tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55444953305530769952024-02-24T14:46:33.420-06:00Judging ShadowsPanhandle Mysteries, and Mayhem.
Short essays about little known true crime stories that have mostly faded from memory and now lurk in the shadows.Woodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15439536585199351784noreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5544495330553076995.post-63305493629054713192023-10-03T14:15:00.000-05:002023-10-03T14:15:11.773-05:00The Blue Sink Murders<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisHTt3hP1aa2nBZi8YvjIn_dKAMnYtEFpj_qNPrStPzoyH8omQiCib5rt6O_GmjCCA3aNEGrzM4pS5I-dMG3kQ96jVy9OChczZOLTA-L73iPxcF-_CtHHcdWoFQYbBPnQKw3g_WGAj13sIpRs0UfNbT5yOz9F2unF65iJcXvrsEydRWxlYt95i8dqTSFr2/s4762/The_Tampa_Tribune_Thu__Oct_19__1967_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3549" data-original-width="4762" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisHTt3hP1aa2nBZi8YvjIn_dKAMnYtEFpj_qNPrStPzoyH8omQiCib5rt6O_GmjCCA3aNEGrzM4pS5I-dMG3kQ96jVy9OChczZOLTA-L73iPxcF-_CtHHcdWoFQYbBPnQKw3g_WGAj13sIpRs0UfNbT5yOz9F2unF65iJcXvrsEydRWxlYt95i8dqTSFr2/s320/The_Tampa_Tribune_Thu__Oct_19__1967_.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Tampa Tribune 19 Oct 1967</div><br /> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">On the 19</span><sup style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">th</sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">
of October 1967, students at Florida High School in Tallahassee were summoned
to a meeting with Dr. H. Clay Bishop, where they were informed of the deaths of
two of their classmates. Dr. Bishop urged the students to stop the rumors that
were spreading about their classmates’absence. Some of the girls were seen
crying as they filed out of the room. The two victims had attended class on the
17</span><sup style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">th</sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> and were well-liked by the others.</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> At around midnight on the 17<sup>th</sup>,
an anonymous caller said that he had been at a place where he should not have
been, and therefore could not identify himself, but felt that he should report
having seen two bodies in the woods near Blue Sink. This was a small lake
located just south of Tallahassee, in the Apalachicola National Forest. Sheriff
Bill Joyce arrived at the scene just after one of his deputies. The bodies of
two young females were found about 10-12 feet apart. Information in the girls’
purses led to their identification and positive ID was established later in the
hospital morgue. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> The girls were identified as
Elizabeth Ann Wood and Flora Kay Granger, both 17 years old and high school
students at Florida High. They were both shot and stabbed. One was fully
clothed, and the undergarments of the other were missing. They were found on
their backs on a blood-soaked bed of pine needles with signs of a struggle. No
murder weapon was found. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Both victims were described by those
who knew them as pleasant, happy, average high school girls. Ann played a horn
in the student orchestra, and Kay was in the chorus. They both lived within
walking distance of their school, the educational training school for Florida
State University. Kay worked after school at Krispy Kreme on West Tennessee
Street. The manager said she was on the job from 4 to 7 p.m. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> The girls were last seen alive the
night they were killed between 8:30 and 9 p.m. They had left the Granger home
at about 8, and the Wood family station wagon they left the home in was found
abandoned the next day in front of a hamburger place on West Tennessee Street.
The two bought ice cream sandwiches from J.M. Fields between 8:30 and 8:40 from
a clerk who knew them. The clerk said they were alone, and she didn’t see them
leave. The proprietor of the Wagon Wheel Drive-In, on South Monroe Street said
Kay bought some potato chips at the service window after 8, but he did not
notice Ann. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">An Arrest is Made:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Around 1:30 a.m. on October 18,
Sheriff Simmie Moore of Madison County, Florida was told of a man at Madison
Memorial Hospital with a gunshot wound. Sheriff Moore found Robert Scott
Sanders there with a wound to his arm. Sanders told the Sheriff that he was
watching TV with his friend and roommate, James Friesner, when a .22 caliber
revolver that Friesner was cleaning accidentally discharged, hitting him in the
arm. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Later in the day, when Sheriff Moore
heard about the killing of the two girls, he went to the Cherry Lake Friesner
home with State Beverage Agent William Eddy and brought both men to Madison for
questioning. He phoned Sheriff Joyce around 12:30 p.m. When Joyce arrived, he
interviewed and later arrested Sanders for killing the two girls. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sanders’s account of what happened.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sanders said he was driving along
the road from Blue Sink. He had dropped James Friesner off at a bowling alley
on Apalachee Parkway and was heading toward Blue Sink when he changed his mind
and turned the car around. As he was heading back toward Tallahassee, he met a
car and heard screams for help. He once again turned his car around and gave
chase. At a flashing traffic light, the car slowed down, and as it drew near,
someone threw a bottle at his car. This made him angry and he sped up until he
was able to cut the car off, forcing them to stop. He claimed there were two
men in the car, and he began to fight one of them. Sanders claimed that the
blood found later on his front tire came from the lip of the guy he was fighting.
He said the other man shot him in the left arm, then got back in the car and
sped away. He said he fired his .22 caliber revolver at the fleeing car. The
screams could still be heard as it sped away. He said it was a cream-colored
Ford with round taillights. He did not get the tag number. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> James Friesner said that Sanders
told him the same story when he picked him up at the bowling alley around 11:45
p.m. There were blood stains on the front seat, an arm wound, a smashed
windshield, and a bullet hole in the right rear window. Friesner said the car
was his, and he later discovered blood in the trunk when he took it to the
service station where he worked to clean it up. Sanders told him the blood in
the trunk came from his arm while he was looking for something to use as a
bandage. Friesner said he often loaned his car to Sanders. When he heard about
the two slain girls, he demanded that Sanders tell him the truth, but Sanders
stuck to his story. When Friesner later saw a picture of Kaye Granger in the
paper, he recognized her as someone Sanders had occasionally dated. She had
even been to the Friesner home on one occasion. Witnesses verified that
Friesner was at the bowling alley from 8:15 to 11:45 p.m. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Some Sanders Background</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Sanders was born in 1946 in Adelanto,
California. I haven’t found out much about his childhood, but by 1962, he and
his father, Michael C. Sanders, were living in Milton, Florida. In September
1965, Sanders quit school while attending Milton High School as a junior. He
was a student in the Diversified Cooperative Training Program, attending
classes and taking job training. He worked first for Dr. Herbert Lundy, a
Milton Veterinarian. Dr. Lundy recalled that Sanders had trouble with his
grades. He was failing when he went to work for him, but he was a hard worker
around the animals and did bring his grades up to passing. Dr. Lundy said that
because of Sanders’s interest in cars, he recommended him to Gentry Ford
Company, to which he transferred in the co-op program. Richard Lane, President
of Gentry Ford, said he let Sanders go because his work was unsatisfactory.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> In 1964, the Milton city directory
listed Sanders living on Route 4, Box 204. A former neighbor who knew Michael
and his son was located by reporters. Her name was Mrs. Della Redfield. She
became friends with them when they moved there in 1962. She said that Robert
had “several hot rods around all the time and was always working on them.”
Robert was described as quiet and well-mannered. Michael Sanders worked as a
bookkeeper in Milton and ran a small country store east of the city on U.S.
Highway 90.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Robert Scott Sanders was inducted into the army in Milton
after being drafted on May 25, 1966, four days after his twentieth birthday. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sanders went AWOL, (absent without leave), from his post
with the Ninth Division, U.S. Army in Fort Riley, Kansas, which was preparing
for departure to Viet Nam. He traveled to Tallahassee and was hired by Hank
Mannheimer, owner of the Mannheimer
Service Station, located at Tennessee and Adams Streets, who later said that Sanders, “only had two
things on his mind, girls and the hot rod he was building.” Sanders worked at
the station until he was stopped for speeding and arrested on May 16. The next
day he was turned over to the Military Police from Fort Benning, Georgia, and
taken there to await further orders. Mannheimer said he never saw Sanders
again. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Two days after arriving at Fort Benning, Sanders volunteered
to donate blood at a bloodmobile. He went in one door and departed from the
back door, losing his guard. He returned to Tallahassee, finding his friend
James Friesner. They moved from Tallahassee to Madison five months before the
murders. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br clear="all" style="mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" />
</span>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Hearings and Trials<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Being indigent, Sanders was appointed representation at his
first hearing. Murray Wadsworth, a young attorney just beginning his legal
career, was given the case. Wadsworth filed a writ of habeas corpus for a
hearing on a petition that stated he had not had an opportunity to interview
his client until 4:15 on the previous Friday. After the interview,, Wadsworth
decided he wanted Sanders to be given psychiatric and neurological
examinations. After an objection by the State Attorney, W.D. Hopkins, the judge
issued an oral order granting the exams. Wadsworth also requested that the
preliminary hearing, scheduled for November 3, be held with no reporters
present. Hopkins also objected to that. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">On January 12, 1968, Wadsworth requested a change of venue
from Tallahassee to Miami due to what he called “prejudicial” newspaper and
television publicity. He filed his motion with 26 clippings from the <i>Tallahassee Democrat</i> to support his
charge of media bias. He included an advertisement from the paper pointing out
an increase in circulation of 34 percent since 1960, to show that more people
than ever got their news from the paper. He also cited a year-end roundup story
in the paper, labeling the Blue Sink murders as the “Number One” news story in
Tallahassee in 1967. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">At Jury Selection on February 7, nine men and three women
were chosen. Wadsworth asked them during questioning if they would deliberate
objectively, without becoming too emotional when presented with the evidence.
He also asked if they could return a verdict of not guilty by reason of
insanity if evidence showed insanity at the time of the crime, and whether they
would give weight to psychiatrist testimony. He was also concerned about their
objectivity surrounding the use of a gun in the crime, and that his client was
AWOL from the army. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It is interesting to note that one of the jurors selected
was Mrs. Guyte McCord, Jr. She was the wife of one of Leon County’s four
circuit judges. Judge McCord was the judge who appointed Murray Wadsworth as
the defense council for Sanders. Neither side objected to her being a jury
member. The jurors would be sequestered at the Floridian Hotel for the duration
of the trial.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The opening day was attended by the parents of Sanders.
Michael Sanders and Mrs. Ann Gaff sat on opposite sides of the courtroom. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This trial would only be for the murder of Miss Granger.
Wadsworth unsuccessfully tried to get the two murders tried together, but the
trial for the murder of Miss Wood would not be until 1971. Kay Granger’s first
cousin, Lt. Dick Granger, was the first person to learn of the double slaying
while on duty as radio dispatcher the night of the killings. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">At the opening of testimony, Attorney Murray Wadsworth
admitted that his client, “did it or probably did it,” as he began his defense.
“At the time he did it he was legally insane and there was no evidence of how
he did it.” Both a psychiatrist and a psychologist testified for the defense.
They said they had both examined Sanders and, in their opinion, he was
temporarily insane at the time of the murders. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Wadsworth introduced what would be described as “a
Bombshell” by calling Florida Highway Patrol Trooper, Jim Hawkins, to the stand.
Hawkins testified that he heard a tape recording of a phone call at the police
station and recognized it as a “maniac” who had the reputation of being a “sex
pervert.” Hawkins said he had arrested him, who he identified as Harold Dean
Cope, for drunk driving “about a week before” the murders. He said the man was
coming out of the Blue Sink Road area at the time, and there was a hatchet on
the floorboard of his car. The Hawkins testimony was before Judge Walker in the
absence of the jury. Hawkins testified that the man told him he had “just beat
up a girl and thrown her out of the car.” He said he went back to the location,
but could not find her. State Attorney Hopkins objected strongly to this
testimony, but the judge allowed it since the state had earlier brought up sex
crime allegations. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sanders admitted the gunshot but claimed not to remember the
stabbings or bludgeoning. Defense claimed someone else, (such as a pervert in
the area), could have attacked the bodies of the two girls after Sanders left the
scene. Sanders admitted being with the girls and shooting one of them, which he
said happened accidentally, but that he drew a blank after that until he saw
the girls’ bodies sprawled in pools of blood on the ground beside the car. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">During his testimony, Sanders claimed that his own childhood
was so horrific, that while living in Milton, he would go to the county jail
and ask to be locked up so that he wouldn’t have to go back home. Sometimes he
would stay in jail for “two, or three days.” He claimed many of his problems
with his father were because he “stuck up for” his mother, even though he said
she had beaten him and his two half-brothers with a “broom handle or something”
for the first ten years of his life. “He threw me against the wall and beat me with
a belt because he didn’t want me sticking up for my mother.” At one point he
said he pleaded with the Santa Rosa County Judge to send him to the Florida
School for Boys at Marianna to get him away from home, but the judge wouldn’t
do it. He claimed he had blackouts before like the one he had the night at the
Blue Sink. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sanders’ revised story.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">He said he met the girls by accident
after leaving Friesner at the Parkway Bowling Alley. He had dated the Granger
girl before, and he said she and Miss Wood drove up beside him while he was
stopped at a red light at Monroe and Tennessee Streets about 9 p.m. Kay jumped
out of the car, ran over to his car and kissed him, followed by an invitation
to meet the two girls at the Burger Chef Drive-In on West Tennessee. From there
they went riding, winding up at Blue Sink to spy on teenage lovers, but found
no one there. He claims the girls started teasing him. He said during the
course of things, he took his pistol out of his pocket for a reason he could
not explain, and that Kay grabbed his arm, and the gun went off. Ann screamed
she had been shot. He said he remembered a series of gunshots and nothing else
until he found himself standing by the car with the two girls’ bodies lying on
the side of the car. <o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">On cross-examination, Assistant State Attorney, Henry
Morrison brought out testimony from Sanders showing there was blood all over
the car when Sanders washed it off at a filling station on the way back to
town, indicating that the stabbing and beating had all taken place before
Sanders left the Blue Sink that night. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">After all the testimony was heard, the jury deliberated for
two hours and fifteen minutes to find Sanders Not Guilty by reason of Insanity.
Sanders sobbed when he heard the verdict. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">On February 12, the next day, some of the jurors were
concerned that the prosecutors did not follow through in some major areas of
the case. They were concerned with the exact cause of death, the exact type of
weapons used, and the possible involvement of the person who called the
sheriff’s office to report finding the bodies. Several of the jurors said that
Sanders should receive psychiatric help and that the jury felt that Sanders
should never be allowed to go free. The verdict was based primarily on the
testimony of the psychiatric witnesses. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">State Attorney William D. Hopkins stated that Sanders would
be tried for the murder of Ann Wood. He made no comment on the verdict in the
Granger case. He was asked if there was precedent for conducting a second trial
when two murders were committed at the same time when the first jury declared
the defendant insane at the time of the crime, and he replied, “I don’t know. I
don’t know what you mean by precedent.” He said he did not know yet when the
second trial would be held. Judge W. May Walker had not yet ruled on Sanders’
fate. The judge could commit him to a mental institution. Sanders would remain
in the Leon County jail until Walker handed down his decision. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: .5in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><b><br />Sanders
Sent to Chattahoochee<o:p></o:p></b><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">On October 14, 1968, Sanders was transferred to the State
Hospital at Chattahoochee. He had been in the Leon County jail since the day he
was arrested. Circuit Judge W. May Walker ordered Sanders committed because he
said his “discharge or going at large will be manifestly dangerous to the peace
and safety of the people, as well as to the defendant himself.” At the same
time, Judge Walker ordered an indictment charging Sanders with Miss Wood’s
murder dismissed because he said the jury’s verdict of insanity in the Granger
murder precluded another jury from trying the case on the same evidence with
the possibility of coming in with an “irreconcilable” verdict that he was sane
at the time. State Attorney Hopkins said he planned to appeal Judge Walker’s
decision. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Should the medical staff at the State Hospital find in the
future that Sanders is sane he will not be automatically released. Judge Walker explained that a full hearing
would be held at which medical experts would testify, the state and defense
attorneys would give arguments, and it then would be up to the judge to
determine whether to release him. Defense Attorney Wadsworth told the jury at
the trial he felt Sanders should be confined to the hospital for life. Jurors,
after rendering their verdict, said it was based on the feeling that Sanders
would be confined for life. </span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">(This is important to remember.)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">After only about three weeks at Chattahoochee, hospital
official, Dr. C.A. Rich, said that Robert Scott Sanders was sane and should be
released. He said, “Sanders is dangerous to the welfare of the patients,” and
that he had already tried to escape.
Judge Walker strongly rejected any suggestion of freedom for the man who
was acquitted of two brutal murders by reason of insanity. Sanders’ attorney,
Murray Wadsworth, said he visited his client the week before and reported “he
is no more trying to get out than the man in the moon. He is probably happier
than he has ever been in his life. He is ten times better off than he was in
the county jail. He put on 12 pounds in the first three weeks he was there. He
knows he needs treatment, and he wants treatment.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Dr. Rich, who had examined Sanders before the trial,
testified for the prosecution that he found Sanders to be at no time insane.
Sanders was committed to the hospital on October 14 and interviewed by the
hospital staff on November 7, “at which time it was the staff’s opinion that
there was no evidence of any major organic psychiatric disorder which would
undermine the patient’s competency or make necessary his psychiatric care and
treatment at this institution,” Dr. Rich said in his letter to Judge Walker. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: .5in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
Trial for the Murder of Miss Ann Wood<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Attorney Hopkins’ appeal of Judge Walker’s earlier decision
must have been successful, because in October 1971 Sanders was tried for the
murder of Ann Wood. The verdict ended up being the same as the first trial, but
some new information was revealed. The victim had suffered a flesh wound by
gunshot and was stabbed 66 times. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br clear="all" style="page-break-before: always;" />
</span>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A surprise witness for the state, Mrs. Patricia Strickland,
testified that she and a companion, Johnny White, drove into the Blue Sink area
around 11:30 p.m. on Oct. 17, 1967. “When we pulled in John said there were two
bodies there,” she said. “I only saw one body. We were there about 15 seconds,
then we immediately backed up and drove to town where we called the police.”
She said White called from a phone booth in front of the Leon County
courthouse. Police officials testified that they received a call about 11:45
p.m. The defense questioned whether the caller was White. During the first
trial of Sanders for the Granger murder, the defense maintained that the caller
was a man identified as Harold Copp, (or Cope), a “known sexual pervert,” who
had been seen in the Blue Sink area, and who had a high effeminate voice, which
corresponded with the caller’s voice. Strickland said the reason White did not
identify himself that night was because he was married at the time, and he felt
it might be embarrassing for it to be known he was at the Blue Sink with her. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">On 13 November 1971, Judge Ben C. Willis recommitted Sanders
to Chattahoochee, <b><i>“held and cared for as an insane person, and not to be released or
allowed to go at large without the consent of this court.”<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">At this time, we should familiarize ourselves with something
called </span></i></b><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Baker Act.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Baker Act is a Florida law that allows for involuntary
institutionalization, (72 hours), for evaluation and determination of the
status of loved ones in need. It can be initiated by judges, law enforcement
officials, physicians, mental health professionals, and close friends and
relatives. The Act was named after Maxine Baker, former Miami State
representative, who sponsored the Florida Mental Health Act of 1971, referred
to as The Baker Act. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">There are several possible results concerning the patient
after an examination. The patient could be released into the community. The
patient could be involuntarily committed to treatment. The patient could
voluntarily consent to treatment. Some of the reasons for involuntary treatment
are there is reason to believe that the person is mentally ill, the person
refuses a voluntary examination, or the person is unable to determine if an
exam is needed. The main point is that there is the likelihood that without
care or treatment, the person will cause bodily harm to themselves or anyone
else in the near future. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Not covered under the Baker Act are developmental
disability, intoxication, conditions manifested by antisocial behavior, or conditions
manifested only by impairment of substance abuse.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Upon passing of the Baker Act, Attorney Jon Caminez was
named the first Baker Act Examiner. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: .5in;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
Release of Robert Scott Sanders and the scapegoating of Mr. Caminez<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Jon Caminez examined Sanders in July 1973, concluded that he
was dangerous, and denied him release. In April 1974, after three days of
hearings where he found Sanders to be a “walking time bomb,” Caminez stated
that he intended to transfer Sanders to another facility. He stated that he
felt Sanders had reached “maximum benefit” from his time at Chattahoochee.
Sanders, on the other hand, let it be known that his goal was to be released
and go live with his father, who was now in Texas, and help him run a lumber
business. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In June 1974, the management of the
Chattahoochee institution quietly released Sanders without having a court
hearing. Sanders indeed went to his father’s home in Texas. but for whatever
reason, that arrangement did not last long. Soon Sanders was on his way back to
the Florida Panhandle. He got a room in a halfway house in Pensacola and found
a job as a security guard. Mostly he worked unarmed at a Pensacola library, but
he also served as an armed guard at a Rodeway Inn. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Circuit Court Judge Ben C. Willis
and State Attorney Harry Morrison found out about the status of Sanders and had
him taken into custody and transferred back to Chattahoochee for examination.
Sanders was picked up while making his rounds on 18 Feb 1975. At the time of
his arrest, Sanders was not armed. M.W. Mackey, the operator of the Southern
Patrol Service, said he hired Sanders upon the recommendation of Robert Hughes,
a counselor at the Florida State Vocational Rehabilitation Center. No
background check was performed before Sanders was hired. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sanders had been living at the
Halfway House, 1201 W. Hernandez St. while employed as a security guard. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">At the subsequent sanity hearing in
Tallahassee, one psychiatrist testified that Sanders was dangerous and should
be kept under close supervision. Hervey Cleckley of Augusta, GA, also a
psychiatrist, testified that Sanders had a personality disorder and apparently
had not overcome sadistic tendencies and contempt for his mother. Cleckley
considered an authority on personality disorders, wrote the book, “Three Faces
of Eve”, a study of a woman with three personalities that was made into a movie
starring Joanne Woodward. A psychiatrist for the defense, Dr. William Merrill
Corry Wilhoit of Pensacola, testified that Sanders was no longer a threat to
society. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The HRS counselor who approved the
hiring of Sanders as a security guard used “very bad judgment,” and was
suspended for five days without pay, according to HRS secretary O.J. Keller. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Former Baker Act Hearing Examiner Jon Caminez said it was
clear the Florida Dept. of Health and Rehabilitative Services violated state
laws in the premature release of Sanders. He made the statement on his return
from Chattahoochee where he approved and sent to the committing court a plan to
release June Byrley, a Bartow mental patient found temporarily insane in the
slaying of her newborn baby. Caminez was fired by the Cabinet over the Sanders
controversy and was relieved of the post officially on April 1. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“The release of Sanders without a hearing and without a
court order is more than just bureaucratic bungling,” Caminez said. “It is
apparent the intent was there to circumvent both the committing court and the
hearing examiner.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Caminez outlined his part in the
Sanders release in a letter to Gov. Reubin Askew, pointing out that: <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Noto Sans Symbols"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Noto Sans Symbols"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Noto Sans Symbols";">■<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">On
March 15, 1974, he wrote Judge Willis, with a copy to HRS counsel James
Mahorner, <b><i>that no release was to take place without court authorization</i></b>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Noto Sans Symbols"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Noto Sans Symbols"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Noto Sans Symbols";">■<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In
May 1974, in a telephone conversation with Mahorner, he had no objection to a
transfer for Sanders to a halfway house but said another hearing would be
necessary and the state attorney and Judge Willis must approve the release. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Noto Sans Symbols"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Noto Sans Symbols"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Noto Sans Symbols";">■<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In
June 1974, he advised State Attorney Morrison of his conversation with
Mahorner, which prompted a letter from Morrison to HRS informing the agency the
hearing examiner’s order could not be construed as authorization to transfer
Sanders to a halfway house.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“That was my last contact with the Sanders case in my
capacity as hearing examiner,” he wrote the Governor.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So, in the aftermath of all this,
Jon Caminez was blamed for the untimely release of Sanders. He didn’t take it
lying down, however. He was publicly berated by Governor Rueben Askew for
saying that Sanders was armed when he was working and fired from his job on
April 1, 1975. After the Governor discovered that Sanders indeed was working as
an armed security guard on occasion, he apologized to Caminez. Caminez was
still out of a job as Baker Act Examiner, but he had a long-distinguished
career as an attorney and passed away in 2016. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">From the Tallahassee Democrat 16 April 1976; Sanders was
freed from Chattahoochee and moved at the state’s expense to live with his
mother and stepfather in Ketchikan, Alaska. He had a convalescent work release
from the Gateway Community Mental Health Center in Ketchikan for vocational
rehab at a cabinet shop. Mr. and Mrs. Bjorklund, his mother and stepfather,
were already clients there. Their address was 1939 Tongas Ave., Ketchikan, AK. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Okaloosa News on 16 Dec 1976 reported that Sanders was
working in his stepfather’s carpentry shop. His stint as an armed security
guard triggered two major changes in Florida law. Courts now have jurisdiction
over the release of mental patients and private security guards must pass
background checks and be licensed by the state.
Sanders was released into the custody of his mother, Ann Bjorklund. His
stepfather’s name is Peter Bjorklund. Someone in Florida sent newspaper
clippings that caused a stir in the community. Sanders was a subject of
discussion on a local talk radio show. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Well, there it is. A man kills two teenage girls for no
reason and receives no real punishment for his crimes. I don’t know whatever
became of Sanders. I have searched all the records I have access to. He may
have passed away. He would be around 77 years old now. Maybe he lived the rest
of his life without getting into trouble or causing any further pain.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><b><i></i></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMWGotl0UTz4Fxxb3XZNgRWieMo17NKVoW3Gf48gW3-TCTELm65E1t_HgWj-YP-KZ3O1HszBxoGNmMa4EghUOXA2vYDJskcIYLUDrjgyPgznUL6htwfrAP1Kno-8-cZkX8jqRUKbpGsK4qb9rJxesQOtVTvoArKIf_znpdK-ECQ2i-gU8SEdQhQ9Es8NHG/s7436/Tallahassee_Democrat_Fri__Oct_20__1967_%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="7436" data-original-width="3586" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMWGotl0UTz4Fxxb3XZNgRWieMo17NKVoW3Gf48gW3-TCTELm65E1t_HgWj-YP-KZ3O1HszBxoGNmMa4EghUOXA2vYDJskcIYLUDrjgyPgznUL6htwfrAP1Kno-8-cZkX8jqRUKbpGsK4qb9rJxesQOtVTvoArKIf_znpdK-ECQ2i-gU8SEdQhQ9Es8NHG/s320/Tallahassee_Democrat_Fri__Oct_20__1967_%20(1).jpg" width="154" /></a></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i>Tallahassee Democrat 20 Oct 1967</i></b></div><b><i><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEH601L6Urg00Kfm4cHWUTQOb4bgkBp040Vk-tVP3uv-pHzRhqchyP006buV21Zz0eY_gc_ds-O1HIJESE_Z2_RTwatg0_FM0SwmJGOzbUmoCzOmMhd52NSvzJmffWp4WZtmNn4QHRA2NEsQw3fMKuqWQhznSiVODsp63c-yfp_DV_TaV-5JTl4i4dphat/s7229/The_Pensacola_News_Thu__Apr_3__1975_%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="7229" data-original-width="4006" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEH601L6Urg00Kfm4cHWUTQOb4bgkBp040Vk-tVP3uv-pHzRhqchyP006buV21Zz0eY_gc_ds-O1HIJESE_Z2_RTwatg0_FM0SwmJGOzbUmoCzOmMhd52NSvzJmffWp4WZtmNn4QHRA2NEsQw3fMKuqWQhznSiVODsp63c-yfp_DV_TaV-5JTl4i4dphat/s320/The_Pensacola_News_Thu__Apr_3__1975_%20(1).jpg" width="177" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Pensacola News-Journal 3 April 1975</div><br /><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></i></b><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br clear="all" style="mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" />
</span>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p>Woodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15439536585199351784noreply@blogger.com0Tallahassee, FL, USA30.4381828 -84.280623499999992.1279489638211544 -119.43687349999999 58.748416636178845 -49.12437349999999tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5544495330553076995.post-16147464725568309662023-05-31T08:42:00.001-05:002023-05-31T08:48:00.416-05:00Marianna's Day of Tragedy<p><span> </span></p><p><span><span> </span><span> </span> </span> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">On the rainy night of April 24, 1963, Melvin Allen
Weaver either hitchhiked or drove a stolen car into Marianna, Florida in the
Panhandle’s Jackson County. It was reported later that he had eaten in a
downtown diner and then made his way to a Mo-Jo service station east of
Marianna on Highway 90 where he asked the attendant, Lee Edgar Tidwell, Jr.,
about buying a fanbelt. When Tidwell turned his back to reach for one, Weaver
hit him in the head with a car generator that was lying on the floor. He struck
him a second time then dragged the unconscious Tidwell into an adjoining room.
The attendant later said he regained consciousness as Weaver ripped a telephone
from the wall and used the cord to bind his feet. Unfortunately, Weaver picked
a station owned by the county Sheriff, W. Barkley Gause, for his robbery. The
crime was reported quickly and roadblocks were set up within a 50-mile radius. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Sheriff and Deputy J.J. McCrary sent out a
description of the robber and a youth from Malone named Charles Russ told the
Sheriff he saw the suspect heading toward Campbellton. The two officers
captured Weaver about 20 minutes later on a dirt road near Campbellton, about
15 miles northwest of Marianna. He was identified by three people who saw him
enter and leave the Mo-Jo station.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> Melvin
Weaver was originally from Franklin, Ohio, and had been Absent Without Leave,
or AWOL from the U.S. Air Force for a little over a year. He was assigned to
the 966<sup>th</sup> AEW&C, (Airborne Early Warning & Control) Squadron
at McCoy AFB near Orlando, Florida until February 1962 when he went on the
run. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> Weaver
didn’t have money for his $2500 bond so he sat in jail until his arraignment on
May 13th. He entered a plea of guilty and his sentencing was set for July 2<sup>nd</sup>. On that day, the Honorable Judge R. L.
McCrary, Jr. sentenced Weaver to life in prison. Nowhere in the court documents
does it state that Weaver was charged with assault on Mr. Tidwell. The only
crime he was charged with was the robbery of $19.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> Nothing
that Weaver did over the next two days can be excused. His sentence was indeed
harsh, but realistically, he probably would have been paroled in a few years.
Spending time in the Florida State Prison at Raiford must have seemed like the
end of the world for him so on the evening of July 3<sup>rd</sup>, he set the
mattress of his cell on fire. Before the fire was extinguished, Weaver and
three other inmates were overcome by smoke. Some reports state that Weaver was
unconscious and had to be revived. Some say he was unofficially thought to be
dead before he was resuscitated. Early on the morning of Thursday, July 4,
1963, Deputy R.V. (Brooks) Gainer departed the hospital leaving Deputy Allen
Finch, 43, and Deputy Aaron Creel, 40, guarding the prisoners.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> The
four inmates and two deputies were waiting in one room for further treatment
when Weaver asked if he could go to the bathroom and Deputy Finch agreed to
take him down the hall. When they turned a corner, Weaver overpowered the
deputy, took his pistol, and shot him in the abdomen. As Deputy Finch lay
dying, Weaver rushed back to the room where the other inmates were and shot
Deputy Creel twice in the head killing him instantly. The other inmates
declined his invitation to escape with him. A man named Hubert Mayo, who was
visiting his sick father, heard the commotion and left his father’s room to see
what was going on. Weaver shot him in the head. Mayo lived until about 9:30
that morning. The killer ran from the hospital in view of many eyewitnesses,
who described him as a “big, husky-looking man” who was shirtless and carrying
a gun when he disappeared behind some houses. It is fortunate there were not
more lives lost that morning. Deputy Ball was only a few minutes away from
reporting to relieve Deputy Finch, and Deputy McCrary was supposed to be there
but he received a call that delayed him about ten minutes. Deputy Hughes was
also on his way to the hospital but still about five blocks short when the
shootings happened. On the other hand, more deputies may have prevented the
escape attempt.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> The
word of the killings spread quickly and Sheriff Gause had bloodhounds brought to
the scene to try to pick up a scent. The dogs were able to follow the trail
through the yards of nearby homes but lost the scent about a block west of the
hospital on Sixth Avenue. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> The
Sheriff remembered that Judge McCrary lived nearby and since he was the one who
just put a life sentence on Weaver, Sheriff Gause figured he should go check on
the Judge’s well-being. Finding the Judge in his bathrobe and not in danger, he
left a deputy there and resumed his search for Weaver. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> The
Sheriff received a report that Weaver may have been spotted by a night watchman
near the train yard. The dogs were dispatched to see if they could pick up a
scent. Highway Patrolman Lt. E. B. Jordan joined the Sheriff and asked about
roadblocks in case Weaver had been able to obtain a vehicle. Sheriff Gause
showed him on a map of where roadblocks were and ran down the cooperation he
was receiving from surrounding counties. The Sheriff had also spread the word
of possible hostages. Another report from the rail yard said that the man being
sought there was not Weaver. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> A
deputy soon approached Sheriff Gause with the suspicion that C.V. “Dick”
Sangaree, a local oil distributor, his wife Jane, and 8-year-old daughter
Georganne may have been kidnapped. Someone had discovered the door to the
Sangaree house open, no one home, and their car missing. A neighbor told the
police that she had seen them drive off shortly after 6 am. There was a
stranger with them who sat in the back seat. The Sangaree car was described as
a light blue 1963 Chevrolet. It had been last seen traveling north. The
description of the car and the family was then dispatched throughout the search
area, which now included Alabama and Georgia. A few false leads were reported
to the Sheriff from surrounding communities the Gause had to filter through,
but the Sangaree situation seemed legitimate. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> Two
Georgia Bureau of Investigation, (GBI), Lt. W.T. Beauchamp and Sgt. W.D.
Cochran were cruising in a patrol car on Highway 19, a few miles north of
Albany, Georgia when they spotted a car fitting the description of the Sangaree
vehicle. They were able to verify that it had a Florida license plate starting
with a prefix of 25 which at the time indicated that it was registered in
Jackson County. Through binoculars, they could see that there was a lone
occupant of the car. They began pursuit and soon both cars were exceeding 100
mph with Weaver’s car close to wrecking more than once. As they approached the
small town of Smithville, Weaver began shooting at them through his back window.
Just inside city limits, he turned down a dead-end street that ended at a
schoolyard. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> Weaver
came to a stop near three teen-aged boys and leaving the car he threatened them
with his gun using them as a shield between him and the pursuing cops. The
three young men were cousins, Ronnie Knott, David Moore, and the smallest Ricky
Hale. They had decided to begin their July fourth by walking over to the
baseball field for a little while. Ricky, whose full name was Charles Richard
Hale, had experienced a tough couple of years. His family was living in Dade
County, Florida when a brother died in September 1961. His mother had passed
away from cancer in July 1962. After she died, what remained of the family
moved to Smithville, where his family was originally from. His father then had
a heart attack and died in April 1963. Ricky and his remaining siblings now
lived with his grandmother, Mrs. C.C. Ansley. Ricky was fourteen years old.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">The two GBI agents
approached Weaver and the boys but stopped when Weaver put his gun against the
head of one of the teenagers and demanded they drop their weapons and car keys.
Seeing the desperation in Weaver and feeling they had no choice, the two
officers did as they were told. Taking the guns, keys, and Ricky as hostage,
Weaver said, “I’ll kill this kid if anyone tries to stop me.” and quickly left
the scene in the GBI car. Lt. Beauchamp learned Ricky’s name from the other two
boys and dispatched Cochran to a nearby store to call in the incident. Cochran
soon returned from the store with the news that the highway patrol was setting
up roadblocks near Americus and sending a car to pick them up. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> Farther
north near the intersection of Highways 27, and 19, Highway Patrolmen Cpl. C.H.
Bentley and Trooper Robert Benson received the alert to look out for a
four-door chocolate-colored 1962 Ford, along with a description of Weaver and
his 14-year-old hostage. They had just entered Highway 19 when they saw the
car. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> They
pursued Weaver into Americus but lost him when he suddenly turned onto a dirt
road. They were looking for the car when they heard a gunshot and located the
car near a pecan grove and a small shack. Weaver had tried to enter the small
house but the door was locked. Hearing a baby crying inside he demanded someone
open the door and when no one answered he shot through the door. (No one inside
was hit.) Grabbing Ricky by the arm they started running to the pecan trees.
Weaver saw the two cops who had gotten out of their car and fired his pistol at
them. Cpl. Bentley was about 25 yards from the house when his head was grazed
by the bullet fired by Weaver. Bentley decided to return to their car for the
first aid kit, but Benson was determined to continue the chase with no backup. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> Benson
was a U.S. Army-trained marksman who had fought in the Korean War. He carefully
used trees and brush for cover and when he saw that Weaver had stopped and was
digging a hole for cover, he was about 200 yards away when he quickly sighted
his 30-30 lever action rifle and dropped Weaver with a shot to the chest.
Fourteen-year-old Ricky Hale saw Weaver drop and picking up one of the weapons
on the ground shot Weaver at least four times. He then started running in a
zig-zag pattern away from Weaver until Benson was able to get his attention and
let him know that it was ok. He later said Weaver was still moving when he
started running so he was trying to make himself a difficult target. Melvin
Weaver died where he fell. The shot Benson hit him with probably was fatal, but
young Ricky did what he thought was necessary to survive. Who can blame him?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> Meanwhile,
the Sangaree family was all right.
Weaver had let Mrs. Sangaree and her daughter out of the car near the
Georgia state line. He then let Mr. Sangaree out about three miles south of
Colquitt, Ga. They were unharmed. Mr. Sangaree later told authorities that
Weaver stated that everything happening was the Judge’s fault for sentencing
him to a life term.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> Melvin
Weaver’s dad, Homer didn’t know about the events of July 3<sup>rd</sup> and 4<sup>th</sup>
until he heard a report of it on the radio. Melvin’s family and neighbors were
stunned when they heard the news. They described him as quiet, good-natured,
and hard-working. He lived on Farm Avenue in Franklin, Ohio, and would cut
lawns in his neighborhood. He had left home about four years before to join the
Air Force.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> Weaver
was also identified as being the man who robbed another Mo-Jo station in
Dothan, Alabama at 2:00 am on April 21, assaulting B.F. Trawick and taking
$105.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> One
more sad event that is connected to the escape. Hubert Mayo’s wife Irene had a
stillborn daughter in the same hospital where Hubert was killed a week after
his death. In May 1965, Irene was granted $12,000 by the state legislature.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Ricky Hale was
interviewed by reporters and was hailed a hero for his actions during his
ordeal. He stated, “There was a pistol on the ground and when this convict
slumped down on his knees, I picked it up and started shooting. He seemed to be
still alive when I started running away. I had never shot a pistol except for
one time before. I sure was scared.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> Ricky
joined the Marine Corps and served in Viet Nam from July 1969 to March 1971. I
haven’t been able to find out about the rest of his short life other than he
died in Dougherty County, Georgia in 1981 at 32 years old. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> <b><i>Something
to consider: Weaver was sentenced to a life term at Raiford for robbery
according to court documents. There is no charge for car theft or assault. A
life term for a robbery of $19 seems excessive. Was Weaver offered a deal where
all charges would be dropped except for the robbery if he would plead guilty? If
so, the sentence passed down by Judge McCrary must have stunned him to the
core. Weaver was obviously on a path of destruction considering he was later
identified as the perpetrator of the Dothan robbery on April 21. At 23 years of
age, a life sentence must have seemed like the end of the world. Was the cell fire
an attempt at suicide or a carefully laid plan to move to a less secure
facility? I found a couple of articles that claimed Weaver was unofficially
considered dead and it took 90 minutes of resuscitating effort to get him fully
conscious.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> The
shift change activity at the hospital was reported by The Dothan Eagle in a
very detailed account of the events of July 4.
<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> Mostly,
this account was taken from contemporary newspaper accounts. I met Randy Creel,
the son of Deputy Creel, working in the museum on Church Street in Bagdad,
Florida. He is the one who first told me of this case, and let me borrow some
case material including the October 1963 issue of Official Detective magazine
which covered the story. <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></i></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><b><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyFvHd0jJgqkVbS3kksofXHNLbPmVrWYdF54JFkQwL9n2rxgr1_UwgNSyQIMP72telYy4m__o3I8IJYnF13EdGwmnxudtk9AFwENCwfrV44jwhtn81xNjZkZ33-xzbAvAxlyEMxyP3Igv9Kj7nR9EZ8Y4Ge8f1fVGbcGddWsMy9gQeLiwn6cbX_Ioukw/s5120/Tallahassee_Democrat_Fri__Jul_5__1963_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5120" data-original-width="4815" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyFvHd0jJgqkVbS3kksofXHNLbPmVrWYdF54JFkQwL9n2rxgr1_UwgNSyQIMP72telYy4m__o3I8IJYnF13EdGwmnxudtk9AFwENCwfrV44jwhtn81xNjZkZ33-xzbAvAxlyEMxyP3Igv9Kj7nR9EZ8Y4Ge8f1fVGbcGddWsMy9gQeLiwn6cbX_Ioukw/s320/Tallahassee_Democrat_Fri__Jul_5__1963_.jpg" width="301" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Tallahassee Democrat 5 July 1963</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZaLwmZ9PVcl3Bjdx1fm0TsoQqvNV6lk5_8_-z9O0Dkss6L5S0BuxxdqIY2cOEppExUsLtf3-6y4hw0nBc5WF8n0skN_KUtjlIt0F4cvXsb311IQpX7sjOoxPCNAkH7Siqidukq9pCgmEMBaNVnvHFNW8ofq8MmKW-ypxoCrxbBOMtb0DeSb3g3hHcqg/s1948/Pensacola_News_Journal_1963_07_05_page_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1948" data-original-width="1126" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZaLwmZ9PVcl3Bjdx1fm0TsoQqvNV6lk5_8_-z9O0Dkss6L5S0BuxxdqIY2cOEppExUsLtf3-6y4hw0nBc5WF8n0skN_KUtjlIt0F4cvXsb311IQpX7sjOoxPCNAkH7Siqidukq9pCgmEMBaNVnvHFNW8ofq8MmKW-ypxoCrxbBOMtb0DeSb3g3hHcqg/w237-h410/Pensacola_News_Journal_1963_07_05_page_1.jpg" width="237" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Pensacola Journal 5 July 1963</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></i></b><p></p>Woodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15439536585199351784noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5544495330553076995.post-30564773340999079082023-02-12T09:34:00.002-06:002023-02-12T09:47:28.909-06:00Mr. Mapoles, Mr. Pooley, and the FCC<p> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span> </span>Clayton Mapoles debuted his new AM radio station WEBY
on September 1, 1954. He was a former newspaper publisher in both Crestview and
Milton. Initially, the station broadcasted with 1000 watts, but in 1958 the FCC
approved an increase to 5000 watts. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span> </span>Eventually, near the end of his involvement with WEBY,
events on this station’s airwaves changed the broadcast rules for stations
nationwide. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span> </span>Ben Henry Pooley, who broadcast a morning show on WEBY
from 1957 to 1968, showed up for his morning show at about 6 am. He read in the
Milton Times a political ad for State Senate candidate, John Boles. In this ad,
Boles attacked his opponent, John Broxson for his association with Mapoles when
Broxson’s father Bart Broxson had been a political adversary of Mapoles. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span> </span>Pooley was incensed when he saw this. Putting aside
his planned editorial for his 6:45 show, he quickly wrote some notes for a
reaction to what he just read. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span> </span>There is no actual record of what Pooley said on the
air. Though he usually would leave a copy of his script to be filed at the
station, he was seen folding up his notes and putting them in his pocket as he
immediately left the station after his 15-minute show. John Boles, the subject
of Pooley’s ire, claimed later that he took notes while listening and he said
that he was referred to as “the black sheep of his family”, and even his mother
wouldn’t vote for him. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span> </span>Boles also later claimed that he called the station
and demanded equal time for a response and was refused. A couple of weeks later
he filed a complaint with the FCC. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span> </span>This was not the first time WEBY, and Pooley was the
target of shutdown by their political opponents. In November of 1959, a
petition was filed with the FCC by Clifford Wilson, Albert Golden, Richard
Finlay, Bart Broxson, Morrison Kimbrough, and Newman Brackin. The petition was
for revoking the station license for personal attacks in a political editorial.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span> </span>During broadcasts, Pooley would refer to public
officials with colorful nicknames such as, “The Bald Eagle from Pollard”,
“Super Octane – the Gas-Guzzlin’ Commissioner from Harold”, Little Sir Echo,
Prince Albert, and others. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span> </span>In May 1959, Pooley had been pulled over on the way to
the radio station one morning by two police officers, and two alcohol revenue
agents. Searching his car, a container of illegal whiskey was confiscated and
Pooley was arrested. A grand jury cleared Pooley of charges and it was believed
the booze had been planted. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span> </span>Other intimidation tactics included three threats that
the station was going to be dynamited unless it stopped criticizing Sheriff
Broxson, and removed Pooley from the air. These attempts failed and in November
the station was sued for slander by Wilson for $50,000 for claiming he used
county gasoline for his private and business vehicles. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span> </span>The FCC refused the petition since the station license
was not up for renewal at the time. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span> </span>Incidentally, a thief stole 4000 records from the
station, and a Women’s apparel store Mapoles owned by Milton High School was
burglarized. There was an arrest in these cases in May 1961.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span> </span>In 1961 when Wilson’s slander case was dismissed, he
challenged WEBY’s license renewal. He also lost this challenge. The license was
renewed in 1962. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span> </span>Through all this process, however, the FCC updated the
“Fairness Doctrine” and this along with the later Boles case is now referred to
in legal publications as the “Mapoles Decision”.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span> </span>So, back to the Boles incident, in July 1967, the FCC
voted to designate the license renewal of WEBY for a hearing, after the
commission received complaints against the Milton Broadcasting Company, for
potential violations of the fairness doctrine for the Pooley editorial
broadcast on April 22, 1966. This was due to Boles’ claim that the station
would not give him equal time. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span> </span>Mapoles attempted to sell the station to Lawrence
Hankins Locklin, (aka, singer, Hank Locklin), in early 1968 and terminate the
renewal proceeding, but the FCC denied the request. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span> </span>During this period Mapoles started claiming poor
health to avoid appearing at the hearings. A whole group of doctors including
Dr. Rufus Thames, Dr. Enzor, Dr. West from Jay, a doctor from Duke University, and
the Rev. Bamburg gave their opinions on the health of Mapoles. Another group of
witnesses gave statements alluding to the apparent good health including Albert
Golden.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span> </span>The hearings concluded with the decision to just renew
the license for one year. The FCC Broadcast Bureau disagreed with the decision
of the hearing examiner, Herbert Sharfman, and appealed. After oral arguments
in Jan 1972, the commission denied renewal for WEBY, who claimed that Mapoles
showed an “unpardonable lack of candor” in supplying a purported copy of the
editorial that was considerably milder than the one that actually aired and
inconsistencies in his medical status. Mapoles appealed allowing the station to
remain on the air past the July 3 shutdown date. WEBY finally shut down on
March 30, 1973, with much of its programming moving to WXBM-FM.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span> </span>There were four known attempts on the life of Ben
Henry Pooley. In April 1979, Pooley’s trailer was destroyed by dynamite while
he slept. He was lucky to survive due to the blast being absorbed by a closet
packed with overcoats, and other clothing. One of his dogs was killed in the
blast and the toilet, or bathtub blew through the roof and landed in the yard
of the next-door rest home that was owned by Annette Pooley.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span> </span>In August 1984, Leroy Johnson was arrested for
allegedly participating in a murder-for-hire plot to kill Pooley. This was
known as the “ketchup killing”. The FDLE, through an informant, learned of the
plot and took Pooley and his family to an undisclosed location. Pictures of Pooley with ketchup on his head were taken to simulate a gunshot wound.
The picture was then used as “proof” of the killing. The informant showed the
picture to Johnson who then made a trip to Harold. After his return to Milton,
he was pulled over by the police, and just under $10,000 was found under his
seat. He was taken into custody but died of a heart attack 6 days later. There
were no further arrests.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span> </span>In September 1987 Chester Cole was sentenced to 35
years for his role in another murder-for-hire plot. Cole was recently paroled
and was harboring an escaped convict and convicted murderer named Boo Adams.
Adams was supposed to kill Pooley, but backed out and turned the whole thing
over to the Sheriff’s department. Chester Cole was on the FBI’s most-wanted
list in the early 1960s for armed robberies. Supposedly, Chester Cole was the
second choice of the “money man” who wanted Pooley dead. His first choice was
William Sanders. Sanders was too sick and died soon after. Interestingly, Sanders had once been a
teacher at Milton High School. He was actually voted “Most Popular Teacher” by
the students in 1960. He owned a sporting goods store in Milton, where the
downtown parking lot is now, across from the old Florida Café. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span> </span>A fourth and final attempt was made in 1988. It didn’t
go very far when the man contracted went to the police instead. Ex-County
Commissioner Clifford Wilson of Harold was arrested and ultimately was
acquitted at trial in December 1988. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span> </span>Pooley returned to the radio in 1991 on WECM 1490-AM.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWZHO3Fterx4mi28a8qkxjinXZxNiRA1mb_jKpr03sHZ9rHMQc4zGZq3DBa9irsTjfzvICSMlHU48sWT7azGel8ehV2TDgTpnJvbZ7JLPoI_N-OYZVkVez2jNBVIx0gHCmzaBxONUaCEgupOWqYNUv4PO0zHen0IN1v-4zvw9uLSt2UiJpIY5lGcFs_w/s2490/Pooley_Returns__16_Sept_1991.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1967" data-original-width="2490" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWZHO3Fterx4mi28a8qkxjinXZxNiRA1mb_jKpr03sHZ9rHMQc4zGZq3DBa9irsTjfzvICSMlHU48sWT7azGel8ehV2TDgTpnJvbZ7JLPoI_N-OYZVkVez2jNBVIx0gHCmzaBxONUaCEgupOWqYNUv4PO0zHen0IN1v-4zvw9uLSt2UiJpIY5lGcFs_w/s320/Pooley_Returns__16_Sept_1991.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Pensacola News Journal, 16 Sept 1991</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh41bUNq4jYphNrRl_nzGMSuLnqSIfNibaF9XmDY4Eg2_DAd2d-IJvuOC9DGFEmapmPpyX-oejmlZLICmah71vo8xEsHSRiWIyWQTPhuqKIw5o2jZ-kX71I4ReCQf3piCej6ZltQQhacJ3ILLfGFXzHedM1UZgeChiDUIlvsX6hI8WPZgi7YVQWjY2v6A/s1678/Goodbye__WEBY_2_April_1973.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1244" data-original-width="1678" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh41bUNq4jYphNrRl_nzGMSuLnqSIfNibaF9XmDY4Eg2_DAd2d-IJvuOC9DGFEmapmPpyX-oejmlZLICmah71vo8xEsHSRiWIyWQTPhuqKIw5o2jZ-kX71I4ReCQf3piCej6ZltQQhacJ3ILLfGFXzHedM1UZgeChiDUIlvsX6hI8WPZgi7YVQWjY2v6A/s320/Goodbye__WEBY_2_April_1973.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Pensacola News Journal 2 April 1973</div><br /><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span><p></p>Woodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15439536585199351784noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5544495330553076995.post-49040587062794859262023-01-22T11:20:00.003-06:002023-01-22T11:24:31.482-06:00Lester and George<p> <b style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">Lester
Pooley and George Wallace</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Lester Pooley, older brother of Ben Henry Pooley of
Bagdad, Florida had more than 300 pro, and amateur fights. He lost only 9. He
fought as a 112-pound flyweight. It was said that he was, “Quick on his legs,
fast with his fists.” And “rugged, cunning, and tough.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">In 1935 he won the southeast AAU championship at
16 years old. While still an amateur he would use a false identity to fight
professional bouts. The sawmill in Bagdad had shut down so he fought against
professionals to support himself.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">He defeated Joe Dan Trotman who later became a Judge
in DeFuniak Springs. He also knocked out Lew Jenkins, a future lightweight
world champ in a Bogalusa, Louisiana fight. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">On Feb. 12, 1936 in a Golden Gloves semi-final bout in
Nashville, Tenn., he fought future Alabama Governor George C. Wallace and won
by unanimous decision. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Many years later at an airport press conference during
his presidential campaign Wallace said, “I’m sure glad to see this outpouring
of support for my campaign and I’m certainly glad to see my old friend Lester
Pooley. You know, Lester whipped me once in a Golden Gloves competition, and he
did a pretty good job of it. I’m glad to see he’s on my side now.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">On more than one occasion, Wallace asked Pooley to
join his staff as a bodyguard. Pooley always refused. He told the Governor he
had a drinking problem, “I might stay sober for a time, but if I took the
notion to get juiced-up, I’d do it.” I told him I might help him, but I believe
I’d hurt him. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
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</v:shape><![endif]--><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh9CbIRXZOWQtlId84Ezh7ID5eXLwIm4TBZZrvlPryGHFwIy2lE-ow-e6pRZk8Aaz9fll9PR0S2qLXu6P0iuHNvC_DKGyCH6BWaXk5UehQkZXPws7ZCzqj5MveXfZOv0rrzuo9-Es318lO-6OQG_qz2jpFDhmF_yml4LGMgR5jtV_WjyjW-oYUzCv6N6w" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="314" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh9CbIRXZOWQtlId84Ezh7ID5eXLwIm4TBZZrvlPryGHFwIy2lE-ow-e6pRZk8Aaz9fll9PR0S2qLXu6P0iuHNvC_DKGyCH6BWaXk5UehQkZXPws7ZCzqj5MveXfZOv0rrzuo9-Es318lO-6OQG_qz2jpFDhmF_yml4LGMgR5jtV_WjyjW-oYUzCv6N6w" width="141" /></a></div></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;"> <o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Feb. 23, 1936, Pensacola Journal</span></p>Woodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15439536585199351784noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5544495330553076995.post-36610571899633477482023-01-09T11:28:00.000-06:002023-01-09T11:28:12.655-06:00Death in a Turnip Field<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeThpUGQgHSRHiBhkKYTD-5I2DdgRQ3m7ZBggRrIFSAjNFssZMyizK53J_Ix4Es46-9i8apGlrnu-TGoLktzqhU_kdbzoE6VwgYyIDEuPUCli955On6E_NA6_zTftnhJjn-y7I4_o-H1LQyDumnHxXWD7ivf-fTCTspx6d-0mR2bXLhd_fr4kF2wpXsg/s610/The_Fresno_Bee_1941_08_09_page_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="374" data-original-width="610" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeThpUGQgHSRHiBhkKYTD-5I2DdgRQ3m7ZBggRrIFSAjNFssZMyizK53J_Ix4Es46-9i8apGlrnu-TGoLktzqhU_kdbzoE6VwgYyIDEuPUCli955On6E_NA6_zTftnhJjn-y7I4_o-H1LQyDumnHxXWD7ivf-fTCTspx6d-0mR2bXLhd_fr4kF2wpXsg/w320-h195/The_Fresno_Bee_1941_08_09_page_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><p></p><p><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Mrs. Estelle Phillips, a 32-year-old mother of six
children, was working in a 40-acre turnup field one day near Robertsdale,
Alabama in late March 1941, when an airplane swooped down and sliced her head
off. The aircraft left a 6-inch-deep furrow in the ground from a wingtip and a
small boy was also injured. Later folks in an adjoining field reported that the
aircraft had made dives at them too.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> The
police were called to the scene and took eyewitness reports and it wasn’t long
before their investigation crossed paths with an investigation out of Corry
Field in Pensacola concerning a Boeing Stearman trainer aircraft that had
returned to base with damage. Two Naval Ensigns who had just recently graduated
flight training and were named instructor pilots were taken into custody. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> Ensign
Paul C. Brown, from Chicago, who was the pilot that day, and Ensign Joseph C.
Thompson, from Healdsburg California, were court-martialed. They were convicted
of Involuntary Manslaughter. Brown was sentenced to 24 months, and Thompson got
a 12-month sentence. Both were to be served at the prison in Portsmouth, New
Hampshire. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> The
Federal Government gave $5000 to Mrs. Phillips’s husband and six children for
compensation which even though it was 1941, doesn’t seem nearly enough. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> The
two culprits in this case only served 5 months and Brown got married four days
after he was released in New York City. In a newspaper from December 1942, I
found an article saying that Thompson had a job instructing Naval Cadets at
Plumas County airport near Beckwith, California. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> Hopefully,
Mr. Thompson taught the young cadets about the fatal consequences of childish
displays of bravado when your ego outweighs your talent. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /><o:p></o:p></span></p>Woodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15439536585199351784noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5544495330553076995.post-45436352301106585812022-11-18T10:57:00.001-06:002022-11-18T10:57:39.006-06:00The Killing of 2nd Lt. Allman<p> <span> Second Lt. Willis T. Allman was a veteran of the Omaha Beach landing during the D-Day invasion of Normandy. By December 1949 he had served thirteen years in service. On December 26, while his wife and two sons were in Rocky Mount, NC, visiting her family, Allman was playing shuffleboard at the Oriental Gardens in Norfolk with his friend Lt. Robert Buchanan. They were joined there by a guy they didn't know who was also playing shuffleboard in the club named Michael R. "Buddy" Green. After playing a few games Green left for a short time and upon his return to the club, he asked the two if they would take him to another club to play some more shuffleboard. </span></p><p><span><span> While riding in the backseat, Green produced a revolver and ordered them to pull the car over. He took their wallets with the $4.85 they had between them and made them lie down in a muddy field. Buchanan later testified that he said, "Don't shoot us, Buddy", and Green replied, "Too bad for you because you know my name". With that, Allman lunged at the gunman, and Buchanan ran to find help. He heard two gunshots and not finding anyone to help, returned to the field and saw Green driving away and Allman with a fatal chest wound. Allman died soon after, and in a very short time, Green was arrested at his home in Ocean View. Ironically, the two victims had no idea Green's nickname was Buddy. It was just what Buchanan used because he didn't know his name. </span><br /></span></p><p><span><span><span> Green was found guilty of murder with Buchanan returning from his assignment in Korea to testify. He was sentenced to death, but on the eve of his execution, Governor John Battle commuted his sentence to life. The Governor consulted with mental health experts and felt Green was temporarily insane due to his combat experience in WWII. Green spent the rest of his life in prison.</span><br /></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span> Willis T. Allman left a legacy, however. His two sons were Duane, and Gregg Allman of the Southern Rock, and Blues band, The Allman Brothers. They had no memory of their father and were raised by their mother Geraldine Allman. Their father was robbed and murdered by a fellow veteran for $4.85. Sometimes this world just makes no sense. </span><br /></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP8ZodRISWzkaZR21C1FscB-cbaDByqMjChrwDR_eKAhwciNAezGLLZ8SwGN_kOSZTnQmivgWJmdJOwJ79Ph7T6NZA4CKYpcQlCBCH4otcy53Sm7M-pa0vzYNlZAhCYi7zC3a3X6gnL4aAEy9rp23d_9D4zM3vgClif1PfjNYJyyDO0Uqag83bENhegA/s977/Willis%20T.%20Allman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="977" data-original-width="519" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP8ZodRISWzkaZR21C1FscB-cbaDByqMjChrwDR_eKAhwciNAezGLLZ8SwGN_kOSZTnQmivgWJmdJOwJ79Ph7T6NZA4CKYpcQlCBCH4otcy53Sm7M-pa0vzYNlZAhCYi7zC3a3X6gnL4aAEy9rp23d_9D4zM3vgClif1PfjNYJyyDO0Uqag83bENhegA/s320/Willis%20T.%20Allman.jpg" width="170" /></a></div><br /><span><br /></span><p></p>Woodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15439536585199351784noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5544495330553076995.post-72605437412276978152022-11-07T08:36:00.002-06:002022-11-07T08:36:32.270-06:00The Sad Story of Evelyn Crutchfield<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span> </span><span> </span>Evelyn was from Allentown and was the youngest child,
and only daughter of Augustus, and Eula Crutchfield. In 1942 when she was 20
years old, World War II was raging and with her desire to help her country she became
the first in Santa Rosa County to enlist as a Navy WAVE. (Women Accepted for
Volunteer Emergency Service.)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>She
completed her primary testing and examinations in Birmingham in October 1942,
then went to the University of Indiana in Bloomington for four months of
training before assigned to duty as a Storekeeper at NAS Millington, located
just northeast of Memphis, Tenn.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Around
12:30 pm on July 13, 1943 Evelyn was standing near the door of the armory at
the Naval Air Tech Training Center, when she was accidently shot by Pfc. Frank
L. Richmond. Some newspaper articles I found and her death certificate state it
was a machine gun. She received an abdomen wound that severed her spine. She
lived long enough to make it to the base hospital, but died soon after.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I can
only imagine the effect her death had on her family. Her body was shipped back
home and she was buried on July 16, 1943 at the Calvary Baptist Church Cemetery
in Allentown. Two Reverend’s officiated her service, Rev. E.R. Vincent, and
Rev. R.G. Key. Her pallbearers were, <b>Jim Leonard, Mac Mclaughlin, Jean
Wilson, J.T. Wiggins, Thomas Allen, and Earl Wolfe. </b>Her honorary
pallbearers were, <b>Dr. Rufus Thames, Earl Lewis, D.P. McLaughlin, Joe Wilson,
Raymond Dozier, L.H. Dondall, E.H. Lundy, Louis Manning, Charles Morris, Cary
Phillips, Roy Oglesby, and Joe T. Allen. </b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>You
can tell how well someone is thought of in a community by seeing who was
honored by attending them at their funeral. These names are like a “Who’s Who”
from the surrounding area. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I don’t
know if Pfc. Richmond was held accountable. I cannot find out if there was any
punishment. I also don’t really know what occurred that caused him to discharge
a loaded weapon in an unsafe environment.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In
February of 1963 Frank Richmond was working for the Pure Oil Company. He was in
Madison, Tennessee scouting locations for future service stations. He was
riding in a car with Leon Beard, a real estate salesman, when Beard swerved to
avoid hitting a dog. The car crashed into one driven by Mrs. Lola Davenport, 59
who was a secretary for the Guaranty Realty Company. Beard and Davenport
survived the crash, but Richmond was dead on arrival. The county Medical
Examiner said Richmond died from a broken neck, and fractured skull. At the
time of his death his residence was Center Point, Alabama, but he grew up in
Memphis.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="line-height: 107%;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij6a9DjLAHPKwpR5tSkmZEyAOq3ifd2NWj1fpRenz0cm2YrmALzgve50TTb7UmTde05xIjyP_iayUf9WVSdV0koOSJZ5tv43m5L9C_AqWM6VR49-fsBiCB8LVKGqUPnX3gEkOZZhDXBgiDA83lUrA4Iicm3eQAxnnuwwPNJNK5f8mqfz-Kzk6BLgNgww/s159/Evelyn%20Crutchfield.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="159" data-original-width="128" height="159" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij6a9DjLAHPKwpR5tSkmZEyAOq3ifd2NWj1fpRenz0cm2YrmALzgve50TTb7UmTde05xIjyP_iayUf9WVSdV0koOSJZ5tv43m5L9C_AqWM6VR49-fsBiCB8LVKGqUPnX3gEkOZZhDXBgiDA83lUrA4Iicm3eQAxnnuwwPNJNK5f8mqfz-Kzk6BLgNgww/s1600/Evelyn%20Crutchfield.jpg" width="128" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Evelyn Crutchfield</span></div> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><p></p>Woodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15439536585199351784noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5544495330553076995.post-91917820780905274532022-11-03T10:54:00.007-05:002022-11-05T10:23:33.651-05:00Book Release news.<p> Hello everybody, </p><p>I'm going to change this blog up a little bit going forward. I will still post some vintage crime stories on here for sure, but also will include other more current news. I published my book a couple of weeks ago and I seem to be getting some good feedback so far. </p><p>I self-published through Lulu.com, and I am pretty satisfied, but I think my next one will be through KDP on Amazon. I've heard good things about it. </p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi64nFVW8OlVybsg0TqhadKwVHNaJQuU9HKrKwq1zQJe5Jy8lwpDyDi55g9ndZb4NtTRGfbFEzMP-fzWjblrrRUCeZ6kZSW3kHXHGKOHqEqservsDKR-YU43Rt2Hn5owEMSijCwoK3K-X4A0uUPHHvtWpfGlQ7DsVDf0JVywRQhxTBfZ3hlwsiHuM6pAQ/s5381/bookcover.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5381" data-original-width="3617" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi64nFVW8OlVybsg0TqhadKwVHNaJQuU9HKrKwq1zQJe5Jy8lwpDyDi55g9ndZb4NtTRGfbFEzMP-fzWjblrrRUCeZ6kZSW3kHXHGKOHqEqservsDKR-YU43Rt2Hn5owEMSijCwoK3K-X4A0uUPHHvtWpfGlQ7DsVDf0JVywRQhxTBfZ3hlwsiHuM6pAQ/s320/bookcover.jpg" width="215" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My Book, Not too bad for first effort.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I had an informal, little advertised book signing at our Genealogical Society meeting and sold 5, or 6 books. A few days ago I had a book signing at the Jay Museum during their Halloween festivities, and had a really good turnout. I sold maybe 25, but probably would have been more if I had displayed better. On that note, I have received my posters, and new business cards in the mail today. I'm also thinking about ordering a "sandwich board" type sign for future signings.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Heather, from Heatha Featha barbershop offered to have a book signing there at her shop, and I think I will take her up on that. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I have had quite a few book orders I filled at home and sent personally, and there have been quite a few orders on Amazon, but I will not know how that is doing for another month or so. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So, in closing for today, I expect to be much more active on here in the future. I'm still having some health issues, especially with my mobility, but hopefully I will get that fixed soon. Stay tuned....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Lulu Bookstore:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.lulu.com/shop/richard-wood/mayhem-in-the-florida-panhandle/paperback/product-y9z9jk.html?q=mayhem+in+the+florida+panhandle&page=1&pageSize=4">https://www.lulu.com/shop/richard-wood/mayhem-in-the-florida-panhandle/paperback/product-y9z9jk.html?q=mayhem+in+the+florida+panhandle&page=1&pageSize=4</a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>Woodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15439536585199351784noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5544495330553076995.post-19229234479698389122021-09-25T14:10:00.006-05:002022-01-14T22:00:08.504-06:00Death of a Hitchhiker<p> </p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">Ova
Budd Roe<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="font-size: medium;">On the afternoon of December 29,
1947, two young men, Glen Williams, and Alex Williams, (Newspaper accounts did
not say if they were related), were traveling westbound toward Pensacola on the
Gulf Coast Highway. They were traveling from Ft. Walton Beach to Pensacola.
When they were about ten miles east of the Pensacola Bay bridge, they saw a
body lying off the side of the road in, or near a borrow pit. One article
stated that they left to find a phone, and another said they flagged down a
passing motorist. Either way they summoned help. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The first lawman on the scene was
Highway Patrolman M.K. Hackle, and soon after, Sheriff Marshall Hayes, Deputy
Harvell Enfinger, and County Judge William Bonifay arrived. They called on Dr.
Rufus Thames, and he determined the victim had been dead 3 to 4 hours. A
teenager named Harold Lowery lived about 300 yards away and he told the
investigators that he heard gunshots about one pm, but assumed someone was
shooting game. They victim was identified by a bracelet he was wearing, and a
tattoo. His name was <b>Ova Budd Roe.</b> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Some witnesses found later thought
the victim was someone who was seen getting into a car with two other men the
night before at a roadhouse back toward Pensacola. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Ova Roe, was a 22-year-old Army
veteran who was from Middletown, Ohio. At the time of his death, he was
hitchhiking from Denver, Colorado where he had been visiting his brother, to
Miami, Florida where he wanted to celebrate the new year. His mother told
authorities that he would ship a trunk to his destination, and carry a small
case with him. Some reports claimed he was a deserter from the Army, but one
claimed he had been a prisoner of war. His mother stated that he kept his
discharge papers with him, or shipped them with his trunk. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Roe had been shot three times, twice
in the head, and once in the abdomen. He also had a gash on his head. In a
surprising newspaper article, it was published that through ballistic matching,
the .32 caliber bullets that killed Roe were fired from the same gun used in
two recent unsolved murders in Mississippi. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">(<i>I
inquired if there were any records left in Santa Rosa County pertaining to the
murder investigation, and were assured there were not. I then did a Freedom of
Information request with the State, and was informed no records existed.)<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">The investigation continued for a while with no solid
leads. A toxicologist from Alabama, Dr. Nelson E. Grubbs was brought in to
assist, and later he published a newspaper article about four unsolved murders
along the Gulf Coast and how they could be solved if only the public would
cooperate with authorities. Dr. Grubbs investigated 40,000 cases in this long
career with the state of Alabama, and there was even a May 1961 article in
Reader’s Digest about him in a “Most Unforgettable Character” story.</span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbYdPOpE24sZn9YZwhVxNk3VaapnQ2wcEseydaw_xTmNW-UgAHRQu1qONcN2TClk0uf9Dv6fWXSn2NrSC9r2w94QA1teSFLhjw4szn9CJpr3my2bccloKmj5LE_2qYGdl_-4dd4ekQDO_V/s1920/Ova.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="924" data-original-width="1920" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbYdPOpE24sZn9YZwhVxNk3VaapnQ2wcEseydaw_xTmNW-UgAHRQu1qONcN2TClk0uf9Dv6fWXSn2NrSC9r2w94QA1teSFLhjw4szn9CJpr3my2bccloKmj5LE_2qYGdl_-4dd4ekQDO_V/w402-h193/Ova.png" width="402" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /><o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">The Mississippi Killings<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">At
4:45 in the morning of December 18, 1947, (eleven days before the Roe killing),
the Billups Service Station on Highway 90 in Ocean Springs, Mississippi was
robbed of $93. During the robbery, <b>Mark Neal, Jr.</b> was shot four times in
the side and died at the scene. E.F. Smith, the station manager, lived in an
apartment connected to the station with his wife. He said they heard 3, or 4
shots and a car speed off toward Pascagoula. The station had also been robbed on
August 1, of $100. The Billups Petroleum Co. offered a $100 reward for capture
and conviction of the robber. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Mark Neal, Jr. was only in his third
week of working at the station. Before that he was a Merchant Seaman working
for the War Shipping Administration. He registered for the draft in New Orleans
on his 18<sup>th</sup> birthday in 1946, and it was from New Orleans that he
arrived to work in Ocean Springs. His murder is still officially unsolved. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><b>Robert Lee Ward, </b>a wealthy
rancher who lived in Agricola, Miss., near Lucedale, was found murdered in an
abandoned pick-up truck three miles north of Pascagoula, on Bayou Cassotte rd.
It is believed that he was killed in a home invasion and his body transported
to where he was found. He was known to carry around $2000 at all times, and
there was no money found on his body. There were suspects arrested who were
eventually released, and the case was cold until 1966. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Roe, Neal, and Ward were the three
murders supposedly connected by the same .32 caliber weapon, but I can’t find
anything else other than a newspaper article, so it may not be true. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">The 1966 developments in the case
of R. L. Ward<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">In
July 1966, J.L. Williams was arrested in Marion County, Mississippi for Public
Drunkenness. When in jail, he asked to speak to Judge Sebe Dale. The Judge
arrived and Williams confessed to the murder of robbery of Mr. Ward back in
1947. He told Judge Dale, “I just can’t get away from that fellow. That bugger
has been running me ever since. He gets into bed with me, gets in the truck
with me, gets on my shoulder. That’s why I stay drunk.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In his confession, Williams stated that he
and two other men had gone to Ward’s home to rob him, and while he waited
outside, the other two were fighting with Ward. Williams said he took a gun,
went inside the house, and shot Mr. Ward twice. He was arrested for robbery,
and murder. However, on August 25, Williams pleaded innocent to the charges and
was sent to the state hospital in Whitfield for psychiatric evaluation to see
if he could stand trial. During his confession to Judge Dale, Williams
implicated a woman named Alice Ferrill of Biloxi. On July 12 the District
Attorney announced he would be filing charges against Ferrill in connection to
the Ward murder too. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">The
D.A. stated in the press that Williams, Ferrill, and another man who was since
deceased, had been suspects back in 1948, and Ferrill had been questioned for
28 days. Eventually, all were released due to lack of evidence. No money from
the robbery was ever recovered. On September 3, Ferrill pleaded innocent and
was released on $5000 bond. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">Williams
eventually stood trial and he stated that he did not remember talking to Judge
Dale, and that he did not willingly, or intentionally waive his right to a
lawyer or his right to remain silent. Judge Darwin Maples agreed with him, and
ruled his confession inadmissible. The District Attorney, Donald Cumbest
appealed Judge Maples decision to the Mississippi Supreme Court, and Williams
was released on bond in February, pending the court’s decision. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">In
April, Williams was again arrested for threatening the life of D.A. Cumbest.
The arresting officer, Howard Ellzey said that on the ride to the Jackson Co.,
jail, Williams repeatedly threatened his life too. Judge Maples ruled that
Williams was to be held without bond pending the outcome of the appeal on the
murder case. On Sunday night, August 13, Williams escaped from the jail in
Lucedale. He was captured the next day near the city limits and returned to
jail. Williams sat in jail until March of 1968 when the Supreme Court upheld
his acquittal in the Ward case. Alice Ferrill was to be tried after Williams,
but since his confession implicating her was inadmissible, she was never
brought to trial. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">There
was a third person arrested back in 1948 for Ward’s murder. Bruce Thompson,
which may have been an alias, was reported to have died before Williams’ 1966
arrest. His role in the crime is not clear. In Williams statement, he claimed
he was with two men who went into the house while he waited outside. In any
case, Thompson was never prosecuted either.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.5pt; border: none; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 1pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext 1.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">A further note, there was a fourth
murder during this same time period that remains unsolved. Ulysses Lauzon, a Canadian
criminal who was on the run from authorities, was found shot to death on the
side of Highway 90 near Pascagoula. The 26-year-old armed robber was identified
by the New Orleans police department from a 1945 circular from the Ottawa
Police. His body was found on July 19, and there were two suspects wanted for
questioning. Lauzon had escaped from an Ontario, Canada prison in August of
1947. It is not believed that his murder is connected to the others mentioned
earlier. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: medium;">Well,
that’s about it. All these killings with no official conclusion. I would like
to know what ballistic evidence, if any, actually connected three of the
murders. I feel that Williams was involved in killing Mr. Ward. But, while he
was drunkenly confessing, I think he would have spilled the beans about any
other murder he was involved in. The gun “could” have been used in more than
one crime, but there is little if any chance to determine that at this stage.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.5pt; border: none; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 1pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext 1.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I think that Mr. Roe’s parents must
have had a strange sense of humor. Ova, is the Latin word for egg, and Roe, is
a mass of eggs contained in the ovaries of a female fish. The things we do to
our children….</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>Woodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15439536585199351784noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5544495330553076995.post-25142552523696979382021-06-08T15:26:00.003-05:002021-12-06T11:50:36.132-06:00The Gainer / Collins Murders<p> <b style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">The
Gainer / Collins Murders</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Across the road from the L&N Railroad Depot in
Milton, Florida was a building complex consisting of an Ice Factory, a general
store, and a warehouse with the office of the Collins Construction Company. The
buildings were owned by Spencer G. “Babe” Collins with the exception of the Ice
Factory which he had recently sold to the Gulf Power Company. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">The evening of February 26, 1931 saw a raging fire
consume the buildings. The local firefighters were able to heroically contain
the damage and the nearby home of the Brashear family was saved. The family was
so thankful their home as spared that they publicly thanked the firemen in the
local newspaper. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">In the ruins of the warehouse, the safe belonging to
the Collins Construction Company was found open and emptied with the exception
of some fire damaged road bonds. These bonds had been issued by the First
National Band for the construction of Highway 37. This road was constructed on
an existing road bed from Milton north to the Alabama state line near
Dixonville. <i>(It is now Highway 87, and included the construction of a
$30,000 bridge.)</i> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Investigation of the burned remains of the building
led the authorities to suspect arson. For some reason that is unknown,
suspicion fell on the construction company’s bookkeeper, Aubrey Gainer, a
well-known and liked 33-year-old from a popular local family. Gainer’s
father had recently retired from operating a store on Oak Street near the
courthouse. Aubrey was married to Emily (nee’ Carlson), and had an
eleven-year-old daughter named Betty. Emily’s parents owned a restaurant in
Milton<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Spencer Gilbert, (Babe) Collins was possibly the wealthiest man in
Milton. His house was the brick home across from the Methodist church on
Berryhill. In the 1930 census the house is listed as having a value of $15,000
which was the highest in town<i>. (The church now owns this house.)</i> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">I have read statements in the past claiming that the
Collins Construction Company was under investigation for tax evasion by the
state of Florida. I also read that Aubrey Gainer was cooperating with the
investigation. I haven’t been able to substantiate these claims, but I would
like to know more. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Aubrey Gainer was arrested and indicted for the arson.
It was claimed that he set the fire to cover shortages in the books of the
construction company. Of course, the books were not found and there is no
evidence to support the claim. On June 3<sup>rd</sup>, Gainer was acquitted of
arson in the Circuit Court. He must have known by now that his cooperation with
the authorities in the tax case was no secret and began making moves to get out
of Santa Rosa County. He bought a $50,000 life insurance policy and he invested
money in some drug stores in Crestview, Okaloosa County. He waited too long to
make his move.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br clear="all" style="break-before: page; mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" />
</span>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> On June 14,
1931 with great fanfare, and loads of visiting dignitaries, the bridge across
Santa Rosa Sound opened allowing vehicles with up to four passengers to pay one
dollar to drive across the sound to Casino beach. An excess of four in the car
paid 10 cents a head for the overage. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">On July 18<sup>th</sup> Aubrey Gainer, wife Emily,
daughter Betty, and Betty’s friend Myrtle Mitchell, the Santa Rosa County
Sheriff’s 11-year-old sister, piled into the Gainer car for an excursion to
check out the new bridge. An outing such as this in 1931 must have been quite
exciting to the young ladies, and Aubrey surely needed a break from the
pressure he must have been under<i>. (I wish I knew what kind of car he owned.)<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Around 10 pm, or so, the weary sightseers returned to
Milton, and after dropping Miss Mitchell off at the Sheriff's office, made their way to
their home on Pine Street. The Gainer home was on the corner of Pine, and Escambia
with a separate garage located behind the house with its entrance off of Escambia
Street. About 300 feet due south of the garage was Hill Street and then the L
& N railroad tracks. <i>(These parts
of Escambia, and Pike streets no longer exists.) </i><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Aubrey dropped Emily, and Betty off before he turned
into the garage, and they moved into the yard to await Aubrey to walk to the
house. Gainer parked the car, exited the garage and taking Betty by the hand
started to walk to the house. Then, suddenly a shadow appeared from behind the
garage and fired a shotgun directly into Aubrey’s torso. As he fell, he pulled
Betty down with him. The gunman disappeared into the night as Emily, and Betty
screamed for help. The neighbors heard the commotion and called Sheriff
Mitchell. The Sheriff and Chief Deputy Wade Cobb arrived at the scene, and
though it looked bleak, Gainer was still alive and they arranged transportation
to a hospital in Pensacola where he died early the next morning. The attending
physician said Gainer was hit with nine pellets, six of which passed all the
way through his body, and three were removed. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSRQVv0mNZTxurs_CtJbvZ-AaZIbvznlZn_gDUKPqWPUE19f5MtIl5DDyfWZIQPf8xkQ5bh0tGEby9ZaB_kLLmossPU5wvdDmWb-Vi5BM0IZJFD4Sa-ZYNrv19_PnV0F-fLjMsy44JUcfv/s314/GainerHome.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="314" data-original-width="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSRQVv0mNZTxurs_CtJbvZ-AaZIbvznlZn_gDUKPqWPUE19f5MtIl5DDyfWZIQPf8xkQ5bh0tGEby9ZaB_kLLmossPU5wvdDmWb-Vi5BM0IZJFD4Sa-ZYNrv19_PnV0F-fLjMsy44JUcfv/s0/GainerHome.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The home of the Gainers</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">From the 1917 Sanborn Fire Insurance Map of Milton</div><br /><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Sheriff Henry Clay Mitchell had already been the top
law enforcement officer in Santa Rosa County for ten years. He was only 25 when
elected and was the youngest Sheriff in the nation when he took office. His
Chief Deputy Wade Cobb would also one day be a two-term Sheriff of the county.
They examined the crime scene at daylight and found some interesting clues.
About 150 feet or so from the garage they found a shotgun tossed in some bushes
and footprints led into a swampy area<i> </i>and then some tire marks consisting of three different tread patterns that a parked
car had left in the soft soil. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">There was an arrest made almost instantly. H. R.
Covington, a sailor from Oklahoma, but assigned to Pensacola was taken into
custody but no charges were filed. He was released on July 23, after Sheriff
Mitchell made two more arrests, and was convinced he had the murderers. Two
days after the ambush, and killing, William T. Wolfe, and Webb Allen were taken
into custody and charged with murder. Webb Allen was the nephew of S. G.
Collins’ wife Minnie. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Sheriff Mitchell talked to many potential witnesses
during his investigation. Some witnesses told him they had seen Wolfe, and
Allen in a car the night of the murder. The suspects denied even being in town
that night. Wolfe lived about 15 miles or so north of Milton. The Sheriff did
not believe them and examined the car they were in. The suspect car had three
different types of tires with three different kinds of tread. The distinctive
tread matched perfectly the tread marks found near the crime scene. Then came
the revelation that the shotgun discarded in the bushes was bought a few months
later from a dealer in Pensacola by S.G. Collins. He had reported it missing
from his company office a short time before the crime. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">When Gainer was murdered S. G. Collins was out of
town. He left during the first week of July on a trip to North Carolina to drum
up some business for his construction company. Also, his lawyer Lewis V.
Trueman was on a trip to Cuba with his wife, and another couple. Trueman had an article about their upcoming trip printed in the Milton Gazette.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Wolfe, and Allen were held on a $25,000 bond which
they could not post. Collins returned to Milton and posted a $25,000 bond. He
was suspected of being an accessory before the fact. Namely, hiring the killers
to silence Gainer. Wolfe, and Allen appealed their bond by filing a writ of
habeas corpus with the Florida Supreme Court. Even though Sheriff Mitchell was
sure that William Wolfe was the triggerman, and Webb Allen was the driver,
Wolfe was set free, and Allen’s bond was reduced to $5000. Within a week he was
able to raise the money and was also set free. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">William Wolfe needs to be discussed a little. There is
no way at this late date to know for sure, and he was never convicted of any
violent crime that I have been able to find. However, in 1911 he was a convict
guard at a turpentine camp near McLellan and Leon Rivenbark was his
brother-in-law and fellow guard. George Rivenbark was a “woods rider” for the
Franklin Gaye camp. These were some hard men. George Rivenbark administered a
beating to Jonas Cooley, and when his brother Daniel Cooley came riding into
the camp a few days later, he was killed by Franklin Gaye. Three days later
Arch, and Alf Cooley were killed near the steel bridge on the Milton-Munson
road. They were shot from ambush, and their killing was never officially
solved. Hyman Cooley was sure he knew who had done the killing and a couple of
years later, he saw Leon Rivenbark and shot at him. He missed and when Leon
returned fire he didn’t. An inquest ruled it was self-defense. (<i>See, “The <a href="http://judgingshadows.blogspot.com/2019/01/the-turpentine-feud-of-1911.html">Turpentine
Feud</a> of 1911”). </i>Also, a few
years ago, an older citizen of Santa Rosa County told me that when he was a
younger man in the late 1930’s and into the 40’s and 50’s it was known that Mr.
Wolfe was a man that did not mind getting his hands dirty. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">I would also imagine that Sheriff Mitchell was
especially motivated to find, convict, and punish the Gainer killers because
his young sister Myrtle, and Betty Gainer were best friends, and possibly she
could have been there in the line of fire if she had gone home with Betty. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Santa Rosa county had a small law enforcement
presence. A Sheriff, and Chief Deputy; maybe another deputy, and some
constables scattered in different communities. During this same period in 1931
there were numerous other serious crimes. Ben Lee shot Dempsey Enfinger in a
dispute over a young lady. Another young lady named Lilla Yarler shot Tom
Harvell. A man named Will Cooley was killed by J.G., and Lee Thomas, brothers
from Bagdad, and his body dumped in the Yellow River. Cooley’s wife was also
implicated in the murder. A tenet farmer named George Ellis had a dispute with
the man he farmed for over two bales of cotton, and he shot and killed R.G.
Quick in the Berrydale area. Also, it was the year that a posse cornered 4
desperadoes in Mulat Bayou who were on a statewide crime spree. I’d say the
Sheriff’s office had its hands full. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Aubrey Gainer's father J.C. was a retired store owner and maybe the grief was just too much. He died suddenly on August 31. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Spencer G. “Babe” Collins was still under bond on
September 11, when he traveled across the bridge to the east Milton home of his business
partner, and friend J. E. Estes. He was there to discuss some of the business
he was able to obtain on his trip to North Carolina. The investigation of
Aubrey Gainer’s murder had stalled, and Collins was probably trying to put it
all behind him and get back to business. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">It was right around dusk when he and Estes finished
their conversation and Collins walked across the road toward his car to head
back into town. Estes had turned to walk back to his house when a slow-moving
car, later thought to be a Ford Model A when described by witnesses, approached
Collins. As it neared him, someone fired a shotgun mortally wounding Collins. Estes
rushed to his aid, and Collins told him, “Get their number! Call the doctor,
they got me.” Estes looked at the car as it crossed the bayou bridge, but he
could not make out the license number. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A truck carrying three men, G.L. Metts, John F.
Collinsworth, and Posey Broxson arrived on the scene. Dr. J. B. Turner, and Dr.
Rufus Thames arrived quickly and tried to find a pulse. They pronounced Collins
dead on the scene. Sheriff Mitchell then arrived and questioned the witnesses.
There were some men working close by who had heard the shot, but did not see
anything other than identifying the type of car. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Collins had been hit in the shoulder with double-ought
buckshot with the 12 pellets ranging down through his body and shredding his
heart. He died right after his last words to his friend Estes. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A young man named Almon Spencer was in front of the
Imogene Theater when he heard the shotgun blast from across the river. As he watched
the bridge a car with three men he recognized came across and turned
immediately. Almost eight decades later one of his younger brothers told me
that the men in the car were, Chief Deputy Wade Cobb, C.B. Penton, and a man
named Villar. I also heard from someone who knew Cobb that around 1960 when he
was running for Sheriff, he expressed concern that he would not be elected
because too many people knew about his involvement in the Collins killing. It
is also interesting to note that within two years, the lawyer for Collins, L.V.
Trueman moved to Ogden, Utah and was there until he was killed at his home by
someone he ruled against in a divorce case. (Read about that case, <a href="http://judgingshadows.blogspot.com/2017/04/the-fate-of-judge-trueman.html">here</a>.)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Sheriff Mitchell summoned Judge McLeod who acted as
coroner, and they impaneled a jury consisting of Dick Lane, G.C. Beck, G.L.
Metts, Posey Broxson, Gully McCombs, and J.E. Estes. The Sheriff questioned the
men who were working nearby. They were T.R. Scruggs, owner of Scruggs Boatworks,
M.N. Diden, Dewey Batson, and John S. Cox. They told him they heard the blast,
but thought it was a blow out. They did not see a license plate, but agreed
that it was probably a Ford Model A. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">If, (a big IF), Deputy Wade Cobb was involved, then Mitchell
probably knew what was going on and questioned the witnesses closely at the
inquest to see if anyone had seen anything important.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">The death of Collins pretty much ended the investigation
into the Gainer murder. Will Wolfe, and Webb Allen were never tried and it
became a cold case. There was an arrest, and trial in the killing of S. G.
Collins however.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Collins older brother, John Houston Collins, known as
Long John due to his 6 ft., 7-inch height was well known and respected in
Northwest Florida. He had been Sheriff of Santa Rosa County on two separate
occasions. He was also an ex-mayor of Milton, and at one time was Postmaster.
He was not going to be easily satisfied about the progress of the investigation
into his brother’s murder. His investigation, and relationship with prison
officials at Raiford ended up with Cecil B. Penton being arrested and tried for
the murder of Babe Collins in 1934. My essay about his arrest and trial is
linked <a href="http://judgingshadows.blogspot.com/2017/04/the-trial-of-cecil-b-penton.html">here</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Author’s note: I debated about sharing the possible
involvement of Deputy Wade Cobb. I finally decided it should be included. I
mean no disrespect toward a man who I consider to be a fine Sheriff and served
this county well during his career in law enforcement. I can even understand why
Sheriff Mitchell and Cobb would have taken things to this extreme. It was a
different time, and Mitchell probably felt his main suspect was going to get
away with it due to his great wealth and standing in the county. Mitchell was
defeated in his reelection bid by Joe Allen. Possibly because he didn’t solve
this case, or more likely due to the fact he was suing the County Commission
for not reimbursing him properly for jail, and prisoner upkeep. Mitchell went
on to a long career in different official state roles involving law enforcement.
He even unsuccessfully ran for Escambia County Sheriff later in life. <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">If you haven’t visited my blog yet, please
do so. You might find other stories of this type that will interest you. I hope
you like it, and please leave comments either there, or on the Facebook Group.
These stories are all works in progress, and if I learn any new or different
information, I always update, and correct.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <a href="http://judgingshadows.blogspot.com/">http://judgingshadows.blogspot.com/</a> </span></i></b>Woodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15439536585199351784noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5544495330553076995.post-68516796065298177362021-05-20T12:44:00.001-05:002023-06-27T17:18:52.685-05:00The Treachery of Mrs. Vann<p> </p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">The
Treachery of Mrs. Vann <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;">Or,
How Her Husband Knew the Truth, but Refused to Give Up on Her<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span> </span><span> </span>Unlike the majority of my essays about mostly
forgotten Panhandle malfeasance, this story does not contain a killing.
Admittedly, there was a poor attempt, but due to the tabloid atmosphere this
created in the area, I felt it was worth exploring. There was an affair carried
out by a younger wife with even a younger fellow. There was a hopelessly
bungled attempt to kill the husband, and possibly many innocent people for the
insurance money. There was so much publicity that there was a change of venue
granted for the trial. I bet for a period of about 2 years this was a dominant
topic around kitchen tables.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span> </span><span> </span>On April 1, 1936, All Fool’s Day, Engineer Livvie W.
Vann was bringing his three-car passenger train toward Pensacola on his regular
run from Selma, Alabama. Just before 2 pm as he approached the Cottage Hill
area, he noticed a slight buckling in the rail but thought it was a piece of
wood, and passed over it. When he arrived in Cantonment a few minutes later, he
reported it to the section foreman for the L & N Railroad, who soon went to
investigate. What he found prompted him to immediately notify the Escambia
County Sheriff.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span> </span><span> </span>The Pensacola Journal headlines of April 2, 1936, let
their readers know that: An attempt was made to derail L&N Southbound train
#1, by removing spikes from almost an entire length of rail on a curve one mile
north of Cottage Hill. They surmised that the only reason it was unsuccessful
was that the rail that was tampered with was on the inside of the curve. Also, the train derailment was intended to result in the death of the engineer,
Mr. L. W. Vann. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span> </span><span> </span>Escambia County Sheriff H.E. Gandy, and Deputies
Ernest Harper, and Richard Olsen investigated the scene of the rail tampering.
They found tracks leading them to a truck abandoned nearby. In the rear of the
truck, they found a railroad spike puller, a crowbar, and a large wrench with
a long length of pipe in it’s handle for leverage. The opinion was that the
suspects drove to the scene, did the job, and preparing to depart, could not
start the truck. Bloodhounds trailed the two men to the Flomaton road about a
half-mile from the site of the rail damage where they apparently caught a ride.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span> </span><span> </span>Tracing the registration of the truck, the Sheriff was
stunned to find out it was registered to Engineer Vann himself. They headed to
Ferry Pass to speak to some people.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span> </span><span> </span>The April 3, and 4<sup>th</sup> issues of the
Pensacola Journal let everyone know that the investigation was proceeding. The
truck would not start for the getaway part of the plot due to being out of gas.
It was also revealed that this was the second attempt to derail Engineer Vann’s
train. The Sheriff was looking for at least two suspects but had made no
arrests.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span> </span><span> </span>On April 6<sup>th</sup> it was reported that Earl
Travis, 28, a carpenter from Castleberry, Alabama was brought in for
questioning. He was living in a rented room at 124 S. Reus St. He was taken
into custody for vagrancy when deputies found him hanging around a filling
station on Ferry Pass road. He denied any connection to the derailment attempt.
At the time it was thought that he was one of the truck occupants. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span> </span><span> </span>On April 7<sup>th</sup> the Journal reported that four
people were being held in connection with the derailment. Earl Travis remained
in custody, along with Cleve Carter, his wife, Adelaide, and George Johnson
who worked for Vann. Johnson and the Carters were black and Johnson claimed a
“strange negro” called for the truck last Tuesday, saying he was sent by Cleve
Carter. Carter had denied he sent for the truck. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span> </span><span> </span>The next day on the 8<sup>th</sup> of April,
Wednesday, it was reported that Allen Findley, 16, and Allen Langston, 70,
(later said to be 76 years of age), were in custody, after confessing to the
attempt to derail the train. Findley also confessed in the attempt to derail
the same train a few weeks before when it passed through the Oak Field area. At
some point on the 8<sup>th</sup>, or 9<sup>th</sup>, Mrs. Mary Vann was taken
into custody and jailed by Sheriff Gandy. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span> </span><span> </span>Allen Langston was known by residents of the Bell’s
Head section to profess the ability to read into the future, (I guess he failed to
foresee his current predicament), and it was learned in his confession that
Mrs. Vann had visited the old man’s shack on a number of occasions presumably
to have her fortune told. Sheriff Gandy does not believe the voodoo had
anything to do with the attempted derailment. Langston charged fees for his
services dealing mainly with settlements of family affairs and holding strange
rituals including burning a bluish type of wax. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span> </span><span> </span>The following day the Journal reported that Solicitor
Richard H. Merritt said he would file charges carrying sentences totaling
nearly 50 years against Mrs. Mary Barnett Vann, held at the county jail, in the
attempted wrecking of a passenger train on which her husband was the engineer.
He said he would add charges of attempted murder and tampering with the
railroad tracks to the conspiracy count under which the 40-year-old woman was
arrested Tuesday after two negroes confessed that she hired them to loosen a
section of track on a curve near Cottage Hill on All Fool’s Day.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span> </span><span> </span>Mr. Vann was 6 feet tall and white-haired. He was the
engineer on a three-car passenger train that made a regular run between Selma,
Alabama, and Pensacola. He usually left home around 1:40 pm on his run to
Selma and returned the next afternoon at about 2:45. Even after his wife’s
arrest, and hearing that Earl Travis had confessed to having an affair with
Mrs. Vann, he told reporters that, “I still believe in her”, and that he found
Findley, and Langston’s confessions, “incredible”. However, sources claimed
that Mr. Vann did change the beneficiaries on his three insurance policies to
his sons. There were three sons, and Mrs. Vann had a daughter from a previous
marriage. All lived in the Ferry Pass home. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span> </span><span> </span>Mrs. Vann, it should be noted, never admitted to any
wrongdoing, whatsoever, and her dutiful husband promised to obtain a bond and
get her out of jail. As soon as he got back from his Selma run. (Publicly he
defended her, privately was probably another matter.) Mr. Vann hired William
Fisher to represent his wife and went about finding her a bondsman.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span> </span><span> </span>On April 11<sup>th</sup> charges were announced
against Mrs. Vann and Earl Travis. Arraignment was scheduled for the next term
of the Court of Record, opening May 11. Judge C. Moreno Jones set bail for both
of them at $2000.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br clear="all" style="break-before: page; mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" />
</span>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span> </span><span> </span>Allen Langston’s confession which Findley
corroborated, claimed that Mrs. Vann promised that both of them would receive $50
each to do the work. He also said she told him there was $30,000 hidden under
the rail that she wanted for herself. She had also asked them to weaken the
rail at Oak Field two weeks before but they were frightened away by a farmer
plowing a field after they had removed one, or two spikes. At both locations,
Langston claimed Mrs. Vann marked with a pencil the section of the rail she
wanted them to tamper with. She told them exactly what time of day she wanted
the spikes removed. Langston said they got the truck on the afternoon of March
31. After a northbound train passed, they began pulling spikes until they heard
the whistle of Vann’s train. They returned to the truck, but could not get it
started. He also claimed that on the second attempt, Mrs. Vann told him that if
they did a good job, she would build him a house and that, “he would no longer
have to live in a hog pen”, and “She was going to let Earl be her old man and
that she was getting tired of this one.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span> </span><span> </span>On April 14, Mrs. Vann was released on $2000 bond. Travis
remained in jail. There is no mention of Langston and Findley, but since they
were poor, black, and it was 1936, I assume they stayed in the county jail
until their trial later in the summer. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span> </span><span> </span>Mrs. Vann’s bond was signed by her brother Frank B.
Martin, and A.C. Wilson, a local businessman. Mrs. Vann signed her bond in her
cell, then was hurried with her lawyer out a side door to avoid reporters, and
into the adjoining Court of Record building. Her husband stood on the corner of
Zaragoza, and Tarragona streets, a block from the jail, and got into a car that
then picked up Mrs. Vann and her lawyer, and sped away. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span> </span><span> </span>On July 23, 1936, the trial for Langston, and Findley
got underway. L.W. Vann testified about seeing the strange hump in the rail and
how he notified L & N section Foreman J.V. King. Then King testified how he
found the tampered-with rail and missing spikes. Bodie Kemp, and W. G. Davis,
two employees of The Wiggins Store, told how Langston and Findley purchased
five or six gallons of gasoline and charged it to Mrs. Vann’s account. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span> </span><span> </span>Sheriff Gandy and Deputy Ernest Harper were
questioned by the defense lawyers, J. Montrose Edrehi, and D. Webster Berry,
and denied that they were told by the defendants that they removed the rail
looking for hidden gold and had planned to replace it before the train got
there. After a dozen witnesses testified, Langston and Findley changed their
plea to guilty. Sentencing was postponed until after Mrs. Vann’s trial. <i>(This
is curious to me. I don’t know if that was a common practice at the time, or if
it was a way to ensure that Langston and Findley testified the way the state
wanted them to in the Vann trial.)</i><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span> </span><span> </span>Mrs. Vann’s lawyers began discussing a change of venue
due to the amount of publicity the case had generated. In early August, there
was a hearing before Judge Fabisinski in Circuit Court on a Change of Venue
motion. Mrs. Vann’s attorney, William Fisher argued that she could not get a
fair trial in Escambia County. The change was granted and the trial was moved
to Milton, in Santa Rosa County. A potential problem with this was that
Escambia was the only county in Florida to use a Court of Record, and used
“Informations”, instead of indictments. The state Supreme Court in the past,
reversed a case after a change of venue because of this. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br clear="all" style="break-before: page; mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" />
</span>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span> </span><span> </span>After four and a half hours of testimony, the Change of
Venue was granted on August 4<sup>th</sup>. The trial in Milton opened the next
day with Jury selection. The State’s case was to be presented by Escambia
County Solicitor Richard H. Merritt, E. Dixie Beggs, Jr. Circuit Solicitor, and
Senator Phillip D. Beall who was aiding the prosecution as a “Friend of the
State”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though Mr. Vann had been
encouraged by some to leave his wife, he maintained his belief in her innocence
and was assisting in her defense. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">The Case<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span> </span><span> </span>The trial began on Wednesday, August 5<sup>th</sup>. The testimony was complete and went to the jury at 9:30 pm Thursday night. The
State presented its case all day Wednesday and until 2pm Thursday. Defense only
took two hours and Judge Fabisinski used 30 minutes charging the jurors. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span> </span><span> </span>“Mrs. Vann was friendly with Earl Travis, 35-year-old,
Pensacola night spot operator, and former Castleberry, Ala carpenter. Travis
was a frequent visitor at the Vann home in Ferry Pass, in Escambia County
during recent months. Mrs. Vann accompanied Travis to a secondhand store where
he bought a bed. Later she visited his room in a boarding house. They had gone
to beer joints around Pensacola and danced. Mrs. Vann knew a 76-year-old negro
who set himself up as a Voodoo Doctor, conjuror, and fortune teller. She had
purchased liniment from Langston and “the Doctor”, had worked a charm on the
front of a Pensacola laundry to get Travis a job. <i>(Not sure how “Night Spot
Operator” ties into all this.)</i> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span> </span><span> </span>Mrs. Vann desired the death of her husband L.W. Vann,
60, a white-haired L & N engineer. With Travis, she conspired to have
Langston weaken the rails of the L & N track near Cottage Hill a few
minutes before Vann’s fast passenger train would pass over that section of
track. For this, she promised Langston $400-500 and because Langston was old and
infirm, she agreed to give $50 to Allen Findley, 17, for aiding the “witch
doctor”. She provided the Vann family’s makeshift old truck used to haul the
household wood, and Langston, and Findley assembled the wrecking tools, went
to the spot, which had been marked by Mrs. Vann, and with Vann, and Travis
sitting 50 yards away directing, they pulled the spikes from the rails.
Fortunately, they pulled the spikes from the inside rail of the curve, instead
of the outside rail, and the train was not wrecked. Mrs. Vann planned her
husband’s death and was going to use his $6000 insurance policies in which one
would pay double indemnity in case of death by accident to bring the total
payout to $9000, to marry Travis. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span> </span><span> </span>Defense lawyers, William Fisher, and J.T. Wiggins of
Milton charged that Mrs. Vann was not being tried for the attempt to wreck the
train, but for her indiscretions with Travis. A general denial of all charges
of Mrs. Vann’s participation in any wreck plot was made, and instead the witch
doctor’s “gold machine” was introduced as the cause of the attempted wreck.
Langston owned a machine that was supposed to find gold. He once tried to dig
up the Frisco railroad tracks near Pensacola to get money he said was under the
rails but was warned away by a section Foreman. Testimony showed he told Allen
Findley they would clear the L & N tracks and find money there. They were
using the Vann truck, which they had borrowed ostensibly to haul some wood and
to haul the tools they needed to clear off the track without Mrs. Vann’s
knowledge.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br clear="all" style="break-before: page; mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" />
</span>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span> </span><span> </span>They pointed out that this did not seem fantastic to
the conjuror since he had spent several years in the Alabama Asylum for Insane
Negroes at Mt. Vernon, Alabama, and is still subject to spells.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span> </span><span> </span>Mrs. Vann was presented as a hardworking, kindly
housewife who was on the best terms with her husband, three sons, and daughter.
She was kept too busy with keeping house and looking after all her charges to
run around with Travis or anyone else. All this testimony was heard by a six-man
jury of Ed Jernigan, Douglas McComb, M.E. Brown, M.C. Diamond, Albert Enfinger,
and Nick Broxson. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span> </span><span> </span>During Langston’s testimony, he told of Mrs. Vann and a
“Mr. Earl” coming to his house and offering him four, or five hundred dollars
to do “some work on the railroad”. He said she was so persistent about the
matter that he “just had to do it”. He said Mrs. Vann accompanied him to the
spot on the railroad north of Cottage Hill and showed him how to remove the
spikes. It was at that spot that Mr. Vann noticed buckling rails on his April 1
run from Selma. Langston said he was unable to use the crowbar given to him by
Mrs. Vann so he asked 17-year-old Findley to help him. He said Mrs. Vann
furnished them with the truck and gasoline to get to the spot where they
attempted to remove the rails. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">“Was anyone along with you?” the prosecutor asked.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l5 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">A-<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">“Mrs. Vann”.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q- “Was anyone with her?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">A-<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">“Yes, Mr. Earl.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q- “Where were they?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">A-<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">“In the car. About 50 yards from the
track.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q- “What was she going to
give you?’<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">A-<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">“Four or five hundred dollars. She told me
I could fix up my house fine.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q- “Did you ever see Mrs.
Vann and Mr. Earl ever show any affection for each other?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">A-<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">“Yes. They played huggin’ and kissin’.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Defense counsel, William
Fischer, Sr. asked Langston if he had ever gone to an Insane Asylum.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l4 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">A-<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">“Yes. Up to Mount Vernon.” (The Alabama
Asylum near Mobile.)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span> </span><span> </span>Langston said he was
there for two or three years because of, “spells in my head.” When asked he
admitted he still had spells, “now and then”.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span> </span><span> </span>Though feeble, Langston
was on the stand for more than two hours smiling constantly as he answered
questions. Mrs. Vann listened to his testimony intently and spoke quietly to
her attorney several times. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span> </span><span> </span>The prosecution called Mr.
C. G. Hartsfield, L & N railroad agent. He told of finding the truck
containing crowbars near the scene and identifying the truck and tools as
belonging to Mr. Vann. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span> </span><span> </span>The case went to jury
deliberation at 9:30 pm after two days of testimony. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span> </span><span> </span>The 6-man jury deliberated
through the night for more than eleven hours and returned a guilty verdict on
two counts. They convicted Mrs. Vann of being an accessory before the fact and
conspiracy to commit murder. The defense was granted a hearing to be held on August 31 for a motion for a new trial. The $2500 bond was continued for Mrs.
Vann that was posted by her husband back in April. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span> </span><span> </span>On August 31 in Milton,
Judge L.L. Fabisinski denied the motion for a new trial and sentenced Mary Vann
to ten years. She was stunned by the ruling and burst into tears as she left
the courtroom. An appeal bond was set at $7500 and since the Vanns could not
raise that amount, she was put in the Escambia County jail. Officials indicated
that the trial of Earl Travis would start soon, but actually, he was never put
on trial for conspiracy or anything else. In December, Livvie Vann, and Mrs.
Vann’s brother Frank Martin posted the $7500 bond and Mary was released until
her appeals went through the system. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span> </span><span> </span>Langston, and Findley
both received ten-year sentences and with no appeals went directly to prison. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span> </span><span> </span>Mary Vann’s case went to
the Florida Supreme Court three times, but on 31 March 1938 her last petition
for another hearing was denied without comment, and on 4 April it was reported
that she was sent to Raiford to begin her 10-year sentence. She had recently
opened a dining car lunchroom in downtown Pensacola. I guess she was overly
optimistic about her chances.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span> </span><span> </span>In July of 1939, Livvie
Vann was in a Pensacola hospital dying of Tuberculosis. Mary’s brother Frank
Martin requested the State Pardon Board to release her for a week to visit her
husband. The request was granted and she was escorted to Pensacola for the
visit. (Her brother had to cover the costs of the escort.) After her week-long
stay, she requested an extension of her visit but was denied. On September 21,
Livvie Vann passed away and Mary was granted leave to attend the funeral. Mr.
Vann was buried at the Whitmire Cemetery in a Masonic ceremony. He was a life
member of the Montgomery Masonic Lodge. The ceremony was conducted by Pensacola
Lodge no. 42. Pallbearers were members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive
Engineers. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span> </span><span> </span>Mary Vann was released
from prison on 29 June 1943 after serving about 5 years of her sentence. She
remained under parole supervision until 12 April 1948. She then married Jim H.
Croft who she met in prison. (I don’t know what his role was at the
prison.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Langston and Findley were also
released on good behavior after serving five years. I haven’t been able to find
out any further information about them. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Mary Martin Vann Croft
died on 21 March 1986 and is also buried at the Whitmire Cemetery.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Pensacola Journal 11 Apr 1936.<br /></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuDkd6LGYTAFK1JqUxJSO46Z1Idw6ZWhE-KpWI7SPtuV76rqeDEtdoJZjLWF9xlkAIW2McBvn2a0U27iuQvWX2w0_qIpOr0koiRAsO3KaLObF4ZyXjHnLEsBvibjhwe3Fye-AYY8XensJV/s2048/Pensacola_News_Journal_Sat__Apr_11__1936_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1217" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuDkd6LGYTAFK1JqUxJSO46Z1Idw6ZWhE-KpWI7SPtuV76rqeDEtdoJZjLWF9xlkAIW2McBvn2a0U27iuQvWX2w0_qIpOr0koiRAsO3KaLObF4ZyXjHnLEsBvibjhwe3Fye-AYY8XensJV/s320/Pensacola_News_Journal_Sat__Apr_11__1936_.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <o:p></o:p><p></p>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br clear="all" style="break-before: page; mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" />
</span>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Livvie and Mary Vann had
three sons and a daughter. Two of the sons joined the Army. John K. Vann was a
paratrooper, and Livvie, Jr. was awarded the Bronze Star for actions in the European
theater of operations. The youngest son William joined the Navy in 1945 and
was assigned to the USS Crater.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Pensacola Journal 8 July 1945.<br /></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiczxjOJ6c2betptDjHiqb8xm9b0pl_CvPXbEh1j8fk-z-ZUwc_Dupkl8HVoA5iEB7ul5tsAnUe8UMDPOHd0Oa5j8fyawYM4QRpq9iQS5Bra4oKGhyVSA1KtFYy8R_k9PHP6ayAGwK6qnDM/s2048/Pensacola_News_Journal_Sun__Jul_8__1945_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1138" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiczxjOJ6c2betptDjHiqb8xm9b0pl_CvPXbEh1j8fk-z-ZUwc_Dupkl8HVoA5iEB7ul5tsAnUe8UMDPOHd0Oa5j8fyawYM4QRpq9iQS5Bra4oKGhyVSA1KtFYy8R_k9PHP6ayAGwK6qnDM/s320/Pensacola_News_Journal_Sun__Jul_8__1945_.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Woodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15439536585199351784noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5544495330553076995.post-19706780098625490472021-05-02T09:02:00.007-05:002021-05-02T09:28:23.221-05:00Area War Dead from WWII (Part One)<p><b><i>Since May is the month we celebrate Memorial Day, I been looking through old newspapers for lists of casualties of service members from World War II. These lists usually include only the name and hometown of the listed person. I have tried to add some content to the stories of these young men</i></b> <b><i>whose bodies were returned to the area in July 1948. These folks are all heroes, who left their homes either through the draft, or just a desire to help defeat the Axis Powers. They were so young and many died in some of the very first combat they experienced. Over the decades, I think some have begun to forget the sacrifices these folks made, and the void their absence left in their loved ones at home. </i></b></p><p><b><i>Below are names from only one newspaper article. There are many, many, more. All heroes.</i></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Article from Pensacola Journal, 8 July 1948:</i></b></p><p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaf59AMLEqa7RZrTlUPbNk3hxnerjxmwm3syTbRkuKzhruxdK6YtIGCxskTaDDb1EIniaYBLzjyJkm3FBn0hXID3mX0-MNsYEN03pQyg7H3kH9OdJtc9-mt1igTphCUoKyJfxmnBDC2KYy/s2048/Pensacola_News_Journal_Thu__Jul_8__1948_+%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1382" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaf59AMLEqa7RZrTlUPbNk3hxnerjxmwm3syTbRkuKzhruxdK6YtIGCxskTaDDb1EIniaYBLzjyJkm3FBn0hXID3mX0-MNsYEN03pQyg7H3kH9OdJtc9-mt1igTphCUoKyJfxmnBDC2KYy/s320/Pensacola_News_Journal_Thu__Jul_8__1948_+%25281%2529.jpg" /></a></b></div><b><br /><i><br /></i></b><p></p><p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;">Area War Dead Returned in July 1948<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Killed in Action in Italy<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Returned on the US Army Transport, SS
Carroll Victory<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Alabama:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Pvt.
Willie S. Cook, Evergreen<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">SN 1<sup>st</sup>
Ernest Kelley, Atmore<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Pvt.
William L. Money, Andalusia<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">FN 1<sup>st</sup>
William E Stone, Phenix City<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Florida:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Pfc.
Albert Bryant, Ponce DeLeon<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Pfc.
Arthur L. Carmichael, Graceville<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Pvt.
Francis H. Davis, Pensacola<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Pvt.
James N. Hayes, Caryville<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Pvt.
Curtis Kelly, DeFuniak Springs<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Ssgt
Allen Lundy, Baker<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Pfc. Omer
W. Page, Panama City<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Pfc.
Wiley M. Taylor, Quincy<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">SS
Carroll Victory</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">,
(hull V-27), was the 27<sup>th</sup> Victory ship built during WW2 under the
Emergency Shipbuilding program. It was named after Carroll, Iowa, and operated
by the Lykes Brothers SS Company. Built by the California Shipbuilding Company
in Los Angeles, the keel was laid on March 28, 1944; launched June 13<sup>th</sup>,
and completed August 31, 1944. (Five months to completely build a ship this
size is amazing.)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">It was
10,500-ton, 455 ft long, beam of 62 ft, and draft of 28 ft. It had a speed of
16.5 knots.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">After the
war, 1945-47 the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration and
Church of the Brethren sent livestock to war torn countries. These “Seagoing
Cowboys” made 360 trips on 73 different vessels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 1949, the SS Carroll Victory arrived in
Mobile, Alabama and served with the U.S. Coast Guard. It was later sent to the
James River in Virginia as part of the National Defense Reserve Fleet. In the
Korean War it was used to bring supplies to the troops serving there. It was
scrapped in India in 1994.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Pvt.
Willie S. Cook</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Born: 4 Feb 1924 in Evergreen, Ala. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Died: 2 Jun 1944 in Italy <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Burial: 12 Aug 1948, Magnolia Cemetery, Evergreen, Alabama<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">According to his draft card, before joining the Army
he was employed by the L.D. King Lumber Co., and lived on Pecan St., in
Evergreen, Ala. He was 5’11” and weighed
135lbs. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Died during the battle to take Rome. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Seaman 1<sup>st</sup> Class, Ernest Kelly<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Article stated his body was being returned to Atmore,
Ala., but I cannot find any further information about him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Pvt. William L. Money<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Born: 9 Dec 1919 in Alabama, (possibly Andalusia)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Died: 11 Jul 1943 in Sicily.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Buried: 1948, Magnolia Cemetery, Andalusia, Covington
Co., Alabama<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">William Money enlisted in the U.S. Army 25 Nov 1940,
and was trained in Field Artillery. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">At the time of his death, he was assigned to C
Battery, 376<sup>th</sup> Parachute Field Artillery Battalion, 82<sup>nd</sup>
Airborne Division. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Gen. Patton wanted to reinforce his battle-weary force
with 2,000 additional paratroopers from the reserves located in North Africa.
He ordered that the 1<sup>st</sup>, and 2<sup>nd</sup> Battalions, 504<sup>th</sup>
Parachute Infantry Regiment, (PIR), the 376<sup>th</sup> PFAB, and Company C
from the 307<sup>th</sup> Airborne Engineer Battalion be dropped near Gela on
the night of 11 July 1943. On that night, the above-mentioned units were
ordered to jump on Farello Airstrip, which was held by Americans. When the C-47
Transport aircraft over the beaches in the wake of a German air raid, nervous
anti-aircraft gunners ashore and afloat opened fire with devastating effect.
The anti-aircraft guns shot down 23, and damaged 37 of the 144 aircraft. The
airborne force suffered 10% casualties, and was badly disorganized. Investigation
revealed that not everyone was informed of the impending drop despite the
Seventh Army’s best efforts. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The aircraft that Money was on, crashed in a swamp at
Pantano D’Arcia in southern Sicily. All onboard were killed. The dead were
buried at the Gela Cemetery. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fireman 1<sup>st</sup> Class, William Earl Stone<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Born: 29 July 1922 in Phenix City, Alabama<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Died: 5 Aug 1943, Sicily<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Buried: 1948, Philadelphia Church, Lee Co., Ala.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">His draft card from 30 Jun 1942 shows William at 5’10”
tall and 155lbs. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He enlisted 4 Aug 1942.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">At the time of his death, he was assigned to the USS
Shubrick, (DD-639).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The Shubrick was escorting the cruiser USS Savanah, to
Palermo. On the night of 4 August, during an air attack, the Shubrick was hit
amidships by a 500 lb. bomb which caused flooding of two main machinery spaces
and left the ship without power. Nine were killed and twenty wounded during the
attack. The ship was returned to the U.S. for extensive repairs. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Pfc. Albert Bryant<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Born: 8 Mar 1924 in Holmes County, Florida<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Died: 1 Feb 1944 in Italy<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Buried: New Ponce DeLeon Cemetery, Holmes Co., Florida<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Albert enlisted 1 Mar 1943 and Camp Blanding, Florida.
He was 5’5” and 124 pounds.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">At the time of his death, he was part of the 15<sup>th</sup>
Infantry Regiment, 3<sup>rd</sup> Inf. Division. The 15<sup>th</sup> Inf.
Division was where Audie Murphy later established his bravery to become the
most decorated soldier of WW2. During
the war the 15<sup>th</sup> had 1,633 killed, 5812 wounded, and 419 missing.
They also had 16 Medals of Honor.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Pfc. Bryant was killed during operation Shingle, the
landing, and battle at Anzio. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Pfc. Arthur L. Carmichael<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Born: 17 Sept 1923 in Chipley, Florida<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Died: 7 June 1944 near Rome, Italy<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Buried: Damascus Baptist Church, Graceville, Jackson
Co., Florida<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Draft Card from 5 May 1942, 5’11”, 154lbs. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Employed at J. Roy Camp Plumbing Co., Dothan, Alabama<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Member of 339<sup>th</sup> Inf. Regt., 85<sup>th</sup>
Inf. Division<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Unit was pursuing the Herman Goering Panzer Division
towards Rome, on 2 June the 339<sup>th</sup> had seized Mount Fiore.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Pvt. Francis Harry Davis<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Born: 22 Nov 1922<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Died: 1 June 1944 in Italy<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Buried: Ft. Barrancus National Cemetery, Pensacola,
Escambia Co., Florida<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">141<sup>st</sup> Infantry Regt./ 36<sup>th</sup>
Infantry Division<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The “Alamo Regiment”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Killed in Action during Anzio operation, assault on
Velletri, 1 June 1944.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Davis was previously wounded on 11 February, but had
returned to duty recently. He had two brothers also in military service.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br clear="all" style="break-before: page; mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" />
</span>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Pvt. James Norman Hayes<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Born: 14 Sept 1915 (Draft card states 1913),
Washington Co., Florida<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Died: 2 Feb 1944, Anzio, Italy<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Buried: Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church,
Hinson’s Crossroads, Washington, Florida.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Married Marie Hendricks in Holmes Co., Florida on 29
June 1940<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Registered for draft 16 Oct 1940, 5’10”, 140 lbs. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Enlisted 20 May 1943 at Camp Blanding, Florida<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Co. G/ 157<sup>th</sup> Inf. Regt./ 45<sup>th</sup>
Infantry Division<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">KIA during Anzio operation.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Pvt. Curtis Kelley<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Born: 14 June 1916 in Okaloosa Co., Florida<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Died: 6 June 1944 near Rome, Italy<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Buried: Magnolia Cemetery, DeFuniak Springs, Walton
Co., Florida<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Reg. for draft on 16 Oct 1940<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Married Annie Rushing 31 Dec 1940 in Walton Co.,
Florida<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Enlisted: 10 July 1943 at Camp Blanding, Florida<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Co. A/ 135<sup>th</sup> Inf. Regt./ 34<sup>th</sup>
Inf. Division<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Killed in Action near Rome, Italy<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">SSgt Allen William Lundy<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Born: 13 Sept 1920 in Laurel Hill, Okaloosa Co.,
Florida<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Died: 23 May 1944 in Lazio, Italy<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Buried: Almarante Cemetery, Laurel Hill, Okaloosa Co.,
Florida<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Could not find a draft card. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Enlisted 5 Sept 1940<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">36<sup>th</sup> Engineer Regt.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">KIA during landing support, Operation Shingle, Anzio.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><i><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Note: His grandfather was Bill Lundy, one of the last
few surviving veterans of the Army of the Confederacy who died at 109 years of
age in 1957. </span></i></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<i><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br clear="all" style="break-before: page; mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" />
</span></i>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Pfc. Omer Wilson Page<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Born: 9 Dec 1912 in Bay Co., Florida<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Died: 31 May 1944 in Italy<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Buried: Bayou George Cemetery, Bay Co., Florida<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Enlisted: 24 Apr 1943 at Camp Blanding, Florida</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Co. K/ 135<sup>th</sup> Inf. Regt./ 34<sup>th</sup>
Inf. Division<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Received a (posthumous) Distinguished Service Cross
for action occurring on 3 Feb 1944.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i><span face=""Open Sans",sans-serif" style="background: white; color: #252525;">PAGE,
OMER (KIA)</span></i><i><span face=""Open Sans",sans-serif" style="color: #252525;"><br />
<span style="background: white;">Synopsis:</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">The President of the United States takes pride
in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to Omer Page
(34783289), Private First Class, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in
connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with
Company K, 135th Infantry Regiment, 34th Infantry Division, in action against
enemy forces on 3 February 1944. Private First C<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i><span style="background: white; color: #252525;">lass
Page's intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty at the
cost of his life, exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of
the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 34th Infantry
Division, and the United States Army.</span></i><i><span face=""Open Sans",sans-serif" style="color: #252525;"><span><br />
<span style="background: white;">Headquarters, Fifth U.S. Army, General Orders
No. 155 (1944)</span><br />
</span><span style="background: white;"><span>Home Town: Bay County, Florida</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: #252525; font-family: arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span style="background: white; color: #252525; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Pfc. Wiley
M. Taylor<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: #252525; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Born: 1
May 1922<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: #252525; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Died: 26
March 1944 at Anzio<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: #252525; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Buried:
Attapulgus Methodist Church, Attapulgus, Decatur Co., Georgia<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: #252525; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Enlisted:
10 Oct 1942<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: #252525; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: #252525; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Battery
C./ 451 AAA/ AW Battalion<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: #252525; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Coast
Artillery; Anti-Aircraft unit<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: #252525; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: #252525; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Killed in
Action by bomb fragments during action at Anzio. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background: white; color: #252525; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-size: 12pt;">His body
was returned to Quincy, but he was ultimately buried across the state line in
Decatur Co., Georgia.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: #252525; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: #252525; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Since most
of the young men mentioned here enlisted at Camp Blanding, in Starke, Florida,
I thought I would add the Wikipedia entry.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: #252525; font-family: inherit;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Camp Blanding was established in 1939 on 30,000 acres
(12,000 ha) as a training facility for the </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florida_National_Guard" title="Florida National Guard"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #0645ad; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Florida National Guard</span></a><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> after its previous training base (Camp
Foster) on the </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Johns_River" title="St. Johns River"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #0645ad; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">St. Johns River</span></a><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> near </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacksonville,_Florida" title="Naval Air Station Jacksonville"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #0645ad; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Jacksonville</span></a><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> had been taken over by the </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Navy" title="United States Navy"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #0645ad; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Navy</span></a><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> for </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naval_Air_Station_Jacksonville" title="Chief of the National Guard Bureau"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #0645ad; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Naval Air Station Jacksonville</span></a><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">. The new camp was named for </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albert_H._Blanding" title="Albert H. Blanding"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #0645ad; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Albert H. Blanding</span></a><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">, who had been commissioned in the Florida
National Guard in 1899, and was then a Major General and </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chief_of_the_National_Guard_Bureau"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #0645ad; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Chief of the National Guard Bureau</span></a><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">. In 1940, as the threat of war increased and
the United States Army was built up, Camp Blanding became a Federal facility
housing two infantry divisions plus auxiliary units. Between 1940 and 1943,
nine US Army infantry divisions trained at Camp Blanding, including: </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1st_Infantry_Division_(United_States)"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #0645ad; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1st Infantry Division</span></a><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">, </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/29th_Infantry_Division_(United_States)" title="29th Infantry Division (United States)"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #0645ad; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">29th Infantry Division</span></a><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">, </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/30th_Infantry_Division_(United_States)" title="1st Infantry Division (United States)"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #0645ad; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">30th Infantry Division</span></a><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">, </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/31st_Infantry_Division_(United_States)" title="31st Infantry Division (United States)"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #0645ad; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">31st Infantry Division</span></a><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">, </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/36th_Infantry_Division_(United_States)" title="36th Infantry Division (United States)"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #0645ad; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">36th Infantry Division</span></a><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">, </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/43rd_Infantry_Division_(United_States)" title="43rd Infantry Division (United States)"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #0645ad; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">43rd Infantry Division</span></a><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">, </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/63rd_Infantry_Division_(United_States)" title="63rd Infantry Division (United States)"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #0645ad; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">63rd Infantry Division</span></a><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">, </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/66th_Infantry_Division_(United_States)" title="66th Infantry Division (United States)"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #0645ad; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">66th Infantry Division</span></a><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">, and </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/79th_Infantry_Division_(United_States)"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #0645ad; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">79th Infantry Division</span></a><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">. In 1943, Camp Blanding became an Infantry
Replacement Center, training soldiers to be sent to existing infantry divisions
as replacements, providing a high percentage of the replacements sent to Army
combat units.</span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camp_Blanding#cite_note-2"><sup><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #0645ad; font-size: 8.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">[2]</span></sup></a><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camp_Blanding#cite_note-3"><sup><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #0645ad; font-size: 8.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">[3]</span></sup></a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 6.0pt; margin: 6pt 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The base was a holding center for 343 </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internment_of_Japanese_Americans" title="Internment of Japanese Americans"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #0645ad; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Japanese</span></a><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">, </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internment_of_German_Americans" title="Internment of German Americans"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #0645ad; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">German</span></a><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">, and </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internment_of_Italian_Americans" title="Internment of Italian Americans"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #0645ad; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Italian</span></a><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> immigrant residents of the United States.</span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camp_Blanding#cite_note-4"><sup><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #0645ad; font-size: 8.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">[4]</span></sup></a><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> A small cemetery is located on the
grounds of the former POW camp.</span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camp_Blanding#cite_note-5"><sup><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #0645ad; font-size: 8.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">[5]</span></sup></a><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> In 1946 the actual bodies were removed
to the </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ft._Benning" title="Ft. Benning"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #0645ad; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ft. Benning</span></a><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> however the grave markers remaine.</span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camp_Blanding#cite_note-6"><sup><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #0645ad; font-size: 8.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">[6]</span></sup></a><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Additionally five settler era cemeteries
are located on Camp Blanding property. Most are not maintained and are heavily
overgrown.</span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camp_Blanding#cite_note-7"><sup><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #0645ad; font-size: 8.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">[7]</span></sup></a><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(248, 249, 250); line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #202122; font-family: arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 6.0pt; margin: 6pt 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">At one point during the war, the camp contained the population
of the fourth-largest city in Florida. It had 10,000 buildings, 125 miles
(201 km) of paved roads, and the largest hospital in the state. It was one
of the largest training bases in the country.</span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camp_Blanding#cite_note-i1108-8"><sup><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #0645ad; font-size: 8.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">[8]</span></sup></a><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 6.0pt; margin: 6pt 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">An expeditionary airfield consisting of two gravel runways
capable of accommodating </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C-130_Hercules" title="79th Infantry Division (United States)"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #0645ad; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">C-130 Hercules</span></a><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> aircraft has been added.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 6.0pt; margin: 6pt 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">From 2001 until 2008, Camp Blanding was used by the Southeast
Region of the </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civil_Air_Patrol"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #0645ad; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Civil Air Patrol</span></a><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> to host their Southeast Region Encampment for cadets. The
Florida Wing of Civil Air Patrol continues to use Camp Blanding for their wing-level
summer cadet encampments.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face=""Open Sans",sans-serif" style="background: white; color: #252525;">From
Wikipedia: </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camp_Blanding"><span face=""Open Sans",sans-serif" style="background: white;">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camp_Blanding</span></a><span face=""Open Sans",sans-serif" style="background: white; color: #252525;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<span style="font-family: arial;"><span face=""Open Sans",sans-serif" style="background: white; color: #252525; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br clear="all" style="break-before: page; mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" />
</span>
</span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; color: #252525; font-family: arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: #252525; font-family: arial;">Since
these brave young men died during intense fighting in Italy, here is the Wikipedia
entry for Anzio.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="background: white; color: #252525; font-family: arial;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<div style="border-bottom: solid #A2A9B1 1.0pt; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid #A2A9B1 .75pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 3pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid #A2A9B1 .75pt; mso-outline-level: 1; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 21.5pt;">Battle of Anzio<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 6.0pt; margin: 6pt 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN" style="color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The <b>Battle of
Anzio</b> was a battle of the </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italian_Campaign_(World_War_II)" title="Italian Campaign (World War II)"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="color: #0645ad; font-size: 10.5pt; text-decoration-line: none;">Italian
Campaign</span></a><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN" style="color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> of </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_II" title="World War II"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="color: #0645ad; font-size: 10.5pt; text-decoration-line: none;">World War II</span></a><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN" style="color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> that took place
from January 22, 1944 (beginning with the </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allies_of_World_War_II" title="Allies of World War II"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="color: #0645ad; font-size: 10.5pt; text-decoration-line: none;">Allied</span></a><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN" style="color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> amphibious landing
known as <b>Operation Shingle</b>) to June 5, 1944 (ending with the
capture of Rome). The operation was opposed by German forces in the area
of </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anzio" title="Anzio"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="color: #0645ad; font-size: 10.5pt; text-decoration-line: none;">Anzio</span></a><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN" style="color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nettuno" title="Nettuno"><span style="color: #0645ad; text-decoration-line: none;">Nettuno</span></a>.</span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Anzio#cite_note-4"><sup><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="color: #0645ad; font-size: 8.5pt; text-decoration-line: none;">[a]</span></sup></a><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Anzio#cite_note-FOOTNOTEMargaritis2019103-5"><sup><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="color: #0645ad; font-size: 8.5pt; text-decoration-line: none;">[4]</span></sup></a><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN" style="color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 6.0pt; margin: 6pt 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN" style="color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The operation was initially
commanded by Major General </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_P._Lucas"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="color: #0645ad; font-size: 10.5pt; text-decoration-line: none;">John P. Lucas</span></a><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN" style="color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">, of the </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Army" title="U.S. Army"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="color: #0645ad; font-size: 10.5pt; text-decoration-line: none;">U.S. Army</span></a><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN" style="color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">, commanding </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VI_Corps_(United_States)" title="VI Corps (United States)"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="color: #0645ad; font-size: 10.5pt; text-decoration-line: none;">U.S.
VI Corps</span></a><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN" style="color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> with the intention being to outflank German forces
at the </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winter_Line" title="Winter Line"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="color: #0645ad; font-size: 10.5pt; text-decoration-line: none;">Winter Line</span></a><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN" style="color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> and enable an
attack on </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rome" title="Rome"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="color: #0645ad; font-size: 10.5pt; text-decoration-line: none;">Rome</span></a><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN" style="color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 6.0pt; margin: 6pt 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN" style="color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The success of an
amphibious landing at that location, in a basin consisting substantially of
reclaimed </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marshland" title="Marshland"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="color: #0645ad; font-size: 10.5pt; text-decoration-line: none;">marshland</span></a><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN" style="color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> and surrounded by mountains, depended
on the element of surprise and the swiftness with which the invaders could
build up strength and move inland relative to the reaction time and strength of
the defenders. Any delay could result in the occupation of the mountains by the
defenders and the consequent entrapment of the invaders. Lieutenant
General </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_W._Clark" title="Mark W. Clark"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="color: #0645ad; font-size: 10.5pt; text-decoration-line: none;">Mark W. Clark</span></a><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN" style="color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">, commander of the </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Army_North" title="United States Army North"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="color: #0645ad; font-size: 10.5pt; text-decoration-line: none;">U.S.
Fifth Army</span></a><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN" style="color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">, understood that risk, but he did not pass on his
appreciation of the situation to his subordinate,</span><sup><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN" style="color: #202122; font-size: 8.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">[</span></sup><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed" title="Wikipedia:Citation needed"><i><sup><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="color: #0645ad; font-size: 8.5pt; text-decoration-line: none;">citation
needed</span></sup></i></a><sup><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN" style="color: #202122; font-size: 8.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">]</span></sup><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN" style="color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Lucas, who
preferred to take time to entrench against an expected counterattack. The
initial landing achieved complete surprise with no opposition and a jeep patrol
even made it as far as the outskirts of Rome. However, Lucas, who had little
confidence in the operation as planned, failed to capitalize on the element of
surprise and delayed his advance until he judged his position was sufficiently
consolidated and he had sufficient strength.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 6.0pt; margin: 6pt 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN" style="color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">While Lucas consolidated,
Field Marshal </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albert_Kesselring" title="Albert Kesselring"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="color: #0645ad; font-size: 10.5pt; text-decoration-line: none;">Albert Kesselring</span></a><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN" style="color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">, the German commander in
the Italian theatre, moved every unit he could spare into a defensive ring
around the </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beachhead" title="Beachhead"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="color: #0645ad; font-size: 10.5pt; text-decoration-line: none;">beachhead</span></a><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN" style="color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">. His artillery units had a clear view of
every Allied position. The Germans also stopped the drainage pumps and flooded
the reclaimed marsh with salt water, planning to entrap the Allies and destroy
them by </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epidemic" title="Epidemic"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="color: #0645ad; font-size: 10.5pt; text-decoration-line: none;">epidemic</span></a><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN" style="color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">. For weeks a rain of shells fell on the
beach, the marsh, the harbour, and on anything else observable from the hills,
with little distinction between forward and rear positions.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 6.0pt; margin: 6pt 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN" style="color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">After a month of heavy
but inconclusive fighting, Lucas was relieved and sent home. His replacement
was Major General </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucian_Truscott" title="Lucian Truscott"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="color: #0645ad; font-size: 10.5pt; text-decoration-line: none;">Lucian Truscott</span></a><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN" style="color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">, who had previously
commanded the U.S. 3rd Infantry Division. The Allies broke out in May. But,
instead of striking inland to cut lines of communication of the </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/10th_Army_(Wehrmacht)" title="10th Army (Wehrmacht)"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="color: #0645ad; font-size: 10.5pt; text-decoration-line: none;">German Tenth
Army</span></a><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN" style="color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">'s
units </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Monte_Cassino" title="Battle of Monte Cassino"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="color: #0645ad; font-size: 10.5pt; text-decoration-line: none;">fighting
at Monte Cassino</span></a><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN" style="color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">, Truscott, on Clark's orders, reluctantly
turned his forces north-west towards Rome, which was captured on June 4, 1944.
As a result, the forces of the German Tenth Army fighting at Cassino were able
to withdraw and rejoin the rest of Kesselring's forces north of Rome, regroup,
and make a fighting withdrawal to his next major prepared defensive position on
the </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gothic_Line" title="Gothic Line"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" lang="EN" style="color: #0645ad; font-size: 10.5pt; text-decoration-line: none;">Gothic Line</span></a><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN" style="color: #202122; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 6.0pt; margin: 6pt 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #202122; font-family: arial; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(248, 249, 250); line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #202122; font-family: arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><input type="checkbox" /><i>This
is just an overview. Wikipedia has the in-depth account of the whole operation.<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(248, 249, 250); line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span lang="EN" style="color: #202122; font-family: arial; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(248, 249, 250); line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN" style="color: #202122; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>https://en.wikipedi</span>a.org/wiki/Battle_of_Anzio</span><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><b><i></i></b><p></p>Woodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15439536585199351784noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5544495330553076995.post-35457102787985657782020-12-28T19:23:00.002-06:002022-03-12T12:21:52.160-06:00A Killer on the Road<p style="text-align: center;"> <b>The Crime</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Apparently, on a whim, and desiring to get
his hands on some quick cash, Harvey McGraw, 20, decided to rob Jaxon’s Filling
Station, just south of Georgiana, Alabama. On the evening of March 16, 1939, he
killed some time loitering at the station, claiming he was waiting on a bus, as
Jaxon’s was also a Greyhound bus station. As the hour neared midnight at the
all-night station, two men from the Montgomery area arrived at the station. One
report states that the two men, Clifford T. Mann, 28, and Charles Wilkinson,
23, were in the station drinking a glass of milk, and they intended on renting
one of the available cabins for the night. McGraw asked the attendant, Dennis
Moore for change for a quarter. When Moore opened the register, McGraw produced
a weapon and demanded the money. Different descriptions of the robbery say it
was either $24, or $37. He then forced the two men into their car at gunpoint.
Getting into the back seat, he told Mann to head south. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">McGraw had the misfortune of choosing a
target for his robbery that was equipped with a Police Transmission Radio Set.
The State Patrol had strategically placed these in locations around the state.
Dennis Moore immediately transmitted a call alerting Patrolmen Thigpen, and Sawyer
in Georgiana of the robbery, and kidnapping. Calls went out to Mobile, and
Pensacola, and a net was spread through southern Alabama. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">McGraw was smart enough to keep away from
the larger towns. He later was heard to say that he made Mann drive at speeds
of 70 to 90 miles per hour. From the Greenville Advocate, March 30, 1939, <i>“He
had them leave U.S. 31 at McKensie, 6 miles south of the robbery site. At Red
Level he left the McKensie-Andalusia highway and took a short cut over to the
Andalusia-Brewton highway. At East Brewton he switched to the Brewton-Milton
highway.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">By taking this route he was able to avoid
officers watching the towns of Evergreen, Andalusia, and Brewton. The car ran
out of gas about 8 miles north of Milton, near the Allentown community. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">He made Mann, and Wilkinson get out of the
car and began to tie them together, when according to McGraw when telling the
story later, one of the men made a grab at the pistol. He shot him, and then shot
the other one for trying to intervene in the struggle. It should be noted that
both men were shot several times in the head, chest, and the back. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">About a half of a mile away, farmer Turpen
Wiggins, (the news paper articles use Williams, but no Turpen Williams can be
found), heard what he thought was a series of automobile backfires around 3:30
am. Later around 8:30 he saw a vehicle parked about 200 yards off the road and
walked over to investigate, where he found the two bodies tied together. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Who Was Harvey McGraw?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Harvey was the son of Elmer McGraw, a well-known
resident of the Appleton community which lies north of Brewton. He was on
parole from the Atmore prison after serving 6 months of a 1-to-5-year sentence
for attempted burglary. He twice in one night tried to enter the home of W.F.
Dantzler on the Appleton road, but was frightened away both times. He was
convicted in October 1937. Harvey was known in the Brewton area, and had once
worked in the Box Factory of the T.R. Miller Company. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Victims<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Clifford T. Mann was originally from
Elmore County, Alabama, but moved to Montgomery to engage in the Real Estate
business. About four years before his murder, he became associated with the
Praetorian Life Insurance company. He later became the General Agent, and
office manager for the district. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Charles Wilkinson was a native of Montgomery,
and currently unemployed. Previously he was a traveling salesman. He was
accompanying his friend on his business trip at the time of the abduction.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Capture<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">A cab driver named Dick Carpenter, had a
radio in his taxi. He heard a broadcast of the wanted murderer/kidnapper, and
thought of a fare he had earlier driven from Milton to the L&N depot in
Pensacola. He remembered the fare because the guy said he was going to catch a
train heading east, which would have passed back through Milton. Carpenter
alerted the police who contacted Sheriff Harrell in Chipley, Florida.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Sheriff Harrell boarded the train when it
reached Chipley with a description of the wanted man. He approached McGraw and
took him into custody. McGraw did make an attempt to use his pistol, but the
Sheriff disarmed him and removed him from the train.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">After the Arrest</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">McGraw immediately confessed to the
kidnapping, and killing of Mann, and Wilkinson. Alabama could have tried him
for armed robbery, which at the time, could have resulted in the death penalty.
The Federal Government, also, could have tried him for kidnapping under the
Lindbergh Law which could have resulted in a death sentence. Both Alabama, and
the Feds were content to let Florida handle the trial, and punishment. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">He quickly became known as a
happy-go-lucky young man who liked to sing and play guitar. He had an abundance
of talent and people would visit to listen to him perform. On May 3, a routine
cell inspection found a pistol, fashioned from a bar of soap, was discovered.
There was one humorous report that he tried to break out of jail and when he
brandished his soap gun at a guard, the barrel fell off exposing his ruse.
Sheriff Joe Allen denied that that had happened. He said it was found in the
search. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">At the end of May an arraignment was held
with Circuit Judge L.L. Fabisinski and McGraw pled guilty to two counts of first-degree
murder, throwing himself on the mercy of the court. The proceeding had to be
delayed for a few hours because McGraw was under 21 so his father, Elmer, had
to be retrieved from the Castleberry, Alabama area to attend the arraignment. His
court-appointed attorney, Woodrow Melvin had a conference with the McGraw’s to
give them options, but Harvey insisted on the guilty pleas. He was heard to
say, “What’s the use? I’m going to burn anyway”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The following day Judge Fabisinski sentenced
McGraw to death. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Either, just before, or just after his
court appearances, Harvey McGraw was baptized in Pond Creek on Highway 90, west
of Milton. His grandfather, Sherman McGraw was a Holiness Minister, and had
visited Harvey in jail. When the Judge was asked if he could be baptized, he said
it was up to Sheriff Allen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Sheriff,
at least two deputies, and about 30 Holiness preachers led by E.G. Holley, met
a Pond Creek. Harvey wearing a white shirt, and dungarees, and handcuffed to
Deputy Purvis Baxley, Sr., (whose son Purvis, Jr. years later was the first
principal of King Middle School), stepped into the water and was baptized. “I
feel saved now”, was all he had to say. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">On June 17 it was reported in the
Pensacola Journal that Harvey gave a statement through his attorney, Woodrow
Melvin, for publication in the area newspapers. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">“I wish to express my extreme regrets for
the crimes I have committed, trusting that the public will realize that I KNOW
what a terrible deed it was. I trust that folks who think that the only reason
I am grateful is because I was caught and sentenced, will change their views on
the matter. Everyone knows that I entered pleas of guilty at my trial in
circuit court here last month, which proved that I wasn’t seeking to evade
justice.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Harvey McGraw<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">On September 4, 1939, approximately 6
months since he committed the crimes, Harvey McGraw was led to the execution
chamber at Raiford prison. At 10:06 am, Sheriff Joe T. Allen “turned the
rheostat” which sent the current through his body. McGraw made no final
statement to the 38 witnesses but he did silently mouth the Lord’s Prayer while
it was recited by Prison Chaplain, Rev. Leslie Sheppard. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">McGraw’s father and uncle were at the
prison but did not go to the death chamber. They were there to take his body
back home for burial. The paper claimed he was going to be buried at the Center
Grove cemetery, north of Brewton. Actually, his remains, along with other
family members are located at the Zion Hill Baptist Church cemetery. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Clifford T. Mann left a widow. He married
Eva Louise Glover in Montgomery on April 18, 1936. She also worked for the same
Insurance Company, and they had no children.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Charles Wilkinson also left a widow, but
no children. He married Mary Lou Hughes on Jun 21, 1938 in Montgomery.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">The two friends who were just in the wrong
place, at the wrong time are both buried in Section One at the Greenwood
Cemetery in Montgomery.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Jaxon’s Service Station was a well-known establishment
in southern Alabama. It was located on Highway 31, about one mile south of
Georgiana. It was also a Greyhound Bus station, and had tourist cabins to rent
by travelers. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0gMoBCSsktVJQiZuYrD6PSRMihiseO0FHPNfzv8xseCLw7s4CPFLdC9PXDkW3zjy4A9ZqojunquZk4f5M0Lpt-YR15ILMuy6WL9xw_ixEpdsi24OlLJ73qmIT4YsVn36KRDYBWHEiYelV/s2509/The_Montgomery_Advertiser_Sat__Mar_18__1939_+%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2509" data-original-width="1253" height="377" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0gMoBCSsktVJQiZuYrD6PSRMihiseO0FHPNfzv8xseCLw7s4CPFLdC9PXDkW3zjy4A9ZqojunquZk4f5M0Lpt-YR15ILMuy6WL9xw_ixEpdsi24OlLJ73qmIT4YsVn36KRDYBWHEiYelV/w240-h377/The_Montgomery_Advertiser_Sat__Mar_18__1939_+%25281%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Williams-or-Wiggins<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">I could not find through census records, or marriage
and death records, anyone named Turpen Williams. I did find, however, a farmer
in the Allentown census record of 1940, named Turpen Wiggins. Since Turpen is
an uncommon name, and Wiggins could have been misunderstood as Williams, I
believe Wiggins was the actual name. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">1940 FL / Santa Rosa / 57-15 (Allentown)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Wiggins, Turpen 48 Alabama
Farmer<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Claudie 35 Alabama, wife<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Vernell 17 Florida, daughter<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Joseph T. 15 Florida, son<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Dewey 12 Florida, son<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">James Dewey Wiggins b. 7 Dec 1927<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Joseph Turpen Wiggins b. 24 Feb 1926<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">Dora Vernell Wiggins b. 15 Oct 1924, md
Rassie Thrash (1911-2006) 19 Sept 1942 in SRC.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b>From The Milton Gazette, 23 March 1939</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUtsbdKdxTzQV0CV4It3zvcow1HQYWnboXJIzumuVx2-owFJ3J6ZnbsITDflufztkocLugLE45c_OEo0XJxTjbP_elhIztMWtI85ZdFDxg96DhUFJBiRcy1dCE-RpJuMfu_c8OUwMDL0NZ/s2967/Turpin+Wiggins.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2967" data-original-width="1060" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUtsbdKdxTzQV0CV4It3zvcow1HQYWnboXJIzumuVx2-owFJ3J6ZnbsITDflufztkocLugLE45c_OEo0XJxTjbP_elhIztMWtI85ZdFDxg96DhUFJBiRcy1dCE-RpJuMfu_c8OUwMDL0NZ/s320/Turpin+Wiggins.jpg" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjjkJcEoSqsH7FmSjNXfT2Rdg_kd__jCOPzMnY0Gi7oP3fy21E1N30zY8tya7OU6-3A7UrHPofzCY3w5LSZj7ZS-eaKSRAUemRCGhPahm-BsKB61Ql28awUdH5E4sXp6R8RxBoLOPzobfjgDUQLLQJ5PeZrR3cnh65OfAI_zXORe0SuCfEqg4abTG7HvA=s8113" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="8113" data-original-width="4587" height="565" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjjkJcEoSqsH7FmSjNXfT2Rdg_kd__jCOPzMnY0Gi7oP3fy21E1N30zY8tya7OU6-3A7UrHPofzCY3w5LSZj7ZS-eaKSRAUemRCGhPahm-BsKB61Ql28awUdH5E4sXp6R8RxBoLOPzobfjgDUQLLQJ5PeZrR3cnh65OfAI_zXORe0SuCfEqg4abTG7HvA=w319-h565" width="319" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pensacola Journal 18 March 1939</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><b><br /></b></span><p></p></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span><o:p></o:p></span></p>Woodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15439536585199351784noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5544495330553076995.post-20195500605744918752020-10-17T15:09:00.000-05:002020-10-17T15:09:56.595-05:00Burden of Guilt<p> </p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The
Crime<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>At 2
am on 1951’s Easter Sunday, a truck driver from Chickasaw, Alabama named J.W.
Kitchens, stopped to refuel at Joe Guidry’s Standard Oil Service station, at
the intersection of Hwy 98, and State road 85, near the Indian Mound in
downtown Ft. Walton Beach. Upon entering the station, he found the body of the
attendant, Romeo A. Beaudry, a crippled ex-pilot who was working there on his
scheduled night off. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Kitchens
spread the alarm, and soon was joined by night-policeman Buck Burnham, and
Constable Oscar Bengtson. The victim had been shot 4 times, twice near the
heart, once in the throat, and once above the left eye. There was no evidence
of a robbery. The next morning Paul, and Arthur Bond, children of the Spanish
Villa operator, discovered a .32 caliber pistol hidden beneath a piece of tin,
on the Indian mound, and turned it over to the police.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The
Victim<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Romeo
Albert Beaudry was almost 50 years old the night he died. He lived in the Santa
Rosa Community about 15 miles east of Ft. Walton Beach. His background is not
well documented. He was born in Baltimore, Maryland 30 March 1901. He was in
the U.S. Army as a Private in the 38<sup>th</sup> Infantry from Nov. 1923 to
April 1927. His WW2 draft registration shows him living in Washington Co,
Mississippi in Feb. 1942. He had worked for a time at Nowak Radio and Appliance
Service in Warrington, Escambia Co., Florida off and on for a few years, and
had left there in mid-February, shortly before beginning his job at the
Standard Oil Station at the highway 90 intersection in downtown Ft. Walton
Beach. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>On
early Easter morning when he was killed, he was wearing a red jockey hat with
Army Air Corp wings. It is unclear when he would have earned them unless it was
during his time in the Mississippi National Guard. In WW2 he was in Norfolk,
Virginia as a radioman working in a shipyard. A couple of nights before he was
killed, he talked to a local reporter, Jane McCreary, of the Playground News.
He told her he had been injured in a crash during his service. “There’s hardly
a part of me that hasn’t been patched up”. Injuries kept him in hospitals for
years, and got him a disability pension from the government. He told the
reporter that he had lived in Jackson, Miss., where he met and married his wife
and operated a radio shop. He was a member of the Miss. National Guard, and had
piloted a crop duster, spraying cotton fields for the boll weevil. He was an
honorary game warden and an insomniac who sometimes wandered the streets at
night. He spoke fluent French, and also drove an ambulance for the McLaughlin
Funeral Home in Ft. Walton Beach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
told the reporter, “Civilization is nothing but refined barbarism”. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj89ssKgpD4nGXG4ccjV7FKFk18TBWEnQdpxIz_19cnhxyDyVnnIpZagAZHfjlObpzgxvxgsTJU9xJFBq00o9sFDzs_h-aVzZgmsbS5VrprLu_-8Y1eWkxK2Jjnx4yjWMFTORdCEYpCTO7H/s2048/Pensacola_News_Journal_Wed__Aug_1__1951_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16px; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1292" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj89ssKgpD4nGXG4ccjV7FKFk18TBWEnQdpxIz_19cnhxyDyVnnIpZagAZHfjlObpzgxvxgsTJU9xJFBq00o9sFDzs_h-aVzZgmsbS5VrprLu_-8Y1eWkxK2Jjnx4yjWMFTORdCEYpCTO7H/s320/Pensacola_News_Journal_Wed__Aug_1__1951_.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The
Investigation<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>There
were no obvious clues left at the scene. Beaudry wore braces on his legs that
had to be adjusted before he could stand. Since there seemed to be no attempt
to stand, and a partially eaten sandwich on the desk, it was then assumed that
the murder was committed by someone known to the victim. The gun found by the
Bond children was traced to a shop in Pensacola. It had been purchased on 13
February, but there was no record of the buyer. Beaudry had started working at
the station around that same time, and Constable Bengtson learned that Beaudry’s
wife Cora, had taken out an insurance policy on the 2<sup>nd</sup> of February.
By April 1, a reward of $1200 had not been claimed, and “all leads were
exhausted”. Then in walks 19-year-old William Whoolery.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>On
July 31, 1951, Constable Bengtson announced the arrests of William Dickson
Connerly, a Pensacola radio repairman on a murder charge. Also arrested was the
victim’s wife Cora Beaudry as an accessory. Also held was a 19-year-old Destin
fisherman named William Homer Woolery. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Constable
Bengtson said that on Sunday, July 29, William Whoolery came into his office
and claimed that he knew who killed Beaudry, because the victim’s widow had
told him. Bengtson then began using Whoolery as an undercover investigator
because he lived near the Beaudry home. The 19-year-old claimed that Mrs.
Beaudry had tried to kill herself, by taking pills, and while being driven to
the White Clinic in Ft. Walton Beach, tried to jump out of the moving vehicle.
Dr. White, at the clinic later told Bengtson that he thought Mrs. Beaudry had
swallowed about 20 aspirin tablets, and about 8 phenobarbital pills. He said
when she was brought into his clinic she was in a, “highly nervous, and excited
condition.” When asked if he could tell if she had ingested phenobarbital, the
Doctor said, “I don’t think it was anything else.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Whoolery
claimed that while at the clinic, Mrs. Beaudry told his parents to “Go get
Willie”, because she wanted to tell him who did it. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Bond
was set at $5000 for Connerly, and $2500 for Mrs. Beaudry. Whoolery requested
to remain in jail for the time being.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>From his cell, Connerly, a Pensacola Naval Air Station Radio Mechanic,
and former vocational school instructor said, “It was the greatest shock of my
life when ‘Lou’ Beaudry was killed”, then a greater shock when he was arrested.
“I’m charged with the murder of my best friend.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Connerly said he and Beaudry met in Jackson,
Mississippi in February of 1942 when both were members of the state guard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the two families moved to the Panhandle,
they remained in touch. “I can prove I was attending a wake, and a funeral the
night Lou was killed”.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In
her cell, Mrs. Beaudry said she did not believe Connerly killed her husband.
She also denied attempting suicide. “I’ve got two children; I’m not going to do
anything that will bring shame to them”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She said she asked the Whoolery’s to take her to the hospital when she
had a gall-bladder attack, and had taken 4 to 5 aspirin. She also said she had
discussed her husband’s death with Whoolery, and had mentioned Connerly, but
had never accused him of the murder.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>On
the 3<sup>rd</sup> of August, the Pensacola Journal reported that Connerly had
been released from jail on a writ of habeas corpus filed his Pensacola
attorney, Richard Merritt. The finding was that there was insufficient
evidence. In the same hearing, Mrs. Beaudry was to remain in jail due to
testimony from Whoolery, and his mother, who both said they had heard her say
she knew who did it. The charges against Connerly were dropped. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Mrs.
Cora Beaudry was released 30 August when an Okaloosa Grand Jury refused to indict
her. She eventually remarried and passed away in 2001 while living on the Kenai
Peninsula in Alaska.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>There
was another man detained by Constable Bengtson named William Floyd Carnley. He
was questioned for a few hours, and released. This was done without a warrant.
Of course, his name was later listed in the local newspapers as a suspect in
the killing. In 1952, two $50,000 lawsuits for malicious prosecution, and false
arrest were brought against Bengtson, by both Connerly, and Carnley. Both suits
were thrown out in July.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Mr.
X confesses to a Cold Case<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">On
March 7, 1963, a married construction worker with three children living in
Johnstown, NY confessed to his priest about killing a crippled man during a
botched service station robbery in Ft. Walton Beach, Florida early on Easter
morning back in 1951. Easter was approaching and the christening of his
8-month-old child was to be held Sunday. The priest talked him into going to a
local attorney, Mario Albanese. The attorney called Ft. Walton Police Chief
Ralph Hendrix and said a client had told him he knew something about the
Beaudry case. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His confession was due to
a heavy burden of guilt with the possibility that some innocent person had been
punished for the crime. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Reporters
from the Pensacola Journal, learned of the confession and the man’s name, and
location. They called Attorney Albanese, and he confirmed the name of his
client. The reporter then called his client and he was more than willing to tell
the Journal his story. He claimed he and a companion were involved in the
killing, and he had let the authorities know the name of his accomplice. He
also said that he could not remember exactly if he had pulled the trigger. He
claimed they had been drinking at The Spanish Villa shortly before they decided
to rob the gas station. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
Journal referred to the man as “Mr. X”, because he hadn’t been arrested, or
charged at the time they talked to him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Mr. X revealed that at the time of the murder, he, and his companion
were Air Policemen at Eglin, AFB in Ft. Walton.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>After the killing, they went AWOL and were both arrested for robbery in
Maryland. He served one year of a three-year sentence and stayed out of
trouble, getting married and having three children before his confession.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In
the Saturday issue of the Pensacola Journal, Mr. X was revealed to be <b>Anthony
F.</b> <b>Glionna</b>, of Johnstown, New York. He was being detained in New
York. Sheriff Ray Wilson, and State Attorney William Frye were in Baltimore to
arrest Glionna’s alleged accomplice.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>There
were extradition hearings in both New York, and Baltimore for the two suspects,
and on April 5, 1963, it was reported that Deputy Reubin Hendrix departed for
Johnstown, NY to return Glionna to Crestview for trial. A hearing to return
Glionna’s alleged accomplice, <b>Walter Richard Allen</b> was scheduled, but
Allen waived extradition and was transported to Okaloosa County. Glionna’s
extradition papers were signed by New York Governor Rockefeller and he was
turned over to Okaloosa Deputy Driscoll Oglesby on April 5. They both arrived
at the Okaloosa County Jail within hours of each other. On 10 April they were
both arraigned and entered pleas of innocence. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>On
May 3, an Okaloosa Grand Jury returned a true bill indicting Anthony Glionna
with First Degree murder in the death of Romeo Beaudry. Since April 29, Glionna
had been at the State Mental Hospital in Chattahoochee when court-appointed
psychiatrists found that he was not capable of assisting with his defense.
Walter Richard Allen had been granted immunity by State Attorney Bill Frye, and
was to be used as a prosecution witness. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Walter
Richard Allen’s Story<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Allen
sat for a two-hour interview after his testimony at the Grand Jury proceedings.
This is from the Pensacola New-Journal, Sunday, May 5, 1963.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i>“Glionna
and I were both stationed in the Air Police Squadron at Eglin Field. We were
the best of friends, where one went the other went.</i> <i>We just seemed to be
compatible, and in fact, he was the only person with whom I had ever been close
until that point in my life.<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Glionna
was a three-striper at the time and I was a one-striper. I had been at the base
for about a year and Glionna had been there for two years. On the night of the
slaying, we did not go into town together, although I’m not now sure of the
reason. It could have been one of us had a date, or one had late duty or some
other reason. We first met that night in town, and this is not hard to do in
Fort Walton Beach in 1951 because the entire community was centered in just
four blocks along Main Street.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“At
first sight it was apparent that Tony was different than I had seen him before,
because he showed me a pistol and said he intended to do away with the town
constable, (</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The late Oscar Bengtson), <i>with whom he
had been involved in an altercation much earlier. He was heading toward the
constable’s office on Main Street and I talked long and hard and pulled at him
to keep away from completing his mission. We walked on past after a delay in
front of the office and continued the argument about doing away with the
constable and then we entered the Hi Hat where we ordered a drink.<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Tony
produced the gun below the level of the bar and threatened to kill the owner
and his wife and I quickly pushed him toward the door. I didn’t feel that I was
in danger myself because throughout the arguments he acted as though he needed
me. We started the argument again about his intention of killing someone and
after we passed the Spanish Villa, I finally left him and returned either to
the bar or café portion of the Spanish Villa. I was tired</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> <i>of
arguing and told him he was on his own.<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“It
was only a short time later, maybe 10, or at most 15 minutes, when he came in
and said he had shot the service station attendant and threw the gun away. He
told me that I was in it with him and asked what we should do. The only thing I
could think was to get back to the base. We hailed a taxi and made the trip to
the base in complete silence and that was the last time that we ever talked of
the murder until we met again in the Crestview jail. It seemed to build a
barrier between us, and at the same time it caused a kinship to develop that I
couldn’t seem to shake.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“We
both remained at Eglin for a period of five months and contrary to some
reports, I did not go AWOL, </span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">(Absent, without Leave), <i>from
Eglin. I worked for a transfer and finally got shipping orders to the west
coast and Tony decided that we should not be separated and he decided to go
AWOL and returned to Baltimore with me on my delay leave. We ran out of money
on the way and decided to hold up a grocery store, along with another boy that
had joined us. We pulled the job and got caught and after being sentenced and
while in jail I was declared AWOL.<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“After
we finished our time on that sentence and were paroled, I remained in Baltimore
and Tony went back to his home in New York. I saw him only one time before
being returned to Crestview and that was about a year after we were released
from the Maryland reformatory. He came to Baltimore and suggested that I should
join him on a trip to Miami. We spent several weeks in Miami and in New Orleans
and at the result of breaking our parole. I felt that someday Tony would tell
about it but all those years I just kept trying to disappear.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“When
I learned of Glionna’s statement implicating me, I felt he had done it to prove
a reason for the slaying, but after talking with friends in Baltimore I decided
to turn myself in and face the consequences, although with my record I felt it
was five-to-one against me. After I stood in the Baltimore Police Station for a
few minutes, I walked on out another door without talking to anyone. Then I
decided to return and went straight to a telephone and called my friend before
asking for Sgt. Callahan of the fugitive squad. Callahan had been the officer
that visited my friends and I’ll have to admit that he played fair with me and
kept me posted on the case. In fact, it was his information about Glionna being
extradited that led me to agree to waive extradition and head for Okaloosa
County to have the thing over with.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“I
saw Tony soon after I arrived in Crestview, and although we exchanged greetings
and shook hands in the lobby of the jail we didn’t really talk. It was one of
those things like, ‘Hi, Al, how are you?’ ‘I’m fine and you, Tony?’ Even after they
moved Tony into a cell by himself, a cell next to the one in which I was being
held we still didn’t really talk except for Tony asking for cigarettes.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“It’s
hard to explain what I felt I would find when I was brought back here, but it
was pretty rough territory when I left and there didn’t seem to be much
possibility that it had changed. Since we’ve been in Crestview, I’ve spotted
several people that I’d known while stationed at Eglin. It seems that a great
many of them are either still here or have retired or settled in the Eglin
area.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Allen
became a trusty during his time in the Okaloosa County jail after being granted
immunity by Judge Charles A. Wade on a petition filed by State Attorney William
Frye. The state wanted to use him in Glionna’s prosecution. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Allen
soon was released with the promise to return when, and if, Glionna stood trial.
In the Sacramento Bee on Feb 15, 1964, there is a report of Walter Richard
Allen charged with the burglary of the West Sacramento Post Office on November
27. Charged with theft of government property, and bail was set at $5000. I haven’t
been able so far to find any further information about Allen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Glionna<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Over
the next few years Anthony Glionna was returned to Okaloosa County periodically
for examination to determine if he was mentally able to stand trial for the Beaudry
murder. In 1966 during one of his examination periods, Glionna went on a hunger
strike in the Okaloosa County jail. Sheriff Wilson returned him to
Chattahoochee.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In
February 1974, the murder charges were dropped. Glionna had been committed to the
State Mental Hospital in Chattahoochee since 1963 when it was determined that
he exhibited Schizophrenic, and psychotic behavior. While dropping the charges
Assistant State Attorney Walter Anderson notified the court that the chain of
evidence was “hopelessly broken”. He cited the deaths of material witnesses,
including some investigators, and the fact that Glionna did not have council
before he confessed and the possibility that he may have been insane at the time.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Anthony
lived until 26 March 1998 when he passed away in Camillus, Onondaga County, New
York. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>An
interesting sidebar to this case is the State Attorney William Frye. When the
original crime was committed in 1951, he was a member of the same Air Police
unit that Glionna, and Allen were members of. In 1963 he was the State Attorney
who traveled to New York to investigate the claims of guilt made by Glionna,
and would have prosecuted him if he went to trial. In 1972, Frye was the
District Circuit Judge where Glionna was released. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>Woodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15439536585199351784noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5544495330553076995.post-84937927863951362272020-08-06T10:55:00.000-05:002020-08-06T10:55:20.197-05:00A Killing, A Brothel, and .....<span id="docs-internal-guid-435ccdb9-7fff-6215-006f-a48d785b5634"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In the early evening of August 26, 1924, James R. Armantrout, a ship's carpenter living in Bay Point, (about 5 miles south of Milton), along with his 12-year-old son J.R., Jr. walked into the store near the L&N Depot owned by S.G. Collins, and shot Roland MacArthy four times killing him on the spot.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Armantrout then went directly to Sheriff Henry Clay Mitchell and handing him the murder weapon, surrendered peacefully. Sheriff Mitchell called a Coroner’s Jury and visited the site. Armantrout retained Milton Lawyer W.W. Clark to be his attorney, and bail was eventually set at $5000. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Armantrout said he killed MacArthy due to “Domestic Trouble”, claiming he was defending his home. Armantrout married Daisy Anderson from the Holley area back in 1909. They had five boys at the time of the killing. One of the boys, Vernon, who was born in 1919, was apparently fathered by MacArthy. Maybe Armantrout had just found out that a 5-year-old son that he was raising, was a product of an affair between his wife and MacArthy. Vernon was listed as an Armantrout in census records, but later used MacArthy as his surname. So, Armantrout claimed MacArthy had “improper relations” with his wife.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He was found guilty of 2nd Degree murder, and his lawyer appealed the sentence. I haven’t been able to find out what his sentence was, or how the appeal turned out. He and Daisy divorced in 1931, and in August of 1934 he married Billie Hollingshead in Santa Rosa County. In 1935 he was living in Okaloosa County. James Armantrout died in Ft. Walton Beach in 1948, and was buried in the Whitmire Cemetery in Pensacola.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Roland MacArthy was buried in the Bagdad Cemetery</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Five boys in the Armantrout home were James Roscoe, Jr. born in 1912,</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Victor Hugo, (Hughey) Born 24 March 1915.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lonnie Eugene, born 13 Feb 1917</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Floyd, and Lloyd were twins born 9 July 1922. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In 1935, Daisy Armantrout was arrested in Pensacola during a series of Liquor raids. I could not find out anything more. She was probably released and not charged.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In May 1941, Daisy Armantrout was the proprietor of the Bay Hotel, and Bar on South Palafox. On the evening of the 16th, the hotel was raided by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Department and nine people were arrested. Solicitor Forsyth Caro petitioned for a restraining order to close the establishment saying that it would be “manifestly injurious to morale, manners, and the health of our community,” and created a nuisance. The petition also stated, “ The defendants will continue to operate said business and to carry on the illegal acts unless restrained by order of the court.” The petition was directed at Daisy, Lloyd, Floyd Armantrout, Billie Armantrout Soto, (former daughter-in-law of Daisy), and Eva Mitchell who were arrested on a charge of operating a “House of Ill Fame.” Five additional females were being held on vagrancy with the possibility of facing additional charges after further investigation. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In the 17th century references can be found about Houses of Ill Fame. The next century saw the usage of “House of Ill Repute”. It’s funny that in the mid-twentieth century, such archaic terms were still being used. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The hearing for the Restraining order was before the Judge of the Court of Record, R. Pope Reese. Judge Reese was the son of a Confederate Veteran and was born in Smith Co., Texas in 1868. After his father’s death the family moved to Auburn, Alabama where his mother’s family was from. By 1888 he was living in Pensacola. Reese was admitted to the bar in February 1896, and was appointed to his present position in 1938. He had also been elected to the Florida Legislature in 1907, and was well-known, and respected throughout the Panhandle. Judge Reese would pass away a little over two months after this hearing, and be buried at St. John’s Cemetery.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">At the hearing, John M. Coe, who in a short time would be a pallbearer at Judge Reese’s funeral, would be representing the Armantrouts. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">On May 22nd Judge Reese would not have a hearing after he noted that the defendants were in jail and Solicitor Forsyth Caro made no effort to have them brought to court. He also referred to the absence of Herbert Latham, attorney originally retained by Mrs. Armantrout, and suggested that the State Bar Association, “Look into a few things.” Latham has not represented the Armantrouts in court. Hobart Villar, attorney for Mrs. Soto, was associated with Coe in cross examination of witnesses. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">On the 23rd all were present in the courtroom and the hearing proceeded. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Chief Deputy Guy Harvey, called as the first witness testified that the establishment had the “general reputation” of a “house of ill fame.” Judge Reese insisted that the witness deal separately with the Bar and the Hotel in his testimony. “What I would suggest, is that Mrs. Armantrout is not connected with all this. This woman, indicating Mrs. Soto, (I assume the defendants had been brought to the hearing), runs the rooms, or has a room there...we’ve got to make a line of demarcation...now they’re separate” he concluded. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">No Sir, they’re not,” Harvey insisted, “the stairway that leads upstairs runs right down into the bar rooms.” “Yes Sir, the Merchants Hotel, and the San Carlos Hotel stairs lead right down into the bar, yet how are you going to tell?” Judge Reese demanded.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Harvey said, “Mrs. Armantrout, her twin sons, the Mitchell woman, and Daisy Hudson were downstairs, and Mrs. Soto ran upstairs when we entered the Barroom to make the arrest.” He also said Mrs. Armantrout told him she was in charge of the place. “In charge of the whole building from top to bottom?” inquired the Judge.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When Defense attorney Coe asked Harvey if he knew of any other houses of prostitution, Caro objected. Judge Reese overruled him saying, “Everybody knows those things go on at the Plaza, the Manhattan, and the Merchants. I do!” Coe asked Deputy Harvey as to whether four other hotels had “call girls” but Harvey would not give an opinion on their reputations, insisting that if he had that information he would arrest the proprietors.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Harvey said the Sheriff’s Department had received its first complaint on Mrs. Armantrout’s place from a man who had, “filled a date” down there. “What’s his name?” the Judge demanded. Deputy Harvey sent someone to get the name from the records. “He was a Piker if he did come in and make a complaint like that. He was worse than a piker. I’ll tell the world!” The Judge was clearly upset. (</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Piker: One who does things in a small way. Tightwad, cheapskate.) </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Dr. W.T. Sowder, the U.S. Public Health official liaison officer for the local army/navy and local officials, said the Health Department treated 13 women for “social diseases” who gave the Bay Hotel as their address. Coe objected to that statement as hearsay, and Judge Reese sustained him. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sowder said he followed up many of the cases and had found that a “substantial number” of them did live there. He later named three girls and said the Health Department had administered 11 treatments to one of them. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Did you hang a sign on the place?” Reese asked. Sowder said he told Mrs. Armantrout to tell the girls that they “shouldn’t operate anymore”, and would have to leave town. “Did you tell her that in the presence of the girls?” the Judge asked. Sowder replied that Mrs. Armantrout was in his office and the girls were outside the door. Judge Reese said, “I’m going to rule that out. Not proper testimony.” He then said to Coe, “You better get up here and make some objections.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Twenty-year-old Daisy Hudson testified that Mrs. Armantrout and two other people came to her house in Holley to get her to “work the floor.” She said she worked for commissions from the “Jook organ”, and sale of wines and that “the guys pay for the rooms and we go to them.” She said she objected to “filling the first date”, but Mrs. Soto, who made the date for her, told her “it would be alright.” She said Soto got dates for her several times during the week she was there, but denied Mrs. Armantrout had ever suggested that she fill any dates. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mrs. Armantrout, described as a “plump, bare-legged, middle aged woman wearing a blue waitress uniform”, testified that she was the proprietor of the Bay Hotel and Bar, and denied she ever kept girls there for “immoral purposes”. She said she told all the girls she employed, “All you got to do is get money for the Victrola, and serve drinks.” Asked if she either knowingly, or unknowingly permitted girls to “fill dates” in the upstairs rooms, “Mama Daisy” as she was called by the girls, said “No Sir, I told them, they did not have to do that.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">On cross, Solicitor Caro, asked her about two girls named Nellie Smith, and Mary Riley. She said a man known to her as Jack Kirkland, (actually his name was Daniel Washington Kirkland), had offered to go to Dothan, Alabama and get his wife and sister to work for her after she complained that, “All the girls had left town.” She described how he returned one morning with two girls and she was surprised by their youth but did not learn until later that they were not his wife and sister. Kirkland was later arrested in a fight with some sailors in which he was allegedly defending the two girls, she testified. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mrs. Armantrout’s son Hughey had accompanied Kirkland on the trip to Dothan to pick up the girls. “He went because I had been up all night, or I guess I would have gone,” she said. She also testified that part of her establishment’s licenses were in the name of her son, J.R. whom she had bought out. “Is that the boy that’s at sea?” the Judge asked, “Yes”, she said.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Daisy denied Mrs. Soto had anything to do with her establishment, or with renting out of rooms upstairs. She said Soto was formerly married to her son and was here on a visit from her home in Texas. Judge Reese asked, “You weren’t running any house of prostitution, were you?” “No sir! I made my living downstairs.” she said. She also stated that she had a sign posted saying, “Furnished rooms for Men Only”, but sometimes took couples who registered as man and wife. She admitted telling the girls they “can make $9, or $10 a week if they try.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nellie Smith, 19, and Mary Riley, 17, were brought to Pensacola Kirkland, and “Mama Daisy’s” son Hughey and that Mrs. Armantrout greeted them by saying, “Well you got two pretty ones this time.” “You can make plenty of money if you use your head.” She claimed she had request to fill dates but none of them came from Mrs. Armantrout. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">After hearing the testimony, Judge Reese denied the petition on his opinion that there was insufficient proof of prostitution. He did enter an injunction restraining Mrs. Billie Soto from remaining in the hotel or doing business there. About Mrs. Armantrout, the Judge said, “I knew her father, old-man Anderson, lived up there in Holley, and they were the best people I ever knew in my life. That’s why I went into this case the way I did.” </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(Does that fully explain his obvious favoritism and bias for the fate of the Bay Hotel, and Bar? It makes you wonder.) </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Judge Reese reduced Daisy’s bond to $100. “Can you make that bond, Mrs. Armantrout?” “No sir, I can’t,” she replied. “If you can’t I’ll cut it down more. I’ve always found you to be a square woman and I don’t want to keep you in jail where your business is going to rack and ruin.” </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">After this hearing, Daisy Armantrout was held on a Mann Act violation by U.S. Commissioner E. W. Eggart, Jr. Her bond was set at $350. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Mann Act was also known as the White-Slave Act of 1910. The Long Title: An Act to Further Regulate Interstate and Foreign Commerce by Prohibiting the Transportation therein for Immoral Purposes of Women, and Girls, and for other Purposes.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A hearing was conducted in Federal court in which five witnesses were examined and sufficient evidence was found to hold defendants, (Daisy, her son Hughey, and Kirkland), to the next term of Federal Court, (November). The five witnesses heard were:</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mrs. Daisy Armantrout</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Nellie Smith</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mary Riley</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Deputy Eugene Forsyth</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">J.D. Colglazier, FBI Special Agent</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It was only necessary to prove that the two girls were entered “into conditions which would tend to lead to debauchery.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mrs. Armantrout admitted her car was used to make the trip to Dothan to pick up the two girls. She also supplied a full tank of gas, and $8 for the trip. She was down to only one girl for “hustling money on the Victrola”, and getting men to buy drinks. She spent the previous night in a cell in the U.S. Marshal’s office after being picked up on a complaint signed by Colglazier. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(She must have been detained after the previously described hearing in the Court of Judge Reese.) </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Daisy was serving a one-year sentence at hard labor in the Escambia County jail when the November term in the Federal Court started. She, her son Hughey, and Jack Kirkland were to be tried for violating the Mann Act. This time she was in Federal Court and had no friends on the bench. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">On May 8, 1942, Judge A.V. Long sentenced Daisy Armantrout to serve two years in the Federal Industrial Institute for Women in Alderson, West Virginia, upon conviction of violating the Mann Act. Daniel Washington Kirkland, (alias Jack), was also convicted on the white slave charge and received two years. Victor Hugo (Hughey) Armantrout was found not guilty. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Assistant U.S. Attorney William B. Watson handled the prosecution and the defendants were represented by J.M. Coe, and John Lewis Reese. Reese was the son of the late Judge R. Pope Reese, and Coe was a pallbearer at the Judge’s funeral. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">After Daisy finished her prison sentence she and her family moved to the Galveston, Texas area. She passed away there on 21 Jan 1968 of Chronic Hypostatic Pneumonia.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Both J.R. Armantrout, Jr. and his brother Lonnie Eugene had long careers as Merchant Mariners. J.R. died in Texas in 1976, and Lonnie died in King Co., Washington in 1987. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hughey died in Los Angeles in 1979. Lloyd passed away in Jan 2000. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Floyd Armantrout committed suicide in January 1972. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Daisy, Lloyd, Floyd, and J.R. are buried in Harris Co. Texas at the Forest Park East Cemetery. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The location of the Bay Hotel, and Bar is not clear. It seems it was located next to the San Carlos Hotel and shared a stairway going to the bar. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Daisy was the daughter of Johann Victor Anderson, and Caroline Frances Harvell of the East Bay/ Holley area in Santa Rosa Co., FL.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This material was heavily plagiarized from the Pensacola News Journal articles from May 1941, and others. </span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span>Woodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15439536585199351784noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5544495330553076995.post-2277644130234682492020-07-13T18:22:00.004-05:002023-06-18T17:40:58.831-05:00A Very Tragic Chain of Events<br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">This is
one of the most tragic tales I have stumbled across so far. So many different
families affected by the actions of two lawless young men. There was a fight in
a cafe/bar with a young man dying. Then a female companion of the two killers
was murdered because of what she witnessed, stripped of identification, and
covered with tree limbs in an unsuccessful attempt to conceal her body. There
was an attempt to kill two young boys who were in the wrong place at the wrong
time, with one of the boys later killing his own father, and a policeman. Then
later one of the original killers in this story stabbed, and killed a fellow
inmate in the state prison. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">John Andrew Riley, and Jerry Wayne
Blow<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">On April
9, 1969, John Andrew Riley, 25, his girlfriend, Barbara Pike, 20, who was
married with a 3-year-old child at home, and Jerry Wayne Blow, 19, went to the
Starlight Café in Birmingham, Alabama. While there they had an altercation with
22-year-old, Terry Norman Tranthan, who was an acquaintance of theirs. Witnesses
said that the foursome had sat and drank together for a while, and about 11:15,
a fight broke out and Tranthan was shot, and killed. The other three quickly
fled the scene. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">On
Wednesday, May 21<sup>st</sup>, Riley went to Mrs. Pike’s home to pick her up
and they left, apparently going to Pensacola and staying with Jerry Blow, who’s
mother was living in the area.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">The Todd’s go fishing<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">On May 24,
1969, Bartoe J. Todd took one of his children, Pete Todd, 6, and a friend,
Albert Lee, 9, fishing at Bayou Marcus, in West Pensacola. About 5:40 pm Mr.
Todd sent the two boys to where their car was parked to get some water. While
walking through the woods toward their car they heard a series of gunshots.
Curious, they continued to their parked station wagon where Pete climbed in to
retrieve a canteen of water. Young Pete heard Albert moan and was stunned to
see him stumble in front of the car and scream, “They cut me, run!” Pete ran
toward the swampland, but before he got too far heard a shot, and felt a sharp
pain in his elbow. He continued running as bullets whizzed past him. He kept
running until he reached his father. “Daddy, I’ve been shot! They’ve hurt
Albert bad!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mr. Todd picked up Pete and
started quickly walking back to the car. About halfway there, he found Albert
moaning in pain. He picked him up and carrying both of the young boys, he
reached his car and sped down the dirt road until he reached Ezell’s Grocery
store in Bellview where he phoned for an ambulance, and the police.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">Sheriff
Sgt. Don Powell, and Deputy Steve Dunn arrived at the store at the intersection
of Bellview Cutoff, and Lillian Highway. The officers searched the scene of the
attack looking for spent cartridges or any other evidence and loosely covered
with branches found the body of a young woman with multiple gunshot wounds.
Apparently the two little boys were attacked because they stumbled upon the aftermath
of a murder when the victim’s body was being concealed. The two boys survived
their wounds. Pete was treated and released, but Albert had to be admitted to
Escambia General Hospital in Satisfactory condition. Pete had a gunshot, and
stab wound to his arm. Albert had gunshot wounds and stab wounds.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUR_g0jCbP9wiyMRvwX4Cg_3yDax2jQtxsweh62nZaspTpg4lb8QxSmWTRA771zxQodhgy5KqVMiuwzxP__W2VN1GZ4xl8U8ahYobldXPiix0AYQBLtXa6IhK9Os62EoSsUjQdbr2G_GZx/s2048/Pensacola_News_Journal_Tue__May_27__1969_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1670" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUR_g0jCbP9wiyMRvwX4Cg_3yDax2jQtxsweh62nZaspTpg4lb8QxSmWTRA771zxQodhgy5KqVMiuwzxP__W2VN1GZ4xl8U8ahYobldXPiix0AYQBLtXa6IhK9Os62EoSsUjQdbr2G_GZx/s320/Pensacola_News_Journal_Tue__May_27__1969_.jpg" /></a></div><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">Identification, and Capture<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">The female
victim had been shot three times with a .22 caliber firearm and also shot with
number 9 bird shot in the chest. She was dressed in a black and red pin-striped
blouse, black slacks, and brown loafers. She had no identification on her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">Identification
was made when the Sheriff’s Department Identification Officer Robert Grant
lifted a fingerprint off the body, and later described in to the FBI. The
victim was identified as Barbara Pike, 20 years old from Birmingham, Alabama.
She had been arrested earlier in the year for prostitution. On Sunday, May 25,
the victim’s father Ted Pennington traveled to Pensacola to provide information
about his daughter. I believe this is when the authorities issued the “be-on-the-lookout”,
for Riley, and Blow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">On May 26,
Mrs. Pike’s body was flown from Pensacola back to Birmingham for her funeral on
May 29.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">The car
that was used in the disposal of her body was identified as a green and white
1957 Chrysler 4-door </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">sedan with Georgia license plate 4-A-1959.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">About 31
hours later in Lansing, Michigan, 25-year-old Estelle Beardsley, a former
exotic dancer who was now working as a waitress, saw two men drive her car away
from the restaurant where she was working. The restaurant was across the street
from City Hall/ Police station, and as her employer ran across the street to
report the theft, Estelle removed her high-heel shoes and started running
barefoot down the street after her car. The car had stopped at a traffic light.
When the light changed, she jumped into a cab and told the driver to, “Follow
that car!” They followed the car for a couple of blocks until the stolen car
stopped next to a car with Georgia plates where one man started transferring
belongings to her car. Jumping out of the cab she ran up to the driver of the
car and yelled, “What are you doing in my car?” The driver, later identified as
Jerry Wayne Blow, pointed a gun at her. About this time the police arrived. The
two men fled, and after a brief chase and a warning shot fired, the two men
surrendered. Riley and Blow were arrested for auto theft, but soon it was
found that they were sought for murder in Florida.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">On May 27,
Riley, and Blow were transferred from the jail in Lansing to the Ingham County jail in Mason. The Lansing police department contacted Florida authorities that
the two wanted men were in custody. States Attorney Curtis Golden, Escambia
County Sheriff W.E. Davis, Investigator John Greathouse, and Identification
Officer Robert Grant departed by car for Michigan. The Florida contingent drove
the 900 miles to Mason due to the amount of equipment and material they wanted
to bring with them. The only charges on Riley, and Blow at the time were Grand
Larceny for the auto theft. After questioning the two men waived extradition
and returned to Florida on May 31. The 1957 Chrysler sedan was driven back to
Pensacola by Officer Robert Grant. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">Jerry Wayne
Blow was no stranger to the Montgomery, Alabama police department. In November
1966 he was arrested for assault with intent to murder in connection with the
stabbing of two other youths in September, at Norman Bridge Road, and Augusta
St. He had escaped from the custody of Youth Aid Division detectives on August 3
where he was held for burglary. He was eventually paroled in March of 1969. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">In January
1970, Jerry Wayne Blow was convicted of murder after a jury of 9 men, and 3
women deliberated 4 hours and 22 minutes. The jury recommended mercy and Blow
was sentenced to life in prison. In August 1980, at the State Prison in Starke,
FL, Blow killed fellow inmate Bennie Boykin by stabbing him 7 times. Boykin was
pulling a 30-year sentence out of Palm Beach County for second-degree murder. The
motive for the slaying was not reported. He received another life sentence for
Boykin’s murder. As of July 2020, he was still incarcerated at Cross City
Correctional Inst., Cross City, FL.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">In May of
1970, John Andrew Riley was also found guilty, but in his case, there was no
recommendation for mercy, and he was sentenced to death. At the time of his
sentencing, no one had been put to death in Florida since 1964. In the June 1972,
<span style="background: white; color: #181818; letter-spacing: 0.6pt;">ruling in </span><em style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Furman v. Georgia,</em><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"> the U.S. </span>Supreme Court ruled by a vote
of 5-4 that capital punishment, as it was employed at the time on the state and
federal level, was unconstitutional. It was reinstated in 1976, but the previous
death sentences had been commuted to life terms. John Andrew Riley died in
prison in 2013.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">The Sad and Violent Life of Peter Todd<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">Little
Pete Todd was about 8 years old when he and a friend of his, were shot, and
stabbed by Riley, and Blow, because the two men thought that the boys had seen
them kill Barbara Pike. Imagine what
it must have been for him to process seeing his friend get assaulted and
seriously injured, and himself shot and stabbed. Pete was plagued by
nightmares following the May 1969 assault. He became paranoid, and aggressive
in the Special Education classes he attended before he quit school after the
sixth grade. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">His
father, Bartoe James Todd, Sr., was born in 1911 and was reported to have
around 18 children. In 1974 he was convicted of manslaughter in a car crash on
Fairfield Ave, in which 22-year-old Stephanie Forehand was killed. He was
traveling westbound on Fairfield and Forehand was eastbound. Todd attempted to
turn left onto Hollywood Ave, and hit Forehand’s car on the driver's side. She
died about 2 hours later. Her two-year-old son had minor injuries. His blood alcohol
level was measured at .14 two hours after the accident. The three children he
had in his car were treated and released at Baptist Hospital. I don’t know how
long he was in prison but by the summer of 1980, the Todds were living at 610
North D. Street. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">On August
30, 1980, Peter Todd was riding a bicycle when he was shot in the hand. He was
taken to the emergency room at Baptist Hospital to get his hand treated. He
became violent and had to be restrained by ten people while he growled and
barked like a dog. He was transferred to the University Hospital Psychiatric
ward, and one of the Pensacola Police Department officers transporting him was
Amos Cross. A retired Air Force security policeman who had been in the PPD for
about a year, and a half. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">While under
treatment at Lakeview Center, Peter received anti-psychotic drugs, but even so,
he crawled on the floor, hallucinated, continued to bark, growl and exhibit
explosive behavior. On September 5, the psychiatrist treating him, believing
Todd had improved, released him from the hospital. Within an hour, Todd was
thrown out of a bar, tossed a brick through a window, and shot a gun at the man
who he believed shot him in the hand. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">The next
day he was arrested, along with the man he accused of shooting him in the hand.
On September 8, County Judge William Henderson, unfamiliar with Todd’s past, or
that he was on probation for a previous offense, released him on his own
recognizance. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">On the night
of September 12, 1980, Peter got into an argument with his father. Someone
called the police, and Officer Amos Cross was the first to respond. As he
stepped up on the porch, Peter Todd shot him twice in the face with a shotgun,
killing him instantly. Officer Gary Cutler exchanged gunfire with Todd, and suffered
wounds to his hand, and leg but shot Todd in the head. The scene was secured
and Todd was taken to the hospital and survived his wound. During the
investigation at the house, Peter Todd’s father was found dead in the backyard
with a shotgun wound. Relatives later stated that the night before the
shooting, Peter had spent the night in a closet barking like a dog. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">After the
killings that night, Peter Todd went under court-ordered treatment at the
Forensic Unit and the Florida State Hospital in Chattahoochee. The psychiatric
reports about Todd in 1980-82 described Todd as flagrantly psychotic, and incapable of standing trial. In December 1983, Dr. Robert Berland
reported that Todd’s condition improved enough for him to stand trial. He faced
two murder counts, and one attempted murder for wounding Officer Cutler. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">In August
1984, Todd pleaded no contest and received a mandatory two life sentences, plus
30 years for attempted murder in the shooting of Cutler. He is still in prison,
(as of July 2020), at the Lake Correctional Inst. In Clermont, Florida. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">Officer Amos Cross<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">There were
three Pensacola Police Officers killed in the line of duty in the first 9
months of 1980. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">Officer
Cross was a native of the small town of Adel, in Cook County, Georgia. He was
retired Air Force where he had been a Security Supervisor. He moved to
Pensacola in October 1978. He was well-liked by the other officers that knew
him and had a good relationship with the civilians he had contact with. He was
married and had three sons. He, and his wife Margaret, attended classes at
Pensacola Junior College.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">Margaret
Cross filed a lawsuit against the Lakeview Center and the Psychiatrist who
released Todd from custody the week before the killings. In April 1987 a jury
consisting of 6 women ruled the defendants were not responsible. The attorneys for
Lakeview had offered a $450,000 settlement during the trial, because they felt
there was a real risk of losing the case. Mrs. Cross turned down the offer because she rightfully wanted them to be held accountable. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">Officer
Amos Cross was buried with full military honors at Ft. Barrancas National
Cemetery at Pensacola Naval Air Station.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdQFl75PLpuq06dk1fWX0WmZzY1H9-IPreLOHkeZV1_r6Ys06dMwg525ReoQYqboACwrCUtNM_xyF2w7ixC41-RNJmHU7dHzE9X9Ij3ZzvdTSD99OQ2Hcu6x-4tyJH8eWcoBAxoqbTduXD/s1600/Pensacola_News_Journal_Sun__Nov_24__1991_+%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1043" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdQFl75PLpuq06dk1fWX0WmZzY1H9-IPreLOHkeZV1_r6Ys06dMwg525ReoQYqboACwrCUtNM_xyF2w7ixC41-RNJmHU7dHzE9X9Ij3ZzvdTSD99OQ2Hcu6x-4tyJH8eWcoBAxoqbTduXD/s320/Pensacola_News_Journal_Sun__Nov_24__1991_+%25281%2529.jpg" width="208" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Officer Amos Cross<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">More Todd Tragedy<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">At about 7 pm
on March 4, 1995, Bartoe J. Todd, Jr. was in a phone booth at the Citgo Station
at 4404 N. Palafox, when a 16-year-old boy, who was acquainted with him shot
him in the chest. Todd ran to his car, pulled out onto Palafox, then looped
back around and parked at the station. When EMS arrived, he was almost dead. He
died soon after. His wife was 9 months pregnant, and he went to pick her up at
a hairdresser. She wasn’t ready yet so he went to the Citgo to buy a soda. It
is believed he was calling to see if his wife wanted him to get her something
to drink. The police believe robbery was the motive.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">So,
there it is. A tragic chain of events that is mind-boggling. So many families
and individuals were affected by these events. The bravery of Estelle Beardsley
causing the two killers to be captured. (although, realistically I’m sure they
would have been caught soon. They weren’t the smartest crooks) Barbara Pike’s
little boy growing up without his mother. The family of the original victim,
Terry Tranthan losing their son. Margaret Cross, losing her husband, and her
three sons losing their father, and even the Todd family and the pain they
suffered through Peter’s life, and dealing with the death of their father. It
is so sad.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<br />Woodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15439536585199351784noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5544495330553076995.post-76873965376206532822020-05-31T09:44:00.003-05:002023-07-08T11:57:31.439-05:00Murder on South Palafox<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Workplace Violence in 1905</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOwDlg5xwgQhnWuG6jRYIDgyjH5QlwZL2oEG7tZC9GvfddZohaH4P4S4ahgOjzu40QHxQAb8a4lMyznfmtxN2m0XYOF3tbyz8N0S8ybDx0Xtuy1-buVnp5IOFZxBnjq5AneFkTZ6uQ_vpA/s1600/Pensacola_News_Journal_Wed__Jul_19__1905_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="254" data-original-width="1600" height="50" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOwDlg5xwgQhnWuG6jRYIDgyjH5QlwZL2oEG7tZC9GvfddZohaH4P4S4ahgOjzu40QHxQAb8a4lMyznfmtxN2m0XYOF3tbyz8N0S8ybDx0Xtuy1-buVnp5IOFZxBnjq5AneFkTZ6uQ_vpA/s320/Pensacola_News_Journal_Wed__Jul_19__1905_.jpg" width="320" /></a></b></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">John
White, owner of the John White Store on South Palafox St. in Pensacola, was
sitting near the entrance to his store reading the afternoon newspaper. His
17-year-old son, Eddie, was standing about four feet from him. A clerk named
William Fletcher Williams, who worked for Mr. White, walked into the store,
passed by the seated owner, turned around quickly, and shot him twice. Eddie later
testified that Williams said, “<i>I don’t give a damn for any of you.” </i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">Williams
then turned and shot James White, also a son of John who was the manager of the
store. He then turned and shot Edwin Dansby, manager of the Furnishing department,
in the neck. Dansby collapsed immediately. Williams then shot at fellow clerk,
James Nix, missing him as he dodged behind a counter. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">Williams fired
five shots, only missing when he shot at Nix. He ejected the empty cartridges
and was attempting to reload when he was tackled by James White, covered in
blood from a chest wound. Entering the store at this time was Constable Charles
Bobe who heard the shots from the sidewalk, Robert McLellan, and Cuyler
McMillan. James White yelled, “Take him, Mr. Cuyler, I don’t know whether he
has killed me, or not.” McMillan grasped Williams around the arms and body, and
Constable Bobe and Mr. McLellan wrestled the gun away from him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">At the
time Williams began shooting, John White was seated with Eddie standing nearby.
James White was standing back and to the left of his father. Dansby was
showing clothing to a customer a little farther back. James Nix was showing a
lady customer goods on the other side of the store. Ernest W. Elliott, and
Chris Hendricks, also employees were closer to the rear of the store and took
cover.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrj6cMHAYq4PORF-VgEB9XOFiH4szfk3nnGGS6u2Ju-JOFyvEGgMGGSkAhbsy7_uLtcmfh61TsNJvXpvmlwuHveFbMP1pjnwR6M3f-wh6Swqf9N-7Ido9G2uHdELcWk-UUJjLxysOSB5yZ/s1600/Pensacola_News_Journal_Sun__Aug_13__1905_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1441" data-original-width="1600" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrj6cMHAYq4PORF-VgEB9XOFiH4szfk3nnGGS6u2Ju-JOFyvEGgMGGSkAhbsy7_uLtcmfh61TsNJvXpvmlwuHveFbMP1pjnwR6M3f-wh6Swqf9N-7Ido9G2uHdELcWk-UUJjLxysOSB5yZ/s320/Pensacola_News_Journal_Sun__Aug_13__1905_.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">Williams
was taken directly to the county jail by Constable Bobe and Mr. McLellan. As
they crossed the Plaza, they met Deputy Sheriff Sanders. When they informed
Sanders that Williams had just shot and killed Mr. White, Williams said, <i>“Me,
killed John White? I don’t remember anything about it.”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">James
White was helped to the office of Dr. D’Alemberte where he was examined and
sent to the hospital. Edwin Dansby was taken directly to the hospital, where he
was not expected to live, and died on July 22 at about 4 am. He was later buried
at St. John’s cemetery. <span> </span>John White’s
body was taken to an undertaker and then to his 423 East Gregory Street residence. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">A
Coroner’s Jury was assembled by Judge Landrum consisting of, D. Hale Wilson,
W.W. Watson, Charles F. Steward, W.C. Walker, Eddie Forchiemer, and William A.
Bond. The Jury examined the evidence at the crime scene and interviewed
witnesses. Williams was then charged with First Degree Murder.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">John White<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">He was 58
years old, born in Austria, and lived in Pensacola for 36 years. He started
selling tobacco, and articles used in the seafaring trades on the street. He
was successful, and over the years expanded until he established the John White
Store on South Palafox. It was the largest store of its type in the city. He
was married and had four children. He had a son, Mario who was in New York; his
son James who was managing the store, and two younger sons, Eddie, 17, and
Tommy 14. He is buried at St. Michael’s Cemetery. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">The Cause of the Shooting<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">Over a
period of time, it was determined that stock was missing from the store. Edwin
Dansby received a letter from a friend of his stating that a brother of Williams
named Archie was selling goods with John White markings at a store he owned in
the town of Century, in the northern part of the county. Mr. White asked
Constable Charles Bobe to investigate. Bobe and Dansby took the train north to
Century and found the items being sold in the store. Later, when confronted,
William F. Williams denied the items were stolen and with no further evidence,
and feeling a bit sorry for Williams, Mr. White dropped the matter. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">The other
employees, however, were keeping an eye on Williams. Williams felt the
not-so-subtle surveillance and began brooding about the situation. He also
began drinking, and the day of the shooting had been drinking steadily. Shortly
before the shooting he was sorting and rearranging stock with fellow clerk
James Nix. He then left the store for about five minutes. When he returned, he
began shooting. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">Jailhouse Interview<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">Williams
lived at 1101 West Government Street. His mother lived on West Gregory and
recently opened a boarding house there. He was about 24 years old. About 30
minutes after the shooting, in his cell, he was interviewed by a Journal
reporter named Percy S. Hayes. Hayes later said that Williams was very drunk,
and had vomited in his cell. He asked Hayes if John White was dead. When
convinced that was the truth, he said, <i>“Well, some people thought me soft,
but they found out different. If I die for this, I will die honestly and will
be like a man. John White was the best friend I ever had. He helped me out of
trouble. If he had kept other people out of his business, and not listened to
them I never would have done it. It is not him I was after; it was other parties.
They drove me to it. I won’t say who they are. They have dollars where I
haven’t even got cents. They are the ones who are the cause of it all. Just
because I tried to build myself up, they tried to pull me down. I started
digging roots and built myself up to what I am today. My only fault was that I
drank some. Yes, I may hang for this, but John White was surely my friend. He
was the best man in Pensacola, but then he brought it upon himself. If he had
done right, he would be alive today.”</i></span></div>
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<i><o:p></o:p></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">On August
2, James White was moved to his home on East Gregory Street from St. Anthony’s
Hospital. He recuperated quickly and was able to provide testimony at both
murder trials.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">A month
after the shooting, Williams was found guilty of first-degree murder
with a recommendation for mercy. This meant he was going to receive a life sentence. There was general disgust in the city that he did not get the
death penalty. When it was announced that he would be tried in Marianna for the
murder of Ed Dansby, it was felt that maybe a jury there would give him hanged.
It was not to be, however. The trial in Marianna produced the same result. The
jury voted 7-5 for a mercy recommendation resulting in a second life sentence. The
total cost for both trials was $6000. Williams was brought back to Pensacola
to wait until it was decided where the state was going to put him. His
father-in-law brought him meals while he was in the Pensacola jail. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">It was
generally felt that Williams had come from a good family. He was one of ten
children of William Julian Williams, and Lucretia Brown. He was the oldest boy,
born in August of 1882. His father worked as a Sawyer at a lumber mill in
Muscogee, and in 1900, the family was living on West Government Street. In Mr.
Williams 1932 obituary, it states that he was well thought of in the Muscogee
area. The article lists some of his children but doesn’t mention the one who
created all the havoc on South Palafox in 1905. Archie Williams later operated
a market on East Garden Street and died in 1950.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">The End of Mr. Williams<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">In the
1910 census, William Fletcher Williams is listed as an inmate at a State Prison
in Tallahassee, but by August of 1911, he was a trustee at the T.W. Shands
Company convict camp near Belmore, Florida. This was part of the controversial state
convict lease program. There were numerous camps across Florida where the State
would lease prisoners to privately owned turpentine camps, logging camps, and
even railroad construction. These companies paid the state for the use of prisoners
with no compensation going to the men performing the labor. It was basically
legally sanctioned slave labor. It was quite profitable for the state. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">As a “trustee”,
Williams had more freedom of movement, and on August 11, he rode away from the
camp. Green Cove Springs is about 16 miles northeast of Belmore. Williams rode
a horse into the yard of Mrs. Jessie Meeks with the intention of robbing the
place. Mrs. Meeks’ husband was away visiting a sick brother, and when she heard
someone outside, she assumed it was her husband returning home. She opened the
door and Williams shot and killed her. Her 16-year-old son Walter Meeks ran
toward the door and Williams shot him in the leg. Walter secured a shotgun, and
returned fire, hitting Williams in the leg. Williams turned to flee, and young
Mr. Meeks shot him in the back. Williams collapsed in the roadway and lay
there until he died the next morning. I assume the house was isolated, which is
probably why Williams selected it as a target. Meeks did not leave the house
and apparently, no one happened to pass by until the next day. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">The
remains of William Fletcher Williams were brought back to Pensacola and later
buried at the Pine Barren Cemetery, north of the city. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">James
Anicetta White, died March 5, 1943, and is buried at St. Michael’s Cemetery in
Pensacola. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">Ironically,
both James White and William F. Williams were born in August 1882.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYuXWWSjPJphRidfhEf0iz0h2nbKxdGcEtasi11RjXBnvs06d8uLijTCZi9Yy-2udEwnaU_Y1ayDcz7yMRM2eyOdm9NK06ots7n3OvNiX4ww2Yb9yMe7w1j1G4mCyhpvsK0_imOz_Jsn77/s1600/Pensacola_News_Journal_Wed__Jul_19__1905_+%25281%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1407" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYuXWWSjPJphRidfhEf0iz0h2nbKxdGcEtasi11RjXBnvs06d8uLijTCZi9Yy-2udEwnaU_Y1ayDcz7yMRM2eyOdm9NK06ots7n3OvNiX4ww2Yb9yMe7w1j1G4mCyhpvsK0_imOz_Jsn77/s320/Pensacola_News_Journal_Wed__Jul_19__1905_+%25281%2529.jpg" width="281" /></a></div>
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All pictures from the Pensacola News Journal July 1905.</div>
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<b></b>Woodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15439536585199351784noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5544495330553076995.post-71055563384818433122020-05-17T10:14:00.001-05:002023-06-22T10:16:21.804-05:00The Tragic Death of Big Ed Morris<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Big Ed Morris got into a fight one
night on the bank of Little Escambia creek, and died in the hospital in
Century, Fl three days later. This is his story.</span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLBNw1jGbChmY1HUkBFvlpNttluD955kafVfplA0tgkTPbAUddUhKW7I67g0CR-TogJMj-uwsoPNA9a8gYpEDlegzc3oH7c-UoQr4QHRU6Npq0ezwyUD4O0ZOqZv2DpMfpkRQJhjhT0wO6/s1600/Ed+Morris+Red+Sox.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="414" data-original-width="350" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLBNw1jGbChmY1HUkBFvlpNttluD955kafVfplA0tgkTPbAUddUhKW7I67g0CR-TogJMj-uwsoPNA9a8gYpEDlegzc3oH7c-UoQr4QHRU6Npq0ezwyUD4O0ZOqZv2DpMfpkRQJhjhT0wO6/s200/Ed+Morris+Red+Sox.jpg" width="168" /></a></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; text-indent: 0.5in;"> Walter
Edward Morris was born in Foshee, Alabama on 7 December 1899. His mother was
Ella Morris, and it is believed that his father was a sawmill operator known as
Captain Fuller. The 1900 census for Owen, Escambia Co, Alabama does list a
Levander Fuller, born in North Carolina in 1859. Ella, and her two children,
Edward, and Stella were living with her mother, Cornelia Morris, who kept a
boarding house, and her four brothers. In the 1910, and 1920 census, Ella and
her children were still living in Owen. There is no more sign of Mr. Fuller.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">In
the 1920 census Ed is listed as a laborer but he already had a reputation as a
talented up and coming pitcher on the local baseball scene. In 1919 and part of
1920 he played for the Bagdad team, and was pitching for the Century, Fla. Town
club when he was signed by the Class-D Bradenton Growers of the Florida State
League.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDImUhlY-QypbtltezhhoV2kvNmDqyiE59W70RLCJ9F1gtU3VIqYdPFa6-bKENRA2qj9VWP87K0dT7K7Btz4gOnmQkSJwZ9Kz8QA1QTChXDrC1lV1tWL0XRizf_cuOS6cKg8ZGVTinD1Qo/s1600/Collinsworth+Baseball.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="622" data-original-width="960" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDImUhlY-QypbtltezhhoV2kvNmDqyiE59W70RLCJ9F1gtU3VIqYdPFa6-bKENRA2qj9VWP87K0dT7K7Btz4gOnmQkSJwZ9Kz8QA1QTChXDrC1lV1tWL0XRizf_cuOS6cKg8ZGVTinD1Qo/s320/Collinsworth+Baseball.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Bagdad Baseball Club 1919, 1920<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Morris
toiled in the minor leagues until 1928, with only a brief call -up to the
Chicago Cubs in 1922, where he got 12 innings of work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the spring training of 1925, he got a
tryout with the Cincinnati Reds but was returned to the Nashville team with a
sore arm. Ed had developed the reputation for being a hard drinker, who really
made no effort at conditioning, or taking care of himself. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">In
1928, Morris got his big break with the hapless Boston Red Sox. He took full
advantage of his opportunity, and won his first start on May 3 with a 4-hit
victory over the Philadelphia Athletics. Through the 25<sup>th</sup> of August
his record was 17-11 with an era of 3.13. Steller numbers for sure, but possibly
the length of the season wore him down. He finished 19-15 with a 3.53 era.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He also had pitched 257 innings. His record
was still the best among rookie pitchers, and his 19 victories accounted for a
third of the Red Sox wins that year. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">In
1929, Morris suffered arm problems and other nagging injuries that resulted in
a season record of 14 wins and 14 losses. He pitched 208 innings and had a 4.45
era. During the winter before the season, Morris had traveled to the Panama Canal
region, and found a team that wanted to hire him to pitch. Morris wired
Baseball Commissioner, Judge Kennesaw Mountain Landis for permission to pitch.
Landis wired back that permission could not be granted due to rules prohibiting
major league ballplayers from playing for money during the offseason. Morris
pitched a couple of games anyway, defeating the Navy fleet team 4-3, and
becoming a hero in the Canal Zone. In March during spring training Landis fined
him $250. It was considered lucky that Morris was not also handed a suspension.
There is one notable game from 1929. On 26 May, Morris pitched against the
Yankees. The game ended in a 15-4 blowout for the victorious Yanks, and Morris
was largely ineffective. He gave up a three-run homer to Yankee catcher Bill
Dickey, and a double to Lou Gehrig, but in the fifth inning Big Ed Morris hit a
home run off of Waite Hoyt to tie the game 3-3. At the conclusion of the inning
Hoyt was walking toward the Yankee dugout and said something to the umpire, and
got ejected from the game. It was Morris’ only major league home run.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">The
1930 season started with spring training at Pensacola’s Legion Field, with the
players staying at the San Carlos Hotel. Morris was a hold out for a short time
demanding a raise. He settled for a $500 raise to a season salary of $8000. The
Red Sox considered Morris to be the Ace of their pitching staff for the
upcoming season. The New York Yankees had made a strong effort to obtain Morris
during the offseason. Once again, he developed arm problems and missed the
second half of the season. His record was 4-9 with a 4.13 era.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">After
the 1930 season, Morris had a house built in Flomaton, Alabama, and moved his
family there from Mobile. He had a wife, Beryl, and two sons, Edward, and
Mortimer by this time, and they lived there until his death. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">1931
was, once again, a season of a sore arm. Morris also missed three weeks in May
after being hit on his big toe during batting practice by a line drive hit by
outfielder Tom Oliver. He was sent home from Philadelphia to Boston to get
treatment. He started to improve late in the season, but finished with 5 wins
and 7 losses with a 4.75 era. His dismal record was the result of “injuries,
and failure to condition”. His last appearance was a complete game 4-hit
victory, 9-2 over the St. Louis Browns. He and the Red Sox were looking forward
to 1932 as a come back season. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">A Going Away Fish Fry<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">The
1932 spring training for the Red Sox was to be in Savanah, Georgia. To
celebrate the new season, and a new contract for Morris there was to be a fish
fry/peanut boil to be held in his honor. This was held on Little Escambia Creek
between Flomaton, and Brewton, Alabama on 29 Feb 1932. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At some point during the evening there was an
altercation between Morris and a Brewton filling station operator named Joe
White. Morris knocked White down, and then he tripped and fell on top of him.
White stabbed him twice in the chest with his pocket knife. An L&N railroad
employee named Dixon was cut when he was attempting to break up the fight.
Morris staggered across the creek and collapsed on the opposite bank. Until
then, it was unclear how bad he was hurt. He was taken to the hospital in
Century, FL. The knife wounds were very close to his heart, but the doctor felt
he would survive. He was concerned however, that infection would set in due to
Morris going in the water after he was stabbed. Sure enough, infection set in,
and then pneumonia resulting in his death on 3 March. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Ed
Morris was buried at the Halls Creek Church cemetery. The Red Sox sent
outfielder, and friend Tommy Oliver to the funeral to represent the team. Big
Ed’s mother Ella died in 1940, and she was buried next to him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Thirty-Six-year-old,
Joe White was arrested, tried, and found guilty of manslaughter. He was
sentenced to three years, but the conviction was reversed by the Alabama Court
of Appeals. There was a retrial in August 1934, in Brewton, Alabama and White was
found not guilty.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Ed’s Family<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Ed
married <b>Beryl Tompkins</b> of Bullock Co., Alabama in 1924. She was born on
10 March 1905, and died 5 June 1985. She is buried at the Pine Crest Cemetery,
in Mobile, Alabama.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">He
had two sons:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b>Edward Morris</b>, b. 29 Jun 1925, d. 2 Feb
1991, also buried at the Pine Crest Cem. In Mobile.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Mortimer
T. Morris</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">, b. 10
July 1927, d. 30 Mar 2000. He is buried at Serenity Memorial Gardens in
Theodore, Mobile Co., Alabama.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Interesting
post script about Ed’s wife Beryl.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She
got remarried a few months after Ed’s death to Dr. Joseph E. Rose, who was 25
years older than her and had recently divorced his wife, Ida, who he had been
married to since 1909. There is a marriage record of a wedding in Desha County,
Arkansas on 30 Nov 1932, and a second record in Walton Co., Florida on 15 Dec
1932. Beryl divorced her second husband in Bradford Co., Florida in 1950. He
then remarried his first wife Ida. He died in 1958, and is buried at Bayview
cemetery in Pensacola. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">The Ed Morris Baseball Progression<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b>1920- Bradenton- Florida State League<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">1921-
Chattanooga- Class A- Southern Association.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Record of 9-21 with 4.48 era.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">1922-
Chattanooga- 5-19, 4.85 era<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>1922- briefly called up to the
Chicago Cubs. Pitched 12 innings in relief with an era of 8.25.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">1923-
Chattanooga, and the Nashville Volunteers. 9-11 with 5.58 era<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">1925-
Spring- Tryout with Cincinnati Reds. Sore arm and sent back to Nashville.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">At
Nashville he was 17-11 with 4.52 era.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">1926-
Nashville- 16-13 4.53 era<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">1927-Mobile
Bay Bears- Southern Association- 298 innings pitched. 15-17 3.96 era.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">1928-
Boston Red Sox- May 3, first victory against the Phil. Athletics. 4-hitter.
Through 8/25 his record was 17-11, with 3.13 era. Downhill from there; finished
season 19-15 3.53 era, 257 IP. Still good enough to be the best rookie pitcher
in the league. Boston was the worst team in the American League.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">1929- Arm
Problems. 14-14 with 4.45 era. 208 IP, 73K, 95BB.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">1930- Salary
hold out. Red Sox spring training in Pensacola. Finally signed for $500 raise
to $8,000. More arm problems he finished 4-9, 4.13 era.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">1931-
Pensacola spring training again. Season record 5-7 4.75 era. Though he improved
toward the end of the season, and was anticipating a better performance in
1932, his dismal record was the result of “injuries, and failure to
condition.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His last pitching
performance was a complete game 4-hit 9-2 victory over the St. Louis Browns</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">. <b>It was his last appearance. <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ShF1wnbmIQu8GoSGX_66Q7dsM4BCdwHMOlmZK3fF5YQKdMadzomKxftubJaN6bPafFas9_G-fYNMcmR8CZ1WOY8ZZ2-5lMgIi3Pmib1dm65AW2zdqbgD9lclD9sis6EuaorEtlUFdzML/s1600/Ed+Morris+2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="202" data-original-width="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ShF1wnbmIQu8GoSGX_66Q7dsM4BCdwHMOlmZK3fF5YQKdMadzomKxftubJaN6bPafFas9_G-fYNMcmR8CZ1WOY8ZZ2-5lMgIi3Pmib1dm65AW2zdqbgD9lclD9sis6EuaorEtlUFdzML/s1600/Ed+Morris+2.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Four Years of Ed’s Salary<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>1928 $3500.<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>In 2023 dollars- $62,248<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>1929 $7500<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>“<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- $133,389<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>1930 $8000<span style="mso-tab-count: 3;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>-
$145,689<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>1931 $4000<span style="mso-tab-count: 3;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>-$80,033<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br /><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu25dL3tpKopClx0EzFkZ9mvJHPdmAZ3SSQdrPb6xXCoSXlKyfUuMhwLmpb21WUt48jvq3YJ-kOEsEfG__u_TuRtFnYEQReExTJ1pJoflcuRdoFzuxaZ23O5zvn0l30xV5-5cmKXhMWWah/s1600/Ed+Morris.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="591" data-original-width="268" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu25dL3tpKopClx0EzFkZ9mvJHPdmAZ3SSQdrPb6xXCoSXlKyfUuMhwLmpb21WUt48jvq3YJ-kOEsEfG__u_TuRtFnYEQReExTJ1pJoflcuRdoFzuxaZ23O5zvn0l30xV5-5cmKXhMWWah/s320/Ed+Morris.png" width="145" /></a></div>
<br />Woodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15439536585199351784noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5544495330553076995.post-80218827259025354042020-05-01T01:28:00.005-05:002020-11-28T12:45:18.755-06:00The Curious Killing of Charles Sudmall<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs4nIgmZdzujrsLKfg0Z1bNhfd7h1JsdNM-DG4DImUGGu6gR9DFwF0pF0QtAD3uNihNoLFePgGvGmViyxXiT90eiTVz7dHsoB0Iaa5_sYgp7-wGIEWlh2hxIt0OCtlUUsR1QDlXlpvgIfb/s1600/Charles+Sudmall.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="981" data-original-width="680" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs4nIgmZdzujrsLKfg0Z1bNhfd7h1JsdNM-DG4DImUGGu6gR9DFwF0pF0QtAD3uNihNoLFePgGvGmViyxXiT90eiTVz7dHsoB0Iaa5_sYgp7-wGIEWlh2hxIt0OCtlUUsR1QDlXlpvgIfb/s320/Charles+Sudmall.jpg" width="221" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">Charles E.
Sudmall may be remembered locally as the man who built our Exchange Hotel in
Milton, and the manager of the West Florida Telephone, and Telegraph company.
There is much more to his story, however. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"><span> </span>Sudmall immigrated to the U.S. from
Dundag, Russia, (present day, Latvia) in 1895 when he was 20, or 21 years old. The
Massachusetts State and Federal Naturalization records state that he arrived on
the tenth of June, 1895. He signed a Declaration to denounce Tsar Nicholas of
Russia, and become a citizen of the United States. A passport application in
1912 stated that he arrived from Buenos Aires in June of 1895 aboard the ship,
Angara. The application stated that he lived in Boston, New Port, Rhode Island,
Pensacola, and Milton, residing in the U.S. for 16 years.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"><span> </span>By 1898, he was living in Pensacola
on South Palafox, and working as a “bayman”, which is defined as a person who
fishes the bay.<span> </span>In just a few years,
however he was living in Milton, and listed his occupation as an electrician. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"><span> </span>By 1906, he was living in Milton and
was the manager of the Milton Telephone Exchange, and in September of that
year, he was charged with the murder of an attorney named Lawrence N. Ervin.
According to newspaper accounts, he and Ervin were having dinner, and Ervin
felt insulted over something that was said. He demanded an apology, and Sudmall
refused and left the scene to walk over to a livery stable. Ervin followed him
and once again demanded an apology. Sudmall again refused and walked away, this
time to the phone exchange building, where he went to the second-floor balcony
and sat down. About 30 minutes later, Ervin appeared and cursing, once again
demanded an apology. This time when Sudmall refused, Ervin produced a knife,
and cut Sudmall at least two times. Sudmall then struck Ervin in the face
causing him to fall off of the balcony, and fracturing his skull on the street
below. Ervin died about 10 days later. (He is buried in DeFuniak Springs). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"><span> </span>Represented by future
Attorney-General Thomas F. West, Sudmall was exonerated during a hearing with
Judge Holley due to self-defense. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"><span> </span>Sudmall did become a naturalized
citizen in Pensacola in June of 1911. His passport application describes him
as: 5’9” tall; prominent forehead; hazel eyes; prominent “Greek” nose, medium
mouth, and chin; dark hair with olive complexion, and a rather large face. He
left the country and went back to Russia to visit his family for a few months. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">He registered for the draft in
September 1918, showing his occupation as “Telephone Manager”.<span> </span>In the 1919 publication, The American
Telephone Journal, he is described as the General Manager of the Gulf Telephone
and Telegraph company at Milton. He had been in the business for 13 years and
had 200 subscribers. Before getting into the business he had worked at the
Pensacola Navy Yard in the electrical department. He was a member of the
Florida Telephone Association.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"><span> </span>Charles Sudmall was a pretty wealthy
man by the time the ‘20s rolled around. Not only did he own the Telephone
exchange in Milton, but he owned the Marianna Telephone Exchange, the Exchange
Hotel, and a hotel in Floridatown. He had no family in the United States. He
never married, and seemed focused on his businesses and becoming successful. One
of his business partners in Milton was Grover Cleveland (Cleve) Harvell, the
son of the former local Sheriff, James Harvell. Cleve Harvell and Sudmall were
partners in a garage in town, located at the corner of Oak, and Elmira Streets, and Harvell was also an agent for Star
Automobiles. <span> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">A Very Suspicious Killing<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"><span> </span>On the last morning of his life,
Charles Sudmall’s conversation with Cleve Harvell was partially overheard by
Mr. Falk, (or maybe, Faulk) who owned the Santa Rosa Hotel. Falk was at the
garage to pay a bill and heard Sudmall ask Harvell if he was going to be busy.
Harvell said he was going to Pensacola but would see him on his return. Falk
later testified that the conversation seemed friendly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"><span> </span>Culver W. Cobb later testified that
he, Harvell, and H.C. Collins took a trip to Pensacola the day of the killing.
Harvell had a .32 caliber pistol, and he had fired it from the ferry as they
were returning. Cobb said this pistol was the same one found next to Sudmall’s
body later that evening. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"><span> </span>About 7:20 pm, Mrs. Hinote, the
night operator at the phone exchange received a call from Harvell looking for
Sudmall. She transferred the call to the hotel and waited on the line for
Sudmall to answer. She heard Harvell say, “Well, I got back.” Sudmall said, “Who
is this”? “Cleve.” “I’ll be right down” Sudmall said. He then stopped by his
office and got something from his desk and put it in his pocket. Lillie Nelson
said she saw him do this 6, or 7 minutes before the shooting. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"><span> </span>Apparently, when Sudmall reached the
garage, there was an immediate sound of gunfire. Cleve Harvell, and Walton C.
Rhoades, (sometime referred to as Walter), were the only ones in the garage
when Sudmall entered. C.W. Cobb claimed that he and another man were the first
to reach the garage after the shooting, and were let into the building by
Rhoades. He testified that a pistol found next to Sudmall’s body was the same
one Harvell was displaying earlier in the day. He also claimed that Harvell
walked him to the back of the garage, and requested that he not identify the
pistol as belonging to him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"><span> </span>Luther Fisher, undertaker, examined Sudmall’s
body later that evening. He found eight bullet wounds; five in the body, one in
the leg, and two in the arm. He testified that Harvell, who was a close friend
of his, admitted that both he and Rhoades had shot Sudmall. Fisher said the
killing was planned and premeditated. Rhoades was instructed to hide in the
corner and shoot Sudmall as soon as he entered the garage. Rhoades missed the
first two shots, but then hit him three times. Harvell hit him with five shots.
Harvell then claimed that Sudmall was his best friend in Milton and that
Rhoades had killed him. He asked Fisher to say that the body only had five
bullet wounds. L. Douglas Wolfe, an assistant of Fisher’s, (and later owner of
the Wolfe Funeral Home), testified that while he was preparing Sudmall’s body
and sewing up the bullet holes, someone asked how many bullet holes there were
and Harvell spoke up and said, “There ain’t more than five, are there?” and
winked his eyes at Wolfe. Supposedly Harvell was drunk at the time, but other
witnesses claimed he was sober.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"><span> </span>State Attorney Thompson’s case was
that:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: symbol;"><span>·<span style="font: 7pt "times new roman";"> <span> </span>
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">Harvell,
and Sudmall were in business together.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: symbol;"><span>·<span style="font: 7pt "times new roman";">
<span> </span></span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">Harvell
called Sudmall over the phone to come to the garage.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: symbol;"><span>·<span style="font: 7pt "times new roman";"> <span> </span>
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">Sudmall
was shot as he entered the building.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: symbol;"><span>·<span style="font: 7pt "times new roman";"> <span> </span>
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">Sudmall’s
body had two different kinds of bullets in it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: symbol;"><span>·<span style="font: 7pt "times new roman";"> <span> </span>
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">Eight
bullets entered his body.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: symbol;"><span>·<span style="font: 7pt "times new roman";"> <span> </span>
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">Only
Rhoades, and Harvell were waiting in the garage.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: symbol; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> <span> </span> </span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">The pistol found by Sudmall belonged to Harvell.</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">The
defense claimed self-defense, and Rhoades took all the blame for the killing. The
first trial of the two in the spring ended in a mistrial. After the mistrial, attorneys
for Harvell, and Rhoades filed a writ of Habeas Corpus with the Florida Supreme
Court and got them released on $5000 bail until they were retried. <span> </span>On October 3, 1924, after a retrial, Harvell
was acquitted and Rhoades was “Nol Prossed”. They dropped prosecution on
Rhoades. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">This
whole case stinks. Remember, Charles Sudmall was a very wealthy, successful man
with no family ties in the United States. In December 1923, County Judge H. W.
Thompson, appointed Culver W. Cobb, (yes, the same one who testified at the Harvell
trial), as Curator of Sudmall’s estate. Sudmall’s Last Will and Testament had
been written and witnessed in May of 1910. The original executor that Sudmall
requested had passed away, so the vacancy was filled by Cobb. I believe Thompson
is the same State Attorney who led the prosecution of Harvell, and Rhoades. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">Listed
in the inventory of Sudmall’s possessions were seven automobiles:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: symbol;"><span>·<span style="font: 7pt "times new roman";">
<span> </span></span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">Ford
Touring Car 1917 model<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: symbol;"><span>·<span style="font: 7pt "times new roman";"> <span> </span>
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">Ford
Touring Car 1923 model<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: symbol;"><span>·<span style="font: 7pt "times new roman";"> <span> </span>
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">Cole
Eight Touring car<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: symbol;"><span>·<span style="font: 7pt "times new roman";"> <span> </span>
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">Willys-Knight
Touring car, model 64. Serial #28860, motor #76600<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: symbol;"><span>·<span style="font: 7pt "times new roman";"> <span> </span>
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">New
Overland Red Bird Car model 92, Ser #11065, motor #92-16419<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: symbol;"><span>·<span style="font: 7pt "times new roman";"> <span> </span>
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">New
Overland Touring car model 91, Ser # 49460, motor #52367<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: symbol;"><span>·<span style="font: 7pt "times new roman";">
<span> </span></span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">Another
Overland Touring car model 91, Ser # 49372, motor# 52708<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">I
am thinking the cars were part of the inventory for sale in the business
Sudmall owned with Harvell. I would like to know, but so far haven’t been able
to find out, what happened to the cars. Supposedly they were to be sold with
the proceeds going to the estate. I wonder who ended up with them, and at what
price. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">Culver W.
Cobb was born in April 1890, and his father was Farrar H. Cobb. <span> </span>He was a cashier at the First National Bank in
Milton. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"><span> </span>After, Sudmall was killed, the West
Florida Telephone, and Telegraph Company met in Marianna, and selected a new
President. Peter L. Rosasco was made President, and R.A. McGeachy a Director.
McGeachy was a Milton Attorney. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"><span> </span>At some point, Peter Rosasco was
made Administrator of Sudmall’s estate. In October of 1927, Arthur B. Lule,
Solicitor General of Latvia requested Rosasco be removed from his role. The
request was granted by Judge McLeod. Mr. Rule was acting at the request of
Charles Sudmall’s father Karl and he was charging a “misappropriation, or
misapplication of funds.” Rosasco was removed as administrator on Oct. 22. (In 1989, Bill Rosasco renovated the Exchange Hotel. The newspaper referred to him as the owner.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"> What a
tangled web it was. I believe that there was a plot to do away with this
foreigner who had become successful in this country, and divide his wealth. Of
course, a jury in Santa Rosa County was going to acquit a well-known local boy
of killing someone from Russia.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> Article from Pensacola Journal Oct. 8, 1927</span><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times new roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTs18ZyUmFtrgdDN5qntVROUXqBos8ZSIIvo9pY539ONoHeU9nj-8Wc53vXpkcHDanUDqd1R_FRxs7zL1Kte-LnzdePeMh36aLnCxNym0Gg0VQ764LryjuojPZJRxdCjYHmVGoziqK_dyY/s2048/Pensacola_News_Journal_Sat__Oct_8__1927_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1090" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTs18ZyUmFtrgdDN5qntVROUXqBos8ZSIIvo9pY539ONoHeU9nj-8Wc53vXpkcHDanUDqd1R_FRxs7zL1Kte-LnzdePeMh36aLnCxNym0Gg0VQ764LryjuojPZJRxdCjYHmVGoziqK_dyY/w213-h400/Pensacola_News_Journal_Sat__Oct_8__1927_.jpg" title="Pensacola Journal Oct 8, 1927" width="213" /></a></div><br /> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">Whatever Happened to….<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">Cleve
Harvell died 12 June 1974, and is buried at Ft. Barrancus National Cemetery. On
his WWI draft registration card, it states that he is a Chief Deputy Sheriff. <span> </span>He served in the U.S. Army from 9 Nov 1917 to
7 Dec 1918. In 1921 he married Ruby Wiggins. In 1925 They live in Tallahassee
and he is the Manager of the M.A. Houston Motor Company. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">Walton Canvass
Rhoades was born in 1879. In the 1910 census for Santa Rosa County he is listed
as a Druggist. In the 1909 fire that burned most of downtown Milton, he lost
his drug store. Shortly after he reopened in the Wiggins building. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">He married
Nancy Charity Hilton in Milton on 23 Aug 1903, and in the 1920 census she is
listed as a Hotel Proprietor. I was unable to find him listed in 1920.<span> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"><span><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">In 1929
He, and his wife are living in Miami, and he is in the Produce business.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">In 1930 he
is living in Pahokee, Palm Beach County, Fl, and listed as a grower, and buyer
for fruits and vegetables, while his wife and daughter are in Knoxville, Tenn. Working
at the LeConte Hotel. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcnOiagoNfPvnEJrp3Afn4HIQnlA4wHjeV55gC7hg5l5h8jdhIp7SmzSl0bJyvYYoHTPGOgW0PRMOBL-Thz75_ClYP6Rz8fHgkxVLnRrT8ce455-LPH5o9-inPcce3GbP5SRBwPaKrxbiK/s1600/Walton+Rhoades.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="476" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcnOiagoNfPvnEJrp3Afn4HIQnlA4wHjeV55gC7hg5l5h8jdhIp7SmzSl0bJyvYYoHTPGOgW0PRMOBL-Thz75_ClYP6Rz8fHgkxVLnRrT8ce455-LPH5o9-inPcce3GbP5SRBwPaKrxbiK/s200/Walton+Rhoades.jpg" width="148" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walton C. Rhoades</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">In 1934,
Nan is shown as the Manager of the Bay Court Apartments in Miami.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">It looks
like they stayed in the Miami area until he passed away in 1937, and she died in
1959. They are both buried in the Woodlawn Park North Cemetery in Miami.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<br />Woodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15439536585199351784noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5544495330553076995.post-24638906853742623512020-04-07T10:51:00.000-05:002020-04-19T19:51:41.125-05:00Tale of a Lynching<br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Tale
of a Lynching<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">On Sunday
night, 3 Oct 1937, J. C. Evans of Port St. Joe was taken from police custody
and lynched just north of Ft. Walton Beach.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Santa Rosa
County Sheriff Joe T. Allen, and Deputy Aubrey Martin were transporting Evans
from Panama City, to Milton. They left Panama City around 10:45 pm for the transfer.
Around midnight they reached the highway leading from Ft. Walton Beach to
Milton. A car forced them to stop, and 5 men, (some reports say 4 men), wearing
black masks got out and leveled 2 shotguns and several handguns at the two
officers. “We want that N_____”, one of them said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Sheriff
Allen later said that the men forced him and his prisoner into their car. They
drove a mile down the road and letting Allen out, they gave him his car keys. The
Sheriff walked the mile back to his car and he and Dep. Martin drove in the
direction the five men traveled in. After about three miles they found Evans' body lying on the side of the road riddled with buckshot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Allen and Martin traveled on to Milton, where
Allen called Okaloosa County Sheriff John P. Steele in Crestview, who along
with County Judge Wilbur Osborne, summoned a Coroner’s Jury and went to the
scene.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Allen said he did not recognize
any of the men. Sheriff Allen also insisted that no one in Milton knew of the
transfer plans. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Governor
Fred P. Cone ordered a complete investigation with full punishment for the
guilty parties. State Attorney E. Dixie Beggs, Jr. of Pensacola went to
Crestview to investigate. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Evans
Crime Spree:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Evans was arrested in Bay County on
July 12, on a charge of armed robbery in the hold-up of Joe Ansley, on July 10.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">J.C. Evans
was arrested at a Panama City downtown garage where he was returning to pick up
a car he had left behind for repairs. Sheriff Steele, “true to his reputation”,
made the arrest without “firearms on his person”. (<i>Another article claimed
the arrest was made by Sheriff Scott of Bay County which would make more sense.</i>)
Evans was charged with a weekend crime spree that included the alleged theft of
a car from R.B. Strickland, of Parker, which is located near Panama City. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He then flagged down Milton Lumberman Henry C.
Wood, four miles west of Navarre, robbed him of $40, and stole his car.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Less than two hours later he robbed 18-year-
old Sherman Fortune who was working alone at the Sunset Service Station, four
miles east of Milton. Fortune said that Evans had bought some gas and oil, and
followed him inside to get some change. Once inside, he made Fortune give him
the contents of the cash register, then he drove him two miles down the road
before dropping him off. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was also
wanted for criminal assault on a 12-year-old boy, but so far, I haven’t been
able to find out anything else on this. His last crime was the robbery of Mr.
Ansley. He was tried, convicted, and sentenced to life in Raiford. He was being
transferred back to Milton to stand trial for the service station robbery.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Joe Ansley
testified at Evan’s trial that he had left Panama City for Crestview when he
stopped at Pine Log creek on the Freeport Highway to take a bath. He was
bathing under a bridge when he heard a car stop. He looked up and saw an adult
black male, (later identified as Evans), looking down at him. Evans made his
way down to Ansley and engaged him in conversation. Evans then went back up to
his car and returned with a gun. Ansley testified that Evans told him to, “Put
my pants over my head”. Evans was searching through his belongings when he
noticed that Ansley was watching him. He ran over and hit Ansley on the head
with the gun and threatened to, “Knock my brains out”. He then told Ansley to
run away into the swamp. Evans pursued him for a short distance and fired one
shot. Then he returned to the bridge and taking $39 cash, a new $35 watch, and
Ansley’s car, left the scene. Ansley hitchhiked to Vernon and called the
Sheriff’s office. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">After his
conviction in the Ansley robbery, Sheriff Allen requested to bring Evans to
Milton to stand trial for the crimes in Santa Rosa County. Sheriff John Scott
of Bay County obtained permission from the state to make the transfer with the
stipulation that Evans be returned to state custody regardless of the outcome
of the Milton trial. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">No one was
ever arrested or prosecuted for the lynching of J. C. Evans. Authorities
speculated that it was committed by men from the Milton area, but there is no evidence
to support that. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">As always,
if anyone has any additional information on this case, I would like to hear
from you. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Woodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15439536585199351784noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5544495330553076995.post-21807977008585250842020-04-03T15:25:00.002-05:002020-04-07T12:07:35.025-05:00Sheriff McDaniel of Jackson County<br />
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">1980<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Around
2 am on 15 Dec 1980, John P. (Pete) McDaniel was murdered at the Sheffield Oil
Company gas station just south of the Alabama state line on Hwy 231 in Jackson
Co., Fl.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was beaten and shot in the
head during a robbery. Three truck drivers pulled into the station and saw a
man standing behind the cash register. By the time they entered the store the
man was gone, but McDaniel was lying on the floor bleeding. His wallet was
missing, but apparently the robber could not get the register open. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">The
first officer on the scene was McDaniel’s son, who was the Sheriff-elect of
Jackson County, John McDaniel III. The senior McDaniel died a few hours later
at the hospital in Dothan, Alabama. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"> There were
arrests made. A young man named Jesse L. Wilson, 21, and Madie Catherine Russ,
26 of Campbellton, but the murder charges were later dropped. They were
prosecuted on other charges. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">In
1989, apparently Henry Lee Lucas confessed, then recanted his involvement in
the murder. He resisted his extradition to Florida, but him and his longtime
partner Ottis Toole were returned for possible trial. Ottis Toole, (the
confessed murderer of Adam Walsh), plea-bargained for this murder, and three
other murders and received 4 life terms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Henry Lee Lucas was returned to death row in Texas. Jackson county did
not want to spend the money to try Lucas, and provide him with a
court-appointed attorney. They said if he ever got out of prison in Texas, they
would try him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">2007<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">On
30 January 2007, Mellie McDaniel, the wife of Sheriff John McDaniel was
returning home from the grocery store. She was using one of those direct-connect
cell phones to talk to her husband the Sheriff while she was on the way home.
He was in Marianna. She was talking to him as she pulled into their driveway,
and told him another car had pulled in behind her. The Sheriff told her they
were probably salesmen and just to say she didn’t want anything. Then he heard
her scream. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">As
he was speeding toward his home, he put out a radio call for assistance. Deputy
Harold Altman, who was only 2 miles away arrived at the house within 2 minutes.
The two men, later identified as Lionel Sands, 60, and Daniel Brown, 54, shot
and killed both Mrs. McDaniel and Deputy Altman. The Sheriff and two other officers,
Capt. Joey Rabon, and Cpl. Billy Dozier arrived. The Sheriff’s weapons were in
a bag in the back seat of his Tahoe, and when he got out of his vehicle,
unarmed, Sands shot at him with his .38 from about 10 feet away and missed. Rabon,
with an AR-15, and Dozier with his .40 Caliber Glock engaged the two gunmen and
put them down, both dying at the scene. The Sheriff found the bodies of his
wife and Deputy Altman by the back door. The killers had dragged their bodies
there after shooting them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">In
the car the killers had arrived in were found Latex gloves, Rope, bleach, and
vinegar. The motive for the attack was not clear, but speculation was
kidnapping.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Sands Investigated for Wife’s Death</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">In June of 2001, Gail Joanne Sands was found dead in the backyard pool at the Sands residence. She was in about three feet of water with a ladder lying across her back. She was discovered by her husband Lionel, and his buddy Daniel Brown. They said they were cutting grass about a quarter mile away, and found her when they returned to the house. An autopsy later found that she had suffered blunt force trauma to the head. Mrs. Brown had three life insurance policies totally $500,000. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Lionel Sands was under suspicion, and being investigated for his wife’s killing. Brown gave him an alibi, and even though Sands was not arrested for murder, the insurance company would not pay the policies unless Sands could prove his innocence. Sands sued the insurance company, but lawyers convinced him to drop the suit because he could be opening himself up to a murder charge. The day before the shootout, Sands learned he was going to be responsible for $32,000 of legal fees in his insurance case. Sands felt that the investigation by the county into his wife's death had prevented him from collecting the insurance. He and Brown donned disguises. Sands wore camo, with a wig, and lots of make-up. Brown wore a ponytail and dressed in a suit and tie like one of the Blues Brothers. Brown was armed with a .22 caliber pistol, and Sands had two .38’s.</span></div>
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Woodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15439536585199351784noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5544495330553076995.post-45367409460182435572020-03-05T13:25:00.000-06:002020-03-05T13:25:27.961-06:00The 1915 Wyman Murders<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">S</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">ometime between 1905 and 1910, Guy
Herbert Wyman, and his father Peter Wyman surveyed the Florida coast between
Pensacola, and Destin. They purchased around 200 acres in what was then called
Harris, but now known as Navarre. Guy’s parents, Peter and Emily Wyman built a
home on what is called Lower Pritchard Point on Santa Rosa Sound.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">On
June 17<sup>th</sup> 1915, neighbors of the Wyman’s were getting concerned
because no one had seen them, and the chickens had not been let out of the
hen house. It was noticed that freight on their dock that had not been attended
to. Upon further investigation, the horrific murders of the elderly couple were
discovered and the authorities notified.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">The
Wyman’s were found in different rooms. Mr. Wyman was shot, it appeared, while
he was lying down, or possibly starting to rise. He had been shot once with the
wounds located in his neck and left arm and shoulder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Emily Wyman had been shot at least twice, and
it looked like she had been trying to flee the attackers. One was almost a
contact wound as her gown had scorch marks. Deputy S.H. Lowery later testified
that the head wound was the size of the palm of his hand, and there was blood
and brain matter on the wall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>W. W. Day,
a Forest Ranger living in the East Bay area, was also one of the first on the
scene and he described finding shotgun shells by a window, one on the front
porch, and one on the mantle inside the house.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Santa
Rosa County Sheriff J. H. Harvell arrived later on the 17<sup>th</sup>. He
stopped in Holley to get the services of a physician, and undertaker. Deputy
Lowery found four sets of bare footprints by the front gate and traces near a
window. There was one large set of footprints and three smaller sets. The large
set was peculiar and quite distinctive because the big toe was extended more
than normal. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Sheriff
Harvell spent a lot of time over the next couple of days examining the crime
scene, and talking to people in the area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>By the 19<sup>th</sup> he had four local men in custody in the Santa
Rosa County jail in Milton. The four in custody were Brothers, Jim Roberts, 17
years old; Preston, (Percy) Roberts, 18, and their half-brother, William Brady
Roberts, 24. Also in custody, was Elder Mitchell, 19 years old. Another suspect
named John Barbaree, 33, would soon be arrested also. A preliminary hearing was
scheduled for June 24<sup>th</sup>. All those arrested lived in the Holley,
East Bay area.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">The
1910 census shows the Roberts family living in the Holley, East Bay area. Their
father was John, (Jake) Roberts and their mother was Dora. Brady Roberts was
Dora’s son by her first husband. His last name was Cordill, or Cordell, but at
this time he was using Roberts for a surname. Brady was the only one of the
brothers to be married. His wife was Alice (Rigdon) Roberts. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Elder
Mitchell was the son of Henry, and Emmaline Mitchell who lived in the Holley,
East Bay area. In the 1910 census, he was living with his widowed father near
John Barbaree, and his wife Missouri.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">The
motive for the killings seemed to be robbery. The Wyman’s were well-off, and
rumors indicated they had a large stash of money. Stolen items were two
watches, two pistols, and other articles not listed. Also, in one article there
is a claim that $80 was stolen. The bodies of the Wyman’s were removed to the
undertaker parlor on West Romana St, in Pensacola operated by Frank R. Pou.
Later their bodies were shipped to Ottawa, Illinois an interred in the Summer
View Cemetery. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A telegram had been sent
to Lt. Wyman in the Philippines informing him of his parents’ deaths. Word was
received that Wyman was on his way back to the states. He was going to Peoria,
Illinois first, then making his was to Florida. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">The Trial of the Roberts Brothers<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">The
trial for the three Roberts brothers was severed from the prosecution of
Mitchell, and Barbaree. Mitchell was talking to the prosecution at this time,
and that is the most likely reason.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
trial was also only for the murder of Emily Wyman. This was a hedge against the
possibility of acquittal. The Peter Wyman murder trial was held back to prevent
a possible double jeopardy situation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">A
brief timeline: The Murders were committed 15 June 1915, and the arrests
occurred on the 19<sup>th</sup> of June after a quick on-scene inquest, where
evidence was examined, and witnesses called. Council was obtained on the 21<sup>st</sup>
by two uncles of the Roberts boys. William Pinson Roberts, and his brother
James Wilson Roberts were both doctors living in Alabama. They retained Attorney
John McDuffie of Monroeville, Alabama to assist William W. Clark of Milton for
the defense. John McDuffie later became a U.S. Congressman, and a Federal
Judge.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Observing
the prosecution was Thomas F. West, the Attorney-General. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was later a Justice on the Florida Supreme
Court, and a circuit Judge.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Judge:
Angus G. Campbell<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">State
Solicitor: John P. Stokes<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Atty
General: Thomas F. West, (conferred with Stokes, and took notes, but did not participate)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Defense:
Mr. William W. Clark, from Milton, Florida.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Mr. John McDuffie, from Monroeville, Alabama.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">State
had 21 witnesses listed.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Assembling
the jury took about three hours. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Jury:
J.H. Plant, George L. Abbott, (later named Jury Foreman), J.W. Wheeler, J.A.
Nichols, J.B. Wiggins, A.B. Lewis, R.G. Payne, A.L. McArthur, E.D. Cooper, E.H.
Pitts, W.E. Stanley, and I.D. Mock.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Defense
asked for a continuance- denied by Judge Campbell.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Defense
asked for a change of venue to Walton Co.- Judge Campbell denied.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">The
morning testimony were witnesses about the scene of the crime, including,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Dr.
Phillips: </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">From
Pensacola. Called as first witness by state. Physician called to scene of
murders. Testified as to condition of bodies. Mrs. Wyman found on a bed;
shotgun wound to right side of head the size of the palm of his hand. Her gown
had been scorched. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Peter
Wyman found in different room. Both had been dead 48-60 hours and decomposition
had set in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He also testified that there
was a hole torn in the screen where Mr. Wyman was found. He had no powder marks
on his body.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Charles
Cottrell: </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Pensacola
photographer, with studios at 204 ½, S. Palafox.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Took photos of crime scene about 2-3 weeks
before trial. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">T. H.
Lempke: </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Bagdad
Draftsman, created diagram of Wyman home 2 weeks before trial. Measurements
were accurate, and diagram was displayed to jury and witnesses during
testimony.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">W.W.
Day: </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Testified
that he was a forest ranger and lived on the East Bay. He was one of the first
to visit the house after the bodies were discovered. He found empty shells
under a window, on the front porch, and one on the mantel. He notified Sheriff
Harvell.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Elder
Mitchell: </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Testimony:
He is about 20 years old, but doesn’t know for sure. He knew where Wyman home
was located. He knew the Roberts brothers, and was afraid of them. Before the
killing, he talked to Barbaree, and Brady Roberts, who asked him if Barbaree
ever said anything about, “going up there and take what the old folks had.”
Mitchell claimed he refused to go and Barbaree, and Brady Roberts said they would
kill him unless he went. He said he tried not to go, and again was told he
would be killed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">On the
afternoon of the murders, he claimed Jim Roberts came to him and they had a
talk about going up to the Wyman’s house and “taking what they had”. Roberts
told him they were going and he would have to go. Roberts left, but later
returned. Mitchell took his father’s gun and Roberts had his own gun. They went
over to the Sound and walked up the beach where they joined Barbaree, and Percy
Roberts. At some point Brady Roberts joined them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">They all
walked up the beach to the wharf near the Wyman’s house. Jim, Percy, and John
Barbaree went to the house. Mitchell, and Brady Roberts stayed at the wharf.
The house was 150-200 yards away. Percy, and Jim were carrying the guns. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">While on
the wharf they heard three shots fired about an hour after the three had left
and walked toward the house. Brady Roberts then left the wharf and walked
toward the house, leaving Mitchell on the wharf by himself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Shortly
thereafter, the Roberts brothers, and Barbaree returned to the wharf, and
Barbaree, Jim and Percy Roberts each gave Mitchell one dollar. Then they all
got into the Wyman’s skiff and went to the Roberts boat. They then set the
Wyman skiff adrift. All were barefooted except Barbaree. They went to Oglesby’s
Rosin wharf about a mile away. At that time, Jim Roberts, Mitchell, and
Barbaree went to Mitchell’s house and stayed the night. The others stayed the
night at the old mill office. (Mitchell stated that the shots he heard happened
around midnight.) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Mitchell
said the arrests occurred the day after the inquest. He said the killing was a
Tuesday in June. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Defense
Attorney Clark cross-examined him at length and succeeded in confusing Mitchell
about his statements leading up to the trial. He acknowledged his fear of the
Roberts brothers, and when asked why he didn’t inform the Sheriff he said he
was, “skeered to do it”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He also said
he had been promised nothing for his testimony.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Ethel
Mitchell: </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">(wife)
testified that Jim Roberts, John Barbaree and his wife had visited her home the
day of the murders. She testified about her husband leaving with a gun that
night, and returning the next morning. While testifying, she had a child in her
lap that cried and wriggled possibly shortening her time on the stand. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Mrs.
Missouri Barbaree: </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Said
on night of killing she stayed at the Mitchell house. She saw Jim Roberts with
Mitchell that night. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">John
(Jake) Roberts: </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Father
of Roberts brothers. Said he could not be sure if a shotgun shown to him
belonged to his son Jim. The defendant said out loud, “That’s mine alright”. He
said Jim, and Mitchell worked for him in the turpentine business, and Percy and
Brady fished for him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Gus
Harvell: </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Lived at
the head of East Bay. He fished the Oglesby wharf, and was there with his
brother Dock Harvell the night of the murders. He heard shots coming from the
east. Two shots quick, and one about a minute later. Dock was asleep, but said
Gus woke him up in time to hear the last shot. They were related to Sheriff
Harvell.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Robert
Oglesby: </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">He knew
the Wyman’s and had worked for them. He was the person who found their bodies. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">S. H.
Lowery: </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Deputy
Sheriff. Found tracks around the house of barefoot men. He told of seeing
footprints near the front gate, and slight traces near a window. The prints
were from multiple bare-footed men and one set of prints of shoes. One set of
foot prints were larger than the others. It was peculiar due to the abnormal
extension of the big toe. During the inquest, Brady Roberts foot was compared
to the peculiar set of prints, and found to be a perfect fit. He also testified
that he found trunks open and contents disordered. Several empty pocket books
were found. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Next
day’s testimony:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Sheriff
Harvell: </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Called to
the Wyman house at Lower Pritchard Point on Santa Rosa Sound on June 17. He
stopped at Holley to get a Physician, and an undertaker. He then<b> </b>testified
about methods used to compare exploded cartridges found at Wyman house with
cartridges exploded for the jury.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
finding was that the guns taken from the defendant’s homes were the murder
weapons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The
Jim Roberts Letters<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Jim
Roberts, while in jail, wrote a series of notes intended for Elder Mitchell.
Roberts was imploring Mitchell not to testify against the brothers, and
repeatedly confessed to the murders.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">The notes
were given to a prisoner named G.W. White while the brothers were in the
Escambia County jail. Instead of passing them to Mitchell, White gave them to
the authorities. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Chief
Deputy C. J. Hoffman of Pensacola testified to a conversation he overheard
between Roberts and White in which Roberts told how he shot the Wyman’s. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Jim’s
notes: </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">G. W.
White testified about the notes. He was in the county jail in Pensacola.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">1<sup>st</sup>
note:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b><i>Elder, don’t tell nothing on
me, for I like you, and if you was to tell all you know on me and Purce and
John it would go hard on us. You know you did not go to the house, you ought to
went. Don’t forget me Elder. I am sending this by G.W. White. From your old
friend, Jim Roberts.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">2<sup>nd</sup>
note: <b><i>Hello Elder, How are you getting along. I am worried bad, Elder. I
don’t believe you will tell anything on me and Percy and John and Brady. If you
won’t tell that I won’t ever forget you Elder. You know you wouldn’t go to the
house. That is the reason I wrote this. Don’t tell this for God’s sake, Elder.
I don’t think you will Elder. John said when we was at the house, he said ‘that
boy is a-going to tell this Jim. We ought to have made him come along.’ Well I
guess I will stop for they might catch me writing and then I would be up
against it. I am sending this by White. He is all right, I think. Don’t forget
me old boy. From Jim Roberts<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">3<sup>rd</sup>
note: <b><i>“Well Elder, this is the last one that I am a-going to write you,
and now Elder if you tell this, we’ll put it all on you, for there is four
against one and you know that. Elder I don’t believe you will tell what you
---- on us. John said you would tell it. I told him you wouldn’t Elder. Me and
Purse done all the work, so don’t tell it on us, for God’s sake. Well I won’t
write no more, so good-bye, my old friend. Jim Roberts<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">When the
jury was presented the notes, it was absolutely quiet in the crowded courtroom.
Every jury member scrutinized the notes carefully. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">White said
Roberts told him how he had shot the old man when he started to arise, and he
fell after being shot, with his feet hanging over the side of the bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>White was in jail for selling liquor without
a license. He had resided in Century for about a year. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">After learning
Mitchell had given the letters to the authorities, and seeing him at the
courthouse, Roberts told him he would have people in the courtroom who would
get him when he got out. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Alibis:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Percy,
(19) said on the night of the murder, he and Brady were on Santa Rosa Sound
fishing, and had been there for two weeks. They had a net and two skiffs. He
claimed Brady was wearing shoes. Brady also claimed he was fishing at the time
of the murders. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">All three
Roberts were found guilty with no recommendation for mercy for the killing of
killing Emily Wyman. The jury deliberated for 30 minutes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Elder
Mitchell gave self-serving statements implicating the others in the murder. If
Jim Roberts had not wrote the notes, and kept his mouth shut, there would have
only been circumstantial evidence against them. Chances are they would have
been convicted anyway, but Mitchell’s testimony, along with the letters, sealed
their fate. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">In August,
all three were sentenced to death by hanging which would have happened in
Milton.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Later, eight
jurors wrote to the state parole board asking for mercy. In December 1916, the
parole board commuted the sentences to life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">There was
a trial in November 1915 was for the murder of Peter Wyman in which the Roberts
brothers, and John Barbaree were found guilty of his murder, and all sentenced
to Life in prison. This trial had the same witnesses and testimony of the first
trial except that Lt. Guy Wyman, son of the murdered couple, testified that a
watch recovered from the Roberts’ had belonged to his father. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Elder
Mitchell, (probably in the Hall of Fame for jailhouse snitches), pleaded guilty
to two counts of 2<sup>nd</sup> degree murder, January 1917, and was given a
life sentence. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">In the
Pensacola News Journal on 28 June 1917, it was reported that all five convicted
for the Wyman murders were loaded on a train, and sent on their way to Raiford,
the Florida State Prison. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Elder
Mitchell’s Prison Break<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">From the
Tampa Tribune, 14 June 1923:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Elder
Mitchell, and a convicted murderer from Panama City, named Leslie Layman,
escaped from the Captain Willis Road Camp near Ehren, Fla, which is east of New
Port Richey in a swampy area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
escaped on 10 June, and were recaptured on Wednesday afternoon, June 13. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">At 2 pm on
the 13th, Deputy Sheriff L.B. Lennon received a call from the Chapman district,
where two men had attempted to steal a “large touring car”, from a private
garage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Accompanied by Constable James
Stokes, he found Layman being held by three men. Layman admitted his identity,
and was taken to the county jail. Lennon contacted Captain Willis, and along
with Stokes, began searching for Mitchell. Soon Willis arrived with
bloodhounds, and a small posse. The hounds tracked Mitchell to a secluded
neighborhood east of Chapman where an old friend of Mitchell lived. He was
taken into custody there.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Mitchell
had been a trustee at the Camp for seven years.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Layman had
been convicted of killing a woman in Panama City in 1920. He killed her, and
stole her car, drove it to Alabama, where he was captured.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Parole<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">It seems
that once upon a time, if you got the death penalty, you would usually be
executed within a couple of years. Apparently, life sentences meant that you
would serve around ten years, (at least in this case). There was an article in
the Tampa Tribune on Sept. 7, 1924, “Pardon Board will Decide on 81 Pleas.” The
three Roberts brothers were listed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jim
Roberts was pardoned April 1, 1925. His brothers were pardoned around the same
time, but I could not find a newspaper report. Mitchell, and Barbaree were
pardoned in 1929.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Jim Roberts Lawsuit<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.5pt; border: none; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext 1.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">In
May of 1929, there was a report of a lawsuit, and subsequently a bill
introduced by the state legislature to compensate Jim Roberts, who was living
in Bagdad since his parole. On Dec. 15, 1922, the Raiford prison doctor, J.L.
Chalk operated on Jim for appendicitis. Apparently, he left forceps inside
Roberts’ abdomen which caused constant pain until removed in another operation
on March 13, 1929. The compensation was $5000.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext 1.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Epilog <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">In March
of 1929, the Tampa Times reported that Elder Mitchell was pardoned. The same
article stated that Restoration of Citizenship had been restored to John
Barbaree. I’m not sure if it is the same Barbaree, but probably is. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">In Feb.
1935 Elder Mitchell and his wife were seriously injured while passengers in a
truck driven by Ossie Rigby, who died in the crash. Five miles south of
Crestview, they ran into a parked car on the side of the road with no lights.
They were taken to the Enzor Hospital. The Mitchell’s were living in Ft. Walton
Beach at the time. Elder Mitchell died on 28 August 1946.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">John
Preston, (Jake) Roberts, father of the Roberts brothers, in 1920 was running a
boarding house in Bagdad with his wife, Dora on River Front Water Street. In
1924, Dora died in Bagdad, and is buried in the Bagdad cemetery.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">In 1930, Jake is either remarried, or cohabiting with a woman named Emma. I could not find a marriage record.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">By 1935, maybe using Jim’s settlement money,
they had relocated to East Tampa, in Hillsborough County. In 1940 he was living
in the same place with Jim and was listed as a widower. He died in 1948 and was
buried in the Providence Cemetery in Hillsborough county.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">By 1930,
Brady was living in Deland, Florida; 1940 in Volusia County, Florida; 1945 in
Duval County. At some point he began using the Cordell surname, and died in
Duval County, July 19, 1964.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">John
Preston “Percy” Roberts died in Hillsborough County, Florida on March 9, 1977.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">James
Milton “Jim” Roberts died in Hillsborough County, Florida on June 1, 1970. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">John
Barbaree was paroled in 1929. In September of 1933 he took up residence in
Pahokee, Florida, which is located on the southeast side of Lake Okeechobee. He
was working for the Southern Sugar Company, and in March of 1934 allowed a man
named J.C. Morton move in with him. On April first, the body of John Barbaree
was found 3 miles east of Indiantown, Florida. Supposedly Barbaree had
$200-$500 on him from the sale of some property. His money, his car, and his
roommate were missing. Through investigation it was determined that Barbaree
was most likely attacked while he was asleep. He had a wound near his temple,
possibly from an ice pick, and he had been hit in the head with a blunt
instrument.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is thought he was killed
around 10 pm on Saturday night, wrapped in a tarpaulin, and dumped where his
body was found.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nothing more on J.C.
Morton could be found. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Lt. Guy
Herbert Wyman.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Wyman had
an interesting life. There is much written about him and his life in the
Panhandle. He sold much of the land he owned on Santa Rosa Sound to developers,
and his war-bride Noelle gave it the name, Navarre.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Later
Wyman and Noelle were divorced, and he remarried. The Pensacola News Journal on
July 15, 1932 reported that Wyman had shot and killed his ex-wife Noelle when
she showed up at his home. This was the same house that his parents died in
back in 1915. He shot her twice with a 30-30 rifle when she threatened his new
wife.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He claimed self-defense, and was
acquitted in trial.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During the depression
Wyman sold some of his land to the county, and part of that parcel is now the
Navarre Park. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />Woodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15439536585199351784noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5544495330553076995.post-43961045986341525492019-11-21T10:51:00.000-06:002019-11-21T10:51:55.377-06:00The Kidnapping of Mrs. Phelps<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The
Kidnapping of Mrs. Phelps<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Mrs. Sophia Phelps</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">
of Bonifay, Holmes County, Florida, 77 years old and described as a crippled 95-pound
woman, was the widowed wife of Confederate Civil War veteran, John Lucas
Phelps. She was his third wife and had been married since 1890. Mr. Phelps
received a pension from his service in the war, and had received a fairly large
settlement not long before he died in 1931. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>There
must have been rumors in the area that the widow Mrs. Phelps had a large sum of
money secreted away in her home in Bonifay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>On the 17<sup>th</sup> of May in 1934, two brothers named Millard, and
Dewey Keith, along with a friend named Bonard Retherford took a trip from
Geneva, Alabama down the road to Bonifay and knocked on Mrs. Phelps front door.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>She
answered the knock and when they told her that her Daughter-in-law was dead,
she opened the door and let them in. Reportedly this was when Millard Keith
slapped the 77-year-old woman and demanded money. She initially resisted, and
then produced $1.80 and claiming that was all she had, gave it to them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not believing her, they took her out of the
house and put her in their car. About this time, neighbors, Mr. and Mrs. Robert
Bailey were stopped outside near the house by Dewey Keith and at gunpoint told
to get in the car. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Unknown
to the kidnappers, there was a guest, Mrs. Minnie Hudson, in another bedroom
and she fled the house through the back door and went to the home of a neighbor
named, Walter Fielding. Before the police could be notified the three men along
with Mrs. Phelps and the Baileys, had departed the area. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
kidnapping trio, took their hostages 12 miles north of Bonifay to a wooded area
near a lake. Mrs. Phelps later said that one of the kidnappers told her he was
John Dillinger and that, “I don’t want to kill you, but I will if you don’t
give me your money”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He also threatened
to kill her if she didn’t keep her mouth shut. According to Retherford’s later
testimony, Millard Keith beat Mrs. Phelps and she finally told him she would
give them her money. They returned to her home, but the Sheriff and a crowd of
people were there. They abandoned her in the still moving car and fled the
area. The Bailey’s had stayed under guard by Retherford, (according to his own
confession), at the lake until released at daylight unharmed. I believe Dewey
was the one who stayed with the Baileys at the lake. When the Sheriff arrived
at the lake, the kidnapper thought it was his partners returning. When he saw
the Sheriff, he jumped into the lake and swam away, later to be arrested at a
friend’s house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Baileys hid in the
woods until they saw it was the Sheriff and they were safe.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
authorities investigated and found that Mrs. Phelps had $1200 in her home. They
made her put it in a local bank. The three men were quickly arrested and held
at Chipley in Washington county for their safety. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>On
July 4, 1934, James Bonard Retherford, and Millard Keith were found guilty with
no recommendation for mercy in the kidnapping.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Dewey had a separate trial and on the 14<sup>th</sup> of July he was
found guilty but received a recommendation for mercy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>These
three young men were found guilty under the new “Lindbergh Kidnapping Law”
which called for the death penalty if found guilty without a recommendation for
mercy. Millard Keith, and Retherford were sentenced to death, and Dewey Keith
was given a life sentence.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In
September of 1935 the convictions, and death sentences were overturned by the
Florida Supreme Court and the two were granted a new trial due to the finding
that the Holmes County Circuit Court failed to charge the jury correctly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was decided that the crime did not qualify
as a kidnapping due to the fact that Mrs. Phelps was released after 2 hours,
and no ransom was paid. It was considered an armed robbery. They were still
found guilty and sentenced to life terms. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Mrs.
Phelps passed away 24 Nov 1939. She is buried next to her husband in the Red
Hill Cemetery in Holmes County.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>I
don’t know much about the Keith brothers after their convictions. I know <b>Millard
Keith </b>was married and living in Jacksonville, FL by 1946.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He passed away in Gadsden Co., FL on 15 Sep
1987.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><b>Admiral
Dewey Keith</b>, (yes, that was his name), passed away in Geneva County,
Alabama on 17 November 1996. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Then
we get to <b>James Bonard Retherford</b> and the rest of his short life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Bonard
Retherford, and the Keith brothers entered prison on December 20, 1935. On
March 20, 1940, Retherford and two others escaped from a prison road camp in
Alachua Co. On the 20<sup>th</sup> of July, 1940, he was recaptured and
returned to the prison camp.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He
was paroled March 20, 1943 and registered as a criminal with the Orlando Police
Department on the 27<sup>th</sup> of July. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He found employment as a truck driver by a
friendly manager at the X-Cel Feed Company. After a few weeks, Retherford stole
the manager’s car and drove it “Jooking” all over Florida and up into Alabama.
He finally abandoned the car near Tallahassee, and was soon arrested on the 29<sup>th</sup>
of December, and returned to Orlando. He pled guilty of the auto theft and was
fined $100 and given six months in jail. His parole was revoked and he was
returned to prison to serve more of his life sentence in the Phelps case. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>When
his parole was revoked by Judge W. M. Murphy, Jr. Retherford turned to police
officer, Sgt. Cloyce Palmer, who had tracked the auto theft case and brought
Retherford back to Orlando, and told him, “I’ll be back.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>On
April 5, 1944, Retherford escaped from the road camp in Floral City, Florida.
He made his way to Orlando, and took a taxi to the home of Sgt. Palmer. When
Palmer answered the door Palmer told him, “Make a move, and I’ll kill you.”
Palmer immediately attacked and grappled with Retherford, and during the
struggle the escaped convict was fatally shot. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Sgt.
Cloyce Palmer retired from the Orlando Police Dept. on 30 June 1967 after 28
years on the force including 25 as a Sgt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He passed away on Sept 18, 1987.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Woodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15439536585199351784noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5544495330553076995.post-19234763241063567912019-08-21T15:15:00.003-05:002022-09-04T18:06:39.429-05:00The Mulat Murders<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">The
Edwards Murders<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">Mulat<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">June
29, 1951<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">(Lawrence
Cormack)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span> </span>Lawrence
Cormack, 22, was awaiting transfer to Raiford for a 10-year sentence for the
burglary of a Milton Grocery store, that he committed with his 16-year-old brother,
Neal. Lawrence escaped from the county jail in Milton on Friday morning, 29 June,
and stole a .32 caliber revolver from the car belonging to Santa Rosa County
Deputy Clyde Murphy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span> </span>Julian
Edwards, 75, and his wife Mae, 73 lived just south of the L&N railroad track
in Mulat.<span> </span>Around 11:30 pm, Cormack
entered their house, and using the stolen revolver, shot and killed the elderly
couple in their bed. Mr. Edwards was shot 5 times, and his wife once through
the back with the bullet piercing her heart.<span>
</span>The black leather holster for the stolen revolver was found the next day
about 50 yards away from the house.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span> </span>Ernest
Edwards, the slain couple’s son, lived about 200 yards away. He said he heard
shots fired around 11:30, and went outside of his house to quiet the dogs down.
He rose early the next morning to do chores, and discovered the bodies of his
parents about 8 am.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span> </span>A
large posse was formed in Milton, with the intention of finding Cormack. He was
an immediate suspect, especially with the discovery of the holster identified
as belonging with the stolen revolver.<span> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span> </span>About
7 am the jailer, Steve Stephens found Cormack sleeping in the Circuit Judge’s
office. He alerted Deputy Murphy, and Cormack was taken into custody without a
fight. He claimed that with everyone looking for him, the courthouse seemed a
safe place to hide.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><font face="times new roman, serif"><i>From The Milton Gazette</i></font></div><div class="MsoNormal"><font face="times new roman, serif"><br /></font><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9f43sN0brWgXIvnriHECKaoVrrF2-zJYhOe85ZHaSoGFVQI-7MMd0aIRxi-9Ux0_WC3YRjhhCpCxRWMX_A9UbQLCvxIFwaHKYAS_iPPTmf3pjVtNp3muDhnw6vBGO-RSRjiSRdc8OGdwY/s2879/Edwards+House.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2879" data-original-width="2837" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9f43sN0brWgXIvnriHECKaoVrrF2-zJYhOe85ZHaSoGFVQI-7MMd0aIRxi-9Ux0_WC3YRjhhCpCxRWMX_A9UbQLCvxIFwaHKYAS_iPPTmf3pjVtNp3muDhnw6vBGO-RSRjiSRdc8OGdwY/s320/Edwards+House.jpg" /></a></div><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><b>Approximate location of the Edwards Home.</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMio3wv-dzm4bOUnrC9Eh2bMXfQrBxaBqyAaf-FA9WFxDqotmXJrQ9krrjT_9cqT4D6L3BruEseX2TrT2HWbTKc2iuf2g-GYUmwmz_M3W49B2SX41RlHXG4NMO5uNkhlmGQY2ckRlAaCCU/s1600/016588c40542da111a4c24de39365f8eb318361a05+%25282%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1462" data-original-width="1107" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMio3wv-dzm4bOUnrC9Eh2bMXfQrBxaBqyAaf-FA9WFxDqotmXJrQ9krrjT_9cqT4D6L3BruEseX2TrT2HWbTKc2iuf2g-GYUmwmz_M3W49B2SX41RlHXG4NMO5uNkhlmGQY2ckRlAaCCU/s320/016588c40542da111a4c24de39365f8eb318361a05+%25282%2529.jpg" width="242" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhjos79IA9pEMBL6VdaYd8n1Q0AlfQfrJYuevTDUzSo-dCPNBkqXGaSHDOcC3JRhqpvORPQsXsCrOY6AmqBphGXtPru2HXtYn1f6LdHHIRWELZH5ERN8rOmvMO1GGRgdah4DTZMtmHaF3N/s1600/0189c50b6233a8ea73f10fdfa20499bc239e2c3780+%25282%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1572" data-original-width="1123" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhjos79IA9pEMBL6VdaYd8n1Q0AlfQfrJYuevTDUzSo-dCPNBkqXGaSHDOcC3JRhqpvORPQsXsCrOY6AmqBphGXtPru2HXtYn1f6LdHHIRWELZH5ERN8rOmvMO1GGRgdah4DTZMtmHaF3N/s320/0189c50b6233a8ea73f10fdfa20499bc239e2c3780+%25282%2529.jpg" width="228" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Cormack
Background<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span> </span>Lawrence
Cormack was only seven years old the first time he was sent to a reform school.
His father was an abusive drunk, and he later stated that his mother was deaf,
and really did not provide a stable home. He did not remember the reason he was
sent away, but that he did run away from home more than once. By the time he
was a teenager, he had been arrested for petty theft, breaking and entering,
car theft, and mail theft. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span> </span>He
went to Wichita as a teenager and was picked up for vagrancy. He then went to
California and joined the Merchant Marine. He was caught opening packages that
were on their way to servicemen serving in the Philippines.<span> </span><span> </span>He was
sentenced to 5 years in an Army stockade, and fined $2000.<span> </span>When released he found his way to San Diego
where he was arrested on a burglary charge. He was sent to reformatory in
Lancaster, California for 15 months.<span>
</span>Soon arrested again for auto theft, he was sent to prison in El Reno,
Oklahoma where he was released after 19 months for good behavior.<span> </span>He spent Christmas at home, and then joined
the Army. After six months of training, he was sent to a school for cooks, and
bakers from where he deserted a week later. He went to San Francisco to stay
with an uncle where he stole his car, (possibly a 1950 Nash), and returned home
to Bird City, Kansas.<span> </span>He was joined by
his 16-year-old brother Neal and committed numerous burglaries in Bird City,
and stole license plates in the Kansas City area.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span> </span>After
making their way to Milton, they broke into the Jitney Jungle and stole $71.
While sleeping in the woods near DeFuniak Springs they were taken into custody
when a farmer reported suspicious characters to the local police department. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span> </span>Lawrence
took the blame for the burglaries, and his brother Neal was shipped back home.
He was sentenced to 10 years in the state prison at Raiford, and was awaiting transportation
when he escaped.</span><br />
<br />
Cormack escaped the jail by hiding when the prisoners were being returned to their cells after a work detail of scrubbing part of the building. He hid and the jailer did not miss him. He sneaked into the grand jury room of the courthouse and watched from a window until Sheriff Hayes, and Deputy Cobb left for the day. He then tried to steal Murphy's car but couldn't hotwire it, but he did take a .32 caliber pistol and shells from the glove compartment.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Cormack’s
account of the murders.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span> </span>Cormack
stated that after escaping, he hid out most of the day before looking for food. I think he followed the railroad track from the courthouse until he arrived at the Mulat area and saw the Edwards home. Leaving his shoes and socks
with the leather holster, he entered the house through a window and was rifling
through Mr. Edwards’ pants pockets when Edwards woke up and confronted him. He panicked,
and began shooting. Mrs. Edwards was shot while trying to help her husband
against the intruder. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span> </span>Cormack
fled the scene, leaving his shoes, socks, and the holster. He stopped at the
wayside park on Pond Creek and highway 90 and threw the gun in the
water.<span> </span>Then he walked to the courthouse
and hid in the second-floor office of the Circuit Judge. He slept there until
discovered by the jailer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Aftermath<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span> </span>There
were two different trials for the two murders. It was felt that he could not
get a fair trial in Santa Rosa county, so a change of venue was granted and the
trials were held in Escambia County. Cormack was found guilty of first-degree
murder in both trials, and sentenced to two life terms. After only 20 years in
prison, he was paroled, but violated the terms of his parole when he traveled
to New York City. He turned himself in back in Jacksonville two years later, and
was returned to prison.<span> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span> </span>In
December of 1978, he was nearing another parole date, when he escaped from the minimum-security
camp after stealing $1700 from the prison canteen. He was recaptured about 9
miles away in Stark, Florida while walking along Highway 301.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span> </span>I
haven’t found when he was released for good from prison, but he died in
Jacksonville, in November 1993. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3bKHtV2Um_0auIPfoDj2YyvqTtyXiR1kzE7hYXQ0iZQ03A9PLX40xFxbqEfycQpWYGIzqpvmCI1Ii4NbGHI9urafXdpWCHIQKIG4s4L0crIB-bG_x_o4UDXMlYdpIdKNkaGqo1OeatULz/s1600/Pensacola_News_Journal_Thu__Oct_11__1951_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1219" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3bKHtV2Um_0auIPfoDj2YyvqTtyXiR1kzE7hYXQ0iZQ03A9PLX40xFxbqEfycQpWYGIzqpvmCI1Ii4NbGHI9urafXdpWCHIQKIG4s4L0crIB-bG_x_o4UDXMlYdpIdKNkaGqo1OeatULz/s320/Pensacola_News_Journal_Thu__Oct_11__1951_.jpg" width="243" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">Milton
Gazette<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">July
5, 1951<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Transcript of Cormack’s confession to
Woodrow Melvin, Santa Rosa County Attorney.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Statement taken at the Santa Rosa County
jail, Milton Florida, July 1, 1951 at 11 pm.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Mr. Cormack, I am Woodrow Melvin. I am the County Attorney
for Santa Rosa County. The lady who is taking down your testimony is Miss Marguerite
Williams. The gentleman sitting next to her is Mr. Clayton Mapoles, the editor
of The Milton Gazette. The gentleman
sitting next to him is Sheriff Marshall Hayes, Sheriff of Santa Rosa
County. The gentleman standing just
behind Mr. Hayes is Mr. Wade Cobb who is a Deputy Sheriff of Santa Rosa County.
The gentleman standing just behind me is Mr. Hilson Crawford. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q- Your name is Lawrence William Cormack?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A- Yes, sir.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q- Lawrence, I understand that you would like to make
a statement concerning the details in connection with the death of Mr. and Mrs.
Julian C. Edwards, Is that correct?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A- Yes, sir.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q- Have I, or the Sheriff, or the Deputy Sheriffs, or
anyone offered you any reward for making this statement or are you making it
freely and voluntarily?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A- I am making it freely and voluntarily.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q- You realize that this statement made by you could
be used as evidence should the State of Florida prosecute you?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A- Yes, sir.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q- Lawrence, I would like for you to start at the
beginning and talk slowly so that Miss Williams can write it down and tell us
whatever it is you want to tell us about what happened after you left the Santa
Rosa County jail last Thursday night, June 28<sup>th</sup>. June 28<sup>th</sup>
is the night you got out of the Santa Rosa County jail, Is that right?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A- Yes, sir.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q- After you left the Courthouse what happened, Mr. Cormack?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A- I got in the car down there and there wasn’t any
keys in there nor nothing. I went in the glove compartment looking for keys and
found a box of shells and gun. I tried to wire the car u but couldn’t so I took
the gun and shells with me. I went over to the green Ford and there was a key
in the glove compartment but it wouldn’t work so I beat it. I went up the
street, I don’t know what the name of it was. I went out the highway, walked
three or four miles until daylight Friday morning, then I went back in the
woods and tried to sleep but ants and mosquitoes were too bad and I went back
to the road. I come on to the creek, went swimming in it and I laid down and
went to sleep and it was after dark when I woke up Friday night. I tied my
clothes in a bundle and waded the creek until I come to a place where there was
an empty house and I crossed the road and I come to this house and sit down
there and left the scabbard to the gun.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q- You left the scabbard where?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A- Where I was sitting.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q- Now you are speaking of the scabbard and gun you
got from the car. Was the gun a rifle or what kind of gun?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A- A .32 pistol. I left the scabbard outside and in
front of the house. Then I crossed over to the gate, took off my shoes, went up
on the porch.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q- Did you take your socks off?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A- I took them off.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q- What happened?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A- I went in the kitchen, got a drink of water then I
went to the bedroom by the bathroom and I was going to get this man’s money and
I seen what looked like his clothes on a stool in the bedroom. Just as I went
through the door the man sit up and said something like, “Get the hell out of
here.” It scared me and I pulled the gun out of my pocket and started shooting.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q- Did his wife get out of bed?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A- No, sir, she sat up in the line of fire and said, “Who
is that shooting.” I turned around and ran out the way I come in and somebody turned
on the light in the bedroom when I ran out the back door, so I run on down the
road. I walked until I come to the crossroads, turned left there, and went to
the back door of a house and got a drink from a pump and went on down the
highway. From the highway I went down to the park and sit around there.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q- You went to the park, did you say?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A- Yes, sir.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q- Is that park about a mile west of Milton on the
highway?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A- Yes, sir. I sat around there for awhile, drank some
water and thought about shooting myself in the head with the gun—then backed
out. In the meantime I loaded the gun again and threw it in the water.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q- You threw it in the water. You threw it from the
bank or the bridge?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A- From the bridge.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q- From which side?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A-It was on the right side coming toward Milton. I
took the shells out of my pocket and threw them in also. I walked back to
Milton and I was I Milton a little after daylight. I was going to turn myself
in and I got scared and stayed in the County Commissioner’s room most of the
day and slipped to the back of the Courtroom and laid on the back benches, then
I went in the room where I thought there was an X-ray machine.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q- Lawrence, did you stay in the room where the
machine in until after dark?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A- I stayed in the Courtroom until after dark.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q- When did you change over to the room where the
jailer found you/<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A- About 12:00 o’clock.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q- That was Saturday night, last night, that you speak
of having spent here in the Courthouse in Milton, particularly from 12:00 o’clock
midnight until you woke up?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A- Yes, sir.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q- Did you leave out of the Courthouse building from
the time you entered a little after daylight Saturday morning?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A- No, sir.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q- In other words, you didn’t leave the Courthouse
building from the time you entered a little after daylight Saturday morning?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A- That’s right.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q- Lawrence, let’s go back now a little bit. When you
came up to this house in which you later killed the man and his wife on the
bed, I believe you said, what did you say you had in mind when you went in the
house?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A- I was going in to get some money. I thought about
getting some food and decided I would make too much noise because I couldn’t
see my way around in the kitchen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q- You went in the building, rather dwelling house,
for the purpose of committing a robbery?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A- Yes, sir.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q- Now, can you tell us how many times you shot the
man who raised up in bed?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A- No, sir.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q- Did you keep shooting them until the gun ran out of
bullets?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A- Yes, sir.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q- Did you snap the gun after it was empty?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A- Yes, sir.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q- You didn’t attempt to reload the pistol after you
fired it out?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A- No, sir.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q- The light that turned on—was it in the room Mr. and
Mrs. Edwards were in or was it in a different room?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A- In the same room.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q- Apparently either she or he turned the light on?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A- I was about one-half way out when the screen door
slammed. Sounded like the screen door.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q- But they turned the light on?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A- They turned the light on.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q- When you snapped the gun empty were you shooting at
the man or the woman?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A- I don’t remember.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q- Did you walk around at the foot of the bed and
shoot either of them?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A- No, sir.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q- You did all of the shooting from the inside leading
from the inside of the bedroom?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A- Yes, sir.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q- Lawrence, you know that you had the gun loaded when
you went in the house?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A- Yes, sir; it had five shells in it when I got it
and I put another one in it on the first night.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q- You know that you unloaded the gun on Mr. and Mrs.
Edwards in the bedroom?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A- Yes, sir.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q- Now, when you left, you left your shoes inside the
gate—the same place you left them when you went in the house?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A- Yes, sir.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q- What kind of socks were you wearing?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A- Army tan.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q- Do you remember if they had size 11 stamped on
them?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A- Yes, sir, they did.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q- Then, these socks and shoes are yours?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A- Yes, sir.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q- Has the Sheriff carried you back to the house?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A- Yes, sir.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q- Is the house you went in the same house you were in
when you killed those people?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A- Yes, sir.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q- Do you know whether this was in Santa Rosa County?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A- (<i>Unknown)<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q- Did you go in the same room with the Sheriff as you
went in and shot those people?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A- Yes, sir.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q- Did you see the blood stains on the bed?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A- Yes, sir.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q- You recognized that place as being the place where
you had been?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A- Yes, sir.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q- Since the Jailer found you yesterday morning
sleeping in the Judge’s office, has anyone mistreated you in any way, Lawrence?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A- No, sir.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q- You have talked to the State Attorney?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A- Yes, sir.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q- Did he mistreat or abuse you in any way?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A- No, sir.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q- Did Sheriff Hayes mistreat or abuse you in any way?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A- No, sir.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q- Did Deputy Sheriff Wade Cobb mistreat or abuse you
in any way?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A-No, sir<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q- How about Mr. Harvell Enfinger?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A- No, sir.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q- Have you been treated just as nice by the Sheriff
and his force since you were taken back Sunday morning as you had been treated
before you got out Thursday night?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A- Yes, sir.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q- None of them have promised you that they would talk
to the Judge for you or get you any consideration?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A- No, sir.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q- By “no sir” you mean that none of them have
promised you anything?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A- Yes, sir.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q- Lawrence, is there anything else you would like for
her to write down?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A- That’s about all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q- When you took your shoes off at the gate that was
so you could go in quietly and come back and pick them up?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A- Yes, sir, but when I heard that door slam I thought
someone was after me and I run on down the road without them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q- You were out in the yard when you took your shoes
off?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A- Yes, sir.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q- Had you already decided to rob who ever lived in
there?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A- Yes, sir.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q- Did you see anyone moving around in the house while
you were sitting outside?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A- No, sir.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q- Did you know who lived there?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A- No, sir.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q- At the time you saw cars on the highway would you
jump out in the woods and hide?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A- Yes, sir.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q- Did you see the Sheriff’s car going down there?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A- No, sir.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q- No, at that time you were back here.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q- Lawrence, as you walked back from the Edwards’
house barefooted, what did that do to your feet?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A- I got a blister on one foot.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q- Which foot?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A- Left foot.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q- On the instep of your left foot?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A- Right on the ball.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q- Did you notice any blood on your clothes?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A- No, sir.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q- Mr. and Mrs. Edwards’ son lived just below them,
about 200 yards. Did you notice a light on in this house, or did you know there
was a house down below?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A- No, sir. I didn’t know there was a house there and
didn’t see a light.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q- You do know that a light was turned on in the
house, which you left, immediately after you left.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A- That was the reason I left my shoes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q- The pistol that you used to shoot Mr. and Mrs.
Edwards with—Is that the same pistol that you took from Mr. Clyde Murphy’s car?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A- Yes, sir.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Mr. Melvin—Will all of you please go outside the room
and leave just the three of us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q- Now, Lawrence, there is no one in here except you,
and I and Miss Williams. I just want to ask you again if the statement that you
have made has been made by you freely and voluntarily?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A- Yes, sir.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q- No one has promised you anything to get it?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A- No, sir.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q- You realize that the statement you have just made
can be used as evidence against you? Realizing this, you do re-affirm and tell
me that all you have told is the truth?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A- Yes, sir.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q- When you were first questioned today by the Sheriff
or by the State Attorney, when did you tell them that you came back to the
courthouse?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A- About 12:00 o’clock Friday night.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q- Did you tell them that you had been in the County
Courtroom or building until you were found this Sunday morning/<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A- Yes, sir.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q- When did you finally decide to make the statement
that you made here this evening?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A- About 7:00 o’clock when I was talking to Mr.
Crawford.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q- You decided to make the statement. Did Mr. Crawford
promise you anything?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A- No, sir.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q- Was it that you had your mind burdened and wanted
to get it off your mind?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A- Yes, sir.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Q- Did you tell Mr. Crawford that you wanted to make
the statement?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A- Yes, sir.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">July 2, 1951, typing at this point started at 10:23
pm. I have read the foregoing six and one-half pages of the statement and I
hereby state the statement was made freely and voluntarily in answer to
questions as listed on these pages in the exact wording as typed except for the
correction I made on page 4. I had previously been advised that I did not have
to make statement and that any statement that I might make could and might be
used against me in Court, and that under the Constitution of the United States
and of the State of Florida that I did not have to make any statement, that I
was entitled to have an attorney and to talk to an attorney, and that any statement
that I made or gave would have to be made freely and voluntarily made and that
I did make the statement and do now sign the same as my statement concerning
this case and the happenings as set forth herein as being a true and correct
statement of what happened and as my free and voluntary statement.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">LAWRENCE W. CORMACK<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Witnesses:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">MARSHALL HAYES, Sheriff<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">WADE A COBB.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<br />Woodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15439536585199351784noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5544495330553076995.post-73966761877509676512019-04-19T14:47:00.000-05:002019-10-10T23:49:56.174-05:00Jay Bank Robbery, Part II<br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Whether through rumors, scuttlebutt, or maybe the
indiscreet whispers of one of the participants, by late summer 1963, Pensacola
Police Chief D.P. Caldwell felt he knew who committed the robbery of the Bank
of Jay. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Getting
enough evidence to prove it however, was a different story. On the 25<sup>th</sup>
of October, Chief Caldwell suspended, and asked for dismissal of Officers
Luther Ingram, and Louis J. (Jimmy) Dees. The two officers had been partners
for years, and Ingram once lived next door to Dees, in a house owned by Dees. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
charges levied against Dees were, 1-holding ownership of a bar. 2- failure to
reside within city limits, and 3- failure to be qualified as a registered
voter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ingram was charged with
Insubordination, and failing to obey a lawful order.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>On
the 25<sup>th</sup> of October, Jay bank officials, Price Malone, and Jesse
Golden traveled to the office of Police Chief Caldwell to view two line-ups.
One line-up had Officer Ingram, and three other officers. Golden told the Chief
that Ingram looked very much like the man in the hold-up, but couldn’t
positively identify him. Malone said he would be willing to testify that Ingram
was the man who held a gun on him during the robbery. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>An
hour after his line-up, Ingram was called back to the Chief’s office and told
to put on a raincoat, and dark glasses of the type that the bank robbers wore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ingram requested to confer with his lawyers,
Forsythe Caro, and Joe Harrell.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He then
refused to don the items requested and was suspended from the force.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Officials would not say who was in the other line-up,
but it is interesting to note that Ingram’s partner, Dees was suspended the same
day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>There
was a hearing on November 26<sup>th</sup>, where Ingram was found guilty of
insubordination by a 2-1 vote of the City Service Board.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At his hearing Ingram testified that he
refused to wear the items in the line-up because he knew he was a suspect in
the robbery, and he knew that the two bank officials from Jay were there to
view him. He also claimed to have heard from a relative in Jay that the bank
officials had mistakenly identified another suspect in Jacksonville. Ex-Santa Rosa
County Sheriff Henry Clay Mitchell spoke on Ingram’s behalf by stating that he
did not believe a person should be ordered to “don the garb” of a robber and
appear before witnesses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
decision by the City Service Board was eventually overturned and Ingram
returned to the Pensacola Police Department. He eventually resigned in November
of 1972.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had been suspended many
times in his 16-year career and Caldwell tried more than once to get him dismissed
from the force. It has been told to me by an ex-officer of the Pensacola Police
Dept., that for the rest of his time on the force, Ingram would never don a
raincoat. Not even while investigating auto accidents in the rain. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ingram passed away at the age of 51 on April
8, 1983.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Louis
J. (Jimmy) Dees resigned from the force that day of the line-up in November
1963. He was the owner of the Liberty Bar, located at Zaragoza, and
Baylen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 1970 he bought the Castle
Lounge at 500 East Gregory St. He sold it and moved to the Atlanta area in
1978, but later returned to buy Al’s Bar and Package Store on Gulf Beach
Highway. He passed away in December 2005.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The Robbery
of the Bank of Jay was never officially solved. No one was prosecuted for it,
and no one was formally accused of committing it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Pensacola Police Chief, D.P. Caldwell
definitely was convinced of the officer’s involvement, and tried to use any
reason to get them off the force. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A
week after the Robbery in Jay, Officer Ingram was awarded “Policeman-of-the-Month”
by the Greater Pensacola Chamber of Commerce. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>During
the time Jimmy Dees owned the Castle Lounge, an unknown person placed a sign
out front that read, “Financed by the Bank of Jay”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Officers
Ingram, and Dees were not prosecuted for the robbery, and Ingram returned to
the force for another 9 years before resigning. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<b><i>I was talking to an ex-Pensacola Police Officer who was in attendance at the Jay Historical Society when I gave a talk about the Bank robbery. He told me that when the FBI had the Loot burial site staked out, a PPD patrol car slowly approached and parked right next to where the loot was stashed. In the car was Luther Ingram, and a young lady. The FBI gave up on their stake-out.</i></b><br />
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<br />Woodyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15439536585199351784noreply@blogger.com0