The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1936-12-17
KIRBY CONFESSES THEFTS,
MURDER, OTHER GRIMES
Involves Two Companions; We're
Ones Who Abducted Foster Spell
cher and Stole His Car
NABBEDNEAR CHARLESTON

Police at Charleston, w. Va, on
Tuesday unfolded story of abduction,
robbery and homicide which they
said came from the lips of 20-year-
old Joseph Kirby, a tale of crime in
volving two companions who were al
most caught at Rockville, Nd.
The three were the ones who robbed
Foster Speicher, Friendsville High
school teacher, at Sand Flat recently,
and then stole his automobile, forcing
him to accompany them to the top Of
Backbone mountain, near Kitzmiller,
where they released him.
Kirby was wounded by police after
a kidnapping robbery in Charleston.
Officers identified him as Kirby by
sending photograph to Neil C. Fra
ley, States Attorney, here. Kirby
was held for several days in the Gar
rett county Jail in August, after he had
been picked up near the Potomac CCC
camp for vagrancy. At that time
authorities were informed that some
gunner were on their way to Oak
land with the intention of robbing a
bank.
Kirby was held here in connection
with the investigation of the robbery
of Cabin Lodge.
Lieutenant J. H. Fillinger of the
West Virginia police said Kirby, after
being told the body of Elwood Matt
hews, 65-year-old farmer had been
found near Washington, then admit
ted he took part in the Staying about
three weeks ago, naming William B.
Reer, Is, and Lawrence Gingell, %,
of Silver Spring, Nd, as his compan-
ions.
Police at Rockville said Gingell in
house at Kensington heard a broad
cast he was wanted. They said he left
the house and planned to meet Reed.
officers arrived five minutes later.
Admits Series Of Crimes
Fillinger said Kirby went on to adj
NIT car thefts, holdups and burglaries
throughout West Virginia and Mary
land.
Police throughout the east are hunt
ing Reed and Gingell warned that they
might be dangerous"
AS the lieutenant quoted Kirby's
confession, the Staying of Matthews
who lived near Silver Spring-was
partly for revenge for Jail sentence
for the brother of one of his assailants
and partly for robbery. Two WASH
ington boy scouts found Matthews
body Sunday and the information was
relayed here.
eve met him (Matthews) on
the road one night, and held the
| gun on him. We made him throw
his money in the road and it
amounted to $40. Then Reed held
his gun by the muzzle and hit
Matthews on the head with the
handle. The old man fell on the
road.
eve dragged the old man thru
some woods until we came to a
|
| suspenders and tied a rock around
his neck and then we all threw him
in the creek.
"The suspenders broke and the
old man came to the surface
screaming, somebody please save
me-
The statement continued Reed then
said, "I'll save you, you old - you
sent my brother to Jail" and then fired
two shot into Matthews head.
With the Matthews confession, Fill
niger said, Kirby also admitted taking
part in:
The kidnapping and robbery of
! Foster Speicher, of Oakland, Nd,
whose car later was used in rob-
bling Dennis Sarver, of Romeo
verte, w. Va, the car subsequent
ly was burned.
The robbery of a Charleston
filling station.
The attempted robbery of Mr..
Robinson near Winfield, W. Va.
The burning of an automobile
near Harrisonburg, Va.
Several burglaries around Sill
yer Springs.
Montgomery county police have
been conducting a wide search for
two men wanted for questioning in
the killing of Elwood Matthews, Co.
year-old farmer.
The two, Lawrence Gingell, %, and
William B. Reed, rs, dashed away
from the formers residence at
Kensington about five minutes before
a heavily-armed police detail surround
ed the place, on Tuesday morning.
The body of Matthews; a Silver
Spring, Md, farmer, who disappeared
on November 81, was found Sunday
afternoon in the northwest branch Of
Anacosti river. He had been shot
twice.