DOI: 10.25549/examiner-m10603
title: Missing family (Newhall), 1952

description: 8 images. Missing family (Newhall), 11 March 1952. Henry W. Bostelman, Junior -- 27 years (copy); Mrs. Donna L. Bostelman (Copy); Lieutenant Art Streator (Society for the prevention of Cruelty to Animals Official).; Caption slip reads: "Hold for Riblett and White. Photographer: Glickman. Date; 1952-03-11. Reporter: White. Assignment: Missing family (at Newhall). 101-102: Henry W. Bostelman, Jr., 27, of Glenwood Springs, Colorado (copy of picture found in their abandoned bus at newhall). 27-28: Mrs. donna L. Bostelman, his wife (copy of picture found in bus). 9-10: Lt. Art Streator of LA SPCA, who found dead dog in abandoned bus (puppy); shown opening bus to check whereabouts of family. 1-2: Lt. Art Streator inside bus, which was shambles -- but contained two rifles, many rounds of ammunition, radio-phono combo, kids' toys. Mrs. Donna L. (Henry W., Jr.) Bostelman and children -- names and ages not available.; Supplementary material reads [transcription 1]: "Re: Missing family. March 10, 1952. Memo -- Riblett (We have art, if this develops in anyway). (Colorado license '51, 24-3100). After their silver bus broke down early in February 3 miles north of Newhall, Henry W. Bostelman, Jr., wife, Donna Louise, (nee Grieve), and three children, 2 months, 2 years, and 4 years, hiked to Los Angeles. They left two mongrel pups in bus. Mrs. B. called a distant relative, Mrs. George Bostelmam, 840 West 105th Street, (Ph 5-3605) crying and saying family destitute, kids starving, etc. Mrs. Bostelman (George), told them hop taxi, she'd pay for it, come on out. They never showed up. February 29, SPCA man Lt. Art Streator (who told us this and may expect tip money if anything develops), went to bus, found one dog dead, another dying. From papers in bus he got names, etc. On hunch called all Bostelman's in phone book until he hit Mrs. George B. By now she was 'alarmed'. Streator called Mrs. Adolph Schroeder, of Oxnard, (phone 6-4670), another relative. The missing family hadn't checked in there. Nor at Glenwood Springs, Colorado, their former home; nor with parents, who live in Carbondale, Colorado. Police in Glenwood Springs checking other relatives in Colorado".; Supplementary material reads [transcription 2]: "Mrs. George B. and Streator checked Red Cross, Welfare department, Veterans Administration -- all the places destitute family might go. No trace. Sgt. Pete Stenderup, LA PD, is brother of Mrs. George B. He checked Main Street one end to other, trying trace couple. Also post office dept. -- no mail for them. (No letters were found in bus, but many receipts for payments, copies of purchase contract for bus, sewing machine, etc.) In bus, a one-time 24-seater (24 passenger), Streator found two guns, rifles, a lot of ammunition -- about $100 worth -- for guns, including .45; combo radio-phonograph; new heater, with bill for $41; two baby buggies, etc. In Newhall I found a secondhand dealer who said Bostelman tried to sell him a portable sewing machine. Streator found contract for this -- it wasn't paid for. Bus unpaid in full either. Belief is at Newhall sheriff substation -- and Streator believes it -- that Bostelman may be 'hot' in some way. Bus and things in it worth at least $2500 to $3000. Why did they leave it, and leave the pups to die? Why didn't they accept offer of help from Mrs. George B? Why haven't they claimed the bus and contents, after more than a month? We copied pictures of Bostelman, the wife, and shot of her two children. Also got Streator outside and inside the bus, which is now impounded in Newhall in connection with warrant Streator has for B. for violating humane laws, leaving dogs unattended. -- White, 5 pm ".