Indianapolis Times, Volume 43, Number 96, Indianapolis, Marion County, 31 August 1931 — Page 1

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PLANES CRASH IN MID-AIR; 2 ESCAPE DEATH 60,000 Witness Thrilling Spectacle in Races at Cleveland. FLIERS TELL OF PLUNGE West Coast Derby Airmen End Long Grind; Woman Wins. BY JOHN OWEN United Press Staff Correspondent CLEVELAND, Aug. 31.—Two fighting “red devils” of the United States marine corps today described the death they saw and escaped after their planes collided 1,500 feet above Cleveland airport, during the second day of the national ais races Sunday. Reliving the seconds following the crash aloft, Lieutenant Lawson A. Sanderson, tall, dashing commander of the marine ace squadron, told of his own sensations as he struggled to release his parachute, which had caught on the tail of his plunging plane. Lieutenant W. O. Brice, pilot of the other disabled ship, recounted his experience. “Although I was fighting to break loose from the plane, I felt that someone else was in danger,” Sanderson said. “I was among the crowd of 60,000 watching the struggle. I saw myself pull the chute loose when the plane was just 400 feet from the ground.” The big marine, who wears the distinguished flying cross for daring service in Nicaragua, floated down within twenty-five feet of his wrecked plane and retrieved his goggles from the debris. Stunned in Collision In recounting the accident, Lieut. Brice said he heard a crash and was stunned when his head hit the intrument board of his plane. “I bailed out of the plane instinctively,” he declared. “When I regained my senses, I was drifting to earth. I don’t remember pulling the parachute ring.” The aerial collision occurred during tactical maneuvers. A few minutes after the thrilling escape of the two marines, Mrs. Phoebe Omlie, diminutive Memphis <Tenn.) aviatrix, set her small monocoupe down in front of the grand stand to lead fifty-one other contestant “home” in the national sweepstakes handicap derby. Mrs. Omlie’s efficiency record for the 2,400-mile flight from Santa Monica, Cal., was 109.16. Plans Trans-Ocean Hop D. C. Warren of San Francisco dropped out of the sky three minutes later. The west coast flier appeared to have. won first place in the men’s division. Mrs. Martie Bowman of Glendale, Cal., ranked second among the fifteen finishing women pilots. Mrs. Mae Hanzlip of St. Louis was third and Miss Edith Foltz of San Marino, Cal., placed fourth. While efficiency records made by competing men pilots were incomplete, Leo Brusse of Glendale, Cal., apparently was second, and Eldon Cessna of Wichita, Kan., placed third. Six thousand dollars in cash and trophies was to be distributed among the winners in both divisions today. Coincident with opening of the third day of the races, Lieutenant Colonel Mario De Bernardi, Italian military flier, revealed plans for a solo flight back to Italy after the races. Woman Filer After Record Speed dashes over a ten-mile closed course and stunt flying bjf Miss Dorothy Hester were to headline the third day of the air show. Noted civilian fliers, both men and women, are entered in the events. Miss Hester announced today she will make an assault upon the world record for outside loops early Tuesday. The 20-ycar-old Portland (Ore.! girl said she will take off shortly after dawn in her attempt to surpass the mark of 124 loops. She already holds the world’s woman’s record, with sixty-two loops. The BendiX derby, a dash from Los Angeles to Cleveland, has been postponed until Tuesday. Entries in the Bedix race include: , Major James H. Doolittle, flying a Cleveland plane; Walter Hunter, Robertson, Mo.; Lou Reichers, Chicago; Harold S. Johnson,- Chicago; J. R. Wedel. Patterson, La., and Captain Ira C. Eaker, on leave from the army air corps. Doolittle to Try Record By United Press LOS ANGELES. Aug. 31.—James H. Doolittle announced today that he will attempt to shatter Frank Hawks' transcontinental air speed mark when he flies east, probably Tuesday, in the Los Angeles-to-Cleveland race. Doolittle said he planned to take off with the other race fliers, touch the wheels of his new speed plane to the ground at the finish line i<? Cleveland and then continue on to New York without stopping. WEIR COOK IS INJURED Indiana War Ace Hurt in Traffic Accident at Detroit. Major H. Weir Cook, Indiana World war ace, and former Indiana Curtlss-Wright base manager, is recovering at Detroit from Injuries received Thursday in a traffic accident, it was learned today. Majjr Cook, who was on active duty in the aviation section at Selfridge field, as a member of the army air corps reserve, sustained a fracture of the lower jaw in the accident. His condition was retwrteri as not serious

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The Indianapolis Times Unsettled weather with showers and thunderstorms tonight or Tuesday; somewhat warmer tonight.

VOLUME 43—NUMBER 96

HEY, MUSSOLINI!

Wife Shuns Maternity; Beaten

A HUSBAND who whipped his wife to convince her that they should have many children, is in jail today and he will be there for nine more days. He is John McFreda, 24, of 772 North Tacoma avenue, who will pay for. his wife-beating, while Mrs. Mary McFreda and their daughter, Mary, 1, wait at home for him. The tale of McFreda's ambition to become the father of many children. thus obeying the famous big family dictum of Mussolini, was laid before Municipal Judge William H. Sheaffer today by him and his wife. She had charged him with assualt and battery, but in court, McFreda

ADVANCES PLAN TO AIDJOBLESS Stetson Urges Children to Remain in School. One means of battling the depression was advanced Monday by Paul C. Stetson, superintendent of schools, in a statement urging children of school age to remain in school, leaving all jobs to heads of families. The statement was Stetson’s announcement of his co-operation with the “stay-in-school” campaign, backed by President Hoover’s newly organized unemployment relief committee. “In an emergency such as now exists, said Superintendent Steson, “even the taking of a temporary job by children of school age may work a hardship on some needy family.” He pointed out, however, that in some cases work by school children is necessary to maintain their families’ incomes. “But children should remain in school,” he added, “unless such work is badly needed.” The superintendent said further that the education received in school would enable students to hold their jobs in another depression. “The last two years have shown conclusively that when the test comes, those who survive are the best trained.” VEHLING SUED AGAIN Unlawful Conduct Charged in Death Case. Suit asking damages of $5,000 was filed today in circuit court against Coroner Fred W. Vehling, alleging that Vehling took the body of a woman who died a natural death to his undertaking parlor without consent of her husband. Rudolph Steinberger of 903 East lowa street, charges in the suit that “the coroner infringed his right te custody of the body and was guilty of malicious, insolent, willful and unwarranted conduct toward the plaintiff.” The complaint, filed by Attorney John L. Niblack, states that “Steinburger’s mother-in-law, ignorant of the law, turned the body over to the coroner.” The suit contends that when Steinburger went to Vehling’s establishment, 702 Virginia avenue, a few hours after his wife's death, which occurred at 3 p. m., July 23, that “Vehling refused to release the body.” Steinburger declares he hired another undertaker to take charge of the body, but only obtained it after he had paid Vehling the exorbitant fee of SB7 for embalming it. Walker Killed oil Highway By United Press URBANA, 0.. Aug. 31.—Wesley Legg. 46, Reynolds, Ind., was struck by an automobile and killed while w’alking along the Urbana-Westville highway near here today. The driver of the automobile did not stop.

CAPONE PROBERS GRILL TORRIO, GANG BIG SHOT’

By United Press CHICAGO. Aug. 31. —Johnny Torrio, who was a gang power when Al Capone was little more than a stripling, came from New York today and went before the federal grand jury to tell, or perhaps not to tell, the inside story of Capone’s rackets. Torrio, squat, pudgy, sleek in a dark, tom cat fashion and wearing costly garb, preserved the secret of what he would say as he ambled in to face a barrage of questions about Capone’s income, Capone’s beer business, and perhaps about Capone’s records as to whether they list orders to gunmen for deaths among rival gangsters. Three hours after he entered the grand jury room. Torrio hurried out. He downed a pair of smoked glasses and covered his face with a newspaper.

WIFE’S MONEY BUILT SLAUGHTER HOUSE FOR MATE; LETTERS BARE ‘SYSTEM’

BY MARTHA STRAYER, Vnltrd Pres* Staff Correspondent CLARKSBURG, W. Va., Aug. 31. Mrs. Bluebeard furnished the money to build the slaughter house where her husband says he killed five persons. It cost S7OO. which the wife of Harry F. Powers, alias Cornelius O. Pierson, earned in a little store she and her unmarried sister, Belle Strother, inherited from their mother. The store is next to the house where Powers lived with his wife and sister-in-law. They have run it for twenty years. “He wanted a place where he could make blueprints,” said the red-haired, double-chinned Mrs. Powers. "He wanted to make plans for houses, and he said he had to have a place where he could- have Acid for the blueprints."

told his story first. “I married her because I felt sorry for her,” he said. “I admit I whipped her, but she needs it. “Last Wednesday I slapped her several times. “The reason I did it was because she doesn’t want to have any more children and I think we ought to have a family.” n n u MRS. M'FREDA, who held the baby in her arms, interrupted with: “Judge, this baby is only a year old.” Last week was the second wedding anniversary of the McFredas. In court today she brought a package wrapped in newspaper and handed it to Sheaffer. “Just look at that, judge. That’s what John gave me for our second wedding anniversary. Sheaffer declined to open the package, asserting it had no bearing on the case. But curiosity got the better of Dewey Meyers, prosecutor, and he opened it. Scraps of a wedding license and wedding pictures fell tc the floor. “That’s what he gave me,” she said. “Our marirage license and wedding pictures all torn up. Wasn’t that a real second anniversary gift?” # ft SHEAFFER heard no further testimony and held that McFreda was guilty of assault and battery on his wife. “If you give your wife the money for her baby, I’ll suspend a fine of $1 and costs,” Sheaffer told McFreda. McFreda pulled sll from his pocket and handed it to his. wife, who shifted the baby in her arms to receive it. “And now you’ll spend ten days in jail,” Sheaffer added. “He’ll be good now, judge, don’t send him to jail, please.” “I’m sorry, but he must spend ten days in jail,” Sheaffer said. PAID DRYSPIES ‘OUT Woodcock Bars Informers Who Receive Wages. By United Press WASHINGTON, Aug. 31.—Elimination of paid informers in prohibition enforcement so far as possible was announced today as anew policy by Amos W. W. Woodcock, federal prohibition director. The director also announced today a campaign of economy in prohibition enforcement. He said the prohibition bureau turned back $150,000 of last year’s appropriation, saved by various economies. DISMISSED _ COPS To" SEEK JOB RETURN Five in Liquor Plot Case to Appear Before Board. Five former Indianapolis policemen, dismissed following their conviction in federal court in the police liquor conspiracy case, are to appear before the safety board Tuesday to present their plea for reinstatement. The five petitioners a£e Claude E. Ridenbach, Ralph Lambert, David J. Curran, Martin O’Brien and Thomas J. Gray.

“I’m fed up with Chicago. I hope I never come back. I’m going back to New York,” he barked staccato and darted into an elevator. New indictments are being sought by the government against Capone to charge him with evading large income tax on his varied and shady interests and with violation of the prohibition laws. Whether Torrio, who came to Chicago from New York’s Five Point gang years ago as bodyguard to Big Jim Colosimo and rose rapidly to control of a powerful gang, would betray Capone or would keep his lips sealed on incriminating evidence was a moot question. “He’ll not squeal on Capone. Torrio still has a finger in the Capone combine,” declared a majority of comment in the underworld.

At home in her small frame house, Mrs. Powers told a story of wifely devolion in their life together. “I love that kid,” she mourned. “He was good and kind to me. I love him from the bottom of my heart.” n m SHE said she never questioned his movements. When he went away and came back, he always said he was glad to be home, and she would reply, “O. K., Honey. I’m glad to have you." Every morning when he was home she would take a glass of coca cola to him in bed. and he’d kid her when she gave it to him. “Now I’m ready to get up,” he’d say. Fifteen new letters from matrimonial prospers have been collected from his lock box at the

INDIANAPOLIS, MONDAY, AUGUST 31, 1931

4 LOSE LIVES; TRAFFIC TOLL MOUNTSTO 111 Two Men Are Killed as Auto Is Crushed Under Wheels of Train. TROLLEY HITS WOMAN Car, Out of Control, Rams Trees and Driver Is Hurt Fatally. Death rode as a passenger in automobiles Sunday, four persons losing their lives m traffic accidents that boosted Marion county’s 1931 death toll to 111 today. Two elderly men were killed when their car was crushed under the wheels of a speeding Pennsylvania railroad train, another died when mhis car, out of control, crashed into two trees and a woman suc- ■ cumbed to injuries received when struck by a street car. The dead: George W. Rowe, 73, of 5104 Bay street. Amos R. Heath, 63, Stop 6, and the Pennsylvania railroad. Carl Skeen, 25, of 417 North Jefferson avenue. Mrs. Inez Gibson, 45, of 218 North East street. In addition to the fatal accidents a score of other persons were hurt over the week-end in accidents that occurred on crowded streets and highways in and near Indianapolis. Occurs on Madison Avenue The accidents in which Skeen, Rowe and Heath were killed occurred on Madison avenue between Edgewood and University Heights where a series of accidents in the last few months have taken several lives. Rowe and Heath were en route to church at Edgewood and as they approached the crossing, witnesses told deputy sheriffs Heath slowed the auto. Several witnesses claimed the engineer did not blow the whistle, although he denied this. Heath was hurled from the car, his body found in a ditch 100 feet south of the crossing. Rowe’s body was underneath the train. The train was stopped about a half mile south of the accident scene, wet tracks preventing a quicker halt. Auto wreckage was strewn a half mile along the right-of-way. Funeral Rites Are Set There are no signal lights or bells at the crossing. Rowe had lived near Indianapolis all his life. Funeral services for Rowe were to be held at 1:30 this afternoon at the Grinsteiner undertaking establishment. Burial will be in Crown Hill cemetery. Heath is survived by a son, Paul M. Heath, with whom he lived. Funeral arrangements have not ben completed. Skeen was killed atfer his car left the highway at Hanna and Madison avenues. The car, it was said, had been weaving along the road and hit a tree, continued on its way and then crashed into a second tree several yards away. Girl Is Near Death Riding with Skeen was Miss Alice Hartweck, 25, of 1826 Lexington avenue, who is near death today at the city hospital. Skeen’s skull was crushed and he died a few minutes after the crash. Miss Hartweck, suffering from head injuries, was unable to give deputy sheriffs any details of the tragedy. Skeen was released late in 1930 from the state reformatory where he had been serving a two-to-four-teen-year manuslaughter sentence in connection with the death of Mrs. Pearl Jarboe, in June, 1928, who either was hurled or leaped from his car on an east side street. Skeen fled after the woman’s death, \vas arrested later in Denver. He denied he had thrown the woman from his car, but said she jumped after an argument over a speakeasy. 1 Struck by Street Car Skeen is survived by the widow, Mrs. Ethel Skeen; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Clarence O. Skeen, and a sister, Mrs. W. C. Jamison, all of Indianapolis. Funeral services will be held at 2 Tuesday afternoon at the home and burial will be in Floral park cemetery. Mrs. Gibson was struck by a street car at State avenue and Michigan street Sunday afternoon. Her identity was traced by a city hospital interne. She died three hours after she was struck. Police today are attempting to locate relatives of Mrs. Gibson.

postoffice since his arrest Thursday. If they have been opened, Sheriff Grimm and Police Chief Duckworth are not yet willing to reveal their contents. They came from F. N. TANARUS., 1615 Wallace street, Philadelphia; Van Boskhock, Walnut Grove street, Wichita, Kan.; Camp Watson, Fla.; Burlington, N. C.; 601 Martin street, Clearfield, Pa.; J. 8., 7342 Vernon Square street, St. Louis; Box 101, Detroit; Flushing, N. Y.; Norfolk, Va.; 1100 Woronoca avenue, Ocean View, Va., and Jacksonburg, Va. a /"\NE of the most pathetic exhibits is the last letter he received from the woman who apparently had been marked as his next victim—Bessie Starrs, Olean, N, Y., whom be was to go to see

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Beverly Jane Hood

incomplete for she had no monkey or matches. But today, in some way, she got the matches. She emulated the monkey by striking a match and attempting to extinguish it by placing it on her chest. The match ignited her dress. Screams brought her mother, Mrs. Dana Hood. The mother smothered the flames by wrapping her in her own dress and tearing the burning clothing from the child. She was treated at the city hospital and taken home. Her condition is not dangerous. But Beverly Jane promises solemn “never, never” to pretend she’s a monkey again, and she got an ice cream cone from her mother to seal the promise.

CHARITY RING SHOW IS PLANNED IN CITY

Deadly, Maybe By United Press HAMMOND, Ind., Aug. 31. For many days policeman Ralph Hart had been puzzled by the numerous funeral processions which passeed through East Chicago toward Indiana Harbor. The fact that there is no cemetery in Indiana Harbor, added to the mystery. Sunday Hart observed that mourners following a slowly moving black hearse looked particularly jovial. He stopped the hearse and found liquor in place of the corpse. The driver, Albert Cummings, Chicago Heights, was arrested.

WORKER IS KILLED Electrocuted by Wire at City Plant. Chalmers Coffin, 50, of 1934 North Olney street, employe in the maintenance department of the Rub-Tex Products, Inc., 3500 East Twentieth street, was electrocuted at the plant early today. A drop cord carrying a heavy charge of electricity is said to have fallen and was touched by Coffin. SHOWERS SCHEDULED Rain Tonight or Tuesday Forecast for City. Unsettled conditions are to bring thunderstorms and showers to Indianapolis tonight or Tuesday, the weather bureau reported today. Sunday morning, rain totaled .04 of an inch, but was followed by clearing skies and sunshine before noon. The precipitation in Indianapolis will be occofnpanied by warmer weather Tuesday. The mercury was to reach near 80 today. Hourly Temperatures 6a. m 60 10 a. m 76 7a. m 63 11 a. m 78 Ba. m,.... 68 12 (noon).. 80 9a. m 71 Ip. m 81

LOCOMOTIVES, SET FOR FAIR CRACK-UP, SEIZED

Deputy sheriffs, in a modern but tamer version of the ancient Lattle of Troy, today captured two “iron horses” resting on the tracks at the Big Four roundhouse on Bates street. Armed with writs for attachment on two locomotives belonging to the American Amusement Company, Deputy John Wright served the court order and directed his aides to guard the giant steam monsters. The writ was secured by Guy Sallee, contractor, who is suing the amusement company for S7OO, alleged due for painting the engines.

next Friday. This letter, dated Aug. 24, raved on for eight pages about the happiness of the writer because “they soon would be together.” “Connie, dear,” it began. “I’m so happy. Next Friday, just think of it, I scarcely can realize it. I will be here waiting for you.” “This is my last yetter to you. I am so happy. Next Friday—kisses—love—Bessie.” Letters found in Powers’ trunk reveal that he met and courted his real wife, who still “loves him from the bottom of her heart,” in the same way. He then was living in Mansfield, Q., and he came to Clarksburg four years ago and married her. M * U “T ISTEN, dearie,” she wrote JU him July 31, 1926, “ft is absolutely my intention to find me

Entered ns Second-Class Matter at Postoffice, Indianapolis. Ind.

Baby Apes Fire. Trick Is Burned Girl, 2, Tries to Copy Match Antics of Monkey. OEVERLY JANE HOOD, 2, of 1827 Ludlow avenue, suffered severe burns today when she attempted in the backyard of her home, to imitate the antics of an organ-grinder’s monkey. Beverly Jane had watched with interest as a monkey, accompanied by a “hurdy-gurdy,” struck matches on the pavement, and extinguished them by placing them against his chest. Her days from then on were

Even Boxers Would Pay for Admission, Officials Say of Project. Presentation of a boxing show in October to raise funds for poor relief this winter was being planned today by city employes and officials. Hoping to raise $15,000, those in charge of the affair will turn the funds over to the City Employes Relief Association, which last winter maintained a food and clothing distribution depot and now operates a souphouse on East Maryland street. Participants in the show will give their services and each will have to pay from $1 to $3 for tickets as well as spectators. There will be no free list at the show, Albert Losche, city purchasing agent, and Gar Davis, building inspector, sponsors of the exhibition, announced. Definite date for the show will be announced after sponsors are able to arrange a place for the affair. Butler field house or buildings at the state fairground are being considered and, if weather permits, it is possible that it will be an outdoor presentation, possibly at Perry stadium or Butler. An effort will be made to have Jack Dempsey, former heavyweight champion, who is on a barnstorming tour, act as referee, Davis and Losche said. Members of the Indiana state boxing commission are co-operating with the city employes relative to the sale of tickets for the charity bouts. Last winter the food and clothing depot was maintained by collecting 1 per cent from the earnings of each city employe. This year, though, it is expected several thousand dollars additional will be needed to handle the situation. Butler university students will be offered the jobs of acting as ushers at the exhibition matches. $52,000 BANDITS’ LOOT Break Way Into Los Angeles Bank, Imprison Ten Employes. By United Press LOS ANGELES, Aug. 31.—Three bandits cut their way into the Se-curity-First National bank here today and escaped with $52,000 after imprisoning ten employes. The loss was covered by insurance.

Plans for a terrific head-on collision of the locomotives at the state fair, as part of entertainment for visitors, temporarily went awry, smultaneously with the attachment. “The locomotives had been newly decorated by Sallee for the big crash at the fairground,” according to Fred Barrett, the plaintiff’s attorney. Sallee filed a suit in superior court one for garnishment against the amusement company, demanding the locomotives be sold to pay the S7OO debt owed him.

a sweet hubby to call my own, at a real early date. I am getting tired of single blessedness. That is why I bought this magazine (the matrimonial agency publication), as I don’t care for my home-town people. They all look alike to me. I want a perfect gentleman for a hubby; one that will love his wife, and I sure will return his love.” Powers’ (or Pierson’s) system in handling the correspondence which brought so many women to his feet was very simple. His name was registered with the American Friendship Society, Detroit matrimonial agency. When one of the subscribers of that agency wrote him, or when he started the correspondence, he always used the sjufee form letter, written in his cramped hand on

MURDERER OF 5 IS HELD SANE IN EXPERT’S TESTS Powers, ‘Love Butcher/ Is on Border Line, but Knows Right From Wrong, Psychiatrist Declares. HUNT FOR MORE BODIES IS FUTILE Workmen Drag Well, but Fail to Find Victim; Search Garage for New Evidence of Crimes. By United Press CLARKSBURG, W. Va., Aug. 31.—The insanity defense, for which police claim Harry F. Powers, matrimonial agent accused of slaying two women and three children, and his counsel were preparing, was believed shattered with a psychiatrist’s announcement today that Powers “knew right from wrong.” As the state prepared to bring the former soldier and ex-salesmen to trial for the quintet of kililngs, belief grew stronger, despite Powers’ statement that “five is all,” that at least one more body lay at the bottom of a well thirty; feet from the garage where the others were believed “executed” on an improvised gallows.

After several hours’ digging workmen cleared out the well and reported finding nothing at the bottom. A gas mask, reported found in the Powers home, led to belief that the garage, equipped with gas jets, might have been designed as a lethal gas chamber. Police Chief C. A. Duckworth, however, declined to confirm whether the mask had been found. Doctor Is Barred Dr. B. F. Matheny, former Clarksburg health officer, was refused admission to Powers’ cell when he sought to enter with the prisoner’s attorney, Edward Law. Law was said to have left for Fairmont to secure an injunction against prison officials. He did not confer with Powers. Elk creek, which flows near the garage, was being dragged in search for bodies of others of the 115 women whom police said were infatuated with the pudgy, but dapper mail order Romeo. Dr. Edwin E. Mayer, University of Pittsburgh, psychiatrist, who served in the Harry K. Thaw case when the Pittsburgh slayer of Stanford White sought his freedom, announced after a long conference with Powers, that he “was on the border line of insanity, but knew right from wrong.” Prisoner Is Wary Powers refused to discuss the five slayings with w T hich he is accused, apparently sensing he might be incriminated, Dr. Mayer said, but showed no reticence in discussing others matters. Powers admitted today, police said, that the fifth victim, whose body was recovered Saturday night, was Mrs. Dorothy A. Pressler Lemke, 45, Worcester, Mass. The other victims were Mrs. Asta Buick Eicher and her three children, Greta, 14; Harry, 12, and Annabel, 9. “Powers told me he was born and reared on a farm and went through public and high schools,” Dr. Mayer said. “He said he was a good student. “He told me he attended Ames Agricultural college and studied automotive engineering in a Kansas City school. He worked for the International Harvester Company, in Missouri, Minnesota and lowa. He held numerous other jobs, construction work in Ohio, steel mills in Pennsylvania. No Tendency Toward Sadism “I asked him about sadism and explained that people sometimes enjoyed seeing others bleed and in pain. He said he had no such tendencies. “I went over him physically to see if he might have diseases likely to cause violent outbursts. He’s perfactly normal as to physical brain diseases. “Powers is a psychopathic personality, as shown by his seclusive nature, wanderings, extreme restlessness, inability to understand himself and his sex life. “This type is not insane, but nearer insanity than normal people. Panic can strike in a situation like this. There may be a secret lust for blood. Powers is of the hypopithuitary type—squat, short built, pig-eyed, paunchy, with weakened sexual powers. “He is not insane, but he has been

ruled tablet paper. A dozen copies of this form were found. m m “T'vEATH has taken my previous from me,” says this form letter, “leaving me quite alone and very lonely. I am longing for someone to fill that empty space in my heart.” He signed himself “Most sincerely, C. O. Pierson, Box 277, Clarksburg, W. Va., and added: “P. S. —My name in full is Cornelius Orvin Pierson, ‘Connie’ for short.” For impressive paragraphs to be inserted in subsequent letters, he had a file of newspaper and magazine clippings of all kinds; tender sentiments from advice to lovelorn columns; editorials by Frank Crane; even Mrs. Walter Ferguson’s “One Woman's. Opinion.”

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a border-line case all his life," Dr, Mayer said, adding, when questioned by police, that “Powers is capable of knowing right from wrong.” Lay Insanity Plea Base Powers complained of hearing strange noises, of receiving “inward command” and uncontrollable impulses, police said. They believed he thus was attempting to lay the groundwork for an insanity plea. His attorney, J. Edward Law, indicated that insanity would be the principal defense at his client’s trial, date .'or which still is undetermined. Although police had said they were convinced there were no more bodies buried in the same area where five alreaay have been recovered, near the garage, they said a strong odor emanating frcm the well caused them to believe at least one body was concealed in it. Little significance is attached to the finding of several sticks of dynamite and a long fuse in the garage, Detective Carl Southern said today, although it earlier was believed that Powers planned to blow up the death chamber to destroy evidence of the crime. Trace Other Cases There seems no connection between the disappearance of Stanatas Sfikbas and the Powers case, Southern said. Sfikbas, operator of shoe shining parlors here, disappeared several months ago, Southern said, but he has found nothing to connect him with Powers’ activities. The detective said he has received requests to trace at least two missing women, but names will not be released pending further Investigation. He found reference to one in Powers’ matrimonial correspondence, but there was no mention of the other so far, Southern said. Picks and sledges pounded and chipped in monotonous unison today at the cement floor of a windowless mountain garage, as prison chain gangs hunted bodies of more sexstarved women believed murdered by a hill country Romeo. Dig Around Garage Outside that garage, in which five are known to have been hanged or battered to death, other prisoners with spades explored the soggy ground in which five were buried. Investigators dug late Sunday. They ordered resumption of digging today. They believed more names will be added to those of Mrs. Dorothy A. Pressler Lemke, Powers* latest revealed victim, and Mrs. Asta Buick Eicher and her three children. Scores have corresponded with Powers, or Cornelius O. Pierson, as he called himself in most of the erotic letters so far uncovered. Many to whom he wrote can not be found. Some may shun publicity. Some never may hear of the love-butch-er of Clarksburg. Some may have died a natural death. Meanwhile, the thorough system and care Powers used in the execution o:-* his crims are being revealed by his own word, by letters, by word from relatives of known victims, and in women’s letters arriving daily. Tells Grewsome Story The police version of Powers* story of the execution of the five is: “On Aug. 1, I took all five to the garage. I put the two women and the two girls in cells in the basement under the garage, leaving the boy upstairs. “That night I went to the garage and hanged the two women. I let the boy watch it. When he screamed, I hit him on the head with a hammer until he was dead. Then I killed the two girls and buried them all at once." This story and confessions of the murders were obtained after police mistreated Powers, according to Edward Law, counsel for Powers. He said a preliminary hearing might be arranged for his client during the day. No date has been set for return of a writ against Sheriff Grinny and other police officers he accused of barring him as counsel from Powers’ cell. Police said the cells in which Powers had placed his victims Were sound proof. And upstairs he had built a crudely designed scaffold. The victims were led to their execu- A (Turn to Pace a) *

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