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Post by Michael on Nov 28, 2006 20:23:32 GMT -5
Hi everyone, I wanted to let you all know that I've started writing a "blog" for the NJ State Police Museum. It's called "Archival Ramblings" and you can find it at: njspmuseum.blogspot.com/2006/11/welcome.html It's going to be a series of articles pertaining to the history of the State Police and the Lindbergh Case. (And just for the record, it's independent of State Police and the Museum so I'm free to write whatever I want :-) My first article is up. It's a biography of Major Hugo Stockburger #504 of the State Police. He is a friend of mine who will be 100 years old on December 28th, so I thought it would be fitting to have his biography as my first post. It's very long (it covers 100 years!) so if you're interested, you may want to print it out rather than reading it on-line. If all goes well, I'll try to update the site once a month - sometimes more often if events warrant - so be sure to keep checking it. Yes, I must be crazy to think I'm going to research and write an article every month, but what the hell...it's worth a try! You can find any posts you may have missed by using the "RECENT POSTS" link on the right hand side of the web page. The "blog" is dedicated to my professors in the History Department at Trenton State College (now The College of New Jersey). I honestly miss the research papers I had to write for them. If the articles I write are any good, it's because of the training I received there. (And if they're not any good, well......). Feedback is always welcome, so feel free to e-mail me about any of the posts. Just be polite... Enjoy the articles! Mark
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Post by Michael on Jan 1, 2007 10:21:58 GMT -5
The Premier: Major Hugo Stockburger #504Excerpt: Eventually, in June 1929, Stockburger decided to take the State Police entrance exam. Although rumor has it that Schwarzkopf personally asked Stockburger to take the test, this is not true. “I never spoke to the man when I worked in the kitchen and he only shook my hand when I graduated. That was it until much later in my career.” njspmuseum.blogspot.com/2006/11/major-hugo-stockburger-504.html
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Post by Michael on Feb 2, 2007 20:52:43 GMT -5
The January '07 Article: Into The StratosphereExcerpt: Major Chester L. Fordney (USMC) and Lieutenant Commander T.G.W. (“Tex”) Settle (USN) launched their balloon in Akron, Ohio where they reached the stratosphere at an altitude of 61,237 feet (18,665 meters). The balloon was so high that it was able to drift to Bridgeton, New Jersey, where it landed later that same day. They were “rescued” by the New Jersey State Police the following day – they spent the night in a swamp because they had lost their radio equipment after making the first live transmission from the stratosphere. njspmuseum.blogspot.com/2007/01/into-stratosphere.html
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Post by Michael on Feb 10, 2007 12:24:43 GMT -5
The Feburary '07 Article: A Horse Named "Trooper"Excerpt: In 1933, all of the horses owned by the State Police were sold. Captain William J. Carter wanted to keep Trooper, however the orders of Superintendent Colonel H. Norman Schwarzkopf were that all of the horses must be sold. njspmuseum.blogspot.com/2007/02/horse-named-trooper.html
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Post by Michael on Mar 1, 2007 6:56:38 GMT -5
The 75th Anniversary (March 1, 2007) Article: British Suspects: America’s Most Famous Kidnapping’s British ConnectionExcerpt: Many of the servants employed by the Lindberghs and Morrows were immigrants from Europe, several from Great Britain. Betty Gow was the “Little Lindy’s” nanny. She was born at 26 Polmadie Street in Glasgow, Scotland on February 12, 1904. Her mother was Isabella McLaglan. Her father, William Gordon Gow, was a baker. Betty was a member of the Govanhill Parish Church and she attended Wolseley Street and Haysfield Street public schools to the age of fourteen. njspmuseum.blogspot.com/2007/03/british-suspects-americas-most-famous.html
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Post by Michael on Apr 1, 2007 14:35:16 GMT -5
The April '07 Article: Mission to IranExcerpt: The Imperial Iranian Gendarmerie was the first modern highway patrol and rural police force in Iran. Established in 1910, the Gendarmerie went through several changes over the course of the Twentieth Century. njspmuseum.blogspot.com/2007/03/mission-to-iran_120.html
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Post by Michael on May 1, 2007 21:11:32 GMT -5
The May '07 Article: Septimus Banks - A Butler to StarsExcerpt: It was sometime between 8:00 and 10:00 that evening that the Lindbergh baby was kidnapped from his nursery in Hopewell, New Jersey. Although Septimus was cleared as a suspect by the authorities, he was interrogated and his background was investigated. njspmuseum.blogspot.com/2007/05/septimus-banks-butler-to-stars.html
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Post by Michael on Jun 3, 2007 21:29:54 GMT -5
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Post by Michael on Aug 3, 2007 23:24:10 GMT -5
The August '07 Article: Crime of Choice: The Threatened Kidnapping of Senator Dryden KuserExcerpt: A year after the kidnapping of the Lindbergh Baby, on the evening of April 24, 1933, a maid in the employ of Mr. and Mrs. J. Dryden Kuser handed her mistress a letter that had just been collected at the post office by Anthony Gallo, the Kuser’s chauffeur. The letter, dated April 19, 1933 and addressed to Mrs. Kuser, demanded $12,000 be paid or else her husband would be “...kidnapped and held for five times that amount or he will be delivered.... DEAD.” njspmuseum.blogspot.com/2007/08/crime-of-choice-threatened-kidnapping_02.html
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Post by Michael on Sept 1, 2007 19:04:06 GMT -5
The September '07 Article: The Skirl of the PipesExcerpt: The first State Police pipe band formed in the United States is the New Jersey State Police Pipe Band: the Pipes and Drums of the Blue and Gold. Founded in 1986 with the consent and authorization of Colonel Clinton Pagano, its function is to provide ceremonial services of the Division of State Police. In early 1990 the band was incorporated as a not-for-profit organization within the State of New Jersey. njspmuseum.blogspot.com/2007/08/skirl-of-pipes.html
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Post by Michael on Oct 2, 2007 5:40:48 GMT -5
The October '07 Article: The State Police vs The PressExcerpt: According to State Police Superintendent Colonel H. Norman Schwarzkopf, the Director of the Investigation, “several hundred newspaper reporters arrived at the Lindbergh residence during the night [and] were entertained by Colonel Lindbergh.” They “...did not leave the place until specifically requested to do so through their editors by Colonel Lindberg [at] about 4:00 pm Wednesday, March 2nd. njspmuseum.blogspot.com/2007/09/lindbergh-case-state-police-vs-press.html
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Post by Michael on Nov 7, 2007 6:34:19 GMT -5
The November '07 Article: Schwarzkopf vs. HoffmanExcerpt: Governor Hoffmann decided not to re-appoint Schwarkzopf as Superintendent. Instead, he appointed his friend and political ally, Colonel Mark O. Kimberling, as the second State Police Superintendent. Kimberling originally held the title of Deputy Superintendent under Schwarzkopf from 1921 until he resigned on June 30, 1929. He later became the Principal Keeper of the Trenton State Prison and was in charge of Richard Hauptmann’s execution in April 1936. He took over as superintendent on June 17, 1936. njspmuseum.blogspot.com/2007/11/schwarzkopf-vs-hoffman.html
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Post by Michael on Dec 1, 2007 10:10:24 GMT -5
The December '07 Article: The State Police in 1932Excerpt: Over the years, there has been much criticism of the New Jersey State Police and their abilities during the Lindbergh Case. While some criticism is warranted, much of it comes from looking at the investigation with 21st Century eyes. This is unfair, because the State Police of today is a very different organization from what it was in 1932. njspmuseum.blogspot.com/2007/12/state-police-in-1932.html
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Post by Michael on Jan 3, 2008 16:33:48 GMT -5
The January '08 Article: Hutchinson's ManorExcerpt: The State Police not only obtained land but also the existing farm buildings for use by the training school. “Formerly a farm, the new center required work to convert it to its new purpose, and the recruits found themselves performing a variety of chores. Roofs needed repair, gravel was spread in the stables and roadways, and all hands found themselves wielding paintbrushes.” njspmuseum.blogspot.com/2008/01/hutchinsons-manor.html
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Post by Michael on Mar 2, 2008 8:55:22 GMT -5
The March '08 Article: Timeline of Events: March 1, 1932 Excerpt: In 2004, I compiled a timeline of events for March 1, 1932. Based upon the actual statements and testimony of the people living at the Lindbergh Estate in Hopewell and the Mrs. Lindbergh's mother's estate in Englewood, the timeline is an attempt to show not only where everyone was and what they were doing at a specific time, but also to show the contradictions in their sworn statements and testimony. What the contradictions mean, I do not know; that is up for researchers to decide. njspmuseum.blogspot.com/2008/02/march-1-1932-timeline.html
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Post by Michael on Apr 2, 2008 4:22:50 GMT -5
The April '08 Article: Mystery ManExcerpt: According to Stockburger, Hauptmann was led into the courtroom on the first day of the trial in handcuffs. Winchell saw this and was outraged. “This is America! Here we are innocent until proven guilty. Take those handcuffs off!” njspmuseum.blogspot.com/2008/04/mystery-man.html
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Post by Michael on May 7, 2008 15:16:54 GMT -5
The May '08 Article: The First NJSP Civilian Killed "In the Line of Duty"Excerpt: "The two Troopers sat in the front seat leaving the suspect unattended in the back seat. While driving along the highway near Chimney Rock...the suspect suddenly shouted 'Hands up!' Trooper Coyle, who was riding in the passenger seat, turned and the man fired a blank directly into Coyle's face. The man then wrested Coyle's revolver from him and fired two shots into Trooper Coyle's back. He died immediately." njspmuseum.blogspot.com/2008/04/first-njsp-civilian-killed-in-line-of.html
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Post by Michael on Jun 3, 2008 19:22:53 GMT -5
The June '08 Article: Trooper DoughboyExcerpt: “Doughboy” was more than just a mascot; he was an honorary Trooper and considered as much a member of the New Jersey State Police as any member of the K9 Unit is today. [/blockquote] njspmuseum.blogspot.com/2008/06/trooper-doughboy.html
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Post by Michael on Jul 9, 2008 15:34:42 GMT -5
The July '08 Article: The Greatest Thing Since Otto RohwedderExcerpt: In the same issue of the Times, New York Area Supervisor of the Food Distribution Administration John F. Conaboy announced that the sliced bread ban would continue. It was not until March 8, 1943 that the ban was finally lifted. The headline “Sliced Bread Put Back on Sale; Housewives’ Thumbs Safe Again; Wickard Rescinds Ban of Jan. 18…” appeared in the New York Times the following day. njspmuseum.blogspot.com/2008/07/greatest-thing-since-otto-rohwedder.html
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Post by Michael on Sept 9, 2008 6:30:32 GMT -5
The September '08 Article The Ransom Notes: An Analysis of Their Content "Signature"Excerpt: One of the most fascinating areas of study in the Lindbergh Kidnapping Case is the Ransom Notes. While much has been discussed regarding the handwriting and possible meaning and design of the symbol or signature (“singnature”), I find the content of the notes to be most interesting. It is well known that Dr. Dudley Shoenfeld had done a psychological analysis of the contents in the 1930s, but the content can also provide a glimpse not only into the mind of the author(s) but also into their situation. The purpose of this paper is not to answer any questions, but to raise new questions the discussion of which will hopefully shed some light behind the scenes of the ransom note writer’s desk. njspmuseum.blogspot.com/2008/02/one-of-most-fascinating-areas-of-study.html
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Post by Michael on Oct 31, 2008 10:44:54 GMT -5
The October '08 Article: INVASION! A 70th Anniversary TributeExcerpt: Trooper Vincent Mason reported for duty at 4:00 in the afternoon of October 30, 1938. All was quiet, the most exciting thing happening so far was an escape from the Skillman Village, an epileptic asylum just north of Hopewell. But then all hell broke loose. njspmuseum.blogspot.com/2008/10/invasion-70th-anniversary-tribute.html
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Post by Michael on Feb 25, 2009 18:52:26 GMT -5
The Feburary '09 Article: The Crash of the Nellie BlyExcerpt: Shortly after quitting work he heard about the wreck and started on a run for the scene. He was half-crazed at being unable to see his son in the crowd surrounding the wreck and then he ran up to the very verge of the furnace-like fire that was consuming the cars. Horror-stricken, he had to retreat, for the heat was unbearable. After seeing the wreck of the smoker car where he was told his son had been sitting, he was convinced his son was dead, for a glance at the twisted, splintered fragments of the smoker seemed proof positive that no human being could have escaped alive. After frantically searching for his son nearly all night he gave up out of sheer exhaustion until the next day. It was a couple of days later that his son’s coat was found in the canal. His son’s body was never recovered.[21]
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Post by Michael on Sept 20, 2009 7:29:09 GMT -5
The September '09 Article: Mile High Cure?Excerpt: Trooper Herbert Eugene Roland Olstead #72 was in a motorcycle accident on March 28, 1922 while on duty that resulted in a “fractured skull, partial paralysis of the face, and total deafness in both ears.”
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Post by Michael on Oct 2, 2009 15:56:20 GMT -5
The October '09 Article: Biker Chick?Picture:
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Post by Michael on Dec 1, 2009 6:59:20 GMT -5
The December '09 Article: Snake Bite!Excerpt: The three men earned the medal of valor when they saved the life of Titusville, New Jersey resident Louis Guarniere. Mr. Guarniere, who had been bitten by a rattlesnake, was near death and the only anti-venom serum available was over 80 miles away at the Bronx Zoo.
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Post by Michael on Mar 2, 2010 19:51:46 GMT -5
The March '10 Article: Enter: JafsieExcerpt: It seems that only two books, The Hand of Hauptmann, by Haring and The Case That Never Dies, by Gardner, get the wording of Condon's real offer correct. This is probably because they went by his actual handwritten letter and not by what was published in the newspaper.
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Post by Michael on Apr 30, 2010 15:46:28 GMT -5
The March '10 Article: New Jersey State Secret Service: Excerpt: Fred Munroe worked as a private eye for the New Jersey State Secret Service on a part-time basis. His "day job" was working in the photo-engraving department of the New York Daily News. Apparently, he was a decent detective because on March 19, 1932 "...he arrested two men in Hackensack on a charge of counterfeiting...[he] has a long record of arrests to his credit." (NY Daily News, "News Pix" page 6. April 1932). Deputy Chief Munroe also worked on the Lindbergh Kidnapping Case in March 1932, providing data on various suspects to the New Jersey State Police.
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Post by Michael on May 20, 2011 5:49:45 GMT -5
May 2011 Article: A Reprehensible AffairExcerpt: "As the New Jersey State Police enters its 90th year, it has almost become commonplace to hear of a State Trooper suing the organization or the Superintendent for any number of reasons. This trend would make some pine for the 'good old days', back in the early 20th century when this kind of thing just did not happen. But did the 'good old days' ever really exist?"
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Post by Michael on Feb 15, 2013 21:50:33 GMT -5
February '13 Article: Why the Delay? Excerpt: The Lindbergh Kidnapping Case is full of baffling aspects, not the least of which was the timing of the payment of the ransom money. Could the phase of the moon provide some insight into why it took a month for the ransom to be paid?
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Post by Michael on Jan 21, 2015 17:27:07 GMT -5
January '15 Article: The Man Who Saved D-Day Excerpt: I had the privilege of working with Sidney Spiegel at the State Police Museum for eight years while he proudly volunteered as my “assistant” and we became good friends. He always looked forward to discussing his State Police career and his time with “Ike” over a cup (or two) of coffee. He died in May 2001, and is buried in the Memorial Garden at the Museum. I had the honor of playing the bagpipes at his memorial service that summer.
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