Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-10-05
GOVERNOR IS ASKED
TO ROUT BOYS J|NX.
Sproul Appealed To on Behalf
Of Philadelphia Youths Held
in Wyoming Jail
HAD HARD LUCK ON TRIP

Appcals were made today to Governor
Sproul and Congressman Butler 10
obtain the release Of four luckicss
youths Of Norwood now jailed in Cody
Wyo., the latest bit of hard luck In five
months Of jinxes.
Joel vollmcr, Russell Vol!rH-, Henry
Sloan and Charles Shelter sailed from
Philadelphia last May on the steamship
II. f. Alexander, a vessel with several
hoodoo experiences before It got under
way for the West Coast.
The.Volmcr brothers are crack foot
hall players and starred on the Ridley
Park High School team and with the
Norwood 4. 4. They planned to enter
rsinus College this fall and were
counted on as good grldiron material.
With tho crew of the Alexander was
Matt Doughcrty, son of Jimmie
poughcrty. "thc baron of Lcipcrville,
Il fight promoter.
Aided by Jack Dempsey
Young Doughcrty returned home last
June and told how he and six COM
panions had been dropped from the
crew without notice and left stranded
in the California port. lie was brought
Eat by Jack Dempsey. friend of his
father. The champion heavyweight
offered to bring ali the stranded youths
with him. but only Doughcrty consented.
Two others started for the East by
freight.
Riv"rmcn in port here shake their
hcLds knowingly when they recall the
mi>nnp> that followed the IL. 7. Alex
andcr. formerly the Great Northern.
and at one time the United states
steamship Columbia.
The Alexander on May % rammcd
the British steamship .Audrec in the
Delaware River. The crash caused Il
lny-up in the Sun shiphuilding yards
ut Chester. The jinx kept operating
when tn" ship actually got under way,
the incidents including collision with
rock near Cape Flattcry.
Started Out in F7vyer
Tho NuIImcrS, Sloan and Shelter
were ON the ship during most of the
hoodoo episodes and left the vessel ut
San Fr;uriSro. After tney. wer"
stranded they became cherry pickcrS at
81 "A day until they saved enough to
buy a second hand "hivvcr.
Tn,y drove to the redwood lumber
camps and worked for a 'stake' bcfor"
starring across the sentiment. The
high co., of punctures and gasoline,
forced another halt. ana they 'arh""
money by hauling grain to elevators.
Last August they started through
n desert. They ran short of water
and the ear broke down. The four
started to walk for help. trudgtng over
miles of barren sand Wit N" tenn.
pcrature hitting above the hundred
mark. Two uf the boys collapsed and
were drli,!ouS when aid arrived.
More Trouble in Store
Their troubles seemed t" be over
when thcy got out of the desert. Their
Iittlc en-. was capable OF moving again
and they made for the higher attitudes
in Wyoming
Complete details Of what followed
await on their arrival home. but It Is
known they got int" dispute with Il
stranger. who turned out to be the
Sheriff Of the county.
Th" boys. all under twenty-ono, sold
the more or less faithful "ilivver' and
used the proceeds to retain lawyer
But III" Sheriff had locked them up,
and n droary wait for trial seemed un-
avOidablc.
Ono Of the four finally succeeded
in getting n w!r" through 10 his home
l'undS were wired and today the APP
rals wprc made to Governor Sprou'
and Congressman Butler by the John
Wesley Cross Post, of the American
Legion. and the brotherhood of the
Norwood Lutheran Church.
The lure Of the open road has lost
its potency for all four and when they
start home they hope 10 ride the rush
ions all the way East. Even 4 hoodoo
must rest some time.