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Post by Michael on Jul 18, 2020 11:02:28 GMT -5
Over the years I've collected a huge number of handwritten letters penned out by Condon. Some originate from the NJSP Archives, others from the FBI College Park files, while others still from the Library of Congress. One particular letter that I've found interesting that I don't believe has ever been shared is the one below. The contents are very curious because the man wasn't crazy. So was he serious? In my opinion, its a written to "fish" for information and/or the mood of the investigation. If I am right, and I believe that I am, he's also checking the pulse for Reich was well - which of course doesn't bode well for him either.
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Post by hurtelable on Jul 18, 2020 12:33:53 GMT -5
Was this really Condon who penned that letter to Hoover? I don't think he would be in line for any favors from Hoover by making the dumb mistakes of addressing him as "Egbert" (should have been "Edgar" of course) at the "Department of the Treasury" (should have been Bureau of Investigation, which was under Justice, not Treasury). Not the kind of errors one would expect a scholar like Condon to make. Perhaps an indication of dementia?
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Post by Deleted on Jul 18, 2020 15:12:24 GMT -5
That letter definitely looks like it was written by Condon. It could be the mistakes are on purpose and they would certainly gain Hoover's attention. I tend to agree that Condon is checking up on his (and Al Reich) status with the Feds. This letter is written shortly after the J.J. Faulkner deposit was made at the bank. It would not be long before that investigation was on the doorstep of Condon for several reasons. Department of Treasury?! He definitely had money on his mind!
Is Condon seriously job hunting for himself and Al Reich or was he looking for trust and protection from the Feds when he wrote that letter. Those two would be safe under Hoover's umbrella. I agree, this doesn't look good for Al Reich either. Could be Condon was nervous when he wrote that letter!
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Post by stella7 on Jul 18, 2020 16:32:00 GMT -5
"Under you care and supervision", do they expect to be protected by the Feds from New York law enforcement?
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Post by Deleted on Jul 19, 2020 14:19:55 GMT -5
"Under you care and supervision", do they expect to be protected by the Feds from New York law enforcement? That is a good question. Condon is looking for something from the Feds that appears to be certain. His use of "care" and "supervision" to describe what he was looking for is strange and doesn't exactly fit with job hunting. I do believe that Condon had more concern about some of New Jersey LE. Keaton of the NJSP and Harry Walsh of the Jersey City Police were not buying into Condon's "innocent, do-gooder" role in the kidnapping. I am not sure how Condon felt about the NYPD. I do believe there is another letter to Hoover where Condon does appear to be making an appeal for employment. I do not see Condon and Reich as being any dynamic duo in solving the Lindbergh case.
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Post by Michael on Jul 21, 2020 10:29:15 GMT -5
Here's another one written soon after the discovery of the corpse: imgur.com/G1x7ljA(Note on hosting sites: I do not own them, do not run them, and cannot control the advertisements or other posts which may be seen below the uploaded documents meant for this venue. There is only a limited amount of room on the ProBoards server so I will sometimes use them because of this.)
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Post by Deleted on Jul 22, 2020 8:47:52 GMT -5
Another interesting letter written by Condon. I note that this is another May 14th letter, just a year earlier than the one you posted before. Clearly a condolence letter. Condon underlines the word "immediate" in reference to his friends. I think he is doing it in this letter also. He is including Al Reich in this expression of sympathy. Condon mentions following Charlie from birth and then underscores the word "admiration" when describing Lindbergh as the bravest father that America ever knew. Bravest father. How much did Condon really know about Charlie's health and CAL's decisions regarding the health of his son?
In Condon's final paragraph, we find him telling Lindbergh that he continues to "carry on" for CAL. Is he reassuring CAL that he can continue to trust him to protect what he secretly knows and will continue this path as long as is necessary? I think it is always important to read between the lines when it comes to Condon and even CAL.
I echo this completely as I also use this host site to post documents.
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Post by Michael on Jul 22, 2020 10:18:46 GMT -5
Another interesting letter written by Condon. The only thing I should to add is that I don't know if Condon was the one who underlined these words although I "think" he did. I only have copies, and some of the material at the NJSP Archives can be copies too which would mean I'm making copies of copies. Futhermore, some of the original material has certain underlines and/or notations made by police, and even later still by some of Hoffman's investigators. So its hard for me to say who made these underlines with 100% conviction especially since, as I sit here, I do not recall exactly where this particular letter originated. For example, sometimes I remember actually making the copy so I might have an idea. Sadly, as it concerns this letter, I do not. Since I'm on a role and I have this file out, I am going to post another letter Condon wrote to the Lindberghs: imgur.com/Yn0ht1y
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Post by Deleted on Jul 22, 2020 14:31:30 GMT -5
The only thing I should to add is that I don't know if Condon was the one who underlined these words although I "think" he did. I have copies here of letters Condon sent to Breckinridge. There is some underlining in those also. I tend to think it was done by Condon too. You really are on a role! What is it about the middle of a month that causes Condon to pick up his pen and start writing letters? So in this letter Condon is once again assuring Lindbergh to continue to trust him. The real truth he knows is not for sale and he did the best he knew how to accomplish his task. Condon clearly understood the importance of having CAL on his side and how it benefited him. Lindbergh could destroy Condon so easily. So, Michael, I have one of my own Condon writings I would like your opinion on. It comes from Jafsie Tells All. On page 200 Jafsie writes about the whole Violet Sharp suicide affair and how LE was being attacked in the papers. He says he sent Lindbergh a telegram at this time. It was only 5 words. I would like your thoughts on what he might be communicating to CAL with this telegram. imgur.com/uv3i19l
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Post by Michael on Jul 23, 2020 8:33:18 GMT -5
You really are on a role! Yes, I misspelled "roll." LOL. No word is safe with me anymore. I blame these damn reports - but in the end it might just be me after all. So, Michael, I have one of my own Condon writings I would like your opinion on. It comes from Jafsie Tells All. On page 200 Jafsie writes about the whole Violet Sharp suicide affair and how LE was being attacked in the papers. He says he sent Lindbergh a telegram at this time. It was only 5 words. I would like your thoughts on what he might be communicating to CAL with this telegram. imgur.com/uv3i19lSince its in his book and coming after everything I don't think anything written can be fully trusted - that goes without saying. What I think he's doing here is trying to suggest he was fully supportive of the police who were being criticized at that time and to stick with them. I think its meant to show that despite being treated badly his heart was to see the case solved and would side with those who abused him to get there. I've never come across this telegram at the Archives by the way - but that doesn't mean he didn't send one. Maybe its there and I missed it but God only knows at this point.
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Post by Michael on Jul 23, 2020 9:03:36 GMT -5
Here's a letter Condon wrote to Gregory Coleman in 1933:
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Post by Michael on Jul 26, 2020 14:16:21 GMT -5
This next letter was an attachment to another he wrote to Hoover. Notice the comments about the "Gus Liskis" letters. You'll note that I wrote about that letter in V2 on page 287. Apparently, Condon is saying the handwriting is similar to the Ransom Notes. imgur.com/pimAr4K
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Post by Deleted on Jul 27, 2020 10:45:25 GMT -5
Here's a letter Condon wrote to Gregory Coleman in 1933: So, doing a little checking, it appears that this is a combination letter by Condon. It mentions appreciation and gratitude to Gregory for standing with him and has not overlooked it. Condon acknowledges Gregory doing this while Gregory was dealing with the loss of his brother, John, who had died on the 20th of July, 1933. I am sure this is being offered sincerely but Condon closes out this letter with a pitch for the project Condon's real estate business secretary has been working on for him. He thinks (hopes?) Coleman might be interested in publishing it. The bottom line with Condon is, he is always about himself. All the thanks and sympathy end with a by the way take a look at this project for possible publication. Note that Condon includes his alter-ego name, Jafsie, with his signature. This is his biggest claim to fame and wants it to be remembered and noticed continuously. He is the one and only "JAFSIE". Does he think the world is his Land of Oz?? Condon was doing his best to find ways to remain in the public eye. Condon calls the kidnapping and murder of Charles Lindbergh Jr. in the letter you posted, "the most dastardly crime of all time" yet he would use this terrible crime to keep himself in the public eye. Where is his respect for the Lindberghs, the Morrows and little Charlie? Instead, he does not want to be forgotten for the role he played. He would continue his publicity seeking ways even after the 1935 Flemington Trial, while Hauptmann sat convicted in state prison waiting to be executed! This man's ego knows no bounds! Condon decided to take his show on the road with a vaudeville production about the crime. He even brought along "reproductions" of the crime evidence. Here is a picture of Condon doing some publicity work for his show! This picture is from the New York Daily News, December 20, 1935. imgur.com/ZIi3tYh
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