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The Exeter Times-Advocate, 1935-12-05, Page 23.1 THVB3»Ar, DECEMBER Bflk 1»3»THE EXETER TIMES-APVOCATE Ihillli friend, action, is as- police SYNOPSIS; Babrara Keith, wife of a prominent Philadelphia business man, is murdered as she waits alone in a side room to testify in the divorce case of Rowland vs. Rowland. She was to have testi­ fied for the husband, a who was defendant in the Detective Tommy Rankin signed to the case from headquarters. His preliminary in­ vestigation disclosed that both Mr, and Mrs. Rowland had gathered evidence against the other of in­ fidelity. The will of Mrs. Row­ land’s first husband directed her lawyer brother, Mr. Willard, to handle the estate until she remar­ ried when the new husband was to come into control. Detective Rankin finds motives and the evi­ dence of guilt for the murder of Mrs. Keith, leading to the doors of virtually all of the principals involved. These principals are, the two Rowlands, Mr. Willard, Mr. Keith, husband of the mur­ dered woman, Hugh Campbell and his underworld confederates. NOW GO ON WITH THE STORY. •Td. like a copy of these,” Ran­ kin requested. ( The detective reached fcr a suit­ ease. “I’Ll start going through Den­ nis' things,” he said, “If you’ll get tome one to open these other bags, lieutenant, and help me sort their contents, it won’t take long.” Instead of summoning assistance, Becked lent Rankin a hand himself (There were three bags altogther, the one of which Rankin .began his examination being of brown leather oiblang and held together by straps. The second was a roomy black sat­ chel, somewhat old and frayed, while the third was a patent-leath­ er overnight -case. None bore tra­ velling tags and only the last a man­ ufacturer’s imprint: though on the suitcase, the name of the retailer, a well-known department store in •Chicago, was stamped. Mr. Lewis watched the detective, with admiration and wonder at his thoroughness. Careful Ito miss no item, the detective examined the band of a crushed felt hat and a grey cap, both sizes 7i, seeking a clue a® to where they, were bought. He also searched for hairs, from Dennis’ hear that might cling to them. Similiarly, he scrutinized his safety razor shaving kit, which was unmarked. The fugitive had three inexpensive but very sporty suits. The pockets included a small revol­ ver. Ic-cse change, a a string of skeleton flask. “Say .Becker, look What do you make of that?” said Rankin suddenly. Abruptly, after his excited excla­ mation, he -broke off and extended the article in hi® hands. As he was repacking it into a suitcase, he happened to study it more closely. It was a finely, grained, strong belt of shiny brown leather. Smooth and vride, the usual holes were punched at one end; at the other, a heavy brass buckle still glittered brightly, after years of storage and neglect. Rankin’s eyes shone, as though at an unexpected inspiration, caus­ ing Becker to take it with a bewil­ dered He about is an leather, I’ll admit; belt as far as I can “I wonder,” the other’s voice rang with enthusiasm. “That’s just it; it is too good and strong tor an ordin­ ary civilian belt. It looks to me very much like a leather belt is service.” “Service?” t, handkerchief, keys, and a at this belt! fir own. turned it over. “Well, what it, Rankin?” exceptionally he returned “It fine piece of but it’s just a see,” russet belt—a fair the slang, for it in the Becker repeated, ob­ viously startled by the suggestion. "You mean this i® an army belt?” “Either that of a marine belt, lieutenant.” Rankin directed his ex­ planation more to Mr. Lewis than to the officer. “No doubt you’ve notic­ ed service men in the winter, partic­ ularly soldirs and marines, wear­ ing heavy khaki overcoats; they put these russet belts around them on the outside. iThey are something like the Sam Browne belts officers wear about their uniforms.” (The lieutenant inspected it care- ifully. “But there’s nothing on it to indicate that it’s part of service equipment,” he obliged. “I always supposed the stuff was marked— Dr. Wood's NORWAY PINE SYRUP either stamped with the name of the corps, or the initials of the army or navy punched on.” “You'll generally find the name of the depot that issued it,” Rankin agreed. “But it’s usually, placed on a small loose leather strap, in­ side: that connects the buckle with the loop for the end of the belt, to keep it from flapping. If Dennis didn’t want the fact known that he had been in the service, he could slip off that strip. I enlisted dur­ ing the war, and from my training camp days I recall that much about my uniform.” The lawyer also examined it. “It’s very likely this is a service belt,” he then agreed, “only you mustn't jump to conclusions. It is possible this didnt come from a post, but from an army and navy store; I under­ stand they can be purchased ther'e quite easly.” For an instant this idea took Ran­ kin aback; then his confidence in his theory reasserted itself. “That’s a chance I’ll have to take he replied. “But one thing is cer­ tain,” he added with enthusiasm and excitement. “If Dennis was ever in either military branch, we’ll be making genuine progress, They maintain a complete record of their men, and we should get valuable in­ formation about him.” i Despite the optimism he express­ ed about the clue from Fred Dennis’ suitcase, Tommy Rankin fully re­ alized the slenderness of the thread on which he depended. Nevertheless, having progressed as far as possible in his investiga­ tion at Fort Wayne, ne looked hope­ fully, toward the next step. Indeed, he had no other avenue of approach In uncovering Dennis a® a likely suspect, as the murderer of Barbara Keith, he had been favored. The detective caught the Manhat­ tan Limited, New York bound; that necessitated a change at Harris­ burg, for the most direct -route to Washington. In the nation’s capital he knew were lodged the records of all enlisted men, as far back as the American Revolution. Eager and alert, he nevertheless retired, and fcr the second night in succession, slept aboard a train. So far as he could predict, the pursuit of Fred Dennis had just begun; through six years and in many places, because of the precarious life he led, he must trail the wanderings of the culprit, the far how long or how detective and Mr. To he one of when more the left rec- QJIjp IHxeitT (Timcfi-Ariunnite Established 1873 and 1887 Published every Thursday morning at Exeter, Ontario SUBSCRIPTION—$2,0.0 per year in advance RATES—Farm or Real Estate for sale 50c. each insertion for first four insertions. 25c. each subse­ quent insertion, Miscellaneous ar­ ticles, To Rent, Wanted, Lost, or Found 10c. per line of six words. Reading notices 10c. per line. Card of Thanks 50c. Legal ad­ vertising 12 and 8c. per line, In Memo:Jam, with one verse 50c, extra verses 25c. each. Member of The Canadian Weekly Newspaper Association THAMES ROAD (Too late for last week) R. B, Quanee, of Exeter safe-guards by which the murderer pi evented suspicion from lighting on him, the daring that revealed his perverted mind. Always ready to allow his opponent due credit, Ran­ kin appreciated his plot, as brilliant and audacious as any he had ever encountered. The measure of its success was the completeness with which it had baffled him until this very moment. With the solution confronting him at every, turn, had been a victim, throughout case, of a cunning 'With which could not cope. His only conclusion lay in fact that back in Philadelphia already possessed liis fingerprints. Hence, the photograph, he would eventually have discovered Dennis’ identity at Headquarters, when he compared his prints with those he took early in the investigation. Yet, desipte his information and certainty, he lacked positive proof of the criminal’s guilt. Not one iota of hits evidence was more than circum­ stantial. Though he could be esta stantial nor could it >be established directly. Though he could show the man’s motives and opportunity, and a dozen suspicious moves, they had only the force of suppositions. Den­ nis had no eyewitnesses to positive acts that linked him inescapably to Bailbara Keith’s death. So incrim­ inating were the circumstances that Rankin depended on them alone to convict him; but he was not satis­ fied. He wanted to leave no loop­ hole by which the man might escape and this he cbuld accomplish only with some testimony that brought the deed straight home to him. While he continued his conversa­ tion with Mr. Rohce, Rankin’s mind laced in search of ®ome fact that would close his net. Step by step he reviewed every transaction of the criminal, his preparations, pre­ cautions and final act; and each de­ tail of the plot he- discarded as be­ ing incapable, of direct proof, That is, 'until he 'considered Dennis’ pur­ chase of the chloroform. In obtain­ ing that, he-committed a distinctly incriminating act, which lent over­ whelming significance to the purely circumstantial evidence. The diffi­ culty was that, despite a thorough canvassing of all city druggists, Rankin’s assistants had thus far been unable to trace it. Unless .his quarry had never bought the drug at all! The idea that occurred to the detective at that instant caused him to break off his conversation with Mr. Roche. Sud­ denly he had recalled an item of in­ formation Mortimer Keith had casu­ ally dropped early in the case. At the time he could attach no import­ ance to it, and quickly, forgot .it; now it suggested a startling possi­ bility that made him stiffen and breathe excitedly, a® he pondered it. He did not believe some one else bought the chloroform for Dennis; that was too great a risk. And if he figured wrongly, he ■could fall back on the canvass of the city, though that would delay' the final arrest. In one conclusion he had faith. Sooner or later, if he followed the man’s movements dur­ ing the entire two weeks prior to the tragedy, 'he -would discover the source of the weapon he used. The detective immediately acted on his theory and decision. As soon as he finished his business with the secretary, he returned to the Union Station and at '6:15 caught a train for Philadelphia. Three hours later the train depos ited him in Broad Street Station and he went directly to City Hall to complete the necessary formalities. . Then armed with the warrant, he departed and walked briskly down ‘Broad Street to Pine. .Here he turned; and just past 16th Street he stopped before a bleakly respect­ able brownstone house, four stories' high. The lower window® were dark; but a brass shingle on one front sill—“Dr. Anton Brantman” —indicated that one of the most eminent specialists in ailments1 of the head lived there. Though it was long after office hours, Rankin rang the bell. Five , minutes elapsed before footsteps echoing along the stairs announced ,Dr. Brantman’s approach. [Without any comment he led' Rankin into the lofty waiting room for patients. Rankin apologized for the intru­ sion and then came directly to the point. Hi® first query caused Dr. Brantman to shake a solemn head and tighten his lips with a sigh. , (Continued next week.) has Goll- Mrs, home Frank he the he the he quarry’s even without Mr purchased the business of Mr. ings at (Farquhar. Mr. and Rollings are making their north of the church where will continue his Interest® in horti­ culture, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Harper and daughter, of Mitchell, spent Sunday ■with Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Hackney, Mrs. Hackney has recently returned from a pleasant visit with her sister Mrs. Robinsen of Detroit, Mr. and Mrs. Archie Ethering^on were given a reception at the hall, Farquhar by tlreir friends and neigh­ bors, who during the evening pre­ sented them with a useful folding inbed. The evening was spent dancing. M. Course Brown left for North this week on a hunting with Mr. Wm. Snell. Women’s Association The regular meeting of the W. A, of Thames Road -was held at the home of Mr®. Chas. Miller, Thurs­ day, Novemben 21st with a good at­ tendance and opened with hymn 571 and prayer by the president, Mrs. Hunkin and the Scripture Lesson was .read by Mrs, A, Gardiner. Roll was called and minutes of the last meeting read and adopted. This was the annual meeting and reports of the different committees was given and all old. officers were re-elected for another year. The next meeting will be held at the home of Mrs. (Rev.) Mair with group three to ar­ range the program and the roll call to be answered by “A New Year’s Resolution”, the meeting to he held the third Thursday in January. Mrs. Percy’Passmore convenor of group four took charge of the program and Mrs. J. Cann favored with a so­ lo, "Have 'Thine Own Way, Lord” and Mrs. Mair gave an interesting reading and a recitation from Mrs. Robt. 'Cann. Collection was taken, hymn 488 was sung and the Lord’s Prayen repeated in unison and a social half hour spent. the trip Professional Cards GLADMAN & STANBURY BARRISTERS, SOLICITORS, &O. Money to Loan, Investments Made Insurance Safe-deposit Vaults for use of our Clients without charge EXETER and HENSALL CARLING & MORLEY BARRISTERS, SOLICITORS, &c* LOANS, INVESTMENTS, INSURANCE Office: Carling Block, MJain Streep EXETER. ONT. J. E. JACKSON, M.B., L.M.C.C. (Tor.) Physician and Surgeon Phono 26 Office: At liis residence on Main St. just South of the Chevrolet Garage General Practice—-Night or Day J calls given prompt attention. Successor to Dr. Browning Dr. G. F. Roulston, L.D.S..D.D.S. DENTIST Office: Carding Block EXETER, ONT. Closed Wednesday Afternoons iSomie time ago a young Irishman in the County Kilkenny wais very much in love. He wanted to marry the ginl, but being a shy lad, he couldn’t for the life of him ask her outright to marry him. He felt he would chollce if he tried to mention the words •marry or marriage to her. So, after taking much earnest, shrewd thought on the problem, he asked her in a whisper one evening. "Jiulia, 'how would you like to be buried with my people?” arrange to have the record examin­ ed now.” “And what about photograhps?” Rankin spoke a bit anxiously. ‘Have you pictures of yout men as well ” The secretary shook his head. “We don’t take them as a regular part of the enlistment process. But •whenever recruits have to undergo a preliminary, training, they are usu­ ally photographed in training camps and their pictures put in their re­ cord book. There is a space for it.” The detective produced the data he brought from Fort Wayne; quickly scribbling a few notes, Roche rang a bell on his desk, the orderly who answered it passed both the papers and the mes­ sage. He was gone for more than a halt hour, fraught for Rankin with in­ tense suspense and anxiety, He had no other workable clue to Dennis’ trail; so much depended on his un­ covering facts about aim in the two military divisions. He sighed in secret relief the .orderly returned with papers than he had taken with him. ‘‘There were several Fred Dennis­ es in the files, sir,” the man report­ ed briskly, "but none of them ans­ wers the description of the chap you’re after. On the other hand, I’ve also had the prints traced from their general pattern; Mr. Gorgas, •in the Bureau, says they fit some one named iSteve Harmon. So I’ve brought his record along.” Mr. Roche waved his hand, ‘Good, Carson. Put them down on desk, and thank you.” He waited until the orderly the office before inspecting the ■ord with Rankin. “ISteve Harmon,” he read aloud, “age, twenty-two, height six feet one inch, eyes blue, weight a hun­ dred seventy, thin, broad-shoulder­ ed, hair dark . . . that appear® to fit your description. I suppose there is no danger some one else has sim- iliar prints.” “Not a chance in ten million of their being duplicated,” Rankin as­ serted. He bent over the inkmarks intently. “Yes, tlies& agree exactly with those the authorities have,” he pointed out, “these lines and that, broken curve. And note tfie ovals along the upper ridge.” “Well, here is his complete his­ tory.” The secretary opened a pam­ phlet and turned its pages. “He en­ listed in April, nineteen-hundred- twenty-five, at .San Antonio, ’Texas, and was sent for preliminary train­ ing to the Sa Diego Marine Barracks Has no family ties or responsibil­ ities. ’ Was assigned to the U. S. S. Wyoming in June . . . Hmm, he was a pretty poor Speciman of a marine and needed plenty of disci­ plining. Insubordination, A.W.O.L., and petty thieving of clothes; he was -leniently, let off with a month in the brig. And he ended by deserting in October.” Rankin’s eye® widened in sur­ prise. “Deserting?”’ he ‘repeated. “Of course, that would explain' his secrecy about his past and destroyed the evidence' that ever in the service. He caught, was he?” “No, evidently he escaped ully.” “I suppose that’s his picture, on the next page,” the detective observ­ ed. “Ys, the one that was taken San Diego.” Mr. Roche ■pamphlet. Rankin reached for enough, but without the shock that followed, at the sight of the features staring his . at him from the portrait, he gasp- DIES IN 75TH YEAR Dr. H. H. COWEN, L.D.S.,D.D.S. DENTAL SURGEON Successor to the late Dr. Atkinson Office opposite the Post Office, Main Street, Exeter Office 3 6w Telephones Res, 3 6j x Closed Wednesday Aftei'noons dis­ he proved his . bona-fides, anticipated no difficulty in access to the records he re­ There -was no judging chase would take him afield. In the morning the embarked at the Union Station at Washington. Offhand, he could not be certain exactly which bureau housed the information he sought. Rankin de­ cided first to- cover the possibility of Dennis having .been a marine, and instructed a taxi to drive him to the Navy building. Within, his official card speedily gained him the intelligence, at the information desk, that the record® of enlisted men were in the charge of the adjutant-inspector's office. Once Rankin gaining quired, Mr. Roche, a blond, dapper young man in a wing collar, was, however, impressed with his own importance. Behind his cold politeness the de­ tective sensed suspicion and antag­ onism. Rankin did not mention the murder, giving Mr. Roche to uderstand that he hunted Dennis as the ringleader of a robber organiza­ tion. It was not until the latter realized the magnitude of quarry’s activities and, more impor­ tant, that he had been out of the service more than six years-, that he thawed into infability. He nodded more graciously. “Yes, I think we should find the informa­ tion you want in our files,” he said. “What was the fellow’s name, Mr. Rankin?” “Fred Dennis,” Rankin returned, "That doesn’t mean, ot course, that he enlisted under it; he has prob­ ably changed it a doisen times since. But I’ve also brought his finger­ print® to compare with those on file, You take the men’s fingerprints, I believe?” "Oh, yes, that is included in the description.” Mr. Roche extended his hand. "Give them to me and I’ll A Harsh, Hacking Cough A Menace to Health Fatly attention and cate of a cougli are imperative. They will hasten recovery and eliminate the danger of serious complaints. On the first sign of a cold or cough go immediately to your druggist or dealer and get a bottle of Dr. Wood's Norway Fine Syrup. You will find it help to loosen the phlegm, stop the irritating, rasping cough, end the tickling in the throat, and soothe the mucous membrane. On the market for 44 years. You don't experiment when you get it. resi-John Teahen, 7 4, life-long dent of St. Marys and district met death suddenly, recently, apparent­ ly having fallen down a flight’- of stairs to the basement of the C. P. R. hotel. His lifeless form was found at the foot of the stairs shortly after noon and it was be­ lieved that he had fallen and struck his head at the bottom. How long he had been there was Undetermin­ ed. Born in Downie Township, Mr. Teahen lived in and around St. Marys all his life. Besides liis wife there are surviving three daughters and two sons. JOHN WARD CHIRO PR ACTIC, OSTEOPATHY, ELECTRO-THERAPY & ULTRA­ VIOLET TREATMENTS PHONE 70 MAIN ST. EXETER PUTS FLAG ON STACK ARTHUR WEBER LICENSED AUCTIONEER For Huron and Middlesex FARM SALES A SPECIALTY - PRICES REASONABLE SATISFACTION-GUARANTEED Phone 57-13 Dashwood R. R. No. 1, DASHWOOD why he he was wasn’t 1 success- nt held out the it eagerly .anticipating Suddenly, ed. Experienced as he was in extra­ ordinary developments in his inves­ tigation of crime, he could not con­ trol liis astonishment. The passage of eight years was insufficient to prevent his recognition of the face in the picture. 'Such was hi®, overwhelming amaze­ ment that Mr. Roche eyed him won- deringly. "What in the world is the matter, Mr. Rankin?” he demanded hur­ riedly, act as man,” The he demanded “You’re not ill, I hope? You< if yon’re acquainted with the detective wiped his brow. * "That’s just it, I am. But it‘s ab­ solutely incredible, for the life of me, I can’t understand how it can be possible. You see—” In time, he re­ called how little Mr. Roche knew of the true reason he sought the ex­ soldier. “He’s a notorious second- story man, and wanted badly in many cities.” With tihis revelation, he groped in one fell sweep all the elaborate mechanism of the murder. At one moment he was blindly following his nose; the next, every, piece of a complicated and ingenious puzzle, the sheer originality of which he had not even dreamed, fell into place. He needed no more informa­ tion from the marine records. Now he knew how the crime had been engineerer ,and when it was com­ mitted. Ho perceived all the subtle the smoke .Goderich Salt Com- when Mrs. G. N. Dow- the company’s mana- the top in a cement a Union Jack, cheers of the The stack to- point in God- month in begin on the stack ceremony, 151-foot Salt An interesting completion ’of a stack at the pany’s plant, kOr, >wife of ger, rode to bucket and unfurled to the accompanying scores of employees, wers to the highest erich, and was nearly a the making. Work will a boiler room for which was erected. STOP MY PAPER TRAFFIC TO WINTER RESORTS IS LIGHT The mild and “open” fall enjoy­ ed Here this year hasn’t helped the tourist traffic to Florida and Cali­ fornia. The traffic to winter resorts has been light to date, although it com­ pares well -with a year ago. How­ ever, they add that the majority of; those who go south for the winter usually remain her© until after the Christmas holiday anyway. Three years ago when we had zero weath­ er for weeks at a time and the mer­ cury dropped to 31 below zero, the migration was well undere way be­ fore Christmas. Christmas Tree Decorations The decorations used on Christ­ mas trees are made from various materials. The colored balls are gen­ erally made frOm very1 thin glass. The editor uses his utmost skill To Choose timely topics his columns to fill, And feels lie’s succeeding admirably till He reads these three words: “Stop my paper.” One item is read by a man who is “wet.” % He writes: "Your last sheet is the very worst yet; If that is the kind of junk we’re to ig^t, I tell you right now, ‘Stop my pa­ per.’.” Another subscriber "dry.” The very same news his eye, And straightway he i words: "Me, oh, You’re the country’s ‘•Stop my paper’.” Thus Week after week the gamut is ■run Through articles sober and dashes of fun; And in spite of the care with which all has been done Somebody writes in: “Stop my pa­ per.” But the editor knows that through­ out the wide earth Are many, who knowing the paper’s true worth , Reads parts they dont’ like with tol­ erant mirth. And never writes in “Stop my pa­ per.” is thoroughly item catches sends in thesd my! ■worst foe— —iSoTitli&fft Cross FRANK TAYLOR LICENSED AUCTIONEER For Huron and Middlesex FARM SALES A SPECIALTY .Prices Reasonable and Satisfaction Guaranteed EXETER P. O. or RING 138 USBORNE & HIBBERT MUTUAL FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY Head Office, Farquhar, Ont. W. H. COATES President SAMUEL NORRIS Vice-President DIRECTORS F. McCONNElLL, JOHN T. ALLISON ANGUS SINCLAIR, JOHN HACKNEY AGENTS JOHN ESSERY; Centralia, Agent for Usborne and Biddulph ALVIN L. HARRIS, Munro, Agent for Fullarton and Logan THOMAS SCOTT, Cromarty, Agenl for Hibbert B. W. F. BEAVERS Secretary-Treasurer Exeter, Ontario GLADMAN & STANBURY Solicitors, Exeter Cedar Chests AND NEW FURNITURE Also furniture remodelled to order. We take orders -for all kinds of ca­ binet Work for kitchens, etc at the DASHWOOD PLANING MILL BRIDE-ELECT HONORED Friends and relatives gathered at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Geo, J# Thiel in honor of their daughter ■Helen to present her with a misoel* lanwts shower. 'The address was read by Miss Ellon Turkheim, '