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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1980-09-25, Page 13, When the nuin wandered into the Royal York lobby latt that night, through an accumulation of reporters ane larnen, few gave him a second thought. They were more concerned with the logistics of Hugh Labbatt getting the $1.50,00 ralisern into the hands of. kidnappers. ' Mien the stranger asked directions to La bates suite, most considered him another policeman - and those elltside Hugh's door almost refused him admission. Kidnap victim John La batt wentwirtually unrecognized - and reporters lost the kind of "scoop" of which any newsman dreams. John La. batt, who'd been in captivity for 60 hours, much of that time in aMuskoka cabin, was dropped at the corner of Bathurst St. and St. Clair Avenue, Torontoty his captors.„The considerate gesture could hardly have been more foolhardy, since the men risked capture in the police agne o e lifer La ,batt as close to own own oron o possible. The London Free Press, with reporter Howard Broughton Posted in Toronto, was the only paper to guess what had happened. A reliable sonrce_reported_to_ Brot—itghton that he was sure the hotel stranger was John La batt - so Broughton raced back over "fog -ridden roads" to London to dash of the story for the morning efition of the paper. John La batt, in a car likely driven by his lawyer friend R.G. Ivey, was also delivered back to London - and was reunited with his family at about 4:30 a.m, Unfortunately, the La batts forgot to notify the various police forces investigating the case, who believed Mr. La batt was still among the missing: By the time this matter was _ rectified, Attorney General 'Roebuck, calculating the cotof all that police overtime, was less than pleased. As the Free Press reported, "For some reason those who took charge of him (La batt) failed to notify either the Toronto or provincial police on his arrival (at the Royal York) or his departure (back to London) and the result of this lack of co-operation has meant that there is no hot trail of the abductors." , COLD FEET On Aug. 17, the paper reported the kidnappers suddenly /developed "Cold feet" and that no ransom changed hands_ In Canada's most celebrated kidnapping. Once La batt was released safely, the hunt began for his kidnappers - and the brewery executive sifted through hundreds of mug shots, looking for a face he recognized. Flnally he pointed at a picture - and identified the man as his guard and travelling companion on the Muskoka trip. The man was David Meisner, an Ashfield Township native, and smalltime gambler in the town on Covington, Kentucky. The man, soon nicknamed' "the little Kentucky gambler" by the press, was 55 Yeas old. had never been convicted of any criminal offence and gave himself willingly to Detroit police when he heard he was far questioning. From the very beginning, Mei he was innocent • that he was the victim of mistake. John La batt stuck to his tes lean Melsner, who weighed in at all one of the men who had spirite Authorities wasted little ti court -relying on the test' witnesses from the M was sentenced to 1 During the t Meisner h small -t up wanted sner swore some horrible imony - the shy, of 118 pounds, was him away. me in bringing the case to mony of La batt and several uskoka area, David "Ted" Meisner 5 years in the Kingston Penitentiary. rail. his defence lawyer stated: "David as apparently been a race track follower and own gambler but his rights so far as these charges • alt walks in Serendipity by Alice Gibb are concerned'arelisltrong as the rights -of any man who might come before you." Meisner wasn't the only innocent caught in the aftermathbf the La _batt kidnapping. Another was a much younger gainbler, also from Kentucky, nicknamed "Piccolo Pete" Murray. Murray also protested his innocence - and that he had witnesses in Kentucky who would -swear be was there when the kidnapping took place. The young man's wife, struggling to stay afloat in the midst of the Depression, hitch -hiked to London to visit her husband in jail, and declared over and over to anyone who would listen that there had been a terrible miscarriage in justice. She faithfully wrote Pete every day he was in -prison-and her—trust in hinrnever-waiver-ed:-- — Unfortunately, the courts didn't stiare Mrs. Murray's conviction L. Murray was also sentenced to 15 years in prison. Now police believed they were closing in on the real ringleader in the kidnapping. "BURLEY" MeCARDELL The man they wanted was Michael McCardell, a handsome 42 -year old with a twinkle in his eye. A convict, released from San Quentin prison, had already told police he'd heard by the grapevine both Meisner and Murray were innocent and someone else suggested the man police wanted was cooling his heels iii an Indiana jail. McCardell, who had left Beechwood when he was a teenager, and worked as a carpenter and railway switcher in the U.S. had only one known previous conviction - he'd been arrested in Alabama for "running a car into a horse." • GANGLAND'S GRAVEYARD He might have eluded polimon the La batt charges, if it wasn't for one rather major slip-up, He and another man, wanted for questioning in a series of highway holdups between Chicago and Detroit, were chased into an Indiana swamp. Instead of surrendering peacefully, the men tried to disappear intot'Gangland's Graveyard", the swamp's popular name, with the lawmen in hot pursuit. The sedan McCardell had been riding in was riddled with 38 bullets, and soon police and the two men were exchanging gunfire. McCardell's finger was shot away in the battle, he was wounded in the arm and finally forced to surrender. On July 23 a banner headline in the Free Press read, "Nab Suspect In .La' -batt Kidnapping." It was followed by equally -grabbing banners, "Beechwood Natives Sure Accused Man Michael McCardell," and "Pleads Guilty to La batt Kidnapping, McCardell Admits Taking Part In Abduction But Denies Robbery With Arms." When McCardell was confronted with the facts and with John La batt in person, who was brought to the Indiana prison, he admitted he was indeed "Three fingered Abe", the brains behind the entire kidnapping plot. OLD FRIENDS McCardell, who displayed a fine Irish wit throughout his trial, greeted La. batt like a long lost friend, and immediately reeled off the topics the men had discussed during the four days La batt was held in captivity. Once he was back in London, McCardell wasted no time in setting the record straight. He's first devised the plan to kidnap John La batt in 1930. and while he'd discussed it with "Ted" Meisner, the Ashfield Township native and an 1 Come to our • 50's Dance_ . SPONSORED BY: Seaforth Junior Centenaires Booster Club Saturday, Sept. 27 goaforth Community Centre 50's M by a Dist Jockey Prises for the best 50's dress Dancing from 9-1 • • $6.00 per couple AGE MAJORITY CARDS' NEEDED Huron Bd. of Ed. briefs It looks like Latin 350 won't be offered at South Huron District High School in Exeter this year, nor will English 551 be taught at Central Huron in Clinton. The two subjects were dropped because of low enrollment; however, students may still have a chance to pick up those credits this year. The courses will be offered at night schopl if enough students (10) ask far them. The four Grade 13 Huron County students with the highest aggregates were an- nounced by director of OF EXCITING HARNESS 0\-4 RACING AT THE.... CLINTON )4, KINSMEN RACEWAY Sunday, September 28th Post Time 1:30 p.m. FEATURE EVENTS *FINAL FOR MOLSOWS DRIVER AWARDS Leading Drivers (in no particular order) are: Terry Kerr, Don Larkin, Larry DeCalawe, Fred Sadler, Wayne McLean, Randy McLean, Randy Henry, Art Abbott John Muir and Jim Wallace *CLINTON CENTENNIAL PACE: PURSE $2,000. *RACE AGAINST MS (Proceeds toward Multiple Sclerosis) *ANSTETT JEWELLERS DAY Each winning driver and the winner of the draw receives a watch courtesy of Anstett Jewellers Limited Education D.J. Cochrane at the board's September meeting. The students. David Gross (CHSS), Julie Armstrong (CHSS). Francine Visscr (SDHS). and Paul Newland (CHSS) are each winners of a t arter Scholarship. old acquaintance, McCardell assured anYOne who would listen that Meisner wanted no part in the plot. Sure, McCardell testified, he'd tried to impress La batt with his underworld connections and pretended to be much more than a smalltime hood. "I told him I was associated with "Legs" Diamond, but I never saw "Legs" Diamond in my life," he told the court later. Oh, and why did he confess to the crime - a confession that would later lead police to two other Criminals. Well, said the, thoroughly likeable McCardell, "It seemed logical to me that if they (the courts) would convict an innocent man, they wouldn't have much trouble convicting a guilty one." He was right - but what he didn't know was how much trouble the courts would have in pardoning the two innocent gambler's. Next week: McCardell tells all. Beechwood natives recall the kidnapper's early days, and "Piccolo Pete" gets in the last word. Concert for kids at !Myth This winter offers plenty of fun for children at the Blyth - Centre for the Arts For the first- time a series of two programs for children ,will be offered at special discount rates. The first event of the series will be a concert by folksinger Eric Nagler. Eric takes children back to the days before music was on every radio, to when people had to make their own music. - The concert -takes place at Memorial Hall, Nov_ 22 at 2 The second event of the serieswill be Monkey Business by the Lampoon Puppetheatre on March 14, 1981. The cast includes a talented . menagerie . of puppets who entertain the audience in a series of sketches and stories. They are assisted by Johan and Alison Vandergun who help introduce the audience to the fascinating world of puppet theatre. Both these attractions are available on a reserved scat basis for ti series price of only A program of six Saturday afternoon movies will also be available at, the Centre during the winter. The program has attracted hundreds of children over the last several seasons. Although bookings are not yet confirmed the following films are tentatively scheduled: National Velvet, October 11; Five Weeks In A Balloon, Nov. 8; Hans Christian Anderson, Dec. 6: The Glass Slipper, January 3; Abbott and Costello Meet Captain Kidd, Feb. 7 and Wee Willie Winkle with Shirley Temple on March 7. AH movies are at Memorial Hall at 2 p.m. Tickets are 75 cents. Ttik HURON EXPOSITOR, soTEMogn 25, la8o 13 • Huron • bri.Ofs. Summer school principal Don Tremeer reported a successful summer to the Huron County Board of Education at its regular September 2 meeting. Tremeer stated that the school was made "more interesting and different" because -of the English as a Second Language course. Thirty-two Indo-Chinese. ranging from six years of age to the mid -forties, began to learn English. An Expositor Classified will pay you dividends. Have you tried one? Dial 527 -0240: - John McIntosh, an organist who has played all over the continent and twice in Great Britain in recent years, will be performing at St. Thomas Church , in Seaforth on Sunday, October 5. Dr. McIntosh Is a professor with the Faculty of Music at the University of Western Ontario. Seaforth Industrial Hockey League REGISTRATION NOTICE WHEN? Before Monday, Sept. 29 WHERE? Seaforth Reddl-Chef HOW MUCH? $75.00 -at least $45.00 with registration DRAFT Will be held Wednesday, Oct. 1 FIRST GAME • Will be played Sunday, Oct. 5 Tom and Nora Sills of Abbotsford B.C. XV visiting relations in town for two weeks. They were met in Toronto by Frank Sills of town and all three attended the Battle of Britain Reunion. It was a 3 day affair where they had a ' very impressive ,It display amongst the festivities. Some other people there with Seaforth connections were Gorden (Sam) Rennie, Cliff Robb and Phil Speak, Mrs. Bill Flynn and her "Huron String's',supplied entertainment at Dungannon fall fair on Thursday afternoon and on Saturday night supplied music for family night at Lucknow fair.' • Mr. and Ms. Bill Dale returned Thursday evening from a five day stay in Kansas City, Missouri, where they attended the A.P.W.A. convention. Mr. and Mrs. Bill Dale Were at Drumbo Fair on Saturday where Bill was judging the heavy horses. The Knights of Columbus of Seaforth and District held their first meeting of the new fraternal year last Thursday. A draw was held with the following winners: $229 and the $50 consolation went to Dorlean Sills, Seaforth, share -the -wealth event to Norman Breen, R. R. 8, Parkhill__ _ Mr. F. Karl Ament of Toronto visited Seaforth friends ont-riday. Mr. Ament who grew up in the ment home on John street recalled it had been 35 years since he last was in town. Mr. and Mrs. Dave gobb and Julie of Ganonoque spent the weekend with Mr. and Mrs. Dave Longstaff. - Cameron Doig and Randy Mcainchey left last Saturday fin Glasgow, Scotland to play hockey for one of the national teams.. Ordinarily raspberries are a delicacy that are available during July and this year the crop was particularly good according to some growers. However to do even better a berry patch at the residence of James Kelly, George St. North is continuing to produce fruit. Mr. Kelly said Tuesday he had picked a large bowl that day and brought a few 'large berries to the Expositor to indicated the fine fruit still available. Recent visitors at the home of Rev. J. Ure Stewartand Mrs. Stewart were the former's Claughter Mrs. Lloyd Christner, Kitchener and his son, Dr. K. G. Stewart and wife Waterloo. Last week, Mr. and Mrs. Earl Harvey, Sweaburg visited wi;h. Rev .1 Lire_ Stewart and Mrs. Stewart. Mr. and Mrs. Rowan Sproat; Canadian Lakes, Mich ., Mrs. Penny Hashman and son Jim from Metamora. Mich., Mr. and Mrs. Waite; Barry. Grosse Pointe Farms, Mich. Mrs. Kim Tabor. MR. and Mrs. Wm. Barness and sons Billy and Hugh, all from Grosse Ille, Mich.. Mr. and Mrs. Jack Crozier and Lori of Kincardine. and Mr. Neil Crozier, St. Thomas. All attended the funeral of the late Mrs. Emma (Wm.) Sproat. 'Try -outs - Seato'rth Jr. D. 41 Hockey Team Al/ hockey players welcomed Sept. 29th, 1980 9.00-10:30 Sept. 30th 9:00-10:30 Oct. 1st 9-00-10:30 Oct. 2nd 9-00-10:30 Hope to see you there. SEAFORTH DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL 527-0380 EVENING CLASSES REGISTRATION INFOR MATION 1.• AH classes will begin during the week of October 6, 1980. 2. Advance registration is required and may be made by phoning or visiting the _school. Phone 527-0380. 3. Late registration will be accepted on opening night if class is not already filled. 4. Classes will be held weekly, generally from 8-10 p.m. except badminton. 5. Fees will be collected the first n(ght. 6. Students are responsible for providing their own supplies If necessary for their Course. 7. Some courses may have to be cancelled if insufficient interest is indicated by en.rolment. MONDAY NIGHT Furniture Refinishing 120 weeks • $25.) Harvey Beuerman Mixed Adult Recre-atIonal Volleyball Terri -Lynn Dale 120 weeks $15.) Photography for beginners and advanced Dick Burgess 110 weeks • S15.I Quilting Marie Muegge 110 weeks - $15.1 TUESDAY NIGHT WEDNESDAY NIGHT Sewing/Tailoring Susan Wheatley Crotcheting Bessie Broome Classic Film Society Dick Burgess Flower Arranging Jean Vantyghem (10 weeks • S15.1 (10 weeks - S15. (10 weeks S15.) (10 weeks - S15.1 Badminton: High School students 7 p.m. Mixed Adult 8:30 p.m. (10 weeks - 510.) Basic Beginning &amities Mary Carroll [Classes for ceramics to be held at Seaforth Public School) 110 weeks - S15.) You are what you eat Elaine Gottschail (8 weeks - 515.) THURSDAY NIGHT Men's Recreational Basketball (20 weeks • 515.).