davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1954-06-10
Wife-Killer
Dies Tonight

BALTIMORE Up - George Ed
ward Grammer, pudgy, impertur-
able New York office manager,
goes to his death on the gallows
at Maryland Penitentiary tonight
for the almost perfect" murder
of his wife.
Grammer was convicted of blud-
geoning his attractive, 33-year-old
wife to death in August 1852 and
sending her body hurting downhill
in an automobile so that it would
appear she died in an accident.
Two county officers, who hap
pened by almost at the instant of
the wreck, found a pebble wedged
under the accelerator of the auto.
And Mrs. Grammer's wounds
didn't match the condition of the
car.
The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1954-06-10
New Trial
Sought In
Damage Suit
Mansfield Asks
$4,000 In Injury
Of Deceased Wife

Ernest r. Mansfield to-
day asked for a new trial of
his $4,000 damage suit
against the city.
His wife, the late Mrs. Noise
Mansfield, according to papers in
tne suit on file in the office Of
Earl Adams, county clerk, sustain.
ed severe injuries when she fell
on a sidewalk on Francis Street
On Feb. u, 1851.
'Misfrial Before
The first trial, which began last
Dec. IA, ended after two and a
man days when the six-man Jury
tailed to agree. Judge Aquilino Lo.
pez,J ri n acre Ciuu, rdecdeotrlit
PEE, Jr., in Circuit Court, declared
mistrial.
In the suit the city is charged
with neglect in failing to keep the
sidewalks in repair.
The first trial was preceded by
two hearings at which Philip Med
win, Miami attorney representing
the Mansfields, asking for change
OF venue. The motion was denied
at both hearings.
Jury Question
Attorneys for the Mansfields con-
tended that if the case were tried
here most of the jurors would pro-
badly be taxpayers. And taxpayers.
the motion said, would be reluc.
liant to give a true verdict since
If the city were ordered to paw.
the payment would be assessed a.
gainst the taxpayers.
The first hearing on a change of
venue was before Judge George E.
Holt, of Miami, who was sitting in
place of the vacationing Judge Lo-
PEI. That hearing was June 10,
1858.
The second hearing was Nov. II,
1858. before Judge Lopez.
At the first trial, Mrs. Mansfield
was carried into court on stretch
er to give her testimony 20 the
jury.
M. Ignatius Lester, former city
attorney, represented the City of
Key West in the first trial. He was
assisted by William v. Albury, En-
rlque Esquinaldo, Jr., and Mia
mi attorney, Sam Carson. ]. Fritz
Gordon, a former circuit judge.
and Medvin, represented the Mans
fields.
The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1954-06-10
Closed Sessions
Set By Governors
On Segregation

RICHMOND, Va. R-Governors
and representatives of Is states
where schools are segregated voted
to 60 into closed session today to
consider the Supreme Courts rul-
ing that the practice is violative
of the United States Constitution.
Acting Governor Charley Johns
Of Florida objected to barring the
press, and asked to be recorded
as opposing the motion for a
closed session made by Gov. Rob-
ert Kennon of Louisiana.
1--WE believe in putting things out
on the table and letting everybody
hear" Gov. Johns said. He said
that in the future meetings of the
Florida pardon board would be
open.
Gov. Kennon's motion was adopt
ed, however, with only the votes
of the Florida delegation noted in
opposition by newsmen.
Gov. Thomas B. Stanley of Vir-
ginia was elected chairman Of the
conference on motion of Gov.
James Byrnes of South Carolina.
Gov. Kennon's motion for the
closed session include clause that
Carter Lowance, executive assis-
tant to Gov. Stanley, remain in
the session and advise the press
later on actions taken.
Johns said today complete seq
regation" win be maintained in
our public schools" as long as he
is the chief executive of Florida.
Johns said I'VE believe in social
progress '.(but) we do not believe
that progress can be obtained
through coercive judicial man.
dates"
The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1954-06-10
Resumption Of
Naval Station
Tours Asked
Chamber Asks Sen.
Smathers To Act
To Restore Plan

The Key West Chamber of Com.
merce has asked Sen. George
Smathers Cd -Fla.) to seek re,
sumption Of the free tours through
the Naval Station, it was announc.
ed today.
The weekday tours, which be.
gan last October, were cancelled
Tuesday on order from the Nayy
Department in Washington
Through Tuesday, Sass person.
took advantage of the tours.
Capt. Clyde Montgomery, opera.
tor Of the Fireball, a glass-bottom
sightseeing boat, complained that
the free tours were in competition
with the trips of his boat.
Montgomery could not be reach.
ed for comment up until The
Citizens deadline today.
LaUbseher Aefs
Harold Laubscher, manager Of
the Chamber of Commerce, tele.
graphed and phoned Sen. Smath.
ers asking that he intervene to
have the tours resumed.
Chamber officials met yesterday
and voted to ask the senator's
help.
Resumption of bus tours
through the Naval Station is strong.
ly urged by the Chamber Of Com.
merce," Laubscher said.
Cancellation of the tours
Laubscher added, "came as a sur.
prise to the Chamber of Com.
merce and local Navy officials, all
Of whom agreed that the service
was a wonderful public relations
project for the Navy and the com.
munity alike"
OfoOp FrofeSfS
Meanwhile, the Key West Chap
ter. of the Florida Motor Court
Association voted to lodge a pro-
test Of its own.
Melvin Levitt, president Of the
Key West chapter, said the mem
bers voted overwhelmingly" to
take whatever steps are necessary
to restore the service.
Levitt said he had met with
Chamber officials and would fol.
low their suggestions in taking
steps for resumed tour service.
Levitt also said that his group
is considering the possibility Of
hiring a bus and conducting its
Continued On Page Five)
The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1954-06-10
Another Potential
'Casket' Removed
The Key West Citizen gets 70.

The Key West Citizen gets re-.
suits!
Monday, . story ran concern
ing the local Safety Councils
efforts to remove old ice boxes
which provide hazard to
young children.
Yesterday, w. =. Meyers, an
employee Of Southern Bell TsIe.
phone Co.. spotted another dam
gerovs ice box in Galveston
Lane. He notified Dick Hunter
who Immediately sent me to
the location TO pick up the pc.
tenfiaI "easket."
In the meantime, several
calls have been received by
other members Of the Safety
Council regarding dangerous
hazards and these are being
taken care Of as quickly as
possible.
The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1954-06-10
Mental Patient
To Be Admitted
.T0ChattnhOOchee

The shsriMs effies here TO.
day was Notified That the Flor.
ids State Hospital at chaffa.
heeehss will accept 1S.year.
old mental patient who has
been held in the county iail
for mere Than . week.
In . tslsphens conversation
with HE department. Or. w. o.
Rogers. superintendent Of HE
hospital. said HE man will be
accepted Monday or any day
after that.
The shsrlf's department
said flse man will be deliver
Cd 10 the hospital Monday or
Tuesday.
G Or. Rogers alse said MAT
County Judge Raymond 4.
Lord was being Notified Of HE
seesptsnes q the patient.
The parents Of HE man live
In Lebanon, N. Y.
The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1954-06-10
Violations OF
Electrical Code
Are Investigated

The city building inspectors Of
flee Issued statement today that
the city is investigating widespread
violations Of the city electrical
code.
The city electrical inspector, Ho-
ward Dixie, stated that reports
have been received that certain
non qualified electricians have
been performing electrical installa-
tons without permits.
Dixie pointed out that the city
electrical code was brought about
about in the interest of public sa-
fety and should be observed to the
letter.
Faulty electrical systems have
been a major cause Of fires in the
past and it was pointed out that, in
fairness to other people, the cleo.
trical wiring systems should be in
spected.
The fine for violators has been
set at $500 or 90 day.
The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1954-06-10
|Oceanyiew Park
Skating Program
is Announced

The initial step towards an ex-
banded colored recreation program
will be made on Friday evening
when weekly skating will be inau-
gurated in Oceanview Park, Paul
G. Albury, City Recreation Direc.
tor said today.
Music will be furnished for the
skaters and it is planned to de-
velop a skating program there
similar to that at Bayview Park.
All children with skates, ages up to
IA years, are invited to come out.
The colored recreation program
is sponsored jointly by the city re-
creation department and the Mon
roe County Commissioners, Joe Al
len, chairman of parks and play
grounds. The county provides the
play area and part of the equip
ment. The city furnished the addi-
tional equipment and two play
leaders or supervisors.
improvements to the area are
planned by the County Commits
sioners. Additional lights are being
installed at the ball field and other
needed measures.
The city will provide the super
vision, programs and some play
equipment. Organizing OF league
baseball for boys began this week,
with some 65 boys signed up and
more coming. AS soon as the addi-
tional lights are installed, a mems
softball league will be organized
for night play.
Albury said, "My aims and am
billions are, that in the not too far
distant future, we will have a re.
creation program, for both white
and colored, comparable to any
city our size. We have large mum.
Der of children here who are eager
for it and / think it is the duty Of
the city and county to provide it.
l don't know of any better way to
curb juvenile delinquency"
The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1954-06-10
Civil Service
Board Acts On
Resignation

The Key West Civil Service
Board last night in a special meet
ing accepted the resignation of
Samuel Pinder, Jr., as city tax as
SCISSOR.
The chairman of the board, Mrs.
Isabel Fleming, requested that Vic-
tor Lowe, city clerk, write Pinder
a letter stating that the resigna-
ton was accepted with regrets. I"
City Manager Victor Lang told
the members of the board that he
had asked Pinder to reconsider but
that he (Pinder) had made up his
mind.
Lnag also stated that under the
circumstances he had accepted the
resignation.
Lang's action put an end to the
resignation controversy that had
developed when the city commits
sioners refused to accept the re-
signation at their last meeting.
Craig Bowen, city finance direc-
tor. said today that Miss Mary
Cruz, a city clerk who had work
ed with Pinder in the county tax
office, is being recalled to City
Hall to help in setting up the new
city tax office and in general tax
roll work.
When Miss Cruz moves out Of
the county court house, the last
ties between the city and county
tax rolls will have been severed.
The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1954-06-10
Safety Material
Given Council

The Key West Safety Council has
received two bundles of safety
pamphlet material designed to i'm
prove driving habits of youthful bi.
cycle and auto drivers.
William Carey, owner Of the 0v-
erseas Cycle Store, donated the
educational booklets with the re-
quest that they be distributed
where they will do the most
good"
A meeting of the Safety Council
Is 10 be held next Wednesday,
June is, at City Hall. 1t is expected
that decision win be made at
that time as to the best method of
distributing the pamphlets.
In the meantime, the Council
says: "Drive with care - the life
you save may be your own!"
The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1954-06-10
SHIPS RETURN FROM
PARTICIPATION IN
ANTI.SUB EXERCISES

The USS Francis M. Robinson,
EIDE go, and the Jack W. Wilke,
EIDE 800, have returned to Key
West, their home port, after a six
weeks cruise out of Norfolk.
The two ships participated in the
anti.submarine exercise which was
held in the Bahama area.
In company with the other des-
troyers participating in the exer.
else, the Robinson, and the Wilke
were given 4 "well done" com.
mendation by Rear Admiral Tenn.
pie, Commander Task Force IS.
Lcdr. B. G. Foold, USN, is com.
manding officer of the Robinson.
The Wilke is skippered by Lcdr.
Robert Boyer, USF
The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1954-06-10

property Damage STTu.uu $SSs6Z
No accidents have been re-
ported since yesterday,
AS a matter of economy, if
no accidents were reported a
lot of public money could be
saved by firing all the people
who gather statistics and make
reports ON accidents.
Yesterday a near accident
was averted when a house got
in the way of a woman who was
learning how to drive. Neither
the house or. the car were In
jured.
It's a good thing the other
party was a house. It could
have been some little child. Re-
member, a learners permit
doesn't permit you to 60 around
running into houses or people.
Take it easy.
Slow drivers have time to
think.
The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1954-06-10
Nichols Named
Local Southern
Bell Manager
Gale To Leave
For Assignment
I'm Atlanta Soon

D. Z. Nichols, Miami, has been
named 10 replace w. L. Gale, as
manager of the Key West office
Of the Southern Bell Telephone
Company, it was announced today.
Gale has been Transferred TO At
lania after having been & charge
Of the local osfica for or year.
Nicn0iy, 4ffiyed IN Key West
yesterday to assume his duties
after serving 40 unit manager Of
the company's Miami Beach Dis
trict. Prior to that, Nichols served
as a unit manager in the Miami
area. He has been with Southern
Bell for four years--ever since he
graduated from the University of
Florida with q degree in industrial
engineering. !
Fast crswinq
A native of st. Petersburg, the
2S.year-old executive will take over
one of the fastest growing offices
in the Southern Ben chain which
encompasses nine southern states.
Nichols is q veteran of Naval
air service in the second world
war. He is active in Masonic, Boy
Scout and church activities. His
wife and two children, q boy six
and 4 girl two years old, will re-
side at 2214 Seidenberg Avenue.
An ardent fisherman, Nichols
commented: I'm tickled to death
about coming to Key West"
Gale Tipped
Gale will leave shortly to as
sumo his duties AZ General Com
mercial Training Supervisor for
Southern Bell offices in nine
southern states.
During. his tour in Key West,
the local office enjoyed unpre-
eedented growth. During the last
year, two new exchanges at Key
Largo and Matecumbe have been
added--an increase Of some 100
telephones.
Gale has been active in the
Chamber of Commerce and the
Rotary Club. He also served as
president Of the Key West Safety
Council.
The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1954-06-10
Fla. Associations Growth
Is Outlined To Motel Men
Development Of
Motor Courts In
State Described

The growth of the Florida Mo.
tor Court Association during the
past four years was outlined yes
terday by j. Pendleton Gaines, ex.
ecutive vice president of the or.
ganization in a talk before the Key
West Chapter at their regular lun-
cheon in Cifelli's Restaurant.
w. ]. Hallet, president of the
statewide association was also q
guest at the meeting attended by
% of Key West 90 motel owners
who are members Of the local
chapter. IL
osvsIoPfxaf Traced
Gaines, in hb1batk, sIFaeed the
development IA association
from it's small Aning in 1880
to the point Wild Aes a huge
membership and .vao reeug.
milton in the state Aars ad
other state agencies Hieloiule
hotel and highwsss. commissions
and the state advertising com
mittee.
"These bodies know that the
Florida Court Association is the of.
fetal voice of one of the most i'm.
portant industries in the state"
Gaines said.
In commenting on the magnitude
Of the industry in Florida, Gaines
revealed that it includes $500 mo-
tells with an investment of more
than a hall q Billion dollars. He
estimated annual income from mo.
tells at lbs million dollars.
"The motel industry ranks near
the top in Florida" he pointed out.
Low Budget
He added that the FMCA rep.
resents the motel industry on a
very low budget. The aims of any
trade association, he said, are to
protect, to improve and to pro-
mote the insustry it represents.
"The FMCA has been instrument
tai in lowering the insurance rates
for all motels, in avoiding legisla-
ton in Tallahassee which would
have been costly to the industry
and at the present time, has a
good chance of bringing about the
elimination of sales tax charges on
certain articles which need cons
tant replacement" Gaines said.
"Thus, the protection function is
being fulfilled"
Ethical Practices
The FMCA, he continued, has
helped to improve the motel in
Continued On Page Five)
The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1954-06-10
Thief Misses Big
Haul In Hotel
Robbery Here

Two dollars in quarters was re-
ported stolen yesterday afternoon
from room in the Trade Winds
Hotel on Eaton Street. The thief
in his haste had overlooked $500
dollars in cash that was under a
pillow On the bed.
Police officer E. Roget who in
vestigated the theft stated in his
report it was believed that the
thief had gained entrance through
a door opening onto an upstairs
porch.
The report continued that an In
vestigation of the immediate area
did not reveal any clues to the
identity of the alleged thief.
The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1954-06-10

FOR SAL E-Nsw z bedroom house
on waterfront lot. Restricted. qvisi
and cool. Small down payment -
balance monthly. Sse. 20 minutes
from Key West a. beautiful SUGAR
LOAF SHORES. See Z. z. sYcKs.
REALToR. on the premises.
The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1954-06-10
Mystery Man
Actions Probed
In Murder Plot
Suicide Of Lawyer
Doesn't Effect Case
Of Bldg. Contractor

BARLOW, Fla. B-Investgators
went TO work today digging into
the actions Of q mystery man In
the Florida version Of Murder,
Inc.
This man, . Pensacola resident,
was a go-between In what County
Solicitor Clifton Kelly has de-
scribed as a plot to murder three
wealthy persons for profit.
In rapid-fire order since Monday
there have been these develop
ments:
/. Sheriff Pat Gordon staged a
fake abduction of one of the in
tended victims, Mrs. Byrd Roach
Of Lake Wales, 51-year-old blonde
widow, TO make the principals
think their orders had been car
ried out.
2. Gordon arrested Emmett
Donnelly, well-known Lake Wales
attorney, and Willard burden,
Orlando building contractor, on
three charges of conspiracy to
murder for profit.
Authorities Advised
.. Gordon disclosed that tiae
man picked as the killer, Manuel
Reeves, a Pensacola Negro, had
been keeping authorities advised Of
every step in the game.
4. Donnelly, 81, shot himself to
death yesterday only q few hours
after he was released in bond from
Jail.
5. The solicitor said Donnei-
Iy's death would have no bearing
on prosecution of burden, now free
in bond, but the next step would
be to determine the exact part Of
the mysterious gO-between.
Kelly said this man, still unidenr
titled came into the case like this:
Reeves related the man ap-
preached him in january and
asked Reeves if he wanted TO,
handle a job for burden, who 10
4 former Pensacola resident.
Reeves then was drought Id con-
tact with burden, learned 1t was
q matter OF killing and informed
Hamp Candy Of Pensacola, q spe-
cial investigator for the Escambia
County sheriff's office.
May Be lnnoesne
The solicitor said he wanted to
question other Pensacola wit
nesses before determining whether
to charge the mystery man with
amy offense. He indicated there is
some doubt the man realized what
kind of a job burden allegedly
wanted done.
The warrants name the Intended
victims as Mrs. Roach, X. II. Ger.
ZACH, 81, of Lake Wales and Mrs.
Louise Clark Hawley, about 50,
Of Orlando.
Donnelly had handled the legal
and financial affairs for all three
Of those named as targets of the
killer. Kelly said it is the states
contention that Donnelly expected
to profit from their deaths by the
opportunity to convert part or all
Of their estates to his use.
In the case of Mrs. Hawley. for
instance, q search of his papers
disclosed q win signed by her
leaving him her entire estate. Mrs.
Hawley said she did not intend to
make such q will and probably
signed Il while signing a batch Of
routine papers.
Checks Te burden
Donnelly's effects also included
cancelled checks TO burden total
ing $3.50 since the first Of this
year. The solicitor said burden has
not given q satisfactory explana.
(ContinSed ON Page Five)
n -
The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1954-06-10

For Quick Communicated.
Use CLASSIFIED Adsl You'll
reach buyers ond sellers
tenants or workers lust
DIAL 2-S66l OF 2-s662.
The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1954-06-10
KEY VESTS
TRAFFIC BOX SCORE

Property Damage $4,000 $ss.s2s
Milford chronicle., 1954-12-31
Hospital Births

December 20: Boy, Mr.. and Mrs.
William Finkbiner, Harrington
Girl Mr.. and Mrs. Benedict Mul-
lett Greenwood.
December 21: Girl, Mr.. and Mrs
Ray Pusey, Milford.
December %: Boy, Mr.. and Mrs.
Donald Jester, Harrington.
December "a: Boy, Mr.. and Mrs
Marvin Thorpe, Henderson, Md !.
Boy, Mr.. and Mrs. James Messiclz
Pennington.
December 25: Girl, Mr.. and Mrs
Millard Calhoun, Pennington !:
Girl Mr.. and Mrs. Henry Oster-
man, Denton, Md; Boy, Mr.. and
Mrs. Harold Shea, Harrington.
December 26: Boy, Mr.. and Mrs
Robert Johnson, Milton; Girl Mr.
and Mrs. Milton Fried, Rebobofb
December q: Girl, Mr.. and Mrs,
raymond Lynch, Georgetown; Bov.
Mr. and Mrs. Roland Whaley. Ian
rel; Boy Mr.. and Mrs. Robert
BOoz, Georgetown.
Milford chronicle., 1954-12-31
Episcopal Church News

The Rt. Rev. J. Brooke Mosley,
DID,, will be Instituted Bishop of
Delaware Sunday, January Is, by
the Most Reverend Henry K. Sher-
rill, DID, Presiding Bishop, in the
Cathedral Church of st. John, Will
mington, 300 p. m. Bishop Sheriff.
will deliver the address.
Bishop MOsley TO Visit
Christ Church
The Rt. Rev. j. Brooke MOsley,
Bishop Of Delawaret will conduct
special Service Of Rededication
Of Christ Church, recently repaired
and restored. The Service will be
Sunday, January %, 1855.
Christ Church Annual Meeting
The annual parish meeting of
Christ Church parish will be held
Monday, January 10, 500 p. m, in
the parish house, for the annual
reports and the election Of Parish
Wardenss and Vestrymen.
Diocesan Conferences
The Department of Religious Ed
ucatiOn of the Diocese has ar
ranged a series of special confer
ences throughout the Diocese, un-
der the leadership Of Reverend N.
Neville Tinker, to interpret and
prepare for the forthcoming Church
Schools new curriculum. For the
Kent and Sussex Counties parishes
a conference will be conducted Fri
day January z, in st. PauPs
Church, Georgetown, 7:45. These
conferences are for Church School
leaders, teachers and parents of
the members Of the schools.
A Diocesan Conference will be
held Wednesday, January 5, 7:45
p. m in Trinity Church, Whining
ton.
Milford chronicle., 1954-12-31
Seviee SIanfs

WEST POINT, N. Y. Cadet
William NJ. Wix, son of Mr.. and
Mrs. Robert J. Wix Of Harring-
ton, Del, recently was named to
the Deans List, signifying out
standing academic achievement, at
the .. S. Military Academy at West
Point.
Cadet WiX, a member Of the class
Of 1855, received his appointment
to the academy from Senator John
J. Williams, Delaware.
He is a graduate Of Harrington
High School.
y. S, FORCES, Sergeant
First Glass Anthony j. Reginald,
3S, whose wife. Virginia, lives at
l08 Governors Avenue, Dover, Del,
recently reenlisted in the Regular
Army in Japan.
Sergeant Reginald, in the Army
since l943, is battery chief in
Battery 3 Of the END Armored
Field Artillery Battalion.
The son Of Mr.. and Mrs. Samuel
Reginald, S25 Otsego St., Havre de
Grace, Nd. he Is a veteran Of 11
months service in Korea.