The Oklahoma City times. [volume] (Oklahoma City, Okla.) 1908-1984, 1916-08-18

and they began methodlcally TO search
the bed OF the river When hall an
hour had gone, Whlpple was beginning
TO bite his lip A drag came to the
surface with whlpcord about its balls
\ constable began to unwind it, The
detective leaned forward eagerly ,
Steady man, don't let II break, what
cvet YOU do"
They pulled the thing attached to the
string on board and Steercd for the
bank Whipplc in the glow OF salts
faction that comes to every man who
secs the end OF his work in sight He
went straight to the police station
telegraph room.
'Whlpplc to Superintendent {. T."
he dictated Inform Detroit police
Swecneys insurance void Absolute
proof committed suicide Details to
follow"
Later, in his own office. his stenog-
rapher took down to be typed Tor
record
"Sir respectfully submit the fol
lowing facts in regard to the supposed
murder OF the man Sweeney
81 first gained the impression that it
was suicide from the doctors report
that the explosion Of a pistol had
Scorched the dead mans face showing
that II had been held very closely to
his head This impression was strength
cncd by the fact that lies, the American
who was found by the body and at
| first suspected of the murder, could, II
his motive was robbery, have attained
his end more simply without violence.
| He is known to the New York police
as an expert pickpocket need scarce
/ ly add that the knowledge that Sweeney
was practically a bankrupt before he
left the United States and had insured
himself very heavily, disposed me still
more to the theory OF suicide II Swee
ncy had It IN his mind TO kill himself
/ It was indispensable to his purpose
/ l,lnce practically all lie assurances
are void in the event OF suicide) to
make the act appear ID a, an accident
/ (2l as murder He chose the latter
Unfortunately for himself, lies
| picked Nwecneys pocket ON the Jour
ncy to London Whether the latter dis
covered his loss before his death It is
| impossible to say with certainty |
believe not Among the documents
| which Hes found was letter IN printed
characters (Which with others he burnt
demanding an appointment on the Al
bert bridge and conveying indirect
threats. II is my belief that this letter
was written by Sweeney himself with
the idea that it would be found on his
body and confirm the appearance of
murder considered very fully
the various means by which Sweeney
might dispose OF pistol. after he had
shot himself Only one practicable
way occurred to me, and this was con
tlrmed hy an examination of the bridge
rail, which had been newly painted.
There were the paint stains on the dead
mans clothes, and lie, had said he no.
ticed him looking over the rails
1T seemed TO me that il the butt Of
a pistol were secured to a cord aud a
heavy weight attached to the other end
of the cord. and dropped over the rail
oi the bridge before the fatal shot was
fired, the grip on the pistol would relax
and It would he automatically dragged
into the water. The river was dragged
at my request and the discovery OF an
automatic pistol tied by length OF
whipcord to a heavy lcaden weigh,
proved my theory right With regard
to Hes, shall charge him with pockc,
picking on his own confession and ask
that hc shall he recommended for dc
portation as an undesirable alien.
have the honor to be, Your humble
servant,
Lionel Whlppc'
Divisional Detective Inspector
| IIhr End Nr,, Stnr, MnnhnrA