Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-08-16
$4,000 Ransom
Traced to "Crdnk''
Continued from Page One

Nohtihneo ihst Ont
and ] am inclined to believe he is truth
full nbout the woman he mentioned"
This woman was referred to as Rose
McDonnelle by THE Craul." He said
she lived in the vicinity of Twelfth and
Vine streets at one time. Investigation
has failed to reveal any one in that
section knowing her or anything about
Z her. THE Crank" recently told the
investigators this woman had the baby.
Blames Publicity
"My reason for not wishing to dis
close anything about these letters" said
Mr.. Coughlin. lis that too much harm
has been done already by confidential
information regarding The Crank's'
slettcrs. this information having been
: made public before the proper action
could bc taken.
II can say this much" Mr.. Cough
lin added I'm some respects Mrs
Coughlin and myself are more hopeful
that the authorities will find some trace
Of Blakply than we have been in some
time. The postotficr inspectors and the
men of the state police stick on case
until they succeed. and ! know that
neither force has given up the hunt
for our baby
Mr.. CoughIin nailed as falsehood
reports and insinuations tending to in
iect family scandal into the dsap-
pearancc of his son.
Major Larzelere. Coughlin's s attorney.
also denied the story.
AFTER the tremendous ordeal through
which the Coughlins have gone since
June .. he said. "it seems inconceiv-
able that any one should maliclOuSly
launch such an attack ms appeared in
the columns of n Philadelphia morning
paper.
THE faSty of the insinuation CON
tained in this newspaper attack is only
too apparent. No power on earth can
draw the Coughlin family into news
paper discussion of the case. There are
too many important and real issues Oc-
cupying our attention at the present
time.
Mr.. Larzelcre was asked was It true
woman had been in touch with Mr..
Coughin during the last twenty four
hours. He declined to answer.
He was asked also if it were true
that in connection with the letter from
this woman the state police had made
systematic search of the farm, truck
patches and shautieS IN the vicinity of
the Coughln home in hopes that the
child had been returned and placed
there. He would neither deny nor af-
firm this rPpOrt
Francis y. Rrnningor, district at.
torney of Montgomery county. who has
been brought into the case through the
presence of THE Crank in the Mont
Eomery county jail, has Indicated he will
investigate rumOrs that family troubles
were involved
Meanwhile. "Thc Crank" lauguishes
in the Norristown jail. held incom.
municado, and without the benefit Of
counsel. The state police have been
able to force no important admissions
from him.
The case of The Crank is expected
TO go before the grand jury within
thirty days Arrested two weeks ago
today at Egg lIlrbor. y j., The
Crank, while admitting his part in
blackmailng scheme. has Steadfastly
denied he kidnapped Blakcly Coughlin. |
United States District Attorney
Charles d. McAvoy, who lives in Nor. |
ristown and is n personal friend of the
parents Of Blakely COughlin, criticizes |
attacks on them ION the part Of some
gutter gOssips," who he says are
eausing them more anxiety in the midst |
of a great distress