The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1932-06-28
Says HE WAS SLOW
TOPLACE CREDENCE
IN CURTIS STORIES
Father of Kidnapped and Slain
Boy Testifies in New Jer.
sey Hoax Trial
SERVANTS IN COURTROOM
Declares He Still Believes Con-
don Had Been in Contact
with Kidnapers
SERVANTS IN COURTROOM

remington, N. D., June 26.-lH)-
Gel. Charles A. Lindbergh Tuesday
reaffirmsd his faith in his servants
and in DR.. John F. (Jafsie) Condor.
but expressed no opinion about the
character of John Hughes Curtis, on
trial for impeding capture OF the
murderers of the Lindbergh baby.
Under examination at the Curtis
trial Col. Lindbergh said Curtis once
told him the kidnapers had disclosed
q member of the Lindbergh house.
hold had aided In the kidnapping. Cur
tbs said he thought the servant was
a woman.
1--WE only have three servants" Col.
Lindbergh continued, land have
complete faith in them"
The three members of the Lind
bergh domestic staff. Betty Cow, the
baby's nurse, Ollie Wheatley, the but
Ter, and Mrs. Wheatley, the house,
keeper, were present in court.
Under discrimination Col. Lind
bergh said he was slow to place cred
ence In Curtis statement that he was
in touch with the kidnapers, but had
dCCCUleu LIZ SOllNAOAA . ocOAJ AAOAAs WAN
first and still believed 1t.
II have always believed" he said,
that DR.. Condor had been In con-
tact with the kidnapers or their rep
resentatives."
Curtis story of the KIDNAPPING, as he
told Lindbergh he learned 1t from the
kidnapers themselves, was as follows
according To Lindbergh'S testimony
Tuesday:
Two Men Did Job
The KIDNAPPING was staged by two
men, John and another known as Eric
or Nils, who came from Newark. Al
ter comforting with the unnamed
member of the Lindbergh household,
they chloroformed the baby, taking
him from the house through the pam
try door downstairs. A green sedan
was parked few hundred yards from
the house and the baby was taken
away in that, under care Of nurse
called Gretchen. With the baby lying
in an improved cradle in the car the
kidnapers drove to Cape May, N. j.,
where they boarded the schooner.
Lindbergh said Curtis told him that
Gretchen wrote all the ransom notes.
All during Lindbergh's testimony
Curtis sat at the defense table. his
head held high, listening intently.
Shortly before he put out on the
boat Cachalot on May in a new ef-
fort to contact the kidnapers. Lind
bergh continued. Curtis told him OF
meeting "Hilda," one of the alleged
kidnap band, in a New York railroad
station.
s"I feel I know too much for my own
good about the people I'm dealing
with" Col. Lindbergh quoted Curtis
as telling him on that occasion.
Col. Lindbergh said that on num-
erous occasions when Curtis told him
of contacts with the kidnapers and
instructions they gave him. both Ed.
n,und Bruce of Elmira, N. Y, and
Lieut.. George Richards. were present
Believes Servants Faithful
Bruce is an old friend Of Curtis
who drove him about on his reputed
contact trips. Richards Is navy
flier who piloted Curtis on many OF
his Journeys. Both are expected to
be called as state witnesses.
In telling of Curtis remarks about
a member of the Lindbergh household
being implicated in the KIDNAPPING
Col Lindbergh expressed entire faith
in his servants.
I'VE have only three servants and
have absolute faith in them" he testi-
fled.
The third member Of the Lindbergh
household staff is Wheatley' nusnano
of the housekeeper.
Prosecutor Anthony Hauck asked
Lindbergh what explanation GURUS
gave when efforts to make conIact
with the kidnapers repeatedly failed
"He said Hilda explained her nus.
hand was in a difficult position, but
would try to make contact" Lind
berrh replied. mr. Curtis said ne
told her-using his words-n they
were "gin- piggling" me to say so ano
get out"
Identified Sons Body
At last Col. Lindbergh came to the
point In his story where he had to ten
of the discovery of the babys death
He had himself well In hand and
spoke in a steady voice.
ION May H." he said, "Mr. Bruce
told me that my sons body had beer
found"
did you identify the body?" the
prosecutor asked.
EYES,"
Howl"
"By the clothes and the feet"
Col. Lindbergh said that when thu
baby was found dead Curtis told hin
he would do everything possible Il
bring the kidnapers to justice.
on May 10, he said, Curtis repeat
ed substantially all hts story OF ne6p.
tiations with the kidnapers. The 13tt
is the first of five days mentioned II
the indictment on which Curtis is al.
legged to have given false information
curtis told his story that day, Lind
bergh said, in the presence Of stat
police and federal operative.
Col Lindbergh said that. while h
vas making the last effort to reach
the kidnapers before it was learnet
CONTINUED on Page eeven)