New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-09-30
HART GIVES SCHEPPS'S
TALK AT HOT SPRINGS
It Will Discredit Him as Wit
ness for the State, Lawyer
for Becker Hopes.
is NOW READY FOR TRIAL
No Truth in Story of Catskill
Trip, He Asserts, and Thinks
Deal Was Made with Whit
man Before Arrest.

man Before Arrest.
John w. Hart, OF counsel for Becker,
returned to town yesterday from Hot
Springs. Ark. where he had gone as one
of the commission to take the testimony
of those who talked with or had any
thing to do with the apprehension OF
Sam" Schepps. Mr.. Hart brought back
with him a rather bulky record Of EVIL
dence which. he thinks. will seriously
discredit Schepps as witness against his
client. He Is ready now. he said. to pro-
coed with the trial on October T. unless
the prosecution discovers new witnesses,
which will make necessary the appoint
ment Of other commissions to take testi-
mony at spots remote from New York.
In the first place. Mr.. Hart thinks, the
witnesses examined at Hot Springs have
exploded Schepps's story Of his alleged
Catskill experiences Two witnesses, the
lawyer pointed out. saw Schepps at Hot
Springs early on the morning Of Sunday.
July 81. This meant. Mr.. Hart argued
that schepps actually arrived in Hot
Springs on Saturday night. and to do 30
he must have left New York City the
preceding Thursday, the day that Rose
gave himself up to the police. Schepps
himself has said that he rode to Police
Headquarters with Rose on that day.
where, then" asked Mr.. Hart, did
he have the time to run UP into the
Catskills. as he said ne did. to be dragged
from under blanket by the police. only
to tell them his name was Smith and be
reIeased?"
On August /. according to the record.
Schepps appeared in Hot Springs sec
ond time. looking as II he had been walk
ing across country. Two witnesses were
found who had seen him before this in
Argenta. two hours away from Hot
Springs. On his second appearance ut
Hot Springs -he bought Immediately a
ticket to the Buckstan Baths. where he
appeared the next morning. roughly
dressed and looking the worse for wear.
Almost Immediately afterward. however.
he seemed to be in receipt Of money. &C.
cording to the evidence. and. as Mr..
Hart expressed 1t. ''dolled himself up"
Says sehspps Made . Deal.
already at this time made deal by
which he was to receive immunity In re-
turn for turning states evidence. AZ PROOF
of this he said that Schepps from this
time on made very little effort to con-
ceal his Identity. that he stopped at the
Maurice Flats, which were situated close
to some baths. but instead OF patronixins
these baths bought ticket to the Buck
staff Baths, to get to which he had to
run the gantlet Of the whole town.
why. he was only waiting to be picked
up" exclaimed Mr.. Hart. HE was known
as q voracious reader Of New York news
papers. all of which carried his picture IN
their different issues. and he would actu-
ally 20 up to an acquaintance In public.
point out his published portrait In some
newspaper and ask him how long ne
thought the original would remain at
large.
He stated himself. on July n. just
what has occurred since. that he was go
ing to put the crime up to Becker ana
then make q deal for immunity with the
District Attorney. He knew from read
ing the newspapers when the time wa.
ripe. He got from them before he reached
New York Roses confession verbatim
and. therefore. knew how to corrobo-
rate It."
Mr.. Hart intends making certain pass
ages in the letter which Schepps was
about 10 mail to Rose In Hot Springs
when ne was arrested the basis OF MS
effort TO discredit schepps ~ witness.
He indicated especially that condition LAID
down by schepps to Rose a. necessary to
obtaining his evidence that you will only
expect me to tell the truth. and nothing
but the truth. or else to write. WORD Tor
word, what you expect OF me-" He citeo
also the passage in the letter beginning:
.aThat you had . guilty knowledge OF
the facts before its preparation II . fact
from your confession. 30 why do you
vant me TO corroborate Q few lies-for
instance. such - that paid N,oc 70 l.
=. On "a street and few others dare
not mention? However. Jack. my name 10
Sam. and don't 50 back on pal SUCH
~ you"
What sehspps saId 70 Mayor.
n NV Of III this, Mr.. Hart laid par
tsc,,iar strses On the following testimony
~ esron'' Petit. scting Mayor Of Hot
spr,nre ana owner Of the Marquette Ho-
81. a which Gchspps remained pr.scner
1rtn ~ Ssturnsd With Assistant Dvt'et
AtxSeney Hpb!n: x q. f. ass
guS 4cid - Il gns. time y rsgSrd e.
4 3T6lS2 70 eey enytht3k 70 anypooy
lI1 z. X 4 K, e Il aFl!ssl "a