The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1934-02-02
PUBLIC ENEMY NO, /
MISREPRESENTATION
IN B0ETTCHER CASE
Temporarily Escapes Charge Of
Participation in Lind.
bergh kidnapping
IN SOUTH DAKOTA PRISON
Private Railroad Car Is Used;
Mrs. Sankey Is Held at
Sioux Falls

sioux rails, >. ~, req. S."R)-
Americas Public Enemy No. l."
Verne Sarkey. confessed kidnaper,
rested in the South Dakota state pen
itentiary here Friday, locked behind
bars until he answers abduction
charges which may bring him life
sentence IN prison.
Brought here from Chicago. where
he was arrested Wednesday. Sankey,
confessed kidnaper Of Charles Boett-
cher II, wealthy Denver broker, and
H1skell Bohn. st. Paul, was hurried
to the county Jail from the train and
then removed to the penitentiary q
short time later for safe keeping.
just when the notorious kidnaper,
sought since last February. will face
court proceedings on the charge Of
ahducting Boettcher was problemati-
cal E. D. Barron, assistant federal
district attorney, said he expected to
learn Sankey's desires Friday after
noon.
A plea of guilty, federal officials
said, would result in the prisoner be-
ing brought before Judge A. Lee Wy
man Immediately. while II he decides
to stand trial, special grand jury
and court term will be called. Present
plans call for his trial at Pierre. but
he may petition for change to the
Sioux Falls division. a move which
would be sanctioned by the district
attorneys office.
Nab Gordon Alcorn
Ten government agents surrounded
a house in Chicago Thursday night
and nabbed Gordon Francis Alcorn,
last Of the kidnapers Of Charles
B,ettcher, II. of Denver.
He was found in bed. made no re-
sistance, and the department Of JUS
lice men said he confessed readily.
His capture was effected just five
hours after Sankey had been hurried
aboard train for Sioux Falls.
Alcorn's bride Of less than a year.
the former Birdie Angelina Christie
pherson, was arrested with him.
Hours of questioning by federal
agents Of the stocky little former
South Dakota ranchman. apparently
failed to link him with the fatal Lind
bergh abduction, and he was hurried
ly started by train Thursday night
for Sioux Falls.
Sankey. who the authorities said
deserted the drab life Of q ranchman
to take the more lucrative racket OF
big time" kidnaper, apparently had
no objection to going to South Dako-
ia, for he waived extradition. and was
quickly on his way, carefully guarded
by five department OF justice agents.
led by Melvin Purvis, chief Of the de-
partment's Chicago office.
Private Cars Used
"A private car for the notorious bad
man and his guards was used.
Sankey. who confessed, Purvis said,
to the 100000 Boettcher kidnapping as
we'll as the $4,000 abduction Of Haskell
Bohn OF st. Paul, faced the prospect
of receiving a life term. II he is con-
victed, and there were indications that
the authorities were hopeful that he
would be.
THE chances for conviction In the
Boettcher case are better in South Da-
kota" United States District Attorney
Dwight n. Green said, after Sankey
had been taken to the court room Of
Federal Judge John P. Barnes where
the removal papers were signed.
M. F. Kinkead. prosecuting attorney
OF st. Paul said he was very much dis
appointed In Sankey's swift transfer
to South Dakota. He had been hope
full that Minnesota could try him for
the Bohn abduction.
II think" he said, 'that we should
have been given q chance to try
Sankey in st. Paul. II by chance he
escapes punishment on the federal
charge, We will be ready and waiting
to try him on our charge"
Woman In Custody
Meanwhile Sankey's woman COM
panion, who identified herself as Helen
Matern, 28, arrested Wednesday when
Sankey was captured In barber shop,
remained in custody for further ques-
tioning.
District Attorney Green said that It
was probable that sankey would be
tried, with his wife, Fern. at the next
term Of court. She has been free UNI
der 5000 bond in connection with the
Boettcher case, living on her husbands
mortgaged ranch near Gannvalley, 8.
D., but was seized Thursday and her
bond raised to $4,000 because the au-
thorities believed she might try to es-
cape after Sankey's capture.
Boettcher allegedly was held captive
at the South Dakota ranch by San
keys band Of snatchers.
The Pierre indictment followed .
trip Boettcher made by airplane from
Denver to South Dakota last June
to tell how he had been held prisoner
until the 100000 was paid.