davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-03-11

the rear platform from the time
you leave west phila depot until
you arrive Jersey City.
"You are then to stand on rear
platform Of hudson river car from
the time yu leave the grand CEN
trail at New York until yu arrive
Albany"
The letter explained that an
agent would be waiting some
where along the route. When the
agent made himself known the
father was to throw a black bag
containing the $4,000 on the
tracks Immediately.
RIOS, these are the signals: If
it be dark the moment the rear
car passes him he vii exhibit a.
bright torch in one hand and a
White flag in the other hand but
II it be light he will ring a bell
with one hand and white flag
IN the other hand. the instant WI
see either signal yu are to drop it
on the track and yu can get out
at the next station"
MIR. ROSS made that trip. In
4vA his black grip was not the
$4,000, but letter: Il desire to
act with you in good faith. but as
your whole correspondence leads
me strongly to suspect deception,
must insist on some positive.
tangible proof that you have the
child and second, that his
delivery to me will be sirnulta-
neous with the delivery of the
money to you"
He stood on the rear platform
OF train hour after hour through
the night to New York City. then
through the hot day to Albany.
No signal was flashed along the
way. Four days later came a
scrawled explanation: "Ros, in
not keeping our appointment with
yu was entirely mistake from
the fact of havin seen a statement
in the evening star that you had
gone to postvill on the day YOU
was TO settle this business with
us. we saw the mistake but not
in time to communicate with our
agent or to notify yu not to go as
We directed yu."
Throughout August, September
and October the grotesque CORE
spondence continued, with the
abductorS always threatening that
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-03-11

they would murder the child at
any false move.
At last, on Nov. 6, they agreed
by letter to meet the father, or
some member of the family, in a
New York hotel.
Proposing in good faith to hand
over the money, brother-in-law
registered at the Fifth Avenue ho-
tel, Nov. 18, 1874. He waited there
all day. No one turned up. No
further word was ever heard from
the abductors.
On the night of Dec. IA, 1874,
two robbers attempted to enter
the home of Justice Charles Van
Brunt of the state supreme court,
in Bay Ridge, L. I.
A brother, j. Holmes Van Brunt,
opened fire. The two robbers fell
one dead, the other mortally
wounded.
The wounded man, as he lay
dying, said, MY name is Joseph
Douglass. That man over there
is William MoSher." He spelled
the name out. Its no use lying
now. Mosher and I stole Charles
Ross from Germantown. Mosher
will tell you about it,
They told him Mosher was dead.
With that he became quiet and
would say nothing more. He died
in two hours.
That is the story of Charley
Ross. The two dead men were
later identified by Walter, the g.
year-old brother. And there was
confirmation in subsequent trial
Of one William Westervelt, Mosh-
er's brother-in-law, for conspir-
acy.
Westervelt was sentenced to
seven years in the penitentiary.
Charley Ross never was found.
Some there are who believe him
still alive, a gray-haired man;
and every so often such a man
appears who claims to be the
long-1ost boy. No one, perhaps,
ever will know what happened to
the curley-haired Charley.
Thinking of that, mothers still
tell their children never to accept
candy from strangers, and thus
Charley lives in a household
phrase, an admonition that surely
every one who reads of him here
must have heard.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-03-11

lad Stolen in 1874 Never Found Weird Letters Written by Knapers

July afternoon. The two men
came by in a dilapidated buggy.
The children recognized them.
The same two men had given
them candy on three earlier oc-
casions.
They gave them candy again,
and offered to drive them into
town for some frecrackers. The
two boys climbed in, delighted.
The buggy disappeared down
dusty Washington lane. Late that
night the older boy was brought
home by a gentleman who had
found him crying on a street cor
ner eight miles away.
Walter sobbed out his story
the two men had given him
quarter and told him to run into
a store for flrecrackers; when he
came out the buggy and Charley
were gone.
THREE days later Christian K.
l. Ross, the father, received q
letter, mailed from Philadelphia:
Mr.. Ros. Be not uneasy you son
charley be all write we is got him
and no powers on earth can de-
liver out of our hand. you will
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-03-11
VOICES PLEA
FOR Vote ON
DRY STATUTE
Indiana Congressman Lists
Ten Arguments Calling
for Referendum.
By United Press

By United Press
WASHINGTON, March 11.-Con-
gresS will be usurping it's power if
it refuses to authorize a referendum
and give the people Of the country
a chance to vote on the eighteenth
amendment, Representative Samuel
B. Pettengill (Dem., Ind) declared
in a speech today before the house.
Taking advantage of a dull in the
house debate On the tax bill, Pet
tengill outlined ten reasons why
it should be passed when it is
brought to vote next Monday. His
reasons were:
The eighteenth amendment was
ratified by legislators not chosen on
that question, and the people have
never had chance to vote On it.
During World War
1t was adopted during the World
war while many Americans were
abroad.
1t never has been made an issue
in a national campaign by party
platform declaration.
The people can now pass on the
question intelligently because of
twelve years experience.
Half of the present voters, the
women, were not enfranchised when
prohibition was adopted.
Millions of those who voted for it
have since died.
Thirty-one per cent Of the pres
ent voters have become of age since
adoption of the amendment,
Manifested DisapprOvaI
Fifteen states, with a combined
population of 81 100000 have mani
tested dissatisfaction with the
present situation, either by repeal
of their own prohibitory statues,
by popular state referendums, or
by taxing outlawed liquor traffic.
Prohibition has brought none of
the blessings it's sponsors promised,
such as elimination of crime, empty
jails, prosperity and complete abb
sence of desire for drink on the
part of boys and girls who had
never seen saloons.
The urgent need of revenue to
wipe out the treasury deficit.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-03-11
C. F. POHLMAN DIES
Phone Company Engineer
Lifelong City Resident.

Carl F. Pohln1an, AZ, prominent
Mason and employee of the Indiana
Bell Telephone Company for twelve
years, died today at his home, 5514
North Delaware street, following a
sort illness. He was outside plant
engineer for the telephone COM
pany.
Funeral services tentatively were
set for Monday and rites probably
will be under charge of the Ma
sonic lodge.
Born in Indianapolis, Mr.. Pohl-
man had lived here all his life.
He was a member of knight
Tenplar, and the Shrine, and of
the American Institute of Electrical
Engineers.
Surviving are the widow, Mrs. Lou
Use B. Pohlman, and a son, Gustave
E. Pohlman, and a daughter, Eliza
beth Pohlman.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-03-11
Don't Hope for Repeal Issue
to Go to People After
Congress SkirmiSh.
BY EARL Sparkling
BY RAYMOND CLAPPER
United Press STAFF Correspondent
INNNuriokf TTnff0d

WASHINGTON, March 11.-Anti-
prohibitionists now are concsntrat-
ing on the argument that the coun-
try should be given a chance to re-
judge federal prohibition.
This is the explanation of their
pressure for the showdown vote in
the house next Monday to force
submission to the states of re-
pealer of the eighteenth amend
ment.
AS two-thirds ma ority is re-
quired, defeat is inevitable, even if
the preliminary vote to get the
question before the house carries,
which is doubtful.
In any case, there will be no
repeal amendment submitted to the
states as a result of this skirmish.
The next play of the anti-pro-
hibitionists will be on the theme
that drys in congress have refused
the people chance to pass on
prohibition.
They are leaning heavily on the
psychology of the sovereign Amer
lean voter, whose blood pressure
rises rapidly at the fainting Sug-
gestion that anybody S trying to
keep him from exercising his pre-
negatives.
Henry H. Curray, president of the
Association Against the Prohibition
Amendment, told the United Press
II just want to give notice for
my organization that we shall be at
work from now until election day
in every congressional district in
the United States to help elect
those who support the Beck-Lin-
thicum resolution, and help defeat
those who do not"
The pending tax bill-the heavi-
est in peace-time history-is an
other potent weapon in the hands
of the anti-prohibition shock troops.
To all complaints over the severity
of the proposed increases they an
swer:
Beer would save you from such
taxes"
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-03-11

have to pay us befor you git him
from us, and pay us big cent to.
IF you regard his life put no
one in search for him yu money
can fetch him out alive an no
other existin powers. you here
from us in few day."
Three more days went by before
the frantic family received an
other scrawled letter. Postmarked
July 6, it stated: "Mr. Ros, you
mite invoke all the powers of the
universe and that could not get
yu child from us. we set goldman
and devel at defiance to rest him
OF Of our hands.
This is the lever that moved
the rock that hides him from you
$4,000. not one doler less-im-
possible - impossible if yu love
money more than child yu be its
murderer not US for the money
we will have. If we don't from yu
we be sure to git it from some
one els for we will max examples
Of you're child that other may be
wiser if we get yu money
yu get him live. if no money yu
get him ded.
Wen you get ready to do biz
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-03-11
TIME TO RE-JUDGE
DRY LAW, WET CRY
Mercy, Cleo!
By United Press

DD CHitCu ETeSS
KANSAS CITY, Mo, March
1.-THE vaccination of Cleo,
hippopotamus at Swope park
ZOO, has proved more painful to
Superintendent Tex Clark than
it is to Cleo.
Three times Tex and a helper
have tested the theory that
Cleo's hide was so thick she
wouldn't mind having a ten
inch needle jabbed in her neck.
The theory failed to protect
Tex and his man, and they
resorted to retreat through the
cage doors.
Now Tex calculates to build
a roof of heavy beams over
Cleo's back, entice her there
under and do his worst.
Cleo, incidentally, is threat
ened with haemorrhagic sep
ticaemia.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-03-11
CHARGE AID SW|NDLE
Grand Jury IndiCtS Negro
for False PretenSe.

Anderson w. Hurst, Negro, 635
East Wabash street, is the first per-
son indicted in Marion county for
obtaining poor relief under false
pretenSe since extension of aid to
many persons became necessary due
to the depression.
He was one of eight persons
against whom indictments were re-
turned today by the county grand
jury. Discharge of ten other per-
sons was recommended.
It is alleged that on Jan. Is,
Hurst, representing himself to be
the father of three minor children
who were destitute, obtained grocer
les and fuel worth S1406 on a Cen
ter township poor relief order. He
has no children, it is charged.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-03-11

house hearings on the civil service
commissions appropriations for the
next year, just made public by the
appropriations committee.
You understand that what we
try to do is to get the kind of peo-
pie the departments or the bureaus
want" President Thomas E. Camp
bell of the commission told the ap-
preparations committee. Colonel
Woodcock wants a man not more
than 35 years old. He wants him
to be able to pass an examination
equal to a high school test, which is
pretty stiff.
Then he wants men Of outstand-
ing character who have been abSo-
lutte teetotalers within one year
prior to the date of examination.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-03-11

The LindberEh kidna ping. stirring the
nation to sorrow and indignation. re-
calls other atrocities of this nature
which evoked universal sympathy for
the victims and resentment against the
perpetrators. Earl Sparkling. Times
Special writer. describes some Of the
outstanding cases in a series Of articles.
the second OF which follows:
BY EARL SPARKLING
TINE world, from of old to now,
Il has been full of stories of
stolen children. The dire grand
pattern of the story in America
was laid down when two bearded
Bowery jukes enticed Charley
Ross, aged 4, from his pleasant
home in Germantown, Pa, July l,
1874.
So fantastic was the drama that
ensued. so grotesque, so motivated
by a calculating cruelty, so ulti-
mately unfathomable, that the
fate Of that curly haired boy has
become, these fifty-eight years
later, a legendary tragedy.
Charley was playing in front of
the grove-shaded home with his
brother Walter, nearly 6, that
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-03-11

or on his wedding anniversary, or
any Of those festive occasions?"
Boylan asked.
And Campell's reply was:
mo"
do you not think that is being
unduly harsh, to set up such a rigid
test as this?" Boylan inquired.
II might express my personal
opinion" Campbell replied, but it
would not have any value. We try
to get the people that these bu-
reaus want, and when they insist
that they shall be teetotalers, we
go out and get them.
1.-THE surprising thing is that
about 80 per cent of them are, so
far as we are able to fad out"
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-03-11

about their drinking. If they have
taken a drink within two years
prior to their examination, they
will be turned down.
There are exceptional circum-
stances, as Boylan determined from
Campbell, when drinking will not
bar a candidate for prohibition
agent. These circumstances were
explained By Campbell, who said a
man would not be turned down if
he took q drink for medicinal pur-
poses or for official purposes"
The status of drink for official
purposes" was not explained.
=
VOU would not eve- consider
4 for appointment NJ . who
may take a drink on his birthday
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-03-11
RUM ARRESTS DUE
Remainder of 70 Anderson
Men to Be Arrested.

Only eight of the twenty-eight
persons indicted in the alleged An
derSon liquor conspiracy still are at
liberty and federal officials today
said six or seven of that number
will be arrested early next week.
The Anderson group and the
thirteen persons indicted in the al
legged Muncie liquor conspiracy will
be arraigned before Judge Robert
G. Baltzell next Thursday.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-03-11

81 Soripps-Hoicdrd Newspaper Alliance
VXTASHINGTON, March 11.-Pro-
wv hibition Director Amos w. w.
Woodcock insists that his dry
agents be teetotalers for at least a
year prior to their civil service ex-
aminations.
So the United States civil service
commission takes the utmost pains
to determine whether man has
taken a drink before he is accepted
for job in Woodcock's bureau. Its
Sleuths check up on applicants
drinking habits, and, on the basis
of its examinations, it has deter
mined that only about 80 per cent
of the dry job hunters are nom
drinkers.
These facts were set forth in the
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-03-11

"HOW do you prove that?" asked
L Representative Boylan Oem.,
N. W.
THE proof is rather simple,
strange as it may seem,' Campbell
replied. I'VE have on our appli-
cations the questions:
Have you ever taken a drink?
Do you take an occasional drink?' ="
Many times the applicant admits
that he has taken a drink within
the last year, and out he goes. AS
to the man who says he has not
taken drink within the last year,
our field investigator goes around
among his friends and ascertain
whether he has. Usually he is
confronted with the enquiry:
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-03-11
Wooden Honor

By United Press
WASHINGTON, March IL
President Hoover has received
a bust of himself artistically
wrought in vari-colored wood.
The plaque was presented by
Representative Ruth Bryan
Owen Dem, Fla, on behalf
of Arturo BOA, Key West
(Fla0, woodworker.
Boza fitted hundreds of small
pieces of different colored wood
together to form the picture of
the President.
There are twenty-five diff
ferent kinds of wood in the
plaque, which stands about
three feet high and two feet
across.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-03-11
INSPECT RESERVE UNITS

Sixteenth, Seventeenth and Eight
zenith divisions of the Fourth bat
talon, United States naval reserve,
and the radio unit were inspected
by an official navy board Thursday
night at the armory, 730 East
Washington street.
The divisions are commanded by
Lieutenant Commander 0. F. Hesler.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-03-11

Didn't you take a drink at your
grandmother's birthday last Christ
mas?'
"'Oh, yes; I just took drink
then, but I am not drinking man.
you admit, then, you have taken
drink within the last year
why, certainly"
And when this admission is made,
Campbell explained, "out that man
goes"
= -
THE commission president, in
Il reply to a question, declared
he did not think this procedure I'M
fair, and he volunteered the in
formation that, in the future, candi-
dates for jobs as. United States
penitentiary guards win be quizzed
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-03-11
RABBIT ARCHITECTURE
Treasury AssaiIed Over Designs for
New Public Buildings.
By United Press

D CWtttU TtSS
WASHINGTON, March 11.-Com-
plant that the treasury policy of
preparing public buildings plans in
Washington is "Babbitizing our ma
tional architecture" was made to-
day by Senator James j. Davis
Rep., Pa to Secretary of Treas
ury Ogden D. Mills.
In letter to Mills, Davis COM
planned that private architects had
not been employed to design public
buildings in Pennsylvania, and cited
construction contemplated in
Wilkesbarre, Langsdale and Tama-
qua, Pa, as instances of the treas
ury policy.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-03-11
CLAIM LIQUOR SEIZURE
Police Raiders Assert Home Had
False Wall Closet.

Police who raided the home Of
Edwards Phelps, 1908 North Me-
ridian street, Thursday reported
seizure of liquor which they say was
concealed behind a false wall of
closet on the second floor Of the
home. Phelps is held on blind
tigher charge.
Sergeant John Eisenhut, in charge
of the raiding squad, reported
seizure of thirty-one gallons Of al
cohol, six gallons of whisky and
small quantities of wine and gin.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-03-11
City Man Auto Victim

BIZ UHlled Press
MUNCIE, March Tx. G. Bark
man, IS, Of indianapolis, died here
Thursday of injuries suffered last
Saturday in an automobile acci-
dent near yorktown. The car.
driven by Barkman, skidded of the
road and overturned on an embank-
ment.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-03-11
KAELIN ANNOUNCES IN
RACE FOR LEGISLATURE
Native of indianapolis Seeks Re-
publican Nomination.

Announcement of his Republic
an candidacy for state representa-
tive from Marion county was made
Thursday by Oscar M. Kaelin Jr., at
torney, of As East Thirty-second
street.
Kaelin is a native of this city
and a graduate of the Indiana uni
versity law school. He is associated
with the law firm of Schortemeier,
Eby & Wood, 301 Circle Tower
building.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-03-11
Bloomington Elk Dies

BLOOMINGTON, Ind, March 10
Heart disease caused the death
today of John C. Dolan, 88, chap
lain in the Bloomington Elks lodge
He was a member of the general
assembly in 1899.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-03-11
WATER CASE MAY END
Most Of Vincennes Evidence Is in.
Asserts Master.

The Vincennes Water Supply
Company hearing, resumed in fed
eral court Thursday afternoon, may
be ended this afternoon, Albert
Ward. special master in chancery,
said today Ward declared he has
heard nearly all of the evidence
presented by the company. the pub
lie service commission and the city
OF Vincennes.
The water company is seeking to
block enforcement of a commission
ruling slashing rates.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-03-11
EMBEZZLER TO PRISON
Official Of Defunct Evansville Firm

Official of Defunct Evansville Firm
TO Serve to so Years.
81 United Press
EVANSVILLE, March Ill. Will
liam HeynS, former executive vice
president of the defuct Welfare
Finance Company, was to be taken
to the Indiana state prison at Mich
igan City today to begin term OF
five to fifty years.
Heyns was sentenced on a plea OF
guilty to a charge of embezzling
approximately s168,00O from the
finance company.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-03-11
NAME NEW STEEL HEAD

NOrmer western Union Messenger
Boy Corporation Chief.
By United Press
NEW YORK, March 11.-William
A. Irwin. who once delivered tele-
grams for the Western Union for
$40 a month, has been appointed
president of the United States Steel
Corporation.
Irwin, at So, is one of the young.
est men ever made president of the
worlds biggest industrial corpora
ton. He succeeds James A. Farrell,
who retires April 10.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-03-11
WELL OF ALL THINGS!
Thieves Steal Car Of Police Chief,
International Cops Head.

~ CHtbCW EIroo
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo,
March 11.-Of1cer, call a cop.
Thieves who maybe didn't know
just whose it was, have stolen a
blue coupe that belonged to Hugh
D. Harper.
Hugh D. Harper is chief of po-
lice of Colorado Springs and presi-
dent of the international ASSocia-
ton of Police Chiefs.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-03-11

Walter Hickmdn'S regular
Friday Book Nook" aciu
be found today on Page Is.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-06-28
AMERICAN LEGION | STATE COMMITTEE
Will Hold an Important Meeting This Evening
 at Legion Home
AT 7:45 O'CLOCK

The American Legion state con vention committee will meet to- night at the Legion home at 7:45 p. m., preceding the regular meet ing of the executive committee of Corporal Coyle Post.
 Among matters to receive atten- ton are those relating to hall ar- rangements, concessions. decora- tions. entertainment and publicity.
 The convention committee will have representative at the meeting of the department of Connecticut executive committee meeting. which is to be held at the Legion home on Thursday evening. The local committee will acquaint tho de- rmrtment officials with the accom- plishments to date. and will re- ceive suggestions and comments.
 It was expected that Department Commander James E. Breslin would preside at this meeting, but he is in the hospital suffering from q broken shoulder blade as q re- suit of an automobile accident which happened as he was return ing to his home in Hartford fol- lowing the Veterans of Foreign Wars convention in New Britain on Saturday. Senior vice-comman- der Joseph Trcadwcll of Danbury will take Commander place at Thursday evenings state meet ing. which will discuss routine de- partment matters In addition to convention plans.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-06-28

Women style- followers in Paris have their hair cut, curled or waved to suit their hats.