New-York tribune., 1913-09-22
CONFESSES NUMBERING
GIRL AT GRAVES|DE
Jacob WOIfSohn Held for Kill
ing Anna Schumacher at
Rochester in 1909.
TRIES SUICIDE IN JAIL
Philadelphia Prisoner Tells How
He Strangled His Victim
and Dug a Hole for
the Body.

and Dug a Hole Tor
the Body.
Philadelphia. Sept. 21.-The identity OF
the perpetrator OF the brutal murder OF
Anna Catharine Schumacher In Holy
Sopulchre Cemetery. in Rochester, on
August :. 1899. was established here late
last night. it is believed. when. according
TO Captain Cameron. of the Philadelphia
detective bureau, Jacob Wolfsohn, arrest
ed for larceny. confessed TO having COM
rnitted the deed.
Despite the extraordinary efforts Of the
Rochester and New York State authori-
ties. no clew was ever found TO lead TO
the identity Of the murderer.
After his arrest here on the charge OF
larceny and forcble entry. Wolfsohn was
locked dp at police headquarters in the
city Hall Guards noticed that he con-
stantly paced his cell and seemed TO have
something on his mind. but when ques-
toned refused To talk. Finally the strain
became too great according 10 the detec-
tives, and the prisoner asked for pencil
and paper.
on the paper he wrote a note, addressed
to the District Attorney. containing the
simple Statement that he had killed a
girl in a cemetery at Rochester and that
her name was Schumacher.
Relieved of this weight upon his mind
according To the detectives. Wolfsohn ap-
pearcd less nervous. but when questioned
further i'm the presence Of Captain cam
eron and two other detectives he col
apsed.
Wolfsohr tonight attempted TO commit
suicide I'm his cell I'm the city Hall ac-
cording TO a report from Police Head
quarters The self-confessed murderer
was discovered tearing his clothing into
strips by the turnkey. and when the, cell
was searched an improvised rope six feet
long was discovered beneath his mattress.
Handkerchiefs and part OF his clothing
haa been used 10 make the rope. He was
then dressed in. heavy clothing, and Is
being kept carefully guarded.
Confession Of Murder.
His alleged confession. as repeated by
the detectives. WAS substantially as fol-
lows:
Wolfsohn. after saying that he had
worked I'm a suburb Of Rochester. said 10
be Barnard. declared that he had T.
pass the cemetery on his way home each
dav. and that several times he saw the
girl al a grave. laying flowers upon H.
4 nirtcd with her. and she smiled back
at me-" Wolfsohn confessed. according
to the detectives The next day | saw
her bending over her fathers grave. and
went up and spoke 20 her. She did not
try To- run away from me- and We agreed
10 see eacn other there the next day. she
kept her appointment
'I'tried 20 kiss her. but she resented
this and tried To- run away. | grabbed
her by the arm and began choking her
She screamed. but no one heard her, and
then grabbed her around the throat and
strang'ed her Snc then died
Continuing his story as brought out by
questioning. according TO the detectives
Wolfsohn said.
81 then attacked her. and after that
dragged the body to the woods IN the
cemetery I was going 10 cover the BODY
with leaves. but found a gravedigsel
spade and dug a Eole large enough TO
place the body I'm It. ! then covered II
with dirt and leaves.
40 one knows how | suffered for doing
this could keep II secret no longer.
Wolfsohn TODAY. II is said. retraeted
the statement that the girl had hirted
with him.
Married New York Woman.
Giving further details about himself,
Wolfsohn said that he had been farm
hand I'm the Rochester suburb. After the
murder. ne told the detectives, he went
TO New York. where he married MISS Ida
Eermen. His wife secured a div orce from
him last MAY. Wolfsohn said and shortly
aiterward he came TO Philadelphia.
I'm this city he worked in a large cloth
Ing manufacturing establishment. Wolf
sohn, according 10 the authorities. later
worked as a window cleaner. lie was
arrested on complaint Of the manager 81
the company for stealing, and when his
room was searched gold and silver arti-
cles were found.
lie refused 10 tell where he got them.
but broke down ard said he took them
from the homes OF wealthy people where
he had been sent 10 clean windows.
Captain Cameron notified the Rochester
authorities. and this afternoon received
word that Sheriff Hamill and District
Attorney Barrett will arrive here to-
morrow morning from New York State.
The story told by Wolfsohn. Captain
Cameron said. led him to have two police
surgeons examine the prisoner. and they
reported that the man appeared to be
mentally 50 ana.
A search OF Wolfsohn's bedroom made
by the police resulted IN the hhGlng "f
pictures of Harry Thaw and lians
Schmidt hanging beside one OF Wolfsonn
himself. a diary was also found.
TPIIcT IN MAY REOPEN