Evening journal., 1922-04-01
SAY ACTRESS
PLANNED Crime
Mrs. Woodward Held,
Claims Ignorance of
Shooting
ADMITS FACING
VICTIM WITH GUN

AT a brief hearing before Magis-
strate Coward In Central Police
Court. Philadelphia. yesterday morn
ing. Mrs. Clara NJ woodward, the
former burlesque actress, who shot
anS killed John Pepperman, an en-
ploye of New York baking concern,
in her home at Ninth and Vine
streets. late wednesday night, was
held 10 await the action OF the cor
oner. Mrs. Woodward formerly lived
at $40 Walnut street, this city
Nashan Kaderikan, a roomer at
the Ninth street house and proprie-
tor of a nearby restaurant who
loaned Mrs. woodward a revolver
the night before the murder, was
held in s40o bail as a material wit
ness.
The most important witness at the
hearing was Detective Sergeant Null
grew. who produced Kaderikan and
also read a statement made by Rob-
ert Van AIKEN, Of No. 2S11 Cross
street. who was present at the time
Of the shooting and who accused
Mrs woodward OF the murder. Calm
and collected during the first part OF
the testimony, when Mulgrew read
Van Aken's statement. detailing her
actions Just before Pepperman was
shot, Mrs. woodward showed signs
Of emotion. At the conclusion OF the
hearing. however. she arose quietly
and walked firmly into the deten-
ton room.
According to Sergeant Mulgrew
and Lieutenant .Beishaw evidence
collected since the murder tends 10
show that Mrs. Woodward had
planned carefully for some time to
kill Pepperman. who was about 20
bid. her farewell and return TO his
wife and family in New York city
when he was killed.
Sergeant Mulgrew testified that
many OF the statements Mrs. Wood
ward made TO him in her partial con-
fession on Thursday oonfiicted with
the evidence gathered since that
time.
Her first statement, he said was
that she had tainted when she en-
tered the room where Pepperman
was sitting, and knew nothing OF
afterwards. but al the Eighth dis
triot police station on Thursday she
admitted the killing 20 other per-
sons, saying: II had 10 do It,"
At the time OF her arrest in
rooming house at Eleventh street
and Ridge avenue she told Police
Lieutenant Carlin that Pepperman
had been shot by companions IN a
dispute over cards. and that she fed
from her own home because she
wished TO escape publicity in conneo-
ton with the affair.
on Tuesday night. the night be-
fore the murder. Sergeant Mulgrew
learned, Mrs. woodward took a
taxicab at Broad Street Station.
went to the vicinity OF Pepperman's s
lodgings near Twenty-second and
catharine streets and sent the
driver OF the taxicab 70 Pepperman's
rooms to tell him that he was want
ed by a Mr.. Cox"
When Pepperman at first refused
TO leave the house and the chauffeur
reported the fact TO her, she sent
him back again with another. more
urgent, message. Finally. accord
ing to the detective. Pepperman
came out. and the pair went to
Ninth and Arch streets. where Mrs.
Woodward paid the taxicab fare and
gave the chauffeur a 81 tip.
The hearing developed that Mrs.
Woodward. after leaving her own
home en- dishabile. went to Kaderi-
kan's restaurant, near by, and IN a
rear room dressed fully in clothing
she carried in her Hight Sergeant
Mulgrew testified that detectives had
been unable 70 md the revolver, and
Mrs. Woodward could not or would
not tell where II was.
A telegram was received by a
philadelphia undertaken yesterday
from Mrs. Mary Pepperman, widow
or the slain man, directing him 10
take charge OF the body. Inasmuch
as the requirements OF the authori-
ties as 10 identification have not
been compiled with, Il Is likely that
Ms Pepperman will come 70 PhiIa-
--selphia for that purpose.
II is probable that further ev4-
dence IN the case will be furnished
by the widow IN the form OF letters
from Mrs. Woodward 70 her hus-
band, some OF which are said 70 CON
tain threats against his life. Mrs
Pepperman has also stated that the
actress al one time planned TO XIII
Peppermint and abduct the Pepper
mans 11-year-old daughter. veron.
lea. There is also a son, John. /:
S years old.