The Key West Citizen Newspaper, December 1, 1954, Page 1

2 . COMPETITORS—Miss flanked left. and Miss Matilda Roberts, Douglass High Sch ‘which was held Monday night, were revealed today by the merce, sponsor of the event—Citizen Staff Photo, Don Pinder. THE Mary Harris, center, Voice of Democracy contest entrant from by the two runners-up in the event, Miss Madeline De Barcee, | entry. Results of the ior Chamber of Com- Early Approval Seen For City Electric Co. Expansion Plans Early Start For Construction . Seen As Commissioners Comment By JIM COBB ». Early approval bythe city gommission was indicted day for a multi-mil city electric system. at dolar Four city commissioners, contacted by The Citizen, ansion program of the indicated that they favor the $4,200,000 plan which the Key West utility board has recommended to take care of the city’s future power needs, ; The fifth member of the commission, Mayor C, B. Harvey, could not be reach- ed, but he had gone on rec- ord earlier as indicating ap- proval of the move. Harvey, along with Commission- er Delio Cobo, is a member of five man utility board which gov- erns the administration of the mun- icipally owned utility. Possible Start Actual start of construction may occur as early as February, 1955, if the city fathers act promptly on the passage of a resolution endors- ing the program. They are expect- ed to consider the matter in the near future at a.regular meeting, ‘After their resolution is passed, it will be necessary to draw up a bond ordinance outlining the terms ‘of the revenue issue, Next step will be the actual call for bids on the program which in- cludes the addition of a 16,500 watt generating unit, a $200,000 storage and distribution building and ex- tensions of the company’s distri- bution system, Lecation Of Unit ‘The new generating unit will be installed in the present steam plant at Caroline and Grinnell Sts, plac- ed in operation in 1952. The build- ing was designed so that the unit ‘ean be added on the north side of the building. The storage building will proba- bly be constructed on adjacent pro- City Commissioner Delio Cobo, also,a member of the utility board, said: “Studies have shown that we are to have to expand the elec- system in order to meet the growing demand, especially with Navy needing more power. In event of a breakdown in the Key West, Florida. One-Way Rule Set ‘The circle in Peary Court is how one-way for auto traffic. Signs reading “Keep Right” have been posted. | The Navy Shore Patrob said the new traffic regulation in Peary Court was effective to- day. Christmas Card Mailing Advice Given By Stickney Acting Postmaster Clyde P. Stickney reeommends that Christ- mas cards be sent by first class mail. When Christmas cards are mail- ed at the first class rate of three cents for each ounce, they are pro- cessed and delivered more quickly and are forwarded or returned, if fecessary, If mailed as first class mail, written messages, which make the cards.seem more personal, may be included and the envelopes may be sealed. This cannot be done if the cards are mailed. at the two-cent rate. Stickney requests that patrons separate their cards into two bun- dies — those to be delivered in ey and those going out of the ¢ “Local” and “Out of Town” la- bels which should be placed on the separated bundles of cards may be obtained at the post office. If the cards in the byndles are placed with all addresses facing the same xe bea Se time and speed up. their c Cards intended for out of state delivery should be mailed by Dec- cember 15. Those for local delivery should be mailed at least a week before Christmas, GALVANIZED METAL SHEETS — at Strunk Lumber 120 SIMONTON near Shrimp Docks ———S Sweetheart Of r. Sheppard Heard Today ‘By RELMAN MORIN CLEVELAND (®—Susan Hayes testified today that Dr. Samuel Sheppard told her he loved her, gave her a ring and said he was “thinking of divorce.” These events took place in the latter part of 1953 and in January, 1954. Last March, she said, she and the murder trial defendant shared the same bed at the home of friends in California. Testifying in a low, often semi- audible voice, and looking straight ahead, the attractive witness re- plied ‘‘yes” to a question as to whether Sheppard “expressed love for you on other occasions.” Talk Of Divorce She said Sheppard gave her the ring while they were together in her home in January of this year. She said that the first mention of divorce, she estimated, was in the “early part of 1953.” “He told me he loved his wife very much, but not so much as a wife. He was thinking of divorce,” Miss Hayes said. “He said he wasn’t sure if his father would approve.” This type of conversation took place several times again in 1953, Miss Hayes continued. Sheppard, accused of hacking his pregnant wife, Marilyn, 31, to death in her bed at their lakefront home last July 4, watched intently. Occasionally he bit his lip, made notes or clasped his hands in front of his chest. Exchange Of Letters After she went to California last year and before Sheppard came to Los Angeles last March for post graduate work in osteopathy, they exchanged about four letters, Miss Hayes said. He wrote to her first, she added. Miss Hayes, her eyes straight ahead in a direction away from the defendant, told of going with him on that date to the home of Dr. and Mrs. Arthur Miller. Dr. Miller is a Los Angeles osteopath and a. friend of Sheppard. That visit was four months be- fore pregnant Marilyn Sheppard, 31, was beaten to death in a bloody SOUTHERNMOST NEWSPAPER KEY WEST, FLORIDA, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 1954 Mary Harris Is Winner Of Speech Contest KWHS Student To Compete For State Championship Miss Mary Harris, 820 Waddell Avenue, was* the winner Monday m the ah- nual “I Speak For Democ- racy” oratorical covitest sponsored by the Key West Junior Chamber of Com- merce. Miss Harris, a 17-year-old Key West high school senior is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. Cur- ry Harris. She triumphed in the contest ov- er Miss Madeline Debarcee, 724 Olivia St., Convent of Mary Imma- culate entry, and Miss Matilda Ro- berts, 3909 Olivia St., representing Douglass high school. State Competition The victory in the local contest, made Miss Harris eligible for the state championship. A recording of her winning talk will be forwarded to state Jaycee headquarters which will announce the winner Dec. 28. The winner on the state level will receive a $500 scholarsip a- ward and will be eligible to com- pete-in the national contest to be held in Washington, Feb. 18 - 25. Prizes Given Miss Harris received a $50 sav- ings bond for her winning effort, presented py the Mulberg Chevro- let Co, She is active in the high school honor society, the Beta Club and is secretary of the annual staff. The runners-up in the contest each received $25 bonds from the Jaycees. Miss DeBarcee, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Eugene DeBarcee, is a senior at the Convent of Mary Im- maculate. Miss Roberts, yo of Mrs.,Maria Roberts, 309 Ojivia, St., an llth grade student at Dou- glass, is active in basketball and is a member of the cheering squad. bed at the Sheppard’s lakefront home in suburban Bay Village. The defendant watched intently and occasionally bit his upper lip, as auburn-haired Susan testified. He made occasional notes or sat with his hands clasped in front of his chest. Evening Described Miss Hayes described an evening which began with dinner. Later some friends of the Millers dropped in. and she said, ‘some of the people played poker.” “Where did you spend that night?” asked prosecutor Thomas Parrino. t “At the Millers’ home,” Susan replied. “Where did Dr. Sheppard stay?” Parrino continued. “At the Miller home,” the wit- ness said. “Did you share the same bed- room?” Parrino asked. IN THE U.S.A. Children, Send Your Letters To Santa, Care Of The Citizen Children of Key West and Monroe County are invited to send their letters to Santa Claus to The Key West Citizen. “ Each day Santa will read in The Citizen what the girls and boys want for Christmas so that~he can start filling orders ahead of time. All letters will be placed in The Citizen’s Special Mail Bag and sent to Santa at Toyland, North Pole, by special airplane. Children are asked to make their letters as brief as possible and to be sure the writing is legible. Christmas will ge here before you know it, so get busy and start sending your letters to Santa at The Key West Citizen. Concentrated Traffic Safety Drive Slated For December 15 By BILL GIBB County Patrolman Jim Wilder and representatives from leading Key- West organizations and civic clubs dis- cussed plans for S-D Day at a special meeting held last night in the Lions Den. Wilder has been appointed S-D Day Director by the County and the City. His job will be to enlist the aid of all citizens in making Decem- ber 15, an accident - free day. S-D Day was originally conceiv- Ample Warning “Yes,” Miss Hayes said. “Did you share the same bed?” “Yes,” replied Miss Hayes. The pert, freckle-faced labora- tory technician took the, stand after a relative of the slain Mrs. Marilyn Sheppard described a severe beat- ing he said Dr. Sheppard gave the couple’s 7-year-old son, Chip, two years ago. Treatment Of Son Thomas Weigle, 26, one of the last witnesses for the state in its effort to convict the 31-year-old osteopath in the bludgeon-death of his pregnant wife, made the accu- sation. ait was the first time in the nearly seven-week-old trial that any wit- ness has testified the. defendant mistreated his wife or their son. The 24-year-old Miss Hayes was wearing a plain black wool dress with a high neck and a small whive fur collar. She walked into the courtroom with her hands folded in front of her and escorted by Inspector James Mc Arthur and Detective Sgt. Harold Lockwood. She had arrived at the court 1” hour before the trial started and was shielded from newsmen and Photographers, Of Entry Given, Fla, Court Says TALLAHASSEE (#—The Fior- ida Supreme Court says you can’t convict a man of breaking and entering unless he does it stealthily. The court reversed the convic- " tion of Lester Peters of Pinellas County for breaking and enter- ing a girl’s apartment after find- ing that he: 1. Rang the doorbell. 2. Told the girl through the door that he wanted to talk to her. “3. Walked around the house, then rang the bell again. 4. Tried the front and rear doors. 5. Kicked out a kitchen screen and walked in. “It is difficult to imagine how the appellant could have given more or varied alarms that he proposed to go into the girl's apartment,” said the court. Grand Master Of Masons Slates { ee ee Official Visit M. W. Thomas E. Taylor of Ma- yo, Florida, Grand Master of Ma- sons in Florida, will arrive here tomorrow to pay his annual offi- cial visit to the Masons of the 30th District. Taylor will be accompanied by members of his official family. Members of the local Masonic fraternity will entertain the Grand Master’s party at a banquet on the Patio of Benny’s Cafeteria at 6:30 pm z The official visit will take place at 8 p. m. at the Scyttish Rite Temple. al Master Masons are invited to be present. A most interesting program has been planned for the occasion. NG PARKING will be permitted on Duval Street THURSDAY, DEC. 2 from 6 P.M. until after the parade for the football game. - (sd.). BIENVENIDO PEREZ, CHIEF OF POLICE. ed by the President’s Action Com- mittee for Traffic Safety. It is a day to demonstrate that traffic accidents can be reduced materially when each motorist ane nal responsibility for observing let- bolas aac aa President: Kisentower “has claimed December 15, as S-D Day because it will be a normal mid- week day, (Wednesday), and there- fore should be representative of average driving conditions. Local Activities Heavy emphasis wil! be placed on preliminary publicity leading up to S-D Day, Jim Wilder indicated at last night’s meeting. He asked the various representatives to en- courage their respective clubs to assume responsibility for at least one pre-S-D Day project. The Jay-Cees, represented by Hilary Albury, volunteered to as- sist in the distribution of bumper strips to be furnished by the Flo- rida Power and Light Company. M. E, Stutz, Lions’/Club member, is handling a project involving no- tices to be placed on parking me- ters. Adams, Home Milk, and Land O’Sun Daries have volunteered to assit in the distribution: of notices to their customers concerning the special day. x Women Participate Mrs. M. E. Rosam, of the High School PTA, was assigned the job upon her request, of securing the aid of local theater managers in publicizing safe driving. Mrs. Kath- ryn Lowery and Mrs. J. P. Baillod, of the Woman’s Club, assumed res- Ponsibility for telephone contacts which are scheduled to be made The Key West Safety Council wil! spread its activities in eN a*-- tions — ‘catching up loose ends’ in a manner of speaking. i. ._1 supply much of the safety litera- ture, enlist the support of business- es, and act as a ‘leg-man’ for Di- rector Jim Wilder. Teresa Braxton, American Le- gion Auxiliary, will prepare mim- eograph forms to be distributed by the Boy Scouts. The Key West Po- lice Department, through Officers Herman Conley and Armando Pe- rez, will stress safety in the school. Navy Cooperation These are merely a few of the plans. C. J. Raines, Safety Direc- tor at NOB, indicated that the U. S. Navy is going ‘all-out’ in an effort to fulfill the requests of its Commander-in-Chief, President Ei- senhower. Lectures, posters, movies, etc., will play an important part in the Navy’s progam. Among others who attended last night’s meeting, there were: N, C. Berg, Safety Council; Cliff Schu- macher, American Legion; Char- les J. Curry, Jr., Engineers Club; Maury Koenick, Alice Robinson, and Dorothy Danie's, all of the Sa- fety Council. MONTGOMERY TO N.Y. LOS ANGELES (®#—Field Mar- shal Viscount Bernard Montgom- ery departed by air last night for New York after a two-day visit ‘|there and then returned to their Tteack nications IFIED Ads! You'll buyers and sellers— lor workers . . . Just 1 or 2-5662 Today PRICE FIVE CENTS Mrs. Blaton Is Indicted For 2nd Degree Murder Grand Jury Returns Charge In TV Argument Slaying By DENIS Mrs. Eleanor Blaton, the SNEIGR TV killer, today was indict- ed for second degree murder, The Monroe County grand jury returned the indict ment at 11:40 a.m. after investigating the case for two days. Mrs. Blaton, 28, is in the She is charged with shoot- ing her husband, James P. Blaton, Jr., 29, a sailor, with a .22 caliber rifle. The shooting, according to sher- iff’s deputies, followed a violent argument over the purchase of a new TV set for the Blaton home, 904 Olivia St. The shooting took place late on the afternoon of Oct. 30. No. Premeditation The indictment said Mrs. Blaton shot her husband “without preme- ditation.” In court when the indictment} was read by Clerk Earl Adams were J. Lancelot Lester, the state attorney, and Circuit Court Judge Aquilino Lopez, Jr. Immediately after reading the in- dictment, the fall term grand jury recessed subject to recall by the court. Mrs. Blaton will be tried in Criminal Court, probably before dudge Thomas S, Caro, and a jury if she pleads innocent to the charge. Mrs. Blaton’s father, a Mr. Tut- tler, lives in Thomaston, Me., ac- cording to the sheriff's department. Blaton’s parents live in Darling- ton, S. C. A coroner’s jury on Nov. 5 found that Mrs. Blaton “did kill and mur- der James Perry Blaton, Jr., with a certain .22 caliber rifle.” At that hearing, in answer to questions by Lester and Justice of the Peace Ira Albury, witnesses reconstructed the events leading up to the shooting. Watched TV Mrs. Blaton spent the early part of that Saturday afternoon, Oct. 30, watching TV at a neighbor’s home. She returned to the Blaton home and, found that her husband was not there. Mrs. Blaton went looking for him and found him in the White Inn Bar, 1018 Truman Avenue, The, couple had several drinks home. Earlier in the day, witnesses tes- tified at the coroner’s hearing, Blaton had ordered a new TV set from Alex Lubinsky. She was opposed to buying the set. The couple argued and Bla- ton is said to have hit her and knocked her down. By. this time, Lubinsky had ar- rived at the Blaton home with the TV equipment. Lubinsky quoted Mrs. Blaton as saying that she didn’t want the TV set and that nobody was going to being it into her house. “1 pay all the bills,” Lubinsky quoted her as saying, “and 1 can't afford a TV set. | have a gun and | know how to use it. The Tax Lien Filed Againt Barroso A federal tax lien for $7,180.87 against Hector Barroso, band lead- er and employe of Sen. George Smathers (D-Fla.) today was on file in the office of Earl Adams, county clerk. The tax lien was for a cabaret | tax for May, 1946, for $688.32, and | for the year 1947 for $6,492.55. The lien showed two Washington D. C. addresses for Barroso and was signed by C. I, Fox, acting! district director of Internal Re- venue, Baltimore, | Be Sure To See the SENIOR CLASS PLAY to be presented TOMORROW CHT _ county jail. first one who brings anything into the house, | will. shoot.” Blaton told Lubinsky to go ahead and install the TV set. Mrs. Blaton walked around the block and then returned to the house. She walked in the front door which closed and locked automa- tically behind her. Blaton walked around to the rear of the house. Mrs. Blaton told sher- iff’s deputies she thought Blaton was going to hit her again. That was when she is said to have loaded the .22 rifle and fired one shot at her husband, the bul- let striking him in the chest. Blaton staggered to the curb in front of the house and collapsed, Witnesses said Mrs. Blaton ran after him, crouched over him and sobbed: “Gee, honey, | didn’t know the gun was loaded.” Blaton was dead on arrival at the Naval Hospital. At the coroner’s inquest, J. Wate son Roper, deputy sheriff, testified that Mrs. Blaton refused to sign her statement. about the shooting onthe advice of a Nagy chaplain, he chaplain was not named at the coroner’s hearing. Parade Thursday Will Kick Off Conch Bowl Event The Junior Chamber of Com- merce in cooperation with the Lions Club is sponsoring the Conch Bowl Parade on Thursday, Dec. 2, at 7:30 p. m. The parade will begin at the south end of Duval Street and pro- ceed to the north end where it will disband. All participating units are re- quested to be at the corner of South and Duval Streets at 6:30 . m. The Jaycees promise plenty of music with the following and line- up: The 137 piece Coral Gables High School “Band of Distinction;” the Douglass High School Band and the Fleet Sonar School Band. Vance Stirrup is the Parade Marshal and Everett Sweeting is the chairman for the Jaycees. All local dignitaries have been asked to sit on the reviewing stand which will be located at the inter- section of Southard and Duval, Diabetes Survey Report Complete A report of diabetes detection here was submitted to the County Health Department today by Dr. Edward Gonzalez, chairman of the local detection group. The diabetes survey was eonduct- ed here from Nov. 15 to Nov. 19, It is an annual publie service con- ducted by physicians and the coun- ty health departments throughout the nation and under the sponsor- ship of the National Diabetes De- tection’ Association.’ The report showed that 2,829 per- sons were tested and that two new cases of diabetes were found. There already were 73 known cas- es here. Notice! Notice! SPECIAL Knights Of Columbus NCCS Hall 8:00 P.M., Thursday, December 2 HIGH SCHOOL aupiT: iM at 8:00 Pm. — ADULTS, 75¢ STUDENTS, 50¢/ LOUIS FRADETTE, GK