davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-08-31
ADVANCES PLAN
TO AID JODLESS
StetSon Urges Children to
Remain in School.

One means of battling the de-
preston was advanced Monday by
Paul G. Stetson, superintendent of
schools, in a statement urging
children of school age to remain in
school, leaving all jobs to heads of
families.
The statement was Stetson's an
nouncement of his cooperation
with the "stay-in-school" campaign,
backed by President Hoover's newly
organized unemployment relief
committee.
I'm an emergency such as now
exists, said Superintendent Steson,
."even the taking of temporary
job by children of school age may
work hardship on some needy
family"
He pointed out, however, that in
some cases work by school children
is necessary to maintain their
families incomes. But children
should remain in school," he added,
unless such work is badly needed."
The superintendent said further
that the education received in school
would enable students to hold their
jobs in another depression. "The
last two years have shown con-
clusively that when the test comes,
those who survive are the best
trained"
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-08-31
SUED AGAIN
Unlawful Conduct Charged
in Death Case.

Suit asking damages of $4,000 was
filed today in circuit court against
Coroner Fred w. Vehling, alleging
that Vehling took the body of a
woman who died a natural death
to his undertaking parlor without
consent of her husband.
Rudolph Steinberger of 903 East
Iowa street, charges in the suit that
"the coroner infringed his right TO
custody of the body and was guilty
of malicious, insolent, willful and
unwarranted conduct toward the
plaintiff"
The complaint, filed by Attorney
John l.. Niblack, states that Stein
burgers mother-in-law, ignorant of
the law, turned the body over to the
coroner"
The suit contends that when
Steinburger went to Vehling's estab-
lishment, 702 Virginia avenue, few
hours after his wife's death, which
occurred at p. M, July %, that
'Vehling refused to release the
body"
Steinburger declares he hired an
other undertaken to take charge of
the body, but only obtained it after
he had paid Vehling the exorbitant
fee of $87 for embalming it.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-08-31

a sweet hubby to call my own, at
a real early date. I am getting
tired of single blessedness. That
is why I bought this magazine
(the matrimonial agency publica-
tion), as I don't care for my
hometown people. They all look
alike to me. I want a perfect
gentleman for a hubby; one that
will love his wife, and I sure viii
return his love-"
Powers Cor Pierson's) system in
handling the correspondence
which brought so many women
to his feet waS very simple.
His name was registered with
the American Friendship Society,
Detroit matrimonial agency. When
one Of the subscribers Of that
agency wrote him, or when he
started the correspondence, he al
ways used tie sane form letter,
written in his cramped hand on
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-08-31

told his story first.
Il married her because I felt
sorry for her." he said. Il admit I
whipped her, but she needs it.
Last Wednesday I slapped her
several times.
1.-The reason I did it was be-
cause she doesn't want to have any
more children and I think we ought
to have a family"
AIRS. MFREDA, who held the
1V1baby in her arms, interrupted
with:
Judge, this baby is only year
old"
Last week was the second wedding
anniversary of the McFredas. In
court today she brought package
wrapped in newspaper and handed
it to Sheaffer.
"Just look at that, judge That's
what John gave me for our second
wedding anniversary.
Sheaffer declined to open the
package, asserting it had no bearing
on the case. But curiosity got the
better of Dewey Meyers, prosecutor,
and ne opened it.
Scraps of a wedding license and
wedding pictures fell tc the floor.
THAT'S what he gave me-" she
said. Our marriage license and
wedding pictures all torn up. Wasn't
that real second anniversary
gift?"
CHEAFFER heard no further tes-
. timony and held that McFreda
was guilty of assault and battery
on his wife.
eff you give your wife the money
for her baby, I'll suspend a fine of
81 and COSTS" Sheaffer told Nc
Freda.
McFreda pulled $11 from his
pocket and handed it to his. wife,
who shifted the baby in her arms
to receive it.
"And now you'll spend ten days in
JAIL" Sheaffer added.
Hell be good now, judge, don't
send him to Jail, please"
I'm sorry, but he must spend ten
days in JAIL" Sheaffer said.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-08-31

At home in her small frame
house, Mrs. Powers told a story of
wifely devotion in their life to-
gether.
II love that kid" she mourned.
HE was good and kind to me.
I love him from the bottom of my
heart"
CHE said she never questioned
~ his movements. When he
went away and came back, he al
ways said he was glad to be home,
and she would reply, 20. K,
Honey. I'm glad to have YOU"
Every morning when he was
home she would take a glass Of
coca cola to him in bed. and he'd
kid her when she gave it to him.
Nov I'm ready to get up" he'd
say.
Fifteen new letters from matri-
monial prospects have been COLI
leCted from his lock box at the
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-08-31
CAPONE PROBERS GRILL
TORRIO, GANG big SHOT

I'm fed up with Chicago. I hope
I never come back. I'm going
back to New York." he barked
staccato and darted into an ele-
vator.
New indictments are being sought
by the government against Capone
to charge him with evading large
income tax on his varied and shady
interests and with violation of the
prohibition laws.
Whether Torrio, who came to
Chicago from New York's Five
Point gang years ago as bodyguard
to Big Jim ColoSimo and rose rapid
ly to control of a powerful gang,
would betray Capone or would keep
his lips sealed on discriminating evil
dence was moot question.
Hell not Squeal on Capone Tor
rio still has finger in the Capone
combine" declared a majority OF
comment in the underworld.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-08-31
LOCOMOTIVES, SET FOR
FAIR CRACk-UP, SEIZED

Plans for a terrific head-on COL
lision of the locomotives at the state
fair, as part Of entertainment for
visitors. temporarily went awry,
simultaneously with the attachment.
The locomotives had been newly
decorated by Sallee for the big crash
at the Playground" according to
Fred Barrett, the plaintiffs attor-
ney.
Sallee filed suit in superior court
one for punishment against the
amusement company. demanding
the locomotives be sold to pay the
$700 debt owed him.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-08-31
BY MARTHA STRAYER,
United Press stan Correspondent

HARRISBURG, w. Va, Aug.
~ 81. - Mrs. Bluebeard fur
nished the money to build the
slaughter house where her hus-
band says he killed five persons.
1t cost $500, which the wife Of
Harry II. Powers, alias Cornelius
o. PierSon, earned in little store
she and her unmarried sister,
Belle Strother, inherited from
their mother. The store is next
to the house where Powers lived
with his wife and sister-in-law.
They have run it for twenty years.
"He wanted a place where he
could make blueprints," said the
red-haired, double-chinned Mrs.
Powers. He wanted to make
plans for houses, and he said he
had to have place where he
could have acid for the blue
prints"
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-08-31

ruled tablet paper. A dozen copies
of this form were found.
= = q
MEATH has taken my previous
Awife from me-" says this form
letter. leaving me quite alone and
very lonely. I am longing for
some one to fill that empty space
in my heart"
He signed himself ''Most sin
cerely, c. o. Pierson, Box 277,
Clarksburg, w. Va, and added:
"P. S.-My name in full is Cor
nelius Orvin Pierson, Connie for
short"
Fer impressive paragraphs to
be inserted in subsequent letters,
he had file Of newspaper and
magazine clippings of all kinds;
tender sentiments from advice to
lovelorn columns; editorials by
Frank Crane: even Mrs. Walter
Ferguson's "One Woman's Opin-
ion."
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-08-31
MURDERER OF 5
IS HELD SANE IN
EXPERTS TESTS
Powers, Love Butcher, Is on Border Line,
but Knows Right From Wrong,
Psychiatrist Declares.
HUNT FOR MORE BODIES is FUTILE
Workmen Drag Well, but Fail to Find
Victim; Search Garage for New
Evidence of Crimes.
United Press


HARRISBURG, w. Va, Aug. 31.-The insanity de-
fense for which police claim Harry F. Powers matrimonial
agent accused of Staying and three children and
his counsel preparing believed shattered with
psychiasts today that Powers knew right
from wrong"
AS the state prepared to bring the former soldier and
exsaesen trial for the quintet of killings, belief grew
stronger despite Powers statement that give is ALL that
at least body lay at the bottom of well thirty
feet from the garage where the others believed exe
cuted" or improvised galows.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-08-31

next Friday. This letter, dated
Aug. "a, raved on for eight pages
about the happiness of the writer
because they soon would be to-
gether."
Connie, DEAR" it began. I'm
so happy. Next Friday, just think
of it, scarcely can realize it.
will be here waiting for you"
This is my last yetter to you.
I am so happy. Next Friday
eS-love-BeSSie."
Letters found in Powers trunk
reveal that he met and courted
his real wife, who still "loves him
from the bottom of her heart" in
the same way. He then was liv-
ing in Mansfield, O.. and he came
to Clarksburg four years ago
and married her.
y n
"T ISTEN, dearie," she wrote
IL him July 81, 1926, 1T is alb
solutely my intention to find me
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-08-31

postoffice since his arrest Thurs
day. If they have been opened,
Sheriff Grimm and Police Chief
Duckworth are not yet willing to
reveal their contents.
They came from F. N. r.. 1915
Wallace street, Philadelphia; Van
Boskhock, Walnut Grove street,
Wichita. Kan; Camp Watson,
Fla; Burlington. N. c.; COL Mar
tin street, Clearfield, Pa; j. B.,
1912 Vernon Square street. St.
Louis; Box l01, Detroit; Flushing,
N. Y; Norfolk, Va; 100 Woro-
noca avenue, Ocean View, Va,
and Jacksonburg, Va.
= e e
NNE Of the most pathetic ex-
- hibitS is the last letter he re-
ceived from the woman who APP
parently had been marked as his
next victim Bessie StdxrS, Olean,
N. ", whom he was to go to see
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-08-31
By United Press

By United Press
CHICAGO, Aug. 81. - Johnny
Torrio, who was a gang power when
Al Capone was little more than a
stripping, came from New York to-
day and went before the federal
grand jury to tell, or perhaps not
to tell the inside story of Capones
rackets.
Torrio, squat. pudgy, sleek in a
dark, tom cat fashion and wearing
costly garb, preserved the secret OF
what he would say as he ambled in
to face a barrage of questions about
Capone's income, Capone'S beer
business, and perhaps about Ca
pone's records as to whether they
list orders to gunner for deaths
among rival gangsterS.
Three hours after he entered the
grand jury room, Torrio hurried
out. He downed a pair of smoked
glasses and covered his face with
a newspaper.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-08-31

Deputy sheriffs, in a modern but
tanner version of the ancient battle
of Troy, today captured two iron
horses" resting on the tracks at the
Big Four roundhouse on Bates
street.
Armed with writs for attachment
on two locomotives belonging to the
American Amusement Company,
Deputy John Wright served the
court order and directed his aides
to guard the giant steam monsters.
The writ was secured by Guy
Sallee, contractor, who is suing the
amusement company for $700, al
legged due for painting the engines.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-08-31

After several hours Dig
ging workmen cleared out
the we'll and reported finding
nothing at the bottom.
A gas mask, reported found in
the Powers home, led to belief that
the garage, equipped with gas jets,
might have been designed as a
lethal gas chamber. Police Chief
C. A. Duckworth, however, declined
to confirm whether the mask had
been found.
Doctor Is Barred
DR.. B. F.. Matheny, former Clarks-
burg health officer, was refused ad-
mission to Powers cell when he
sought to enter with the prisoners
attorney, Edward Law. Law was
said to have left for Fairmont to
secure an Injunction against prison
officials. He did not confer with
Powers.
Elk creek, which flows near the
garage. was being dragged in search
for bodies of others of the lis wom-
en- whom police said were infatu-
ated with the pudgy, but dapper
mail order Romeo.
DR.. Edwin e. Mayer, University OF
Pittsburgh, psychiatriSt, who served
in the Harry K. ThaT case when
the Pittsburgh slayer of Stanford
White sought his freedom, an
nounced after long conference
with Powers, that he was on the
border line of insanity, but knew
right from wrong"
Prisoner Is Wary
Powers refused to discuss the five
Sayings with which he is accused,
apparently sensing he might be in
eliminated, DR.. Mayer said, but
showed no reticence in discussing
others matters.
Powers admitted today, police
said. that the fifth victim, whose
body was recovered Saturday night,
was Mrs. Dorothy A. Pressler Lemke,
As, Worcester, Mass. The other VIC
tins were Mrs. Asia Buick Eicher
and her three children, Greta, IA;
Harry, u, and Annabel, 9.
Powers told me he was born and
reared or a farm and went through
public and high schools" DR.. Mayer
said. "He said he was a good stu
dent.
"He told me he attended Ames
Agricultural college and studied
automotive engineering in Kansas
City school. He worked for the In
ternational Harvester Company, in
Missouri, Minnesota and Iowa. He
held numerous other jobs, construc-
ton work in Ohio, steel mills in
Pennsylvania.
No Tendency Toward Sadism
"I asked him about sadism and
explained that people sometimes
enjoyed seeing others bleed and in
pain. He said he had no such ten
denotes.
Il went over him physically to see
if he might have diseases likely to
cause violent outbursts. He's per-
factly normal as to physical brain
diseases.
powers is a psychopathic per-
sonality, as shown by his seclusive
nature. wanderings, extreme rest
lessness. inability to understand
himself and his sex life.
"This type is not insane, but
nearer insanity than normal people.
Panic can strike in situation like
this. There may be a secret lust
for blood. Powers is Of the hypo-
pituitary type-squat, short built,
pig-eyed, paunchy, with weakened
sexual powers.
"He is not insane, but he has been
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-08-31
CHARITY RING SHOW
Is PLANNED CITY

BIZ United Press

81 UHtteG Press
HAMMOND, Ind, Aug. 81
For many days policeman
Ralph Hart had been puzzled
by the numerous funeral pro-
cessionS which passed through
East Chicago toward Indiana
Harbor. The fact that there is
no cemetery in Indiana Harbor,
added to the mystery.
Sunday Hart observed that
mourners following a slowly
moving black hearse looked
particularly jovial. He stopped
the hearse and found liquor
in place of the corpse.
The driver, Albert Cum
mings, Chicago Heights, was
arrested.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-08-31
WORKER is KILLED
EIeCtroCuted by Wire al
City Plant.

Chalmers Coffin, so, of 1884 North
Olney street, employe in the main
tenarlce department of the Rub Tex
Products, Inc, $500 East Twentieth
street, was electrocuted at the plant
early today.
A drop cord carrying a heavy
charge of electricity is said to have
fallen and was touched by Coffin.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-08-31
DooIittIe to Try Record

By United Press
LOS ANGELES, Aug. 3l.-James
H. Doolittle announced today that
he will attempt to Shatter Frank
Hawks transcontinental air speed
mark when he flies east, probably
Tuesday, in the Los Angeles-to-
Cleveland race.
Doolittle said he planned to take
of with the other race tliers, touch
the wheels of his new speed plane
to the ground at the finish line i&
Cleveland and then continue on to
New York without stopping.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-08-31
$4,000 BANDITS LOOT

Break Way Into Los Angeles Bank,
Imprison Ten Employees.
BB United Press
LOS ANGELES, Aug. 31.-Three
bandits cut their way into the Sc
curity- First National bank here to-
day and escaped with $4,000 after
ten employees. The loss
was covered by insurance.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-08-31
PAID DRY SPIES OUT
Woodcock Bars Informers
Who Receive Wages.

By United Press
WASHINGTON, Aug. 31.-Elimi-
nation of paid informers in prohibit
ton enforcement so far as possible
was announced today as a new
policy by Amos w. w. Woodcock,
federal prohibition director.
The director also announced to-
day a campaign of economy in pro-
hibition enforcement. He said the
prohibition bureau turned back
$150,000 of last years appropriation,
saved by various economies.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-08-31
| |

IIIUO IWO U1OCo eI11O
woman sue
cumbed to in
juries received when struck by a
street car. The dead:
George w. Rowe, 70, of 5104 Bay
street.
Amos R. Heath, So, Stop 6, and
the Pennsylvania railroad.
Carl Skeen, 25, of AIT North JEFF
ferson avenue.
Mrs. Inez Gibson, IS, of 218 North
East street.
In addition to the fatal accidents
a score of other persons were hurt
over the weekend in accidents that
occurred on crowded streets and
highways in and near Indianapolis.
Occurs on Madison Avenue
The accidents in which Skeen,
Rowe and Heath were killed oc-
CURED on Madison avenue between
Edgewood and University Heights
where a series of accidents in the
last few months have taken several
lives.
Rowe and Heath were en- route
to church at Edgewood and as they
approached the crossing, witnesses
told deputy sheriffs Heath slowed
the auto. Several witnesses claimed
the engineer did not blow the
whistle, although he denied this.
Heath was hurled from the car,
his body found in a ditch 100 feet
south of the crossing. Rowe's body
was underneath the train.
The train was stopped about a
half mile south of the accident
scene, wet tracks preventing a
quicker halt. Auto wreckage was
strewn a half mile along the right
of-way.
Funeral Rites Are Set
There are no signal lights or
bells at the crossing.
Rowe had lived near Indianapolis
all his life. Funeral services for
Rowe were to be held at 100 this
afternoon at the Grinsteiner under
taking establishment. Burial will be
in Crown Hill cemetery.
Heath is survived by a son, Paul
M. Heath, with whom he lived.
Funeral arrangements have not
ben completed.
Skeen was killed after his car
left the highway at Hanna and
Madison avenues. The car, it was
said, had been weaving along the
road and hit tree, continued on
it's way and then crashed into a
second tree several yards away.
Girl Is Near Death
Riding with Skeen was Miss Alice
Hartweck, 25, of 1926 Lexington
avenue, who is near death today at
the city hospital. Skeen's skull was
crushed and he died few minutes
after the crash. Miss Hartweck,
suffering from head injuries, was
unable to give deputy sheriffs any
details of the tragedy.
Skeen was released late in 1890
from the state reformatory where
he had been serving a two to-four-
teen-year granddaughter sentence
in connection with the death of Mrs.
Pearl Jarboe, in June, 1923, who
either was hurled or leaped from
his car on an east side street.
Skeen fled after the woman's
death, was arrested later in Denver.
He denied he had thrown the wom-
an from his car, but said she
jumped after an argument over a
speakeasy.
Struck by Street Car
Skeen is survived by the widow,
Mrs. Ethel Skeen; his parents, Mr..
and Mrs. Clarence o. Skeen, and a
sister, Mrs. w. G. Jamison, all of
indianapolis.
Funeral services will be held at
Tuesday afternoon at the home and
burial will be in Floral park ceme-
terry.
Mrs. Gibson was struck by a
street car at State avenue and
Michigan street Sunday afternoon.
Her identity was traced by a city
hospital inferno. She died three
hours after she was struck. Police
today are attempting to locate rela-
tiveS of Mrs. Gibson.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-08-31
WEIR COOK is INJURED
Indiana War Ace Hurt in Traffic
Accident at Detroit.

Major H. Weir Cook, Indiana
World war ace, and former In
diana Curtiss- Wright base man
ager, is recovering at Detroit from
injuries received Thursday in a traf-
fic accident, it was learned today.
Major Cook, who was on active
duty IN the aviation section at Self
ridge field, as a member of the
army air corps reserve, sustained a
fracture of the lower jaw in the
accident. His condition was re-
ported as not serious.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-08-31
HEY, MUSSOLINI!
Wife ShunS Maternity Beaten

HUSBAND who whipped wife they should
"A have children jail today will there
mored
his webeating while their
!, wait at home for him
The tale McFedas ambition to become the father of chill
Mussolni
Municipal Judge today him and his
wife.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-08-31
SHOWERS SCHEDULED
Rain Tonight or Tuesday
Forecast for City.

Unsettled conditions are to bring
thunderstorms and showers to In.
dianapolis tonight or Tuesday, the
weather bureau reported today.
Sunday morning, rain totaled .04
of an inch, but was followed by
clearing skies and sunshine before
noon.
The precipitation in Indianapolis
will be accompanied by warmer
weather Tuesday. The mercury
was to reach near 80 today.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-08-31
Walker Killed OH Highway

By United Press
URBANA, O.. Aug. 31.-Wesley
Legg, 46, Reynolds, Ind, was struck
by an automobile and killed while
walking along the Urbana-Westville
highway near here today. The dri-
yer of the automobile did not stop.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-08-31
BabyAbes
Firp.Trick
Is Burned
Girl, 2, Tries to Copy
Match Antics of
Monkey.

BEVERLY JANE HOOD, 2, of
- 1927 Ludlow avenue, suffered
severe burns today when she at
tempted in the backyard of her
home, to initiate the antics of
an organ-grinderS monkey.
Beverly Jane had watched with
interest as a monkey, accom-
panied by "hurdy-gurdy,"
struck matches on the pavement,
and eXtinguished them by plac-
ing them against his chest.
Her DAYS from then on were
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-08-31
DISMISSED COPS TO
SEEK JOB RETURN
Five in Liquor Plot Case to Appear
Before Board.

Before Board.
Five former indianapolis police
men, dismissed following their con-
viction in federal court in the po-
lice liquor conspiracy case, are to
appear before the safety board
Tuesday to present their plea for
reinstatement.
The five petitioners are Claude E.
Ridenbach, Ralph Lambert, David
j. Curran, Martin O'Brien and
Thomas j. Gray.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-08-31

incomplete for she had monkey matches today
way she got the matches She emuaed the monkey striking
match attempting extngsh placing on her chest
The match gnited her dress brought mother
Mrs. Dana Hood
The mother smothered the flames wrapping
dress and tearing the burning clothing the child
She treated at the city hospital taken home Her
condition is not dangerous
But Beverly Jane promises
monkey again. got from her
mother to seal the promise.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-08-31
4 LOSE LIVES;
TRAFFIC Toll
MOUNTS TO111.
Two Men Are Killed as
Auto Is Crushed Under
Wheels of Train.
TROLLEY HITS WOMAN
Car, Out of Control, Rams
Trees and Driver Is
Hurt Fatally.
TROLLEY HITS WOMAN

Death rode as q passenger in au-
tomobiles Sunday, four persons
losing their lives IN traffic accidents
that boosted Marion county'S 1881
death toll to Ill today.
Two elderly men were killed when
their car was crushed under the
wheels of a speeding Pennsylvania