The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1932-05-23
Peacock Asserts He
Contacted Cangsters
Norfolk Clergyman Says Tough
Looking Customers Met
Him in New York
GIVES BACKGROUND OF HOAX
Tells Of lindbergh's Doubts
When Trio Visited Filler
at HopeweIl
Copyright, 1882. BY The Associated
Press

Copyright, 1882. BY The Associated
Press
Ottawa. Canada, May .23.-(P)-The
statement that he himself was in con-
tact with mysterious personages who
asked for ransom for the Lindbergh
baby is made. by Dean H. Dobson Pea
cock of Norfolk. Va, In a copyright in
terview published Monday by the
Southam newspapers of Canada.
Dean Peacock says he met three
tough looking customers" at a New
York hotel in response to mysterious
telephone calls, and they demanded
ransom. but he broke off the negotia-
tions after he became convinced the
men were "racketeers."
The interview, given to G.. o. Smith,
Washington correspondent OF the
Southam papers. says John Hughes
Curtis conduct throughout the whole
negotiations was so convincing Il
would do the same thing again If
similar occasion arose tomorrow"
Curtis has confessed the whole
thing was hoax and that none of the
mysterious persons and places describ-
ed by the Norfolk negotiators existed
except in imagination.
Dean Peacock. who formerly
preached in Canada, said Curtis
brought him into the case by relating
how man who had been befriended
by him in bootlegging case" wanted
an intermediary to get in touch with
Colonel Lindbergh.
Would Not Act Alone
Curtis declared he would not act
alone and asked me to cooperate with
him." said Peacock.
Admiral Burrage having also been
brought into the negotiations, the trio
finally, on March 81, saw Lindbergh at
| Hopewell.
Colonel Lindbergh remarked that
| he had no faith in the clue said Pea
cock. HE doubted the story for the
reason that our alleged gang had not
exactly mentioned the amount of the
ransom. Notwithstanding his doubt
he gave written authority to Admiral
Burrage to continue
Curtis continued to claim contacts
and announced the kidnapers hao
proposed a plan for depositing $685.
600 in Norfolk, to be released after
the baby was returned. Lindbergh re-
fused to do this. but asked the nego'
tiations be pursued.
Curtis was up north when I got
long distance call from New York or
April a." said Peacock. THE speaker
asserted he had vital Information
about the Lindbergh baby. I was in
structed to fly to New York at once
register at the Park Central In the
name of James Hill, and I would gel
instructions what to do.
Followed Directions
Il flew to New York, registered a!
directed, and man soon came to my
room. He said I was to follow him t
the party that had telephoned. re-
fused to leave. The man went away
and within a few minutes the origin
al voice called me: He warned me Il
follow instructions.
Il decided first 10 attempt to react
Curtis, and managed to do so. He ad
yised me to return and learn more
about what they would say. I did this
They took me to a room in the Cum
berland hotel, where three tough
looking customers joined us. The!
outlined a plan for the return OF tn
child, quite similar to the one Curtis
alleged go-between had suggested.
1T included payment of $4,000 ran
som and cash payment the next da!
Of $500 for a special purpose. I wa
warned that every step took woult
be watched and was threatened If
made false move.
by that time I suspected them a
racketeers. I went back to Curti
and spent the remainder Of the nigh
at his hotel"
He heard no more Of these men. HI
was told to stand by. which he did
until the finding Of the baby's body.