davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1949-03-10
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(Continued From First Page.O
ant chief of detectives, said the
wounded man had S288.25 on him
and a revolver with one live car
fridge and four spent shells in it.
Ashton. Capt. Murray said, car
ried a .45-caliber automatic with
one bullet in the magazine and
$275.57 in his billfold.
The men were wearing topcoats
and no hats. Their trousers were
torn and their shoes mudstained.
They went into the secondhand
store to buy two suitcases with
the intention, police said, of pur-
chasing new clothing and putting
the old clothing in the suitcases.
Ramsdell, police said, had his
.38 revolver strapped around his
hip in a holster. Detectives said
that Ashton had removed his AS
automatic from his pocket and
slipped it into the suitcase he was
purchasing just before the officers
walked into the store.
Abandoned Stolen Car.
Ashton, according to police. told
them they stole a Buick after the
train robbery and abandoned it
Evening star., 1949-03-10

said she got on at Martinsburg.
IT tried to hide my pocketbook
between the seats but he saw me
and said oh. trying to hide it
are you?' and then struck me, but
did not take the pocketbook."
Miss Ann Linn, 17-year-old Ford
Hill High School girl from Cum
berland, told police she saw two
bandits board the train at Mar
tinsburg. She was sitting in the
smoker, she said.
They looked as though they
were doped. They were just like
bandits looked in the movies,
fashily dressed, coat collars
turned up and snap brim hats.
They were in their 20s and used
foul language in talking to the
passengers and each other"
She said she thought it was all
a joke at first, but managed to
salvage Sc by slipping 1t behind
Evening star., 1949-03-10
Star Staff and AP Photos.
? Seized Here Confess Train Robbery

with their two suitcases in a dead
end street at an unidentified place
in West Virginia.
Their capture came within is
hours after two men. who ap-
parently had boarded the B. g. O.s
westbound Ambassador earlier,
pulled the emergency cord near
Warm Springs crossing, miles
west of Martinsburg, w. Va, about
7::30 o'clock last night.
They gunwhipped at least four
persons, including two members
of the train crew, terrorized 100
or more passengers, took an esti-
mated $1,000 in cash and jewery
and "shanghaied" the fireman to
carry their luggage to a tavern
near the railroad tracks. They
robbed the tavern.
Night hampered the manhunt,
although railroad detectives
combed every train in and out
of Martinsburg during the night
and West Virginia State Police
had roadblocks established. Dur
ing the tavern robbery Ramsdell
dropped a wallet containing his
photograph-flrst real working
clue police grabbed.
Bus Driver Gave Tip.
Billy Lopp, young Martinsburg
bus driver, apparently gave the
tip that led to the capture OF the
train robbers.
On his first run for the Emory
buslines this morning from Mar
tinsburg to Leesburg. Va, he
picked up two passengers at
Kearneysville, w. Va, about 7
miles southeast of Martinsburg.
Mr.. Lopp said they looked dirty
and tired.
One of them offered a IS bill
to pay their fare to Washington.
He said they wanted to catch a
bus there for Warren. Ohio.
Mr.. Lopp told them he didn't
have change and the man re-
turned to his seat. He came
forward later with two 81 bills.
Mr.. Lopp said he was suspicious,
particularly because they had no
baggage. He stopped at Hillsboro,
Va, and called police.
Questioned in Leesburg.
Officers met the bus in Leesburg
and questioned the two men. They
gave the names Earl Burke, jr.,
and Philip Resmick. They said
they had been involved in an
automobile accident near Martins
burg.
They were allowed to transfer
to a Washington bus.
Martinsburg police alerted Wash
ington when they heard the report
from Mr.. Lopp.
Mr.. Lopp said the two men
answering a description of the
train robbers transferred to a
Washington bound Greyhound bus
at Leesburg with a Washington
arrival time Of $40 am.
Then came a report from the
Greyhound driver that two men
had gotten off the bus at Twenty
first and K streets.
Two Suitcases Found.
MartinSburg police are holding
two suitcases linked with the rob-
berry. One was found near a spot
where one of the stolen getaway
cars was abandoned; the other
in the tavern. They have two
Evening star., 1949-03-10
Gen. Giroud, GroveIy III,
Gets Top French Award
BY the Assoeiafsd Press

D1JON. France. Mar. 10
Frances highest military decora-
ton, the Military Medal, was
awarded today to Gen. Henri
Giraud, wartime commander in
chief of the Free French Armies.
Normally, the medal is given
only to noncommissioned person.
mel. 1t is considered a great honor
for an officer to receive it.
The presentation was made in
the Dijon military hospital, where
Gen. Giraud is gravely Ill of food
poisoning.
Evening star., 1949-03-10

'photostatic copies Of birth Ger
tificate and a military discharge
The suitcase found in the tavern
contained mems and womens S
clothing, police said.
Descriptions of the men cap
tured here had Tailed generally
with those given by passengers
and crewmen aboard the train
last night.
Unmasked, two men aboard the
train took more than $1,000 in
cash and jewelry from at least 81
passengers, slugged several. fired
few shots and "shanghaied" one
of the crewmen in a modern re-
vival Of The Great Train Rob-
berry"
Before the nights crime foray
was over, the two bandits held up
a tavern near the train robbery
scene and took another 500, stole
two autos and beat up the driver
of one whose car had stopped at
the crossing.
Forced Passengers to Kneel.
Garbled reports came out of
the confusion during the train
robbery.
Some passengers said the two
men emerged from the vestibule
Of combination baggage smoker
car. flashed heavy-caliber pistols
and pulled the emergency cord.
They forced terrorized passengers
to kneel between the seats with
their hands on the seats and
warned all to keep their eyes low
cred.
If I see a pair of eyes. I'll shoot
them" one of them was quoted
by DR.. Mark Kroll and Morton w.
Peskin of Cumberland, Md.
Conductor w. w. K. Purcell of
Pikesville, Md, told an agent of
the Federal Bureau of Investiga-
ton at Connellsville, Pa. that
the trouble started in the dining
car.
Conductor Purcell said, 1--WE
first noticed them sitting in the
dining car, and that one Of them
owed $6 on the check. A dispute
over this bill seemed to be the
signal for the holdup."
Chefs Ankle Injured.
Other reports said conductor
locked a door between two
coaches and that one Of the men
shouted, open that - -
door or I'll shoot a hole in It,"
Apparently that was the first
shot of the robbery. Walter Epps.
Of Baltimore, a chef, suffered a q
inch cut on the ankle from the
ricocheting bullet, according to
DR.. John J. Prendergast, of De-
troit, one Of the passengers. The
railroad said the wound was
caused by powderburns.
That's when the shots were
fired that injured Epps," DR., Prem
Evening star., 1949-03-10

Two men who robbed the Balti-
more g. Ohio's Ambassador near
Martinsburg, w. Va, last night
"shanghaied" the trains fireman
and made him carry their bag
gage, he related in Washington
today.
I'm not usually 4 porter" -"
grinned 6-foot 3-inch Roy O. Pur-
due. Al. of 1929 Ames street NE,
but had to carry both suitcases,
and they were heavy"
Engineer Charles Moore, 60, of
Cumberland, Md, and the fireman
were both slugged by the robbers
guns and Mr.. Moore was forced to
lie down on the roadbed while the
two men marched Mr.. Perdue off
toward a nearby tavern.
Mr.. Moore said he brought the
train to a slow stop when he re-
ceived the emergency signal and
then walked back to determine
the trouble.
"As I walked into the combina-
ton baggage car and smoker, a
man clipped me on the left side
Evening star., 1949-03-10

George M. Wolfe, in Silver Spring.
that she had had IAN exciting
experience. She called from
Frostburg early today to assure
him she was unharmed and had
completed her trip.
"She told me she hadn't been
frightened" Mr.. Wolfe said. land
turned over her money to the
robber. All she had was $4.'
Miss Wolfe, her father said, is
employed by the Ray-Rene dress
shop at 8405 Georgia avenue, Sill
yer Spring.
Evening star., 1949-03-10

the seat when she saw the bandits
meant business.
Army Pvt. George E. Frank
forth of Detroit, who lost $76, put
it this way:
II was never scared more. Those
guys were rough"
When the men finally hed the
train, they went to the Glover
Rail Tavern a few hundred yards
away, West Virginia State police
said.
Mrs. Eva Kane, the tavern
owner. said the men entered hel
place. flashed guns and took $10(
from the register.
A waiter there, Roland Hess
said one Of the men kept mutter'
ing something about losing m!
wife. was overseas.
I learn to kill. . I'm not afraie
to shoot any one in this place.
Mr.. Hess said he and Earl Wise
the bartender. we're pushed to the
floor and a shot struck just be-
tween them.
Charles H. O'Roke Of Martins
burg was sitting in his car wait
ing for the train to move of the
crossing when two men appeared
and took his car. At the tavern,
an auto owned by F. A. Townsend
was taken from in front of the
place.
Apparently two men returned to
the crossing, found Mr.. O'Roke
and his wife there and struck the
man. He was taken to the Mar
tinsburg Hospital.
Railroad officials said the train
carried 103 day coach passengers
and ~ sleeping car passengers
and that the major part Of the
robbery was confined to the day
coacheS
Evening star., 1949-03-10

had to turn over $40 to the
robbers.
Miss Wolfe. who was robbed Of
81, was on her way to visit her
sister at Frostburg, Nd, near
Cumberland.
She telephoned her father,
Evening star., 1949-03-10

near Martins
burg, w. Va.
They are Miss
Frances Wolfe.
81, of 81 0
B r Oh e v i'll e
road, S IL er
S prin ng. and
Mrs. Elizabeth
D q v e n port
whose Wash
ington street
address was not
given.
Mrs. Daven-
mort the rail-
road rennrted
Evening star., 1949-03-10
2D.C Area Women
Robbed on Express

Two District area women we're
among the passengers robbed last
night by two gunner who stopped
the Baltimore & Ohio express
Evening star., 1949-03-24
BY the Associated Press

HONG KONG. Mar. 24.-The
China Mail said today that Chi
nese Communist troops had occu-
pied little-known Itu Aba Island
between Indo-C China and the
Philippines.
The island, the newspaper said,
was being used to supply Reds
fighting in Indo- China. 1t is half
way between Sailgon and Pala-
wan and supposedly was used by
the Japanese as a refueling base
during the war.
Itu Aba is sandy mound about
a mile long and a mile wide. It
must be supplied from outside.
The China Mail said an Amer
lean Army group attached to the
609th Grave Registration Com
pany in the Philippines went to
the island several months ago to
look for the bodies of an American
bomber crew.
The Americans, said the, news
paper. thought the island unin-
habited. But when they reached
it they were taken into custody
Evening star., 1949-03-24
Gen. vandegrift 10 Retire
From Marines April |

Gen. A. A. Vandegrift, veteran
of Guadalcanal fighting and COM
mandant of the Marine Corps from
1914 to 1948. will retire April /,
it was announced today.
He reached the statutory re-
tirement age Of 81 on March 13.
Since he was succeeded on jan
uary /, 1948. by Gen. c. B. Gates
as commandant, Gen. Vandegrift
has held no regular duty assign
ment.
Gen. and Mrs. Vandegrift are
now visiting their son, 1t. Col.
Evening star., 1949-03-24

Of here, a communique announced
today.
The French described the battle
as vast operation" near the
town of Rauram.
Evening star., 1949-03-24
Burmese Drive at MunduIuy

RANGOON, Burma, Mar. "a
lR.-The Burmese government,
today announced a big offensive
aimed at recapturing Mandalay
from Karen rebels and Commu-
nists. At the same time North
Burma army headquarters said
government troops had retaken
Meiktila, 80 miles south Of Man.
ldalay.
Evening star., 1949-03-24
First Negro Is Pledged
By Wisconsin Fraternity
By the Assoeiofed Press

MADISON, Wis, Mar. 24.-First
entrance of a Negro in Univer-
sity of Wisconsin fraternity was
reported today.
Phi Sigma Delta. heretofore all
white social fraternity, announced
it had pledged Weathers Skies,
senior chemistry student from
Chicago. He accepted the bid.
England made good cocoa buy
In West Africa and chocolate
prices are dropping.
Evening star., 1949-03-24

Mercury, the planet nearest the
earth. is only 5000 miles in di-
ameter, which makes it the small
est among planets.
Evening star., 1949-03-24
Isle Near Philippines Reported
Occupied by Chinese Red Force

Immediately, questioned and then
ordered to leave"
There were about $50 men on
the island, the China Mail quoted
the Americans as saying.
In Manila a United States Army
spokesman said today the graves
registration team which visited the
island in late January did not be-
Evening star., 1949-03-24

A. A. Vandegrift, jr., in Hawaii.
He Is expected to return to his
home in 'Lynchburg. Va, early
next month.
Evening star., 1949-03-24
NOW
SHE SHOPS
cash and CARRY
Without Painful Backacho

WITHOUT FA1nrUI b3C8aCnO
The kidneys are Natures chief way &
taking the excess acids and waste out At
the blood. They help most people eliminate
about pints q day. =
When disorder of kidney function permits
poisonous matter to remain in your blood
it may cause nagging backache. rheumatic
pains. leg pains, swelling, puffiness under
the eyes, headaches and dizziness.
Don't wait! Ask your druggist for Dosne
Pills, stimulant diuretic, used successfully
by millions for over so years. Doan's give
happy relief and will help the is miles OF
kidney tubes flush out poisonous waste
from your blood. Get Doan's Pills.
Evening star., 1949-03-24

| lieve the garrison found there was
Chinese Communist.
Team members reported the
garrison commander aided them
in verifying the wartime crash of
a bomber on an island near Itu
Aba. They assumed the garrison
was composed of Chinese Nation
aliSts.
Philippine authorities said they
knew nothing of an occupation of
the island by Chinese Reds.
Evening star., 1949-03-24

SAIGON, Indo-C China, Mar. "a
(P.-French soldiers killed 120
Indo- Chinese Sunday and cap
tured So in a battle IL miles west
Evening star., 1949-03-29
Fire Prevention Bureau
To Be Set Up in Alexandra

A fire prevention bureau is being
established in Alexandria to en-
force requirements of the city's
fire code.
The City Council recently set
aside $14,250 for operation of the
bureau for the rest of this year.
The council also instructed a
special committee to recommend
several minor amendments to the
fire code before it becomes effec-
tive.
City Manager Robert S. Mar
shall, jr., said the new bureau will
consist of chief inspectors and a
clerk.
The bureau also will investigate
the origin of fires. 1t will take
the place of the former position
of fire marshall which now Is
vacant.
Mr.. Marshall said the bureau
positions have not been filled.
He said it had not been decided
where to locate the bureau.
Evening star., 1949-03-29
DeudIine in Stars Art Contest
Extended to MIDNIGHT, April 3

United States Savings Bond.
Three more students have regis.
tered from Roosevelt High Schoo
Bette Dixon, AL Temin and Mil.
dred Miller.
Those submitting pictures yes.
terday included Kenneth Clark
Alice Deal Junior High School;
Maurice F. Beazley. jr.. Falls
Church High School; Barbara
Brewton, Montgomery Blair High
School; Judy Grant, Alice Dea,
Junior High; E. Walter May
Chamberlain Vocational School;
and Irene Preveden and Corninne
M. Hagerman, Mckinley High
School.
All pictures must be delivered
to Room 724, The Evening Star
Building, before S pm. April 2 OF
before midnight Sunday at the
business counter in the lobby OF
The Star.
Evening star., 1949-03-29
Falls Church Mayor 10 Ask
Reduction in Milk Prices

Mayor Albert M. Orme Of Falls
Church was to urge the Virginia
Milk Commission this afternoon
to reduce prices.
He decided on this course OF
action last night when quorum
failed to appear at scheduled
meeting of the Town Council.
Milk price reductions effective
in the District and Maryland last
week did not apply to Virginia
because charges are regulated by
the commission. That group will
meet at the George Mason Hotel
in Alexandria.
The council members present
agreed to meet again at 8 pm.
Thursday because some members
expressed a desire to attend a rally
for Francis Pickens Miller, can
didate for the Democratic nomina-
ton for Governor, at 8 pm.
tomorrow in Madison School.
Evening star., 1949-03-29
Silver Spring Youth
Dies sinCrash;Wa|dori
Wreck Toll Reaches 4

A Silver Spring youth was in
jured fatally late yesterday when
the automobile he was driving
crashed into a tree at Sligo park
way and New Hampshire avenue,
Takoma Park.
He was John Edward Romeo, Is,
of 1901 Alcan drive, who died in
Washington Sanitarium about 7:15
pm, two hours after the accident.
Takoma Park police reported
that two other boys riding with
the Montgomery Blair High School
student in the convertible coupe
were unhurt. The victim was the
son of Anthony Charles Romeo
who operates filling station and
tire store at 3619 Georgia avenue
NV.
| A fourth person died yesterday
from injuries suffered earlier
when a convertible struck a con-
crete bridge abutment near Wal
dorf. Md. The victim was LIE Roy
Redfern. %, colored, 1921 Marion
street NV. who died in Emer-
gency Hospital about pm.
Two of the other victims were
not identified until last night and
the third, a woman, was still un-
identified today. Nine persons
were in the car but two of them
were only slightly injured and
their names we're not reported.
Those identified last night, ac-
cording to State police at the
Waldorf station, were Rose Spar
ger, 81, Of 1929 New Jersey avenue
NV. and Percy. Leo Brown, 81,
of 634 L street NV. All are
c0lored
Evening star., 1949-03-29
Delinquency Term Added
To Chicken Theft Penalties

A Fairfax County man whom
police accuse of taking his young
sons along when he raided a
chicken house, was sentenced yes
terday to two years in prison on
charges of contributing to the de-
linquency of minors.
Perry Lee Compton, jr.. 38, Cliff
ton, who last year was sentenced
to 8 years for chicken theft grow
ing QUE of the same incident, and
II months for shooting the owner
of the chickens, pleaded not
guilty and noted an appeal.
The two-year sentence was i'm
posed by Fairfax Trial Justice
Harry Carrico. Compton, who has
appealed the other convictions to
the State Supreme Court of APP
peals, is charged with raiding the
Annandale chicken house of Kirby
Day and shooting the owner last
June.
Evening star., 1949-03-29
Man Who Tried 10 Shoot
Policeman Ruled Suicide

A certificate of suicide was is
sued yesterday in the death OF
Henry M. Phillips, Sc. of Ard
more, Md. Phillips died Saturday
afternoon after shooting himself
and then attempting to shoot a
Prince Georges County policeman
who in turn shot him.
DR.. John T. Maloney. county
deputy medical examiner, who is
sued the certificate, said the bull
let fired from Phillips own .32-
caliber revolver was responsible
for his death. That bullet passed
through the heart. Dr.. Maloney
said.
The victim. a resident of Ard
more for 80 years. died seconds
later during a hail of bullets from
the gun of Pvt. William Wiseman
80, one of two policemen who had
gone to his home to question him
concerning chicken thefts.
Funeral services were to be held
this afternoon at Gasch's funeral
home, Hyattsville, with burial
in Whitfield Cemetery. Lanham
Phillips, a bachelor. is survived
by two sisters.
Evening star., 1949-03-29
Operator Of Home
Fined in Takoma Park

The operators of a convalescent
home in Takoma Park we're f1neC
Sl00 in Hyattsville Police Court
yesterday for failing to obtain q
health permit and for violating
coming regulations.
Trial Magistrate Alan Bowie
imposed the fine on John E. Carr
81. and Dorothy P. Carr, Al, for
operating the convalescent home
in brick dwelling, at 1904 Hilton
avenue, Takoma Park.
A warrant charging the Cars
with using the house as a rest
home for six aged invalids without
having zoning approval of the
county commissioners or a health
permit was served against the pair
March II by County Police Supt
Ralph w. Brown.
The police chiefs action was
directed by the commissioners fol-
lowing complaints from other resi-
dents of the area. Chief Brown
told the court yesterday orders
were given the Cars several
months ago to move within 80
days."
The defendants, who appealed
the fine although pleading guilty
to the offense, reported the occu-
pants Of the home were brought
there on a temporary basis" The
Cars said they were awaiting
completion of a permanent rest
home at Forest Glen.
Evening star., 1949-03-29

The deadline for submitting pic
lures in The Evening Star Student
Calendar Art Contest has been ex-
tended through April 3 in order
that artists may have an oppor-
tunity to bring in their pictures
over the week end.
The contest is open to all senior
and junior high school students
in public, private or parochial
schools in the Washington Metro
politan Area who have not passed
their 18th birthday at the time
of completion of the picture.
The rules require that the work
be original and In color with the
choice of medium left to the artist
The six pictures selected as best
by committee of judges. whose
names will be announced later
will be published in The Stars
1850 calendar and the six winning
artists each will receive . 500
Evening star., 1949-03-29

And veteran legislators believe
he is the principal reason for the
comparative ease with which Gov.
Lanes program is slipping g
through, In sharp contrast to the
bitter fights two years ago.
Mr.. Lee came here occasionally
during the early days of the ses-
sion to oppose what he described
as ripper" bills aimed at Demo-
crat-controlled county agencies by
the all-Republican Montgomery
delegation.
But in the last two weeks he
has been seen here almost daily.
Sometimes he is seen in the
halls of the State House with his
arm draped familiarly around the
shoulders of a Delegate or State
Senator. whispering in his ear.
At other times he is seated in
Evening star., 1949-03-29
Walton Group Queries
Alexandra Candidates

Candidates for election to the
Alexandria City Council have been
asked by the 1zaak Walton League
to state their positions on a pol
luton abatement program fol-
Alexandria.
In letters mailed to each candi-
date yesterday. the Alexandria
chapter of the league declares
that the Potomac River "is moth
ing but an open sewer" for many
miles.
Alexandria contributes ap-
proximately 100000 gallons OF
raw sewage daily, the letter states
The candidates are asked to ex-
press their views on the necessity
for immediate construction of q
sewage treatment plant in Alex
andria.
The IS Democratic candidates
are scheduled to speak at 8:15
o'clock tonight at the George
Washington High School under
sponsorship of the Alexandria
League of Women Voters. This
will mark the third appearance
in two nights, the others being
last night in the Del Ray Town
Hall and the Pendleton Street
Recreation Center.
Running for the Democratic
nomination in the primary next
Tuesday are William T. Wilkins,
r. Samuel Luckett, John j. Ewald.
Albert A. Smoot, Roy C. Bragg,
Leroy S. Bendheim, Marshall j.
Beverley. Mrs. Dorothy H. Kabler,
Franklin P. Backus, Truman E.
Carneale, James C. Crump, James
M. Duncan, jr., Earnest L. Mankin,
Raymond A. Gallagher and L.
Trice Gravatte, jr.
Evening star., 1949-03-29
Girls Forfeit Collateral
In Magazine Sales Case

-Four girls arrested Wednesday
in College Park for soliciting
magazine subscriptions without
having traders licenses forfeited
$28.50 collateral each in Hyatts-
vile Police Court yesterday.
They were Ann Scott. 10. Cal
houn, Ga; Wanda De Witt, "a,
Fort Worth, Tex: Juanita Lamb,
19, Greenwood. Miss. and Geneva
Jacqueline Jackie) Brown, 18, La
Grange, Ga.
Prince Georges County police
arrested them after complaints
from residents. The girls told
police they were registered at a
hotel In Baltimore. A represent
ative of the readers service firm
for which they were working
posted the collateral.