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About Medford mail tribune. (Medford, Or.) 1909-1989 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 13, 1934)
BEDFORD MAIL TRIBUNE, MEDFORD, OREGON. THURSDAY. DECEMBER 13. 1934. PAGE THREE t4 Lee Schlesinger Silent On Reason for Strange Vanishment to Brazil Former Portland Department Store "Head Now Leading "Second Life" as Rio de Janeiro Importer By GESFORD FINE, t'nltotl Pre vi Staff Correspond nt. (Copyright. 1934, by United Press.) RIO DE JANETRO, Brazil. Dec. 13. (UP) The drama of a wealthy, so cially prominent man who vanished on the Pacific coast two year ago to start life anew in South America, came to a new climax with hU discov ery by the United Press here last week. The man, Lee Schlesinger, ol & lain-, lly highly prominent In California and Oregon. Is leading his "second ma in Rio De Janeiro under an assumed name. He Is a business man here, and plans to remain one, having care fully removed all traces of his past. He Is married and the father of two children In the United Stales. The family operates department stores In Portland, San Francisco and Oak land, under a firm name of B, T. Schlesinger, Inc. Disappeared In 1932. Schlesinger dropped out of hi old life on the night of December 2B, 1032. He had been at the home of frlenda In Vancouver, Wn., across the Columbia river from Portland, who never saw him again after he stepped into his big motor car and drove off, .apparently in good spirits. " The automobile was found in 18 feet of water off the gravel dock In Vancouver, but grapplers and divers searched o week without finding the body. Insurance between $200,000 and 500,000 waa reported to have ben carried on Schlesinger' life when be vanished but no claim ever was made for it. Schlesinger readily admitted hi identity to the United Press, but re fused to say why he disappeared. He asked only that the facts be kept secret locally, to save him from soc:a! and business embarrassment. He also said the family and the in surance company have been aware that he is here, but that nobody In the world knows the reason for his vanishing, except himself. Nobody's Bustnes. "I left for good and sufficient pri vate causes," Schlesinger said. "It Is nobody's business but my own. I am certain there Is no real public Inter est in me, nor any Justifiable reason for telling my business. Nobody but a few morbid persons can possibly desire to know. "I have committed no crime and done nothing for which I am asham ed. I desire merely to live my own life in my own way. Above all, I hope this disclosure will bring no embarrassment or trouble to my fam ily. They have had enough." The erstwhile rich athlete and polo player Insisted he had no money be yond what he earns in Brazil. He said the family also now is without resources and that the Schlesinger stores, of which he was once vlca prestdent, are now "in the hands of the bankers." Schlesinger lives alone in an apart ment. He is conducting a small im porting business of his own In Bra zil, centering largely in interior towns. The Great Dismal swamp In North Carolina and Virginia covers an area of about 1500 square miles. IF YOUR BREATH HAS A SMELL YOU IT FEEL WELL DEATH THEORIES PORTLAND POLICE PORTLAND, Dec. 13. (UP) When the United Press found and inter viewed lice Schlesinger in Rio De Janeiro last week, a two-year-old sus picion that he disappeared under fab ricated circumstance definitely was confirmed. The mystery of his disappearance perplexed authorities of the Pacific coast and led to scores of sensational rumors. That Schlesinger dropped frcm sight voluntarily jva the most per sistent report, nis reason ior Dur.a Ing up circumstances apparently es tabllshtng his own death never wss disclosed. Schlesinger fs the son of B. P. Schlesinger. owner of department stores in Oakland, San Francisco and Portland. He was manager of one of the stores here when he disappeared. He was graduated from Stanford university and married a classmate, the former Laura Anderson of Lai Angeles. They have two children. Eleanor. 10, and Lee Jr., 6, now liv ing with their mother in Callforn.a Social Leader. Schlesinger waa a social leader and widely known as a polo player. H? drove to Vancouver, Wash., army bar racks the evening of December 28, 1932, to discuss polo with a friend He left there at 11:30 p. m., and a barracks guard saw him drive toward the Interstate bridge across the Co lumbia river, the radio in his ex pensive phaeton tuned in on a mu sical program. This was the last seen in this re gion of Lee Schlesinger. The nxt day hi automobile was located under 18 feet of water at the end of a gravel dock in Vancouver. 1 Surface Indications were that Schlesinger mistook the dock for the bridge approach, drove into the, river and was drowned. The car was ralstsl and grapplers and divers searched t.ie swirling waters for a week without finding a body. The missing man's father came here and offered 500 reward for recovery of the body. Suikioita Aroused. Insurance companies that held pol icies on Schleslngcr'a life, reportedly valued at from $200,000 to $500,000. were immediately suspicions. The In vestigators went to work. Rumors started flying. They were climaxed on January 19. 1833, In a public announcement by Sheriff R. E. McCrlte of Vancouver. McCrttt a'd he did hot believe Schlesinger was in the car when it plunged into t. river. Scandal Hinted. The Massachusetts Life Insurance company, which held a $25,000 policy on Schlesinger' life, provided public hint of scandal In October, 1933. The firm filed suit in San Fran cisco . federal court against a bank and trust company, acting as trus'te for the Schlesinger state. It asked permission to subpoena witnesses and take deposition to show whether Schlesinger wa financially embir rassed when ha disappeared; whether he had been living in excess of his Income: whether he had been de moted in hi executive position at the store; whether the fact that he carried $200,000 life insurance might not be incentive for him to false'.y establish his "death." , The suit, however, wa dropped. Last June an official of the Mas sachusetts Mutual told the United Press In Boston that Schlesinger 'a as living in South America, and V.w; insurance companies would oppose any effort to collect the policies. No effort ever was made by bene ficiaries, however, to cash in on the policies. ELKS 10 INITIATE . SIX AT MEETING Medford lodge, B. P. O. Elks, will hold an initiation ceremony at the lodge meeting this evening at the Elks' temple, when six new members will ride the goat, and three others will be transferred into the lodge through transfer demit. With these additions to the rolls, a total of 133 new members will have been added to the lodge this year. Those who will be Initiated are: W. B. Johnston, Jr., Manuel Lieb man. Franklin H. George. Thomas N. Billings, Kenneth W. Parrett, Kelton Strader. Those transferred are Robert La Rocque, from Caldwell, Idaho; J. F. Moore, frcm Portland; James K. Walgamott, from Hood River. WELCOME DOWNPOUR Rain, falling generally today, over the Rogue River valley, was wel comed by orchardists, farmers and stockmen as storing up future benefits. County Agent Robert O. Fowler said: "The rain la storing up moisture In the ground, and everybody is glad of that." He said the rain "might retard some fall grain sowing, but It is getting almost too late for that. The rain will aid winter wheat in the ground, and already up." Stockmen held the rain would im prove pasturage conditions. When e eat too much, em food decay b oar bowels. Our friends smell this decay eoxnimr out of our mouth and emll it bad breath. We feel the poison of this decay all over our body. It makes us gloomy, grouchy and no good for anything. What makes the food decay in the bowels? Well, when we eat too much, our bile juice can't dljrest It- What is the bile juice? It ii the most vital digestive juioe in em body. Unlesfi 2 pints of it an flowing from or liver Into our bowels every day, our movements get hard and constipated and 4 of our food decays In our 28 feet of bowrln. This decay sends poison all over tmr body every six minute. When our friends smell on? bad breath (but we don't) and we feel like a whipped tomcat, don't use a mouthwash or take a laxative. Get at the cause. Take Carter! Little Uver Tills which gently start the flow of your bile juice. But if "something better" is offered you, don't buy it, for It may be a calomel (mercury) pUI, which loosens teeth, gripes and scalda the rectum in many people. Ask for Carter's Little Liver Pills by name and get what you aak for 25. 183. C.M.Co. ROUND TRIP $CP85 PORTLAND DEC. 13 to JAN. 1 Be back by midnight, Jan. 23 Special reduced fare, good In warm, roomy coaches, oa fait trains. Low holiday fares also apply to other points. Ask agent fox details. Southern Pacific J. I. lANLh, .ticul, Irl. it NEAR AVERS Continued irom page one.) it la demanding of business that It accept a greater measure of social responsibility than it has ever borne before." He spoke before a gathering of the American Arbitration association, the Chamber of Commerce of the state of New York: and the Merchants' association of New York. WASHINGTON. Dec. 13. (AP) NRA waa blamed today for the "chaotic" condition In the lumber industry, due to failure to enforce tne code, by Lee Robinson, of Mt. Vernon, Ala., former president of the Hardwood Manufacturers' Institute. Robinson painted a dark picture of conditions in the industry in the south and declared "the responsibil ity for the present situation rests squarely on NRA and not on the In dustry." He appeared at the hear ings on the West Coast Lumbermen's association petition for, elimination of price fixing. The Alabama operator opposed the petition, but argued that unless NRA gave immediate enforcement the en tire code should be dropped. Robln bon disagreed with opponents of price fixing who had testified that wage and hour provisions of the code would not be affected by elimination of prices. OF STEALING ' BEER Four Medford Juveniles were picked up by city police last night for the theft of a ke? of beer from the rear of the Gold Seal creamery and of a bicycle belonging to Mervln Bagllen of 719 West Tenth street. All about 15 years of age, the boys are scheduled to appear before Coun ty Judge Earl B. Day In Juvenile court either Saturday or Monday to answer charges of larceny. City police said they had used the bicycle to haul the beer keg away. JARED POTTER, 76, Jared Potter, aged 76, died near Phoenix late Wednesday evening. He was born at Sacramento, Calif. His wife, Anna Potter, preceded him to the beyond several years. He leaves three sons, George Pot ter of San Francisco; Frauk of Los Angeles' and Edward of Seattle. Private Intermont will be made In the Medford I. O. O. F. cemetery by Conger Funeral Parlors Saturday. FERN VALLEY SCHOOL SEAL FUND IN FIRST Mre . Alex Sparrow, ch airman of the - Christmas seal sale now under way throughout the county, announc ed that Fern Valley school, district No. P9, was the first to return money for Its quota of seals, bringing In the money yesterday. ' Shortly after, the Prospect school brought in Its money, to rank sec ond and share honors with Fern Val ley for returning in what Mrs. Spar row said la very good time. CCC WORKER'S BODY WILL BE SENT HOME The body of Donald O. Brown, from Camp Rand, CCC, who died Thursday, was forwarded by Conger Funeral Parlors yesterday to Wil mington, 111., where his mother and other relatives reside. He waa 19 years of age, 4 In Moscow there are 3-153 libraries containing 43.000,000 books. The number of readers registered at these libraries is 3,147,105. Sues President's Son 1 The "Alumna," converted ship which makes and sells beer as It Is being ! towed to southestern Alaska porta, is expected to give the territory from 20.000 to 35.000 in beer tax reve- . nue. In the early days of the United States postal service the fees for send lng an envelope containing a single sheet of paper ranged from 8 cents for the first 30 miles to 35 cents for 350 miles. Ei (Continued from page one.) Mre. Daniel P. O'Leary, 60, who claims stfe was Injured when struck by an automobile driven by Frank lin D. Roosevelt, jr., ton of the President, sought $25,000 damages In a suit against young Roosevelt She lives In East Boston, Mass. (Associated Press Photo) Locals From Asliland Mr. and Mrs. Elbert Farlow of Ashland were Medford vis itors Tuesday evening, the Ashland Dally Tidings states. Are Medford Visitors Mrs. Wllllan Lonlgan and the Misses Virginia anJ Georgia Melcher, all of this city, spent Tuesday In Medford visiting friends. Grants Pass Dally Courier. ... Oo to Cave city Attorney M. O. Wilkin and Mrs. Wllklns of Medford were business visitors In Grants Pas Tuesday, according to the Grants Pass Daily Courier. ... On Business Visit J. 3. Edwards, commercial agent for Missouri Pa cific lines, is In Medford today, mak ing business calls on industrial or ganizations. Takes Class to Ashland Ruth Luy. prominent Medford Instructor of thn dance. Is taking a group of her pu pils to Ashland Friday evening, for a dance review between shows at the Llthla theater. . Visit Ashland Mr. and Mrs. C. M. Oervala of Medford were calling on local merchants Tuesday. Mr. Oer- vals, who represents Baker Hamilton and Pacific company of San Fran Cisco In this territory, had Just re turned from a trip to the Bay o'.ty where his marriage to Mrs. Oervals occurred. Ashland Daily Tidings. PUT! FOR $1300 MIAMI. Fla., Dec. 13. (AP) Slight ly injured in the crash of a bridge that threw a dozen spectators into five feet of water in a canal at, the 71st green, Olin Dutra, national open champion, came back to sink a 45 foot birdie four on the last hole and win the tl 2,500 Miami Biltmord golf tournament today with a 203. His victory enriched him by $1200. Mike Turnesa of ElmBford, N. Y., finished in second place with 294 to win, and Orvlllo White of St. Louis wound tip a stroke behind in third place with 295 to take 000. 80 per cent of the profits through the excess profits tax In effect during the ! war. Hiss continued, however, to fill the record with names. Forty seven persons reported In comes of SI .000.000 or more in 1817, who had not previously made that much. The names of Astors, Du Ponts. Morgans and Vanderbilts dotted an other list of Individuals who report ed annual million-dollar Incomes through the war years. Most of these, however, had big incomes before the conflict. The committee's action was not designed to add impetus to the pro gram Inaugurated by the president. It was an Independent and long planned offensive to create world sentiment for disarmament. RAIN AND SNOW FALLS IN WESTERN STATES SAN PRANCISCA, Dec. 13, ( AP) One of the most general rain and snow storms of the winter spread it self over six western states today, the weather bureau here reported. Rain fell in Washington, Oregon. Nevada, California, Arizona and New Mexico. In California, the rain was moderately heavy, particularly in the south. Snow was falling above the 6.000-foot level in the mountains and warm rain below. FRIDAY NIGHT at the Oriental Gardens Jointly Sponsored By The MEDFORD'S LION'S CLUB and MEDFORD POST 15 AMERICAN LEGION Proceeds will be used for Christmas Toys for th) kid. dies. Be sure to enjoy this big party and help a worthy cause. Tickets obtainable from any Lion or Legionnaire II 5C FROM SPEAKER RACE WASHINGTON. Dec. 13. (AP) Rep resentative William B. Bnnkhead of Alabama today withdrew from the speakership contest but announced his candidacy for the house Demo cratic floor leadership. The withdrawal led the elevation of Represenative Joseph W. Byrns of Tennessee to the speakership to be taken all the more for granted on Capitol Hill. Al Courtney, Syracuse, Kas., ranch er, forecast a mild winter for 1934 1935 when he saw rattlesnakes amb ling about late in November. A German Bible printed at Nurem berg in 1703 is a cherished relic in the library of Lenolr-Rhyne college at Hickory, N. C. Use Mall Tribunw want ads. jititi$iii?!iiiiilit!ii9!itiiM Deer have become so plentiful In the Pisgah national forest In North Carolina that annual hunts have be come necessnry to keep them from multiplying beyond, the feeding ca pacity of the area. The cost of the 1034 fall election In McCulloch county, Texas, ranged from 14 cents to $1.87 a vote with an average of 66 cents, county clerk's figures showed. ' THR PAY FOR ITS A FACT Old Farm goes farther. An ounce of this heavy-bodied rye does the work of an ounce and a half of ordinary rye. That's becauso it's real rye made by the famous Old Overholt distillers, and naturally ripened 16 months in wood. 90 A PINT Insist on a naoa PENNSYLVANIA STRAIGHT RYE WHISKEY THIS EMBLEM PROTECTS YOU 3 O; o si si St si si si si si si 5 3t SANTA GLAUS COMES TO PENNEY'S 4 By special arrangement with the WESTERN UNION, Santa Claus will receive messages direct from his North Pole Headquarters, to the J. C. Penney Co., Inc., in our Sixth Street Window THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY FREE BALLOONS TO ALL CHILDREN IN PENNEY'S TOYLAND 5?" ... 5' 4 4 ... T2 Special Saturday Only two of Med ford' a Football Stars will demon strate the New and Popular Football Game in our TOYLAND. YOU'RE ALL INVITED 4 4 4 'a 1 GREET SANTA AT PENNEY'S 1 . BOYD'S fc2AMETT Plenty of Parking Space-Free Delivery on Orders of $1 or Over Open Sundays till 11 :30 A. M. 108 No. Ivy. Phone 1054-J Specials for Friday, Saturday and Monday, Dec. 14, 15, 17 SUGAR 43c Pure Cane 8-lb. bag. POWDERED, 2 lb. pkg ....13d BROWN, 2 lb. pkg . 12tf Sunkist CITRUS FRUITS Sunkint LEMONS, fancy, 360 size, doz 18 ORANGES, 176 's, doz. 25 126 ', dozen 29 GRAPEFRUIT, Arizona Seedless, 80's, dozen 47i CATSUP, Knight's Rogue River, 18 oz. bottles 19 TOMATO JUICE, Knieht's, No. 1 tall tins 3 for 23tf ' TOMATOES, Josephine Standards, No. 2', tins 3 for 27 CORN, Excelsior Brand, No. 2 tins 3 for 2i)c PEAS, Pierce's, No. 1 tall tins 3 for 29 PORK and BEANS, Van Camp's, 1 lb. 11 oz. tins 3 for 27 C HOMINY, Van Camp's, No. 2j size 3 for 23 SALMON, Alaska Red, Daisy Brand No. 1 tins 2 for 27c FIG BARS, Whole Wheat, , fresh.. 2 lbs. for 23tf BAKING POWDER, Clabber Girl, 2 lb. cans 19 COFFEE HILLS blue can 2 lbs. 9d HILLS Red can, lb. 31 2 lb. 0 M.J.B., lb. can 31tf 3-lb. can 8Sh GOLDEN WEST, lb. jar 30tf 3-lb. jar 8(tf OALLO R0J0, fresh grd , lb. bag 19 SHORTENING FRY'S, 2 lb. packages 23 CRESCENT, 4 lb. cartons 5() JEWEL. Pure Vegetable, 4 lb 5 It 0LE0, Gem Nut.. 2 lb. 27c'' MILK caT2?7ins 17C FLOUR Klamath Bouquet Brand, 49 lb. $1.59 Kitchen Queen, 49 lb. bag $1.70 DRIFTED SNOW, 49 lb. hag $2.12 SALAD OTL, bulk double refined, Bring your containers. Qts 18d COCOA, Mother's, 2 lb. tins 18 TOILET PAPER, Astoria ...5 rolls 18d RAISINS, Ehrman's Specials, 4 lb. packages 27c1' CAKE FLOUR, Crown, 4 lb. bags....39 ONIONS, Spanish Sweets, 10 lbs 17 SOUP, Campbell's, all kinds, 3 for 25d JELL WELL, all flavors....5 pkgs. 21 BAKING SODA, Bikarb, 1 lb. pkgs. 5 WALNUTS, extra fey. budded, lb. 22 OATS, Sperry's Quick or Regular, No. 10 bag 41 PANCAKE FLOUR, Sperry's No. 10 bags 4Stf WAX PAPER, Diamond Brand, 125 ft. rolls 15J VANILLA FLAVORING, Bunny Brand. 4 oz. bottles 116 SPICES, Schillings, all kinds, 2 oz. tins 3 for 25d SOAP PRIDE SOAP POWDER, lg. pkgs. 10 CRYSTAL WHITE SOAP, 10 bars, one 23 oz. pkg. Peets Granulated OQ. Soap Free CO I RINSO, large packagos 2Qc IVORY SOAP, medium size bars 5tf CANDY Imperial Radio Mixed, 2 lbs Baker's Sweet Chocolate, 1 lb. cakes 23c 17c J.