Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1932-05-13
Mrs. M'Leau Tells Jury
OF Payment To Cas-
ton Means.


Usher of the Washington Post.
The grand jury completed its investiga-
ton after hearing only Mrs. LcLean, her
attorney. Nelson T. Hartshorn, and her
butler, Gustav Griffoni.
The portly Means, who was arrested at
Scott Circle May after being trailed from
Chevy Chase by Department of Justice
agent and Deputy Marshal John Clarkson.
was not called by the grand jury. He
lansuished in a cell at the District jail,
where he was taken on failure to make
bond Of 100000.
A lurid story Of secret negotiations be-
tween Mrs. Mclean and Means was I'M
folded by Albert W. Fox. personal attorney
for the publishers wife.
Il was disclosed that Mrs. Mclean her
self first brought Means into the case in
her belief he might be able to establish
contact with kidnapers. She did not lose
faith in thim until repeated promises to
produce the baby were not fulfilled.
According to the account given by Fox.
Mrs. Mclean approached Means on or
about March 4-three days after the hid
napine-and asked him If he thought he
could be Of aid in searching for the missing
child. Mrs. Mclean was motivated by her
friendship with the Lindberehs and her
natural sorrow over the abduction. il was
explained.
Means. it is charged. told Mrs. Mclean
he was sure he could get the baby back.
because he felt certain he knew the iden-
tity of the kidnapers. Means is alleged
to have explained that former eellmate
at Atlanta had made him a proposition
prior to the kidnapping to join in such an
abduction plot. but he had refused indie-
nantly.
Means. il was said. later represented he
had been in touch with this man and had
found that he was one Of the kidnspers.
Mrs. Mclean alleeedly was told Means
could effect Ithe return Of the baby for
100000 in old bills.
Mrs. Mclean went to the president of a
leading bank in Washington city and OBJ
tanned the 100000 in 500 and $50 bills.
which she claims to have turned over to
Means at her home at night in the presence
Of Father Hurney.
Before taking definite steps. however.
Mrs. Mclean had consulted with Capt.
Emory S. Land, cousin of Col Lindbereh.
who saw the latter and Col. Henry Bfeck-
inridge, Lindbergh's attorney.
Mrs. Mclean waited while Means allee-
eddy contacted" further with the kid
napers. and then was advised to 90 to
Aiken. S. c., where she has home, and
the baby would be delivered to her there.
Mrs. Mclean went at once to Aiken,
where she met Means and a rough looking
individual, armed with guns, who repre-
sented himself to be one Of the kidnap
gang. Mrs. Mclean was told. il was de-
clared. that il would be necessary for her
to 60 to Texas. as the baby was in Mexico.
Mrs. Mclean. it was explained, followed
instructions and went to Ell Paso, where
she again met Means. according to the
allegations. Mrs Mclean was Informed
there had been some sort Of hitch in the
plans and it would be necessary to return
to Washington and re-establsh contact
Mrs. Mclean is said to have been ad-
vised the kidnapers now want $4,000 ad-
ditional for expenses. This money, too.
was alleeedly turned over to Means.
The negotiations were continued and
Mrs. Mclean then was advised the kid
napers had managed to pass $1,000 of
the Lindbergh money. and would turn the
baby over to Mrs. Mclean II she would
reimburse them to the extent of $4,000
additional to cover the $4,000 "loss" by
reason of iLindbersh's recording Of the Sc
rial numbers Of the ransom money.
Mrs. Mclean. it is related. was ready
to pawn some jewellery in order TO raise
the $4,000 additional when her attorney
who had learned Of what she had been
doing. checked this move.
Then it was promptly demanded that
Means refund to Mrs. Mclean the $780,
900 alleeedly paid him. her lawyers. Fox.
Frank J. Hogan and Nelson T. Harrison
giving him until May 2 to effect the resti-
tuition.
Means, it is alleged. said he had left the
money at his former home in Concord,
N. c.. and would 90 and obtain II. He
returned to Mrs. Mclean several days
later and asked her II she had gotten the
money. 1t is asserted. She said she had
not. whereupon Means is alleged to have
expressed surprise and declared he had
given 1t to her Agent No. II" as he got
of the train at Alexandria. mo. H." it
was pointed out. was code number used
to identify Mrs. Mclean or her agents.
Mrs. Mclean protested she had no such
agent and demanded Means recover the
money without further delay.
The following statement on behalf of
Mrs. Mclean was issued through the Of
fee Of Mr.. Fox: a.
In offering my services early last March
to join in the search for the Lindberg baby
I requested that my name be not mention
ed, and this was the understanding with
Col. Lindbereh. ut is. Of course. not necee-
sary for me to explain why so deeply
sympathize with Col. and Mrs. Lindbergh.
felt that might make an effort to help
even though realized the chances Of sue
cess were necessarily very remote. Ac-
cOrdingIy, conferred with Capt. Land and
Father Hurney and later arranged to place
the ransom money In the custody Of an
Intermediary. whom employed to make
the ransom payment In case the Lind
bersh baby were found. My plan was
carried out without the knowledge of my
closes friends and without the knowledge
Of my attorneys. When it became evil
dent that no clue of any value had been
discovered, Irealized the plan had failed
With respect TO CASTOR B. Means, who