The Sunday News and Tribune from Jefferson City, Missouri • Page 1

61. SECTION ONE 20 PAGES A SUNDAY COMBINATION OF THE MORNING CAPITAL NEWS AND EVENING POST-TRIBUNE VOL. 5, NO. 38 JEFFERSON CITY, MISSOURI, SUNDAY, MARCH 31, 1935 PRICE FIVE CENTS McGee's Fate Is Sealed By High Tribunal, To Die May 10 First Death Sentence to Be Imposed in United States for Kidnaping; All Judges Concur. Rages and Weeps When Informed of Decision Miss McElroy and Father 'Would Rather Not Comment at this Time' on Result of Appeal.

The first death sentence to be imposed in the United States for-' kidnaping was affirmed today by the Missouri Supreme Court, Division No. 2. Walter H. McGee, leader of the i'ang which abducted Mary McElroy, daughter of the city manager of Kansas City and collected $30,000 for her release nearly two years ago, alternately raged and wept when told his sentence had been upheld. Miss McElroy, tall, brunette and 26, "would rather not comment at this time.

for both of us," her father, Henry F. McElroy. Hanging Set For May 10 Barring, a rehearing by the Su- preme'Court or executive clem- fore May." ency, McGee will be hanged in the Jackson county- jail at Kansas City May 10. The Supreme Court set the date of execution -in its decision-affirming the sentence. In adopting an opinion written by Commissioner Walter H.

Bohl- the three judges of Division of the Suprema Court un- agreed that tHs "proof sufficiently substantiates '-the-yer- diet guilty," and "record ''-piober''discloses iit Judgment. Approvedr "Therefore, the judgment is approved," Commissioner Bphling concluded. The judges who concurred in the commissioner's findings are Ernest M. Tipton, George Robb Ellison and C. A.

Leedy, Jr. "What did they do, bring the rope back to me?" asked McGee as he was escorted from the Jackson county jail to the sheriff's office. Told the cour't verdict, McGee exclaimed: "I'll take it to the supreme court." Tears followed as the condemned kidnaper listened to two deputy sheriffs discuss what arrangements would be necessary to hang McGee, there being no accommodations at this time for a-gal lows room in the new jail. 'Maybe It's a Break' "They couldn't get it ready by May 10, could they?" he asked, anxiously. "Maybe that's a break for McGee Scheduled to Be First to Die In Jackson Courthouse If 'the death sentence affirmed by the supreme court yesterday is carried out May 10, Walter McGee, leader of the gang that kidnaped Miss Mary McElroy, not only will be the first person to die for kidnaping for ransom in the United States, but the first person to be executed in Jackson county's new $4,000,000 court It also be the first time the Missouri statute making death the maximum penalty for the crime has been invoked.

Jackson county's new court house only recently was completed, and the county law enforcement agencies transferred their headquarters to the new structure last Saturday. as -B. Bash is Jackson county sheriff, and will be in charge of the hanging. Golden Era Of River Recalled By Barge Line Capital City Was Bustling Traffic Terminal in the a River Packets Plied Stream. Only Nine Cases on Bulky Court Docket Remain to Be Tried Board of Curators Expect No Decision On President Soon Special Committee Would 'Do Well' to Make Recommendation by May.

M. McDavid of Springfield, president of the board of curators of the University of Missouri, said here yesterday that a special committee appointed to aid in the selection of a -new president for the university would "do well" to make its recommendations "be- No final decision was to be made at a meeting of the committee held here yesterday, McDavid said. Dr. Walter Williams, president of the university, last Sep- iember.to be relieved of his duties Because of poor health. Three months later, the board asked Dr.

Williams to remain in office until arid appointed Dr. Frederick Middlebusb, dean the school ot business arid 'public nainistratioh, to assist in his work. "We will do well to get a rec- Was CilY Only Outlet In Early Pioneer Days Traffic First Started with Keelboats; First Steam er Came up River to Capital Early as 1819. No longer does the whistle of a steamboat tell the people of Jef ferson City of the arrival of friends or relatives but the landing of the Bixby, 150-foot Diesel powered towboat, at the Capital City last week is looked to as the opening of a new era in river traffic. Some old time river men believe it 'means the revival, in part at least, of the "golden era" when the Big Muddy was a great avenue of commerce.

The history of steam navigation on the Missouri reads like a novel in which the giant wins lor awhile but is gradually choked to death. 3ne Criminal Case Remains to Be Disposed of; Damage Suit April 4 Only nine cases remain to be in the circuit court' for the of the March term and only two of these are important from a local standpoint. An unprecedented number of cases were swept from the docket during the term. Several had to be continued until the May term because the attorney was in the legislature. One criminal case remains on the docket.

Sam Fleck accused of stealing wheat from a granery on the Cortvrient farm east of the city goes to trial April 8. Fleck "two time faces habitua criminal charges. If convicted the grain theft he will receive a Barker-Karpis Mob Named In Bank Robbery Federal Relief In State Ends Tomorrow Unless Sudden Developments Intervene Pork Advised That 'Only Actual State Appropriation of $500,000 for Month of April' Can Keep Federal Funds Pouring Into the State minimum sentence of 20 years Prosecuting Attorney Dampf revealed that he had intended to permit Fleck to plead to a modified charge which would have netted him no more and probably less than 5 years. Doyle Confession Exonerates Man Serving Life Term in Stillwater Prison for Participation. Confession Clears Up Slaying of Patrolmen Karpis, Miller, Barker Brothers, and Others Named as Partners in Robbery and Murders.

(Copyright. 1935, by the Associated Press) ST. PAUL, March 30--(AP)--A lifer in Stillwater Prison was exonerated and the Barker-Karpis mob named as the murderous raiders of the Minneapolis third Northwestern National Bank holdup in which two policemen and a St. Paul motorist were slain, in a written confession by a Brem- Relief Suspension Means End to Free Lunches in School Barring last-minute developments, Missouri goes off federa relief tomorrow. Kilgroe Gets Order To Halt All Relief In Cole County The giant today, however, is coming back to life.

From the time the first steamboat passed by Jefferson City in 1819, as history records it, until a few years ago when steamboats all but passed out of existence, they played an integral part in the history of Jefferson City. Although accounts vary as to ommendation to the board of cu- uis VJ une 5 rators by May," McDavid said after a morning session'of the committee. "No publicity will be given to our recommendations until the matter is 'placed before the board of curators." The board president and four other members of the committee had a high stack of written recommendations before them at a conference at a hotel here. McDavid said there were "at least" 75 recommendations before the committee, of which but a few were "active candidates." Committee Members Other member sof the committee who attended yesterday's conference were: George Willson of St. Louis and H.

J. Blanton of Paris, board members, Dr. W. C. Curtis, faculty representative, and Caldwell, Kansas City lawyer and alumnus of the university.

which was the first steamboat to pass by what later came to be the capital, the year 1819 marked this event. The Independence is generally-credited with the feat when, on May 15, left St. Louis with Capt. Jphn Nelson as to Old Franklin, opr. Boc now located, went lo Glasgow, Vnd then The case of Ben Heimericks against Mrs.

Dorothy Schwartz, the outgrowth of a collision on Highway .50 in Washington Park in which HeJmericks two sons were fatally injured is scheduled for April 4. Unless the case of James Foster is called for trial, court will end about. April 13. Foster's case was transferred from Juvenile to Circuit CoUrt by Judge Sevier who also denied the defendant bail. He is to have a preliminary hearing this week and if defense attorney desires the case will be set down for trial in the next two weeks.

If not it will go over to the regular term. returned to St. 1819. Independence required Ihirteen days for the trip between St. Louis and Franklin.

First Wreck Occ rs After seeing the Missouri river could be navigated by steam, three boats, known as the Long "S.T pedition, started up the stream from St. Louis. When they ed the mouth of the Osage river, the Stephens on Group To Beautify Roads McElroy, kidnaped from me." Miss her home May 27, 1933, and kept chained in the cellar of a house near Shawnee, for about 30 hours until her father paid of the amount ori- nally demanded--for her release, a few miles below here. Thomas Jefferson slruck a snag and sank. This was the first steamboat wreck ever recorded on the Missouri river.

The mounting calls for Irade and commerce with the West was one of the major reasons that Long's Expedition went out on the river. It wanted to see how far up this mighty stream a steamboat could travel. The Western Engineer, a member of the expedition, was the first kbeen nervous and distraught Teachers result of worry over the prosecution of her abductors. She disappered from her home the night of Feb. 10 last and was intercepted the next day at Normal, on a Chicago-bound bus.

She attributed her impulsive Among those who have been mentioned as possible succesors to Dr. Williams are: Dr. Middlebush, Dr. Frank P. Graham, president of the University of North Carolina; Dr.

M. G. Neale, president of the University of Idaho, and Dr. Uel M. Lamkin, president of the Northwest Missouri State Committee Will Promote Public Consciousness of Improvement Value.

ST. LOUIS, March 3O--(AP)-- Improvement and beautification of stale highways will be promoted by a committee appointed today at a meeting of the Citizens' Road Association of Missouri. The meeting, attended by 60 representatives of civic and horticultural organizations throughout the state, voted for appointment of the committee to outline a program and organize units in various sections. Named on the committee were: Dr. George T.

Moore, St. Louis, director of the Missouri Botanical Gardens; Hugh Stephens, Jefferson City, president of the Road Association, and F. E. Sayers, Jefferson City, director of roadside improvement for the state highway er kidnaping defendant, the Associated Press learned tonight from an unimpeachable source. This authoritative source said Jess Doyle, indicted as the money-changer in the $200,000 Edward G.

Bremer kidnaping, admits he drove the bandit car.j claims that Leonard Hankins, serving a life term for the murder of the Minneapolis policemen, is innocent, and confesses the same gang was responsible for the spectacular holdup of the First National Bank at Fairbury, two years ago, when seven were wounded. Clears Slaying: The confession clears up the slaying of Patrolmen Leo Gorski and Ira Evans of Minneapolis mowed down by gun bullets in front of the bank on Dec. 16, 1932, and the killing oC 29-yeaiold Paul' resident, who unwittingly stared at the bandits as they changed escape cars in Como Park St. Paul. Doyle, who describes he was dressed in a chauffeur's uniform, named in his confession his accomplices in the $112,000 Minneapolis holdup: Alvin Karpis, Public Enemy No.

1, still at large and indicted as a kidnaper of the St. Paul banker. The order from relief headquarters slopping all activity in Cole county will affect 360 school children who have been receiving free lunches, Miss Luella Olsen, Jefferson City school nurse, a i yesterday. Lunches will be supplied tomorrow, she said, by Ihe Parent- Teachers Association, but no provisious have been made for any day after Monday. Taking the lunches away from the children is nothing short of tragic, sh said.

Children receiving them were found to have gained in weight on an average of four and a half pounds each. One gained a maximum of fifteen pounds. All were found improved in class work. All schools with Ihe cxccplion of Immaculate Conception and the Lutheran school, and the high school received the lunches. That is the ultimatum of Harry Direct Aid, Work Projects, and Special Functions All Affected by Instructions from Crossley.

(Continued on Page 13) Capital City Youth One of 24 Admitted to Bar flight to her feeling of personal responsibility in the death sentence of McGee. Punishment Merited' "It was my McElroy said, testimony," Miss "that convicted those men. It was the right thing to do, their sentences were just, and I still believe capital punishment is merited for kidnaping as well as murder. "I hold no personal hard feeling against them, and I am sure that they do not hold hard feelings against me. That's what makes the situation all the worse.

"I have nightmares about those men and the fates they brought on themselves. I cannot forget them I have visited them in prison. 3 tried to help their relatives pthing drives me to do this, jot let them go." brother, George Mc. Gee, who guarded Miss McElroi while she was held prisoner, is (Continued on Page 2) Weather Partly cloudy in MISSOURI: extreme east portion Sunday Monday cloudy followed by show ers. The State Board of Bar Examiners Saturday made public a list of 24 successful candidates in the Tebruary bar examination.

Seventy-four took the examination. The list of successful candidates follows: Kansas City-- Bennett Warner Harrington, Bruce M. Forrester, Milo Fowler Hamilton, William B. Heidelberger, Joseph Robert Jennett, Charles W. Porter, Ben Easter Pener, John Brooks Pew, James Joseph Shepard, Charles Alan Settle, Ozell Trask, Arthur R.

Thompson, and Robert M. Zerhring. St. Louis--Paul H. Bates, John Jacob Deschu, Honora M.

Kahn, Elmer John Meyer, Russell N. MacLeod, and Burris Querin Schumacher. Out-State--John William Cook, Crane; Fred L. Henley, Caruthersville; Aubrey R. Harrimett Jefferson City; C.

G. Wahl, Louisiana, and David William Wilson, La Belle. Bishop J. H. Tihen Said Out of Danger Venerable Prelate Suffered Stroke of Apolexy Thursday.

WICHITA, March 30-(AP)--Bishop J. Henry Tihen of the Wichita diocese of the Catholic church, who suffered a severe heart attack Thursday, was reported today to be "out of danger." The sister superior of St. Francis hospital said Bishop Tihen's condition was critical yesterday but that his rapid recovery now is expected. department. The group will seek to cultivate public consciousness of the financial and cultural value of highway improvement and beautification and to conserve places of historical interest, to create appreciation of the recreational advantages of the state, and to avoid Barker Named Arthur (Doc) Barker, held the county jail here, awaiting trial in the Bremer case.

Lawrence Devol, alias Larry Colton, serving a life term in Stillwater penitentiary, and fingered as the. machine-gunner who cut down the Minneapolis patrolmen William Weaver, alias Phoenix Donald, a paroled lifer who is sought as one of the actual kidnapers of Bremer. Verne Miller, notorious outlaw found shot lo death in Detroit, Nov. 29, 1933, and one of the ringleaders in the infamous Kansas City depot massacre in June, 1933. Fred Barker, a brother of "Doc" Barker, who with his mother, "Ma" Kate Barker, were slain last January by federal agents in Florida.

Pre-School Child Clinks of P. T. A. Begin This Week Every Child Who is to Start School Next Year Expected to Attend. Parent-Teachers Associations in each of the Jefferson City school districts will start their annual pre-school child clinics this week, Miss Luella Olson, public school nurse, said yesterday in announcing dates for the climes.

Every child in Jefferson City who is to start school at either kindergarten or first grade next fall is expected to appear for the free check-ups. The schedule clinics follows: Tuesday, April 2. a. m. Central, Thursday, April 4.

p. m. Fail-view, Tuesday, April 9. Moreau Heights, Thursday, April 11. Park, Tuesday, April 18.

L. Hopkins, federal relief admin- islralor, Howard O. Hunter, regional FERA director in Chicago, and other relief officials in Washington. Only "an actual slate appropriation of $500,000 for the month oC April" can keep federal funds pouring into Missouri after Monday, Governor Guy B. Park was advised yesterday afternoon.

Wallace Crossley, slate relief director, notified county relief administrators throughout Missouri to suspend all relief activities. All Relief Ceases "Due lo the fact that FERA to Missouri is withhold pending legislative action on relief measures," Crossley notified the counties, "all direct relief, work relief, and all special projects must cease: Crossley warned counties thai the state relief administration "cannot assume responsibility foi any obligations incurred" unless April funds are made available. "The suspension of general relief activities will reach into thousands of Missouri Crossley said. "Every commtinil.j will be presented with an human problem." All Service Possible The slate relief director urgcc all relief employes lo rende whatever service possible whil funds were wilhheld. "Any federal relief grant Missouri for the month of Apr will be made only after actua passage of legislation in accord ance with conditions made by Mi Hopkins, and including an actua stale appropriation of $500,000 fo the month oC April," Hunter in formed Pnrlc by telegram.

"Grants of federal relief 'Time onPage 2) unsightly and' ugly and landscaping. architectm-e Heart Attack Is Fatal After Funeral Sermon Hopes Son? Debate Will End KANSAS CITY, March Moanfeldt, New York attorney, said today that he hoped debate and litigation over the cowboy ballad "Home on the Eange," would soon end. Word received here today was to the effect that the venerable prelate had suffered a stroke of apoplexy but that his condition was not now considered dangerous. Relatives who were preparing to go to Wichita in the event his condition became alarming were reassured today by messages that he was rapidly improving. Bishop Tihen is 74 years old and was born and reared in Jefferson Two sisters and one brother still reside here.

Mrs. R. H. Weaks, 905 Jackson street, returned yesterday from Oak Ridge, Cape Girardeau county, where she had been called by the death of her father, the Rev. F.

D. Baughn, 66, who died unexpectedly March 18. The Rev. Baughn, who was a Baptist minister for more than 40 years, was stricken at the close of a funeral sermon for a member of his church. He died soon afterward.

He held a number of pastorates in southeast Missouri and Kentucky. Burial was at Sikeston. Belgian 'New Deal' Plan Given Confidence Vote BRUSSELS, March 30--(AP)-A huge vote of confidence in the senate tonight launched Young Paul Van Zeeland's "New Deal" cabinet on its ambitiously conceived program to pull Belgium out of the economic doldrums. Easter Seal Proceeds fo Aid Crippled Children Governor Park yesterday proclaimed the week preceding Easier as Crippled Children's Week and urged that all able to do so buy Easter seals for the benefit of crippled children. This is the first year, the Missouri Society for Crippled Children said, that Missouri has undertaken an Easter seal sale.

The funds from the Easter seal will go to promote the work of the society and its affiliated committees and chapters, which are on a county-wide basis. Agents Got Confession The confession, it was learned was obtained by federal agents in Kansas City after Doyle surrendered voluntarily at Girard, Kas. Hankins, a tall and strapping Kentuckian from Dawson Springs was summoned from the prison shop by a reporter and informed of Doyle's reported confession. Visibily affected by the news, Hankins could not speak for a moments. Embracing his informer with both hands, he said: "Thank God--I knew the truth would come out some day.

I'm innocent--I don't know this man Doyle, nor do I know members of the Barker-Karpis crowd, but if he admits he was the driver, he must know the real bandits. I'm a gambler, not a bank robber or a killer. The worst crime I ever committed in my life was to play cards. Family Churchgoers "My father, brothers and sister in Dawson Springs certainly will be glad to hear the news. They are active church members down thci-e, you know.

They know I was framed." According to the confession Doyle tells how he wore a regulation uniform and drove the big car to the bank, with Karpis sitting next to him. He then related how Devol, who pleaded guilty West End, Thursday, April 16. Clinics at Schools Clinics for each of Ihe school districls will be conducted at the school building. Members oE the Parent-Teacher Association, for each school will assist Miss Olson with the preliminary check-ups while members of the Cole County Medical Association will make the physical examinations. Time for Remedies "It is upon the basis of these pre-suhool check-ups that recommendations can be made so that parents will have ample time during the summer months to get their children in condition lo start to school next fall," Miss Olson said in explaining the need for Ihe annual clinics.

"One out of every nine children was retained in the first grade last year largely because the child was unaccustomed lo the school rouline, had nol been in attendance in kindergarten or was mentally not able lo grasp the first year's work. "Poor attendance in first years of school here in Jefferson City is largely due to frequent colds, earache, sore throats and the attendance habit has nol been well es- Legion Executive Committee to Hold Parley in Indiana Group Will Discuss Means to Give Push to Vinson Bonus Measure. tablishcd. It is the plan lo conduct the clinics, get the physical deterrents cleared up and put the child in school with a good start each fall. This will enable the new pupil lo have the best possible chance of undelayed progress." WASHINGTON, Mar.

30--(AP) --The nalional executive committee of the American Legion has been, called lo meet next Tuesday in Indianapolis, ostentisbly to give a fresh push to the Vinson soldiers' bonus bill providing for cash payment but leaving to the treasury how the money is lo be raised. Beaten In House Bealcn in the house, which approved the Patmari measure calling for payment in $2,200,000,000 of new currency, Legion officials said today they believed the Vinson plan had a belter chance of senate approval. They also thought this bill would be more acceptable lo the White House. Senate leaders, however, continued lo claim neither of these bills would be approved by the President and clung lo Ihcir prediction a veto could be sustained in their branch. Chief Topic The bonus is only one of several topics that will engage the attention of the Legion committee next week, but officials here said it would be the main one.

The group, headed by Frank N. Belgrano, national commander, is expected to survey Ihe Federal Funds Held Up Due to Delay by Solons Every County in State Affected Similarly; 3,000 on Relief Here in February, Report Shows. Federal rclier in Cole county tops Monday, Luther M. Kilgroe, ounty relief director, announced yesterday, unless instructions he contrary are received from btate relief headquarters. Kilgroe received a telegram last ight from Wallace Crossley, state administrator, which ordered cessation of alt activities which involve the expenditure of money.

Crossley's telegram read: "Due to the fact that FERA grant to Missouri is withheld pending legislative action on relict measure, all direct relief, work relief, and all special projects must cease. "You will be notilicd immediately if April funds are made available but until you receive definite instructions to proceed with the program, the slate relief administration cannot assume responsibility for any obligations incurred. This applies to administrative projects and-employes as well as all others although every employe is expected to render any service possible during the Actu'fty To Stop Kilgi'de 'saicf this meant every activity would hull. Unless unforeseen developments occur, he said, there will more free lunches, free milk or any other relief functions for school children. Sewing projects which last week were employing at least women will be discontinued and all relief work projects in various parts of the county also will halt.

The last report showed approximately six hundred families on direct and work relief in Cole county. Of these 185 were sup- to the murder charge rather than face hanging for a killing in Missouri, turned his machine gun on the two policemen as they (Continued on Page 2) Jury Convicts Woman of Passing Bad Bills ST. LOUIS, March 30--(AP)-Miss Theresa Gallagher, 37, was convicted by a federal court jury today of passing counterfeit one dollar bills last year. Mrs. Jeane Te Grew, 27, was acquitted of a similar charge.

The government charged the women visited friends at the federal penitentiary in and on their return to St. Louis last Memorial Day, passed several allegedly bogus bills at poinls along Missouri Highway No. 40. They were arrested by a state highway patrolman in St. Charles, on their way here.

The women said they did not know the money was counterfeit. Miss Gallagher's scnlcncc was de' fcrrcd until Tuesday. progress of its four-point program adopted at the Miami convention --cash payment of the bor with cancellation of interest on bonus loans and refunding of interest already paid; adequate national defense, universal service and widows and orphans aid. Famed Business Man to Speak at Dinner Here Fred W. Anderson, famed department store manager who built up a $500,000 annual business in a Nebraska town of 1,200 people, will be the guest speaker at a dinner meeting here Tuesday, April 9, C.

O. Hanes, secretary of the chamber of commerce, said yesterday. Anderson has been praised for his community building ideas, Hanes said, in urging business men particularly to make reservations. Secretary Hanes announced yesterday the special activities func campaign dates had been changed i from April 10-12 to April 23-25. ported by work relief only.

There was a total of 3,051 persons in Cole county receiving relief in one form or another during February. Under Crossley's order lo county officials, however, it. means these persons will to get along by themselves as best they can until something is done about it. To Distribute Commodities The only relief that will not be affected will be the dislribulion of free surplus commodities. These have been going to approximately one hundred families in Jefferson City and Cole county.

Director Kilgroe said the office would be open as usual Monday although every member, including himself, is technically out of a job. There is a great deal of unfinished work still to be done, Kilgroe said, and the office will go right head with his as though nothing had happened. Actually, however, the salaries of all administrative officers stop along with the cessation of other rcl-ef activities. Until some agreement is reached between the state and federal officials the office ceases to exist. Needy To Go Hungry No county agency or the Cole county relief committee last night lad taken any steps toward aiding destitute families.

From all appearances, no relief will be iven out from any -source until some arrangement is made between the state and Federal Administrator Hopkins. The situation throughout Missouri was similar to hat in Cole county. Identical telegrams were sent out from Crossley's office to all county relief directors and last night workers were being dismissed from hundreds of relief work projects. Offers Leadership Course A course in scout leadership will be given for men interested in the scouting movement. N.

R. Beagle, scout council chairman, announced last week. The course will be conducted Tuesday evenings April 9, 16, 23, 30 and May 7. All interested are asked to confer with scout executive L. E.

Glinkman at the cpur.thoi^e..