Post by Michael on Dec 24, 2007 9:23:49 GMT -5
Special Agent Frank J. Wilson of the Intelligence Unit of the Bureau of Internal Revenue did considerable work on the case up until he was yanked (a casualty of the Hoover/Schwarzkopf feud). He did re-appear at the very end of the Investigation doing a little work following up on some ransom leads as it involved any link to Hauptmann. Up until that time he worked very closely with Lt. Keaton of the NJSP. Many believed no one knew more about every angle of the case then Keaton - to include Schwarzkopf. As a result, Wilson became very close personal friends with Keaton....many letters written to him beginning with "Dear Buster...." Keaton's nickname.
Wilson had been the Agent who brought down Capone. He was a highly skilled man with no axes to grind. He was also very loyal to the NJSP and his friends - which no doubt assisted in Hoover's decision to remove him from the case.
Wilson believed there were more then one participant in this crime. In his supplement to his "Summary Report":
On the question of reward money - Gov. Hoffman originally kicked around the idea of offering it to the Treasury Agents who assisted in the case. Considerable discussion occurred, off the record, between Hoffman and Hugh McQuillan, chief of the Treasury's intelligence unit in New York, where the idea was the offer would be made, and the Agency would decline the offer and instead donate it to charity. This was thought to be a win-win situation. I've found the "rough draft" letters of both the offer and the acceptance with this including the following interesting paragraphs:
I think this is imporant because this is coming after Hauptmann's execution. Of course its not "official" but it clearly gives a behind the scene look at what their mindsets were. Here is a little more backround on Wilson in one of my Archived Posts:
lindberghkidnap.proboards56.com/index.cgi?board=michael&action=display&thread=1144709898
There is also testimony by Wilson at the Curtis Trial which is further evidence of his belief that more were involved in this crime. I will look that up and post it here once I get a chance to review my files.
Wilson had been the Agent who brought down Capone. He was a highly skilled man with no axes to grind. He was also very loyal to the NJSP and his friends - which no doubt assisted in Hoover's decision to remove him from the case.
Wilson believed there were more then one participant in this crime. In his supplement to his "Summary Report":
Another note was delivered to Mr. Condon by a taxicab driver on the evening of April 2, 1932, but the New York City and Jersey City Police Officers were unable to locate the driver. It is possible that the missing driver was an accomplice in the crime and it is thought that taxicab drivers coming under suspicion should be carefully investigated. (SI-6336-M)
On the question of reward money - Gov. Hoffman originally kicked around the idea of offering it to the Treasury Agents who assisted in the case. Considerable discussion occurred, off the record, between Hoffman and Hugh McQuillan, chief of the Treasury's intelligence unit in New York, where the idea was the offer would be made, and the Agency would decline the offer and instead donate it to charity. This was thought to be a win-win situation. I've found the "rough draft" letters of both the offer and the acceptance with this including the following interesting paragraphs:
It is true that the case might still be considered a live one but, trained in our regular work to give considerable attention to money, we have always felt that the discovery of the ransom money was an important part of the case and have been satisfied that Hauptmann at least shared in the guilt and should have been executed regardless of whether accomplices were found or not.
I think this is imporant because this is coming after Hauptmann's execution. Of course its not "official" but it clearly gives a behind the scene look at what their mindsets were. Here is a little more backround on Wilson in one of my Archived Posts:
lindberghkidnap.proboards56.com/index.cgi?board=michael&action=display&thread=1144709898
There is also testimony by Wilson at the Curtis Trial which is further evidence of his belief that more were involved in this crime. I will look that up and post it here once I get a chance to review my files.