The Key West Citizen Newspaper, December 13, 1954, Page 1

‘Nativity Scene At ‘Courthouse To Be “Site Of Concerts Key West begins officially | tonight. : A life-size Nativity seen fn Court House Square will be unveiled, strings of col- ored lights along the streets| will on, and pa | ail, with elaborate and :olorful window displays — “will remain open until 9 p. m, The 9p. m. closing will retail stores |- Says Note In Question Told Wife Of Taking Girl To A Dance By RELMAN MORIN; CLEVELAND () — Dr. Simuel Sheppard calmly denied unger a ing ¢ross-examination today }that he wrote a letter to his wife in 1950 regarding divorce. He said the letter simply. in- formed her that he had taken a girl to a dance. The. cross-examination began ‘early in the opening session of the. s him dramatically “Doctor, in your lifetime, e you ever committed any sins?” Sheppard’ hesitated a moment and ‘then said: “Yes, sir, I have succumbed to human frailties.” 1950 Events cross questioning, Opening the cross 2 | State’s Atty. John J. Mahon went week. Douglass School is working ona large mural that tells the Christ- s story. Date of the unveiling will announced in a few days, swiftly to the events of 1950 when Sheppard was finishing his intern- ship at a Los Angeles hospital. His wife was in Cleveland at the time, Sheppard said. The accused man admitted he wrote a letter to her at that time. He said he discussed it with a classmate, Dr. Lester Hoversten. “And he advised you not to send the letter, didn’t he?” Mahon asked, “That's my impression,” Shep- Teplied. “| pard ‘Two local youths are being ques- tioned today as police sought to clear up several robberies here in past weeks. The pair have admitted the and entering in the Lew- is Brothers Bar, Petronia St., and police are attempting to link them with several other such. cases. Identified as Leander Rahming, 18, of 327 Amelia St., and Kerneil M. Albury, 19, of 617 Petronia St. the youths admitted smashing a juke box and taking about five dol- lars in cash, three bottles of whisky and a suitcase containing cloth- ing from the Petronia St. bar. ‘They were arrested Sunday at Olivia and Thomas Sts. by Patrol. man Henry Roberts, who said that they were acting supsiciously. A of burglar tools “The reason he advised you was because it was mentioned in that letter about divorce?” “No, sir, that’s not correct.’ Sheppard said Hoversten had a date to a hospital dance but was unable to keep it. Sheppard said he took the girl to the dance him- self, Later, he said, he told his wife about this in a letter and that Hoversten advised him not to send the letter, Friend's Advice “Dr, Hoversten said Marilyn might get some wild ideas,” Shep. pard testified. “I said I'd rather have her hear about it from me than someone else.” Mahon then brought out the fact that Sheppard had talked with his father by telephone shortly after- wards, “Did you talk with your father about divorce?” he asked, Sheppard said that was not true. “He didn’t want: me to bring Dr. ‘Hoversten back to Cleveland with me,” Sheppard said. “Dr. Hoversten was quite upset. about it. ~ “I said Marilyn and my father Possibly didn’t understand the in- nocence of the situation. Dr. Hover- wasn’t trying to lead me Hoversten did join the in Bay View Hospital operat- ily, For a brought Pi. She Saw Man? PRS 4 FINISHING TOUCHES—Chamber of Commerce members yes- terday afternoon finished the Nativity scene on the courthouse lawn. Left to right are Lou Sammenfeld, Mrs. Mary Lee Graham, and Don D. Demree. In the lower photo, Mrs, Graham and Harold Laubscher complete the task. The display will be officially unveiled at 7:30 tonight—Citizen Staff Photo, Don Pinder. Boy Badly Hurt In Accident At County Beach An eight-year-old boy was ser- iously injured Sunday when his bi- cycle struck an’ automobile near the county beach. Police identified the boy as Clark Rodgers, of 1420 White St. He was rushed to Monroe General Hospital and later transferred to the Naval Hospital after the acci- dent. His injuries were diagnosed as a head injury, cuts and bruises. Physicians said that he has been ptaced on the serious list. According to the police report, young Rodgers collided with an automobile dirven by George D. Ray, 77, of 619 Fleming St. on the County Beach Road. Ray was la- ter charged by Patrolman Eugene Rogel: with reckless driving and causing an accident, Witnesses to the mishap said that the boy was riding his cycle at a high rate of speed when he ran into the side of the automobile. Clothing, Jewelry Are Stolen From Automobile Clothing and jewelry valued at more than $300 was stolen from a parked car near the El Rancho Mo- tel, Truman Ave., sometime Sun- day night, police reported today. The thief gained entrance to the car by forcing a window. USS Tweedy Goes To Home Port For Christmas Men of the USS Tweedy (DE 532) will be home for Christmas. After a three - month tour of duty here the ship departed early this afternoon for her home port, Newport, Rhode Island. Before the ship left, Coramander J. S. Leidel, who has been skipper of the ship for the past 15 months, was relieved by Lieutenznt Com- mander W. B. Tichenor. Leidel has been ordered to re- Port as Chief Staff Officer, Fleet Training Group, Pearl Harbor, Tichenor was formerly command- ing officer of the USS George E. Davis (DE 357), recently decom- The Tweedy, a unit of Escort Squadron 12, has been attached tothe Fleet Sonar School for the Past three months in the capacity of a school training ship. Officers and men of the Tweedy expressed gratitude to the people of Key West for the hospitality ex- tended to them during their stay here. They are looking forward to next. year’s visit, they said this morning. Quarterbacks To Vote The Quarterback Club will elect Officers at 8 p. m. Friday at a meeting in the office of Earl Adams county clerk, in the court house. W. Curry Harris and Norman Brantley are the nominating com- mittee. Hearings St YT Nation’s Drivers Face Test Of Ability To Drive Safely By WILLIAM J. CONWAY CHICAGO (#—The nation’s mo- bile millions today headed for an extraordinary test of their ability arrangements. Some seem to. be doing very little, Others are mak- ing a major event of it. There never has been anything quite like to drive and walk safely for 24| it. hours. The test comes Wednesday. It has been designated Safe Driving Day. Motorists and pedestrians in com- munities across the country are being alerted by newspaper stories. radio broadcasts, modern. Paul Reveres in sound trucks, parades, posters and handbills. President Eisenhower proclaimed S-D\ Day. It is sponsored by the President’s Action Committee for Highway Safety. The purpose is to reduce traffic accidents greatly to show that it ean be done. The reduction has not been specified. The goal, at least, is a. big slash and, at best, no accidents at ail, The committee has let each com- munity make its own how-to-do-it Child May Have Seen Slaying Of Her Mother 5-Year-Old Says ft “Hit Momma” BRINKLEY, Ark. (#— A strong possibility that the 5- year-old daughter of Brinkley socialite Sue Fuller saw her mother murdered loomed today. Police Chief Frank Henderson said the little girl, Mary Helen, told him, “I saw the man hit momma.” 7 However, the chief said that he had not questioned the child closes ly, and he seemed to think there may be only a small chance the little girl could recognize the killer. Mrs. Fuller, 25-year old wife of Brinkley auto dealer, Milton Fuller, was beater to death with a stick of stove wood as, she slept in her modest home shortly before dawn yesterday. Found By Husband Her husband told police he found his dying wifé when he was awak- ened by the thud when she fell from her bed, Fuller was asleep on a couch in the living room at the time, he said. Mary Helen and her 18-month old sister Kathy, were in a bedroom adjoining their mother’s. Fuller told police he got up at 4:30 a. m., went to his wife’s bed- room and talked to her briefly be- fore driving three blocks to an all- night coffee shop where he pur- Fuller said he then went home, read the papers, and dozed off on the couch. A barefooted prowler is the num- ber one object of the police search. Henderson indicated, how- ever, that while making an intens- ive search for the elusive intruder, they still are checking other possi- bilities. “There is only one man in town who I know didn’t kill Mrs. Ful- ler,” said the chief, “and that’s me.” Henderson said all officers work- ing on the ease have become con- vinced that robbery was the mot- ive for the slaying. Mrs. Fuller’s purse was stolen by her killer, and thrown into a tree a short Late Store Hours Retail stores here will be and Contests Set Many cities have challenged other cities to S-D Day contests. Thousands of bumper strips and stickers have been distributed. Plans have been made to ring church bells, voice “Be careful” Pleas through loud-speakers—even to pause and pray. Washington, D. C., put on a pa- rade of wrecked cars and 46 caskets, each representing a 1954 traffic fatality in the District of Columbia. Cars equipped with amplifiers are touring the Seattle area, spreading the safety gospel. Traffic officials in San Diego, Calif., circulated 100,000 safe driv- ing pledges and arranged a parade of crash-crumpled autos for today. School kids brought home safety letters in Providence, R. I. Liter- ature is being distributed through schools in Kansas. Truck and bus stickers and 10,000 arm bands have been. issued in Miami, Fla. Reminders in poster, bumper strip or leaflet form have been passed out in Madison, Wis., Ro- chester, N. Y., and Norfolk, Rich- mond and Roanoke Va, New Mexico and Arizona will have a special low-state-wins show- ee Ne a3 Much Rivalry Rivalry of the sort associated with football has sprung up among cities. Knoxville Tenn., challenged Chattanooga, Tenn., to an S-D Day contest. Seattle challenged Portland, Ore. Tampa, Fla., challenged Miami, Jaeksonville and St. Petersburg. Mayor Fred Hervey of El Paso, Tex., called upon. Phoenix, <Ariz., to match accident records Wednesday in what has besn dubbed the “first annual Safety Bowl.” Frank Murphy the Phoenix mayor, accepted. Austin, Tex., Al- bany, N. Y., and Sacramento, | Calif., were invited to join in the competition. St. Joseph, Mo., this week is en- gaged in a fewest-accidents derby with Topeka, Kan., Springfield, Mo., and Lincoln, Neb. A 24-hour highway law enforce- ment program to be handled by 8,000 state and local policemen, will be in force in Massachusetts. Church bells will toll a reminder at 9 a. in Tampa, Fla. Civil Air Patrol planes equipped with loud- speakers will fly over Tampa at 11 a.m. to sound warnings. Traffic will halt at 11 a.m, for a minute of prayer in Norfolk, Va. A wrecked automobile and a casket will be on display in the downtown sidstrict of Schenectady, N. Y. A demolished car will be on view on the City Hall lawn in Roanoke, Va. Two Bands Donate Services For Benefit Dance Tickets may still be secured for the benefit dance for Timothy Mendoza which will be held to- night at the American Legion Home, Stock Island. Two popular bands, one directed by Hector Barroso and the other by John Pritchard, have donated Tickets, which are available for a donation to the fund for the little boy who is suffering from a rare blood disease, may be had ‘by phoning any of the local fire sta- tions or the police department. They will also be available at the Even though purchasers of tick- ets can not attend the dance, they For Quick Communication, Use CLASSIFIED Ads! You'll reach buyers and sellers— tenants or workers . . . Just DIAL 25661 or 2.5662 Today PRICE FIVE CENTS Head Is First Witness TALLAHASSEE (AP) — Richard H. Simpson of Monticello today blamed suspension of the McCarty ap- pointed State Road Board to a feeling by Acting Gov, Johns that the members “did ‘ sta of government.” “In that feeling he w. added. The ousted chairman of the witness as Gov.-elect LeRoy ings on the cha: administrative ===. JCs Won’t Have Lighting Contest There will be no JayCee Christmas lighting contest this year, Instead, they have arranged for an elaborate Santa Claus display, including Rudolph the Rednosed Reindeer, in Bayview Park. The largest Christmas tree in Key West will also be includ- ed in the park display. The JayCees also plan to sponsor a children’s party. Neblett Planes To Ft. Myers Meeting Today sdedpasticne tig Wales miccep at Fort Myers Beach, State Sena- tor Bill Neblett said today in an nouncing an emergency meeting tomorrow to combat the weed. Neblett is flying to Fort Myers tonight to meet with the county commissoners, state representativ- es, and a committee of business- men, In some spots, Neblett said, the weed and hyacinths are 18 inches deep and 100 feet wide, making swimming and fishing impossible and repelling tourists. If emergency steps are not taken, Neblett said, the losses to business- es in the area may run into six figures this season, Neblett added that it may be necessary to seek an emergency fund from the state. He plans to return to Key West tomorrow night. School Christmas Pageant Thursday A Christmas pageant, the pub- lic schools’ gift to Key West, will be presented at 8 p. m. Thursday in the high school stadium, it was announced today. Horace O’Bryant, superintendent of public instruction, said three groups will take part — the high school band, the chorus, and the dramatic group. The program will center around a 40-foot high Christmas tree. A four-foot lighted star will top the tree. The production will get a tryout Wednesday night in Marathon. Local Man Faces Two City Charges Donald Drury, 37, of 316 Elie abeth St., faces charges of being drunk and disorderly and firing a pistol within the city limits, as a result of an incident Sunday, po- lice said today. Police said that when they were summoned to the Elizabeth 6t, ad- dress to investigate reports that a man was firing a pistol, they found Dury cowering in a hallway, guard: ed by several residents of the area. not believe in his philosophy as entirely correct,” Simpson road board was the first Collins opened public hear- Tges Johns made in suspending 17 major officers appointed by the late Gov. Dan McCarty. “ Collins in a brief intro- ductory statement said he had called the hearings ia the interest of justice to give the suspended officials an opportunity, denied them by Johns, to publicly answer the accusations, He said he was holding the hearings in advance of actually taking office January 4 so that he could start his term with his administration fully organ- ized, Road Board First The five members of the McCar- ty road board were the first to have their cases considered by the governor elect? The © su: turnpike authority members, state racing commissioners, Hote¥ Com: missioner Mack Humphrey and the two game commissioners were to follow. Attorneys G. L. Reeves of Tam- pa and Steve O'Connell Tepresent- ed the ousted road board and sub- mitted a formal detailed written reply to all the charges, Every charge was categorically denied. At the suggestion of O'Connell, the governor-elect asked if anyone was present to represent Johns and offer evidence in support of the ouster charges. There was no response. Johns, himself, hadn't reported to his office at the time the hear- ings got under way but his office said he was expected in from his home at Starke during the day. . Johns Won‘t Help O'Connell told Collins the sus- pended officials did not look upon the hearings as a “kangeroo court” as they were labeled by Johns in a statement rejecting the gover- nor-elect’s invitation that he ap- pear and offer evidence to support the suspensions, He said the suspended officers regarded the hearings gravely and seriously as “their first publie op- Portunity to answer these flagrant and irresponsible charges, It is not a joking matter with these men,” O'Connell referred to the gov- ernor-elect a couple of times as “Gov. Collins.” The governor-elect commented: “Don’t refer to me as governor. Refer to me as Mr. Collins or gov ernor-elect, Let’s not have two governors around hefe.” Simpson Sworn Simpson, upon taking the witness hair, asked to be sworn. Collins informed him he had no authority to administer oaths, but a notary public, handling a recording ma- chine, gave the suspended road chairman the oath, Simpson told Collins the real reason for his suspension and that of the other road board members was political. He cited as proof Johns’ own statement in rejecting the invitation to attend the hear- ings. In that statement Johns said he had suspended the “McCarty (Continued on Page Two) mn