The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1910-02-23
Suspect Denies That He
Killed Girl In Gold Blood
CHARGE NOWlS MANSLAUGHTER
Police Say Man Last Seen With
Jane Adams Has Confessed ALI
He Knows of Atlantic
City Tragedy.

Atlantic City, n. j., Feb. 22.-Chlef
of Police Woodruff announces that
William Seyler. accused of the muir
der of Jane Adams on the night of
Feb. 4, has broken down and told all
he knows of the tragedy.
According TO Chief Woodruff. Seyler
still denies that he killed the girl in
cold blood, but has given his captors
foundation for a new charge of man
slaughter instead of murder to be
made against him.
The police believe that Seyler has
told the truth about his knowledge of
the girls death, and he has consented
TO appear as a witness at the inquest
tomorrow night, which Chief Wood
ruff declares will clear up the mys-
terry of the tragedy.
''Seyler has practically confessed to
all he knows of the tragedy" said
Chief Woodruff The man decided to
make statement after we had given
up the attempt to force a confession
from him and declares that his story
of the girls death is true in every
particular
Il must refuse at this time to give
any particulars of the mans state
ment, but will say that his story is
sufficient to assure us that we are
justified. in making the charge of man
slaughter. The new charge does not
bar us from changing the warrant
back again to clear murder. but we
are now satisfied that Seyler is will
ing to admit his connection with the
girls death truthfully rather than
stand trial for deliberate murder"
The entire story of the tragedy that
resulted in the death of Jane Adams
will come out at the inquest tOmor-
row night. according to Chief Wood
ruff Questioned as TO whether Seyler
had admitted killing the girl Chief
Woodruff said:
There is no proof that William Sey-
Ter killed Jane Adams outright He
has made statements that warrant us
in blaming him to some extent with
causing the girls death.
"Seyler has admitted that he was
with Jane Adams on the end of the
pier on the night when the girl was
last seen His story corroborates
those told by Orvis Seyler and Alice
Adams, but further than this we are
not prepared to make any statement"
did Jane Adams die in defense of
her honOrr' the chief was asked.
That is another question which
must refuse TO answer at this time"
he returned. II will say, however
that this theory as to the motive of
the killing of the girl has not yet been
given up by the police"
Seyler broke down and made his
statement after the police had given
up attempts to force a confession from
him. The man called for Chief Wood
ruff, Detective Captain Whalen and
Detectives Miller and Aalseed, who
were with him when ne Informed them
that he was ready TO tell his story.
1t is reported that Seyler's story was
TO the effect that he had a quarrel
with Jane Adams on the pier, which
resulted either in the girls throwing
herself in the ocean or falling over
board accidentally. Immediately fol-
lowing Seylers confession his wife
was called and allowed to visit him
in the Jail The two were together
over an hour, and Seyler told her the
same story as that which he gave the
! police.
Orvis Seyler, brother OF the accused
man, who turned states evidence,
wept when he was refused permission
TO leave the city prison. He will be
held as witness until required to ap-
/ pear against his brother in court.