New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-07-09
PLAYMATE CT Julia ConnorS Ad-
mitS She Fabricated, and
Three Men Arrested
hre Released.
FINGER PRINTS NO AVAIL
Florence Molz's Story Breaks
Down-Another's Clothing
Found with Dead Girls
Indicates Possibility
of Second Murder.


led to the arrest of two men as sus-
picious persons in the murder of twelve
year-old Julia Connors, in The Bronx,
Sunday morning, Florence Molz. of No.
1858 Third avenue. broke down last
night, after many hours Of interroga-
tiOn. and told Coroner Shongut that she
had fabricated her entire statement
Following this breakdown. both the
detained men we're at once released. and
the police said they were without
clew As a result of the strange mental
condition indicated by Florence Molzs
conflicting tales. she was taken In charge
by an officer Of the Childrens Society
A feature of the case that is puzzing
Police Captain Price and that suggests
the possibility of a second murder is the
fact that piece of girls underwear and
a pair of tan shoes which did not belong
10 Julia were found in the pile of her
clothing that lay in the vacant lot few
feet from where her body was found
Florence Molz persisted in her imag-
NATIVE stories some time before the po-
hce extracted the truth.
DO you realize, Florence. that the
things you have told Captain Price
might lead TO a mans losing his Iife?"
said Coroner Shongut. when the girl was
taken before him at a private hearing in
his offices
yes, sir" she said. I'll tell you
everything just the same as if was at
confession. | never tell lies"
The gist OF the story then told by her
was that Saturday afternoon she met
Julia Connors in Crotona Park. They
were aCcosted by two Italians. she said
who offered them money and nice things
If they would go with them. They re-
fused to so with the men, and started
10 run away. Then she gave a vivid ac-
count of how she saw one Of the two
Italians seize Julia by the arm and drag
her into a cellar. She saw the man
knock the little girl down on the fioor
she said
This. in brief, was the story she had
told the detectives Sunday night. and
following her lead they had arrested
two men. one, Giovanni Gerissi, of No
1870 Third avenue where he keeps a
coal cellar, and the other a youth whom
they found idling yesterday in Crotona
Park. Both Of these men Florence un-
hesitatingly placed her hand on as the
two Italians who had accosted her and
her playmate.
The youth picked up in Crotona Park,
when pointed out by Florence as one of
the three Italians" who had accosted
her, is not an Italian, according TO the
police. A definite alib was also found
for him. Witnesses at the place where
he worked testified that he was Of their
own knowledge at his place of business
at the time nc was said by the girl to be
loafng in the park
Then Contradicts Herself.
But yesterday before the Coroner, al
though she stuck to her story in the
main. upon being piled with questions
she contradicted herself in detail many
times and became especially inconsis-
tent as 10 time.
Did you tell any one when you saw
your little playmate attacked" she was
asked
"Yes. l went to the policeman on the
corner. and he told me to run along, he
didn't have time TO bother about it," she
answered.
Did you say anything to your mother
about the men," she was asked
Yes" was her ready reply. II went
home about half past 6 and told her all
about it,"
Send for the girls mother the
Coroner ordered, and the proceedings
halted until Mrs. Dora MoIz was brought
and put on the stand while the daughter
was taken away.
Questions put 10 Mrs. Molz by tn.
Coroner brought from her vigorous
declarations that her daughter was an
exceptionally truthful child; but further
questions elected the fact that the story
che had told her mother Saturday night
oid not agree with the one told the po-
lice and the Coroner.
She told me-" the mother said, that
she met the Connors girl in the park.
She Gid say two Italians accOsted
them and then she ran away The last
she saw of the ConnOrs girl, she told me,
was when she saw one OF the men grab
her by the arm and drag her into lot.
NO, she did not tell me anything about
seeing her knocked down in basement"
What time did she come home Satur-
cay evening"" hrs. Molz vas asked.
About o'clock" she answered, going
On to explain how it was impossible for
her to have been out later than that.
Did she ever tell you of letting men
take liberties with her or Of seeing
boy in Crotona Park who insulted her.
The coroner asked, referring TO details OF
the testimony given 10y Florence.
i don't believe che ever told you such
thing; it is impossible" cried the
mother.
Girl Admits Che Falsifod.
The girl was brought back and ordered
10 repeat her story i'm detail. Just as she
mad told 1t 10 the police and the coroner
Dnt She began 10 falter, first contradict
ing herself more than ever, and finally
admitting that in the many respects In
which her mother disputed her she was
telling romantic falsehoods.
This girl Is an enigma coroner" said
captain Price, of the detective bureau.
she has told us a score of strange ana
sohnicting tales. ! do not believe we