The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1922-09-22
W0MAN'S CHARGES
MAY CLEAR SACCO
AND VANZET'TI
AUTO THIEF CONFESSED TO
HER, SHE CLAIMS IN SEEK
ING DIVORCE
DODSON NOW JAILED FOR
THEFT OF JUDGE THAYER'S
BUICK CAR

DEDHAM, Mass, Sept. POI was
the driver of the automobile in the
killing and Sacco and Vanzetti had
nothing to do with it,"
An obscure divorce suit here was
suddenly converted into sensation
of international scope when Mrs.
Jessie H. Dodson, seeking decree
against her husband, William F..
DoGson, charged him publicly with
having made the above confession to
her.
Questioned by reporters, Mrs. bod
son told this story: After her mar
riage to the young and handsome
gangster she began to suspect his
criminal activities. About the time
that Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo
NanZetti were arrested he returned
home after a prolonged absence and
Haunted roll of bills. In the ensu-
ing conversation she called his atten-
ton to the two Italians then being
exhibited to large audiences through
out the county in the hope that some
one would identify them.
1t was then, Mrs. Dodson alleges,
that her husband made the state
ment which she attributes to him, in
forming her furthermore that he re-
ceived 81 900 of the booty for driv-
ing the death car.
DodsOn is now serving a term of
from three to five years in Charles
town State prison for the theft of a
Buick automobile. He is a promi-
nent underworld character and his
wife obtained the divorce without
difficulty. A remarkable coincidence
is seen in the fact that the stolen
car for which he is now jailed be-
who presided in the famous Sacco-
Vanzetti trial.
Mrs. Dodson's startling accusation
against her erstwhile husband is not
a surprise to the defense. Both State
and Federal police have had the
story for many months, but failed to
advise the defense group of the fact
as was their plain duty. However, it
reached the defense anyhow through
a leak. There are many angles to
the accusation, counsel asserted,
which are being investigated vigor-
ously and may prove of great i'm
portance
1t is known to the police that bod
son specialized in stealing cars of the
Buick make. The theft of more than
seventy Bucks is credited to his
enterprise. 1t may prove significant
that the so-called bandit car which
figured in the labor trial last year
(and which the prosecution failed
utterly to link to Sacco or Vanzetti)
was not only Buick, but stolen in
the town of Naedham-where Dodson
lived and "worked" November
20. 1919. Three number plates were
stolen about the same time from a
place close to Dodson's home.
In statement made to the press
following the woman's disclosures,
the Sacco-Vanzetti Defense Com
mittee, whose address is Box 81, Han
over Station, Boston, said in part:
owe have reason to believe that
Mrs. Dodson is telling the truth when
she quotes her former husband as
she does. Her story is detailed, con-
sistent and bears the earmarks of
truth. But whether in making such
a confession her husband was tell
ing the absolute truth we cannot
say as yet. The matter is being
plobed. That as an underworld
habitue he knew something at least
justifying one part of his statement
the part generating Sacco and
Vanzetti-it is reasonable to suppose.
"The story is especially significant
because it is only one of an ever
growing number of circumstances
which must raise in every fair, in
telligent mind serious doubts Ito put
it mildly as to the justice of the
death verdict against the two true
and tried labor men,"