Casper Daily Tribune Newspaper, March 22, 1924, Page 1

The Weather WYOMING—Snow tonight but in north g [ probably in i snow in southeast, : SINCLAIR REFUSE HAYS DENIES CA not central portion. fair in north and CASPER, WYO., SATURDAY, MARCH 22, 1924 (duo) “HON ayeic. ROXIE STINSON IS DEFENDED AGAINST BLACKMAIL CHARGE ILD PARTY IS DESCRIBED IN ASSAU LT TRIAL Witnesses Tell Widely Different Tales of How S.C. WentaCame to Be Hit With Axe by Dodge Shannon It was a rough evening in Evansville, mates. Such was the opinion of the majority of the people in the courtroom yesterday afternoon and_ evening listening to the lurid details of night life in the of Dodge Shannon for assault with intent to kill. suburbs in the trial The testimony of the witnesses for the state and those for the defense was so far apart that be even the most elastic imagina- could make them coincid ‘The case went to the jury at 11 o'clock this morning. The defendant was represented by Alex King,and Cc. G, Cypreansen while E. H. Fos- ter, prosecuting attorney. hand!ed the prosecution. The evidence was highly enter- taining, picturesque bizarre. Those who were present yesterday will be able to get along without their next copy of “Snappy Stories” and “Whizz Banga” and still keep up with their current education. The trial took in the sidelights of a wild party last October ‘The party of three couples and taxicab driver landed at the apart- ment of Mim! Rhinesmith in Evans- ville about 5 in the morhing after paying a social call at Sunrise Inn. Sometime during the ensuing 10 minutes. Steve Wenta was hit in the head with a hand axe, and his skull fractured. Shannon admitted swinging the axe but claimed self defense. Wenta claimed he was asleep on a daven- pert when hit and did not know nything until he woke up in a hospital. The jury was left to guess which quota of witnesses was to. be believed. Most of the party was well ginned up but there seemed some dis- crepancy in. just what was their state of inebriation. Wenta in his testimony said “they were all pretty well drunked up.” Billy Harvey, one of the partying crowd, admitted he was about half lit. The others were not quite so specific. . Harvey was asked in the cross examination if he had ever been convicted of a crime. His answer was “only for bootlegging a couple of times.” Mimi Rhinesmith, owner ebb ‘Bpartment, was the most garrulous witness on the stand during this term of court. Half a dozen times the judge had to warn her to con- fine her answers to the questions asked. On the slightest provocation she would start off on a short story telling contest and most of the time she and the attorneys were talking at the same time, > Miss Rhinesmith was dressed for * occasion. Corduroy riding breeches and golf stockings gave her plenty of free action and she provoked so much mirth on one occasion that the judge ordered the court cleared of all the standees. Up to that time the aisles had been jJarzmed and the last inch of capacity taken by the interested audience, Miss Rhinesmith’s story was that the party landed at her apartment about the time the milkman is mak- ing his matudinal rounds. They came in while she was getting some clothes on and proceeded to make themselves at home by sitting down in the kitchen something to eat. A few minutes later, according to Miss Rhinesmith, she saw Shannon &0 into the room where Wenta was asleep, She followed him just in time to see Shannon hit him on the head the second time with the hand axe. The defense’s witnesses all testi- fled that shortly after they came in that Wenta came out of an adjoin- ing room. and made a Pass at Shannon with a blackjack. Then Shannon taliated and having rel by hitting Wenta with the: hand axe according to their testimony. Shannon said he was cutting kindling to start a fire and in this way happened to haye the axe in his hand. Only one of the threo girls on the party was on the stand. She. was Mrs, W. H. Cramblitt and her testi- mony corroborated that of the other Witnesses for the defense. A second one of the three girls, “Chick” Jackson, could not be located when an attempt was made to serve a subpoena for her and the third girl was never mentioned. During the course of the trial it developed that Harvey had an alter- cation with one of the girls and slapped her face. According to the defense quintet the party wag brought to an end, after Wenta had-been cut up, by a man named George Curry coming into the room flourishing a gun and running the crowd out into the yard. It was getting Inte for an early breakfast so the party got into their taxicab and started back downtown. A fair amount of excitement had been crowded into the preceding half hour so they ‘called it an eve- ning and let it go at that. The jury on the trial was com- posed of J. R. Wilson, C. E. Lewis, J.B, Butcher, Clarence Springsteen, Peter Brummel, J. Slick, C. L. Novotony, R. W. Harris, G. C. Evans, C. A. Tatum, Guy McClung, and Frank Robideau. COURT TAKES RECESS HERE Criminal court was adjourned to- day at noon until Tuesday morning at 9 o'clock. E. G. Vanatta, attorney for Leo Decker and Carl Allison, who are charged with rape and whose trials were to have started yesterday, is ill, necessitating a postponement of these cases. This brought the criminal docket up to date for the week and there are no cases set down for Monday, Receivers for Senator Wheeler Answers Accusations Hurled by Daugherty When Woman “Bumper and Friend” of Attorney General Is Recalled to Stand WASHINGTON, March 22.—Roxie Stinson, divorced wife of Jess W. Smith, “bumper and friend” of Attorney General Daugherty, resumed the witness stand today be- fore the Daugherty investigation committee her letters to support her story of last week. and brought Before Miss Stinson began Senator Wheeler, declared Mr, Daugherty had done “a dirty, cowardly trick” in making charges of blackmai! against her in his statement. Miss Stinson's eyes poured tears during the senator's statement. Chairman Brookhart read last night's statement by Attorney Gen- eral Daugherty and emphasized his comment upon the committee leav- ing unnoticed the department's re- cord of Nquor prosecutions. “I got the record from the depart- ment last night after the statement was issued,” Chairman Brookhart sald. “Has Mr. Daugherty.seen fit to ex- plain what official position Jess W. Smith had in the department of justice?” Asked Senator Ashurst, Democrat, Arizona. “He has not,” Chairman Brook- hart responded. “We ought to let that be explain- ed by the attorney general, who has not yet come to the stand,” Senat Jones, Republican, Washington, said, Former Senator Chamberlain of counsel for Daugherty, complained that counsel had not been allowed to cross examine witnesses, parti- cularly Roxie Stinson and Gaston B. Means. “Miss Stinson {s here, you'll have your opportunity today,”, said Sena- tor Wheeler. DIVORCEE WAS “She has been sick—the marooned and the reason is that the attorney general has stooped to the unmanly and indecent thing of attacking her character.” Senator Chamberlain protested the attorney general was being placed in aa unfair position. “We have the whole power of the department of justice directed against us and this hearing" Sena- Continued on Page Four) TOPEKA, Kans., March 22,— Stranfed at Kendall, Kans., by bilzzards and heavy snows that t rn Kansas for the past week, 130 automobile tourists, many ill from exposure and without medical aid, today awaited relief promised by state officials. The plight of the tourists, among whom are many women and chil- dren, became known last night when a telegram asking assistance reached the office of Governor Davis. Hamilton county officials immediately were instructed to aid tourists and the DRUG CRAZED So Say Brothers and Sisters In Story Told Kansas City Police In Probe of Mysterious Murder KANSAS CITY, Mo., March 22.—Dr. Zoe Wilkins, whose fear of violent death was borne out when she was mysteriously slain here last week, was a victim of her own intrigues, penniless, broken by drugs and insane, accord- ing to the story told police by her brotherg and ‘sisters. Police had reconstructed most of the details of the sor- did fe to which the once young and pretty osteopath had descended, after many trials at matrimony, but early today her brothers and sisters gathered here completed the story. They held a long conference last night with Charles Wilkins, the brother who is held in connection pa ae Se cane NRA LIQUOR CACHE IN FALGE WALL Concealed in a false wall at Tom Quinn's place in the rear of 3815 South David street, three gallons of moonshine were found by the po- lice department last night. The hiding place had been cleverly con- trived with no evidence of a lock to with the murder, and afterward de- clared their faith in him. All were agreed that Dr. Wilkins was insane and that there was no foundation for the belief that she was wealthy. The several hundred thousand of dollars she obtained by her mar- }riage to Thomas W. Cunningham, aged Joplin banker, has been dis- sipated by extravagance, they said. The police continued to hold B. F. Tarpley, railroad yardmaster and devotee of Dr, Wilkins, along with her brother, Charles. DISPLAY CARS ON HAND FOR BIG AUTO SHOW Fortunte members of the four Wheeled family of Casper who have been chosen to represent their many Telat:ves at the Third Annual Auto- mobile show are thoroughly groomed in the best condition, and shiny as an eel's back, awaiting the gong which will send them forth to vie for honors in the eye of the public, Monday evening, the opening night of the show. Everything ts set, dealers are ready, and all display cars are in Casper. The Arkeon will be the scene of the contest for the favor of the public, and Indica- tions are that every night will find the hall crowded to capacity by seek- ers of knowledge about the new models. 130 AUTO TOURISTS CAUGHT IN KANSAS STORM ARE SUFFERING county highway engineer and his staff were ordered to open up the impassable roads. *Mendall, a village of less than.100 People, on the Santa Fe Trail, 40 miles east of the Colorado line, is proving a poor host to the refugees, according to the message, signed by W. G. Garrett. The village is with- out a doctor, or a drug store. Some are sleeping in school houses, barns and cars and those receiving better accommodations are overcharged, the message sald, adding that no effort was being made to open the roads. EAL ESTATE BOARD ELECTS New officers were elected by the Casper Real Estate board at its an- nual meeting which was held last night at the Henning hotel. John M. England was named to succeed A. P. Nesbitt as president. Mr. England has been secretafy and treasurer for the last year. F. M. Ayr was elected to the vice presidency, and Mrs. Katherine Montgomery was made secretary and treasurer. New members to the board of directors who were elected included Howard Baker, S. F. Pelton, and P. A. Burns. ‘The matter of raising the dues was taken up but nothing definite was done, the members finally deciding to postpone the question until the meeting next Friday. In his speech of retirement Mr. Nesbitt expressed his thanks to the members of the board for the co- operation he had received during the year and stated his hope that the same cooperation would be given the new executive. The Realtors are looking forward to a better year than ever in 1924 it was shown by the remarks passed last night. At the present time they are working on a system of listing Property which will give greater service to the public by placing a piece of property on the list of all realtors. Don’t Miss The Tribune’s Big Auto Show Edition It's going to be a real sensation and not a person in Cas- open the door leading to it though Seventeen Casper dealers will be represented at the show and will dis- play cars in the positions named in a lengthy article on that subject in last Monday's ‘Tribune. “Knock ‘em dead” entertainment has been provided for thp evening and never for a minute will the spectators be allowed to grow tired of the exhi- bition, ‘The show will open Monday even- ing and will continue for four days, closing Thursday night. During that time practically every model of automobile represented in Casper will have been on display at some time or other. Casper dealers have worked long and earnestly to pro- sent this miniature exposition, and sincerely hope that the public will appreciate their efforts and attend as often as possible. The show Is presented under the direction of the Casper Automotive Dealers “Asso- ciation. The committee responsible for the general arrangements for the show Is composed of Lee W. Doud, W. R. Yielding and C. West, all widely known local automobile men. Justice Potter Is Now Improving CHEYENNE, W March 22.— Chief Justice C. N. Potter of the Wyoming Supreme court, who has been iil for the last fortnight, ts im- Proving rapidly and is expected to be able to resume his judicial duties within a few days. A Newspaper for All the Family, Ciean, Unbiased, and a Booster for City, County and State eoo=| Che Casper Daily Crime HR $350,000 to Be Maximum City Budget The members of the cfty council got their heads together last night on the matter of a budget for 1924. The heads of the diffe: departments had been reque: to make out an estimate of the funds they would require this year and the estimates were found to ae aggregate a sum considerably larger than the budget ts per- mitted to be. The council will start its work of shaving inthe hope that it may be able to take care of all departments with budget not greater than $350,000 which is about what can be raised legally. The budget last year was $310,000 a RRS AR CASPER STATIONERY 10 PRESENT FREE COURSE FOR BUSINESS = MEN The Casper Stationery company, in conjunction with manufacturers of various system supplies, will start classes at their store next Tuesday night for the purpose of teaching systems to Casper business men and their office employes. The keeping of records is recog- nized as one of the most important phases of modern business today and the Casper Stationery will en- deavor to teach the best way to handle these records. The course will be open to all who care to take it at no cost. Tho lectures will be given one night a week for seven weeks, pean a eat ama NAVY BILL IS PASSED WASHINGTON, ‘March 22.—The naval appropriation bill, carrying 277,000,000 was passed today by the house. MUTINY TEARS AT FREE STATE Sensation Develops at Queenstown When British So Idiers are Fired Upon By Free State Forces DUBLIN, March 22.—(By The Associated Press) .— Reverberations from the m army, are growing louder. The last development at NUMBER 128 S TO TESTIFY: MPAIGN CHARGE | OIL OPERATOR GAYS HIS NEXT EVIDENGE WILL BE FOR COURT Stock Not Given to Wipe Out Big Deficit In Harding Campaign, Will Hays Asserts. . BULLETIN. WASHINGTON, March unanimous vote the oil committee voted today to certify Harry F. Sinclair to the senate for con- tempt as a result of his refusal to testify. Senators sald two courses were open—contempt proceedings _ be- fore the senate itself, or certifica- tion of the case to the district attorney of the District of Colum- bia, for grand jury proceedings. The decision as to the exact Procedure will be held in abeyance until the return of Atlee Pomerene and Owen J. Roberts, special gov- ernment counsel in tho oil lease cases. WASHINGTON, March 22.—After failing finally to induce Harry F. Sinclair to testify, the oil committee to- day received from Will H. Hays a flat denial of the story that Sinclair had contributed a large batch of oll stock to wipe out the deficit tn the Republican party treasury after the 1920 cam- paign. Sinclair refused to testify after the committee voted unanimously to overrule objections of his attor. neys. Despite the committee's position, he said, he must reserve whatever evidence he has for the courts. The committee's only re- course now is to certify him to the senate for contempt, but members indicated no such step probably would be taken. Questioning Mr, Hays, Senator Walsh asked: “Do you know the witness (Sin- clair) who just left the stand?" “Yes, sir, for eight or ten years, replied Hays. “It has been testified another committee,” went on the senator, “that Mr. Sinclair gave certain stock to wipe out a deficit of thé Republican national commit- tee. Tell us about it.” “I can’t tell you about ft turned Hays. “It is not tru “You saw a statement in the New York Times that you would testify to such a donation?” to before re- “Yes, but that story is untrue. It. 1s false." Hays said he had no idea as to the source of the Times statement. utiny within the Free State Queenstown, in which a de- tachment of British soldiers on leave was fired upon by Teapot Coming Rear Admiral Joseph Strauss, United States navy, and Albert I, Watts, vice president of the Sinclair Consolidated Oil corporation, who qualified late yesterday in Cheyenne under their appointment by Judge T. Blake Kennedy as receivers for the Teapot naval oil reserve, were enroute to there was such a lock which could be opened by the insertion of an ice pick. The wall safe was in a room adjoining Quinn's tailoring estab- Ushment. Philip Wisikind was also arrested in connecton wth the case. A raid at 838 West Twelfth street last night netted a pint of lquor and resulted in the arrest of John Mills and Geraldine Manteau. + Cunard Liner Goes Aground. per will want to miss it. Tomorrow will see the publication of the Tribune’s great Automobile Show edition and we believe we are safe in saying that it will be the largest collection of facts, figures, and advertiging in automotive lines ever pub- lished by a newspaper in the state of Wyoming. The edition will serve as a medium of publicity and ad- vertising to give added impetus to the Third Annual Automo- bile Show, which will open at the Arkeon Monday night. The Tribune's automobile edition will be filled with pictures of the yarious models to be displayed at the show and will contain signed articles from each automobile dealer in which he will Casper today on a belated train, due here at 7:10 but re- Ported seven hours late. The re- celvers left Cheyenne last night for Casper to take up their duties. No announcement is forthcoming as to the detailed plans of the re- celvers on their arrival here, but thelr visit to Gasper probably will include a trip to the Teapot Dome, 45 miles north, and a checking up of equipment and other things for which they will be held responsible. The wells in the field will be oper- ated during the receivership and the production will be impounded pend- img adjuetment af the controversy. LIVERPOOL, March. 22.—The Cunard Uner Carmania, making a trial trip from the Clyde to this port, as a converted of! burner wifh invited guests aboard, went aground at the mouth of the Mersey today. She was refloated with the tide and docked safely. scores In short tomorrow’s edition of talk straight from the shoulder to the Casper public. In addition to the automotive sections you will find all the news, both lecal and foreign; a complet pages of live comics, a feature page, timels of other features which will be well worth reading thoroughly from cover to cover. sport page, four editorials, and are distinctively “Tribune.” Wyoming’s leading newspaper men in free state uniforms created a sensation in the capi- tal. President Cosgrave immediately telegraphed to the British prime minister a denouncement of the “cowardly crime.” One British soldier was killed and 21 were wounded, four so seriously they are not expected to survive. Tho party, of about fifty persons, Including some of the men's wives at and children, had just lanced Queenstown from Spike Island, t British naval base when a big mo tor car drove up the pier and the SUSPECT SEIZED IN TRYING TQ GASH CHECK [3 WANTED IN KANSAS Joe Mansfield, local Packard car agent, is taking no chances these days with holdup artists. When a 220 pound stranger ap- peared at his place of business last evening and asked him to cash a check Mansfield refused to open the |safe and called the sheriff's office instéad. The stranger when searched pro- duced credentials showing he is EB. B. Mead of Beloit, Kan. and an in- surance agent. To check up on Mead the sheriff's office wired Beloit for some infor- authorities there wired four uniformed occupants opened fire with a machine gun. The car then sped away. Free State troops were sent in search of the assassins who are re- ported to have shouted ‘up Tobin " as they drove away. Goneral Tobin was one of the of. ficers at the head of the Free army mutiny. He is still at 1 General Tobin today sent a letter to the newspapers denouncing the Queenstown crime and the reported connection of his name with it. The letter read: “I hasten to disclaim any respon: sibility for the cowardly act report: ed from Queenstow: “Would it surprise you to know that that information came from your office,” asked Senator Walsh. “It could not have come from there, was the reply, “as it is not Joe O'Neill, a man, as an em- ye of his office. Asked if O'Neil bad not given the statement to the Times, Hays said he could not have done there was no basis for the story “Pl . tell us what Mr, Sinclair had to do with making up the deficit,” said Senator Walsh. “I assume it is not the purpose of the committee to go into cam- paign contributions,” Hays re- turned. “I assume the committee considers that irrelevant I do. (Continued on Pag! ur) Holdup Draws Term in Prison The way of the transgressor is hard. 3. If, Daily, who was y the Pup cafe by a jury in dis terday found guilty of robbing trict court was sent on his way to the state penitentiary by Judge R. R. Ros , the length of his sentence being six and a half to 1014 years. The rob- bery netted only $65. J. L. Flake and Joseph Decker, who were charged with the possess- fon of liquor following their ar tence on the second count was 90 a in jail, the sentence being re- 1 fine $ [ja on the first co