Evening star., 1924-10-05
HAT MAY CLEAR Up
CRONKH|TE'S DEATH
Former District Attorney
Quotes Pothier Statement
Regarding Mystery.
Special Dispatch TO The Star.

>peflhi blE1'aICH TO i ne star.
TACOMA, Wash, October 4.-The
campaign hat worn by Maj Alexander r
+. Cronkhite when he was shot, which
has never been found, would clear up
the entire mystery surrounding his
death, 1t was intimated at the trial
of Roland X. Iothier here this morn
ing.
Evidence was also introduced to
show Pothier had claimed that the
board of inquiry which investigated
the majors death, was involved in the
alleged conspiracy charged in connec-
ton with the affair
The testimony regarding the hat
was given by Peter C. Cannon, former
United States district attorney at
Providence, Il. J.. and was confirmed
by John ]. Richards, former United
States marshal a t Providence and now
adjutant general for the State of
Rhode Island.
Quotes Pothier on Stand.
Mr.. Cannon on direct examination
declared Pothier had told him that the
key to the mystery lay in the ma
jOr's hat.
"On Pothier's return from New
York l saw him in my office and was
told he had changed his story some
what" Mr.. Cannon said. Il asked
say whether 1 shot the major or
Capt. Rosenbluth shot him. There
We're four shots fired. l fired two
The fourth came from the rear
Il asked him why he had borrowed
the gun and ammunition.
He replied. orders are orders in
the Army. You must do as you are
told
He then suddenly said: Why don't
!, =,
would explain everything L asked
him how, but he would say nothing
more about it"
The witness declared Pothier told
him the board of inquiry made little
effort to get at the facts of the
case. The board did not seem to
want to get to the bottom of it"
He quoted Pothier as saying. They
only asked three or four questions.
If they followed it up the whole
matter would have been cleared up
The testimony of Gen. Richards
in regard to Pothier's statements
about the m ssing hat was practically
identical. Gen. Richards also quoted
Pothier as saying the board of in
Quiry was 'all in it" in response
to a question by him as to why a
closer investigation had not been
made.
Took No Notes Talk.
Mr.. Cannon admitted on cross-ex-
animation he had held Pothfer on a
manslaughter charge because of a
suspicion there might be a grayer
charge behind. He declared he took
no notes and made no report on the
conversation with the accused about
the hat. His cross examination was
marked by frequent clashes with the
attorneys for the defense because the
witness insisted on explaining every
answer at length.
Mr.. Cannon said he did not know
that Pothier was to be taken to New
YORK under an assumed name; that
while there he was to be held in
jail, or that he was to be taken be-
Iore zen. Cronkhfte, father of the
dead man.
Gen. Richards. on direct examina-
tion, told of seeing Pothier sign the
confession introduced as evidence to-
DAY, declared he read It through and
that ne signed it after declaring il
was all right. Pothier told him he
said. that he had now told the whole
truth.
Gen. richards said also he had re-
fused three times to send Potbier TO
New YORK and did not do so until di-
rectiy oroered from Washington. He
aiso toiu fothier, he testified. that he
need not go unless he wished but
that the defendant was willing
1t was after Pothier's return from
New York, Gen. Richards testified
that he made the statements regard
ing the hat and the military board of
inquiry.
Gen. Richards also qualified for the
Government as an expert on firearms
ana demonstrated to the jury the
lmpossloility OF the accidental dis
charge or a revolver such as Pothfer
carried the day of the shooting in .he
manner described in his first confess
sion.