Medford mail tribune. (Medford, Or.) 1909-1989, June 27, 1934, Image 6

Historic Oregon Newspapers

Medford mail tribune., June 27, 1934, Page 6, Image 6

Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR

About Medford mail tribune. (Medford, Or.) 1909-1989 | View Entire Issue (June 27, 1934)

Prev Page of 8 Next Prev Issue Next Text PDF JP2 (2.6 MB) Clip/Print Image

Return to Top

Prev Page of 8 Next Prev Issue Next

Newspaper Page TextPAGE SIX MEDFORD MAIL TRIBUNE, MEDFORD, OREGON, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 27, 193: cyMwuhx at MOCKING HOUSE .BY WALTER C. BROWN. NYN0P8I8: Sergeant Uarpt. fuet haa told PleiTe Dufreana ami Ura. Dulreane that on or the othei ta guilty of the murder ol two men in the Dufreana houae two dove be fore. And now ha it ahooked by the act that Donaahv the Dufreane chauffeur, haa been found dead with a note beaide him aaying ha waa committing autctde and had been the murderer himaetf. lie telle where a myaterioua piece of rope and other articlea may be found. Chapter it METHOD OF ESCAPE - HARPER went on digging out the contents of '.he tire. Out came a worn pair ot man's suede gloves, a leather wallet with the gold In ltlals "H. D." stamped Inside, a key case holding three keys, a pocket handkerchief with the Initial "D" In one corner, a thin gold watch with a link chain, a clgarottu lighter, and a nan's signet ring with the same ln ltlals Intertwined. Dusting off his hands, he took stock ot the collection. The use ot that thin, tough rope with Itt ringed ends cams readily to his mind. He looked through the snow-trimmed panes toward the big house. That baffling escape from the scene ot the crime had been a simple affair after all, once one had a glimpse ot the modus operandi. He put down the rope and went over to the linger' print man, "How does It stack up?1 he asked. The man looked up. "They're smeary," he replied, "and there's not a perfect print on the gun, but there's no doubt about then, check ing. It that's what you n.ean." Harper approached the police sur geon. "Find anything, Doc?" The Coroner's man shook his head. "Not a thing. It's a good, clean suicide," he concluded with callous humor, "everything according to Koylj." Harper made a cursory examina tion of the other rooms, then gath' (red up the articles retrieved froir mo ora tire, wrapped them in a towel, beckoned to O'Connoll, and left the garage. Bending the policeman ahead with the bundle, Harper made complete circuit of the walls of the main house, with occasional digres sions over the snow-covered grounds. When he had finished he understood xactly the use which had been made ot that brownish yellow rope with Its ringed ends. He was just about to re-enter the bouse when he law Lafferty's spare figure hasten ing In at the gate. The tall detective was greatly excited over this latest development and piled Harper with questions as they proceeded to the breakfast-room, where O'Connell had put. the recovered evidence on display. Lafferty seized on the skein ot rope at once. "Hello, what's this?" be queried. "You are holding In your hands the answer to the great puzile how did the murderer get away without leaving any traces In the snow? With five minutes' practice you or I or any one could do It as well." He pointed through the window. "You know the small porch on this side ot the house? Well, there's a sturdy Iron hook driven Into the wall right by the porch. And do you see that tree, Just on the other side of the boundary wall? Another hook was driven Into that. "The rings on each end of the rope hooked on to those, leaving the rope seven or eight feet above the ground. This miraculous escape was made by the murderer going along that rope, hand over hand, with the feet drawn up clear ot the snow." The big detective plumped down in a ohair. "Well, I'll be damned!" he exclaimed. "It certainly was a neat stunt," Harper resumed. "Not nearly aa hard as It sounds, A man of Don aghy's build and vigor would find It child's play." "T)UT wait a minute," Lafferty In D terruptcd, "what happened to .the rope afterward? It wasn't there when we took charge. When was It put up and who took It down?" "The hooks could have been driven In any time, but I think It was all done recently. The rope was strung across late that afternoon, after dusk, before the snow was heavy on the ground. After the mur ders the killer swung over the porch rail, wont hand over hand until he reached the boundary wall, then swung himself clear over the top and dropped In the adjoining grounds." "But how was the rope removed?" Lafferty persisted. "Oh, that was easy. The end hooked to the tree waa taken down, and by sharply twitching the line upward and snaking It at the same time tho end at the porch slid oft the . en a quick jerk brought It .- back over the wall, much like . .icklng a long whip. "However, the Jerk wasn't quite quick enough, and the free end ot the rope dropped Into the snow mo mentarily. Do you remember that odd gash we found in the snow when we were checking up the footprints? There was our clue, but we couldn't make anything of It." , Lafferty became pensive. "That's all right as far as It goes, but It doesn't clear up everything. What about Mr. Dufresne and Mrs. Du fresne the ambush the crank let tersthe phoney alibis?" Harper put the articles back In the bundle. "We'll clear all that up later," he said. "There must be a fantastlo kind of misunderstanding between some of the persons In this house. Bring Andrews and the Whit mores In here, will you?" In a few moments they all filed In, and Harper Invited them to be seat ed. They looked at Sergeant Harper expectantly. "You know what has happened," he began; "there's no need to go Into that. Now, which one of you was the last to see-Joseph Donaghy alive?" There was a rapid Interchange of questioning glances, then Andrews spoke up. "I believe that I was." Harper looked at them. "We'll consider It settled, then, that An drews was the last to soe Joseph Donaghy alive. He left the house about six o'clock. Did any of you see a light In his room during the night?" "TpHBRB was no answer. Harper leaned back In his chair. "Toll me about the discovery of the body." Mrs. Whltmore took up the tale. "We are the first up In the morning," she explained. "I came downstairs a few minutes after seven this morn ing and John soon after that. There are a number of things that need doing right away, regulating the thermostat and things like that At a quarter to eight I rang the garage on the house 'phone." "Was that usual?" Harper Inter rupted. "Oh, yes. We always get Joseph up that way. He has to get cut ot bed to answer the 'phone, and I let It ring till he answers." "How long did you ring this morn ing?" "Quite a while. Then I got angry at him and hung up. When John came up fron. the cellar I told him to go across and get him up." Placid John Whltmore nodded sagely to this account The detec tive turned to him. "Toll us your part" I went out to the garage," Whit- more began, "never dreaming what I was going to run Into " Were there any footprint In the snow when you went there?" "No, sir." "Was the door locked?" . "Ot course. I had taken the key from the rack In the kitchen. I went upstairs and walked right Into Joe's room. When I saw what was on the bed I guess I Just stpod there dumb- rounuea." "Did you move the body? Or touch anything in the room?" Oh, no, sir," John answered hast ily. "I felt queer all over, sort ot faint I must have run down the steps and back to the house." It was Mrs. Whltmore's turn to nod confirmation. "I was there when Whltmore came back, Sorgeant" O'Connell broke In. "He looked like he'd just seen a ghost As soon as I uuderstood what had happened I ran out to the garage. There were only two tracks In the snow, Whltmore's going and coming back. I looked around the room, saw the letter In the type writer and read It, then I came baok here and called you up. That's the whole story. Sergeant." Harper exhibited the skein of brownish rope with the motal rings on the ends. "Can any of you Iden tity this piece of rope? Do you have any rope like this In the house?" The three servants passed the coll from hand to hand. Mrs. Whltmore spoke for them. "We never had rope like this In the house. We use the ordinary wash-line kind. I never saw rope like that before." The detective addressed his next question to the Whltmores. "Did you see Donaghy up here the day ol the murders? I have reason to be lieve that he came bare thon, proba bly lata In the afternoon." Both John and Martha shook their heads emphatically, (Copyright, nil. by trailer O. Brown) VACATION BIBLE CLASS OF ZI EVANGELICAL IS CLOSED WITH PICNIC Dally Vacation Bible school ot Zlon Evangelical Lutheran church closed with a program of unusual merit, demonstrating Ha work last Sunday morning, and a picnic Monday after noon In Llthla park, greatly enjoyed by the many boys and girls, who had attended the school and mothers and teachers. After a few happy hours In the park, as about to spread out the pic nic dinner, shortly before 5 p. m., a rain storm came up, and all crowded Into the cars and Mr. Simpson's truck and returned to Zlon church, Med ford, where another happy time was had enjoying the picnic dinner, and a special Ice cream treat from the school. All attending the service last Sun day morning enjoyed the program greatly, especially the dramatization of Queen Esther presented by 20 mem. bera of the school; the drama, as given, having been written and di rected by Miss Irene B re wold and Martin O. Kabele, The primary grades also gave an Interesting demonstra tion, under the direction of Mrs. E. Jaqua, how Bible stories are taught by dramatizations by the children, by having them present the story of the finding of the child, Moses, by a cast chosen at the time for presenta tion of the drama In the service. Cast for the dramatization of "Queen Esther." Queen Esther Verna Paulson. The King Earl Plchtner. Haman, the chief Counsellor Paul N.chols. Mordecal Leigh Campbell. Princes Billy Frederick, Robert Campbell, Richard Frederick, Chester Cole, Johnny Shea. Ladles Audrey Boussum, Lucille Balrd, Dorothy Stubblefleld, Phyllis eleven, Isabelle Qanfleld, Doris Bed ford, Margaret Ash. Chamberlains David Dawson, Ann Persons, Thomas Kroschel, Howard Renner. Peasant women Phyllis eleven. Dorothy Stubblefleld, Doris Bedford. The Crier Howard Renner. The four scenes: 1 Throne Room. 3, Castle Gate and Throne Room. 3. Castle Gate. 4. Throne Room. PLANT PEST BATTLE UNDER NEW BUREAU WASHINGTON, June 87. (AP) The bureaus of entomology and plant quarantine In the department of ag riculture will be merged July 1. The new organization will take over from the bureau of plant Industry control and eradication work on plant pests and diseases. WJs TETRAETHVL NEIGHBORS By GLUYAS WILLIAMS (Qopyright, 1934, by Tb B.11 Syndicate. Ine.) WAKES UP FROM NM AHD LIES 1HIWK1N& OF THIS AND frtKf HEAR SWEKM. WHIMPEPS ffom -The house Nfxf door mat s "The jones baby ahp HE'S A RlOt WHEN HE &E1S 60IK6. LlStENS SMEGtfcHftV l&PISAPPOINfET WHEM WHIM PERS DIE MAY, JONES BABY HAVIN& GONE 0 SLEEP AGAIN BuT HELLO, IUERE'5 "TviE SMI1H BABY ACROSS 1HE STfcEEf TUNING Ir! 0 ONE AF1TR ANOTHER, THE: RESf OF THE BABIES IN 1HE NEIGHBORHOOD ADD TrtEIRv VOICES. QUifE A CHORUS! I I 1 IIUl I 6RAUUALLV ','rtE WAI15 DIE awaV, saV. those babied have been picked up, or THEY WOULDN'T fiUIE DOWN" What lun& power that kid HAS ! FAR AND AWAY Trig BEST. YELLER ON 1HE BLOCK, wells Time -fo e a LVftlE ACfiOhl IN HIS OWtf HOUSEHOLD 6-27 S 'MATTER POP w Payne By Hal Forrest By C. M. 5? ' " " ' "X J a t . r r VSM , ' All A1Ce.SeTTINl YpMOW is V ' ' TAILSPIN TOMMY Let's Do It Over Again! , 2r -rlt2 J ) A r Vi poomo.' ill ' sur.e dynamite for. dainsar ez jW' lMA:rG fVtl? aVS mStuiw' ? BEN WEBSTER'S CAREER Dave Jones Goes Down Z EVERYTHING'S SET ' gpPI f UtAPH! UMPM.' DAT I I ARE. VOL) ON THE I THE YOUNG EEL c, SO EXCITED N nyC ( HUSH.BRIfiRSIE I A ( rMN SHO' AM DOIN' BOTTOM, DAVE ? HOWS j A. THAT HE EVEN FORGOT TO USE THE 'jX -i THAT'S DAVE-- jJife V 'SUMP'N AH'O NEVAH jl, THE AIR? OKAH ? SEE W J?? UNDERWATER CAMERA THIS TIME- ' T X2$M I DO. y, ANYTHING YET? fyC BUT BIDE VOURTlME,CAP'N IKE VOU'LL MAKE INSU1:TS THE NEBBS From the Long Ago r DO VOL BEMEM66R SUOSt , X VES, 1 DID AMD SHE'S 7sWBW ' I 6. BAROMETER OP 1 DOWiT A COKJNJlG, THE KJICE LOOtfkT YREMaMBCft WeSt-) SICK AKJO I UJAKJT VOO TO ArWE REGULAR. A VOUR FeEUM3,3 , ) DECE1TPUL. FACE f LADY THAT X WAS EKJSASGOl'T lT S MW6 A RESERVXXTIONJ AT STrATES- IP Vou'RE ' WORRIED I AROUSJD vaJITW ME. -to AMD GIVE MONJEV TOGO 7. SJJ, VOU HOTEL 'CAUSE SOlO ) (SOikjg, TO BE A I X5i!lz!n' Vr auluays Lops V-ro -the citv amo buy Ah to semo her mojev to doki.t C r'JIUJ y VpL)RKJTURE - WODWHO f ' - COME DOVJNJ HERE AMD' . wXSJT TO BE V I t -TTVSShV' V toeveR come Bpmik ? ys- Gp set vjell. akid ip sou ct-Avnour PARxwecii. T TYV TTlT y J T-IT MAKE A CHEAP rPa)CZ. OLTTTA. cCv y ionijmri , iL ifc C n y r-j friekjdsuip tLor celatiom- I Mf IliTrnMiill I O JYxLfff PjTsSS ! 1 jhiB j -flrti. TI'iw lswiP.ivwANT?vcxJTOMey&5r i MI albany fire chief rsrr,,M 6 1 wof j(,4jnf jXl ' HURT WHILE FISHING 0u.,m S( AS, lT VfF"-1 WV ' ' zrl:rz -m-- - tii A ri $M Ufc .R 1 lvr Butt. Albsnjr (Ira chief. ws mlerslor of the (leneral council of u.ii I (' L aasaimsa- --5 V A I Vl Tt. n Jt s ru om I " U a. msklng a rapid rcov.ry In a hopltal conur.tio,,,! . ,ntf christian 1 L-1 1 U 1 Ci r " ' 1 11 ' ' ' " 1 " hre todaj from Injuries hi suffered ctlrch, and the Rev. Dr. Jay T.I BRINGING UP FATHER By Georee McMantti when h. fell from a aj-foot cliff stocking of St. Louis was elected I 1 , ; . . . . ., . g8 mCmanU overhannlng the Deschutes river near mx,cn(Vor. WELL-I'LL DO AS MAGGIE I MUST BE ON ME. DIGNITY I ' ' 1 -s GO,TELL n J v Maupin. He was on a fUhlnit trip. , SAY-I'LL GIT UP CARfY WHEM Me SoM COMEi IN . ssaSEsill. MV ONI 1 ( enowv ,io Pu IT uc H. received arm and rib Injur.. U,e M.I. Tribune want ads. 1 TJtprfJpEOMT3 NOW LET MEEEMFERGOT MOnMlN; TO OT UP J SSFOMfeSw ME i . m I BETORE MEOM-BUT T 5 WHETHER THAT BOOK ON SIR- AN" COME J DIDN'T COME HOME ' i n n n nmnir rnmn n -W- f tsSarLv- Z etiquette &a-ts to keep U. , ' Sy.Ji2.-r lastnight- By Edwin Alger By Sol Real