The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-05-11


The courtroom was silent as
Means was asked:
DO you know who kidnapped the
Lindbergh baby?"
Yes" Means replied.
DO you know who got the $50 900
which Colonel Lindbergh paid to
the kidnapers through DR.. Condor
(Jafsie) ?"
Recites Story of Deeds
Eyes"
Means was asked by his attor-
ney, Edward Tomlinson, to recite
the entire story of his actions be-
fore the kidnapping on March l, 1892,
and the basis of his belief that ne
knew the circumstances of the
crime.
The former justice department in
vestigator testified that an Irving
Fenton" suggested to him in a New
York restaurant in February, 1882,
that he participated as a contact
man" in a proposed kidnapping
case"
Means said he went to a restau-
rant called Larry Jones place" at
PIT West Broadway, to meet Fen
ton. He said he wanted Fenton to
help him locate a Wellington Hen
derSon, who, Means said, was a
Communist leader in Detroit.
We're going to pull a mapping
case" Means said Fenton told him.
Its going to be a big thing, with
a lot of publicity"
Courtroom Is Crowded
Means said he told Fenton he was
mot interested" and desired only
to locate Henderson, whom he said
he had known since 1928.
Means said F'enton then urged
him again, declaring the "kidnap-
ing case" might be worth "ten, if
teen or twenty thousand dollars"
to him as a contact-man.
The jury members sat rigid in
their chairs, listening intently as
Means proceeded with his story.
The courtroom was crowded, with
persons sitting on window seats and
standing in the aisles.
Means resumed, declaring he left
New York on Feb. rs, 1882, and reE
turned to his home in Chevy Chase,
Md. He said he told Mrs. Means
what had transpired.
"On March 2, 1892" he said. IT
read in the morning papers that
Lindbergh's son had been kidnapped.
1t impressed me very much-the
seriousness of it.
Negotiated With Indy
Il reached the conclusion that
Irving Fenton and Wellington Hen
derSon had knowledge of the kid
MAPPING or an active part in it. I
believed they would return the
child"
Means said that on March 4, when
the baby had not been returned,
he went to ex-Judge Marion De-
vries of Washington and told him
that he had valuable information
on the Lindbergh case.
Means then described his negotia-
tions to get authority from Lind
bergh to participate in investiga-
ton of the crime, and added that
meanwhile he had written to Fen
ton. telling him to come to Wash
ington Immediately.
Call From Mrs. Mclean
On March 4, he said, he received
a phone call from Mrs. Evalyn
Walsh Mclean.
Il had no idea what Mrs. Nc
Lean wanted to see me about"
Means said.
That same day. Means testified, he
was introduced by telephone to Col.
Robert Guggenheim, friend of the
Lindbergh family. Means said he
thought Guggenheim could assist
him in obtaining authority to inves-
tigate the case.
Means testified that during a con-
versation with Colonel Guggenheim
on the afternoon of March 5, Gug-
genheim promised to obtain au-
thority from Lindbergh for Means
to take an active part in the search
for the kidnapers.
In Devil of Situation
He said when he returned home,
he received a telephone message
from Fenton, and told Fenton to
meet him in front of Mrs. McLean's
home in the city that same night.
Il drove to Mrs. McLean's.
Means said, land talked to Fenton.
I asked him if he had been able to
locate Henderson.
"Fenton said Henderson was IN
New Jersey. He asked me if 1 had
seen the papers. He said, We're
in devil of situation
Means testified that Fenton told
him. I'VE can't get rid of that
baby" and asked him if there was
any way he could dispose Of the
child.