Threatening letter triggers bank blackmail case in town
A menacing note demanding thirty thousand dollars was sent to Nathan G. Read, president of the Washington National Bank. Police and bank directors used a staged ambush near the east Walnut street school to trap the blackmailer, with a gunfight injuring the assailant who fled, while a bystander woman was wounded in the exchange.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
N. G. Read
First National Bank
Walnut Street
East Seventh
Walnut
Crazy Snake
Washington National Bank
Nathan G. Read
Mr. Read
Zin Faila
Julius Feagans
Nad
Post Office
Capture Plot by Bank Officers and Police Chief
The plan to capture blackmailers was laid under bank officers and the police chief. A dummy box would be fixed and detected on the spot, with Mr Read following instructions on disposing of the parcel.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Louie I. Read
Cashler
Walnut Street
Read
Miles Jones
Miles
Read and Jones
Thomas Wilson
Cameron Hyatt
Thomas. Wilson
Mrs Read
Light Brigade
Balaklava
Ted
Mr. Read
Gun Volley Brings Down A Woman At Schoolhouse Ambush
An armed man identified as Mr Read approached a schoolyard near Main and Seventh streets with a revolver and a box. Watching townspeople described a planned ambush with a female figure seen on Bedford road as the box was moved and the plot unfolded.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Read
Sue Street
Main
M Ain Srw
Kermode
Bedford Road
Seventh Street
Bedford” Road
Wounded Woman recounts strange murder related tale
Zella Stringer a divorced woman once known as Clark, described a stranger in Templecourt who asked her to fetch a parcel from the schoolhouse gate. She insists she acted for a mysterious man not Sparks, while authorities note possible mental illness and a venereal disease as she recovers in jail.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Zella Stringer
Clark
Templecourt
Temple ‘Court
James Sparks
Sparks
Hastings
the Herald
Stringer
H Ip
Rachael Kitterman
Seventh Street
Suspect in Shooting Tied to Petty Larceny Claim
Officers visited Mrs. Jeannerman's home two hours after a shooting and found James Spark there. Zell reportedly fell ill and was jailed. Spark denied knowledge of the incident while a petty larceny charge tied to a alleged theft of a pair of shades was expected to be filed.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Nnerman
James Spark
Zell
Sparks
Blackmail attempt described with alibi and daily visits
The suspect claimed not to be with Mrs Stringer that evening and detailed his day including visits to Gordon's Aerhart and Schuck's saloons. He said he went to Aerhart's to sell empty bottles and to see Mrs Stringer, who was absent. The jail visit was voluntary. Sparks, 35, is child of John T Sparks, Terre Haute suicide.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
John Sullivan
Sparks
John T. Sparks
Terre Haute
Possible Federal Involvement in Blackmail Case
Report notes talk of turning the case over to federal authorities for U S officers probe. Prosecutor Hastings delays, Circuit Court likely to hear charges. Mrs Stringer and Sparks jailed. Stringer sticks to story. Sparks seeks attorney Padgett. Prosecution in conference with night sergeant as charges expected for blackmail and petty larceny.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
United States
Hastings
Sparks
James Sparks Bound Over to Circuit Court
James Sparks, the woman's lover, was arraigned on petty larceny charges for allegedly stealing shoes from John Biles in August. He admitted to taking the shoes as a joke, claiming they were returned. The mayor bound Sparks over to court with bail set at $200. his mother signed the bond and Sparks was released.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
James Sparks
John Biles
Sparks
Dallas letter alleged in blackmail case
A torn envelope and a doctored letter in a Dallas Texas blackmail case tied to Mrs Zella Stringer of Washington Indiana. The letter claimed she won ten thousand dollars from a farm lottery near Dallas and hinted at a forged cash check.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Zella Clark Stringer
Southeast
Seventh Street
Washington
Ind
Zella Stringer
Dalas
Texas
Verry Penpetteny
W. Kl
Bogus Texas letter tied to extortion attempt in bank dispute
The report notes a Dallas letter allegedly by Mrs Stringer and a second demand to Mr Read, both written by the same hand. The Dallas letter shows shotgun punctures and blood smears, suggesting violent tampering during the extortion plot.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Texas
Missing Letter Fragment Found in Stringer Case
William Gibson, the night watchman, found a fragment of a letter allegedly from Texas in the Stringer case. Officers believe the torn letter was altered to imply a cancelled stamp and postmark removal, suggesting it never circulated. The fragment hints at a scheme to justify sudden wealth from blackmail.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
William, Gibson
Gibson
Texas Lecter
Famous Cabel Blackmail Case Revisited with Shoot to Hit Order
Historian notes a previous sensational blackmail plot against rich merchant and coal operator Joseph Cabel. Threats, arson, and a trap in a hollow tree near a fairground failed when suspects fled. one later imprisoned. The Read case is linked to a renewed plan to shoot.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Joseph Cabel
Cabel
Cabe
Old pistol misfires during attempt to arm posse
Col. Ed Meredith sought a relic to equip the army and discharged an antique horse pistol in his Meredith house. The accidental blast tore the sleeve and clothes press but caused no further damage or injuries.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Meredith
Mr. Read
Play at Montgomery showcases Miller’s Daughter and Too Much of a Good Thing
The Alfordsville high school troupe presents The Miller's Daughter a five act melodrama and Too Much of a Good Thing a light comedy sketch at Montgomery Saturday night. Deputy Auditor Williams from Reeve township plans to attend along with several locals.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Montgomery
Affordsville
Williams
Reeve Township
Holt convicted in Martin circuit court for grand larceny
Isaac Holt, a young farmer, was found guilty of grand larceny in Martin circuit court at Shoals after a trial that continued despite Holt’s absence due to fleeing the night before. Prosecution led by Hastings. special judge Provian A. Seal presided.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Martin
Shoals
Indiana
Isaac Holt
Hastings
Holt
Méem J
Elizabeth, Blankenship
David Blankenship
Martin County
Paul Blankenship
Wass
Blankenship
Houghton
Fprovian A. Seal
Gia Holt
Convention a success for Daviess county Farmers union
The quarterly convention of the Farmers Educ and Cooperative Unions of Daviess county drew about 160 delegates from a 2000 membership. F Ageton presided as Rev George Weeks spoke, and Washington was chosen as next meeting site in June 30. Mayor Russell gave welcome and resolutions were adopted. The group emphasizes farming improvement and rapid growth in the county.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Farmers’ Educational and’ Cooperative Unions
Daviess County
F. Ageton
George Weeks
Washington
Russell
Nine Deaths in March Report From City Health Secretary
Secretary Dr Waldo Wilesford reports March mortality with nine deaths and thirteen births. Pulmonary tuberculosis caused three deaths, while accidents and medical conditions including pneumonia gallstones carcinoma heart dilation stillbirth and debility are noted among the others. The births skewed male with ten of fourteen being boys.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
City Board of Health
Waldo Wilesford
Runaway Horses Demolish Plow Near Veale’s Creek
George Gillistt, a prominent farmer near Veale's Creek, nearly lost a $200 mare in a runaway. The mare and another animal, hitched to a wagon, bolted after one tripped the other. They tore down a barbed wire fence, broke the plow, and one animal suffered a bad hind leg gash before the bleeding was checked.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
George Gillistt
Veale's Creek
Martia
Barclay
Put Up New Signs at Washington Nations and Peoples National Bank
Handsome signs are being installed at the Washington Nations bank and the Peoples National Bank. Signs were made to order and constructed of polished bronze.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Bata i
Washington Nations Bank
Peoples “National Bas
Also Mentioned on This Page
Wilson Kitchen
Young Wilson
Chief Corning
Dallas, Texas
Dallas
This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!