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Post by Sue on Apr 27, 2021 20:34:36 GMT -5
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Post by Sue on May 1, 2021 15:47:08 GMT -5
www.newspapers.com/clip/17776596/the-evening-sun/"Quotes Hauptmann Kidnap Comment" The Evening Sun Baltimore, Maryland Wednesday September 26, 1934 --------------------------------------------------------- "Hauptmann's 1932 Journeys" Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Maine Visited WAS REGARDED AS SOMBER Carried Rifle, Shotgun and Two Pistols, Says Friends. ------------------ Bruno Richard Hauptmann did quite a bit of traveling in 1932, the year the Lindbergh baby was kidnaped, records of his movements reveal. In August of that year he spent a vacation with his wife at Tybee Island, near Savannah, Ga., and in the fall hunted for ten days in Maine. Between these two trips he made a visit to York, Pa., with the intention of buying a farm. More than a dozen residents of the beach resort eight miles from Savannah have identified photographs of Hauptmann and his wife as visitors to Tybee Island on two occasions, according to A. L Hildreth, police chief of the island. In August 1932, the Hauptmanns were accompanied by their nephew, Hans Mueller, and camped for a week on the property of Robert Schneider. The second time, the pair believed to be Mr. and Mrs. Hauptmann, visited Tybee alone, and stayed at a boarding house. Arrived in Automobile Residents recall the Hauptmanns arriving in a Dodge automobile bearing New York license plates and fitted with a rear trunk which Hauptmann, who said he was a carpenter and cabinet-maker, told resort acquaintances he made himself. The Schneiders recall that Hauptmann brought with him a high-powered rifle of German make, an automatic shotgun and two pistols. In the evenings Hauptmann played a guitar and Mueller a mandolin. While giving no signs of wealth, the Hauptmann party seemed well supplied with money. Hauptmann's wife, whom several people recalled her husband addressing as "Anna," was described as "very enlightened and happy," while Hauptmann was considered "somber and deep." Federal agents, who have been checking the Tybee island visits, already have established that Hauptmann went to Florida in 1932 to visit relatives. Clayton E. Moul, real estate dealer of Spring Grove, Pa., has recognized newspaper pictures of Hauptmann as those of a man who made two visits to York county late in the summer of 1932 and inspected farms Moul had for sale. The Rev. Dr. George Welsh, pastor of the Mount Zion Reformed Church at Spring Grove, assisted Moul in translating a letter written by Hauptmann. Scoffed Kidnaping 'Fuss.' Earl Lister, who acted as Hauptmann's guide on the Maine trip, told investigators that Hauptmann described the "fuss" being made over the kidnaping and slaying of the Lindbergh baby. Lister said Hauptmann suddenly said one night at the supper table that "because it is a millionaire's grandson and son, they're making too much darned fuss about it." He never again referred to the kidnaping, Lister said. Hauptmann went to Maine with Carl Henkel, described as a painter, and later John Lister of New Jersey, Earl's brother, joined them. Hauptmann and Henkel arrived in Hauptmann's automobile. Hauptmann paid all the bills, but Sheriff Prosper Gallant of Bingham says none of the Lindbergh ransom money ever was discovered in that town. Hauptmann was a crack shot, Lister said, and while in the woods displayed his skill with ax and saw, explaining, the guide recalls, that he was a cabinet maker. Mrs. Earl Folsom recalls renting her overnight camp to Hauptmann, who paid her with a $10 bill. She does not recall whether it was a gold certificate. Built Jersey Cabin Henry Lampe, a poultry farmer, revealed that Hauptmann helped him build a one-story log cabin on the poultry farm three miles from Lakewood, N.J., early this year. Lampe- forty-three-year-old German war veteran, said he met Hauptmann about three years ago in New York and that for a year they were neighbors at Hunters Island. Hauptmann helped him build the cabin, Lampe said, out of friendship, taking no pay. During the eight days he was at Lakewood, Lampe said, Hauptmann drove in town every morning to get a paper, as he was interested in the stock market. Lampe said he couldn't believe that Hauptmann was mixed up in the Lindbergh kidnaping as "he wasn't that kind of a man." He was well liked in the neighborhood, being always willing to lend a hand at little house jobs. The New York Sun Wednesday September 26, 1934 Page 7
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Post by aaron on Nov 17, 2021 11:00:35 GMT -5
The subject of Hauptmann's two hunting trips in November of 1932 pose interesting questions. Both were planned by Karl Henkel, first to Bingham, Maine beginning on November 6 for big game and then a second trip to New Jersey immediately following the first in November for hunting rabbits. Hauptmann would probably want to be home for his birthday later in November. This seems to be quite a lot of activity; one wonders why the second trip was added so quickly since Henkel and Hauptmann would have to cross New York from Maine to their entrance into New Jersey. Two photos of the Maine hunting trip have been posted on this board. There were several in that party photoed with the results of that hunt (the deer hanging from rafters). Only Hauptmann and Henkel are mentioned, however, in the second trip in New Jersey and no photo of their catch.
There is a reference to "Bootlegger John" in this context, however. (Dark Corner) Much money was to be made in rum-running; rum runners made money during the Depression, a lot of it, while others were going bankrupt. Ellen Nickenzie Lawson describes the activity in and around New York state in her book "Smugglers, Bootleggers, and Scofflaws: Prohibition in New York City" (New York State University, 2013). Dr. Lawson inspected the Prohibition files of the Coast Guard to present some well details facts concerning the rum-running in and around New York and New Jersey for the thirteen years the 18th Amendment was in place. Liquor was smuggled into New York, including Canadian beer and liquor from two French islands off the coast of Canada, down the coast of Maine to Massachusetts, Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard, and then to Long Island Sound where the ships carrying the liquor remained in the water and smaller boats carried the bottles to shore or islands near the Bronx. Some boats did their business in the East River (where Hunter Island is located), and others carried the booty to Manhattan where there was lively activity in selling and drinking the whiskey and beer. Pelham, the town just north of the causeway leading to Hunter Island, had a serious problem with the smuggling of alcohol during this time.
What I am suggesting here is that Hauptmann and Henkel plan this "hunting trip" as a front to smuggle liquor from Maine, taken from a Canadian ship and then transported to New Jersey. According to Lawson, Newark was a primary drop-off place for smugglers. It was not venison that Hauptmann brought home, apparently. The photos may have been taken for the benefit of wives and relatives who were unaware of the real reason for the trip. Earl Lister was guide for the trip, recommended by the father-in-law of John Lister who accompanied Henkel and Hauptmann on the hunting trip to Maine. John Lister was wanted for questioning during the Hauptmann trial but could not be found because he was a trip around the world. John Lister was from Hopewell, but this may not br a kidnapping issue. Someone asked the question how anyone could afford a trip around the world at that time. The answer may lie in the rum-running business. Hauptmann paid the bills for the trip. I submit that he did not get his money on the stock market. Henkel and Hauptmann saw an opportunity here and used the hunting trips as a front. The other participants, or at least some of them, also participated and profited. This could not have been one isolated instance.
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Joe
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Post by Joe on Nov 18, 2021 10:33:05 GMT -5
The subject of Hauptmann's two hunting trips in November of 1932 pose interesting questions. Both were planned by Karl Henkel, first to Bingham, Maine beginning on November 6 for big game and then a second trip to New Jersey immediately following the first in November for hunting rabbits. Hauptmann would probably want to be home for his birthday later in November. This seems to be quite a lot of activity; one wonders why the second trip was added so quickly since Henkel and Hauptmann would have to cross New York from Maine to their entrance into New Jersey. Two photos of the Maine hunting trip have been posted on this board. There were several in that party photoed with the results of that hunt (the deer hanging from rafters). Only Hauptmann and Henkel are mentioned, however, in the second trip in New Jersey and no photo of their catch. There is a reference to "Bootlegger John" in this context, however. (Dark Corner) Much money was to be made in rum-running; rum runners made money during the Depression, a lot of it, while others were going bankrupt. Ellen Nickenzie Lawson describes the activity in and around New York state in her book "Smugglers, Bootleggers, and Scofflaws: Prohibition in New York City" (New York State University, 2013). Dr. Lawson inspected the Prohibition files of the Coast Guard to present some well details facts concerning the rum-running in and around New York and New Jersey for the thirteen years the 18th Amendment was in place. Liquor was smuggled into New York, including Canadian beer and liquor from two French islands off the coast of Canada, down the coast of Maine to Massachusetts, Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard, and then to Long Island Sound where the ships carrying the liquor remained in the water and smaller boats carried the bottles to shore or islands near the Bronx. Some boats did their business in the East River (where Hunter Island is located), and others carried the booty to Manhattan where there was lively activity in selling and drinking the whiskey and beer. Pelham, the town just north of the causeway leading to Hunter Island, had a serious problem with the smuggling of alcohol during this time. What I am suggesting here is that Hauptmann and Henkel plan this "hunting trip" as a front to smuggle liquor from Maine, taken from a Canadian ship and then transported to New Jersey. According to Lawson, Newark was a primary drop-off place for smugglers. It was not venison that Hauptmann brought home, apparently. The photos may have been taken for the benefit of wives and relatives who were unaware of the real reason for the trip. Earl Lister was guide for the trip, recommended by the father-in-law of John Lister who accompanied Henkel and Hauptmann on the hunting trip to Maine. John Lister was wanted for questioning during the Hauptmann trial but could not be found because he was a trip around the world. John Lister was from Hopewell, but this may not br a kidnapping issue. Someone asked the question how anyone could afford a trip around the world at that time. The answer may lie in the rum-running business. Hauptmann paid the bills for the trip. I submit that he did not get his money on the stock market. Henkel and Hauptmann saw an opportunity here and used the hunting trips as a front. The other participants, or at least some of them, also participated and profited. This could not have been one isolated instance. I would wonder why purported bootleggers would have to advertise their travels by staging two hunting trips, complete with photos, around their illicit activities? Wouldn't it have been easier to just rent a big truck, quietly slip out of NYC and be back in a couple of days? I'd venture these two hunting trips were nothing more than two guys getting out and doing something they both enjoyed together, with the better part or all of the two trips, as well as Henkel's $56 hunting rifle gift from Hauptmann, paid for with laundered Lindbergh ransom money. And why exactly would Hauptmann have had to bootleg in the first place?
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Post by aaron on Nov 18, 2021 11:32:49 GMT -5
Good questions. The hunting trips were a front to disguise what they were actually doing. The photos are "evidence" that a hunt had taken place since they might not want everyone, perhaps even their wives and relatives, to know the real purpose of the trips. Note that these trips quickly follow one another, carrying the liquor from one state to another. Hauptmann had money before the ransom was paid. How could he have made money during the Depression? By investing in the stock market? Hardly. Rum running paid off in bucks. Why did Hauptmann not have a telephone in his apartment? He could certainly have afforded one, but he would not want to have his wife to overhear any conversations with bootleggers or have any records taken of his phone calls for evidence. He would use the pay phones located in booths for the sake of privacy. For messages sent to him, he would rely on a network. The men who accompanied him on the "hunting trips" were likely connected to that same network. Yes, he continued to engage in this "enterprise" if one could call it that--until the end of Prohibition. The going away party for Isidor Fisch was held on Saturday, Dec. 5--the day that Prohibition ended. Fisch gave him his share of the money then "to hold" until he got back. Hauptmann then had to live on the ransom money, which he hoped would not be long, as he intended to return to Germany. Fisch was interested once again in the fur business. He would approach his brother Pinkus to establish some kind of fur trade between the US and Germany. It's quite possible (though I have not seen this anywhere) that Hauptmann might have wanted to continue being a partner with Fisch in this new business as he was planning to return to his home in Germany and would need some way to make a living there.
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Joe
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Post by Joe on Nov 19, 2021 10:26:45 GMT -5
Good questions. The hunting trips were a front to disguise what they were actually doing. The photos are "evidence" that a hunt had taken place since they might not want everyone, perhaps even their wives and relatives, to know the real purpose of the trips. Note that these trips quickly follow one another, carrying the liquor from one state to another. Hauptmann had money before the ransom was paid. How could he have made money during the Depression? By investing in the stock market? Hardly. Rum running paid off in bucks. Why did Hauptmann not have a telephone in his apartment? He could certainly have afforded one, but he would not want to have his wife to overhear any conversations with bootleggers or have any records taken of his phone calls for evidence. He would use the pay phones located in booths for the sake of privacy. For messages sent to him, he would rely on a network. The men who accompanied him on the "hunting trips" were likely connected to that same network. Yes, he continued to engage in this "enterprise" if one could call it that--until the end of Prohibition. The going away party for Isidor Fisch was held on Saturday, Dec. 5--the day that Prohibition ended. Fisch gave him his share of the money then "to hold" until he got back. Hauptmann then had to live on the ransom money, which he hoped would not be long, as he intended to return to Germany. Fisch was interested once again in the fur business. He would approach his brother Pinkus to establish some kind of fur trade between the US and Germany. It's quite possible (though I have not seen this anywhere) that Hauptmann might have wanted to continue being a partner with Fisch in this new business as he was planning to return to his home in Germany and would need some way to make a living there. Anything seems possible within this case these days, and perhaps some of Hauptmann's income came from illicit activities prior to his involvement in the kidnapping, but personally speaking, this is too much speculation and dot-connecting without anything more substantive. Why would Hauptmann even risk getting caught up in some kind of illegal scheme right on the heels of his obvious involvement within the LKC? Despite some of his more lavish personal home purchases and need to launder ransom money, this guy was a classic example of someone flying under the radar after the fact. That is, until he really started running out of money in the summer of 1934 because of his failure as a Wall St. tycoon and started arguing with storeowners over 6 cent vegetable purchases from $10 Lindbergh ransom gold notes.
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Post by aaron on Nov 19, 2021 14:10:34 GMT -5
Here is one interesting fact on the subject: Ronald Baker was the person who suggested to Karl Henkel that he might like to hire Earl Lister as the guide on the hunting trip in Bingham, Maine. Baker was the then father-in-law of Earl's brother John who lived near Hopewell. Ronald Baker was the general manager of the Hotel Victoria in New York; it was located on 7th Ave. and 51st St. in Manhattan, conveniently close to the Hudson River and also to the New Jersey shore. Many of the rum-running ships made Manhattan their target, and they also deposited a lot of liquor in Newark NJ where it was distributed in speakeasies in that state. The Hotel Victoria had a speakeasy, though some hotels like the Waldorf did not. So here we have Baker, the general manager of the hotel, recommending his son-in-law's brother on a hunting trip to Maine where Canadian ships with their booty land in Bath to unload, and then suggesting that his son-in-law from New Jersey (John Lister), right across the lake from his hotel, also go along on the trip. Ronald Baker also lived at the Hotel Victoria. Is this all a coincidence? I hardly think so. I will try to post a photo of the Hotel Victoria's speakeasy taken in Dec. of 1931 when Loiie Levine (also known as "Crooked Neck Louie) was shot killed by three gunmen, causing a lot of damage.
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Post by aaron on Nov 19, 2021 14:37:04 GMT -5
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Post by aaron on Nov 19, 2021 17:58:48 GMT -5
Three gunmen killed a small-time gangster in the speakeasy of the Hotel Victoria. in Dec. 1931. His name was Louis Levine and also known as Louis Taylor, nicknemed "Crooked Neck Louis." The photo above of the speakeasy was taken following the killing and prior to the clean-up, obviously.
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Post by Sherlock on Nov 20, 2021 11:21:12 GMT -5
Hi aaron and Joe, aaron, I can see the geographical parallels between the bootlegging activity in the North East states and Hauptmann's hunting trips but so far we don't have a concrete link between the two. I agree with your comments Joe about Hauptmann becoming a bootlegger. Contrary to how he is portrayed in some books, and as you imply, he was no angel and its likely he was involved in illegal activity possibly with Fisch, to supplement his irregular income as a jobbing carpenter. Bootlegging was the preserve of organised crime. These people defended their routes and markets vigorously, to say the least. Small time amateurs like Hauptmann would be quickly discouraged from interfering. I don't understand your point Joe that Hauptmann was running out of money in the summer of 1934. He had $14,000 in his garage bearing in mind that a 1934 dollar has the purchasing power of about $20 today. And he was still active in the stock market. Regards, Sherlock
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Post by aaron on Nov 20, 2021 13:48:07 GMT -5
Thank you, Sherlock, for your comments and observations. According to Dr. Lawson, ships carrying liquor from Canada to the New York area turned right below Cape Cod, passed Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard, and then headed to Long Island. Some entered the Sound and others passed the Sound and entered the Hudson River to deliver their illegal goods to Manhattan and New Jersey. If the ships remained at least ten miles from the US coast, they were in international waters and could not be subject to search by the coast Guard. In any event the ships were too large to come to shore, and therefore small boats owned by private citizens were brought to the ship and loaded. Then the liquor was brought to shore and loaded to onto trucks and other carriers to take them to the customers on land. There were in fact private citizens who were engaged in taking the liquor from the ship to shore on their boats, and other private citizens who helped to unload these boats and drive the bottles to their destination. In addition, private citizens (like farmers, eg) rented out their unused buildings like old chicken coops to store the bottles for a short time. Farmers in the Midwest rented out their old building sfor such purposes. Each of the participants did receive some payment. I am not suggesting that Hauptmann was a major participant, but he as a private citizen could have been engaged in the transportation of the liquor. He owned a canoe as well as a car, and if these were not large enough, he could rent a truck or a larger boat. He probably had some help in this enterprise, not Fisch who was not really physically able to do much lifting. What was he doing on Hunter Island in winter? in summer he could have picnics and play soccer with his friends, but Orchard Beach was probably open only in the spring and summer weather as now. One does not play soccer outside in the winter. Orchard Beach had plenty of parking space and one could walk along the beach, but the play equipment was not available. if Hauptmann traveled to Hunter Island in winter, it would be for another reason. Playing soccer was a front for other business. East River was the site of much bootlegging activity, not only on Long Island but also with many of the smaller lslands along the Bronx coastline. There was a causeway from Hunter Island to the mainland, making the driving convenient, and the town of Pelham (the town nearest Hunter Island) received a lot of loot during the years of Prohibition. Emil Mueller, the man who wrote to Gov. Hoffman about Hauptmann's presence on Hunter Island in the days just before the kidnapping, most likely was one of Hauptmann's partners in the liquor expedition at that time. There was a third man involved, according to Mueller, who was unnamed and would not come forward. But I submit that the purpose of the three men who traveled to Hunter Island on Feb. 27,28, and 29 was not to play soccer even if they brought their own soccer balls and played with others (three a-side?) As you indicated, Hauptmann was engaged in some kind of illegal activity, and the Prohibition proved to be a very profitable time for some. I am not suggesting that Hauptmann was a member of any mob, but as a private citizen he could have made money in providing transportation in rum running.
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Post by Sherlock on Nov 20, 2021 16:18:34 GMT -5
Hi aaron, That's a great account of bootlegging. I hadn't appreciated the involvement of ordinary (i.e. non-mob) folk being part of the transport chain and farmers renting out unused buildings for storage etc. Prohibition was a crazy idea which made "criminals" out of otherwise law-abiding citizens. So, yes, Hauptmann may have been involved in a minor capacity providing transport etc but its a risky occupation for an illegal immigrant who risked deportation if arrested.
Your remark "One does not play soccer outside in the winter" surprised me until I recalled a Christmas I spent in New York many years ago. I'd never experienced cold like that so indeed you're right. In the UK the soccer season runs from September through the winter ending in May (approx.). All games are played outside, hence my initial surprise. We have milder winters of course.
I'll keep an eye open for Dr Lawson's book; it sounds interesting. Another one is "The Bootleggers" by Kenneth Allsop - a comprehensive coverage of the prohibition era.
Best regards, Sherlock
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Post by aaron on Nov 20, 2021 17:01:10 GMT -5
Thank you for your response, Sherlock. We in the US plan our games at the dictate of the seasons. Soccer is played in the spring and summer though children sometimes play soccer in gymnasiums during the winter. Thank you for your reference on Prohibition. I will look for it, having just finished Ellen Nickenzie Lawson's book "Smuggler, Bootleggers, and Scofflaws: Prohibition in New York City." Her work is based on Coast Guard files made during that time. She does not discuss the Lindbergh kidnapping. A picture of Haupmann's canoe can be found in Mark Falzini's book "New Jersey's Lindbergh Kidnapping and Trial" page 74. His canoe was as long as a dory, and two persons had to paddle it. The photo shows Hauptmann and Hans Kloppenberg at the paddles (though they are misidentified.). Best wishes, Aaron
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Joe
Lt. Colonel
Posts: 2,653
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Post by Joe on Nov 20, 2021 18:38:35 GMT -5
Hi aaron and Joe, aaron, I can see the geographical parallels between the bootlegging activity in the North East states and Hauptmann's hunting trips but so far we don't have a concrete link between the two. I agree with your comments Joe about Hauptmann becoming a bootlegger. Contrary to how he is portrayed in some books, and as you imply, he was no angel and its likely he was involved in illegal activity possibly with Fisch, to supplement his irregular income as a jobbing carpenter. Bootlegging was the preserve of organised crime. These people defended their routes and markets vigorously, to say the least. Small time amateurs like Hauptmann would be quickly discouraged from interfering. I don't understand your point Joe that Hauptmann was running out of money in the summer of 1934. He had $14,000 in his garage bearing in mind that a 1934 dollar has the purchasing power of about $20 today. And he was still active in the stock market. Regards, Sherlock Sherlock, I should have been a bit more explicit. I meant that Hauptmann had been stuck with almost 15K in red hot Lindbergh ransom gold bills from the time Isidor Fisch left for Germany. This did him little good in the real world of paying his day-to-day bills since Roosevelt had essentially recalled gold in 1933. Hauptmann's failure as a stock market player, lack of professional carpentry work and non-gold bills had him boxed into a corner of his own making. He ultimately felt he had no option but to try and spend the remaining ransom money on his own in the absence of the skills of his laundering partner Fisch. Good on the newspapers and radio too, for downplaying the discovery of ransom notes in 1934, which only helped to raise Hauptmann's confidence in passing the ransom money, ultimately ensuring his capture.
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Post by aaron on Nov 20, 2021 21:35:01 GMT -5
It's likely that the kidnappers sought to launder the ransom money as quickly as possible, one knowing Isidor Fisch or his front man "Fritz"; Fisch did not have enough money, but just having become acquainted with Hauptmann , he sought to go in with Hauptmann (borrowing)--and perhaps others--to complete the deal. Hauptmann gave him quite a lot. In prison he told his wife that he "gave Isidor everything." So BRH had his share, but when Fisch left for Germany in Dec. 1933, he gave him what he had for "safe-keeping." When Isidor died Hauptmann merged the two shares and began spending it bill by bill. He hoped to return to Germany himself and did not think he would create problems for himself by spending the money bill by bill in retail stores. The receipts were taken to the banks at the end of the day, and the merchants would not remember who gave them the bills, or their staff would not recall the customer either. He would return to Germany in only a few months. And yes, I do think he met Isidor on Hunter's Island before the famous introduction at the Henkel house in July. Gerda said that Isidor told her he had met Hauptmann previously. Hauptmann also told the same story independently and described his front man "Fritz"; Emil Mueller was there when it happened. Isidor must have been aware that Hauptmann had his means of obtaining money and so asked for a chunk of it almost immediately when the opportunity arose. What Isidor knew about the origin of the money is an interesting question, and how much he told Hauptmann of what he knew is yet another question. He did manage to escape detection for rwo and one-half years, so he became more confident in spending the money and took some risks that caught up with him. Hauptmann was not a clever man by any stretch of the imagination.
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Post by aaron on Nov 21, 2021 13:59:52 GMT -5
Here are some facts concerning John Chizacky: In 1932 he would have been about 26 years old. According to the 1930 census, he was living with his mother and had no occupation. His married sister Anna Chizacky Donohue lived next door with her husband James (Jimmie) Donohue. Eventually Anna and Jimmie owned the Black Sea Hotel in Garfield N.J. This became a favorite hangout for Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, and Joe D. Maggio. I will try to attach a photo of the Black Sea Hotal as it appeared at that time. It was located at the corner of Passaic St. and River Drive. According to a later owner "Back in Prohibition the feds would bust into the place with sledge hammaers and destroy the wooden bar. One day Jimmie Donohue decided he had enough and rebuilt the bar. . .of big bricks three layers thick." He also said that "the Black Sea Hotal was one of Babe's favorite watering holes. The place is now called the Pescado Restaurant. Garfield's official historian Elizabeth Gray confirmed Babe's attachment to the Black Sea. Anna Donohue was murdered at the age of 92 in 1988. She was considered to be very wealthy.. Louis O'Neal was tried and convicted of her murder. John's sister Julia became a pilot and was given awards. By 1932 John was married and had his own house located in Garfield, as we are already aware.
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Post by aaron on Nov 21, 2021 14:16:05 GMT -5
This is a photo of the Black Sea Hotel found in Garfield N.J. It was a watering hold for Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, and Joe DiMaggio during Prohibition.
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Post by aaron on Nov 21, 2021 15:16:48 GMT -5
So in summary: The Black Sea Hotel in Garfield, New Jersey, famous in Prohition for its bar offerings, was owned by Jimmie Donohue and his wife Anna Chizacky Donohue. Anna was John Chizacky's older sister. Though John was listed on the 1930 US Census as having no occupation, he may have had some job on the side that he did not want to make known. He did llive next door to Jommie and Anna in 1930. When Hauptmann and Henkel hunted in New Jersey in November of 1932, they stayed at the house of John Chizacky. The opportunity for some transaction would have been possible at that time.
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Post by Sherlock on Nov 21, 2021 16:35:03 GMT -5
Hi Joe, You are quite right, the ransom money in the garage was hot and couldn't be used for household bills etc. Its always puzzled me why this money wasn't laundered as quickly as possible after receipt, possibly well away from the NY, NJ, Conn area. Gold certificates were becoming rarer and increasingly likely to attract attention merely as curiosities. The garage man didn't take Hauptmann's registration because he suspected it was ransom money, but because it was a rare gold note. As you say, it was 1933 when gold was recalled so there was opportunity to change the cash right away before the lists of serial numbers were widely circulated in case these had been recorded. The longer the delay, the greater the risk, as Hauptmann found out to his cost.
Joe, Not related to the above, but while I'm at the keyboard: I'm sure that like myself and the other regular contributors to this forum you enjoy the intellectual challenge, the brain-teasing nature of the Lindbergh case. The contributors to our forum have different points of view which makes for interesting debate. All this is clear. The problem in my view, and I welcome your opinion on this, is that we can count the number of regular posters on the fingers of one hand. This should not be taken in any way as a criticism of current or past postings which I, along with many others I'm sure, find stimulating and thought-provoking. Its the "many others" who bother me. The ratio of regular readers to regular contributors must be very high. Maybe its the fate of all forums like ours but it puzzles me as to why more people don't give us the benefit of their thoughts. I'm sure they have them and they would be very welcome. Best regards, Sherlock
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Post by aaron on Nov 22, 2021 8:04:47 GMT -5
John Chizacky's sister Julia Chizacky (nickname Jewel) married Edward Gorski, the man who was Amelia Earhart's mechanic and who serviced her plane to Ireland before take-off. Julia and Edward bought and operated the Lincoln Park Airport in N.J. for many years. They were both inducted into the Teterboro Hall of Fame. Julia had a pilot's license. I will try to attach a photo of Ed Gorski with Amelia Earhart .
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Post by aaron on Nov 22, 2021 8:38:03 GMT -5
Ed Gorski is the person on the left Amelia is in the middle. Attachments:
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Post by aaron on Nov 22, 2021 9:04:17 GMT -5
The comments re: Julia and her husband Ed Gorki were admittedly a bit of a digression. Here's the main point I was working on previously. Back to the hunting trips of November 1932. In his planning, Karl Henkel knew Ronald Baker, manager of the Victoria Hotel in the Bronx which had a well used speakeasy in Prohibition times. Baker was the then father-in-law of John Lister frpm Hopewell who went along on the trip and also the person who recommended Earl Lister as guide for the hunting trip in Maine. On the hunting trip in New Jersey, Hauptmann and Henkel stayed at the home of John Chizacky, brother ( and brother-in-law) of the owners of the Black Sea Hotel in Garfield N.J. which was famous for serving illegal drinks to baseball players. Question: how did Karl Henkel come to know Ronald Baker and John Chizacky? These men were not of German origin. There had to be some other link. The answer to this question could give us some insights into Hauptmann's activities and motivations as he interacted with the Henkels.
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Post by aaron on Nov 22, 2021 9:20:13 GMT -5
Correction: The Victoria Hotel was in Manhattan, just across the river from New Jersey. Per Sherlock's recent suggestion, perhaps members of the board and our guests have some thoughts and information they would be willing to share re: this topic (question posed in my last post). Thank you.
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Post by aaron on Nov 22, 2021 9:23:16 GMT -5
Correction: The Victoria Hotel was located in Manhattan just across the river from New Jersey. Perhaps members and guests have some thoughts or information they could share on this topic, as Sherlock suggested recently. Thank you.
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Post by Guest on Nov 22, 2021 17:22:51 GMT -5
The comments re: Julia and her husband Ed Gorki were admittedly a bit of a digression. Here's the main point I was working on previously. Back to the hunting trips of November 1932. In his planning, Karl Henkel knew Ronald Baker, manager of the Victoria Hotel in the Bronx which had a well used speakeasy in Prohibition times. Baker was the then father-in-law of John Lister frpm Hopewell who went along on the trip and also the person who recommended Earl Lister as guide for the hunting trip in Maine. On the hunting trip in New Jersey, Hauptmann and Henkel stayed at the home of John Chizacky, brother ( and brother-in-law) of the owners of the Black Sea Hotel in Garfield N.J. which was famous for serving illegal drinks to baseball players. Question: how did Karl Henkel come to know Ronald Baker and John Chizacky? These men were not of German origin. There had to be some other link. The answer to this question could give us some insights into Hauptmann's activities and motivations as he interacted with the Henkels. Karl Henkel did not plan this hunting trip, it was Hauptmann's idea. Karl was an unemployed house painter who could not have afforded such an expensive hobby. And Roland F. Baker, one of the hunting guides on the trip and a lifelong resident Maine, was not the manager of a Bronx hotel. In the 1930 census he's listed as doing odd jobs. Would you mind providing your source for this hotel management information? Thanks!
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Post by IloveDFW on Nov 22, 2021 18:39:37 GMT -5
The subject of Hauptmann's two hunting trips in November of 1932 pose interesting questions. Both were planned by Karl Henkel, first to Bingham, Maine beginning on November 6 for big game and then a second trip to New Jersey immediately following the first in November for hunting rabbits. Hauptmann would probably want to be home for his birthday later in November. This seems to be quite a lot of activity; one wonders why the second trip was added so quickly since Henkel and Hauptmann would have to cross New York from Maine to their entrance into New Jersey. Two photos of the Maine hunting trip have been posted on this board. There were several in that party photoed with the results of that hunt (the deer hanging from rafters). Only Hauptmann and Henkel are mentioned, however, in the second trip in New Jersey and no photo of their catch. There is a reference to "Bootlegger John" in this context, however. (Dark Corner) Much money was to be made in rum-running; rum runners made money during the Depression, a lot of it, while others were going bankrupt. Ellen Nickenzie Lawson describes the activity in and around New York state in her book "Smugglers, Bootleggers, and Scofflaws: Prohibition in New York City" (New York State University, 2013). Dr. Lawson inspected the Prohibition files of the Coast Guard to present some well details facts concerning the rum-running in and around New York and New Jersey for the thirteen years the 18th Amendment was in place. Liquor was smuggled into New York, including Canadian beer and liquor from two French islands off the coast of Canada, down the coast of Maine to Massachusetts, Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard, and then to Long Island Sound where the ships carrying the liquor remained in the water and smaller boats carried the bottles to shore or islands near the Bronx. Some boats did their business in the East River (where Hunter Island is located), and others carried the booty to Manhattan where there was lively activity in selling and drinking the whiskey and beer. Pelham, the town just north of the causeway leading to Hunter Island, had a serious problem with the smuggling of alcohol during this time. What I am suggesting here is that Hauptmann and Henkel plan this "hunting trip" as a front to smuggle liquor from Maine, taken from a Canadian ship and then transported to New Jersey. According to Lawson, Newark was a primary drop-off place for smugglers. It was not venison that Hauptmann brought home, apparently. The photos may have been taken for the benefit of wives and relatives who were unaware of the real reason for the trip. Earl Lister was guide for the trip, recommended by the father-in-law of John Lister who accompanied Henkel and Hauptmann on the hunting trip to Maine. John Lister was wanted for questioning during the Hauptmann trial but could not be found because he was a trip around the world. John Lister was from Hopewell, but this may not br a kidnapping issue. Someone asked the question how anyone could afford a trip around the world at that time. The answer may lie in the rum-running business. Hauptmann paid the bills for the trip. I submit that he did not get his money on the stock market. Henkel and Hauptmann saw an opportunity here and used the hunting trips as a front. The other participants, or at least some of them, also participated and profited. This could not have been one isolated instance. I would wonder why purported bootleggers would have to advertise their travels by staging two hunting trips, complete with photos, around their illicit activities? Wouldn't it have been easier to just rent a big truck, quietly slip out of NYC and be back in a couple of days? I'd venture these two hunting trips were nothing more than two guys getting out and doing something they both enjoyed together, with the better part or all of the two trips, as well as Henkel's $56 hunting rifle gift from Hauptmann, paid for with laundered Lindbergh ransom money. And why exactly would Hauptmann have had to bootleg in the first place? You are level headed Joe!!
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Post by aaron on Nov 23, 2021 9:16:59 GMT -5
If you take a look at the photos of the hunt, you will see that the deer are hanging from the beams by their hooves. This is the position in which large animals are skinned and butchered. I grew up on a farm where my family raised their own animals and butchered their meat in this way. Hauptmann would want to take the venison home with him, which raises the problem of transporting the meat back to his home.. My brother hunted deer in upper Michigan. After the animal was butchered, he brought the venison back by attaching a trailer to his car. One would not place newly butchered meat inside a car, even if it were wrapped in butcher paper. In rum-running, the ships placed the bottles underneath piles of fish. If Hauptmann et al bought Canadian whiskey in Maine, they could have hidden the bottles beneath the venison. They would have enjoyed the hunt, of course, but it could also have served as a front for what they were actually doing. Note that they spent a night at the home of John Chizachy, brother of the owners of the Black Sea Hotel. John would be a ready buyer for any liquor they offered. He may not have liked Hauptmann's way of doing business, as he told Henkel not to bring him back. Electrical appliances were readily available in the 1930s. Hauptmann would have enjoyed his venison and perhaps given some it it away--Hans and Maria Mueller, for example.
I will respond to other questions in later posts. Thank you for your responses.
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Post by aaron on Nov 23, 2021 12:35:09 GMT -5
Sources for information on the Chizachy Family: check the 1930 Census for New Jersey. John's father had died in 1911, and Bertha, the remaining parent, is listed along with her younger children, including John and Jewel, Julia's nickname. They lived next door to Ann Chizacky Donahue, the older married sister. Accounts of the Hotel Black Sea can be found both in newspaper articles and other publications linking the Hotel to Babe Ruth. The hotel was located in Garfield, N.J. the town in which the Chizacky family lived. John has no occupation listed. He was sometimes called "Boolegger John." and very likely helped acquire liquor for the Hotel Black Sea's famous bar.
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Post by aaron on Nov 23, 2021 12:54:33 GMT -5
More on the Chizacky family for those who are interested. At the time of the 1930 census John was not married. He was said to be 24 years old on 1930, so that would make him 26 in 1932. He married in Sept of 1930, which must have happened just after the census was taken. His wife's name was Sophie Kecich and their address was 69-71 Wessington Ave. in Garfield N. J. Lloyd Gardner mentions him in "The Case that Never Dies" quoting Schaefer on page 252. Fisch met Bootlegger John at the Henkel's house. Michael Melsky said writes that Chizacky knew Fisch. Fisch did not participate in the hunt, apparently. He probably did not have the stamina to go hunting. (Smalll digression: Jimmie and Ann Donohue had one daughter who was named Ruth. I wonder if they picked the name because of their relationship with The Babe.) The Chizacky family members were not German; they were Czech.
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Post by aaron on Nov 24, 2021 23:57:40 GMT -5
According to the Maine Registry State Yearbook and Legislative Manual for 1921, John Lister of Bingham, Maine, was an electrician who worked for the Central Maine Power co. R.F. Baker is also listed as an electrician and superintendent of the Central Maine Power Co. This was a position he evidently held for several years as he is also listed in the publications for years of 1918, 1919, and 1920 in addition to the 1921 manual. He later is listed as the General Manager of the Central Maine Railroad, a position he held for several years. If this was John Lister's father-in-law, he would have been a bit elderly to be working as a guide for a hunting trip. I did not find any reference to his doing odd jobs, but he seemed to be well respected in Bingham. He was born in 1972 and died in 1959 according to his grave marker. If John Lister "lost his job with the Central Maine Power co." as the papers reported, then Roland F. Baker would have been the person who fired him.
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