Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1921-04-18
DENIES GUILT
Of CR0NkH|TE
MURDER CHARGE
Robert Rosenbluth Saws
Private Grudge Cause
of Accusation Made.
Former Army Captain
Tells His Story of How
Major Was Killed.

New York, April 17.--Denial that he
was in any way connected with the
shooting and killing of Major Alexan.
der Cronkhite at Camp Lewis Tacoma
two and a half years ago, was made
here Sunday by Robert Rosenbluth
formerly captain in the army en-
gineer corps. RosenbIuth. who was
arrested here on charge of murder
released later on $4,000 bail. was ac-
cused in an alleged confession made
by Sergeant Roland r. Pother. at
Tacoma. of having ordered him to shoot
the major. promising him protection il
he performed the deed.
Rosenbluth. who is at the home of
his attorney here, declared Major
Cronkhite was 1.-The best liked man in
the outfit and asserted that the de-
partment of justice agents had blund-
cred in their investigation of the case.
Private Grudge He Charges.
"1t was to satisfy private ven
geance." he said. 'and to hang onto
their jobs that l was accused of the
murder
The idea of premeditated conspir-
acy to shoot Major Cronkhite. Rosen-
bluth declared, was impossible. as the
major was in the hospital four days
previous to the shooting and no one
knew he was to be with the skeleton
regiment on the day of their hike.
Contrary to public opinion he
said. we We're not at rifle practice
on the day of the accident. A skeleton
regiment had been formed and it was
to be practice march, instructions in
map drawing and the setting mp of
field kitchens. Owing to a change in
officers. l. who was commanding Off
Ger of Company d was marched at
the head of the column with Company
A. Owing to machine gun outfit
practicing nearby, our plans were
changed and we took different routes
than the one originally planned.
Tells His Story.
When we came upon Major Cronk-
hite and Sergeant Pothier. l halted
the column which I was commanding.
about forty yards away. Apparently
Major Cronkhite was passing the time
away practicing with his pistol on a
tobacco can, and after halting the men
walked up, and on the third shot he
said to me, II GOT it. Rosy" and a
second later said MY God I'm shot"
Rosenbluth said he Immediately gave
orders for the regimental physician to
come forward and those who under
stood artificial respiration. as thev all
thought he suffered from heart action,
until a bugler discovered the wouni.
Not a breath of suspicion" said
Rosenbluth. was ever raised du,lng
the remaining two and half months
remained in the army after the accident
and during that time my company. in
competition. won the highest honors in
the regiment in being made flag COM
pany."
No Other Shots Heard.
Rosenbluth said he received a letter
from Frank r. Turner. of Pensacola.
Fla. former sergeant at Camp
Lewis. who. other than Rosenbluth and
Pothler was said to be nearest Major
Cronkhite at the time of the shooting.
Turner attached a sworn affidavit,
saying. II heard no shots from any
other direction than those fired by the
major
Jonah ]. Goldstein Rosenbluth's at
torney. flayed the department of jusA
tice. saying they are looking for some
one to put the blame on and don't care
who it is. Rosenbluth has nothing to
fear as he is absolutely innocent and
all his old buddies of the service
know it,