davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1928-06-22
= He Is Introduced 10 PYOCIOT
In Apartment With Friends

IT arrived in Washington during
the last week Of August. 1926,
Eagles related. and for a few days
lived 1T the winston Hotel. Then
.tpal'' Eagles and /. whose real
name Is Reva Cooper, moved into
an apartment on the second floor
Of 400 G. Street n. w. My brother,
Arthur. came around one night, ana
took me for an automobile ride,
during which was introduced to
John proctor. my brother-in-law by
two marriages. / had married
Rettv Proctor in New York City on
Nav is. 1924. and Arthur had mar.
RED Viola Proctor previous to that"
John said he would come around
and see Nick and that night. Satur..
day. about midnight, John drove
10. According to Nick's story,
John asked him. do you want 10
make some money
what is it," Nick countered.
tsPat,' Foley "a Washington boot
ievger) has been watching bank
for three or four weeks He says.
there Il young. red-headed mes
aenver kid who leaves the bank
every Monday morning with at
least 100000 Ill bring Pat TO.
the house and well talk it over.
sits 4 cinch and well crack the
box easy, John told Eagles.
All right. I'm on, Nick agreed.
About 8 o'clock Monday morning,
Foley and John came 10 the apart
n1ent in G Street ana later John
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1928-06-22
Getaway Fails Because Sam
Can't Run With Manned Leg

Telling the story was easy for
Nick-he was trying to go with a
clean heart" and he told Rabbi
Rosenbloom he was going to tell
the reporter nothing but the truth.
Nick smoked in silence for a few
minutes and then picked up his
story.
Sam and I lodged into the base
ment of the second house we came
to and looked around and saw
that no one was outside and says
Come on. kid, it's clear
II can't make it," Sam yells
back. I'm hit in the stem
II begged the kid to come on and
go away from there. but he was
hit bad and couldn't make the
grade.
What the hell, it's long story
and Wen skip over some of the
small stuff.
II fixed up Sans leg the best l
could and made him comfortable
In the morning Sam limped up the
stairs and scared the daylights out
of the old woman up there. She
sets up the loudest screams I've
ever heard and Sam and ! made
A break for the door. Sam was
cornered on the porch and he gives
up.
II ran around the block and a
guy what jumped on the running
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1928-06-22

Pretty soon Sam spoke up and
said he vas going to see his mother
He disappeared until about 10
o'clock and at about ia John
came hack, still sober. and asked
Callan and Atchison il they wanted
to go out on the road and do little
liquor hi.iacking
About this, time Of the narrative
guard came through with ice
cream and Nick insisted on stand
in gtreat.
What's the odds--take 1t on me
don't need any money to get
where I am going. How about it,
Kid?''
While the pair, reporter and con-
demned were enjoying" the ice
cream, guards. spiritual advisors.
Major Peak. superintendent of the
jail. and sundry others walked up
and spoke TO Nick The man never
faltered, but laughed and joked with
each and every caller. He even
went SO far as to tickle Hajor Peak
in the ribs and forced "a laugh"
Thinks Of Freedom
He was buoyed up throughout
the interview by the thought that
Tannenbaum, his attorney. was out
in Washington pleading for a stay
before Justice Hitz II won't go
to the chair in the morning and
we'll all play good game OF poker
Saturday night" he told his inter-
vioUar
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1928-06-22
Has Hazy Idea of Locality,
Not K nOUing the City Well

where q man named Louis handed
John gun, /" said Eagles I'VE
drove q few blocks and parked
Johns Studebaker, stealing the car
Of a well-known Washington boot
logger. we went out into Virginia
and pulled job at the Triangls
Garage, at Triangle. Va.
Proctor knew the man at this
gas station and for that reason he
and Pal remained in the car. Sam
and / did the robbing, for which
Pal Eagles Reeva Cooper is now
doing time in the Florence Crit.
tenden Home at Ivotka, Va.
I'VE pulled two other small jobs
and then stuck up another gaso-
line joint. / don't remember ex.
actly where 1t was. John knew
the proprietor, but when the man
was brought to Washington head
quarters to identify us. he didn't
know any OF us. After pulling this
joint we started back for Washing.
ton and stuck up another guy be-
fore getting back TO the city. :"
Nick said
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1928-06-22
SUICIDE TRY Of
PROCTOR SEEN
Times staff Photo

Continued from First Pagel
this at court, so don't think it
was them DIR. Hoffman can verify
this. Respectfully,
JOHN C. PROCTOR.
P. 81 Please give all Of my
things to Father Dow. and let
him give them to my kid brother
and sister There Is some things
in the office / wish you would
give him to destroy, also. but
give my dictionary To my brother
James. and / am very grateful to
You for all OF your Kindness. You
have been a wonderful man and
God knows ! appreciate 1t ii. God
bless you and your loved ones.
and even though YOU can't do
what you would like tn do. am
grateful To YOU as YOU are a
saint and God bless you always.
you always,
Yours respectfully.
Believe a bout John.
JOHN PROCTOR.
p. S.-Le1a and Mamma please
forgive ME for this but it's good
bye and it's saving a disgrace to
you all SO please forgive me as
you know there is only one
mother in the world and ] love
mine better than life alone and /
have wonderful sweetheart TOO
She has been SO loyal 10 me and
love her so much and some
day we are going to meet again
so don't worry over me.
But God knows didn't fire a
hot l. s~.L,A =
cent OF 1t. l am prepared so
don't worry.
Ill love you all in eternity.
Your john.
P. S.-Darling LEILA got yonr
last message from Mr.. RI. and
am reading your last letter.
Always yoars,
john.
Don't let Bobby fonl you AS
love you alone. Always your
John.
Investigation Ordered
The Commissioners called into
Major Edwin b. Hesse
Henry l.. Pratt, Corpora.
lion Counsel William w. Bride and
George 8. Wilson. director of pub
Ilc welfare, ana ordered Swee ping
of the amazing docu
ment bearing Proctor's signature.
Commissioner Sidney l.. Italia
ferro gave orders that the coroner
overlook no detail in connection
with his Investigation.
If there was connivance between
Proctor and any OF the guards. OF
any others. we hant TO know ii, :
Commissioners Taliaferro said.
An autopsy will he performed to
determine whether Proctor took poi
son last night.
Major Peak told the conference
today that the attending physician
at the Jail informed him that the
heart in the limp body OF Proctor
was beating when the youth was
placed in he electric chair.
Gives Reporter Message
Just a few moments last night
before Proctor collapsed he gaze a
final message to his sweetheart
Leila Lauder Johnson. IN the keep.
ing of Washington Times re.
orter. who was the last person
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1928-06-22

went out and brought Dynamic
sam. who is really Sam Moreno,
and who was one 4of the three men
to die this morning.
Plans were laid for waylaying the
bank runner that Monday NOR atng.
and about o'clock Monday morn
ing. the men, Eagles, Proctor, Foley.
Sam. and Pal Eagles pulled up
across the street from the bank.
Foley had figured the runner
wrong. Nick said, for he got into
q small roadster and started tor
the Treasury. Foley had told the
gang, that the boy walked 10 the
Treasury, bilt the gang Swallowed
him to a drug store across the
street from the. Federal building
and were all ready TO gran che
tin, when Foley say two Washing
ton detectives. The gang hsat q
hastv retreat from The drug sts1re
and rode back TO the C StreeI an
dress. The robbery was then post
poned until the next MonJay.
On the night OF September u,
John took the gang. for "A ride ~
his car into Virginia. Proctor was
wanted in the State for several
Jobs he had pulled and he visited
his mother on these flying trips.
The barty Wehf to- a. spot near Jophn,
Va. Proctor was also out on bail
on 4 niahs1aushteT charge IN con
nection with the death Of colored
man VINO helped him in his liquor
business. The manslaughter charge
was made in the Washington Courts.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1928-06-22
s TAKEN
FROM JAIL

The three bodies were removed
from the jail shortly after II o'clock
today.
Eagles body was taken to the
Danzanslxy funeral paroIrs in thea
$500 block Of Fourteenth ST.. N. w.
Funeral services were conducted
there al noon and Eagles was to
be buriel early this afternoon IN
the Jewish cemetery near Anacostia.
Proctor's body was removed TO
the undertaking establishment of
a. J. schippert In the 1000 block
of Pennsylvania Ave-. N. w The
body viii be taken at O'Clock
to Joplin Va, where II will be
laid 10 rest in the family burial
grounds Sunday afternoon
Funeral arrangements have not
been completed for Samuel Moreno.
His body was taken from the jail
to the undertaking establishment
OF w. Warren Taltavull. In tne
$500 block of Fourteenth ST. n. WI.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1928-06-22
Girl Asks Him Not to Go
On Night of Busch Shaving

The ice cream finished. Nick took
up the thread of his story.
well. Jimy and Atch said they
didn't want to go and he asked me.
] told him nothing doing and let
il go at that He asked Jimmy
and Atch again and they turned
him down--cold.
Come on Nick--it's only 90
cases of f'red. - John says to
me and Pal-God bless her.-butts
in and says, Please don't go.'
I'm a chump and | went. Sam
came along and We all climbed into
McCabe's car. which was parked
across the street McCabe climbed
over and let John drive. He headed
for Virginia md just as we got at
exc end of a l1ng bridge lit was the
Highway Bridget we spied the pa.
troll from No. IL. n1is lawners have
never been able to figure that out as
the Twelfth precinct is near Mt.
Rainier, but they said he has stuck
to that part of his story throughout
the last two years.D
Well, those cops chased h out
OF us and we had a sweet time giving
them the slip. McCabe grabbed his
gun and got between Sam and me
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1928-06-22
Psalm Recited
By Eagles II
Death Chair
Time. stan phosa

Here Is the I4gent U-th9rd
Psalm, repeated ok Nicholas yes
EagIes inst before hc rent 70
his deatk Sp TIE electric CHAR
here today.
The Lord Is my shepherd;
shall INIT want. He nakefh me
To TIE down IN green pastures.
He Ieadekll me beside the stiA
waters.
He rest0reth my soul He lead.
eth nae In the paths Of righteous
ness Tor His name Sale.
Yea, though ] walk through the
Valley 81 the shadow Of Death,
i will fear no evil; for Thou art
with me. Thy rod and Thy staff
they comfort me.
Thou preparest table before
me I'M the presence Of mine
enemies: Thou anOintest my head
with oil; my cup rtlnneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy
shall follow me al the days ~
my life; and I shall dwell In the
House III the Lord forever.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1928-06-22

trolley and John went to a taxi phone
stand and called for a cab. Mac
balled him out because he didn't tell
the cab company where to send the
car Mac went back and called the
joint and then these cops. Busch and
Ach. flatfooted /, around the corner.
Ach did all the fixing and asked
us what we were doing at that time
OF the morning and where We were
from John told him the car had
busted on us and said he was from
Baltimore. Mac said he was from
Washington
The cops didn't tumble onto the
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1928-06-22

board Of an automobile collared me.
They took us hack to the house,
and held us there until the cops
got there.
They sure gave lis merry hell
at the Tenth precinct.
That's the story. Kid. It's on
the up and up (honesU. I'm going
in the morning and l amt going
to lie to you.
II don't know how John got shot
and we got tipped off that he
threw his gun somewheres besides
where he said he did. How the
hell he got away that morning, ]
dOn't know.
80 long. Kid, I'll see you later.
Don't forget the poker game Satur.
day night"
That's Nicks story and that's
the way he said good night" He
walked over to the cell doors and
waved a icheery eood-by Il gotta
answer my fan mail ard get it out
Of here--these mails go on time.
See Won later"
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1928-06-22

Nick continued II don't know
Washington very well and 1t is
hard for me to give the exact
location OF lot OF the places me
anc the gang pulled"
He was equally hazy on Virginia
localities and those he was sure
OF he knew through hearing in the
court battles during the time OF his
trials.
During The ride on the night q
the fourteenth Nick recounted.
sam Morenoa told me think.
there's going to be something
doing.
Virginia gasolene station proprie.
tors will remember some OF the
events Of the night of September
II. 1925. On that night. Nick told
The Times reporter, Proctor came
to the house and said Come IN,
were going out in Virginia tonight.
The gang. with the exception OF
John. were armed when they left
the house.
I'VE drove 10 q Greek restaurant
in the 900 block of d st. n. W..
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1928-06-22

car stall and made US tell them
where it was. . We had left 1t up in
Webster Street and John says come
on, we'll show 'em. We all started
up the street, me and Sam in front,
Busch was walking out in the gut.
ter even with us. and Mac and John
were next. Ach was right behind
them.
ZACH kept beefing all the way up
the street and told US he thought
we were Kidding him along about
the ear He jumped me and Sam
for walking so fast and we had to
slow down. The cop kept up his
squawking and John slipped up be-
side me AMI whispered. nick. we
gotta shoot our way outta this.
Then he slipped over and told
Sam the same song and dance.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1928-06-22
Cops Stumble on to Them and
Fatal Shooting Affair Beoins

I'VE cruised some more and
stuck up this guy Soleria: he came
from Jersey, too. We took the car
and left Macs (McCabe's) on the
road Just as we got back to the
road by the Tavern. Soleria's car
st0pped and we pushed ii off the
road. We ran across a field and
stole car parked in barn hack
Of a house. John did all the driving.
Near place they call Soldiers
Home this new ba coughed and lust
naturally quit running All of US
piled out and started walking toward
the street car lines We missed a
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1928-06-22
Last Minute Attempt
TO Stay Execution BY
Mystery Affidavit Fails

a final last minute attempt to-
secure stay OF execution for
Eagles fail d last night when Asso.
ciate Justice William Hitz. Of the
District supreme Court. refused to
further extend the time when ap-
pealed to by Louis Tannenbaunl,
counsel for Eagles.
Tannenbaum based his petition olaA
an aft avit the contents of which
were Hniisclosed. Justice Hitx held
that the affidavit was 'not suffl.
respite asked :
The three condemned men were
unaware that another eleventh hctfr
plea was being made TO save them
or grant them a longer lease on liAss
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1928-06-22

At the home of friends in the 400
block OF Virginia Ave. s, W., where
Mrs. Randall has sought refuge dur.
ing the terrible ordeal OF the past
week. Mother" Dow. wife of rlle
Episcopal clergyman. who has been.
Proctor's spiritual advisor and com.
forter during the last days and
hours of his life, met I'll Corners.
Callers did not stay long. They
were met in the parlor OF the home
or at the door by Mrs. Dow and
after expressing Their sorrow de.
parted The Rev. Mr.. Dow ami the
two brothers of Proctor ALEC came
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1928-06-22
Mothers in Collapse
As SLayers Die

Heartrendng enacted at the home where Mrs
Robert Randall mother Of John G. Proctor staying and
at the home Of Samuel Moreno.
Both mothers in state Of collapse and both were
confined to their little group of Italian neghbors
gathered around the Moreno home in the 500 block OF St.
W. while the executed youths 17year-old sister stood
+lo loo, Il
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1928-06-22

to speak with him, besides his
guard.
John Proctor, looking through
the bars in death rnw, said:
''What time did you see Leia?"
Told that the young woman was
at the point OF collapse through
grief the condemned lad replied.
Just give Leila this message for
me. Tell her not to worry. Tell her
that everything will be Just as |
told her. That is all. She will uns
derstand just what / mean
An efofrt to locate the brunette at
late hour last night and again to-
day resulted in failure. Returning
to the girls home in the 5000 block
of r st. n. W.. after seeing Proctor
the Times reporter was told that
the girl was out"
1t was just Is minutes after Proc.
tor gave the message to the reporter
to deliver to his sweetheart. that he
collapsed in the arms Of bis guard,
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1928-06-22
MID-ClTY CITIZENS

The Mid City Citizens Associs-
ton will meet Monday night at $
o'clock at the Thomson Com
nuntty Center Twelfth and l. SITS.
n W. IT will be the last meeting
until september.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1928-06-22

We walked about 90 more feet
when, all of sudden, hell busted
loose.
John yeIls Stick 'em up and
with that he lets go with his rod.
Busch fell-Sam and I amt let
go yet. Quick as hell, Sam yells
I'm hit and starts his rod to blaz-
ing. turned and Sam and / both
fired at Ach who was shooting at
Us.
John Proctor shot Busch.
Then lit out and ran across
the street and got behind a stone
wall. Here comes Sam. limpine
like his leg was shot clean off. He
and | started running and Busch
got up and chased us. He let OUT
two shots at us and we lodged up
an alley"
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1928-06-22

TO see the stricken woman.
Mrs. Lelie Lauder Johnson. erst-
while sweetheart of Proctor, was re.
ported at her home In the 1000
block or + st. ~. w, as being
with Proctor's mother. Mrs. Dow
said she left the city early today.
Mother Dow has been minister
ing angel to Mrs. Randall during
the past week. Mrs. Dow gently.
but firmly. told newspaper men that
Mrs. Randall was not To be dis
turbed and that there was nothing
she could say if she was. <
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1928-06-22
One Eye Connolly
All Set To Crash
Houston Gate

Nv InteFnaG l0ual News Service
HOUSTON. Tex, June ~ The
Democrats can Sc ahead now anS
hold their convention, because
one.Eye Connolly. the champion
gate crasher 81 them All Ii here.
ready for action.
Connolly dropped off freight
from Los Angeles to get little
heavy training In the art O. kate
crashing by busting his way into
the Democratic convention sans
cause. sans badge. sans pernlis
sion.
This here convention looks Ike
another Dempsey Carpenter
fight. said One Eye. got
chucked out 1s times there before
/ stayed TN. / been out to the
ball game and they threw me out
twice but beat them In the end.
That was only a try-out, and 80 Is
this here convention
'sIf have any success. III
flutter-to the Heeney-Tunney
fight ana then. II I'm successful,
on to the big show the lOlympics
at msterdam.
Eagles ana Moreno continued To talk
with newspape until after mid
night, bat Proctor appare ntiy ovet'-
come nv the thought ef what TODAY
was "a bring forth. Nas led away 70
his cell AT 1850 n. ~.
Maintain Their Innocence
Il. tha hpa1r FOR their executions
drew near Eagles and Moreno still
their innocence and pre-
dicted that Proctor would confess he
fired the fatal shot which killed
Busch. They said Proctor would
awake early ready to confess.
Eagles insisted that he would go
to the chair singing Ell. Ell" the
Hebrew Chant.
The final farewells we're said to
their mothers and relatives IN the
afternoon. Eagles was the first to
say goodbye TO his mother, Mrs Re
becca Carriek. of New York. lie still
smiled as he shook hands with his
brother. Arthur Eagles. and kissed
the latter's children.
Later he said farewell to his wife.
the former Betty Proctor, and sister
OF John Proctor.
Women Near Collapse
Moreno came next. His mother,
Mrs. Mary Moreno Bell, and his
sister. Rose, were overwhelmed with
emotion as they held him in their
arms. They screamed, walled and
moaned during the Is minutes they
said farewell, and We're assisted
from the jail in state Of near
Then came Proctor. For 10
minutes he held in his arms his
mother. Mrs Roberta Proctor Ran
dali. and his sweetheart, Mrs. Leila
Lauder Johnson. He tried to COM
fort them both, although tears
welled i'm his eyes.
Next he said goodbye to his two
sisters, Betty. wife OF Eagles. and
Viola. wife OF Eagles brother and
then his two brothers. Walter and
George.
Stand Ordeal Bravely
The three stood the ordeaIs OF
farewell bravely The farewel's
were enacted in the middle Of the
rotunda, while guards carefully OBJ
every movement OF the con-
tiemned men and their relatives.
Major William l.. Peake. stiperln.
tendent, ''let the bars down" In
order TO allow the condemned men
svery comfort in their last hours,
Heretofore. relatives of doomed
men have only been allowed TO see
hem through the cell bars and
screens.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1928-06-22

CONDEMNED NAN RELATES
HOLD-UP SERIES BY GANG
from First Page.l

Pagel the tank leading to the souah
Ia. v ,oo, HE Mace The wing, condemned men
through the bars Of were imprisoned
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1928-06-22

Eagles and Moreno continued to talk
with newspaper until after mid
night, bat Proctor. apparen tly over
come nv the thought e what today
was ia bring forth. was led away to
hia cell All 1880 n. lll
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1928-06-22
Gang Has Spell of Quiets

i the goo block q 3 ST =. w. III
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-01-19
INVESTMENTS GROW
American Money in Cuba
Passes Billion and Half.

b Times Special
NEW YORK, Jan. 19.-Invest-
ment Of United States capital in
Cuba, which dates back to the DAYS
Of the country'S political in
dependence and which has recently
been stimulated by the growing i'm
portance of the island as an inter-
national tourist resort, has passed
the billion and a half mark and is
steadily growing, according to cabled
reports from the Cuban Chamber
OF Commerce received here today.
The aggregate of $1,505, 000,00O is
more than the United States invest
ment in any other Latin American
country and represents 90 per cent
of the total foreign investment in
Cuba at the present time.
The bulk of the entire investment
is confined to the development of
Cuba'S principal industries-sugar,
tobacco, real estate, railroads, public
utilities-and in the purchase of
Government bonds. Over half of
the total, $8OO00O,OOO, is con-
centrated in the Cuban cane sugar
industry which controls about 80 per
cent Of the worlds output of this
product, and is represented in lands,
plants and refinerieS on the island.