Indianapolis Times, Volume 46, Number 136, Indianapolis, Marion County, 17 October 1934 — Page 3

OCT. 17, 1934

U. S, AGENTS SEEK KIDNAP SUSPECT HERE

Stoll Abductor Had Aid. Delivery Boy Tells Police. (Continued From Page One) from Robinson to his father, Thomas Robinson Sr, in Nashville, Tenn., led to disclosure of the north side hideout, which was raided shortly after midnight last night by a squad of Justice department agent* seeking young robinson. The Robinsons, husband and wife, rented the North Meridian street apartment Sept. 22, it was learned by The Times. Robinson, emotionally unstable and with a dementia praecox treatment record behind him, became “jittery ’ at being cooped up in the small apartment with his wife and hi* victim after she was brought here. Mrs. Robinson, it was learned, stayed constantly with Mrs. Stoll because she feared her husband would yield to two expressed impulses to gill his victim and leave her body in the apartment. This protection of Mrs. Stoll by Mrs. Robin.son was confirmed by Mrs. Stoll when she was returned to j her Louisville home. "Don't let anything happen to that woman," she is reported to have told federal officials. "She saved my life.” On another occasion, it was learned. Robinson agreed to his ! wife's plras to spare Mrs. Stoll's life. | but insisted on tying her and lejv- | mg her locked in the apartment \ closet. He was dissuaded from this course also by Mrs. Robinson, it was learned. There was a continual argument most of Monday and yesterday between husband and w ife, I The Times learned, over the advisa- j bility of disposing of Mrs. Stoll, with Mrs. Robinson pleading for the kidnap victim's life. Fears Husband's Acts Fearing her husband was losing control of a mentality w hich is i marked with a history of insanity, j Mrs. Robin.son. it was learned, sue- i ceeded in getting her husband to flee, leaving her with Mrs. Stoll. Accordingly, he left the apartment about 9:30 yesterday morning, leaving Mrs. Robinson SSOO of the ransom money, and fleeing with the remainder of the $50,000 ransom money in a Ford V-8. Not chancing a return of her husband, Mrs. Robinson stayed with Mrs. Stoll in the Meridian street apartment until about 3:30 yesterday afternoon, when she drove her husband's victim to the home of the Rev. E. Arnold Clegg, 2956 North Capitol avenue. It has been established that Mr. Clegg was not an intermediary of i any kind in the kidnaping denoument. Hhe was chosen by Mrs. Robinson as a contact because she read in The Indianapolis Times that Mrs. Clegg is a cousin of Berry V. Stoll, husband of the kidnaped woman. The trip to Louisville to return Mrs. Stoll then was started by the ■ Cleggs, Mrs. Robinson and the kid- ! najied woman. The apartment where Mrs. Stoll j was held captive swarmed with ac- j tivity today following the futile raid last night. Justice department : agents were in possession and re- ! fused to allow reporters even a ' glimpse of the hideout. Mrs. Joe R. Johnson, wife of the j custodian of the apartment build- | ing. said today that she noticed j Robinson, or Thomas Kennedy, as he was known to her, "had a silly laugh.” She also noted the marked dimple in his chin when she had such brief contacts with him as lending him a broom. Took Apartment Sept. 22 Robinson came to the Lafayette Court apartments Sept. 22. according to Joe R. Johnson the custodian. He gave the name of Thomas Kennedy and was accompanied by an agent of the rental agency in charge of the property. Saying lie was not sure whether he wanted the apartment, Kennedy or Robinson said he had an apartment at the Lincoln hotel and would return later. Hp came back that night accompanied by Mrs. Robinson, according to Johnson. Robinson paid ssl for a month's rental of the apartment, asked j about cooking utensils and inquired ; how near he could find a garage. The kidnaping suspect confessed that he was "very fond of spinach.” i according to Johnson when he inquired about cooking utensils, and said that "his wife cooked it for him three times a day.” Never Saw Suspects' Car Johnson said that he never saw Robinson's car and never saw two women at the apartment. However, he explained that it was a matter of comment among other residents of the apartment house that "the Kenneriys kept their blinds drawn all the time " Mrs. Stoll's alleged kidnaper gave a false reference when he rented the apartment and it was discovered by the rental agency. However, according to Johnson. Robinson explained this satisfactorily and the incident was closed. The extreme caution displayed by Robinson was recalled by Johnson in connection with this angle of the case. Whenever it was necessary to open the door. Robinson never let it swing wider than four or five inches. Johnson said. “Yesterday. I was in the courtyard.” Johnson said, "and I noticed the window was open and the window shade was up a couple of feet. I could see a woman lying on the davenport, but I don't know whether it was Mrs. Stoll. I never saw any woman in the apartment to mv knowledge but Mrs. Kennedy. Agent Found in Apartment "The federal agents came about midnight last night. We went to the apartment and found the doors locked. I got a key for the kitchen door, but found the key on the inside. "I went to the front door and found a light burning in the apartment. There was a federal agent inside. "I didn’t ask him how he got in.’ The apartment occupied here by the Robinsons and Mrs. Stoll was made up of a living room, bedroom, dressing room. bathroom and kitchen. Directing the search for the kidnaper was the man credited with putting John Dillmger on the spot —Melvin Purvis. Chicago, chief agent of the department of justice.

KIN OF MRS. STOLL HAPPY AT NEWS OF RELEASE

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The most avid radio listeners in Indianapolis last night were Mrs. Sarah Prinz, (left), sister of C. C. Stoll, originally intended as the kidnap victim and aunt of Berry V. Stoll, husband of the kidnaped woman, atid Mrs M. E. Clegg, mother of the Rev.

The federal agents sought to reach behind the kidnaping veil and reveal the events that led up to Mrs. Stoll's appearance yesterday afternoon in the frame parsonage of Mr. Clegg, from where she was transported home. Agents scurried in and out of offices of the bureau of investigation of the department of justice, on the fifth floor of the Fletcher Trust Company, this morning, as they did yesterday prior to Mrs. Stoll's release. Mr. Purvis was with the squad of agents that last night stopped the car driven by Mr. Clegg, and bearing Mrs. Stoll, Mrs. Clegg and Mrs. Robinson, held by government officials as the ransom intermediary, near Scottsburg. and took Mrs j Stoll from the Clegg car. After being the first federal officer to greet Mrs. Stoll, Mr. Purvis returned to Indianapolis to seek the kidnaper. The home of Mr. Clegg, pastor ol the Capitol Avenue M. E. church, was the object of city-wide interest today. Mrs. Stoll, the kidnaped woman, spent one hour in the Clegg home laying plans for her return to her family. Two Cars Stop at Home She placed one telephone call to a Louisville friend after being brought to the home by Mrs. Thomas Robinson Jr., believed to be contact woman with the kidnaper and then was whisked away in an auto by the Rev. E. Arnold Clegg, pastor of the Capitol Avenue Methodist church, and his wife, Mrs. Irene Clegg, cousin of Berry Stoll, Mrs. Stoll's husband. Mr. Clegg drove to a point a mile below Scottsburg, where they were met by federal agents headed by Melvin Purvis, Chicago, crack federal agent who proved to be the nemesis for John Dillinger. Shortly after the car bearing Mrs. Stoll sped over Indiana highways southward, the North Capitol avenue home was guarded by department of justice agents. They entered the home in the earh afternoon and did not leave until a flash came to them over a telephone wire that Mrs. Stoll had been found in an auto with the Cleggs and Mrs. Robinson near Scottsburg. Elderly Women Excited While waiting for the kidnaping's end and Mrs. Stoll's return to her Louisville home, the agents chatted with Mrs. Sarah Prinz, mother of Mrs. Clegg, and sister of C. C. Stoll, the original intended kidnap victim. and with Mrs. M. E. Clegg, the pastor's mother, assuring them that everything would come out all right. Mrs. Prinz also is the aunt of Berry Stoll. The break in the case appeared suddenly as lights were flashed on m the darkened house. Several department of justice agents left. Shortly after the news was flashed through the wires that Mrs. Stoll was released, several newspapermen arrived and a carload of federal agents left the home. Mrs. Prinz and Mrs. Clegg, permitted Times reporters to enter the home upon the advice of a friend. Both elderly women were excited and beaming with pride in their children. "The children received a call shortly before 4 p. m. and left the home then, telling us that they would be out of the city for a few days,” Mrs. Prinz said. "About 10, the call came through that Mrs. Stoll had been released.” Mr. Clegg was born in Jeffersonville, the son of the police chief there. Following his schooling, he entered the insurance business. Dissatisfied with that mode of life, Mr. Clegg returned to De Pauw university to study theology. After his ordination, he took the pulpit at the First Methodist church, Jeffersonville, a charge which he held eleven years. The minister has been at the Capitol avenue M. E. church three years and was an officer of the Indiana Methodist Conference last year. Call Reveals Clew A long distance call by a Times reporter, covering the Louisville angle of the kidnaping, resulted in the first word that Indianapolis was to be responsible for solving the mystery of the whereabouts of Mrs. Stoll. Harold La Polt, Times staff correspondent. in attempting to phone details of the story of developments in the kidnaping from Louisville on Monday, encountered delay in getting a line into The Times office. He was told all long distance fines were busy. At the time of this occurrence. It is said on a reliable source, that the lines were being held open for a contact with the kidnapers. The Times told exclusively of this incident. The Times carefully watched the department of justice office in this city and checking other sources, was assured that Indianapolis was to be one of the centers in the roundup of the Stoll case.

E. Arnold Clegg, Indianapolis pastor, who aided in returning Mrs. Alice Stoll to her relatives. The two women, guarded by department of justice agents, heard news of the safe return of Mrs. Stoll to her Louisville mansion in the pastor’s home, 2956 North Capitol avenue. Mrs. Stoll is the mother of the minister’s wife.

Watch for This Man! He’s Stoll Case Suspect The description and record of Thomas H. Robinson Jr. of Nashville, Tenn., hunted by the department of justice as the Stoll kidnaper: DESCRIPTION * Age, 27. Height, 6 feet. Weight, 149 pounds. Hair, black; eyes, gray; complexion, fair. Occupation, attorney’s clerk. CRIMINAL RECORD Arrested in Nashville, June 6, 1929, on charges of impersonating an officer after he is alleged to have locked two wealthy women in closets and robbed them of more than $6,000 in jewelry. Committed to Tennessee state insane asylum, Nashville, July 4, 1929, for thirty days’ observation; released and June 6 charge dismissed. Arrested in Nashville, April 22, 1934, on charge of robbery; released on bond. Accused of attempted criminal assault, but left Nashville before warrant was issued. Believed to have worked at Chicago world’s fair during summer.

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THE INDIANAPOLIS TIMES

‘ALICE IS BACK. WE ARE HAPPY.' FAMILY SAYS Brother-in-Law Elated Over Return of Mrs. Stoll. BY WILLIAM STOLL Brother-in-Law of Mr*. Alice Stoll A* Told to the United Pres* LOUISVILLE, Ky„ Oct. 16.—The most horrible experience in the history of our family came to a happy end tonight when Alice was brought back home, safe and sound. You can not understand the relief it has brought to all of us, especially my brother, Berry, who has been almost crazy with grief and worry. For days we did not know whether she was dead or alive. When she was returned tonight, about 9:25, she was in good health and I do not believe she is suffering under a great nervous strain. Os course she suffered, knowing the anxiety of her husband and relatives. She was not mistreated by her kidnapers, she said. She appeared to us to be in good physical condition, considering the ordeal through which she just has passed. Our hopes were running high throughout today because of information which had been provided us and because of certain contacts we had made, but we had no real information that she would be returned tonight. In fact, we did not know until she was found whether she was actually alive. In our joy tonight, of course, we haven’t thought of the search for the actual kidnaper, who has been identified to me as one T. H. Robinson Jr.

STATION ATTENDANT IDENTIFIES SUSPECT City Man Claims He Saw Alleged Kidnaper Saturday. Mrs. Alice Speed Stoll may say that she was held prisoner in an Indianapolis apartment for six days, from Oct. 14 to 20, but Jack Reynolds, attendant at the filling station at Twenty-first street and Northwestern avenue, still believes he saw her Sunday. When police showed him a photograph of Thomas H. Robinson Jr., he stated that the abductor closely resembled the man who was sitting in the back seat with the woman whom he believed to be Mrs. Stoll. On further questioning, he admitted that he never had been able to get a good look at the man in the back seat.

ROBINSON BABY AWAITS RETURN OF PARENTS

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Too young to be aware of the nation-wide search being made for his father, Thomas H. Robinson Jr., suspect in the kidnaping of Mrs. Alice Stoll, wealthy young Louisville matron, this youngster awaits the return of his parents at the home of his grandparents in Nashville. Mrs. Robinson Jr., mother of the child, is held by federal agents as an accomplice.

PLANE CRASHES AT SEA; ONEMAN LOST Five Others on Newsreel Craft Are Saved. By Untied Press ABOARD S. S. WASHINGTON, AT SEA, Oct. 37.—A newsreel plane with six men aboard, which flew 650 miles out to sea to pick up films of the Marseille assassinations, was wrecked within sight of the ship today, with the loss of one man. Captain George Fried, hero of

various sea rescues, sent out a lifeboat in the fairly heavy sea and tlie ; other five were brought aboard. All j were taken to the ship's hospital, suffering from shock and possibly other injuries. Those rescued were Eddie Reek, Marion Grevenberg, Jack Kuhne, George Smith, and Radio Operator Robinson. The man lost was Mechanic Harry W. Johnson of New York, who was thrown overboard when the plane dived into the water. Gertrude Stein Sails By United Press PARIS, Oct. 17.—Gertrude Stein, author, and the Abbe Ernest Dimnet, author of the “Art of Thinking,” sailed for New York today on the liner Champlain, both to lecture.

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KIDNAP SUSPECT BRAGGART TYPE. FRIENDS CLAIM Fond of Flashy Attire and Affected Derbies, Is Report. By United Pretg NASHVILLE. Tenn., Oct 17. Thomas H. Robinson Jr., sought as the kidnaper of Mrs. Alice Speed Stoll, was described by acquaintances here as of the "braggart” type. He affected derbies, they said, j and was fond of flashy attire. H. H. Clegg, assistant director of i the federal bureau of criminal in- | vestigation, revealed the Nashville angles of the plot. He said the ransom was paid to Robinson's wife ! in Nashville Monday. She went imi mediately by automobile to Guthrie, Ky., with a man whom Clegg did not identify. There she boarded a train for Terre Haute, Ind., and went later to Indianapolis, where she delivered the money to her husband. he said. Newspaper men have known of the Nashville side of the plot for days but have withheld information at the request of federal agents who feared its publication might endanger Mrs. Stoll's life. The ransom letter left in the Stoll home named Thomas H. Robinson Sr. as intermediary. Federal agents began watching his movements, but a communication sent by the kidnaper to a close friend of Mrs. Stoll I said the ransom was to be paid to | Mrs. Robinson Jr., instead. The senior Robinson is unemployed. Until a year ago he was a bridge contractor. His son attended Vanderbilt university law school, but didn't graduate. He left school to become a law clerk when he married.'* A year later he was divorced and five ypars ago married the present Mrs. Robinson, who is the daughter of N. L. Althaser, superintendent of a branch postoffice here. They have a son, 4 years old.

KINGAN FIRM SUED IN TRUCK ACCIDENT Christina Riley, Indianapolis, Files ’ Artion for SIO,OOO. Kingan and Company were named defendants in a suit on file today brought by Miss Christina Riley of this city, who asks SIO,OOO damages for alleged injuries sustained when the car she was driving was in collision with a Kingan truck, Aug. 14,