Lenox Journal-Reporter, The (Newspaper) - July 14, 1938, Lenox, Iowa 1838 Iowa Territorial Centennial Edition 1938 DECATUR COUNTY'S REPRESENTATIVE FAMILY NEWSPAPER PAGE TO DA Jhe Leon First Part IOWA THURSDAY JULY H JO Confess Murder of Cy Arthur in 1935 ELLA HARRIS BOB MCNELLEY ADMIT KILLING McNelley Was Taken to Ft Madison Harris to well City Both Sentenced to Life Imprisonment The mystery the disappearance oL Cy 72 lonner has been solved with the confessions af Ella Harris 55 and Bob 39 of Davis City The pair admit they killed Ar- ihur Mrs Harris who is serving sentence at Rockwell City on a hog theft charge ly admitted poisoning Arthur at in 1935 However she denied any knowledge of the whereabouts of the body and did not reveal the motive the crime McNelley confessed lo shooting Arthur in the head after he was summoned to the Harris home to complete some work Jle told De- county officers and state that he Arthur from the effects of poison and shot him in the He further stated that he dragged the body to the at the Harris farm home alleges men from St Joseph Mo for the body and sold it to a medical school ill Kansas Fight Arrest a fight with Albert of al vis City McNelley wan arrested in Leon that evening McNelley confessed to Jxn Dlo and Sheriff Sinco following a ing In his confession lie accused Mrs Harris of poisoning Arthur Ho said she him to come out and complete some un- finished work Immediately after his confession was taken to and placed In the Clarke Mrs Harris had been many times during the past two years regarding the of Arthur When Ar- thur sold his properly nt Osceola for he went to the rls home to live At first ho left the his niece in At various times he would ask for Later he ed the balance and left with lie for Davis City Arthur made his home In Osceola with his step- Mrs Harrison now of Denver Colo According to Mrs Harrison Arthur was posed to give her the property for caring for him Throe months later Mrs Harrison sought to cate Arthur because a relative had died Mrs Harris told cers at that time that Arthur hati gone to California have failed to find the body of Arthur They have checked reports that It was quick limed also that ii was sold to a Kansas medical school has a wife and two children Mrs McNelley Is a WPA sewing room worker The two pleaded guilty to a charge of murder late Tuesday and were sentenced by ludge A Fuller to life ment the had boon Fuller said I would have sentenced both of to Robbery was Ibe motive for the crime After sentence was McNelley also confessed to Decatur counly officers and slate agents to the slaying of C McCay Leon farmer who disappeared lie day after a public sale Robbery was the tive in tills case body lias not been found to Madison was taken to Forl Madison Tuesday evening ing his sentence and Mrs Harris was returned lo Rockwell Oily Suicide According to County Attorney attempted suicide Monday evening thn Clarke counly jail McNelley used a broken milli bottle to plash his arm and foot and Mrs Harris feared a mob according lo Mr Confession Following is the confession of McNelley regarding the I R L McNelley beins 1 duly sworn on my oath state that I am the same R who statement lo the officers with reference to one Cy Arthur a HE R L few days ago that this morning 1 requested the sheriff of Clarke county to telephone the county at- j torney at Leon Iowa and ask him to come to Osceola Iowa as I de- sire to make a and I am making tills statement at my own request and of my own free and accord the first time I saw Limlley McCay lOlla Harris took me out to his house and she got out of the car and went into the house and I stayed in Hie car that she went to the door and knocked and came lo the door and there was not light and she vent in a while and she then was a cold winter J was and she said to come into the house and 1 went in the house and they had a light on the table at the south window and all the blinds were pulled down to the window sills and 1 sat In a and McCay and Harris got a conch buck of the Ing stove and 1 went to sleep That I heard them talking and Harris said Are the hoys still here and he said of I hem is In he pantry there and the other is upstairs that we sat there quite a while that was just after his was just a few days after sale that the son wo went there she told she said I am going to get rid of old follow Hnd get this money he has got so of course gel it done that night That was all that was said at that time McCay and her came lo my place one night but I don't re- member how long It was after hat I was tip lo Davis City one evening and she said McCay and 1 are coming down tonight and it seems my and one licy or bolh of them and Mildred went up to the show at Leon that night they went in my car ami McCoy and Mrs Harris came down in a car that 1 suppose she got of him that we didn't go in the house that we drove the car in tile basement and we went in the basement and we were in I hero unite little while then they got in Hie car and left but 1 do nol know where they went to bin she was aiming lo have him killed In the basement I hat was why they came down but something happened that bey did not get the job that 1 never seen anything more of McCuy until a few nights later and I was coming from out the west part of town and there car me and stopped and tolri me to gel in this was a big car and fellow told me that his name was Dan but be didn't toll me his last name just him and McCay were in the car we out the road a lillle piece ami the fellow slopped and gel out of the cur and told me to gel and we went back of the car and lie said yon are going lo McCay or I am going lo shoot you right here so 1 didn't say bnl I was scared very and he milled a gun out of the holster anil handed il to me and are you going to do II or do 1 have to nsn il on Ho 1 hesitated for a second and he slid I'am just lo give you one if will either he one lite or Iwo and of course I ihu uf car and McCay and he look him on with him and he said if you ever breathe this to anyone I will rome and get you This Dan is one ot the thai were down around Harris there Mrs Harris told me he was leader of so in a day or so 1 il was a night or Iwo she came np and said I got rid of and I didn't say thing This Can If Decatur County Corn Prospect Good Leslie M Carl federal crop statistician reports that Deca- tur county crop conditions this year are among the highest in the entire elate and far better than any part of northern The corn crop in our county according to Mr Carl is 95 per cent of a normal yield and that condition of onr oats now being harvested is 94 per cent of a normal age CHERRINGTON HEADS ROTARY Took Up Duties of President Lundquist Is Vice President C A Cherrington succeeded Homer Carpenter as president of the Leon Rotary club last day John became vice president Leslie Is the new and Grover ton continues as treasurer The new directors are C P vis William and Homer Carpenter Delinar Sparks is the new geant at arms The new president who with Mrs recently re- turned from attending the Rotary International convention in San Francisco told of his trip west his visit with his sons Virgil Francis and William who are in tins West and the proceedings of the big convention was a most interesting talk and his de- scription of the places of interest visited and highlights of- the convention was excellent Five new members of the Leon Rotary club attended their first meeting as Monday They were William Roberts Robert John Shaw Olin and Arch Edwards S M Wilson of Ventura Calif Or 10 1 Mines ot Leon Wallace Johnson of Ogden Iowa and bert ot Boulder Colo wore guests at the Monday eon BAND PROGRAM PLEASES CROWD Concert Saturday Night In- cluded and Instrumental The special program ed Saturday night by the pal band directed by Dr E J delighted an immense crowd Miss Bradley Mrs Alma Hunt of Leon and Mrs Pond of Osceola soloists sang a number ot selections Hint were enthusi- received by the big ence Miss Lorraine HInes also entertained with an excellent lin Mrs played a trombone Down On the Farm and made a great lift A new public address system was Installed Saturday evening just before the concert It was found that the apparatus needed further adjustment and it will be in better working order for the concert next Saturday night Presides at Newton on Labor Case Judge Homer A Fuller ot Mount Ayr has been appointed to preside in Hie district court at Newlon in Ibe C 1 O labor wilh the company The court there is in charge of Ibe grand jury investigations Judge Fuller will be the ing judge He takes place of Judge Bechley who had asked to be relieved on account of illness low who said had ance on the other old man Thai Mrs Harris told me bad a hit of money she didn't say bow much she I old me I hat Dan and other fellow stopped mii ti for stayed there and at her place That I shot McCay right in the car he was In the from seat I shot him in the side of the head Han was n big fellow il was a had and roads were blocked this look place on the highway vest of Davis City Ella Harris told me she bought car 1 not know anything about any other crime except that hearsay S M HAMILTON DIES IN DENVER Former Davis City Resident Found Dead in His Lived at Sterling The following item concerning the death of a former Davis City resident appeared in a recent sue of a Sterling Colo Funeral services for Samuel Hamilton 58 years formerly of Sterling will be held at 2 o'clock Monday afternoon at the A D Jackson and Son ary The burial will be at side cemetery Mr Hamilton who had from indigestion for some time died of acute indigestion sometime during the night in ver where he had resided for a number of years When he did not arise investigation was made and he was found dead in bed at 7 o'clock this morning Mr Hamilton was born on May 1 1881 at Davis City la and was the son of William arid Sarah B Hamilton He was at Davis City and grew to manhood there In 1900 he was married to Miss Emma Dobozy at Davis City Selecting railroading as his occupation Mr Hamilton served as a fireman for the lington railroad at Curtis Nebr He came to Sterling in that city In 1918 and was employed by the railroad here for- some years After a residence at Nebr he moved to in 19125 where for the last eight years he has been engaged in the roofing business His mother died in Sterling in October 1023 Surviving Mr Hamilton are three children Garland Hamilton of Norma or Sterling and Miss Betty ilton of Sterling his father liam Hamilton of Sterling and one sister Miss Hamilton of Sterling Merchants Are Offering Specials This Week The merchants of Leon are of- fering special bargains in lines this week-end They are ob- serving generally Down 100 Years week In Leon and in con- are placing hundreds oi specials on sale at very low price The band Saturday night will pre- sent a specially pleasing program and we expect another big crowd Note the advertisements in today's Each carries a short historical article concerning county as well us tions Home YOU TO WORK WHIUS WAS WEEK END A FINE I'D SAY JUST BECAUSE VOU COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO IS NO FCOM YOUR DO YOU THINK CMC OP HOLLYWOOD BUTTER PLIES YOU'VE IMITATE f NOW AND DIRTY PISHES i THOSE ALABASTER ACHIEVEMENTS SHOWN FRIDAY Misses Hullinger Campbell Rumley Win Trip to Ames Bought Moore Property C L Maxwell has purchased the W A Moore property just southeast of Harvey park Mr and Mrs C Cooley occupy the residence Mr Maxwell purchased the property at public auction Saturday J Hoffhines Celebrates Ninety-eighth Birthday Jonas civil war cran his ninety-eighth birthday Sunday at his home here on north Main street lie re- many friends in the after- noon Birthday messages cards and gifts were presented to Mr Hoffhines from nearly every state in union Mr is the civil war veteran living in the county There is only one other veteran tie is 02 of Mr despite his twilight years is in health PLAYER Golf Tournament Sunday Attracted Large Crowd of Players The golf tournament held on beautiful boon course last Sunday attracted over fifty ers in spite of the intense heat In the championship flight Jnp of Mount Ayr placed first diaries of Leon was norup and Dr of moni was consolation In the medalist for 30 holes Dalby had strokes 141 followed by Blaylock Shipman and Dickey in the order named players competed and represented Bethany Albany ton Mount Ayr Osceola Humeston Des Moines and Leon Tile players praised onr course and enjoyed their day here ly As recorded in Leon Unofficial New Plant At the Variety Store Mark McDonald were ed the this week for in- stalling a new heating system in the Long building occupied by the Carpenter Variety store The heating system will be heated by nn oil burner which will heal both first and second floors of the large building began week on Hie installation of system Start Work on Store Front George and bis Harry Jenkins started work on a new modern from that will be constructed in the ing occupied by Mclntosh store The new front will he of the most modern type with new style display windows entrance BIG SHOW AND FAIR AUG Midway Contracted For Premium List Will Soon Be Issued The County 4-H Show and be held year on August 22 23 and 24 Noel park will again be the location Seven free acts have been en- caged for days and rides and for the midway have been contracted The catalogue anil premium list will be issued and ready for distribution giving complete concerning Hie coming tion 11 will he biggest and best yet Further particulars will be given by the from week to week Three Hurt on Trestle Job Hoy one ot the foremen on the of the burned i C H Q trestle at Davis City had one of his legs while at work on the big job R H a big spike a heavy shoe into his foot and was sent to his home i a Villisca Saturday 1 W REUNION AT GRAND RIVER Dates Are July 21 22 and Fine tions Promised The second annual home ject achievement day of the Leon department was held at the high school building July B The homemaking girls arrived at wearing the dresses they lad made in homemaking during clothing construction unit girl was eager to hear the other girls projects so the ng was spent in an informal table discussion Miss Griffin discussed tentative plans for a future revision of the making course It such a revision can be perfected three years of will be offered in the future At noon the girls enjoyed lem- and ice cream with their picnic lunches Mrs C R Mrs E ganger Mrs B Gilliland acted as the committee to choose the three girls to represent the group at tiie state conference in Ames on August 4 and 5 The projects were judged on the amount of thought required the value of the project to the in- dividual and to the family and the of the project From the thirty projects re- ported Cleo Hullinger Phyllis Campbell and were judged to have made the progress through their Cleo made a playroom for her smaller brother and sister Phyllis did all the work for a week while her mother was away and also redecorated her room ImogHuo constructed n pair of pajamas for her youngest other sister and two school es for herself The conference which these arc permitted to at- tend serves as a training school for district conferences lo be held in tile fall The annual Grand River ion will be held on July 21 22 and 23 Preparations for the biy animal affair are complete and a fine gram of attractions has been ar- ranged The Uegal United Amusement company will be there with their midway including five rides con- cessions and shows Radio stars from station WMT at Cedar put on a free show each afternoon and evening They will have a change ot program each day Grand River lias held this an- reunion for many years and il is always a big and the attendance large NURSE HURT IN CAR ACCIDENT Struck by Passing Vehicle While on the Pavement Injured Wrist in Fall From Load Of on Iho same work U Hlair near piling Sunday and re- Van fell from n of hay his white assisting with the liny harvest at the Mm Wilson I severe He injuries to his and arm and his right l D F Avery Improved Avory who was struck LOOM Mic in-I wrist sivon is low Ho is lo walk about thn Vernon Moore Injured Moore who assists serious and lias bedfast had a Rood part of the lime since Iho His many friends will he to know he is so Miss Campbell of county was injured it S w Wednesday ing one and miles north of Leon while walking at he ot pavement was by a ear driven by Ted farmer Affording lo Mr was enroute north lie did not Miss Campbell because oi lights from a large transfer ruck he was in IT M iss Ca was u the nf the pavement The bumper of ill ear struck Miss Campbell ind her sideways hr grader ditch Tlv ambulance removed Miss Camp bell lo t hospital consisted chiefly nf and nils COMING ATTRACTIONS AT STRAND THEATRE Thursday Inly 14 last ing nt Victor Brian Don levy and Louise in Ball to of Broadway There hasn't been so fun since Mademoiselle from was a mere slip of a girl Also coined Friday and Saturday July ami id Jane Withers in cals with Roche HP Hudson and Koben Wileox and Love on Toast with Stella Aidler and John Payne Sunday and Monday July 17 and is Dr with Bins Crosby Mary Carlisle Beatrice Lillie and Andy Also a Walt cartoon Lonesome n comedy Tuesday only July Blind with Richard Dix ney and Ace the wonder uiig Also a musical Shoe with Rita Rio orchestra Wednesday and Thursday July and LM Little Miss Frank Ann Ian and Lit el and lo Know with Anna May Wong Akim Tamiroff and Gail Patrick July 24 and tielle Cowboy Brooklyn Yellow Mice Vivacious Lady and Gob Diggers ill Paris Left Tuesday for Oregon Wallace Officer and family of Ncu Virginia and his fa i her Ira of Leon left Tuesday Lily tor Oregon the hit halt brot hei 1 Arney and fainily wi f Ii relat i ves and f nd s in he expert tn be 1 I'd in t weeks They are the t rip in ar They will also i and ot her points I in I iei al his right log last weel when a a ear he was on ami the hot blast him The burn is thn ankle Tnd is still giving bim able pnin at times Here From Nebraska Mrs and three of 1 guests at the home nf her mother Mr on st Commercial street Returned From Arkansas Mary Covington who has been visit inn at Harrison Ark returned to Leon last Saturday She had been visiting old friends there and Mr and Mrs Tames Ar- thur of Harrison her to Lron in their ear They returned to Arkansas a iVv visit here Drove Out From Chicago M i t i nn i for 1 A lew with Hotel Makes Improvements Mr Mrs r imi oung son who i- visit U with t hi in o Sutu The Hotel Leon Ii is re 1 part or he ior Venetian blinds Slave been in- stalled on the lobby find awnings have boon on all room windows on cast front on the third Buys Miller Home Miss Mate of Moines has pure ha sou John Miller bonv on non Ii The H Shields real estate broke Are Home From Canadian Fishing 1 and oy K-- im Tuesday rom rh Lake if the In had on- M week's Til re- ri J Lille and y o
