Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1921-06-15
Big Tim Murphy
Denies ANY Part
In Mail Robbery
Admits Moving Truck Con-
tanning Money to Father.in-
Laws Home ito Help
Out Friends
Chicago Tribune Omaha Bee Leased wir

Chicago Tribune Omaha Bee Leased Wire
Chicago, June l4.--Despite three
complete confessions, made in the
face of death threats if they talked
to government inspectors, big
Tim" Murphy. labor car, repudi-
ated today some of his statements
made last night when postal inspec-
tors seized $ll2.o00 hidden in trunks
and mattresses at the home of Muir
phys fathcr-in-law. This money is
said to be part OF the $350,000 stolen
i'll recent mail robbcrics.
The three confessions name Big
Tim as the, brains and leader of
the Dearborn street mail holdup,
Edward Geirun. Murphy's aid and
personal chauffeur, has admitted
driving the bandit automobile on the
night of the robbery. Ralph Teter,
a government mail clerk, under the
domination of Murphy, confesses
that he tipped off the shipment of
money and bonds and told the gang
the proper moment to strike. George
Bradford, alias Hecker, former
prison pal of Murphy's, made the
third confession.
The postal authorities claim to
have a fourth confession and that
their case will be complete and ab-
solutely air tight when they locate
the employe in the federal reserve
bank who was keeping Murphy's
gang posted on the shipments of
currency. This is the individual who
informed Teter. the government mail
clerk, just when the $350,000 would
be sent over to the Dearborn station.
Admits Moving Trunk.
Murphy admits having the trunk
containing the stolen money moved
to the home of his father r-in-law. II
simply did it to help out couple of
friends" he said, "just like I'd do
for any poor devils. Teter and Brad
ford asked me to do it. They were
starving around here and I'm always
helping somebody when he needs
help.
ME squawk? Just say for me that
Big Tim Murphy hasn't made any
confession and that he never will
squeal. What do they think | am?
There are a couple OF birds sing
ing around here like Caruso. They
know who pulled the Dearborn street
job. don't know anything about it..
And Cosmano-he's as innocent as a
lamb"
The men who have confessed say
all details of the robbery were
framed in Murphy's office in the
headquarters of the gas workers
union. Daily conferences were held
for three weeks, presided over by
Murphy. Vincenzo Cosmano, Muir
phys righthand man, just before the
robbery was committed, issued or
ders to all concerned to sshoot to
kill' if necessary. Under no circunl-
stances were they to permit them
selves to be captured.
Commanded Gunmen. :
Teter says Murphy took command
of the raiding gunmen at the rail-
way station and gave the signal to
hold up the mail truck. According
to the confessions. big Tim" is
sued the dictum that any member
of the gang wso "squawked' was to
be killed on sight
A week ago, it is said, Cosmano
learned that the government agents
were picking up the trail and he
urged that the chief witness for the
government be murdered 81 think
that guy is going to squeal,' said
Cosmano, "lets bump him off" How
ever, for some reason not yet ex-
planned, the killing was postponed
and the government was able to COM
plete its case and locate much OF
the stolen money.
During the war. when men were
scarce, it is said that large num-
Der of crooks managed to get into
the United States mail service and
that the numerous heavy mail rob-
berries indicates that they have
worked into positions where they can
give their outside pals" valuable in
formation regarding shipments OF
currency.
At the conclusion of the prelimin-
ary hearing this evening, Murphy
was sent to Jail in default of $780,
600 bail. Cosmano's bail was fixed
at $4,000 which he was unable to
furnish and he also reposes in jail.