|
Post by Michael on Dec 2, 2006 8:19:54 GMT -5
The Ernie/Elmer confusion is caused by Sharp. What really happened seems strange compared by what we were lead to believe was (supposed) to have happened. Minners was Ernie's girlfriend and he brought her with him that night. Elmer was Ernie's friend. Basically the truth seems to be that Ernie set Violet up with Elmer as a blind date but came along with his girlfriend to make it a double-date. Gary - since you are working on the Ruby Smith angle I will scan you what I have. That way it will give you time to work through it. It's all I have been able to find so the report you refer to above is something I don't believe I have ever seen before.
|
|
|
Post by gary on Dec 2, 2006 12:26:30 GMT -5
Report made on 5/24/32 in New York City by F.J. Kilmartin based on memeorandums submitted by E.J. Connelley & F Fay.
Investigating 435 E 67th street, a large apartment house with a Paul McMahon as superintendent. When interviewed he informed that he believed the photograph of Violet Sharp exhibited to him was not Violet Sharp but believed was Ruby Smith, employed as a nurse and companion for Mrs McDowell, who resided in one of the apartments. Mr McMahon referred the matter to his son Edward who worked the elevator. Edward Claimed the companion was a Edna Sharp and that he became acquianted with her. In November 1931 Edward and his cousin Thomas Batchelor drove to the Morrow home to pick up Edna and bring her back to the apartment. He was introduced to Violet and from 9-11 Pm had general conversation but remembers they particularly discussed a party held at Englewood two weeks prior where two men had a rough altercation over a girl. This was the only time he saw Violet but is convinced the photo exhibited to him was also Ruby Smith and not Violet Sharp. Ruby Smith who was a friend of Edna.
A week after the kidnapping He Edward McMahon was requested by Edna Sharp to remove two trunks from the cellar of the apartment complex. They were stored there since the termination of her employment (Mrs McDowell since passed away Dec 1931. Edward drove them to Englewood and then transported by Taxi to the Morrow estate addressed to Violet. Edna and Ruby Smith accompanied him on this trip. (Apparently they were driven in by Taxi because Edward was worried about some ordinance of the trunks carried on the side of the car).
Upon Edna leaving the states Edward was told by her that her intentions were only to visit home in England for several months and would return. That he attained Ruby Smith's address, 72nd and Park ave, and her telephone number. Edward furnished a photo of Edna and said he had no conversations with her concerning the kidnapping.
--------------------------------------- There are other neat footnotes in the report about Banks and Violet receiving treatment for a scalp condition.
|
|
rick for Edna Sharpe
Guest
|
Post by rick for Edna Sharpe on Dec 2, 2006 14:46:42 GMT -5
Hello Edna: did you notice that Violet forgot to mention your name or presence in her March 10th statement to the Newark cops? By the time of the next interview by Harry Walsh on April 13th you are already in Tupps Broth, England? Thats pretty transparent/ you better get out of towne ASAP!.
|
|
mairi
Lieutenant
Posts: 548
|
Post by mairi on Dec 2, 2006 15:34:58 GMT -5
I never saw such a great and information collection of posts!! And Rick is even talking to the ghost of Edna! Am glad to see the ransom notes seemingly put to rest. I agree that Rosner hadn't had the time to spread the ransom note/symbol around before other notes were post marked . I don't aim to interrupt the subjects being worked on right now, but at some point in future I hope we can wrestle with Mary Cerritta's connection to the notes. The Breckenbridge/Breckenbridge can't just be an accident, in my view. If V is protecting someone else- wouldn't it pretty much have to be Edna(?) But even there---suicide? I go back to the fact that she checked herself out of the hosp against doc's advice right after baby found. Did she feel the need to get home to get rid of something there at the house(?)
|
|
|
Post by Michael on Dec 2, 2006 15:39:15 GMT -5
Gary....that's the report I have. Sorry I couldn't find more, however, I will keep my ear to the wall. You never know what will turn up in the FBI reports because they contain so much about so many differing topics.
|
|
mairi
Lieutenant
Posts: 548
|
Post by mairi on Dec 2, 2006 17:07:58 GMT -5
Just had a thought. Forgive me if this complicates the car count, Rick Violet or Edna has to sit on the other's lap the first time they meet Ernie Miller. Suppose his car is a 2 seater? Then on the night of the double date they come in the other man's car--which seats the 4 people. One other thing which crossed my mind. If one is of a suicidal bent, why go have a tonsillectomy first? Then there is the saucy wink--wasn't that only about 2 1/2wks before 10 June? Rather seems to narrow the time frame for her to become suicidal(?) Of course the wink doesn't prove anything. Perhaps it's just whistling past the graveyard(?)
|
|
|
Post by rick3 on Dec 3, 2006 12:19:55 GMT -5
Gary--almost lost you there/ the TP roll runs out fast on a Saturday? The report you found on Ruby Smith is amazing: (where did you discover it?) So, what are we to make of all this? Is Violet masquerading as Ruby Smith over in NYC? Are the girls always "role playing" when they are out together? Very clever? After all, "Ruby" is a color just like "Violet"? and Smith don't mean nuttin"? What game can these girls be playing? Its interesting that both of them specifically say "we didn't have any male or female companions"? Which logically brings me to my second point; Both girls were hospitalized within the same calendar year? Edna in 1931 for a hernia and Violet in 1932 for tonsillitis? After Edna's hospitalization she spent 2 weeks in a Womens Home in White Plains NY--about 10 miles from the Peanut Grill? And it marks the end of Edna's tenure at Constance Chiltons Little School? But at Renelle's Hoax site: web.archive.org/web/20011221211353/www.lindberghkidnappinghoax.com/sharpe.html....there is the suggestion that Violets tonsillitis was really an abortion? Combined with Charlie's demise could this have been the secret kept by Margarite Junges? Could this have been what Violet was worried she would say under anesthesia?
|
|
|
Post by gary on Dec 3, 2006 12:48:47 GMT -5
Hi Rick. The report came from NJ state police files that I copied when I was there.
I do not believe there is a masquerade here but who knows maybe someone was considered somewhere where in fact it was someone else.
I believe when there is smoke there can be a fire. The fact Edna left when she did is truly amazing. This is especially knowing Violet's health at this time.
Questions I have begin with the testimony at the trial. Violet was seen at a ferry and I know this could be false testimony but for a moment lets consider it was not Violet but someone important and linked to the case. I would like to look at this closer if I can.
What is the attachment of Edna to Elizabeth's school ?What contact might she have had with Charlie when she was there.
Ruby Smith apparently is close to Edna. Why was she not interviewed concerning the Sharps. If she was where is it?
What was in these two trunks? Where did it end up?
Is it not a special note that Ruby Smith was a nurse? Would she not be a perfect fit if someone was intended to watch the child and take care of him.
I always run into dead ends and I always find new information that detours me to look in other avenues. This could be one of them but if we don't look at these kind of things we might never know. I believe the true facts if we were to know them would be extraordinary and perhaps unthinkable and beyond just Hauptmann doing it. It baffled the investigators then even those that are convinced Hauptmann is the only one involved in this crime. If they are honest with themselves it still doesn't figure how he did this all by himself.
|
|
|
Post by rick on Dec 3, 2006 18:08:26 GMT -5
Hi Gary--these are great leads; and hard to follow or understand? - How do you account for the missed identifications by the father and son superintendents at Edna's apartment if Violet isn't playing Ruby Smith some times? They just look alike?
- It is quite fascinating that Edna applied for a Visa the very day of the snatch--doesn't this show prior knowledge or fear?
- yes, its a good idea to check out Ruby as a nanny too! If we can ever find her again?
- Bill Norris takes credit for finding William O'Brien as the Pharmacist--he would be good to check out for the cyanide too?
Norris guesses that Dwight Jr is the father of Violets fetus?
- In general, suicide is a loner crime--friends presence can prevent you from making such a big mistake?
- Is Violets address book in the archives along with her ribald poems? Violet was no shrinking Daisy--she was wild, clever and tough. She got into something way over her head at Next Day.
|
|
|
Post by rick for Michael on Dec 3, 2006 18:31:10 GMT -5
Hi Michael--with regards to searching Violets room at Next Day Hill maybe you could take a stab at how the division of labor works? What I mean is between the Newark PD and the BOI?
It would appear that BOI Agent Murphy finds Ernie Brinkert 6 days before the suicide of Violet Sharpe. Does he then inform Harry Walsh of his interview w/ Brinkert in White Plains? So who finds the Post Road Taxi Cards? Is it because Ernie is Out of State? If Ernie could have been brought to Next Day it could have prevented Violets suicide? Or precipitate it?
The same goes for Agent Kilmartin and his inquiries at Edna Sharpe's apartment in NYC and the discovery of Ruby Smith? Is this inquiry independent of Harry Walsh too?
There are two odd reports in the newspapers after Violets death. One is that Ernest Brinkert has been a suspect since March 1932. The second has to do with the testimony of Katherine Minners--she too says she gave her first statement to police in March 1932? It seems unlikely that either of these can be true?
|
|
mairi
Lieutenant
Posts: 548
|
Post by mairi on Dec 3, 2006 21:56:10 GMT -5
Nurse and companion to Mrs McDowell? How's the chance both Ruby Smith and Edna worked for her--one daytime and one nighttime? Or the father merely gets the names mixed up? I also wonder which photo was being used. Go back to those three ID-ed as Violet.The two which Rick called "in drag" bear utterly no resemblance to the third photo to my eye. None. Since the son, Edward furnishes police with photo of Edna, wonder if it still exists? Or is it one mixed with above mentioned photos?
|
|
mairi
Lieutenant
Posts: 548
|
Post by mairi on Dec 4, 2006 18:45:41 GMT -5
Am just trying out some puzzle pieces, here. Please sing out if you can help me sort through There's nothing awful about going to the Peanut Grill (that I can see). There's nothing awful that we know of , about who she was wiith. Yet she struggles to hide both, as if either could lead back to the real thing she wishes to hide. Did she recognize someone(s) at the Grill who didn't want to be recognized (?) Did they let her know that -either then or later by phone. (Maybe a threat issued, implied or intuited?) Could these be the ones asking directions to the ferry? She gets home to the news that the baby was stolen. Is there something she begins to put together? So she lies, denies and buys time the best she can. She seems very worried about what she might have said under anesthesia. Then the baby is found dead. She feels herself in such a tight spot and with police continuing to close in on her that she can see no way out but suicide. The world will blame her for the baby's death because of what she sought to hide(?)
|
|
|
Post by Giszmo on Dec 4, 2006 22:30:58 GMT -5
There's nothing awful about going to the Peanut Grill (that I can see). (Mairi) Hi Mairi, the only thing I can think of is that it was still Prohibition, so it was illegal to go there since it was technically a speakeasy or roadhouse. But it still makes you wonder if by 1932 going to a Speakeasy was still seen as "taboo" as it once was. After all, I think Prohibition was lifted a year or so later. Anyway, you put together a *very* interesting scenario... -Gismo
|
|
mairi
Lieutenant
Posts: 548
|
Post by mairi on Dec 4, 2006 23:36:44 GMT -5
Thanx Giszmo~You contributed to my "larnin'" I guess I had sensed that there was something unseemly about a speakeasy, but didn't know they were illegal. Am glad to have the better definition of them. Violet does yield first on where she was then, but continues to try to block something her dates might be a trail back to. Wish I could read the interview of her companions that night. Good Wishes
|
|
|
Post by Michael on Dec 5, 2006 19:50:16 GMT -5
During the May 21st interview of Violet Sharp, the NJSP searched Violet's room very thoroughly. SAC Fay was among those who were present during this search. These items were gathered and taken to Trenton. On May 23rd Fay writes a detailed report concerning these items. In this report the card bearing the name of the Post Road Taxi is noted. A copy of this report was given to the NJSP and they asked the FBI to investigate these items and handle this entire angle of the investigation.
Agents Kilmartin and Murphy immediately begin investigating. They find the Taxi Service was once owned by Ernest Brinkert and within days locate and interview him. Copies of their reports are handed to Schwarzkopf. What appears to happen is that on June 7th Inspector Walsh gets a copy of Agent Murphy's first report which mentions Ernest Brinkert but doesn't get a copy of the next report where he was located.
No one contacts the FBI.
Walsh, Moffett (Newark PD) and Horn attempt to locate Brinkert but cannot. They do get a photo however and this is the one shown to Violet which she supposedly identifies on June 9th. On June 10th Violet kills herself and the NJSP immediately put out an APB for Brinkert. The FBI see this over the wire and contact the NJSP telling them they could locate Brinkert....Schwarzkopf tells them they already found him.
On June 14th Insp. Walsh finally receives the May 25th report written by Agent Murphy wherein it details their locating and interviewing Brinkert. Walsh demands to know why the FBI undertook an independent investigation and didn't share what they discovered. He is informed this information had been obtained at the request of the NJSP and that all reports had been promptly submitted to Schwarzkopf. Walsh then slams the NJSP and says that Val O'Farrell's recent articles criticizing the NJSP were accurate.
It was Hoover's position that had the NJSP properly coordinated and consulted the FBI during each phase, as they should have, Violet Sharp's suicide could have been prevented.
Schwarzkopf would later point to this matter and claim the FBI was conducting investigation without his knowledge and trying to wrestle away control of the case from him. Lindbergh would get involved and criticize the FBI.
Another search of Violet's room occurs on 6-15-32
|
|
rick for mike and ernie
Guest
|
Post by rick for mike and ernie on Dec 5, 2006 20:19:01 GMT -5
The Landmark/ Statesville NC/ Tuesday June 14th 1932:
Headline: Will Investigate Police Bungling
Trenton, NJ, June 13th/ Senator Everson L. Richards, Republican leader, today asserted an investigation of the entire police handling of the Lindbergh kidnapping case was virtually a certainty. The Lindbergh case "has been slaughtered to make a Democratic holiday" he said.
|
|
|
Post by rick3 on Dec 24, 2006 12:45:39 GMT -5
Hi Michael: Merry Xmas! No matter how many times we consider the searches of Violet's room at Next Day Hill and the discovery of the Post Road Taxi Cards...it doesnt add up? From sue: There's an advertisement for Post Road Taxi from 1931 -- cgi.ebay.com/RKO-Keiths-Theatre-White-Plains-NY-Vintage-Program_W0QQitemZ330043867965QQihZ014QQcategoryZ2367QQ[If you look very closely you can see 1/2 an ad for Post Road Taxi in White Plains NY @ 35 cents] - No matter which interview or search of Violet the cards were found they were likely to have a telephone number, an address and name on them?
- Has anyone seen or saved a Post Road Taxi Card?
- How much real sleuthing does it take to find a person advertising a Taxi business? [hours, days, weeks or months]
- Under the circumstances, why would Brinkert admit to knowing Violet or her sister?
TO: Kevin-- Merry Xmas: I fully agree/ if you plan a kidnap for "over one year" you dont over build a ladder that mismatches the nursery window at Highfields? It looks like a Next Day Hill ladder to me too.
|
|
kevkon
Lt. Colonel
Posts: 2,800
|
Post by kevkon on Dec 24, 2006 16:41:19 GMT -5
Merry Christmas Rick
What dimensions at Next Day Hill make you feel the ladder is more suitable there? More importantly why would the main design criteria of the ladder be appropriate for the Englewood location?
|
|
|
Post by rick for kev on Dec 24, 2006 16:49:19 GMT -5
Its more a process of elimination or exclusion: - The existing ladder is the wrong height for Hopewell.
- The third section is carried but not used.
- Although noone has ever said what room Charlie occupied at Next Day Hill, its the only other alternative kidnap site.
- It appears to be a last minute change of plans?
|
|
|
Post by sue75 on Dec 24, 2006 17:20:24 GMT -5
Rick, whiteplainshistory.org/index.htmlAsk the White Plains Historical Society if they have an extra Post Road Taxi card to give you. Aren't they freely given out? Here's my card... Sue
|
|
|
Post by rick for michael on Feb 4, 2007 11:42:07 GMT -5
Casimir Palmer--Nazi Hunter page 138 The American Axis--Wallace
"In a letter to Professor Nathan Issacs of the American Jewish Committee dated May 11 1937, detective Casimir Palmer--Issacs former colleaque in the US Military Intellegence Division--complained that "Henry Ford and his suboridinates Ernest (Ernie?) Liebold, WJ Cameron, and others (Firtz Kuhn) have turned the Chemistry Division of the Ford Motor Company into the Headquarters of the Nazis here"". end quote
This is a pretty high powered dude for Hoffmans reinvestigation?
|
|
|
Post by Michael on Feb 4, 2007 14:07:47 GMT -5
That's the same guy Rick although I don't know if we can place him into the same category as some of the other Investigators in terms of having access to what the Governor did. Palmer at one time worked for the British Secret Service and claimed to have solved the Black Tom Sabotage. www.njcu.edu/programs/jchistory/Pages/B_Pages/Black_Tom_Explosion.htmLike McNally, he was big into the Nosovitzky/J.J. Faulkner angle, and Gov. Hoffman arranged him an opportunity to discuss his views one on one with Wallace (NJSP) at one point. Wallace would later comment, in essence, that Palmer didn't have his facts straight. Joe, and Ronelle have a lot of knowledge concerning this guy too. They both have been looking hard at his theories. One of the biggest blunders I ever made researching this case was buying an "uncorrected and unedited proof" of the American Axis thinking I would have information that might be later removed from the publication. Great idea right? Wrong. I don't have an index and let me tell you it really sucks when you try to look things up.
|
|
|
Post by rick3 on Feb 5, 2007 15:47:35 GMT -5
Michael: In reference to Casimir Palmer, I would say that not one single person on the NJSP, including Det. Harry Walsh, had their own facts straight. Why, because we still cant unravel simple things they said and did? Like Violets interviews (re:Gardner). See Palmers alias': en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casimir_Pilenas- I don't even know who Wallace is....? Or his role in the LKC without researching him? John B. (NJSP) or William (NYSP)?
- I will be happy to make a copy of my own Index from Max Wallace===the American Axis. Having Henry Ford for a mentor does not help CALs case one little bit? Casimir Palmer appears on 5 pages. Name index for American Axis:
www.namebase.org/sources/gL.html
- It sure is interesting to me that a high powered, experienced PI like Palmer saw fit to get involved with Hoffman? Palmer has his own detective agency in New York City....see American Axis.
- If you recall, Gaston Means is implicated in the Thomas F. Rice letter too:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casimir_Pilenas
|
|
|
Post by Michael on Feb 6, 2007 22:11:19 GMT -5
Thanks again for that index.... I don't know how you found it but I'm glad you did - its very helpful. Above is a copy of Palmer's card. Also, the answer to your question is John Wallace (NJSP). He was a Lt. at the time and wasn't signing his name with the middle initial "B" until sometime in the 1950's. Wallace was one of the Troopers the Governor trusted and the story behind it is interesting.... When the Governor was on one side and Schwarzkopf & Wilentz were are the other, Troopers found themselves in a very bad situation. Most threw their support behind Schwarzkopf while a few quietly leaked information to the Governor & Kimberling. Wallace was actually one of those who favored Schwarzkopf, however, somehow Hauptmann told Fisher that Wallace was truthful and honest. Fisher then relayed this information to Hoffman who then trusted him to continue to run down information for him concerning the case after Kimberling came in. It's what makes it so ironic that Wallace was named in Anna Hauptmann's wrongful death suit.
|
|
|
Post by rick33 on Feb 19, 2007 15:19:34 GMT -5
Michael....Whatelys were from Birmingham, England and Betty Gow was from Glascow Scotland.....so.....why would Elsie's brother in law know Scottie Gow??? Doesnt make no sense at all?
Who started the Scottie Gow rumor if there was one? Some ex-con named James F. Dooley from Leavenworth mentions him in Hysteria by Dutch and James W. Dooley name comes up again in the FBI reports. Both Dooleys are associated w/ New York Daily Mirror....page 305-309 FBI files.
Did Betty Gow live with any jockey at any time in Detroit?
|
|
|
Post by sue75 on Feb 19, 2007 15:45:52 GMT -5
According to Jim Fisher, Scotty Gow = No connection to the Lindbergh case.
See page 106 in Ghosts of Hopewell.
|
|
|
Post by Michael on Feb 19, 2007 20:02:41 GMT -5
James W. Dooley AKA William "Bill" Dooley was (another) Former Federal Agent turned Criminal. He was deep into the Leavenworth angle having been there when it was discussed.
This also crossed over into the Purple Gang/Harry Fleischer angle.
It appears Scottie Gow is first mentioned by the FBI who received a tip as early as March 2nd that Scottie Gow was a member of the Purple Gang and that he had been previously seen in the company of Betty Gow. This was investigated by both the FBI (Purvis) and the Detroit Police. None of this information panned out.
I believe Reilly attempted to bring this up during the trial apparently thinking he had something to rattle Gow but it failed miserably.
|
|
|
Post by rick on Feb 19, 2007 20:25:25 GMT -5
Hello Everybody....unless you accept that BRH is in fact the one, the only, self-caught Lone Wolfe then you must admit the entire LKC was bungled and bamboozled and fumbled for 30 odd months by everyone involved: The NJSP/the NYSP/ the BOI and the OSS/ and anyone else you can think of? Every single lead ended up in a DEAD END which should make us believe that the crime never even happened? Name anyone, but especially the INSIDERS like Gow, Whateleys, Sharpe, Ellerson, Banks, Junges, and you come up with an absolute rock solid guarantee from CAL, ANNE and BETTY Morrow--every single person is totally innozent! Do you believe that? So, there were some mistakes made, and leads covered up or changed into nothingness. We need to recheck and find the errors and miscalculaltions.
Mairi, as for all the cars, well I just dont know. They could be Red, perps, or sightseers or red herrings. There are at least two cars on Featherbed Lane but we dont know if one is CALs?
|
|
|
Post by rita on Aug 20, 2007 23:27:03 GMT -5
Ther are just too many unexplained happenings in this case, Elizabeth driven by Elerson to Hopewell on saturday against Dwight Sr. warning, and no proper investigation of family and employee movements. It does seem Mrs. Morrow is suggesting something else happened, and hiring her own detective appears as dissbelief of their kidnap story.
|
|
dena
Detective
Posts: 129
|
Post by dena on Mar 3, 2008 4:04:41 GMT -5
I don't have a very good handle on chemistry so I may be incorrect on exactly how different poisons work on the body. But it seems as if the poison/polish Violet sawllowed was very caustic. And while of course painful , might have burned her mouth & throat immediately after ingestion. Would Violet have even been ABLE to scream if she had actually taken this?
Dena Rambling nut from other board
|
|