Today in History

[LizzieMaine]

January 26, 1935

BRUNO ALMOST BREAKS UNDER WILENTZ' LASHING

Telltale Spelling Brings Him Near Collapse

By Martin Sommers
Staff Correspondent of The News

Flemington, N. J., Jan. 25 -- Under a vicious bull-terrier cross examination, Bruno Richard Hauptmann appeared groggy, in a state of collapse verging on the point of a guilty admission, as the adjournment of court saved him from Attorney General David T. Wilentz' lashing tongue this afternoon.

Perspiration stood out in beads on his gray face, he beat at the arms of his char, and he paused, stuttering, to avoid answers that would brand him the self-confessed killer of the Lindbergh baby and the collector of the ransom money.

With the spectacle of their client wilting and breaking before their eyes, Lloyd Fisher and Frederick A. Pope, attorneys for the defense, leaped to their feet and shouted objections. They stampeded around in front of the bench trying to divert Wilentz' scorching attack until Justice Thomas W. Trenchard told Fisher not to "yell".

The crowded courtroom, jammed with hundreds of thrill-seeking celebrities from New York, momentarily hissed the attorneys trying to save the breaking witness, who had been on the stand telling his story for six hours before Wilentz lashed into him. Court attendants shouting "quiet" instantly restored order.

The Telltale Spelling

The sight of the word "boat", spelled as "boad," as writte in the deadly St. Raymond's Cemetary ransom payment note, was what unnerved the wilting Hauptmann until he appeared about to collapse in confessional.

Opening the stinging cross-quiz, Wilentz sneeringly insinuated he was dealing with a liar, thief, and murderer. He badgered Hauptmann with records of lies and then brutally spun upon him the record of his crimes in Germany before he smuggled his way into this country.

As Hauptmann grew groggier and groggier, Lindbergh trembled like a leaf. He seemed to feel that Hauptmann, accused killer of his child, was on the point of confessio -- and he was eager for the legal kill.

LINDBERGH BOILS, RESTRAINS FURY

By Robert Conway
Staff Correspondent of The News

Flemington, N. J., Jan. 25 -- Col. Charles A. Lindbergh, slim hero who has always hidden his emotions under a boyish mask, today threatened to boil over like scalding lava as he listened to the parrot-like voice of Bruno Richard Hauptmann, the man he believes murdered his golden-haired son.

For more than five hours, Lindbergh sat, arms clasped like vises as if to still his thumping heart, his blue eyes never leaving for more than a few seconds the furtive gimlet eyes of Hauptmann. Every minute of that time Lindbergh was metamorphosed from a world hero into a simple, loving father fighting for self control.

That isn't an exaggeration -- those closest to him, indeed, were several times impelled to lean over and place a restraining hand on his knee or arm.


FIND 14 SHIP CRASH BODIES

DEATH LIST TOTALS 15 -- 32 MISSING

By Warren Hall

Fourteen frozen bodies bobbed in the oil-coated waves off Sea Girt, N. J. yesterday to chill all hope for thirty-two passengers and crew members still missing fron the $2,000,000 Ward liner Mohawk, which sank in fifty feet of water four miles off Sea Girt Thursday night after having been knifed amidship by the freighter Talisman.

Two rescue ships, arriving with 116 injured and frostbitten survivors, also carried the body of E. R. Barr, who died after being picked up from a lifeboat. This brought the known dead to 15.


38,000 ARMY ROUTS GREAT SNOW DRIFTS

By Dick Lee

Commissioner of Sanitation Thomas Hammond, who learned about fighting battles as a member of John J. Pershing's general staff in France, called up his new commander in chief, Mayor Fiorello H. LaGuardia, last night to report that his snow-fighting army, 38,000 strong, had met the enemy and had won.

"It was a magnificent victory, no matter what our carping critics say," the Mayor announced, giving a pat on the back to his head snow-remover who had bowled over the record-breaking drifts. "People do not seem to realize that at 3 o'clock last Thursday morning, New York City was blanketed with 17 inches of snow, the worst blizzard the city had seen since 1888, when traffic was tied up for nearly four days. By 7 o'clock, Hammond had his army mobilized, and that same day the streets were open to traffic."


VOICE OF THE PEOPLE

Calls Us Several Things

Manhattan: You lousy News, so you want us to join the World Court now. Changed your minds, eh? I suppose you've invested some of your lousy dollars in Europe, so you'd like to see some more of our boys go over and get killed trying to collect it for you. You rotters, that's really what you must be. If you were really American, your attitude would be a helluva lot different. -- REAL AMERICAN

Dollars And The Man

Brooklyn: To All American Girl, who says soldiers are cheap, rude and sarcastic, I'll say that I never knew any soldiers until last Summer, when I went on a blind date on a Government boat ride, and I'll say I found him a perfect gentleman in every respect, as well as the other soldiers in his outfit. Did you want this soldier boy of yours only for his money, All American Girl? Surely no good girl in love thinks of what she can get the man to spend on her. -- REAL AMERICAN GIRL

 

[PSK123]

64 Years ago today, the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau.

 

[LizzieMaine]

January 28, 1935

JAFSIE TO BARE BRUNO CELL TALK

By Martin Sommers
Staff Correspondent of The News

Flemington, N. J., Jan. 27 -- Determined to clinch the conviction of Bruno Richard Hauptmann without leaving him a single loophole of escape, Col. Charles A. Lindbergh and Dr. John F. (Jafsie) Condon are expected to return to the witness stand, the State admitted tonight.

The picturesque old Jafsie may clear up one of the most intriguing and few surviving mysteries of the trial. The eccentric altruist from the Bronx classrooms will reveal for the first time exactly what he said to the caged German carpenter when he visited him in his cell here and tried to get him to confess. He will give the details of his pleas to Hauptmann, how he greeted him as an old acquaintance -- the "John" who took the $50,000 ransom in the Bronx -- and the full story of Bruno's replies.

Jafsie's story of Hauptmann's replies in his arguments for a full confession would constitute some of the most damning evidence so far produced against the greedy kidnaper, the State says. Jafsie's story of that curious scene also would be likely to set off another explosive scene in court. For if the aged school principal testifies that Hauptmann made damaging admissions during their tete-a-tete in the jail, Bruno may leap up and call Condon a "liar."

Confession Report False

Reports that Bruno was about to confess were once more current here this afternoon, and once more proved false. Lloyd Fisher, aggressive defense counsel, in Manhattan marshalling witnesses for presentation of Hauptmann's full case this week telephoned the jail and was informed the accused was even more cheerful than usual yesterday. He ate everything he could get at the three simple meals given him, and enjoyed a good night's sleep last night.

Once more this curiously egotistical ex-convict, who enjoyed himself most on the witness stand when he was lecturing the simple farmland jury about his career as a plunging wizard of finance, pored over his account sheets.


BRUNO REVENGE OF RICHTOFEN KIDNAP MOTIVE

By Robert Conway
Staff Correspondent of The News

Flemington, N. J., Jan. 27 -- Penetrating into the dark, enigmatic quirks of Bruno Richard Hauptmann's mind, a psychiatrist, working for the authorities, has analyzed the strange fixation which caused him to select Col. Charles A. Lindbergh's baby as his kidnap victim. It was Hauptmann's behind-the-trenches adoration of Germany's air ace, Capt. Baron Manfred von Richtofen, the Red Knight of Germany.

Von Richtofen's final destruction by the Allies set up a mental wound for which the only compensation was to inflict injury on Lindbergh, air hero who cemented the friendship of France and the United States. This astonishing deduction, made public for the first time, was offered by the same psychologist who analyzed the psychological characteristics of the kidnaper's mind so accurately thirty-one months ago, that exactly four minutes after the last tell-tale $10 Lindbergh ransom bill was passed, two picked sleuths working on the case knew they had the right man.


CITY SHIVERS AT 2 ABOVE, YEAR'S RECORD

New Yorkers had good cause to shiver yesterday, for it was the coldest day so far this winter. The temperature at 9:40 A. M. was slightly more than 2 degrees above zero. But some cheer may be had in the weather man's forecast for today, which is fair and warmer.

The extremely cold weather hampered the work of 31,000 men engaged in snow removal. Though the sun shone strongly, it was of little aid, for the snow was frozen hard in the streets and required the use of picks in the near-zero temperatures.


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[LizzieMaine]

January 29, 1935

SNARED IN DOZEN LIES, BRUNO CRIES 'INNOCENT!'

Savage Grilling Fails to Break Carpenter

By Martin Sommers
Staff Correspondent of The News

Flemington, N. J., Jan. 28 -- Snared in a dozen lies by a cross-examination as savage as a third degree, Bruno Richard Hauptmann, shaken and on the point of blubbering at times, managed to weather the zero hour of his trial for the murder of Baby Charles Lindbergh today. Guilt appeared written on his face as Attorney General David Wilentz finished a five hour masterpiece of tearing a witness to pieces. But the voice of the stubborn German carpenter, breaking in anger, still insisted: "I am innocent!"

Wilentz first used an oily we-boys-together manner toward his prey, then stormed at him like an avenging angel. Under the lash, Hauptmann admitted lies. He made a dozen or more damaging admissions. He confessed that while his trusting wife, Mrs. Anna Hauptmann, who slaved for him as an $18-a-week waitress, was away, he amused himself with younger, prettier Mrs. Gerta Henkel.

He himself had to smirk at some of his fantastic answers. Frequently he looked like a sheep-killing dog caught in the act. But sometimes about to blubber from self-pity, sometimes furious with rage, Hauptmann never made an admission tantamount to confession, which was what the chagrined Wilentz wanted.


WIFE OF BRUNO ON STAND TODAY

By Grace Robinson
Staff Correspondent of The News

Flemington, N. J., Jan. 28 -- Mrs. Anna Hauptmann, who once quarreled with her husband over another and more beautiful woman, tomorrow will go to the witness stand for him and try to piece out a picture of innocence from the fragmentary jig-saw bits remaining of Bruno's shattered case.

If Attorney General Wilentz finishes his snarling, slashing attack on Hauptmann's life early enough, the yellow-haired wife will go on during the morning session. Otherwise she will start her ordeal after the noon recess.


'GHOST' GRABS $1,456,000 IN BOND SATCHEL

A daring sneak thief stole a wallet containing $1,456,000 in negotiable securities at 11:30 A. M. yesterday at 48 Wall Street in one of the most amazing thefts in financial district history.

He picked up the valuables right under the nose of George Bloffield, messenger, and an armed guard of the Bank of Manhattan Co., in the twenty-fifth floor offices of C. J. Devine & Co., and escaped from the building despite the discovery of the theft less than two minutes later.

The securities, virtually all United States Treasury notes, twelve of them in denominatins of $100,000 each, were in a wallet which Bloffield laid on a ledge in front of the Devine company's receiving window. Bloffield stepped back five feet to wait for a receipt, and didn't take his eyes off the wallet -- so he thought.

But when the cashier a few moments later called out "Bank of Manhattan messenger!" Bloffield stepped forward and rubbed his eyes. The little wallet, only twelve inches long, but containing fifty-seven notes and bonds, had vanished.


THE INQUIRING PHOTOGRAPHER

By James Jemail

The News will pay $5 for every question submitted and used in this column. Today's award goes to Harry Sims, 99 Quentin Road, Brooklyn

The Question:

Police Commissioner Valentine recently ordered policewomen to learn how to shoot, intending to put them in uniform. Will they be effective?

The Place:

Seventh Ave. and West 52d Street.

The Answers:

Harry Cooper, restaurateur: "New York has for many years had the outstanding police force in this country. I doubt the addition of 160 women will add to its efficiency, and I abhor women engaging in deeds of violence. They should be used for their original purpose, the protection of women.

Professor Leon Taub, scalp specialist: "Yes, I think it is a good idea for women on a police force to be proficient in handling a pistol. In their police work there is no telling when they will find themselves obliged to take care of themselves or others.

Milton H. Spiro, reporter: "No. A women armed is something to be feared. In her excitement she may use a weapon when it is not required, and conversely, refrain from using one when it is absolutely necessary."

Sidney Altschuler, salesman: "Women do not have a flair for things athletic or active. They grow up in an inactive manner and do not develop the sense of timing necessary to handling a gun, or even driving an automobile."

Sid Garfinkel, writer: "Yes. One only has to think of Annie Oakley or Carrie Nation to realize that the gentle sex can be anything but that when the occasion requires firmness and violence. I'm not married, but I know there is no more formidable opposition than a thoroughly riled woman."

 

[Charlz]

Thank the lovely LizzieMaine for posting these wonderful articles.:eusa_clap
I enjoyed this line:
"Twenty-five federal agents, each carrying a machine gun and a thousand rounds of ammunition, are combing the city, ready to battle the harried triggermen with their own favorite weapon whenever cornered."

In today's zeitgeist this article would be a wellspring for all sorts of litigation. I think that today's law enforcement would probably not want to advertise how much ammunition they intend to administer to the criminal element.

 

[carter]

The Question:

Police Commissioner Valentine recently ordered policewomen to learn how to shoot, intending to put them in uniform. Will they be effective?

Sidney Altschuler, salesman: "Women do not have a flair for things athletic or active. They grow up in an inactive manner and do not develop the sense of timing necessary to handling a gun, or even driving an automobile."

Sid Garfinkel, writer: "Yes. One only has to think of Annie Oakley or Carrie Nation to realize that the gentle sex can be anything but that when the occasion requires firmness and violence. I'm not married, but I know there is no more formidable opposition than a thoroughly riled woman."

I can only imagine what would have (perhaps should have) happened had Mr. Altschuler met one of those women described by Mr. Garfinkel as thoroughly riled.

 

[carouselvic]

Tuesday January 29 1861

Kansas Territory admitted as a free state.

 

[dhermann1]

The serum gets through to Nome

On Feb. 2, 1925 one of the most famous events of the 1920's took place. The remote town of Nome, Alaska, near the Arctic Circle, was in the throes of a diptheria epidemic. A team of dogsleds set out with the needed serum. 5 days later the final team, led by the husky Balto, reached Nome after a journey through the snow and -70 degree F temperatures, of nearly 1,000 miles. It is this event that is commemorated in the annual Iditerod race.
http://www.newspaperarchive.com/DailyPerspectiveFullView.aspx?viewdate=02/02/2009
There is a statue of Balto in Central Park, in New York.

 

[carter]

Kirk Douglas' 1951 film "Ace in the Hole" was based upon this incident.

WONDER CAVE FOUND JUST AS BOULDER FELL

Explorer, Foot Pinned by Rock, Begins to Show Terrific Strain.

CAPTIVE WANTS FOOD

Entrance So Small Rescuers Must Crawl to Reach Him.

by Associated Press.

Cave City, Ky., Feb. 3.(1925)—Floyd Coilins, plnioned by a rock in a deep cave, was hopeful today that he would.be taken out alive. Volunteers this morning had carried away small pieces of stone and handftils of mud until a passage had been cleared beside Coilins as far back as his knees. The debris was removed peice by piece through 150 feet of the cave tunnel where men crawled nine-tenths of the way!
Collins is not prone on his back, but is standing nearly erect. It develops a huge sandstone block slipped and pinned one foot just as he was attempting to straighten himself for a squeeze through an eight-inch passage ahead. Behind and below Collins in his prison cave, there is an immense vaulted chamber, the largest and "most
beautiful he has ever seen", Collins told Jewel Estes when Estes discovered his plight Saturday.
Residents who know Collins and recall that he discovered Crystal Caro with its marvelous formations of delicate beauty believe that his new discovery is a wonder cave.
The, cave itself has been described as more of a sinkhole than a cavern. Rain and dripping water drain incessantly from the mouth down into a 10-foot drop before striking the underground channel which zigzags through jagged
rocks at a decidedly downward angle. Mud and water constitute the floor of the tunnel.
All the men entering the cave have returned cut, bruised and water-soaked.
Many Abandon Task.
Lieut. Robert Rurdon of the Louisville Fire Department, said today that in negotiating the entire distance to Collins late yesterday he found bottles containing coffee and and packages of food, all of which had been lest in the cave by persons who never reached their man. Nearly half a dozen bottles were found.
Visitors told Collins today of each mechanical implement which had been rushed to the scene from Louisville, and of the efforts of various delegations to reach him from behind. A telegram from Charles E. Feller of New York City was delivered 130 feet underground to him last night. "I am praying for you, old timer. I'm betting your grit will pull you through." it read. The reporter said he was glad to get it and asked that his brothers send him a gallon of milk and some stewed onions.
Today the strain of nearly 100 hours of torture showed its effect. Collins begged his visitors not to leave him alone. Tiny pieces of rock, described as too small to inflict pain. fell upon him and brought groans from the captive.
Physicians warned against further efforts to pull the cave explorer out by force asserting that death from rupture (?) probably would result.
Can Live Two More Days
Although worn by pain, lonliness, and danger, Collins could live in his chamber two more days, Dr. C. W. Richards of Glasgow believes. Dr. Richards visited him during the night.

*This is a day early here but it's Feb. 3rd somewhen.

 

[flat-top]

I guess a little later than the Golden Era, but...

Just after 1am, on February 3rd, 1959...."The Day The Music Died"

http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/Music/02/02/day.music.died/

 

[Diamondback]

I enjoyed this line:
"Twenty-five federal agents, each carrying a machine gun and a thousand rounds of ammunition, are combing the city, ready to battle the harried triggermen with their own favorite weapon whenever cornered."

In today's zeitgeist this article would be a wellspring for all sorts of litigation. I think that today's law enforcement would probably not want to advertise how much ammunition they intend to administer to the criminal element.

Ummm... does anyone have any idea how much a thousand rounds weighs when you're carrying it? That's ten C-drums for a Thompson, and the typical load for the brief period drums were issued in WWII IIRC was only two plus one in the well, even those only being the 50-round L-drums.

I've handled a C-drum myself, and the things are unGodly-heavy--to say nothing of the Chopper itself...

Just a little supplemental info. They musta combed the FBI's ranks for linebacker-sized guys to do this, as I doubt an average G-man coulda dealt with that kinda load no matter how proficient a gunslinger he was...

 

[CaddyKid21]

Just after 1am, on February 3rd, 1959...."The Day The Music Died"

http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/Music/02/02/day.music.died/

Im going to school in all black tomorrow in memory of Buddy Holly, (as well as The Big Bopper and Ritchie Valens) some call it an obsession, I call it devotion to the Father of Rock. His music launched the British Invasion, and influenced rock for decades. Thank you Buddy Holly!

 

[carter]

1925

BARE KNEES ARE RIVIERA VOGUE

Monte Carlo, Feb. 3 - Bare knees have appeared here among the women tennis players, who are wearing rolled stockings and skirts almost as short as bathing costumes. The abbreviated skirt and plenty of "knee room" add a lot to the play, the players say, and give much more freedom than formerly.
Skirts of the new tailor-made ensemble suits worn in Monte Carlo and Nice are also much shorter than even a few months ago, and tight. The skimpy skirt has come to stay, at least for this season, according to the tailors.

 

[dhermann1]

Buddy Holly trivia

Well known trivia fact (correct me if I'm wrong) but the guy who went on stage in Fargo in Buddy Holly's place? A young lad named Robert Zimmerman. Later known as Bob Dylan. From what I've seen from documentaries on the subject, young Bob was not yet ready for prime time by a long shot.

 

[LizzieMaine]

February 4, 1935

ALIBI WITNESSES FOR BRUNO FACE ACTION BY STATE

By Martin Sommers
Staff Correspondent of The News

FLEMINGTON N. J., Feb. 3 -- Attorney-General David Wilentz said today that every one of Bruno Richard Hauptmann's alibi witnesses "will be properly disposed of" after the trial is over.

This cryptic statement, foreshadowing some sort of State action against those who gave the sulky German alibis ranging from pinning the crime on Violet Sharpe to definitely placing Hauptmann in a Bronx restaurant, Wilentz refused to amplify.

"We'll have to wait and see just what action is taken," he said.

The Attorney-General intimated that he did not wish to make a stronger statement at this time for fear that the defense might charge him with attempting to intimidate its witnesses. Such a charge already has been made in connection with the testimony of Louis Kiss, painter on silk, who placed Bruno in the restaurant where his wife worked on the night of the kidnaping.

Wilentz was contemptuous of Kiss's story. "We'll dispose of that completely when he resumes the stand tomorrow," he said. Edward J. Reilly, chief of Hauptmann's defense, has charged that the State has been attempting to intimidate Kiss by getting him to change the date on which he said he saw Hauptmann in the bakery-lunchroom of Christian Fredericksen.

State Hits Alibi

Hauptmann's most effective alibi witness, Elvert Carlstrom, 27 year old blonde Swedish carpenter, whose testimony won him warm smiles from the women on the jury, will be blown up completely this week, the State predicted tonight.

Carlstrom's former friend, landord, and co-worker, Otto Larsen, will take the stand and swear that the glib little Swede with the sunny smile was never out of his sight for longer than twenty minutes at any time between Feb. 21 and March 7 of 1932.


JURORS GET VIEW OF BRUNO'S BABY ON VISIT TO DAD

By Grace Robinson
Staff Correspondent of The News

Flemington, N. J., Feb. 3 -- With his father's jurors witnessing part of a touching jail scene, fair-haired baby Mannfried Hauptmann went behind bars today and for twenty minutes lay in the arms of his accused parent. It was the first time Bruno Richard Hauptmann, charged with being the murderer of that other fair-haired child, the Lindbergh baby, has seen his offspring since his trial started nearly five weeks ago.

Hauptmann was near tears when he relinquished his year-old son to Mrs. Margaret McCrea, wife of Warden Henry O. McCrea, in the bull-pen where Mrs. McCrea awaited. When Mrs. Hauptmann emerged from the gray barred building at 2:50 P. M., carrying her infant, she said, "Richard felt very bad when we took the baby away from him."


LOEW AND COP KILL PAIR IN MOVIE HOLDUP

By Hal Burton

A theatre lobby drama in the heart of the Bronx, far more thrilling than the movie on view inside, accounted yesterday for two slain holdup men and a plot that mixed Jekyll and Hyde with the goriest of gangster films.

When Henry Loew, brother of the late film magnate and manager of Loew's National Theatre near Bergen and Westchester Ave., routed two thugs with bullets at 10:30 P. M. Saturday, he set in motion a melodrama that ran its course all night.

Half an hour later, the body of Thomas Dunn, 24, of 751 Forrest Ave., Bronx, a bullet in the head, was picked up in front of 568 Southern Boulevard. Loew's bullet had killed him. Hours later, he was identified as a $30-a-week grocery clerk who spent his days in legitimate labor, and his nights in robbery.

Staggers, Dying, to Wife

Almost at the same time, Mrs. Beulah Bonner opened the door of her third-floor apartment at 1500 Hone Ave., Bronx, to receive the sagging body of her husband, Richard, 26. With one bullet in his heart, and another in his hip, he had staggered home. At 12:05 A. M., he died.

A patrolman in civilian clothes, John McGurk of the West 68th Street station, was responsible for his wounds. As Bonner and Dunn fled in their car, McGurk, who had been to another theatre with a young woman friend, stepped to the middle of the street, took deliberate aim, and fired four shots which pierced the back of the car.

The last touch of unreality needed to complete the picture was furnished by Loew. He said he believed that both men were trying to carry through the holdup with nothing more than a toy pistol. It was this belief -- perhaps mistaken -- which led him to defy the thugs and reach for the pocket where he carried his pistol.

The robbery was staged as an audience of 1,600 watched a newsreel.

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Voice Of The People

Snow Removal Defense

Manhattan: As a snow removal squad leader, let me answer those hypocrites who are criticising the poor unfortunates who have hardly any warm shoes or clothes, but are compelled to shovel snow. We aren't getting 50 cents an hour, but 25 cents, the other half being taken off with the food check. The people who elected Mayor LaGuardia will never forget him for looking out for poor unfortunates as he has done -- MORRIS PEYER

Association of Ideas

Queens: Why is it that every time I open a can of sardines, I think of the human beings traveling to and from work all smashed together on the Flushing subway line? -- CRUSHED CLOTHES AND TOES

Our Inland Statesmen

Queens: Japan spends every dime it can raise on its Navy. Japan is sensible. When in this country, Senator Hiram Hayseed introduces a bill for the protection of aged porcupines at a cost of $5,000,000, it is passed with a whoop by both houses of Congress, while the Army, Navy, and Aircraft appropriations are reduced. Truly, the situation is becoming alarming -- JOHNNY NELSON

 

[LizzieMaine]

February 6, 1935

5 AIDS DESERT BRUNO; JUDGE WARNS DEFENSE

State Discredits Youth Who Says He Saw Fisch in Cemetary

By Martin Sommers
Staff Correspondent of The News

Flemington, N. J., Feb. 5 -- Five of Bruno Richard Hauptmann's witnesses failed to appear when their names were called one after the other this afternoon, following a sad day for the defense, and court was forced to adjourn early for the second time in two days because nobody was on hand to take the stand for the accused. Supreme Court Justice Thomas W. Trenchard, annoyed at the defense failure, warned Edward J. Reilly to produce his witnesses in court tomorrow.

The Hauptmann witness famine developed after Reilly tried to prove through an eyewitness that dead Isidor Fisch actually collected the $50,000 ransom money from Dr. John F.(Jafsie) Condon, and the attempt failed lamentably. The eyewitness was Ben Heier, 24, who admits he has been convicted of a crime, boasts of acquaintanceship with Stitch McCarthy, and is a writer, ex-manager of a cabaret, and a restaurant cashier currently. He told of being sent down here by Morris Adelbaum after an interview in Reilly's Brooklyn office, and declared his expenses were paid.

Heier introduced another dead person into this case of so many dead principals. He said a girl kept a tryst with him outside St. Raymond's Cemetery in the Bronx the night of the ransom payment, and testified that they saw a fellow with a strong resemblance to Isidor Fisch jump from a cemetery wall. He didn't tell anybody about this incident for more than two years, because of his deep grief about the girl, who married another and then died, the witness swore.

A savage and penetrating cross-examination, during which Supreme Court Justice Thomas W. Trenchard showed plain contempt for the witness, left Heier in such a tangle of contradictions and sulky evasions that his entire story blew up.

BRUNO TELLS NAZI AGENT TRIAL'S FAIR

By Robert Conway
Staff Correspondent of The News

Flemington, N. J., Feb. 5 -- An observer for Herr Adolf Hitler's Nazi Government today interviewed Bruno Richard Hautpmann in the courtroom, demanding to know if the former German machine-gunner feels he is getting a fair trial on the charge of kidnaping and killing the world's most famous baby. Hauptmann told the Nazi representative he had no complaint.

Dr. Frederick Kirsch, described by Lloyd Fisher, Hauptmann's defense attorney, as "a semi-official representative of the Hitler government," was the agent who immediately dispatched his report to the Fatherland. The interview Dr. Kirsch had with Hauptmann, conducted in German, was the first formal indication that the Hitler Government is interested in the fate of the accused murderer of Charles Augustus Lindbergh Jr.


RUDY TO AIR FAY'S PHONE FLIRTATIONS

By Julia McCarthy

Rudy Vallee may be "no angel," as his father-in-law testified yesterday, but unless his wife turns out to be a seraph herself, she can whistle for the extra money she wants Rudy to fork over.

That sort of decision was strongly hinted by Supreme Court Justice Salvatore A. Cotillo, and he indicated that the chastity of Fay Webb Vallee will decide if she is to get more than $100 a week from the crooner whose income he estimated at the handsome figure of $125,000 a year.

So on Thursday, Rudy's counsel, Judge Hyman Bushel, will play, or repeat for the court, those torrid phonograph records in which Fay reportedly relayed her telephoned love and kisses to Garfield (Garry) Leon, muscular adagio dancer of Broadway fame.

"While there have been Court of Appeal decisions which held that lack of compensation constituted adequate grounds for asking and getting more, I have my own ideas about that," the Justice commented after he gathered his robes and swirled out of the presence of Rudy and Fay.


VOICE OF THE PEOPLE

Hairdresser Ethics

Hoboken, N. J.: That'll be enough out of you, Hairdresser Bob. If you hear your lady customers discussing their likes and dislikes regarding men, don't point your long ears their way like a jackass, just concentrate on giving them the service that they pay for. A hairdresser should be as close mouthed about what he hears as a doctor or a priest. -- STEVE.

Mother Prefers Dogs

Brooklyn: I agree with you, Mr. M. H., that dogs are better than children. I raised my three brats. The oldest said he would never forget me. He got married and never even comes to see me, let alone ever giving me one cent. But I'm glad to say my dogs are all I care for now. Their love is true, not like the love of a Communistic brat. -- WIDOWED MOTHER.

Year's First Forecast

Brooklyn: The Brooklyn Dodgers are going to win both the pennant and World Series in 1935! -- BROOKLYN FAN

 

[H.Johnson]

9th February 1942

The confiscated French ocean liner Normandie burned and capsized in New York harbour...

 

[LizzieMaine]

February 13, 1935

BRUNO DOOMED TO CHAIR AS MOB HOWLS APPROVAL

By Martin Sommers
(Staff Correspondent of The News)

Flemington, N. J., Feb. 13 -- While a howling mob of 5,000 men, women and children cheered and screamed their approval around this old courthouse, Bruno Richard Hauptmann, as white as death and cold as ice, stood erect before the court at 10:47 p. m. tonight and was sentenced to die in the electric chair.

Neither Hauptmann nor Mrs. Anna Hauptmann, the deepened lines of her face drawn into a defiant state, shed a tear or showed a trace of emotion during the long ordeal. But 281-pound Mrs. Verna Snyder, who held out for life imprisonment for Bruno until the fifth and deciding ballot of the jurors, was crying.

Hauptmann stood erect, as stiff as a ramrod and apparently just as nerveless, for fully three minutes of dreadful tension during the ordeal. First he stood while Charles Walton, sober foreman, read from a paper:

"We find the defendant, Bruno Richard Hauptmann, guilty of murder in the first degree."

Bruno's deep eyes -- they seem an inch deeper in their sockets than a week ago -- blinked, but not a muscle in his body moved.

"Please poll the jury," Edward J. Reilly, defense counsel said.

Walton, whose voice quavered and sank when he was originally asked for the verdict, didn't understand and said:

"Here."

He was told the jury was being polled, and he read the entire guilty verdict again. One by one, each of the jurors followed suit. Mrs. Rosie Pill had difficulty in saying the words, and next to her, Mrs. Snyder simply mumbled, on the point of bursting into tears.

Until late tonight, after they had argued with nine other jurors from 11:13 A. M. today until they arrived at their verdict at 10:20 P. M., Mrs. Snyder and stout, kindly Mrs. Pill held out for guilty with recommendation of mercy -- which meant life imprisonment for Hauptmann and until the third ballot, shortly before 10 o'clock, they were supported by Robert Cravatt, the courteous, good-looking 25-year-old C. C. C. camp instructor, according to reports reaching the courtroom.

SENTENCE DEMANDED

When the poll was completed, with Charles Snyder, one of the most forceful jurors, answering in a ringing, commanding voice, the condemned man sat down. He did not slump, but seated himself with a jerky bow, German army fashion.

"The State moves for immediate sentence," declared triumphant Attorney-General David T. Wilentz, in a chill tone. C. Lloyd Fisher, attorney closest to Hauptmann, brushed away tears from his eyes.

Hauptmann was asked to stand again. Once more he stood, unflinching, index fingers on the seam of his trousers, military fashion. Grizzled 71-year-old Justice Thomas W. Trenchard, whose unusually severe charge to the jurors in the morning had carried sudden death for the murderer in every paragraph, asked for a book containing the sentencing formula.

APPEAL ANNOUNCED

He carefully adjusted his glasses, looked down at the paper he took from the book, and read:

"Bruno Richard Hautpmann, you have been convicted of murder in the first degree. The sentence of this court is that you shall suffer death in the time and place and manner provided by law."

The judge fixed Bruno's execution for the week beginning on Monday, March 18, but an appeal announced by his lawyers will automatically delay this many months.

"I will appeal to the highest court in the land," Reilly declared.

Even when he heard that he must die, the German egoist did not show emotion, although he moved like a mechanical man from whom all blood had been drained. He did not once look at Mrs. Hauptmann, by this time biting her lips.

MRS. HAUPTMANN BREAKS

Justice Trenchard, who did not look Hautpmann directly in the eye until he finished pronouncing sentence, asked the sherrif's men to remove the prisoner. Hauptmann, handcuffed to his two guards tonight to prevent an attempt at violence, stopped while leaving the courtroom to ask Attorney Fisher to come and visit his cell.

As soon as Bruno left the room, Mrs. Anna Hautpmann broke. She sobbed convulsively, tears streamed from her eyes, and she tried to hide her twisted face in her hands. Fisher leaned over and comforted her. She finally controlled her convulsive sobs and continued weeping.

 

[LizzieMaine]

February 15, 1938

VALENTINES SUNG OVER 'PHONE INTERRUPT DEALS IN WALL STREET

From Our Own Correspondent

New York, Monday -- Twenty New York girl telephone operators spent eight hours to-day singing sentimental Valentine's Day messages from love-sick swains to their beloved in all parts of America.

With typical American efficiency, the big telegraph companies organised this special Valentine service for transmitting musical love messages by telephone.
Men sent the palpitating messages they wanted transmitted to the offices of the telephone company, one of whose operators immediately rang up the girls they named and sang to them:

"Oh, dear Valentine, I send you this line. Will you be mine, sweet Valentine?" was a typical message.

"By Permission..."

In keeping with St. Valentine's Day tradition, the telephone girls did not reveal the names of the senders of the messages they sent, but they rather spoilt the sentimental effect by adding at the end "This song is sung by permission of the copyright owners."

Girls, too, could and did have their valentines sung.

Wall Street business men swore with anger and made stern protests when their deals were interrupted by a voice on the telephone: "I see your face before me, haunting me this Valentine's Day, by permission of the copyright owners." But the idea was so popular that to-night twenty operators were still singing constantly. One girl had sung over 220 messages


SHE DISPUTES LOVER'S SIGNATURE

A slim blonde ex-dancer of twenty-give told Mr. Justice Hawke in a King's Bench suit yesterday at the country-house home of her doctor-fiance as his family "tried to get her" to end their engagement.

Gave Up Stage

The girl, Miss Winifred Grace Wilson, who gave evidence yesterday, was eighteen when she met Dr. Eric Redgewell Dansie, a London medical student. In 1935, Miss Wilson was invited to The Swains, Partridge Green, Sussex, a "largish" country house, and gave up the stage. Then she was asked to sign a document breaking off her engagement.

Kept In Room

Miss Wilson told the Court that her fiance was kept in his room, and she asked to be allowed to consult him.

Instead, the vicar, who had been invited to lunch, was asked to take the document to her fiance and returned saying he wished her to sign it. When he brought it down it was purported to be signed by her fiance.

"I disputed the signature, and still do dispute it," Miss Wilson declared.

The hearing was adjourned to to-day.


CRIME BROADCASTER ARRESTED

Forty-one-year-old Walter Richards, of Green Gates, South Shore-road, Gateshead, was remanded in custody for a week at Gateshead Police Court yesterday -- a fortnight after taking part in a B. B. C. broadcast on crime. He was accused of breaking an entering a hotel.


AIR RAID MASKS FOR CAR LIGHTS

If war comes, Britain will be thrown into instant darkness at night -- not a light will be visible from the air from the moment hostilities begin.

Measures to ensure complete black-out are outlined in a Home Office memorandum yesterday to all local authorities.

All occupiers of premises used after dark will be required to mask all windows, skylights, and doors so that no light inside is visible outside. All illuminated advertisements and signs other than signs installed specifically for air raid precautions purposes will be prohibited.

Normal street lighting will not be permitted in time of war, but traffic control signals, fitted with approved masking devices, will be permitted to remain in operation in darkened streets.

Cars will only be allowed to use headlights if they are heavily screened. A suitable masking device is now being designed.


OUR LIVE LETTER BOX

"Smiler" writes:

Do you think I am being exploited?

I work in a hotel as hall porter, my hours every day being from 7 A. M. to 10 P. M. having a rest of two hours daily and one half-day per week.

Total weekly hours, eighty-five.

For this I receive the sum of 13s. 6d. clear.

How am I doing?

ANSWER: You are being taken for a ride. You are being imposed upon. You are being exploited. By the way, we are glad you gave us the address of the hotel at which you work. We've been there a lot. But we'll be darned if we;ll ever patronise such a slave ship again, nor our friends.

Look for something else, Smiler. You can't do much worse.


BE STIMULATED!
SUSTAINED!
STRONG!
by the
OXO
HABIT!

Ever-active bodies and brains need EXTRA nourishment! Bright eyes, glowing cheeks, firm flesh and muscle are the results of regularly taking --

OXO
Beef For Energy

 

[Peacoat]

Born During the Goden Era--1935

February 15, 1968. 37 years old. King of the Blues Harmonica. Marion Walter "Little Walter" Jacobs. Died at home from head injuries suffered in a fight earlier that day. Unfortunately his life had been headed to that conclusion for a number of years.

Born in Marksville, LA in 1930, he began playing harp in 1938. He left home at 13 and made his way to Chicago at age 17. Playing for tips on Maxwell Street in 1947, he soon caught the attention of many of the musicians of the day who had made the same journey as Walter. One of those musicians was Muddy Waters.

In 1948 Muddy added Walter to his road band, which included Jimmie Rogers on guitar, Big Crawford on bass, and Baby Face Leroy on drums. In 1951 Walter joined Muddy and Big Crawford in the studio to record the nationwide hit, "Louisiana Blues."

In 1952 Walter had the instrumental hit, "Juke." He left Muddy Waters band, to be replaced by Jr. Wells, and returned to Chicago to put together his own band, consisting of Dave and Louie Meyers on guitars and Freddie "Back Beat" Below on drums. "Juke" spent 20 weeks on the Billboard R&B charts, and an incredible 8 weeks at #1.

While Walter had his own string of hits dung the 50s, he still recorded on most of Muddy's sessions during those days. These sessions produced some of Walter's best work. He didn't have to be concerned about singing on his own sessions and could devote his time and creativity to his instrument.

His lifestyle, however, had begun to take its toll by the late 50s. Also the publics taste in music had begun to change. Photographs from that period show Walter with facial scars received in various altercations while he had been drinking. Each of the scars has its own story. During the 70s and early 80s I was friends with the Muddy Waters' Band and learned how Walter got several of those scars. Muddy told me that Walter was the wildest person he ever knew. Walter's life was not an easy life.

While Walter's life was not an easy one, his mastery of the instrument has given us an art form unparalleled by any harp player before or since. His playing is truly the standard by which all harp players are judged. Muddy Waters also told me that Walter was the best he had ever heard, and Muddy has heard them all.

In March, 2008, 40 years after his death, Walter was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. See part of the induction ceremony here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EaqTyDC0TZg

These notes on Little Walter wouldn't be complete without a picture or two. The first is a publicity shot from his early days at Chess. It is also currently used in a book on Walter's story by Tony Glover. I haven't yet read it, but intend to do so shortly (available at Amazon). The second is one of the few surviving candid shots of Walter. I would say it is from the early to mid 60s.


His life was troubled and short, but he gave us so much. Little Walter: May 1, 1930--February 15, 1968.