The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-05-18
GUARD CURTIS CLOSELY:
SUICIDE ATTEMPT FEAREI

about by the realization OF the
wrong I have done
The statements, referred to in the
foregoing, concern two long, ram
bling accounts of Curtis meeting
with a imam named SAM who in
duced him to open negotiations for
the return of the child"
These previous statements also
related its efforts to interest Dean
H. Dobson- Peacock and Rear Adj
miral Guy H. Burrage in the case,
and his various attempts to get in
touch with Colonel Lindbergh by
telephone.
Approached News Services
Concerning the reference to Graf
ton w. Wilcox, managing editor Of
the Herald-Tribune, the paper made
this statement today:
THE New York Herald-Tribune
made no contract of any kind with
John Hughes Curtis. Curtis did
make a proposal that this news
paper publish the story of his ac-
tivities. The Herald-Tribune stipu-
lated that it would make no ar
rangement with him until the child
had been returned to Colonel Lind
bergh and the latter had vouched
for the authenticity Of the MARIA
tive. II was further proposed that
this newspaper should be the judge
of the availability of the material
for publication in its columns. The
Herald Tribune investigated Curtis
report as a matter of routine news"
The New York Daily News today
said:
Richard Lee represented the
News in these negotiations, but 10
tender was made to Curtis until
after his activities were well adj
vanced.
He then was enjoying the use Of
the Norfolk navy yard as a base
for his operations, and had declared
himself in personal contact with the
kidnapers."
Jafsie Hoax Failed to Stop Him
Other newspapers and news serv-
ices undoubtedly were approached
with offers somewhat similar to
those submitted to the Daily News
and the Herald-Tribune. Such an
offer suggested to the United Press
was refused, and later was with
drawn.
Even the payment Of $4,000 in
another hoax, the payment Jafsie
made in a Bronx cemetery TO men
now fairly definitely identified as
the kidnapers Of the baby, failed TO
spoil Curtis story.
They showed me some Of the
ransom money they paid to Jafsie, :"
he told police. They said they were
afraid to use it because the serial
numbers were known. That is why
they want real money that can't be
traced"
And the finding Of the body like
wise failed to break the continuity
of his scenario. The baby, he said,
was aboard ship the first time he
visited it. but was not there the
second time.
The phantom schooner always
was loSJ IN the Jog, or was
frightened away" by the ships of
the United States navy. Curtis ex-
planned as failure followed failure
and excuse called for excuse.
Then when the baby was found
dead-seventy-five coast guard yes
sells and three amphibian planes
searched the waters from Virginia
TO Cape Cod on orders from the
President. They sought a vessel
described by Curtis ss carrying a
crew Of five. and any Of these name
plates-Evelyn Batten. Theresa
Salvatore, William A. Morse, Ella
BrisSon.
The last trip Of the Maroon was
the day before the baby's body was
found. Colonel Lindbergh himself
was aboard another vessel in accord
ance with instructions given him by
Curtis.
That afternoon. the world knew
Lindbergh's search for his first born
was ended.
About nine hours later, the fiier
was reached by wireless and told
the child was dead.