The Washington times., 1922-06-04
QUEER LETTER
bYCUNN|NGHAN
. IS MADE PUBLIC
Racetrack Characte. Writes
Under False Name, Then
Admits Authorship.
GIVES STORY OF SLAYINo
Missive Also Contains Remark
able TangIe of Intrigue
Verified in Part.
BY JOHN X. WINKLER.

characters that has ever dubbed
to the surface in great criminal
mystery Is James Joseph Cunning
ham, racetrack habitue and for
mer private detective, whose as
tonishing story to the Westchester
authorities has made him the
focal figure in the great Ward
killing mysetry.
Shrewed, cunning, full Of all the
crafty tricks of underworld coteries
In which he has found his principal
association for some years, James J.
Cunningham. Jimmy the Rat"
finally betrayed himself to Distric;
Attorney Weeks and Sheriff Werner.
Those who have talked with Gun
ningham hold definite belief that the
tail, slender, brown -moustached pris.
oner holds the key that will unlock
the cabinets of mystery in the Ward
case.
An Amazing Letter.
Jimmy the Rats" final value in
the astounding mystery will depend
largely upon the verifiable proofs OF
allegations made in an anonymous
letter received by the New York
American Hearst newspaper, on
Monday, May 29. This letter told
the story. perhaps THE story. OF
the killing of Clarence Peters by
Walter S. Ward.
James j. Cunningham himself
wrote this letter. He made this ad-
mission seventy-two hours after he
had been placed under surveillance
by the American. Twenty-four
hours before Jimmy the Rat" made
this admission, and prior to his be-
ing questioned by District Attorney
Weeks, both the man and the letter
had been examined by DIR. Menas 5.
Gregory, one of Americas most
noted specialists in psyChiatry and
psychology.
DIR. Gregory said:
81 believe that this man is a
crafty crook. He is not telling the
full truth. However, it is probable
he is telling a story which is woven
around a certain amount of truth
] would not call him insane from
the brief examination 1 have made
Of him.
Text of Letter.
The letter, one of the most re-
markable documents of the sort
ever printed, is published herewith.
Certain elisions have been made be-
cause of the necessity for additional
searching investigation. Here is
the letter:
NEW YORK CITY. May 2S, 1922.
City Editor,
New York American,
New York City.
Dear Sir: notice today that you
have offered a reward in conneo-
ton with the Ward Case" This
offer, ! presume. stands good II l
should give you the leads that would
enable you to not only uncover the
movements of Peters on the dates
you describe, but also the real facts
; of the shooting and the reasons
for ii.
Personally I only play a minor
part, but l presume by my putting
you in touch with the one whom
am certain can enlighten you, l
feel that I am entitled to the re-
ward, and II you feel the same,
you may use this letter, and il you
succeed in unCovering the mystery
through the leads l furnish, you
will agree to pay me the reward on
my demand.
MY story must go back a few
wears, but in case you are over
burdened and inclined to treat all
matters of this kind with spirit
of skepticism. it might be well TO tell
YOU in advance that a few writer's
connected with your publication can
verify what | have to say. There
fore IL your offer is on the level
and you really desire assistance I
must urge that you give every detail
of this letter the strictest attention.
The man whom yon need to find
is James J. Cunningham.
Cites Previous Cases.
Cunningham and l have been ac-
uuainted for about eight years. We
met each other when we were both
employed in the same detective
agency here in New York. About
three or four years ago, Cunning
ham, who is high class operative,
took a case for the Canadian sports
man, Commander Ross. This case at
first, understand. led to the ruling
off Of Johnny Lotus and other
jockeys, as well as the barring OF
Arrold Rothstein from the club
house.
nc following year Cunningham
was retained by both Ross and the
Jockey club, although he was not
connected with the Pinkertons. He
had a number of people working
under him, and ] understand was
very successful. However, the Pink
ertons got wise that the Jockey
club was conducting outside inVes-
legations, and know positively that
IA e.. succeeded in forcing Cunning
ham out, but he still remained under
the employ of Ross. was being
victimized by gang of blaCkmailers,
and Cunningham was retained to
combat them. - was not the only
one concerned, however. as there
were two others that l know of, they
being -, from Maryland, and -.
When this case came up, Cunning
ham looked me up and asked me II I
would work for him. l agreed to It
ad was an assistant to him in run
ntng the gang to earth. We broke
them up pretty well, but they seemed
10 have cropped up again, as witness
the Ward case. Now, here Is the
story as 1t concerns you most.
During the latter part of the Sara
toga meeting Cunningham was left
out in the cold by and was
forced to leave there without paying
his hotel bill. He came to New York
and stopped at a hotel at -- JIM
stAgation, when -- promised to
settle with him before sailing for