Evening journal., 1915-05-12
KRAKUS DENIES
MURDER OF PRIEST
Declares He Was Never in
Home OF Slain New
Britain Clergyman
ACCEPTS RELIGION;
HANGMAN CHOSEN

Peter Krakus. sentenced to be hung
on Friday morning for the murder
of Patrolman Francis y. Tierney, ac-
cepted the Catholic faith to the Rev.
Vincent Buchowiecki, assistant priest
at ST. Hedwig's r. c. Church, his
spiritual advisor. at the workhouse
this morning With his conversion
and with the shadow Of the gallows.
Krakus denied that he had any part
in the murder of the Rev Joseph Zeb-
rows, the Lithuanian priest and his
housekeeper. Miss Eva Gilman. who
were murdered last February in New
Britain, Conn
Since being convicted in Oyer and
Terminer Court for the murder OF
Patrolman Tierney, who attempted 10
arrest krakus on suspicion OF having
stolen property in his possession, Kra-
kus has been receiving calls from
Father Buchowieck and the condemn
ed man has been spending much time
reading a prayer book given to him
by the priest
This morning after arising Krakus
Informed a member OF the death
watch stationed outside his cell that
he desired to confess Word to this
effect was sent to Father BuchowieckI
and also TO David J. Reinhardt. who
defended Krakus in the courts here
After Father Buchowiecki arrived al
the workhouse Krakus accepted. the
Christian faith and received absolu.
ton. To the priest the condemned
man also said he desired to make a
statement to the newspapers concern.
ing the case. but this statement has
not been prepared.
Mr.. Reinhardt, accompanied by AL
bert Kaulenas, of Worcester. Mass,
cousin of the condemned man, Ser
geant of Detectives David Wardle anC
Sergeant Schell and a stenographel
went TO the workhouse in the polio,
patrol. On arriving there the officials
Mr.. Reinhardt and Mr.. Kaulenas wen
TO Krakus' cell
The condemned man talked to ths
visitors freely. using fairly good Eng
lish. He bid his cousin goodbye. Ac-
cording to Mr. Kaulenas the con.
demned man has a mother and tive
brothers living in Lithuania and one
brother In Boston.
When IL was announced that Kra.
kus had sent for Mr.. Roinhardt, say
ing that he wanted to confess, il wal
reported that the condemned mar
had confessed to all the murder,
charged against him.
When Mr. Reinhardt was asked 1
this was so, he issued the following
statement.
Krakus has made no confession o
murder He denies he had anythinI
to do with the murder of Father 10
seph Zebrows, in Connecticut. He dc
les he had any participation in tina
murder, and asserts he never was 4
the priests house and knows nothin
of the priests murder"
Trustees Of the New Castle Count
Norkhouse, at their meeting yestef
Gay, discussed the hanging of Kraku,
The name of who will perform IN
execution is withheld, the trustee
having secured a local man a
executioner.
Owing to the illness of Warde
Leonard Crawford. Deputy Warde
Wingate has charge of the workhousi
but has requested that another perso
be called on to perform the hangin:
which the trustees have compile
with. Just who he is will probabl
never be known. unless he cares {
tell himself, as the trustees will NJ
reveal his name.
! For the past week it has been n
mored on the streets that Patrolma
. Willard 5. Sharpless, who was shot an
seriously wounded by krakus at SiNt
and Market streets on March q, prior
the murder of Pstrolmsn 1ierney, WI
to spring the trap. This report was j
MED today by Sharpless, who is reco
ering from his wounds.
Officer Sharpless branded the rumor
false, although he said he would witne
the execution, pass for the hangir
J having been received by him on Monda