The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-06-24
SCHROEDER ON
WAY TO CITY
WITH SHERIFF
Mobile Man Handcuffed in
Car as WinkIer Heads
for Indianapolis.
DUE FOR STIFF GRILLING
Grand Jury Hears Evidence
of Detective, Waitress,
Delays Report.

Harold Herbert Schroeder, IS, Mo-
bile (Ala) business man, principal
figure in the High School road torch
car mystery, will face the real test
Of his story of the burning Of his
car after he reaches Indianapolis
early Wednesday.
Leaving Mobile at Monday aft
ernoon, Sheriff George Winkler,
Deputy Sheriff Fred Fox and De-
tective John Stump of Indianapolis
we're making a forced drive to In
dianapolis with Schroeder hand
cuffed In their car.
Schroeder's plea that he not be
handcuffed was disregarded by
Sheriff Winkler after Schroeder had
failed to keep his promise to waive
extradition to Indiana.
At the same time the Indiana Of
ficials were taking precautions
against any attempt Schroeder's
friends might make to rescue him
en- route. 1t was suspected that
Schroeder's continual attempts to
delay his return to Indiana might
presage some rescue effort.
Ruse Is Suspected
Sheriff Winkler obtained extra
dition papers for Schroeder at
Montgomery, Ala, Monday night
and set speedy pace on the 219-
mile stretch back to Mobile With
Deputy Sheriff Fox at the wheel the
distance was covered in four hours
thirty minutes.
william Cowley and Alexis Ores
ham, attorneys for Schroeder, read
the papers and then asked a court
hearing. In court Schroeder. how
ever, declared he had been advised
by his counsel not to fight extradi-
ton and he was released to the In
diana authorities.
Suspecting some ruse, detective
Stump, accompanied by Sheriff Pat
Byrnes of Mobile county, rushed
Schroeder out a rear door of the
court room and to awaiting auto
mobile At a toll bridge over back
waters of Mobile bay, they we're met
by Sheriff Winkler and Deputy Fox
and the trip to Indianapolis was
started.
Upon arrival in Indianapolis, au-
thoritieS indicated Schroeder will
undergo the first rigid crosS-exanl-
ination of his story that, after he
viewed the Speedway races here
Memorial day, he left the city, pick
ing up a hitch-hiker.
Authorities Deride Story
He claims that he drove through
Terre Haute and that, thirty miles
west of that city, fell asleep at the
wheel and that his car went into a
ditch. The hitch-hiker, asleep at
his side, was killed in the accident,
he claims, and he drove back to-
ward indianapolis with the body.
Fearing accusation of murder of the
man, he claims he set fire to the
car on the High School road.
Authorities deride the story,
pointing to the fact Schroeder's car
showed no signs of having been in
an accident.
Dispatches from Sheriff Winkler
today indicated Schroeder was in
good spirits on the drive north. He
explained sights peculiar to the
south and chatted of turpentine
camps and pines as the party passed
through the country. During the
nights drive he slept at times and
apparently seemed little worried at
the grilling facing him when he
reaches Indianapolis.
May Delay Report
The county grand jury will not re-
port today on its investigation of
the torch car case. Indictment of
Schroeder on murder charges may
result from the probe. George w.
Eggleston, deputy prosecutor, will
testify during the day.
The grand jury, it was pointed
out, may delay a report, however,
until Sheriff Winkler and other
Indianapolis officers who are bring
ing Schroeder north reach the city
in order to learn any new facts
bearing on the case.
The grand jury today heard EVIL
6ence of Thomas Reilly, private in
vestigator for an insurance COM
pany; Miss Gene Carson, waitress
with whom Schroeder had a pick
up date" here, and several other
witnesses, whose names we're with
held.
Schroeder is charged only with
arson at the present time.
NnIse