I can in bringing him
to Justice"
Crooks Statement.
Under date of March IA, addressing
his statement to the chief of police
Of this city, Charles H. Crook writes:
My name is Charles H. Crooks, of
Ninth and Union streets. Seattle. You
may remember the night the Great
Stone No. 10. just this side of Rich
mond. about two miles from Ballard
on the night of the 2Sth of October,
1905. My partner was caught and is
now in prison serving a sentence of
twenty years for the crime.
We'll, got the money and hid it
that same night and came back to
Seattle. and went home and went to
bed. and the next day went to Port
land. Oregon. and kept myself hid for
one month and then I came back to
Seattle and signed on sailing vessel
by the name of 'Ounstangl' belonging
to Martell and Vickers of Liverpool,
Captain d. T. Forbes. left Seattle
on the Goth of November. 1905. and on
the 10th of the next month I landed
III DlTheluedu, anu was pdlu OH at the
Sailors Home in Canning Place, Liv-
erpool
II make this confession of my own
free will and this statement is abso-
lutely true in every respect. l know
that you have put out reward for
me to the amount of $4,000. have
been a wandered in this country ever
since. have been afraid to look any
man in the face wherever go. have
voluntarily surrendered to Sergeant
Thomas of Narberth. County of Penn
brokeshire. Wales. on said charge.
II hereby certify that the following
statement is the truth. The officers you
are to write to who know me are
the following: Detective F. H. Free.
man, Sheriff Daniel. Mr.. Grins and W.
Cole. Signed.
Charles II. Crooks"
Who Crooks means by his compan-
ion who is serving twenty years for
the crime is not clear as only one
man was ever brought to trial in this
country for completely in the crime.
and that man. Lem Short although