The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1936-01-16
Bruno Will Die, WILL NOT
DIE, CONFLICTING REPORTS
SAY AS DOOM HOUR NEARS
Fate of Condemned Lindbergh Killer Rests
in Hands of Gov Hoffman; Defense
Claims New Evidence
Continued From Page One)

ceived no word or intimation that a
reprieve had or would be granted
and that everything at the prison
was going ahead on schedule for the
electrocution. He added that Mrs.
Hauptmann had not asked permis-
sion to bring the baby to the prison
but if she appeared with Mannfried
he would advise against it.
Hauptmann, he said, will be pre-
pared tomorrow for death.
Since Saturday Warden Kimber-
ling has not visited Hauptmann
once, though previously he had
talked to him once day. For four
days, while Hauptmann has felt
time carrying him into the embrace
of the chair, no official has shown
the slightest interest in him. If he
is ever to change his story, it was
believed that with but one more
sunrise, he would be most likely to
talk under policy of silence.
Attorneys Optimism Forced
The chair was ready, tested and
certified to be in working order To-
morrow the barber shaves his head,
a keeper Sits his trousers leg to
make place for the electrode. The
hopelessness and helplessness that
must be making itself felt in the
tiny death cell, was manifest out
side the prison.
While this drama intensified the
atmosphere in the death house,
Hoffman was at the Capitol making
his decision. With the approach of
the execution, his mail has greatly
increased and among the letters
have been several from persons
"confessing" or telling of other per-
sons who confessed"
The most plausible have been
studied and investigated carefully by
Gov. Hoffman and police. So far,
all those investigated have been
proven fakes.
All Leads Investigated
One contained information from
a criminologist that man named
John, a man named Bruno, and a
woman were involved. Two others
were from attorneys who lid. they
had clients in prisons who had
knowledge of the crime. An attor-
ney in Wichita, Kas., wrote that ne
knew man who knew all about the
ransom pay off" An affidavit from
a former Department of Justice
agent asserted that he had over
heard a gang plot the kidnapping.
All have been checked at a huge
cost and without result, but still
others are on file, being checked or
studied.
But these maneuvers were far
away from convict No. 174O0 sitting
close to the bars of a death cell
deep behind the old red stone walls
of the state prison.
Only when his minister or his
wife visit him does he get distant
glimpse of the court battle outside.
Even then his interest is academic
What he wants to see is the tall,
mild-mannered Kimberling striding
down the corridor with news from
Gov. Hoffman.
Gets silent Treatment"
For that reason, the silent
treatment" has been test of his
nerves. Kimberling's daily visits to
his cell had lent strength to his
courage. Then suddenly, that
strength was withdrawn.
Hauptmann has given only the
slightest evidence of cracking. On
Saturday, when the Board of Par
dons turned him down, tears filled
his pale eyes. On Monday, he was
reported slightly nervous. Yester-
day, Kimberling said, he began
smoking more cigarets.
Most of the time he sits with his
chair pulled close to the oars of
his 9-by -6-foot cell. A few feet
away is the heavy door to the cleo
trocution room. On both sides of
the corridor are other men-f1ve Of
them-who are condemned to follow
him to the chair. In front of his
cell sits guard.
In the corridor, bright light
burns day and night. BY sticking
his feet, shod in carpet slippers.
against the bars he can lean forward
and get better light by which to
read. He reads much of the time
from history and nature books.
Thus. the man sentenced to die
tomorrow spins out the hours close
to few other men, yet far removed
from companionship. If, at any time
before p. n. tomorrow, Hauptmann
wants to talk, Kimberling will be
waiting.