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dowi But they wouldn't know If I was planning to; takei somebody down with mei 8of1 asked them for two complete settfonfchutes, ; two;chest /packs; and two# back packi'm so they would ; think that If they gave meis bogus chute they would: 'niefroot; bestigning.the death warrantyfor, whoover 'wont with me,"
His logic, was soundsThe chutes were fine:"The only ; slip upi waslover,the money. Cooper demandedythat- it be
sent out in: a suitcasey He had built 'a special harness to; be attached across his. pack:, He) planned to put, his suit jacket : and - some other Items intoi the cultcaso, along with the money and at- tach it to his special harness so he could
He was afraid dogs would spot him and bark when halanded ma
make the' jump with his hands free Af- ter fall, he couldn't jump carrying; the money . In his hands." But instead ofa suitcase, they sent the money. out in' canvas bag .: a problem'he was brooding about as the plane refueled and took off under his instructions
thecavity - and -strapped it .
: a problem'he was brooding about as the plane refueled and took off under his instructions
thecavity - and -strapped it .: ontor NI chest? Then be trapped on his special harness, cut' some cord -from theydle cardod chute and tied his briefesso to the harness newthe strapped ant chute: Meanwhile gheswar,peering;or indows,y indi could seethat thespt
He told the stewardess,to tell the cup. tain to fly on the normal course to Reno; which he knew would carry him directly over the spot "he had selected for. hfe Jump [Ho told the captain to fly zat be ween : 000 and: 10.000 feet, to koopiths napf radideg sen ( which alo ad the
con the correct : course: south
About / 35 minutet'; out of , Sestti could sed dowa between broken clouds andi beganto pick out familiar land markeds below the freeway; the po Then he began pict chien is on his walkie talkiedown But they wouldn't know if I was
His logic was sound. The chutes were the
Janning to take somebody down, with. e. So I asked them for two complete
fine." The "only: slip-up was.
The chutes were the
Janning to take somebody down, with. e. So I asked them for two complete
fine." The "only: slip-up was. over money: Cooper demanded that it be sets of chutes, two; chest packs, and two back packs' so they would think that if they gave me a bogus chute. they. would" in effect be signing the death; warrant: for ' whoever went with me," sent out in a suitcase. He had built a special harness to be attached across his pack. He planned to put his suit jacket and some other items into the suitcase, along with the money, and at- tach it to his special harness so he could he said !!!
He was afraid dogs would spot him and bark when he landed here.
make the jump with his hands free.Af ter all,' he couldn't jump carrying the money in his hands. But instead of a? suitcase, they sent the money out in a canvas bag, a problem he was brooding about as the plane refueled and took off under his instructions .:
He told the stewardess to tell the cap tain to fly on the normal course to Reno, which he knew would carry him directly over the spot he had selected for his jump.
:
He told the stewardess to tell the cap tain to fly on the normal course to Reno, which he knew would carry him directly over the spot he had selected for his jump. He told the captain to fly at be: tween 7,000 and 10,000 feet, to keep the' flaps at 15 degrees (which allowed the plane to fly at a slower speed) and to fly with the rear stairwell open.
The plane took off from Seattle at about .7:30 p.m. It was . dark .. Cooper ordered the stewardess to go forward to the cabin and lock the door behind. her.
As the plane headed southward, Coop- er hurriedly got himself together. He put on his luminous stopwatch and com. pass, donned the black cap and gloves and hurriedly improvised a new means for taking everything he had brought into the plane out with him. Anything he left behind would certainly be evi. dence.
Therefore, lacking the suitcase he had ordered, he grabbed one of the four chutes, ripped the innards out of it and stuffed the money and his suit coat into
the cavity, and strapped it, ontothis chest. Then "he strapped on his special harness ;: cut some cord from the dis.
chutes, ripped the innards out of it and stuffed the money and his suit coat into
the cavity, and strapped it, ontothis chest. Then "he strapped on his special harness ;: cut some cord from the dis. carded chute, and tied his briefcase tor the harness. Then he strapped on a back chute.
Meanwhile,, he was peering out the; windows, and could see that the plane was on the correct course southwards About 35 minutes out of Seattle; he could see down between broken clouds and began. to pick out familiar land. marks below-the freeway, the power, line, the lake. Then he began picking up the radio signals on his walkie-talkie. When he was hearing the signals from all three, he simply walked to the rear of the plane, descended the stairwell, and jumped out.
Free Fall
"I was not vacillating very much," he, said. "I remembered why I had come to this point, and all the reasons for it. The long planning; All the research. And the provocation-that was; What I was thinking of. It didn't take me long to reflect on this. Just a fraction- of a second. Then the die was cast."
When he jumped, his altimeter showed 7,500 feet, and he executed a "free fall" without opening his chute, for precisely 22
"
When he jumped, his altimeter showed 7,500 feet, and he executed a "free fall" without opening his chute, for precisely 22 seconds which shot him down through a thick cloud bank-thus preventing
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EXHILARATION FILLED HIM
the follow-on planes from spotting him. The free fall carried him to about 4,500 et where he opened the chute. Below, e could pick up familiar landmarks- fields, barns, roads, and the power line : he needed to avoid. The wind was from the east, which was fine. He needed to drift westward, closer to the freeway and his car, anyway. He landed skill- fully in a big open field (it was the first jump he had made in several years) fearing only one thing: that dogs might spot him and begin barking. They didn't. He gathered up the white parachute, (walked downhill to a weedchoked gully beside a small dirt road and there: stashed the money and the chutes. Then he simply walked up the road to his caf, ducking off into the weeds three times when cars passed.
Then he simply walked up the road to his caf, ducking off into the weeds three times when cars passed. When he reach- ed his car, he got in, drove back, col- lected the money and chute, picked up is radio transmitters, packed every- thing in the trunk, got on the freeway, and drove home.
Exhilaration poured over him. "I felt like I could have walked all the way to Chicago," he said. "Not only did I have. the money, but I had a plan and carried the plan through under conditions that a lot of people would be reluctant to jump in. But then the reaction hit me, I became extremely nervous driving up the freeway. I became almost paranoid. Because If I were ever stopped, if I had 'open the trunk, I was dead in the vanta I considered stopping and getting wt For all the visible evidence.> But where? So I figured the best thing I could do was keep on going. And this is what I
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And this is what I
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2 in a `shopping bag, and returned it to the car trunk.
Next morning, he'drove to a remote spot, burned part of his gear and buried the rest, along with the money, "in'a spot where nobody will ever, ever find it." Several days later, Cooper inadvertant- ly discovered that although the money was not marked, authorities had the serial numbers of every $20 bill he possessed. So though he had the money, he couldn't spend it. What to do? He thought of taking it to Mexico, or Europe, and "fencing" it. But he was an engineer, not a criminal.
He thought of taking it to Mexico, or Europe, and "fencing" it. But he was an engineer, not a criminal. Therefore, operating on alien turf, he figured to lose not only the money, but his life as well. He was furious. He felt he had been double- crossed. Here he had a' fortune, and couldn't spend a dime of it.
That is roughly where I came into the picture. The foregoing narrative was related to me by the man I believed to be Cooper in a series of taped inter- views in a Seattle motel that ran for some eight hours over a period of three days last February. He also guided me by car over the route of his crime.
C
"It had started when a man calling h self "Seth , Thomas",, contacted me phone on the night of Jan. 31, saying he was acting as intermediary for Cooper. He said Cooper was interested in telling his story, but wanted to be paid : be- cause he couldn't spend the money he had stolen. He said he and Cooper real ized that the recent Clifford Irving- Howard Hughes hoax would devalue the Cooper story in the minds of potential publishers, but that they had thought
and thought and finally.
He said he and Cooper real ized that the recent Clifford Irving- Howard Hughes hoax would devalue the Cooper story in the minds of potential publishers, but that they had thought
and thought and finally.agreed.onwhatSuoCONTOY
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paint It hadn't He stowed the money, marsh" walked to his car, returned to collect everything, and drove home.
been marked by the law with special
to see if he could detect whether it had
and examinedit with as" black light
he went out and brought in, the money
listened to news bulletins, about the skyjacking while he had coffee.Then
otherichen turned on the radiorands
she wentbad Trod cep Cooper wen
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to be fiction
Therefore, Ji pa di Cooper: $30,00€ his story. I handed it over in cash: $20
and $50 bills, to his intermediary, Seth
Thomas on condition the money be set aside and used for Cooper's, legal de" fense if "and " when he" was" captured.
I handed it over in cash: $20
and $50 bills, to his intermediary, Seth
Thomas on condition the money be set aside and used for Cooper's, legal de" fense if "and " when he" was" captured."
Next weeki
Why Cooper' hijacked the plane, hou contemplated, suicide, and why heasked
for precisely $200,000.
After Cooper hit the ground,, .he stashed the money and parachutes in this.
L334532:853A. 69 L541986 7294 69
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NEXT WEEK:
Why
ID.B.
Cooper
Did It.
And
Why He
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$anddrove nous Exhilaration poured over him, " felt 'like I could have walked all the way to Chicago," he said :"Not only did I have) the money, but I had a plan and carried the plan through under conditions that; a lot of people would be reluctant to; jump in. But then the reaction hit me, I. became: extremely, hervous driving up the freeway, I became almost paranoid Because if I were ever stopped, if I bad to open the trunk."1, was dead in the water, I considered stopping and getting rid ofrall the visible : evidence, But where?
"1, was dead in the water, I considered stopping and getting rid ofrall the visible : evidence, But where? So I figured the best thing I could do was keep on going. And this is what I did," he said.
How Did It Go?
What he feared was a roadblock. There was none. In his planning, he had figured that. law. enforcement wouldn't really begin to react until the, next day. It takes a while for a bureaucracy to crank up. So he didn't spot a single lawman all the way home.
He got there at about midnight. His wife awoke long enough to say "How did it go?"
He had told. her he was going on a- business trip. "The . same," .. he . said. "Same old story."
She went back to sleep. Cooper went to the kitchen, turned on the radio and listened to news bulletins about the skyjacking while he had coffee. Then he went out and brought in the money and examined it with a. "black" light : to see if he could detect whether it had been marked by the law with special paint. It hadn't. He stowed the money.
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Photostats of three $20 bills, given to LA editor Karl Fleming a proof of D. B. Cooper's identity, matched serial numbers on the list of stolen bills distributed by the FBI below . Cooper showed Fleming the actual bills, but said the rest of the money was buried in a remote hiding place.

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L33	528	:092A	69 154	904	7304	69
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133	530	471A	69 L54	984	6234	69
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..

After Cooper hit the ground, he stashed the money and parachutes in this.
After Cooper hit the ground, he stashed the money and parachutes in this. marsh, walked to his car, returned to collect everything, and drove home.
L20- 150-975A ¥69
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alehtihour loyer perlodforthr: "days
ToitsFebruary: Hezalso guldedame by car over the route of his crime It had started when a man calling him telf ** Seth( Thomas"> contacted, mesby phong on the night of Jan, 31 saying he wasacting as"intermediary for Cooper He said Cooper was interested In felling his story, but wanted tobe paid, " be. cause he couldn't spend the money he had atolen. He said he and Cooper Tool izedy that (the recent ". Clifford Irving Howard Hughes hoax would dovalue the Cooper, story ly the minds of potential publishers - but that they had thought and thought and finally agreed ir bat they considered to be a fair pricer $15:000. In subsequent negotiations vokseth Thomas#; he soon; revealedto5m Jack Lewis, a Bremerton , Wash estate promoter, and Cooper showedme three of the
In subsequent negotiations vokseth Thomas#; he soon; revealedto5m Jack Lewis, a Bremerton , Wash estate promoter, and Cooper showedme three of the $20 bills, they mid part of the $200.000 >I checked the sertel: numbers against? "Flukt dhurbut the FBI. They matched; Doubtsabout whether I had the right man would arise later, but at that moment," I believed he was Cooper. I saw the money and the incredibly' detailed account of the sky jacking which he spun was too' logical to be fiction.
. Therefore, I paid -Cooper $30,000 for his story. I handed it over in cash; $20 and $50 bills, to his intermediary, Seth Thomas, on condition the money; be set aside and used for. Cooper's legal do. fense if and when he was captured, Next preek:
Why Cooper hijacked; the plan contemplated suicide and why ibcasked for precisely $200,000.
$B
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4 5	THE Y YJOURNAL, NEW BERRY !. C.
IURSDAY, APRIL 13, 1972.
5, 9 n
1 2.
11

4 5	THE Y YJOURNAL, NEW BERRY !. C.
IURSDAY, APRIL 13, 1972.
5, 9 n
1 2. 13
14 : 5	PLEASE HELP
1 6.	The family of Richard Floyd McCoy, Jr., who
7 8 9
20
¿	is a native of Craven County in the Cove City arca, are asking friends. who would like to
to Russell E. McCoy, Box 7, Cove City, N. C.
contribute to his legal defense, to send funds
21	He has served his country in the army nine
22	years and has three different missione to Viet-
2 3	nam. He was in the Special Forces, a helicop-
24 25 26	ter pilot and suffered head wounds in action and underwent head surgery.
He was in the Special Forces, a helicop-
24 25 26	ter pilot and suffered head wounds in action and underwent head surgery. He was award- ed the Purple Heart and many other decora- tions.
27
2 9 3 1 ? : 4 :6 18 2	He was attending Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, as a law enforcement officer, and was to graduate in August 1972. His only funds for support was the G.I. bill. He kas two minor children, ages 2 and 4, and his wife is in the hospital. Your help will be greatly appreciated.
.. . 4 ! - : 3 3 4 1 5 5 : 7 · 3 4 9 = 0 1
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SE 9 0	ENCLOSUR!

Ł YAIRLINE PILOT
FEBRUARY
THE MAGAZINE OF PROFESSIONAL FLIGHT CREW
AROUND THE WORLD + THE LONG WAY
MLSRA STATUS REPORT
BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING
747'S FUTURE BRIGHTENS
Chited0
briefing
Air Safety Forum to ask 'What Price Safety?'
"What Price Safety?
OF PROFESSIONAL FLIGHT CREW
AROUND THE WORLD + THE LONG WAY
MLSRA STATUS REPORT
BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING
747'S FUTURE BRIGHTENS
Chited0
briefing
Air Safety Forum to ask 'What Price Safety?'
"What Price Safety?" will be theme of the 1972 ALPA Air Safety Forum to be held May 23-25 at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington. Captain Richard Heller, Region Three safety chairman, has been named general chairman of the 19th annual Pilot Division safety conference. Margie Slagle (PAI) will be chairman of the 10th S&S Division Forum.
Tentative agenda for the pilots' forum calls for a closed luncheon meeting Tuesday, May 23, followed by closed sessions in the afternoon and meetings of the five regional safety committees in the evening.
Open sessions begin Wednesday morning, May 24, with a welcome by ALPA President John J. O'Donnell. Wednesday morning programs will discuss hijacking. There will be a formal luncheon. The afternoon will be devoted to disaster planning, two- segment approaches and noise-abate- ment procedures.
Thursday morning sessions will be devoted to airport safety, status of the airport certification program and ALPA's plan to accelerate installation of airport facilities.
Thursday morning sessions will be devoted to airport safety, status of the airport certification program and ALPA's plan to accelerate installation of airport facilities. Thursday after- noon will schedule workshop action groups on air traffic control, collision avoidance systems, airworthiness and performance and accident preven- tion. Honors night reception and banquet is set for Thursday evening.
Buses will leave the Mayflower Hotel at 10 a.m. Friday morning for.a special VIP preview of Transpo '72 at Dulles International Airport.
NAS Planning Review Conference set for May
The Fourth Annual National Aviation System Planning Review Conference will be held May 1-3 at the Twin Bridges Marriott Hotel in Washing- ton according to FAA.
Papers have been invited on fol- lowing tentative list of subjects: Hu- man Factors and Biomedical Factors in Aviation; National Airspace System of the Future; Airport Development Assistance Program; Aviation Trust Fund; Balanced Transportation; New Technology, and Environmental Fac- tors Affecting Aviation.
Registration is open to anyone in- terested.
Future; Airport Development Assistance Program; Aviation Trust Fund; Balanced Transportation; New Technology, and Environmental Fac- tors Affecting Aviation.
Registration is open to anyone in- terested. Registration fee of $5 is re- quired of those who wish to receive".
Have you seen 'D. B. Cooper'?
The man calling himself "D. B. Cooper" who hijacked a Northwest 727 and extorted $200,000 in the process last November is the subject of a widespread manhunt. During the episode, "Cooper" demonstrated more than a passing knowledge of the air environment, especially para- chuting. He also showed a fair famili- arity with airline aircraft operation.
It is possible that "D. B. Cooper's" path may have crossed that of airline personnel at some time under another name. He expressed a bitter hatred for the airlines and may have worked for one.
From descriptions furnished by those involved, the FBI has provided the following description and artist drawings of "Cooper" in the hope that ALPA members and other readers may be able to furnish some lead as to his whereabouts, dead or alive:
Race: White Age: Mid-40s
Height: 5 feet 10 inches to 6 feet Weight: 170 to 180 pounds Build: Average to well
provided the following description and artist drawings of "Cooper" in the hope that ALPA members and other readers may be able to furnish some lead as to his whereabouts, dead or alive:
Race: White Age: Mid-40s
Height: 5 feet 10 inches to 6 feet Weight: 170 to 180 pounds Build: Average to well built Complexion: Olive, Latin appearance medium smooth Hair: Dark brown or black, norma style, parted on left, combed back sideburns, low ear level
Fyes: Possibly brown; during latter part of flight put on dark wrap- around sunglasses with dark rims Voice: Low, spoke intelligently, no particular accent
Characteristic: Heavy smoker of Ra- leigh filter-tip cigarettes
Wearing apparel: Black suit, white shirt, narrow black tie, black dress suit, black rain-type overcoat on dark topcoat, brown shoes; carried paper bag 4 inches by 12 inches by! 14 inches and dark briefcase or attaché case
If you have any information that might lead to the identity of this in- dividual, please contact the nearest FBI office.
all conference papers and the 1972 editions of the NAS Policy Summary and the 10-year plan. Register by writ- ing to FAA, Attention: HQ-200, 800 Independence Avenue, Washington, D.C. 20591.
all conference papers and the 1972 editions of the NAS Policy Summary and the 10-year plan. Register by writ- ing to FAA, Attention: HQ-200, 800 Independence Avenue, Washington, D.C. 20591.
U.S. limits housing near noisy airports
The federal government is discourag- ing community development around airports by withholding funds for housing "loans where it thinks noise complaints are likely to occur.
The Department of Housing and
Urban Development is working closely with FAA to develop guide- lines called "noise exposure fore- casts," which are based on FAA's composite noise rating calculations: New construction is "unacceptable" to HUD in an area where noise ex- ceeds 80 db for one hour out of every 24, or 75 db for eight hours of every 24. Locations are normally acceptable if noise does not exceed 65-75 db more than eight hours a day.
In FAA's composite noise rating calculations, takeoffs, and "landings under 100 db and run-ups under '80 dh are rated acceptable by HOD
AIR LINE PILOT/February 1972
29The D. B. Cooper Story 4
THE SKYJACKER WHO GOT AWAY WITH IT (P. 20)
860
No.
rating calculations, takeoffs, and "landings under 100 db and run-ups under '80 dh are rated acceptable by HOD
AIR LINE PILOT/February 1972
29The D. B. Cooper Story 4
THE SKYJACKER WHO GOT AWAY WITH IT (P. 20)
860
No. 16: Oct. 21, 1972
25¢
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Sirvelary'a the Trees
YERVOY DOLLARS
And Why He
emanded
Only $200.000.
Los Angeles California 9002 1516 Westwood Blod. WEG1969
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LA
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0 UNmenor 00 THE D.B. COOPER SKYJACKING Part III : Doublecross Leads to the FBI Election Predictions *Another ITT Scandal p.
COOPER SKYJACKING Part III : Doublecross Leads to the FBI Election Predictions *Another ITT Scandal p. 5 .p. 15 Irwindale Blackmail Caper A Child of War
D. 14
p. 5
Lbitte-19
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No. 18: Nov. 4,1972: 25¢November 4, 1972
LA
10
IS D.B.COOPER THE
LEGAL TROUBLES, MORAL PROBLEMS
STOP PUBLICATION OF THE STORY
By Karl Fleming
n the previous two segments of his series, the man who called himself D. B. Cooper described how he singlehandedly hijacked a Northwest Airlines plane last Thanksgiving Eve and parachuted to safety with $200,000, and why he' did it-mainly to prove he wasn't "over the hill," the implied message he got when he was fired by Boeing where he had worked for, 15 years as an engineer. He showed author Fleming three of the stolen bills, and told part of the story, ,whereupon Fleming paid him $30,000, and then got the rest of the story in vivid de tail on tape and film, In this con- cluding installment, Fleming tells inhnt hannened after that.
my classified ad in the Seattle Times, and decided to make contact with me - purely to sell Cooper's story for money.
my classified ad in the Seattle Times, and decided to make contact with me - purely to sell Cooper's story for money. Having sold it, they expressed a desire to keep in touch. Before leaving Seattle after my interviews, I asked Lewis, who said he was an engineer, to send me
aerial maps showing the area where Cooper claimed he landed,: 30 , miles north of Portland. When the maps arriv- ed, they came in a package containing a worn brass and, wood hat rack -. that being the antique ."Gift" Lewis men- tioned in his letter.
By the time he wrote, I had resigned from Newsweek, had been married, and had completed the backbreaking job of transcribing the eight-odd hours of taped conversations with Cooper. Or- dinarily, a reporter doesn't do that. He
takes notes, and if he uses a tape record: er, he merely selects nuggets from the tapes as he plays them back.
But this was important stuff. I had, in fact, recorded my clandestine Con- versations 'with Cooper with two tape machines. I also had a 30-minute filmed interview with him,"as well as several.
I had, in fact, recorded my clandestine Con- versations 'with Cooper with two tape machines. I also had a 30-minute filmed interview with him,"as well as several. rolls of film, and photostats of some of the stolen money.
Curtain Act
Originally,'I saw the Cooper story as but a fitting curtain act at Newsweek, which I was leaving, with mixed emo- tions, after .11 eventful and satisfying years. And it would be, if the timingcho ped author Flaming Fires of the stolen bills and told part of the story y whereupon Fleming paid him $30,000, and then got the rest of the story) in [vivid de. tail on tape and films In this con- cluding installment,Fleming tells what happened after that THE NOON MAIVI OF MARCHAN brought a convivial note from D. B. Coop- Ora intermediary:"Sith Thomas," whose real name is William John Wack) Lewis. """Bost > wishes for the marriage."she wrote :"" Hoper your have received / the gift" ThatThat:rack( camearound The Horn to Bainbridge : Islands in; Puget Sound: in' 1853-1I'll keep you, posted of any newsworthy stuff.
Lewis was a candid Babbitt who said he had aligned himself with Cooper just for the money' #I'm strictly.
Lewis was a candid Babbitt who said he had aligned himself with Cooper just for the money' #I'm strictly. a. percen- tage: man."; he said. He was negotiating and acting as planner and arranger for. Cooper, who sprofessed to want to lie low rather than risk capture: Lewis said he went to Cooper's suburban home one night just before Christmas - about three weeks after the skyjacking -- and while he and Cooper were sitting in the den discussing an investment plan, he look- ed up and noticed two skydiving trophies on Cooper's mantel,
The skyjacker was?obviously: an, ex- perienced parachutist. The news reports had. all said so. Suddenly it hit: him. $ "Say, you wouldn't; happen to have about $200,000 in $20 billa that you can't spend," Lewis gaid to Cooper ?? Cooper blinked " once,\; then" replied calmly ;. "Well, what if I did .. What could a fella do with that money ?? The FBI had, and was circulating, the numbers of all the stolen billa. Some days later, both , of ; them
KARL FLEMING,, woon sonociated, with Newsweek"; magasin dry correspondent, Los Angeles, bureau chief end contributing
Some days later, both , of ; them
KARL FLEMING,, woon sonociated, with Newsweek"; magasin dry correspondent, Los Angeles, bureau chief end contributing editor for. 11 years before resigning April 15 to found L.A. While with Newswook, he! covered virtually every significant civili rightet anaithata multiple trendingAndresunermypionner deFrangostor Cooper: who: profested for want to lle on-rather than phy partire.Lewisraid
9
he went to Cooper's suburban home one night just before Christmas ='about three weeks after the skyjacking and while he and Cooper, were sitting in the den discussing an investment plan, he look- ed up and noticed two skydiving trophies on Cooper's mantel The skyjacker was obviously an. ex perienced parachutist. The news reports had: all "said so. Suddenly,it hit him. "Say, you wouldn't happen to" have about $200,000 in $20 bills that you can't spend," Lewis said to Cooper Cooper blinked once,then replied calmly: "Well, what if I did. What could a fella do with that, money? The FBI had, and was circulating, the numbers of all the stolen bills, Some days later, both of them saw
KARL FLEMING was associated .
The FBI had, and was circulating, the numbers of all the stolen bills, Some days later, both of them saw
KARL FLEMING was associated . with Newsweek" magazine as correspondent, Los Angeles bureau chief and contributing editor for 11 years before resigning April 15 to found LA. While with Newsweek, he covered virtually every 'significant. civil; rights story of the turbulent '60s, including Birmingham, Selma, Ole Miss, Little Rock and Watts. He covered the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy and his bro- ther Robert and those of Martin. Luther. King and Medgar Evers. He was assigned to Richard Nixon during the last Presi- dential campaign and has covered Lyndon Johnson, George Wallace, Hubert Hum -. phrey, Barry Goldwater and Ronald Rea; gan. He also reported on the Charles Man- son and Jack Ruby trials for Newsweek and the trial of Pueblo spy ship captain 'Lloyd M. Bucher.
Copyright & 1972 Platypus Publications
The FBI's D.B. Cooper
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November 4, 1972
REAL D.
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November 4, 1972
REAL D.B. COOPER?
happened '%'be right, a fitting curtain- raiser for NA. It soon became apparent, however, that the newspaper . would not be launched in time to have the sto- ry.
Another possibility arose. The best man at my wedding was a trusted old friend from the South, Charles Morgan Jr., a brilliant and courageous civil rights lawyer who had been a classmate of George Wallace at Alabama and later infuriated Wallace and other such pre- hensile hatemongers by legally repre- senting blacks trying to get into white Alabama schools.
When Morgan arrived, I explained the story to him. He had agreed to legally advise me. He said I should try to get the story into print as soon as possible, in order to prevent even the appearance that I was overstepping my Constitu- tional rights as a reporter by withholding information about a wanted criminal. As he saw it, I didn't have a legal obli -. gation to turn Cooper in, only to print my story as quickly as possible, and then possibly turn over my
gation to turn Cooper in, only to print my story as quickly as possible, and then possibly turn over my information to the authorities.
Morgan said, and I agreed, that the story seemed a natural for a book. Mor-
gan had recently represented Col. An. thony Herbert, the officer who spoke out on military scandal cover ups, had done a book with him. He suggested I contact Col. Herbert's agent, Gerard McCauley, in New York.
: There were enormous problems ahead complicating"either publication of a magazine article or a book. There was a possibility, of course, that the whole story was a fraud, a la Clifford Irving. Cooper had readily and thoroughly an- swered every question I asked him, and I asked him some pretty tough ones over three days of intense interviewing, ques.
tions 1, didn't, believe' anyone -say, a con man-could have predicted. "The details he spun on the performance of the crisis, and his motives for doing it. were endless.
"He yielded up so much information, in fact, that I. soon felt I knew a lot more than I wanted to know -details, I be- lieved, that would result in his being
soon felt I knew a lot more than I wanted to know -details, I be- lieved, that would result in his being captured if they were published. I urged him to turn himself in and take his chan- ces with 12 fair-minded jurors who might be impressed with the story of why he said he did it-out of rage and out of a desire to prove he wasn't the used up old man Boeing implied he was when the company summarily fired him at age 49. He said he'd think about it. He said. meantime, he wasn't worried that any details he'd given me would endanger him. He just said he didn't want to talk to me anymore until after the story was published.
Criminal At Large
Contemplating publication, I was in a dilemma. To print it would lead most certainly to Cooper's capture. For the flaw to catch Cooper would be fine, but for him to be caught on the basis of In- formation I had gathered as a reporter I didn't like it. Nonsense, 'Morgan urged the man was criminal; he knew what he was doing; so print the story and quit worrying about it.
Nonsense, 'Morgan urged the man was criminal; he knew what he was doing; so print the story and quit worrying about it. I couldn't. At one time I strongly considered destroying alltheanblirbedt Criminal At Large
Contemplating publication. I war Allemme "To print it would lend mor certainlysto Cooper's capture ... Forth law to catch Cooper would be Ong bu! for him to be caught on the basis of in formation I had gathered as a'reportert I didn't like it Nonsense,Morgan Ur the man was criminal: he knew what b was doing; to print the story and quit worrying about it. I couldn't."At one time' I'strongly considered destroying. all the taper,? photos's notes. everything - ond forgetting the story, That posed,'s grim mer prospect: I would thus forfeit Con stitutional press freedom protection and would be guilty of actually destroying evidence I had toen enough brutal jolle from the outside to know I didn't want sto see one from the inside af ssaeye In any case. . it seemed; important to publish the story; If it was true, Cooper account : of how he robbed the faifling and the eloquent explanation of why bo did
it seemed; important to publish the story; If it was true, Cooper account : of how he robbed the faifling and the eloquent explanation of why bo did it-striking' back at the Establish. ment for selling him an American Dream that turned out to be a nightmare- seem ed an important. if perhaps cliched.com. mentary on the problems of mass produc tion - capitalism ... And, Madison Avenue buckstering:
As: I discussed a possible book, with McCauley, it occurred to. me. Cooper might be induced to turn in the money. by giving him a share, say 20 per cent; of the book proceeds, or arranging with a. publisher a plan by which royalties would be put into a Jegal defense fund. : The return of the $200,000'in. $20%. wwould, naturally, be proof that we had the right man.
I had stored the tapes and other docu- ments in . a friend's safety deposit box and was reading stories ip the press that posses of 500 military handa were search, ing the woods.around Lake.Merwin for Cooper's body. In. New York, MeCauley made a quiet inquiry about a book with friend .
around Lake.Merwin for Cooper's body. In. New York, MeCauley made a quiet inquiry about a book with friend . t. Harpers Magazine, Press, Any negotiations he could make would have to barextremely discreet because of chance the story would get out. Har; per & Row'was eager to do it; especially fter Mccauley told them any contract fuhrenwon Cooper returpingOur D. B. Cooper
That turned out to be a nightmare- see ed an important it perhaps clicher. com mentary on the problems of mass produc tion: capitalism. And Madison Avenue) huckstering As I discussed a possible .book, with McCauley, it: occurred to me. Cooper might be induced to turn in the money, by giving him a share, say 20 per cent, of the book proceeds, or arranging with a publisher a plan by which royalties would be put into a legal defense fund. The return of the $200,000 in $20s, would, naturally, be proof that we had the right man.
I had stored the tapes and other docu- ments in a friend's safety deposit box and was reading stories in the press that posses of 500 military harids were search- ing the woods around Lake Merwin for
I had stored the tapes and other docu- ments in a friend's safety deposit box and was reading stories in the press that posses of 500 military harids were search- ing the woods around Lake Merwin for Cooper's body. In New York, McCauley made a quiet inquiry about a book with a friend at Harpers Magazine Press. Any negotiations he could make: would have to be extremely discreet because of a chance the story would get out. Har- per & Row was eager.to do it, especially after McCauley told them any contract would be contingent on Cooper returning the money before they would be, asked to put up advance money. McCauley, was excited about the prospect of a Book. Harper & Row, which would publish a hardback edition, and a paperback pub- lisher which would put out a paperback. made a tentative offer of an advanced exceeding $200,000. McCauley thought a movie deal might yield $1 million. Experience had taught me to be amused- ly sceptical of such giddy dreams of in- stant riches.
A Possible Book
Still, a book began to look like a real- ity. McCauley.called to say he was 'arriv-
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A Possible Book
Still, a book began to look like a real- ity. McCauley.called to say he was 'arriv-
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November 4, 1972
D.B.COOPER:
ing . with four Harpers executives. It was a touchy book. Still, they were com- ing, with contracts, the conditions being that Cooper would have to be induced to urn in the $200,000 before they paid at any money-except for $5,000 they Could put up as security against their eaking the story to someone else.
The Harpers executives were esconc- d in one of those pleasantly airy cott- ages at the Beverly Hills Hotel, having coffee when I arrived. After awhile in California, the memory dims of what a hard core Eastern Establishmentarian looks like: tweeds, and pin stripes, rep ies, paunches, and gray, pasty faces. mong them was Brooks Thomas, the irm's chief legal counsel, a careful gen- leman who later would distinguish himself by turning over a book which Harper & Row commissioned on the CIA nvolvement in Southeast Asian drug raffic to the selfsame CIA for pre-pub- ication approval.
mong them was Brooks Thomas, the irm's chief legal counsel, a careful gen- leman who later would distinguish himself by turning over a book which Harper & Row commissioned on the CIA nvolvement in Southeast Asian drug raffic to the selfsame CIA for pre-pub- ication approval.
Not knowing Thomas at that time, I assumed his role would be to keep Har- pers' position in l'affaire Cooper deli- cately committed - but ignorant and thus mot legally culpable. But no. After some dallying around, Thomas said, without blinking an eye, that there were' new terms: before Harpers would commit itself, Cooper would not only have to turn in the money, he would have to sur- render, and would have to be convicted or plead guilty. That I told them, ob- viously was impossible. I concluded that Harpers had become increasingly ner- vous about the Whole affair,and was trying to get off the hook by establishing
impossible conditions. Finally, in fact, Thomas enid they work not internetud
to New York and get the story into print, fake numbers over the actual serial Newsweek was naturally excited about numbers on the three $20 bills - making them appear to be part of the skyjack loot. the story.
Finally, in fact, Thomas enid they work not internetud
to New York and get the story into print, fake numbers over the actual serial Newsweek was naturally excited about numbers on the three $20 bills - making them appear to be part of the skyjack loot. the story. An elaborate cover article was planned, but a mood of caution pre- vailed. My old colleagues in the top ed- itorial positions - "The Flying Wallen. That was enough warning to hold up publication of the story. Within weeks, on June 3, the FBI arrested William John (Jack) Lewis, 32, alias Seth Thomas, and Donald Sylvester Murphy, 49, who said he was Cooper, and charged them, with four counts of federal fraud. Lewis later complained that, the FBI dug up his lawn looking for money and other evidence, but didn't find anything. das," they were called by subaltern writ- ers-trusted me. We had gone through a lot of important stories together. They had printed a story on no evidence but my say-so before, but this was a bigger thing. One had to weigh the risks. The possible benefit of such a story was great. If it were a phony, it could wreck the magazine, one editor said. If only some of the facts could be checked.
If it were a phony, it could wreck the magazine, one editor said. If only some of the facts could be checked.
The FBI began checking some of them upon receipt of the material Morgan had turned over. Sitting in New York, I expected word of Cooper's arrest to come at any minute. The week passed, and nothing happened. The tension was incredible.
Then word came through a pipeline at the Justice Department that the FBI thought the bills which Cooper had shown me and given me photostats of were not for real. How that deduction was made from examining the' photo- stats, without seeing the real bills, I did not and have. not learned. But the FBI said "Cooper" had superimposed
Murphy, it developed, was divorced, the father of three children, and lived not in a surburban home but at the mod- est Higgs House Hotel at 540 4th St. in Bremerton, Wash., a shipbuilding town of about 35,000, near Seattle. He was said to do business as a realty' investment promoter out of the Renard Develop- ment Company at 6608 Kitsap Way
Practically next door, Lewis, mafried, father of three, assistant city manager of
He was said to do business as a realty' investment promoter out of the Renard Develop- ment Company at 6608 Kitsap Way
Practically next door, Lewis, mafried, father of three, assistant city manager of Bremerton for a time (until he couldn't pass the civil service exam) was operat- ing as a land investment broker and as a representative of World Wide Engineer- ing and Product Development.
When they were arrested, I naturally
Nicholas von Hoffman
Is It Fat City or Rat City?
Washington
HEY PUT A PICTURE IN THE sio, a large Nixon campaign contributor, wirings the ather dne at a fine and a business associates of a sonholt
itched to hurry to Seattle and investi .: gate. Morgan dissuaded me, saying that if Lewis and Murphy were in fact con men, their best "made up", defense) would be to suggest that I was implicated with them in a scheme to bilk a publish- ing company and . therefore since we were all conspirators, then how could they be guilty of defrauding me. Morgan cautioned, therefore, against any con- tact.
Afterwards, still seeking information I sent a private investigator to Bremer ton to check on Lewis and Murphy.
Afterwards, still seeking information I sent a private investigator to Bremer ton to check on Lewis and Murphy. Both he learned, had financial troubles in the past that got them involved with the law. Lewis had been part owner of a dance tavern, an automobile speedway, and once had been arrested for stealing a raft of 15 logs.
Murphy had been divorced by his wife, Jacqueline Rose Murphy, in 1970. They had three children. He had been arrest ed for drunken driving, and in her sever al divorce proceeding documents, ;his wife had complained of his being drunk and verbally abusive .; He once "was. heavy equipment operator.
He and Lewis often were seen together at the Melody Lane Bar and Restaurant at 527 Fourth St. in Bremerton, near their offices.Murphy, people told my Investigator, had been on the wagon for a year and only drank coffee when he hung around the Melody Lane Bar, HE was paying alimony and child support and had little visible means of income Nevertheless, a private Investigator In" Bremerton"who has known Murphy for five years would not rule out the possibility .
coffee when he hung around the Melody Lane Bar, HE was paying alimony and child support and had little visible means of income Nevertheless, a private Investigator In" Bremerton"who has known Murphy for five years would not rule out the possibility . Murphy in fact skyjacked the plane . He is smart enough to do it he said. Not only that, Murphy was po ticeably absent from Bremerton and the Metody came during the period of theinvolvement-int Southeast Asiany drug traffic to the selfsame CIA for pro pub Lication approval, WHEN Not knowing Thomas at that time, assumed his role would bo to keep Har- pers" position in l'affaire Cooper dell; cately committed , but ignorant and thus not legally culpable. But no, After some dallying ,around, Thomas' said, without blinking; an,eye' that there" were: new terme li before : Harpers .would 'commit itself Cooper would not only have tof turn in the money, he would have to sur? render, and would have to be convicted ory plead . guilty. That' I' told them, ob- viously was impossible. I concluded that Harpers had become, Increasingly; ner- vous about the whole' affair, 'and-was trying to get off the hook by establishing impossible conditions.
I concluded that Harpers had become, Increasingly; ner- vous about the whole' affair, 'and-was trying to get off the hook by establishing impossible conditions. : Finally, in. fact, Thomas said they were not interested under any conditions.
Aside from the obvious, this present- ed another problem: McCauley had ap- proached. the Harpers : people' 'confi- dentially; Harpers said it was interested; McCauley delivered. a manuscript; Har- pers read it and made an offer, but now was saying it wasn't interested .. At least four, and possibly more, Harpers execu- tives now knew the whole story, I asked Thomas for a collective. promise .of.ab- solute secrecy. He said he didn't know if' that was' possible .: He was, uncertain, he said whether he had a duty as a citizen' to call the FBI. It was not one of the bet- ter days.
$ McCauley Ister wrote me that Thomas is "the kind of person we all remember in grade school-the type who trudges into the cloakroom, hangs up his macki. naw, and then all the other kids rush in and stuff snowballs into his mackinaw bood and pockets.
$ McCauley Ister wrote me that Thomas is "the kind of person we all remember in grade school-the type who trudges into the cloakroom, hangs up his macki. naw, and then all the other kids rush in and stuff snowballs into his mackinaw bood and pockets."
One of the nagging problems about the story was the difficulty and near-im- possibility of verifying any of Cooper's statements. To go to anyone, the airline, to Boeing, and certainly to the FBI to verify the story would not be intelligent. That would be blowing my story, and causing . Cooper's arrest even before anything could be published.
If there was now a chance Thomas or someone else there might talk as seemed likahi then I would have to do something
shown me and fivepor photostage were not for real How that deduction was made from for mining i the;phol stats,- without seeing the real billard did not and . havetnot learned, But the FBI. said."Cooper? "had superimposed
mr Cland Investment broker npdie representative of World Wide Engi ng and Product Development When they were arrested Finaturally
Nicholas vonHoffman
Is It Fat City or Rat City?
AWashington
sio. a large Nixon campaign contributor and, a business associato of C.
Investment broker npdie representative of World Wide Engi ng and Product Development When they were arrested Finaturally
Nicholas vonHoffman
Is It Fat City or Rat City?
AWashington
sio. a large Nixon campaign contributor and, a business associato of C." Arnholt Smith, a. San Diego buddy buddy of the
T
HEY, PUT A PICTURE IN THE papers the other day of a fine, sleek-coated, "long-tailed taking in the sun; noar two old ladies in a park'a fews blocks from the White House. The sound of scratchings .and scrabblings'are audible; in this capital of the world. Claws and fingernails on cement. The news media mice on tilting sheets .- of - glassy&.no comments ... and. Washington's rats.
`In the first days o's the Nixon Adminis: tration the rats were like those of any other city, visible only by night,and then just in the alleys., About the time of the Cambodian invasion. they 'grew more populous and emboldened enough to appear by day scuttling under cars and running across the streets. Now. at the end of the term, with John . Connally heading up the Democrats for Republi" cans Committee, they're in parks, not running but standing still contesting with the pigeons for dry, bread crumbs.
Connally heading up the Democrats for Republi" cans Committee, they're in parks, not running but standing still contesting with the pigeons for dry, bread crumbs. In this city of predators the rats have no natural enemies. Yes, there's a rat abatement program, but like so much under the Nixon Administration it doesn't work. People don't realize that. They think these Republicans are effi. cient because they don't make big, dreamy, Democratic promises and then fail to carry them out .. "
You can break.modest promises too; but that hasn't sunk in any more than the Watergate Scandal or the Milk Scan- dal or the Wheat Scandal or the You; does
TntInthe Blanks scandalin Nor
President Last year John and Angolo ble brother pleaded guilty, to : incomestra pperton. and were sentenced to the Federalohm at Lompoc, Callf.' Unlike the crooks In Rat City they didn't need to penpe,bos cause ' the "New > Republicty (October 21st) reporta, ".,.the: Alessios'bad things much . their own way at Lompoc Fine food, liquor and women. were/enjoyed by them behind bars ... they made 'regu.
their own way at Lompoc Fine food, liquor and women. were/enjoyed by them behind bars ... they made 'regu. lar unauthorized trips , from 'thet insti. tution, often staying: overnight'Mean; while, the prison officials who mado all this possible were being entertained royally: and treated' favorably in' busi- ness deals: by members of the" Alessio family not in prison
Do they have a rodent problem at Lom- poc too? The media mice might like to ask that question also, but they're kept: on a starvation diet by Ron Ziegler, the humanoid - keeper press secretary the President has set over them to feed them occasional pellets of information and grains of news. With presidential press conferences abolished for all practical purposes, the mice must live off Ziegler briefings, and they only have half enough of them because he has the cut the daily briefings from two to one.
With their rations reduced to the lovel of pernicious anemia ilast week, they squeaked at their kooper as he stood in front of the blu fcurtain in the White
Day Campmont operator ponad Lewin often were seen togather at the
to the lovel of pernicious anemia ilast week, they squeaked at their kooper as he stood in front of the blu fcurtain in the White
Day Campmont operator ponad Lewin often were seen togather at the MelodyiL'ano Bar and Restaurant t'as Fourth St. In Bremerton Dea their offices" Murphy's people told my Investigator, had been on the wagon for your and only drank coffee when the hung:around the Melody Line.B was, paying alimony and child- up and bad little visible means of income Nevertheless, privato investiestor In-Bremerton who has known Murphy for dve''years .would not rule out the possibility Murphy's In fact Ckylacked! the plane. "He is smart enough to do It he said .Not only that. Murphy Having ticeably absent from Bremerton,And th Melody> Lane during the period of the kylecking His erstwhile drinking crop
lesdidn't ceo, himst round
Gp fortwo weeksx
wirfand Murphy
Setlistriit Noy: Carry Finegold the red wey who will prosecute for theirovern.
D.B. Cooper hijacked ,Like the other passengers,: he didn't sors auch; but bic doesn't think. William Bylyester, Murphy is D. B. Cooper, Nor does the FBL Las week, military troops were "dispatcher again, to search for Cooper's body Then
Cooper, Nor does the FBL Las week, military troops were "dispatcher again, to search for Cooper's body Then was also : a' rumor that the brother-o Cooper had been located vand he sat Copper did it because he was dring
an Incurable disease: Ther fraud case, wasyet to, boxtrici but strong evidence seemed to be ace. mulating that Donald Sylvester'Murph my Cooper, is not the real Cooper."CEK; A private investigator. checked aga last week and says that Murphy had t been employed at Boeing, and bad military record of as a jumper. Neith fact, of course, is proof that Murphy or did not hijack the airplane. In thec anybody smart enough to pull it off wo be smart enough to concoct.an .elab ately fictitious background for bims Or; anybody smart enough to do it wo be smart enough to do it and. tell. story for money, but tell it in such a that it appeared to be a hoax.
But in the end, or to this point, it se appropriate to conclude that Murph not Cooper, which means I jumped