Unraveling the Camden Mystery

UNRAVELING THE CAMDEN MYSTERY Prosecutor Lloyd Declares That Woodward Is the Guilty Man NO MORE ARRESTS LIKELY Weaving Web Around Alleged Slayer of the Murdered Boys "Beyond all question the murderer of these little boys is now in jail and the public's anxiety can now be allayed," said Prosecutor Frank T. Lloyd last night in making the first important statement concerning the tragedy of last week, when John Coffin and W Price Jennings, two Camden lads, were murdered in an uncultivated field near Haddon Heights. The mystery which has enshrouded the case since the discovery of the bodies last Friday has almost been cleared up with the exception of the report of Chemist George M. Beringer, who is making an analysis of the internal organs of the boys. Prosecutor Lloyd gave out the following statement shortly before 8 o'clock at his home on the East Side: "Because of a suspicion that more than one person was engaged in the murder of these little boys the State has been obliged to work with much secrecy and to withhold from the press the result of our work. That suspicion is now removed. Beyond all question the murderer is now in jail and the public's anxiety can be allayed. Woodward was alone the perpetrator of this crime. Case Nearly Complete "It is my duty to say this much in view of the deep public concern and the apprehension of other parents having little ones, but it would be improper for me to state the character or the quantity of evidence upon which our conclusions are based. I will only say that with the exception of the report of the chemist, which has not yet been received, the State's case is almost complete. "Woodward himself has made a number of statements, which, while not confessions, will be materially helpful toward securing his conviction." This statement precludes the possibility of another arrest being made in connection with the case, as has been currently reported during the week. There were several conferences held yesterday between Assistant Prosecutor Archer and Detectives Smith, Cherry, Painter and Hart and Chief of Police Linderman, of Merchantville. During one of the conferences John Farmer, the colored man who recognized Woodward as having been seen with the boys last Wednesday afternoon, was called in and closely questioned. Following the detectives departed apparently on several different clues Detectives Hard at Work Detective Hart subsequently returned with a Mrs. Somers, said to reside on Royden street. She was interviewed by the Assistant Prosecutor, but what connection she has with the case the authorities refused to divulge. The woman refused to talk. Louis Ross, a German, who resides near Haddon Heights, was also called into the Prosecutor's office late in the afternoon. At first he was thought to be an important witness, but it was afterwards learned that he knew little about the case. Detective Robert J. McKentry, of Philadelphia, and Detective Smith took over the river Mrs. William H. Hubbert and another young woman. It is at the home of Mrs. Hubbert, at West Philadelphia, that Woodward said he was present last Friday night. Woodward became rather obdurate yesterday, refusing the usual prison fare. He waited until his mother sent him coffee and other victuals. The accused youth was at first placed in the cell formerly occupied by Lafayette Gruff, the wife murderer, who was hanged September 19. He has now been placed in another cell.