New Britain herald., 1924-10-17
CONFESSES MURDER OF PENNA. TROOPER
Philip A. Hartman Admits Rob-
 ping Bank at AbbOtBtoWn
CHAPMAN MYTH EXPLODED
Desperately in Need of Money, He Holds Up Cashier-Shot Down Pursuing Policeman When Cor nered 25 Miles Away.

Reading, Pa, Oct. 17.-Voluntar- lily surrendering to the local police, Philip A. Hartman, of Annville, Pa., early today confessed, according to the authorities, that he had shot and killed State Trooper Francis L. Haley after having held up and robbed the cashier of the Abbotts- town, Pa, state bank of more than $1,20O. He said he had planned the robbery himself, was alone when it was committed and shot the state trooper, who had overtaken him after a chase of 25 miles, when he was cornered.
 The authorities found S1,2S0 in cash in Hartman's room at a local hotel and he told them this was all the loot except about $100 which he had spent for silk shirts and two new suits of clothes.
 Admits Holding Up Gas Stations.
 Hartman said that he had started his career as a bandit after losing his job in Columbus, Ohio, a few weeks ago and that he had robbed gas stations in Columbus, and Can- ton, Ohio, and had held up a man in Canandaigua, N. Y.
 When he first walked into the po- lice station and surrendered. Hart man told story involving George Roth, of Columbus, Bhio," in the Abbottstown holdup and denying any knowledge of the killing of the state trooper. Under further ques- tioning by Chief of Police Strople and Captain Mckinney, he admitted that he alone was responsible. Desperately In Need of Funds Declaring that he was desperately in need of money and that they also needed money at home" Hart man told the police that he had de- cided to rob the Abbottstown bank and then quit, He said he had a wife and child at Palmyra, Pa, with his wife's parents. After losing his position In Columbus, Sle said, he went to Rochester. N. Y, where he obtained a New York license plate for his motor car and after holding up a man at Carandaigua had driv- en to Abbottstown.
 T fought with myself for abort an hour before deciding to rob the bank, Hartman's statement said. Then I went in the bank. One man was on duty. I pushed a gun at him and took all the money I could put in my pocket, Then ran from the bank and jumped in the car and drove down the Lincoln highway"
 Tells of Killing Policeman.
 Shortly before reaching Graeffen- burg in Franklin county. he said he saw a state policeman following and had fired his pistol ahead of the puursuing machine in an effort to frighten the trooper. The policeman refused to slow up and when he pulled alongside the fugitive's ma chine In Graeffenburg, Hartman said he saw he was cornered and had fired at the officer.
 DdIcI HIS dul ulOlllODlle DeCdL1t eluCh in the mountains and when he found he could not move 1t he said he had poured gasoline over the car and tried to burn it. After aban- doning his car, Hartman said he walked to Mt. Holly Springs. where he boarded a train for Harrisburg. From there he came to Reading.
 A few hours before he surrendered last night, state officials at Harris burg learned the license was issued to Hartman.
 Hartman's Confession
 q drove through Abbottstown at 1880 Tuesday afternoon" said the statement. T decided to rob one more bank and quit, l was desper- ate and needed money. They also needed money at home. T
 T put on a raincoat and left the car standing around the corner. Then I went in the bank. One man