Evening star., 1934-01-07
u. S. Agents Told to Capture ~
10 Dick Calatas ''Dead or Aliue"
Suove "Co,, Man, of Southwest Is Last
Fugitive Sought as Result of Kansas 4.
City Station Massacre. :

both prison breaks, captured with
Brady at Tucumcari and back in prison
with him to serve out a life term.
According to Justice officials, all these
gunner were identified by eye witnesses
as members Of the gang which opened
fire on Federal and local officers as
they were transferring Nash, leader
of the gang, from a train to an auto
mobile for transportation to Leaven-
worth Penitentiary.
Galatas, Director Hoover claims was
directly responsible for the ambush, for
intensive investigation is said to have
disclosed that 1t was a telephone call
by Galatas which started the hasty
mobilization of Nash's pals at Kansas
| City.
Federal investigators say that Ga
latas was in Hot Springs, Ark, with
Frank Nash when special agents of the
Division of Investigation trapped Nash
In Main street Joint" the day before
the massacre. Nash was masquerading
in a rr1ade-over nose and red wig when
Agents Frank Lackey and Frank Smith
and Police Chief Otto Reed Of McAles-
and took him by train to Kansas City.
Gangsters Telephoned.
Shortly after the capture Of Nash a
number Of telephone calls to eangster
haunts in Joplin, Mo, st. Louis and
Chicago went out from house in Hot
Springs. Federal authorities declare
these calls were made by Galatas. A
little while later. they assert. Galatas
chartered a plane and brought Mrs.
Nash to known underworld hangout
near Joplin. Other calls emanated
from the Joplin resort. Overnight the
gunmen began converging on Kansas
City.
As Lackey, Smith. Reed and the
heavily manacled Nash arrived at the
Union Station in Kansas City they were
met by Federal Agents Caffrey and
Reed, Vetterh and City Detectives Will
liam j. Grooms and Frank Hermanson
They walked across the broad plaza to
Caffreys automobile. parked at the
curb. AS Nash was being put into the
car a circle Of machine gunners ap-
peared from nowhere and opened fire
as Nash raised his hands in what is
thought to have been signal.
At that time Hoovers agents were
not equipped with machine guns, due
to "lack OF funds" None Of the off,
GERS had a chance to draw his pistol.
Caffrey, Reed, Grooms and Hermanson
were killed instantly as was Nash,
caught in a cross-f1re from his own
gang. Vetterli and Lackey were
wounded, but recovered. Only Agent
Smith escaped the rain OF bullets. He
was in the back of the car and returned
the fire as the assailants fed. but failed
to hit any of them.
The crime aroused the Nation. Presi
dent Roosevelt ordered a relentless
search, Attorney General Cummings
characterized the massacre as chaI
lerge to law enforcement that could
not be ignored. and Director Hoover
grinly took personal charge Of the in
vestigation which followed
In remarkably short time identifica-
ton of the slayers was established and
a dragnet Immediately was spread for
them from coast to coast.
Galatas is the only fugitive who has
escaped the net. The entire resources
of the Division Of Investigation have
been thrown into the search for him,
and Government officials are confident
that his capture is only a matter Of a
few weeks-for they are known to be
hot on his trail.