Gene Paul Norris Classed as
Most Feared Gunman in Southwest
Editor'i note: Genr Paul Norris wit
dvribfd tiy lawmen a? the most
dangerous man In the Southwest he
fore he died in a hail of bullets last
April. This is the first of two dis
parrhes outlining his career of robbery
and murder.
By JOHN G. WARNER
United Presi Correspondent
Fort Worth, Tex. TP Slight,
boyish-looking Gene Paul Norris
would kill anyone for a price.
When his gun wasn't hired, he
had no trouble finding uses for
it. Norris pulled some of the
most daring robberies the South
west has seen since Prohibition
days.
He was, without doubt, the
worst killer Texas has known
since the turn of the century.
His record is far worse than
that of Clyde Barrow.
Forty Slayings Rumored
"It is widely rumored in the
underworld that Norris killed
40 persons," Texas Ranger Capt.
Jay Banks says. "That's a pretty
well-founded rumor, too."
Other estimates come lower,
such as that of Fort Worth
Chief Cato Hightower, who
creoits Norris with nine murd
ers. .II of those directly concern
ed F rt Worth, however. Norris
was tlie triggerman in the Dallas-Fort
Worth gang, and sev
eral of the gangland killings
are attributed to his gun.
Norris, black-haired and smil
ing beneath the baleful eyes of
$ rattlesnake, didn't come cheap.
The underworld rumors his fee
ft S5.000 for one killing.
Helpers' Days Numbered
Not all were contracted. Nor
ris killed to protect himself, also.
"If he used a man to help him
on a job, that man's days were
probably numbered," Banks
says. Norris didn't like loose
-itnesses hanging around.
Gene Paul followed his older
brother Pete into the bloody
life. Pete was soon derailed and
is now serving a grand total of
700 years in prison.
It has been said the thing
Gene Paul wanted most was to
free Pete, once the FBI's public
enemy No. 1. He tried once,
springing his brother from a
prison farm, and drew eight
years in Huntsville Penitentiary
for his trouble.
After serving two years of
that sentence and gaining pa
role, Norris drifted to Fort
Worth, were he teamed with Al
catraz graduate Floyd Hill.
In October, 1953, Hill and a
machine gun-wielding pal held
up a trio of Cuban gun-runners
at the Western Hills Motel in
Fort Worth .The take was $248,
000. Hill's partner was undoubted
ly Norris, but he beat the rap.
Although the gun-runners
identified him as the man who
was to have helped them ob
tain munitions for a revolt in
Cuba and instead robbed them
the jury acquitted Norris when
he produced witnesses saying he
was in Duncan, Okla., at the
time.
Hill Arrested
Hill wasn't so lucky. The FBI
arrested him while he was dig
ging up his share of the loot and
he was convicted. Norris went
back to prison, however, as a
parole violator and was released
in 1955.
He drove a truck to a Wichita
Falls warehouse, posed as a new
salesman for an oilfield equip
ment company, and drove off
with thousands of dollars worth
of equipment. But a Negro truck
er saw him and was scheduled
to star for the prosecution.
One night before the trial the
witness disappeared. Norris, in
Fort Worth, caused enough trou
ble in a tavern to be tossed in
jail that night. He had a perfect
alibi, therefore, when the truck
er was found in a crude grave
near Burkburnett last year, his
head bashed in. It was possibly
only the first time Norris had to
get someone else to do a job.
Norris was credited, among
other things, with the deaths of
gangsters Leroy (Tincy) Eggles
ton, Frank Cates, Olen Ray Ty
ler and Edward Eugene Townley
and his wife, dope peddlers who
have been missing for months.
Oklahoma City bootlegger Or-
ville Lindsay Chambless, impli
cated in the Western Hills job,
has been missing for some time
also.
Case of Frank Cates
Norris was reported to have
been hired as the trigger in a
plot to erase four Oklahoma City
bootleggers.
The case of Frank Cates shows
something of Norris' nature.
Cates. a 61-year-old rum-runner,
procurer, confidence man
and hot gem dealer, became in
terested in gambling. He set up
shop on the outskirts of Fort
Worth but decided he wasn't
making enough. He hired Norris
to eleminate six competing gam
blers. Cates didn't stop there. He
hired the late Jack Nesbitt to
kill Norris after Norris elimin
ated the gamblers. Gene Paul
caught wind of this doublecross
and on Aug. 2, 1956. a bomb
ripped Cates' house, nearly kill
ing him.
Soon after Cates recovered,
Norris called him and said he
had some hot diamonds to dis
pose of. On the night of Oct.
8. 195S, Cates went to a meeting
with Norris at a lonely spot near
Watauga in Tarrant county.
Cates' body was found in his
car the next day, torn by a shot
gun blast.
Next The last big job.
Quotes From the News
By UNITED PRESS
Little Rock Negro leader L. C. Bates, saying that he under
stands Negro children are gradually being accepted at Central
High School:
"It just comes down to what we have always felt. The kids
are the future citizens. They can get together and the more they
get to know each other, the better citizens they can become."
Ottawa Queen Elizabeth, in admitting that royal life has
its dull moments:
"There are lonq periods when life seems a small dull round,
a petty business with no point and then suddenly we are caught
up in some great event which gives us a glimpse of the solid and
durable foundations of our existence."
Washington Rep. Kenneth R. Keating (R-N.Y.), in calling
for broad new programs to train scientists:
"Recent revelations of Soviet scientific advances should
awaken all Americans to a renewed realization that this country
has no corner on the brains of the world."
Chicago James T. Mangan. self-styled owner of all space,
in offering to turn his "property" over to the United Stales:
"I want to save the nation's face in the satellite race."
Tokyo Adio Dohi, Japanese student who was among at
least 54 persons injured when famed Mount Mihara on Oshima
Island near Tokyo erupted as scores of sightseers were viewing
the crater:
"Suddenly I felt a rain of fire falling on me and I tried to
run away. I ran desperatelly but it was difficult to see my way
because of the thick' smoke."
Cleveland Dr. Gaines M. Cook, executive secretary of the
International Convention of Disciples of Christ, in calling for
Christian missions in underprivileged areas of the world:
"It is as futile to isolate ourselves as Christians as it is for us
to live in isolation as nations. The tragedy of Hungary has been
heard in every African village."
Hermosa Beach, Calif. Mrs. Rosaline O'Keefe, the house
wife who offered her airplane-riding rabbit to the government to
get the jump on a Russian dog reported ready to ride the next
Soviet satellite:
" 'Crusader' rode a plane from Texas to Hollywood without
batting an ear. He would ""prove that American animals are su
perior to Russian animals as space-riders."
HILTS
Recent Guests Are Listed
By MRS. M. F. CAVIN
Hilts Recent guests at the
home of Mr. and Mrs. Ernest
Spannaus were Mr. and Mrs.
Harold McFerrin and son of Red
ding, Calif.
and Mrs. Charles Bubics of Pleas
anton. They were en route home
after vacationing in Canada.
Quick Draw Results
In Criminal Capture
Sacramento 'U Two escap
ees from Chino prison wefe cap
tured Saturday because one shot
the other in the lung while prac
ticing a quick draw.
The Sacramento county sher
iff's office identified the men,
whom they said fled Chino 10
days ago, as 23-year-old Paul Da
vid Wiggin and Willis Raymond,
32.
Officers said the two were
captured at Truckee, Calif., by
highway patrolmen and Nevada
county sheriffs officers after a
Nevada doctor called in to treat
the wound tipped the lawmen.
Mrs. Dorothv Watson and
daughters, Patty and Debra, for
merly ot ban trancisco, arrived
Saturday to make their home
with Mr. and Mrs. Francis
Gwinn. Mrs. Watson is Mrs.
Gwinn's sister.
Mr. and Mrs. H. G. Thompson
and daughter, Marilyn, returned
Friday from Long Beach and
other California cities where
they visited friends and rela
tives. Miss Marlene Smith, who
has been residing in Long Beach,
returned north with them and
plans to make her home in Med-ford.
Mrs. Fred Bloomingcamp of
Hornbrook and Mrs. L. J. Rohr
er of Eagle Point called at the
M. F. Cavin home Sunday'
Attending a layette shower for
Mrs. John Rogers in Ashland re
cently were Mrs. Albert Perry
and Mrs. Ward Rogers.
A daughter was born Oct. 5
in the Siskiyou County and Gen
eral hospital to Mr. and Mrs.
Shinar Marin. She weighed 6
pounds, 10V4 ounces and has
been named Janney Marie.
Mr. and Mrs. Pete Favero
completed moving this week to
Yreka where they will make
their home. Favero retired from
the Fruit Grower's Supply com
pany several weeks ago.
Mrs. T. D. Killinesworth of
Hornbrook sDent Wednesday at
the home of her daughter Mrs.
Ray Middleton and grand-daugh
ter, Cathleen Marie.
Week end guests at the home
of Mr. and Mrs. Art Blanchard
were their son, Raymond, of Sac
ramento; their son-in-law and
daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Phil
Hemstead and son, of Redding,
and Art Jr., also of Redding.
While here they went deer hunting.
Mrs. Ransom Smith under
went major surgery at Sacred
Heart hospital in Medford Thurs
day, Oct. 3. Also a patient in
Sacred Heart hospital is Ted
Rose, who underwent major sur
gery Monday Oct. 7. Both are
getting along well.
Mr. and Mrs. L. A. McCullough
and Mrs. R. C. De Voe and sons
of Medford and Frank Ward of
Hornbrook were dinner guests
Sunday at the Donivan Ward
home, honoring the birthday of
Mrs. McCullough.
A Girl Scout leeadership train
ing course is being held at the
home of Mrs. M. E. Barron. In
struction is by Miss Ruth Kil
bourn of the Rogue Valley Coun
cil in Medford, assisted by Mrs.
William Wiley, neighborhood
chairman. The first lesson was
held Tuesday, Oct. 7, and one
will be held each Tuesday for
the next four weeks.
Mr. and Mrs. Richard Stretz,
who have been living near Los
Angeles, have returned north
and will make their home at the
Bur-Bel Resort on the Klamath
river.
Mrs. Don Tisserand returned
to her home in Anderson Sunday.
Mrs. Bessie Burton of San
Diego is a guest at the home of
Mr. and Mrs. Shinar Marin and
family. Mrs. Burton is Mrs. Mar
in's grandmother.
Steve Osiecki and son, Tom
my, ot .Pasadena were recent
guests at the Don Powers home.
Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Stick
ney and girls of San Mateo vis
ited last week end at the Victor
Van de Weghe home. Stickney
returned home Sunday. Mrs.
Stickney and girls drove home,
leaving Thursday morning, going
as far as Redding where she vis
ited a short time with Mr. and
Mrs. Lester Spearin and family,
before continuing the trip home.
Other week end guests at the
Van de Weghe home were Mr.
and Mrs. Leland Stickney of
Medford.
Grange Notes
Phoenix Grange
Phoenix Grange met Tuesday,
Oct. 8, at 8 p.m. Following the
officers seating drill, the meet
ing was turned over to Lecturer
Ethel Carr.
Youth Chairman Mrs. Willis
House, in charge of the program,
introduced Circuit Judge Ed
ward Kelly, who gave an inform
ative talk on juvenile delinquen
cy, and the new Jackson county
detention home which is to be
dedicated soon and the way in
which it would operate.
Judge Kelly devotes one day
each week to juvenile cases only.
He stressed the point of so many
temptations these days to cause
children to go astray. The rapid
means of transportation which
enables them to get far away
from parental control in a short
time, and many other reasons
contributing to the problem.
Judge Kelly is a member of
Central Point Grange, and re
mained as a visitor for the re
mainder of the meeting.
Mr. and Mrs. Loyd Whiteside
were elected to become members
of the Grange.
Myrtle Hixon, reporting on
agriculture, told of some in
stances where the prolonged
rainy period was causing loss of
crops. Some alfalfa seed had
sprouted before harvesting, and
the. late cutting of alfalfa hay ap
peared to be a total loss.
Vaughn Quackenbush of the
music committee said he had pre
pared a short talk on music, but
preferred to talk about pears,
red Bartletts in particular, a
hybrid pear in which he is inter
ested. Dee Hendrickson, reporting on
horticulture, gave figures on the
amount of pears sold during the
past week in 10 major markets
and quoted prices.
Chet Parker said he met with
the Poenix Community club
committee, and plans are being
made to cover the floors in the
Community club building with
tile.
Secretary Lesbia Lattie read a
resolution from Baker district
Pomona, concerning taxation
nad depreciation of property,
Melvin Lattie, Andy Stevenson
and Vaughn Quackenbush were
appointed a committee of three
to study the resolution and re
port back to the Grange at the
next meeting. The Grange will
then act on the resolution.
The chaplain reported Mrs
Marian Riegel had fallen and
sprained her arm badly. Mrs.
Loyal Bates, Mrs. Chet Parker
and Melvin Lattie are ill.
The secretary read a commu
nication from Grange Council
Secretary Ralph James announc
ing there would be council meet
ing at Eagle Point Saturday, Oct.
12, at 8 p.m. Ladies are to bring
cookies or sandwiches for re
freshments.
Master Dee Hendrickson again
announced the dedication cere
mony at Upper Applegate Sun
day, Oct. 13, at 2 p.m. Also the
Jackson County Pomona meet
ing at Phoenix Grange Saturday,
Oct. 26, at 10 a.m., an all day
meeting.
Mrs. Hattie Hendrickson re
porting for HEC in the absence
of Chairman Coral Schroeder,
announced the all day meeting
and clean-up day of the HEC at
the Grange hall with a potluck
dinner at noon Wednesday, Oct
16. She urged that all make an
effort to be present.
The serving committee for
Oct. 22 Grange meeting will be
Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Lattie, Mr.
and Mrs. Andy Stevens and W.
B. Tucker.
Grange adjourned at an early
hour and enjoyed cookies and
coffee in the dining room.
Gertrude Levine,
Publicity Chairman
Monday, October 14. 1957
MEDFORD (OREGON) MAIL TRIBUNE!
Gold Hill Grange
Gold Hill Grange will hold
their annual Booster night Mon
day, Oct. 14. There will be vari
ous displays featured. Anyone
wishing to display articles of in
terest such as flowers, fancy
work, antiques, or anything else
that they may have, is invited to
bring same.
There will be a program and
refreshments will be served.
.In charge of these arrange
ments will , be Master Hal Bish
op, Chairman of HEC Lucy Ed-
ington, Lecturer Icia Walker,
Tableaux Chairman Willie Mc
Lean and their committees.
Mrs. John Bruce,
Publicity
The Hilts Community club met
Thursday afternoon at the home
of Mrs. Al Simmen. Canasta was
played with Mrs. Frank Graves
winning high prize, Mrs. Ernest
Spannaus, second high and Mrs.
Ozz.3 Bernhiesel low. Refresh
men's were served.
Mr. and Mrs. William Kleaver
Jr. and son of Corvallis visited
Mrs. Elizabeth McGuire Friday.
Rodney Eastman, who is em
ployed at the sawmill, cut his
foot with an axe while trying-to
dislodge a chunk of bark Thurs
day afternoon. He was given first
aid by Mrs. Eliabeth McGuire,
then taken to the Ashland hos-
REDS BATTER QUEMOY
Taipei, Formosa (W Com
munist Chinese artillery on
Amoy shelled the Nationalist
Chinese offshore island bastion of
Quemoy Friday for the fifth time
in 10 days, the Nationalist De
fense Ministry said Saturday.
The ministry said the Red guns
fired 16 rounds in a one-hour-long
sporadic attack, but failed
to inflict any casualties or seri
ous damage.
pital where it was necessary to
take three stitches to close the
wound.
Mr. and Mrs. Walt Laustalot
and sons visited relatives in Cot
tonwood and Anderson last week
end.
Robert Black, who is attend
ing Oregon State college at Cor
vallis, visited his parents. Mr.
and Mrs. Harry Black, and did
some deer hunting last weekend.
Overnight guests Tuesday at
the home of Mr. and Mrs. Al
Simmen and family were Mr.
PERSONALIZED
Christmas Cards
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D
(ELBODCCIE
4 BIG PARKING LOTS IN BACK OF OUR STORE!
MANY FINE ECONOMICAL COLD-WEATHER DISHES
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AND TILLAMOOK CHEESE
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Lb. Pkg.
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TILLAMOOK
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A Perfect Combination
with Porter's Macaroni
If You're Not Shopping
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You're Paying Too Much
Prices in this ad good through
Wednesday, October 16
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Red, Green or Blue Label
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t Save
lie
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15-oz. tin
13 Save
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2-pound caddy
19'
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8c
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49
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r