Evening star., 1931-05-20
Cunningham Tells officers
Few Minutes Before He Ex-
pires Middleton Shot Him.
FOUR OTHERS ARE HELD
IN PROBE OF SLAYING
Wife, at Bedside When End Comes,
Arrested for Investigation.
Accused Denies Charge.

Before Jack H. Cunningham, police
informer, died at Emergency Hospital
last night, he named Policeman Wallace
j. Middleton Of the twelfth precinct as
the man who shot him, it was learned
at police headquarters today.
Cunningham's statement was made. It
was said. to Capt. Edward j. Kelly,
acting chief OF detectives. and Lieut..
Frank varney, first precinct, who ques-
toned him q few minutes before his
death
Finally Names Policeman.
Previously it was added, Cunningham
had steadfastly refused to name the
man who fred upon him as he was
climbing a stairway in the rear of his
home at 1910 I street, early yesterday.
He had met all inquiries with the state
ment: wait til get well-then I'll
tell all about IT.
A few minutes before he closed his
eyes for the last time, however, he was
asked point blank Did Middleton
shoot you?"
"All I've got to say right now" he
replied, lis keep that guy locked up
til get we'll"
Answer yes or mo-" he was urged.
did Middleton shoot you or not?"
Yes" he answered.
May Have Been Delirious.
Since the statement was made such
a short time before Cunningham died,
however. he may have been delirious, 1t
was pointed out by police, who said no
charge will be placed against Middleton,
who was arrested last night, until the
Staying has been investigated more
thoroughly.
However, Capt. Kelly declared the
dying man had spoken Of things which
indicated his faculties were unimpaired.
Middleton was brought to headquar-
ters for questioning today. He denied
having had any connection with the
shooting Later he was returned to the
flftn precinct for further examination.
A taxicab driver today told police
he hauled liquor from an ! street eg-
tablishment to Cunningham's home.
The driver. according TO Capt. Kelly,
identified photographs of Cunningham
and Middleton as those of the men who
hired him.
8'I'd give you the drivers name, "
Capt. Kelly told reporters. but I'm
afraid he'd be put ON the spot.
Bullet Taken From Body.
A ballistics test to determine whether
the bullet that killed Cunningham was
fired from Middletons gun was to be
made tonight by Lieut.. John Fowler.
police ballistics expert. The fatal bullet
was removed from the victims body
this morning. 1t was said to De As
slug. whereas police ofncers carry .3S
service revolvers
1t was learned from police, however,
that SO shell was found in the alley
near the scene of the staying. A test
was to be made to determine II this
was fired from Middleton's gun.
Middleton. VINO was transferred TO
the twelfth precinct from the first pre-
cinct for the good of the department, "
according to Capt. Frank s. w. Burke,
commander Of the downtown precinct.
was taken TO headquarters for ques-
tioning this afternoon. The taxicab
driver who had previously identified
his photograph strengthened the identi-
flcation by picking Middleton from q
lineup as one OF two men who hired
him to haul the liquor from the / street
Speakeasy
Meanwhile, four other men are beirg
held for questioning in connection with
the case and another is expected to be
arrested today. Three others, who were
taken into custody shortly afterward,
were released when they furnished sat
isfactory albis.
Cunningham died about II O'Clock
after physicians had given him two
Continued on Page 2, Column 3D.