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Post by Deleted on Jul 29, 2018 9:26:17 GMT -5
Michael,
I read with great interest your section on Al Reich (starting page 354 TDC II). He is a person of interest to me. I also agree that Reich was not given the investigative attention that he should have received. Do you think they more or less let him slide under the radar because of his connection to Condon?
I found your information that Reich might have been involved with the illegal drug pushers very surprising. I never knew about this possibility. I am aware that drugs and drug use was always associated with the boxing industry since organized crime was also involved with boxing. Is it possible that someone like Reich could have been used as "muscle" by organized crime as it relates to drug pushing/buying?
Since Al lived on City Island, did they have a local police station on this island?
Most intriguing of all was your suggestion that Al Reich might have been the connecting factor between Condon and Hauptmann. I think there are real possibilities in that.
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Post by Michael on Jul 29, 2018 10:19:43 GMT -5
Thanks Amy because I find it interesting too. We see evidence by and through Lindbergh's own actions that he did not trust Reich (or Condon). Then comes the Cops "forgetting" about him or believing the "other guy" investigated him. By the time they get their act together its pretty much at the 11th hour and it still never actually got done because their real focus eventually was on Condon. That was because he's the guy they needed to identify, and like Reich said...he was just a "dot" in the "i" as far as the State was concerned. I don't know the answer but I am hoping it generates enough new interest in him that we start to learn more than what we have now.
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Post by hurtelable on Jul 29, 2018 20:28:01 GMT -5
Michael, I read with get interest your section on Al Reich (starting page 354 TDC II). He is a person of interest to me. I also agree that Reich was not given the investigative attention that he should have received. Do you think they more or less let him slide under the radar because of his connection to Condon? I found your information that Reich might have been involved with the illegal drug pushers very surprising. I never knew about this possibility. I am aware that drugs and drug use was always associated with the boxing industry since organized crime was also involved with boxing. Is it possible that someone like Reich could have been used as "muscle" by organized crime as it relates to drug pushing/buying? Since Al lived on City Island, did they have a local police station on this island? Most intriguing of all was your suggestion that Al Reich might have been the connecting factor between Condon and Hauptmann. I think there are real possibilities in that. Could be that Reich was treated more leniently by authorities than he otherwise would be because of his sports celebrity status. Professional boxing was much bigger in the sports world of the early decades of the twentieth century as compared to the last few decades. In fact, boxing was probably the second most popular spectator sport in the country next to baseball. And Reich, as a heavyweight who rose to the higher echelons of the heavyweight division, would have been more of a name than most pro boxers of his era. Now here's something that could be interesting about Reich. Looking up he biographical data, he died in the town of Ossining, NY, which was apparently his last place of residence. Ossining, although other enterprises were going on there, would have been best known for its infamous maximum security prison, Sing-Sing. Now why Reich would have lived out his years in a prison town, I have no idea. I don't know if he had any criminal history or if he ever worked in the NY State prison system.
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jack7
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Post by jack7 on Jul 30, 2018 3:06:00 GMT -5
Reich was just an old man - plagued by his past - he was a good companion for Condon, but didn't contribute any information on anything.
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Post by Michael on Jul 30, 2018 7:03:46 GMT -5
Reich was just an old man - plagued by his past - he was a good companion for Condon, but didn't contribute any information on anything. One the most impressive things Reich ever did was morph into Kay Condon. How did the Police ever let that one go? Or when Myra body snatched Breckinridge. Again, how did the Police let that go?
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Post by wolfman666 on Jul 30, 2018 9:13:00 GMT -5
yes jack, when they want to dismiss the lone wolf theory they start pointing fingers at anybody and everybody in this case with no viable proof. that's the way this case goes, ive heard it for 30 something years
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Post by Deleted on Jul 30, 2018 12:50:30 GMT -5
Thanks Amy because I find it interesting too. We see evidence by and through Lindbergh's own actions that he did not trust Reich (or Condon). Then comes the Cops "forgetting" about him or believing the "other guy" investigated him. By the time they get their act together its pretty much at the 11th hour and it still never actually got done because their real focus eventually was on Condon. That was because he's the guy they needed to identify, and like Reich said...he was just a "dot" in the "i" as far as the State was concerned. I don't know the answer but I am hoping it generates enough new interest in him that we start to learn more than what we have now. So Reich was just small potatoes in the scheme of things as far as the authorities went? What I don't get is, if Condon is the one who really mattered to investigators because he is the only one who could identify CJ, why were they investigating him, doing things like tearing into Condon's wall of his study at the Decatur Ave. house and digging up his property around his shack on City Island. They are sending a loud and clear message to Condon that they don't see him as being very innocent. They don't seem too concerned about alienating Condon by doing these things. So what is the purpose then? Are they trying to get a confession or just honest, straight answers from Condon about his role in the extortion? Was there any concern by the NYPD or the FBI that Lindbergh might step in or become angered if too much pressure is put on Condon?
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Post by Deleted on Jul 30, 2018 13:24:01 GMT -5
Could be that Reich was treated more leniently by authorities than he otherwise would be because of his sports celebrity status. Professional boxing was much bigger in the sports world of the early decades of the twentieth century as compared to the last few decades. In fact, boxing was probably the second most popular spectator sport in the country next to baseball. And Reich, as a heavyweight who rose to the higher echelons of the heavyweight division, would have been more of a name than most pro boxers of his era. Perhaps that entered into it but just how much weight that carried with authorities would probably have varied amongst them. In the police conference held May 18, 1932, in Col Schwarzkopf's office, Inspector Walsh said the following about Al Reich, " Al is a former boxer * about 12 or 15 years ago, he was good but is now somewhat punch drunk and is a continuous associate of the doctor, he is actually a body guard." Walsh also said in this conversation when asked if he thought Condon was on the level, he responded with "No". So if you think Condon is not on the level, why should you be dismissive of the person who is closest to him during all of this? I have read Al's obituary and noted that he was residing there at the time of his death. This move out of the Bronx apparently occurred sometime later perhaps in the 1950s. Al and Agnes were still living in the Bronx as late as 1949, residing at 1828 Waterloo Place, Bronx. They were doing some traveling at this time, sailing to Bermuda and also to Europe. Perhaps once Al retired from his job refereeing for the New York State Athletic Commission, he just wanted to get away from that life and relocated?? I shall have to take a look at this more, I suppose. I am not aware of him working in the NY state prison system but Sing-Sing probably had inmates who boxed so maybe he could have been involved with that in some way? Were you aware that Al's youngest brother, Ernie Reich played for the original New York Celtics pro basketball team in 1920? He was one of the best basketball players at that time. His passed away in 1922 from pneumonia. Very sad.
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jack7
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Post by jack7 on Jul 30, 2018 14:45:23 GMT -5
Reich was punch-drunk from about the age of thirty on, so what he did was probably by the direction of others. He made the heavyweight record books, but not much of a splash.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 30, 2018 15:27:27 GMT -5
Reich was punch-drunk from about the age of thirty on, so what he did was probably by the direction of others. He made the heavyweight record books, but not much of a splash. So what is punch drunk? Does that mean something is wrong with your brain? Why would Condon want someone like that for a body guard?
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jack7
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Post by jack7 on Jul 30, 2018 15:52:30 GMT -5
Yes - punch-drunk is scatter brain. Retarded by blows to the head. Most fighters got it and still do. Reich was functional and sounds like a nice guy, but not all there.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 30, 2018 16:53:16 GMT -5
Thanks, Jack. I had heard the term before but was not sure what it meant.
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jack7
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Post by jack7 on Jul 30, 2018 20:51:09 GMT -5
OK Amy - nice to talk with you again!
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Post by Michael on Jul 31, 2018 9:01:43 GMT -5
So Reich was just small potatoes in the scheme of things as far as the authorities went? What I don't get is, if Condon is the one who really mattered to investigators because he is the only one who could identify CJ, why were they investigating him, doing things like tearing into Condon's wall of his study at the Decatur Ave. house and digging up his property around his shack on City Island. They are sending a loud and clear message to Condon that they don't see him as being very innocent. They don't seem too concerned about alienating Condon by doing these things. So what is the purpose then? Are they trying to get a confession or just honest, straight answers from Condon about his role in the extortion? Was there any concern by the NYPD or the FBI that Lindbergh might step in or become angered if too much pressure is put on Condon? It's hard to explain but I think it was multiple factors for exactly why Reich seemed to be less interesting to them. It's hard to believe he fell through the cracks but that seems to be one of them. I think the "key" was Condon and they knew it so Reich was probably viewed more as a "tool." As far as Condon was concerned it was all about timing.... What was going on at that time? What was the mood? The first instance we see he got off the hook because of the feuding & jealousies between LE organizations. Remember that Lindbergh came on board with Hauptmann after he lied about recognizing his voice so once Condon went off the reservation - their goal was to either bring him back into the fold or find something to tie him in with Hauptmann. Meanwhile, Condon was down south searching for a scapegoat so he didn't have to testify against him. So we have Lindbergh ready to testify and Condon doing everything in his power not to. In the end it was an either "me" or "him" scenario. Either he testified and risked physical harm, or he didn't and went to prison. Condon rolled the dice at the very last moment by opting to testify.
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geld
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Post by geld on Jul 31, 2018 14:02:33 GMT -5
How does this play; BRK went to the Schmeling-Jack Sharkey fight. Did Reich provide the tickets? This was in June -32, Anna was in Germany then!!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 31, 2018 16:22:33 GMT -5
Interesting thought geld. For a big fight like that, it would probably have been helpful knowing someone like Reich who would have connections so you could get ring-side seats!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 31, 2018 16:56:53 GMT -5
Michael,
In TDC II, page 356, you quote Mark Falzini's wonderful book (Their Fifteen Minutes) about Al Reich:
Reich continued to "keep busy as a licensed referee for professional wrestling and boxing matches in New York State."
Mark's book provides no time line for when Reich started doing this. The 1930 census has Al's occupation as being in Battery Service in the automotive field. Perhaps being a referee was a part time thing for him at first?
You also mention on this same page that the odds were higher that Reich could have been the one to encounter Hauptmann before Condon did. I tend to agree with this because Hauptmann was interested in boxing and gymnastics as far back as his apprenticeship in Germany before he went into the war. The man he worked under in Germany encouraged his young workers to be physically active and Hauptmann joined the local athletic club at that time.
It seems logical that once Hauptmann arrived in America, he would eventually pursue his athletic interests. In January of 1935 Anna Hauptmann was interviewed by Damon Runyon. In this article Hauptmann's interest in gymnastics, wrestling, boxing and other sports is discussed. Anna tells Runyon Hauptmann once planned to join an athletic organization in Brooklyn. Anna had encouraged him in this but he changed his mind and she did not know the reason for that. There was a very popular club in Brooklyn called the Broadway Sporting Club. Many fights were held there including some of Al Reich's bouts were fought there. If Reich is indeed refereeing wrestling and boxing matches, it appears to me that Reich and Hauptmann could have easily encountered each other at such a club.
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Post by Michael on Aug 1, 2018 7:33:41 GMT -5
Mark's book provides no time line for when Reich started doing this. The 1930 census has Al's occupation as being in Battery Service in the automotive field. Perhaps being a referee was a part time thing for him at first? The only information I have on this came from Mark's book. I wish I had more but I don't. Obviously the police dropped the ball when it concerned him. If Reich is indeed refereeing wrestling and boxing matches, it appears to me that Reich and Hauptmann could have easily encountered each other at such a club. Keep searching Amy. What you are doing is exactly how things come together. And if they don't you're no worse off and much more knowledgeable. On page 319 I wrote about the "Condon Investigation." If you go to footnote #972 you'll see the subject included whether both Condon & Reich knew Hauptmann. Other reports only mention Condon. But the fact remains, Leon was supposed to be checking out BOTH Condon and Reich but while he did speak to Reich briefly, because I've got all of the reports, it is very easy to see Leon was focused on Condon and not Reich.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 1, 2018 10:02:47 GMT -5
On page 319 I wrote about the "Condon Investigation." If you go to footnote #972 you'll see the subject included whether both Condon & Reich knew Hauptmann. Other reports only mention Condon. But the fact remains, Leon was supposed to be checking out BOTH Condon and Reich but while he did speak to Reich briefly, because I've got all of the reports, it is very easy to see Leon was focused on Condon and not Reich. I did check out this footnote and what you wrote surrounding this investigation and I agree from what you have shared that the primary focus was on Condon. I do not know what Leon shares about Reich in this report but I guess Leon clearly kept Condon as the center point of the investigation and didn't pursue a possible link between Reich and Hauptmann. Your book has given me much new material to research and is keeping me very busy. I certainly will keep searching into Condon and Reich and Hauptmann. Reich should have been investigated just like others were. He was closely involved with Condon and the negotiations resulting in the ransom payment. In May of 1932 (after the body of Charlie had been found), Al Reich was interviewed by Walter Trumbull about his life and boxing career and the upcoming Sharkey-Schmeling fight in June. Reich talked openly about his boxing career and about his eventual exit from professional boxing. He told Trumbull that after he quit "the leather-pushing business" he owned and operated a battery service station on City Island. Reich also talked about his City Island bungalow which included a garage and a private gymnasium. Another person who believed in staying in shape was Richard Hauptmann. No doubt it is one of the things that drew BRH to a Brooklyn athletic club and the possibility that Reich and Hauptmann might have become acquainted. Since Hauptmann was a regular visitor to City Island and Reich lived there and had that service station, there is always the possibility that once again Reich and Hauptmann came into contact. Both sharing a great interest in boxing and wrestling, perhaps Reich even showed Hauptmann his private gym. So I find myself wondering if this is where Condon might have actually encountered Hauptmann - at Al Reich's place/gym. The reason I suggest this comes from the first meeting of Condon and Hauptmann at the Greenwich Street police station on September 20, 1934. Condon was brought in to identify Hauptmann as being CJ. During this long and unusual IDing process, Condon eventually singles out Hauptmann and speaks extendedly with him. There is a portion of that conversation that I find telling considering that Condon supposedly had no prior knowledge of Hauptmann. After discussing Hauptmann's weight the following exchange takes place. Here is that segment: CONDON - Did you ever run in races? HAUPTMANN - No. CONDON - Did you ever take exercise in German turning school? HAUPTMANN - Not here; over there. CONDON - In the old country? HAUPTMANN - Yes. CONDON - You can climb pretty well with your hands? HAUPTMANN - I used to do it in school as a child. CONDON - In gymnasium? HAUPTMANN - Yes; gymnastic school. This whole exchange is odd. Why is Condon bringing up gymnastics and gyms? These are things that are from Hauptmann's past and also something he must have still indulged in living in America. Once the story broke about BRH and pictures of him were appearing in newspapers, Hauptmann's physical appearance was something that was often commented on by reporters. His physique was described numerous times as that of a boxer. Even Lindbergh had noted Hauptmann's physical appearance. Hauptmann had been staying in shape. Perhaps had authorities taken a closer look at Al Reich, they might have found a connecting point between these men. All three of them had City Island, boxing, and real estate in common. All three of them also ended up involved with the Lindbergh baby kidnapping case. Is it really all just coincidence??
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Post by hurtelable on Aug 1, 2018 12:15:57 GMT -5
How does this play; BRK went to the Schmeling-Jack Sharkey fight. Did Reich provide the tickets? This was in June -32, Anna was in Germany then!! I think you might mean BRH (Bruno Richard Hauptmann), instead of BRK. How did you find out that Hauptmann went to this fight? This was a heavyweight world championship bout, held at the now defunct Long Island City Bowl in Queens, NYC, a venue which could seat something in the order of 80,000 spectators. Schmeling won the title from Sharkey on a split decision. If this is true, it suggests that Hauptmann was probably a big boxing fan, which could possibly have been the basis for a relationship with Condon and/or Reich c. March 1932. Also, Hauptmann's interest in that fight would have been enhanced by the fact that Schmeling was his countryman from Germany.
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Post by hurtelable on Aug 1, 2018 13:11:04 GMT -5
In this instance, I think that Condon's words do make some sense. Remember that Condon is there to try to ID Hauptmann as CJ. Well, Condon had told authorities about what had transpired with CJ in and around Woodlawn Cemetery and it was all in the police records. The references to gymnastics and gyms were logically provoked by CJ's leaping over a wall (or was it a fence?) at Woodlawn. Condon logically thought that someone capable of such a maneuver might have had some gymnastid training in the past, so he's using this is a possible identifying factor for CJ
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Joe
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Post by Joe on Aug 1, 2018 14:08:58 GMT -5
How does this play; BRK went to the Schmeling-Jack Sharkey fight. Did Reich provide the tickets? This was in June -32, Anna was in Germany then!! I think you might mean BRH (Bruno Richard Hauptmann), instead of BRK. How did you find out that Hauptmann went to this fight? This was a heavyweight world championship bout, held at the now defunct Long Island City Bowl in Queens, NYC, a venue which could seat something in the order of 80,000 spectators. Schmeling won the title from Sharkey on a split decision. If this is true, it suggests that Hauptmann was probably a big boxing fan, which could possibly have been the basis for a relationship with Condon and/or Reich c. March 1932. Also, Hauptmann's interest in that fight would have been enhanced by the fact that Schmeling was his countryman from Germany.
It's true that Hauptmann attended this fight, but I believe his main interest was in the fact that Schmeling was a fellow German. While he was watching the fight, someone broke into his car and stole his binoculars, which he replaced shortly afterwards with a pair of Zeiss Delactis, which set him back another $126, roughly $2000 in today's currency. He certainly did seem to have spending money at the time, while unemployed. Of added interest, is that Max Schmeling died in 2005, just eight month shy of his 100th birthday.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 1, 2018 15:24:29 GMT -5
In this instance, I think that Condon's words do make some sense. Remember that Condon is there to try to ID Hauptmann as CJ. Well, Condon had told authorities about what had transpired with CJ in and around Woodlawn Cemetery and it was all in the police records. The references to gymnastics and gyms were logically provoked by CJ's leaping over a wall (or was it a fence?) at Woodlawn. Condon logically thought that someone capable of such a maneuver might have had some gymnastid training in the past, so he's using this is a possible identifying factor for CJ You make a good point about gymnastics and CJ climbing over the Woodlawn cemetery fence. The only thing about that is the description of the person who made that leap down the night of March 12, 1932 doesn't agree with Hauptmann. According to Cemetery Guard Riehl, CJ was a smaller, lighter weight person than Hauptmann was at this time. And Condon remembers this climber as a lighter weight person because he had questioned Hauptmann about his weight just before the gymnastics exchange I posted earlier. Here is that exchange: CONDON - You work in the Bronx? HAUPTMANN - Yes, all over the Bronx. CONDON - How much do you weigh? HAUPTMANN - Around 180-182. CONDON - Have you gotten a little stouter lately than you were? Did you increase in weight lately? HAUPTMANN - No, I am practically the same weight. CONDON - In two years? HAUPTMANN - Yes. CONDON - How much did you weigh then, about? A little lighter? HAUPTMANN - No. I guess just the same. A slight difference in summertime or wintertime, that's all. I believe a check of the driving records showed Hauptmann to be around 180 lbs in 1932. Like Riehl, Condon is remembering a light weight man who jumped from the cemetery gate that night in 1932. No wonder he walked out of there unable to say that Hauptmann was the man!
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Post by hurtelable on Aug 2, 2018 17:45:40 GMT -5
Joe, what is your source for your statements that (1) Hauptmann attended the Schmeling-Sharkey fight in 1932 and (2) while he was at the fight, someone stole a pair of binoculars from his car? I would presume he'd remove his binoculars from the car when he got out to walk to the stadium, because he would logically want to use the binoculars while watching the fight. Did he report the stolen binoculars to the police?
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geld
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Post by geld on Aug 2, 2018 19:46:19 GMT -5
It is reported in the break-down of BRH INCOME & EXPENDITURE , jun 32, $40 he and another attended this fight. This is from member RAB , originally posted on LINDYKIDNAP posted arch 7, 2002. Who he took with him is posted some-ware. You are right BRK is BRH. I copied this somewhere on the blog.
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