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About The Omaha morning bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 1922-1927 | View Entire Issue (March 15, 1923)
Insanity May Be Plea of Rich at Murder Trial Mother Says Son's Mind Un balanced Since He Was Hurt in Fall in His Youth. (Continued From Page One > i>us types and calibers of revolvers. J n a recent case at Cleveland, Beal said, the expert singled out the bul lets fired front five different guns. Repudiates Confession. "I know no more about the Sief ken murder than you do.” This was the statement yesterday nfteroon of Rich, just before be was taken to county jail, repudiating statements made to Cleveland and Omaha detectives, and a signed con fession, in which he admits the slay ing. “I confessed to the Siefken murder in Cleveland because I was facing life Imprisonment for robbery there, and if I had to go to the pen, I wanted to be in Nebraska, near my fulks. •'When I was in jail there, they showed me a picture, a clipping of the Siefken murder. All I know about it. I got from that. I didn’t even know where the oil statioa was.” Rich seemed to labor under the impression that once he was out of Ohio, the Ohio authorities could not get hint back. He says he can prove an alibi, and that the gun taken from him later in Omah was still on a dealer's shelf wh«n the Siefken murders were com mitted. Will Ask Death Penalty. County Attorney Henry Beal said that Rich's repudiation of his con fession will have no influence upon his prosecution for murder. He said the state will ask the death penalty for Rich and present every iota of evidence obtainable in an effort to convict him. Handcuffed to Detective William Gurnett and followed by County At torney Henry Beal, who brought him from Cleveland. O., he dismounted from a westbound train at the Union station shortly .after daylight, and made his way through the falling snow accompanied by his captors to a waiting police car. Pleads With Real. During the Journey, Mr. Beal said, Rich pleaded with him to “try and save me from the juice,’’ the Jargon of criminals for the electric chair. “I wish you'd let me ’cop a plea' and get down to Lincoln right away and get it over with,'’ he told Beal. The county attorney told him he mun answer for his crime the same throat and cheat thoroughly with— visas Over 17 Million /an Umi Yarntg r\Yes%Mrs. Smith Resinol “We always keep a Jar on hand. It ia the beat thing I know for ec and similar Ilia, and it is so gentle and soothing it la excellent for cuts, burns, or sores. We use Kesl nol Soap also—it’s ideal for the com plexion and bath. Vea. you can get all the Resinol products from yoor druggist.” > as any other criminal, and accept the punishment which is meted out to him by law. Then the slayer lost his debonair manner. He broke down and cried. ! When the train reached Omaha, how ever, he had recovered his stolidity and exhibited supreme indifference to the events incident to his being placed in a cell. He gave his Omaha address as S007 j North Fortieth street, his mother's ! home. After Rich made another state ment to Acting Chief of Detectives Pazanowskl and County Attorney Beal, in which he reiterated his Cleve land confession with but one or two exceptions, he asked a reporter for The Omaha Bee to call his mother. "I'm tired of life anyway.” said Rich, and tears began to stream down his cheeks. “If I can't get life Imprisonment, they can give me the chair. The only reason I did it was to get money. I did not possess the physique of the ordinary man because I have been sick most of my life and was unable to earn a comfortable living. My parents were never In any shape to do anything for me.” Rich pins most of his hope to a frank story he says he will tell the district judge. Upon arriving at po lice headquarters he informed Beal that he was ready to enter a plea of "not guilty” and waive preliminary hearing and was ready to stand trial any day. Rich was born and raised In Omaha. He was sent from Council Bluffs to Anamosa, la., reformatory six years ago for auto stealing. Rich was released from Anamosa with five other men. The six came to Omaha, he said, and stole four automobiles, which were checked to day by Captain Pzsanowskl. He also says he committed three robberies here. The gang, Rich said, then split up. Rich was one of the five persons to be arraigned in police court yesterday morning. He entered a formal pica of not guilty and was Immediately : held to the district court without bond. Previous to his arraignment, Rich repeated the confession he made to Cleveland detectives. After it had been typed by Robert J. Creran, sec retary of the detective department, County Attorney Beal called in news papermen and asked Rich if he made the confession of his own free will. He said that he did. arid immediately signed it. Confesses Holdup. He confessed to a holdup across the street from the Union station with Jimmy Reed, later shot and killed in Chicago, and a man named Oakley. Then, he said, began his real career of crime. After Reed’s death, he and Oakley went to Cleveland. Here they com mitted several robberies. Verdict of the jury now trying Sol Wesley and LeRoy Mauldon on a charge of first degree murder in con nection with the death of H. A. Deer son. may affect the prosecution of Rich, according to County Attorney Beal. He declared that the Deerson mur der was more brutal than those con fessed by Rich, and that If the jury failed to send Wesley and Mauldon to the electric chair, it might save the county money to permit Rich to plead guilty. Oil Employes Denounce Senate Committee Report Chicago, March 14.—The report of the La Follette subcommittee of the sennate on the oil industry was de nounced in resolutions adopted today by employes of the Whiting (Ind.l plant of thp Standard Oil company of Indiana, through their industrial relations committee. Th© resolutions expressed "our com plete confidence in the directors of our company and their ability and In tention to continue to conduct the af fairs of this company in a manner fair and Just to the public, to the stockholder, to the employes and to the competitor." Slayer Suspect’s Statements Following: is the statement made to Cleveland, O.. detectives by William Albert Rich, in w hich he confesses the slayingTof C. E. and Robert Slefken in Omaha the night of May 20, 1922. and which he repeated to Chief of De tectives Charles Van Deusen yesterday morning: By Capt. Matowitz: William, w© are* going to ask you to make a statement regarding the murder of C. E. Slefken and his eon, Robert Slefken. but before doing en we want you to know that the law gives you the right to refrain from making any statement to ua. unless you make such statement of your own free will, and that any statement you make to us will be used In court at your trial. Knowing this, do you care to make a statement? A. Tea. Q. When were you released rrom mou prison? A. On the 12th day of May. 1922 Q. Where 1a thta prison located? A. Jonee county. Iowa. Q. Where did you go after you were re leased from prlaon? A. I went to Omaha. Q. Now tell ua juat what happened after you arrived in Omaha A. I went home flrat. about a w**k later I borrowed a gun from a fellow named Turner. Q Where did Turner live? A At 2415 Emmet atreet, Omaha. Q. What kind of gun did you hprrow-’ A. T am not sure; It waa cither a S2 or .51 caliber. » Was it a blue steel or nickel i j.\’»a«l? A I* waa a blue steel. • } Where la that revolver now? A. At j'Olire headquarter*. Omaha Q What did you do with this revolver? A. Thar waa the one I ahot Slefken and hig son with. Q Tell ua about the shooting In de tail? j Ana.—I got the gun from Turner down ! town I met him at Sixteenth and Har ney atreet*. I waa going to stick up a man on the atreat, but I didn’t any that looked good, ao I got to Farnam atreei I saw an oil filling nation. I thought that there would be a lot of money there, so I walked In there. T waa nervous It waa the first time I ever did anything Ilka that. When I came Into the filling station. T told young Slefken "to stick them up" and then I started shooting. Then his father came in and I shot him. Q.—Why did you Bhoot old man Slefken? A.—I was nervous, started to shoot and then kept on. Q.—How many time* did you ehoot? An.—Five or aix times Q—Did you reload your revolver? A.—No. I had no more cartridge* Q.—Did you flra all of the ahoia In the filling station? A.—No. ahot some of them wh*n T was running down the street. Q—When you ahot did you ace Mr Fleflacn and h!s »on fall? A.—Tea Q.—-Which one fell first ? A.—The old man Q.—Do you remember in what pa»-t of , the station he fell? A.—In the north part of the station. 1 Q —Do you remember where the son ! fell? A—The »on fell on the other aide of the door, the old man staggered around a little bit first. O—Which way did you run aftsr the shooting ? A.—I ran north on tht aids street. I am not surs of ths number of the street. Q—Did you get any money from the filling station? A.— So. Q.—-What did you do with the gun? A.—I returned It to Turner. then we went down to tha lakea after tha» Wa were shooting and Turner and 1 were arrested. Turner had some dynamite raps in hla possession. <5- What did they do with you ,et the tlina of jour arrest ? A We were both held for carrying 'onrealad weapons, we wers bound over to the grand Jury and fined $300 and coats and we were released on August Zb. 1322 Q Were you suspected or questioned f- bout the murder of Slcfken and his 9 • ' A. Yes ♦V When was that? A. When 1 was arrestsd for «arrying thf- gun W Tell us what bappenad at that tlma? A When the pollca came out to arreat us. Detect l v« Trapp said. "There fa th' guy that Killed airfken." Then they took me to the pollca station and a girl looked st ma and then said that she wasn’t sure At my hearing the following morning t’hlef of Detectives Van Deuaen ♦ old Judge Foster that I had been partly identified, so Judge Foster inado my Are You Going ^ Away? You'll Want Your Luggage Right Grips Wardrobe Trunks Dress Trunks beautiful hand I j brocaded cowhide 1-4 rj f KnYPt hag, leather lined ilal X-Jvy.ACu —18 inches long, Hand Bags *°-85 Everything for the Traveler vFreling (Si Steinle> 1101 Farnam Straat Hera 16 Years bond 12,000 for carrying concealed weapons. I was then sent to the county Jail. Q. Did the officer* there question you any further about the double murder. A. Nr Q. What became of Turner, do you know’ ? A. The last time I saw him he told me that he w-ss going to California. Q Were you acquainted with Mr Sief ken and his aon? A. No air. Q. Did fiiefken or his aon have a gun or any weapon when you shot them. A. No. Q. Why did you ahoot them? A. I don't know, just got nervous. Q. What did you go into the filling etation for in the first place? A To rob them of some money. Q. Have you ever told anybody else about this murder? A Turner la the only other man, that I ever told. Q Do you remember the exact data that you shot fiiefken and his son? A. I am not sure but I thinH that tt was after the 20th day of May. 192 Q What time of th* day or night wa« it when you ahot them? A. it must have been pretty cloae to ft o’clock in the evening Q Did both of them die right way-* A. No, the old man waa killed right th°re, and the aon lived a couple of day*. Q. When did you flrat learn that you had killed fiiefken and hla aon A. I read about It in the newspaper* the next day, I Juat read a little and then tore up the paper. Q. Did you ahoot fiiefken and *on with a revolver or an automatic platol? A. It vn an automatic platol McAdoo’s Speech to Texas Cattlemen Draws Retorts Former Cabinet Member Re ferred to as “Self-Starter Candidate for President by Congressman. El Paso, Tex., March 14.—William G. McAdoo, In an address to the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Rais ers' association hero today, attacked statements made Tuesday by W. W. Turny. former president of the asso ciation, which has blamed Mr. Mc Adoo and the administration of for mer President Wilson for his, freight rates. After Mr. McAdoo had finished his address and left the hall. Congress man Claude Hudspeth of El Paso gained the floor and referred to Me Adoo as “the self starter condldatc for president from California.” Hudspeth denounced McAdoo’s federal reserve policy and scored his tariff utterances. James Callan. vice president of the association, defended the speech of Tuesday. After resenting McAdoo’s remaV-ks about the republican admin istration. Callan said: "He told you that republicans were responsible for post-war deflation, but deflation came In June, 1920, and the republicans didn't go into control until March, 1921. ”1 resent that he should come be fore a crowd of intelligent men with such a statement.” Callan and Hudspeth were cheered loudly as they criticised McAdoo s speech. Each expressed confidence in Turny and the delegates voted them thanks for their addresses. Grand Island Debaters Have Undefeated Team Grand Island, Neb.. March 14.— (Special.)—The affirmative team of the Grand Island high school's debat ing crew holds the record of being the only one in the Hastings York-Kear ney-Grand Island circuit of being un defeated In the series of contests Just closed. A York Kearney debate re mains for Friday. Depending on Its outcome. Grand Island will either share first place with York, or hold it alone. Norfolk Teacher Dies. Norfolk, Neb . March 14.—(Special > —Miss Sylvia Smith, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. I. D. Smith of Syracuse, died here after infection from a cold sore on her lip. She was in charge of the commercial department of the Norfolk school*. Bee Want Ads Produce Result*. Millinery Salon Third Floor Omaha's Livest Millinery Department I Thursday A Sale of New Spring Hats Unrivaled for Variety Value and Extent When the Herzberp Millinery Shop announces a sale, there is always a stir of anticipation amonpst the hundreds of patrons who have learned what one of our sales means. This spe< ial sollinjr upholds the reputation for style and for values which our Third Floor has built. Come in tomorrow and see if this is not true. All Shape* Off Faca Large Dre**y Hat* Directoire Poke* Drooping Shape* Smart Street Hat* Sport* flat* Gaily Trimmed With Ribbon* and Garlanded With Flower* and Fruit*. Here in Wonderful Assortments From Which to Choose I Hereford Breeders Hold Meeting and Show Grand Island, Neb., March 14 — 'Special.)—The 10th annua! sale, |'how and business meeting of the Ne braska Hereford association began in i tills city today with a large attend ance of members and fine display of I animals. William Fagan and Sons. Hall county, were awarded the first hon or* for 8-year-old bulls; L. A. Clark < sons of Hastings won first In the I junior yearling bull class. Other | awards are still to be announced. (About 140 head of stock were listed I for sale. E. Mendenhall of Beatrice 'is president and C. Benger of Calla \ way, secretary of the association. [Other exhibitors are: P. .1. Anderson and Sons of Far ! well, Mrs. G. G. Clement and Sons of Ord. John Yoder of Elwood, J>. A. Clark and Son of Hastings. G. C. Doehling and Sons of Surprise, Leon Doty of Armour. Erdman Bros, of Venango, Win Fagan and Sons of Abbott, Carl Faulhalier of Brownlee. J. F. Forbes of Palmer. Just Bros, of ! Funk, Mackey Bros, of Eustls, O. J. McCullough, Clarks: Axel Munson. Loomis; C. W. Noll and Son, Ord; Grover Oyler, Elwood: H. J. Peters, Scribner; R. E. Perks, Fullerton; Rasmussen Eros., Elba: Louis Rich ter. Doniphan: M. J. Rezac. Linwood; Schrader Bros, Bertrand, and the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. North Nebraska Covered by Snow; Crops Benefited Norfolk, Neb.. March 14.—(Special) ! —A general snowstorm Is In progress I in north Nebraska, with about two | inches of new snow on the ground. This will benefit fall-sown grain, which farmers say has not been grow ing. Scottsbluff. Neb, March 14—(Spe cial.)—A heavy snow, beginning short ly before dawn, fell during the day. becoming almost a blizzard this aft ernoon as the wind rose. Snow fell i to a depth of three inches. Bootlegging to Be Issue in Norfolk City Election Norfolk. Neb., March 14 —(Special.) —Mayor John Friday was renominat ed by democrats at their convention here. The republicans nominated George W. Phelps, insurance man. Phelps is running on a reform ticket with a promise to eliminate bootleg gers. Friday declared it has been im possible for him to stop the liquor traffic and that if it can't be done In Washington it can't be done in Nor folk. Omaban Dismisses $ 10,000 Anthrax Shaving Brush Suit Norfolk. Neb . March 14 —(Special.) ,—The suit of W. H. Rose of Omaha for I10.00W against George Christoph, j former Norfolk druggist. ha* been ill* missed. Rose charged Christoph sold him a shaving brush infected with anthrax. Yraniak Mystery Deepens. Virden, 111., March 14.—(4>)—Clues found on his automobile today deep ened the mystery surrounding the dis appearance of Father John A. Vra r.iak, pastor of the Sacred Heart Catholic church here, who has been missing for nine days. Local authorities announced that an examination of the car revealed that scratched in paint on the back of the seat In letters six Inches high, were the words: “We won." Further examination disclosed corn stalks and wheat stubbles attached to the ma chinery under the body of the car, Indicating that it had been driven through fields. No More ADVERTISEMENT. CREAM CLEARS A STUEFEIHIP READ Instantly Opens Every Air Passage—Clears Throat. If your nostrils are dogged and your head Is stuffed because of nasty catarrh or a cold, apply a little pure, antiseptic cream into your nostrils. It penetrates through every air passage, soothing and healing swollen, inflamed membranes and you get instant relief. Try this. (Jet a small bottle of Kly's Cream Balm at any drug store Tour clogged nostrils open right up; your head Is clear; no more hawking or snuffling. Count fifty. All the stuffiness, dryness, struggling for breath is gone. You feel fine. ' The Stepper ’* of course, has a really and truly sweetheart . . . you’d expect him to. He’s the snappiest dresser in Omaha . . and, Oh, what Hats. Tomorrow--We,ll Tell You The New LOW COAL PRICES That Everyone Has Been Waiting for Are NOW IN EFFECT . Even with occasional spring weather it will be neces sary to keep a fire going during the /next 60 days. Now is the time to replenish your depleted winter coal pile at these new LOW PRICES. BONANZA SEMI-ANTHRACITE LUMP-Our famous smokeless and sootless furnace coal. The favorite in hundreds of Omaha homes. Cl Q 9C Per ton .<PluXu We Have Plenty of All Grades of Coal Now on Hand and Can Make IMMEDIATE DELIVERY Rock Springs Lump (Wyoming). S12.50 Rock Springs Nut (Wyoming).SI 1.50 Cherokee Lump (Kansas).8 9.75 Cherokee Nut (Kansas)..8 8.75 Bevier Lump (Missouri) .8 8.50 Pennsylvania Hard Egg and Chestnut. 821.00 CENTRAL COAL & COKE CO. 414 South 15th Street JA ckson 3012 ffiirtnum's I 413-15-17 South 16th Street T | Columbia Records I Columbia Grafonolas J Tomorrow! Unusual Bargains If you have never partake* of the sales at this store, yo* mill surely be attracted by tha typical values h*inis offered for special Mid-Week selltnir. rich item specially priced for quirk sal**. You cannot af ford to miss them! It Wai Pay You to Carefully Investigate! / Big Roomy Chifforobe If you nre handicapped by lack of clonal and drawer npacc, thin commodious fhlfforoha will at mice nolva thin prob lem. Equipped with metal d rop - k n o b n. Walnut or in a h o % any ftnlnli. RofiJ* Ur value at. w 50-Lb. Capacity White Enamel Lined “Ranney” Refrigerator Till* lift-ltd atyIn Ii»« fluent alrtl*ht con at ruction: unitary wire ah«lve»: heavily in nutated with mineral wool- keep* f'oda mol and odorleae. Golden oak flnlah. white anamel lined Ml Ilia lee rapacity, Thla Henenn'e Introductory price apecla’ at ... 4-Piece Bedroom Suite 7n Genuine Walnut Veneer You Save $72.60 in Purchaiing Tomorrow! \n exceptional offer In a very handsome Period Pedroom Suite Has genuine Walnut Veneer Fronts, Tops and hides on a!', pieces. This suite is exactly as we . ^ mgggf t\t\ picture It above. 3* lamplete C ^ (Ilf Salles. Just received, to he offered V ■ B^^ special for Mid-Week ssllin*. Four 0 pieces at ... . Each May Be Purchased Separately as Follows: ti-lnrh Drr»»fr ... $49.50 Konmy fhlftorftto . $39.85 Semi-Vault* Table • *•42.75 lloer-Foot Br<t .... *42.50 i \ ! First Showing of Side-leer Types | REGENT |i pintli l>rof - •tyu 4oor *, SELLERS Kitchen Cabinets Nationally Advertised Fifteen Fninocs Features —* — y y 1 Porceliron Sliding I Work Table Note the eystcmatic arran** ‘ ^0 surely cnj v it in your h <n f (n'lden * \k f nisb. " h U • «namcl interior. Ordinary V O u 'V O U 1 d A mm A r.y *«0f:$rO 50 tomorrow > ^ | only. Genuine Walnut f Veneer I Thi: Range With Enamel Splashers and Door Panels 19X23 In. Mirror | Attractive Design ^ Walnut Finish Dresser :‘h* Uluatratlon cirar'.r port:a»* th» t»» k i n h>-r« oftnr»<t. Jttat a» wc anoar >t. » ; larga clrar mirror, roomy .Iraarr .par# and Uauipprd with th* im-tat tarn-kaalw V rrgular l'4 M> ratnr. #pr «i»l at