The Mercury from Pottstown, Pennsylvania • Page 1

i f)QY 7 5 Vi A I NG Harding Was an Honest Man, But a Child in the Hands of Wily Rascals, Says Edwin C. Hill as He Recalls Gaston Falsified Story Tarn to Poge Four THE WEATHER Eastern Pennsylvania: Increasing cloudiness, slowly rising temperature today; rain or snow by night; occasional rain, warmer tomorrow. New Jersey: Increasing cloudiness, rising temperature today. in Column One) Pottstown VOL. 8, NO.

74 POTTSTOWN, FRIDAY Mercury The Mercury all fields pletely, neglects none. For all the news, read The Mercury. MORNING, DECEMBER 23, 1938 TILE PHONE ASSOCIATED PRESS CENTRAI PRESS mo CENTS A OOPt VEN CENTS A WEEK Mad Description Spurs! christmastime BOYERTOWN Hiiin mm mm mm. sm. a mm Hunt for Slayer Suave, Sandy-Haired Man Sought as One Who Lured Margaret Martin to Death; Parents Say Daughter Was By The Associated Press TUNKHANNOCK, Dec.

description of the employer who lured 19-year old Margaret Martin from her home by the promise of a job put new vigor tonight in the farm-to-farm search for a trace of the sex- crazed killer who left her nude and slashed body in a mountain stream. Coster Suicide Note o-Jf State police learned through a person who overheard a pay-station telephone conveiaa- tion that a suave, neat sandy-haired young man was the caller who had offered Miss Martin, a recent honor graduate from a business school, a place as a stenographer. That was Saturday morning in Kingston, 30 miles south of here. Margaret left the house gleefully, anticipating her first steady job since her graduation, December 1. be right back, mother," she said as she started out to meet the man.

But she was not seen again until late yesterday when a muskrat trapper working along nearby Keelersburg creek, found 'i Wait. a kztir -ir Press Photo Here is the beginning at the end of note left by Philip alias F. Donald Coster, preceding his suicide at Fairfield. Cons. The letter in main is an indictment of Wall Street.

God is my judse," it runs in part, am the victim of Wall Street plunder, and blackmail in a struggle for honest existence." Coster's Death Note Assails Wall Street Swindler Says He Was Blackmail Victim of Struggle for Living NEW YORK, Dec. 22 Donald Coster-Musica's explanation of the scandal involving his half-incoherent denunciation of Wall Street, a substantial admission of his own culpability and an exculpation of his 1 made public today as the government began an investigation of men who had profited by knowledge of the master swindler's past career as Philip Musica. It was in a letter written in the last desperate hours of his life that Coster-Musica told his side of the strange posthumous apologia written a ago at the time when he decide to end by suicide his long masquerade. It was addressed to Samuel Reich, the promoter's attorney and released by him. At one point, Coster-Musica admitted having betrayed some of those who had trusted him.

At another he wrote in shaky hand: "As God is my judge I am the victim of Wall Street plunder WINTER BOWS; MERCURY AT 23 Arrest of Murderer Predicted in 24 Hours SCRANTON, Dec. 22 Scranton Tribune said tonight the slayer of Margaret Martin, 19-year-old Kingston girl whose nude body was found in a sack in a Keelersburg creek, will be disclosed within 24 hours. The paper asserted investigators have located witnesses whose testimony put the officials on the trail of the killer of the commercial college graduate. her body bundled in a burlap bag, in the Icy stream about 25 miles from her Kingston home. Her knees were drawn up under her chin.

There was a deep knife gash across her abdomen and bruises on her body and throat. Coroner R. W. Greenwood said strangulation apparently caused her death. autopsy disclosed the girl had buffered the molestation of a degenerate.

Earlier, aspects of the case indicated Miss Martin might have been seized by a white slave operator. Her mother and father, bearing their grief bravely after sleepless nights since Saturday, said they PC 00 FIRE ROUTS 2 FAMILIES PI Christmas Joy Dulled for Howard Eagle, Daniel Smith (g BOY, 6. IS RESCUED; ASOLO ACADEMY BURNS Mercury Staff Photos Two children escaped injury but the homes of two families in Boyertown were gutted by fire yesterday afternoon. In the above pictures, the flames are shown sweeping the homes of Daniel Smith and Howard Eagle, West Philadelphia avenue. At upper left, volunteer firemen and friends carry household goods from the Smith home.

Mrs, Howard Eagle is shown at extreme left, happily holding her three-year-old son, Howard after he was taken from the burning house. Mrs. Smith is pictured with her son, Burlyn, 6. in the adjoining picture. 105 Receive Citizenship As 1938 Christmas Gift Harry Wolf, 38, Lineman, Hurt in Fall From Pole County Adds New Voters From Every Country in Europe Newspaperboys Present Gifts to Executives North Manatawny Street Man Hurt as His Climbers Watch Tomorrow For Bicycle Winner Where Body Was Found Cold Wave Grips State With Heavy Snowfall Reported at Kane (Continued on Page Three) BINGO too Games, 40c; Extra Cams, 10c 8 LIVE TI RKEYs Extra Drawings of Three Turkeys Everybody m.

SPECIAL! 24 -Hour Motor License 50c JACOBSON, 221 High St. Open Evenings Winter made its official debut yesterday and temperatures fell below freezing as the frigid season arrived The mercury skidded below 30 degrees, dipping to 2 degrees by 12 last night Throughout the state the cold wave dominated, with few sections reporting higher temperatures. The weather bureau said today would be warmer, along with increasing cloudiness. Rain or snow appeared in the offing for tonight Tomorrow, the forecast said, will be still warmer with occasional rain The weather bureau held out no hope for a generally white Christmas. The light fall of snow in most scattered areas was expected to be all for at least another day.

Ski enthusiasts, however, enjoyed their best sport of the year at Kane, where eight and a haif BALLANTINE BEER 40-J Mercury Antics Local temperaturcs yesterday and early this morning were. (Continued on Page Three) GIFTS For Last Minnie Shoppers Toys Trays Tea Sets Tool i 11 Terrariums Taole Cloths Candles Cocktail Sets Escort Wallets Foreign Dolls See-Saws Lamps Stuffed Animals Mary Dunhiil Perfumes Poker Poinscttias Camellias Orange tilt Trees Violers Gardenias KEIM FLORAL COMPANY Oliver Lewis Christman High at Warren KEELERSBURG of wan WfiS KINGSTON SCRANTON VtlKES-BARRE OWAZIETON Harry Wolf. 38-year-old lineman for the Philadelphia Electric company, last night was confined Co the Pottstown hospital suffering from to both feet after he fell from a pole at York and Walnut streets Wolf, who resides on North Manatawny street, fell after the spurs on his climbers apparently causing him to drop to the pavement He landed on his feet but fell backwards. The lineman was taken to the hospital by fellow workmen. Hospital attaches said X-ray photographs would be taken to determine whether or not any bones were fractured.

Linemen explained the points of the climbing tools frequently splinter the wood on a pole, causing a climber to losf his grip. The winner will be announced tomorrow! The essay contest, conducted by The Mercury during the safety campaign in Pottstown, closed yesterday. After the judges complete poring over the essays on to Ride a Bicycle the winner of a bike will be an- munced in The Mercury tomorrow morning. A new bicycle will be given to the winner, whether the fortunate one be boy or girl, by C. J.

Stnale, manager of the Pottstown retail store of the Sears, Roebuck and company. So watch The Mercury tomorrow morning. You may be the winner! Map shows where the nude and slashed remains of Margaret Martin. Kingston girl, were found by a trapper, 30 miles from her home. Visit CURCHOFAS FLOWER SHOP The Home of FLOWERS and GIFTS Wreaths for home or cemetery use Grave blankets Xmas trees, hollys, mistletoe and evergreens.

978 High 1691 SANTA TREATS 300 CHILDREN could bear her death better than fears she was captive of a white slave ring. would rather know she dead than believe she was in the hands of white slavers, her mother i said. little girl fought foi herself and died the pure girl that she Her father, John Martin, mine foreman and minor political ftguie at Kingston, said read about many missing girls and I thank BINGO TONITE 8:15 100 games 40c or 4 cards 50c. Ducks, geese, turkeys 10. $89.50 sweeper awarded tonight.

Lady in Red. Round Robin, valuable prizes, ton coal. Expert Watch, Clock, Jwlry. Repairs A. E.

Willauer, 217 High St. Opposite the Hippodrome Theater Skating Pruss Hill Dam. Santa Claus came to town last night to distribute gifts to more than 300 children at the annual Orioles Christmas party in the Owls' home. Box after box of candy, oranges by the crate and gross after gross of stockings filled with goodies were distributed by St. Nick, impersonated by William Dochney.

Cash gifts were presented to widows and orphans of deceased members. An entertainment was presented. John Rutkow.ski entertained with accordion selec 'ons; Sonny Rapine, i tap dances; Richard Groff and By Staff Writer NORRISTOWN, Dec. George C. Corson played the role of Santa Claus today and granted full citizenship to 105 men and women from all sections of the county.

The court held sessions throughout the entire day, with the arduous task of hearing the stereotyped answers from the prospective citizens not being completed until shortly'after five o'clock this afternoon. Examiner Stephens with Deputy Prothonotary Abram Hallman conducted the examinations and administered the oaths as groups of from 15 to 20 men and women swore allegiance to their new country. Many of the citizens had been residents in the United States for many years while others were comparatively newcomers to America. Every nation in Europe was represented in the lists with former Italian and British subjects predominating. The Slavish countries had fair representations, with Germany and Austria and a few Frenchmen included in the recent acquisitions to Montgomery county voting lists.

Those from the Pottstown area who were granted their papers were: Nick Koazel, Stowe; Adele Cio- chino, Royersford; Heromin Rusinski, Pottstown R. D. Alzbeta No- vomesky, East Greenville; Jacob Ruppert, Perkiomenville; Stephen Small, Telford; Anna Gulmanto- wicz, Perkiomenville; Frank Sep- rawski, New Hanover; Joseph John Grendash, Pottstown; Michael Sti- gura, Pottstown; Peter W. S. Zimmerman, circulation manager of The Mercury, and George Young, also of the circulation department, last night were presented Christmas gifts by boys who are members of The Mercury Newg- association.

Zimmerman was given shirts while Young received cigars and handkerchiefs. The presentation was made in the circulation department of The Mercury. The gift to Zimmerman was presented by Shandy Hill, manager of The Mercury, on hchaH of the carriers, while Oaniel Stringfellow, one of the newapaperboys, gave Young his gift. FIRST ILLNESS KILLS MAN, 00 Claude C. Gould, Retired Electrician, Succumbs to Stroke (Continued on Pace Three) Sun Rises 7:19 a.

Sets 1:39 p. m. 6.43 p. m. 5 p.

6 p. 7 p. 8 p. 9 m. 10 p.

in. 11 p. 12 p. m. 1 a.

2 a. 3 a. m. 30 28 25 23 23 24 MARKET HOURS Dec. 23, 12 noon, to 9 p.

m. Dec. 24, 6 a. m. to 9:30 m.

XMAS TREES AT RED ARROW in Front of Rrtg R. R. 25c up (Continued on Page Three) Honor Brand Frosted Food Specials Peas, lb. oackage, 31c Red Raspberries, 33c Tenderized Turkeys, 47c Domestic Cheese, 29c Imported Polish Hams 8 lb. to 12 lb, can, 41c Imported Dry Mushrooms BARNA CHEESE SHOP Bahr Arcade, High and Charlotte Phone 2240 Free Delivery Rotary Provides Feast For 208 Poor Families A PRACTICAL, HEALTHFUL GIFT "A Pair of Corrective Reports show that 9 out of 10 adults are victim.

A foot ailments. Statistics also reveal that 76 percent of the school children are wearing misftteo shoes. We have in stock the right kind of shoes with a guarantee for correct fit. ROYAL CORRECTIVE FOOTWEAR 147 High Pottstown D. D.

Levengood Portrays Santa Role at Annual Party SWEISFORD RESTAURANT Closed All Oay Christmas Special Christmas Dinner Monday All Christmas Pies Ordered Today May Be Called for Saturday A Merry Christmas to All! C. H. SWEISFORD 133 High St. SPECIAL MENU, $1.50 Clam Chowder Baked Oysters Whole Broiled or Steamed Lobster Deviled Crab Cole Slaw Coffee Bread Butter JAMES SIDES HALFWAY HOUSE Scheidt and Neuweiler TURKEYS FOR SALE R. T.

RICHARDS Phone 2257-J SOUTH and ROWLAND STREETS Xmas Trees on Sale at Comer OLD GERMAN Last night long rows of baskets filled with groceries formed the background for Rotary's Christmas party in the Y.MCA. Tomorrow morning they will form ') the background lo a Merr i as in 208 needy homes in Pottstown. HI Larry E. Or- Sill, chairman of community service committee warmly thanked the service club last night for its making possible the greatest number of Christmas baskets ever to be distributed the club. The 208 baskets containing D.

D. Levengood quantities of pot a toe coffee, oranges, lima beans, corn, celery, flour, rolled oats, sugar; milk donated by dairy; to- matoes, onions; bread, donated by the Schulz baking company, and pork roasts butter by Wilmer N. Keck, will bt distributed tomorrow morning at 9 o'clock by 35 Boy Scouts under Field Executive Raymond W. Hoxworth. John K.

Klink will be in charge of distribution. Tomorrow morning at 10 the club will sponsor a Christmas party at Laurel Lodge when Santa t'laus will distribute gifts. President Edward L. Gruber will provide the apples and James Bedfast Wednesday for the first day in his life. CLAUDE COR NELIUS GOULD, 88 yesterday morning at 4:30 was seized with a stroke and died in the home of his son-in-law and daughter.

Mr. and Mrs. John L. Deegan 382 North Evans street Members of the Deegan family said Mr, Gould, who came to this borough nine years ago, caught a slight cold and took to his bed Wednesday. They added that was the only time in his life he was confined to bed by an illness.

Mr. Gould was employed as an electrician in Philadelphia until his retirement when he came to this borough to live. He was born in Buffalo. N. and was a son of the late Asa and Eunice (Campbell) Gould.

An Inventor. Mr. Gould con- reived and made some electrical and telephone devices now in use today, according to his family. He was a member of the Presbyterian faith. Children surviving are Martha By Staff Writer BOYERTOWN.

Dec, 22 the eve of the joyous Christmas season, two families were homeless tonight, virtually all their possessions lost when fire ripped through their modest homes here. The homes once made up the old Kallynean I academy, one of the first boarding schools in sylvania. Two small children, left alone for a few minutes while i the mother of one went to a neighboring house, were saved from the flames which started in a frame kitchen addition to the home of Daniel Smith, 353 West Philadelphia avenue. The fire started shortly after 1:30 and within an hour the Simth home, the home of Howard Eagle, 351 West Philadelphia avenue, and an adjoining vacant home, were swept by flames. Burlyn Smith, six-year-old son of Mr.

and Mrs. Smith, was playing in the kitchen with three-year-old Howard Eagle, son of the neighboring iamily. Mrs. Smith was absent at the time, spending a few minutes with her mother-in-law, several houses distant. The fire was believed to have been caused by an oil heater although firemen the cause could not be determined definitely.

Total was set at upwards of 57500. of which only a small portion was covered by insurance The Smith child, as soon as the kitchen became a mass of flames, ran screaming for his mother and she hurried to the scene. She groped frantically through dense smoke and crackling flames but was unable to find the Eagle boy. Mrs. Smith finally was compelled to flee through the front door.

Meanwhile. Gerald Eagle. 13- year-old brother of Howard, had returned home from work and discovered the fire. He I carried his brother to asfety from the Smith home, Both children were taken to a nearby house where they were calmed. Mrs.

Eagle, who was working, was notified of the blaze and returned to find her home burning. The fire swept the rear of the three houses, causing the frame construction to collapse I before firemen from Boyertown and nearby companies were able tc direct hose streams on the blaie. The fire swept through the Smith home, destroying virtually all the furniture and clothing. The Smiths irnight had little beside the clothes which they wore. The flames, which raced beneath the tin roof of the two-and-a-half story brick row, (Continued on Page Twelve) (Continued on Page Three) announcement No Office Hours Saturday.

Sunday and Monday DR. ERNEST H. DENGLER 335 High Street A GIFT of FLOWERS IS ALWAYS APPRECIATED A visit to our shop will solve your problem of what to buy for a Christmas gift. Blooming plants. Colonial Garden novelties in potteries, wall brackets and glassware, copperware, corsages and cut flowers.

CURCHOES FLOWER SHOP The Home ol Flowers and Gifts 978 High 1691 We Telegraph Wishing You All A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from Batchelor's Flowers Large assortment of cut flowers and plants at our greenhouses, Snowdenville. near Parkerford. Phone Linfield 3511 (Continued on Page Three) FLOWERS FOR CHRISTMAS Loveliest Gift of AIT We have a complete Assortment of Blooming Plants and Cut Flowers PAUL I. ROMIG, Florist 38-40 Beech Street Pottstown Phone: 2100 ON THE MAIN DRAG Informal Little Snapshots of Goings, Comings and Doings LIONEL REPAIRING Trains and Accessories Repaired Open All Night Christmas Eve 115 Walnut Street Phone 25 Local Xmas Trees Cut Thursday Long Needle Pines W. Corner Cnnrlotte Chestnut Roasting Chickens (live), Frank Abel, Pigeon (reek 20c GIFT CARD FREE WITH STATIONERY! Now you may advise your friends your plan to give them Rytex sta- tionery for Christmas.

give you a gift card with each order, i See samples today at The Mercury, Hanover and King streets. Visit the Bar at Harry's Place Meals or Platters Served Any Time HOME-RAISED TURKEYS Live Ih. ZSe Picked lb. 33c Ready for Fan lb. 42t We 427-J LAUREL LOCKS FARvlS 500 XMAS TREES ON DISPLAY Pines, Spruce, Fir.

Wreaths, Decorations, Etc. Phone 2288 LESTER R. DAUB 114 South Hanover Street Six Black and Tan Dachshund Paps Three Months Bred 2,13 South Main Street, Spring City ORTLIEB SUNSHINE BEER Call 40-J i Drink Schmidt's Beer Ph. 3205-J JOHN DILLIPLAINE for work, JIMMY BRADLEY a basketball team HARRY KAUFFMAN mail sacks RALPH CAPALDI JR. a ping-pong bail.

BILL DERR a sandwich DICK LEH a customer with articles from a window display. CLINT MARQLET a long speech at a Christmas party CHARLIE YERK hurrying to lunch HENRY COHEN along rapidly, chin buried behind hus coat collar. JERRY HIPPLE his to de- Um small package, pi Pi a in FI 2 in in in F3 PI 5 pi 2 09 pi HI Wf.