The El Reno Daily Tribune (El Reno, Okla.), Vol. 62, No. 253, Ed. 1 Tuesday, December 22, 1953 Page: 1 of 10
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WOMAN KOSTAOES RELEASED-Mrs. Joseph Watts, holding her 15-months-old son Joseph Jr top
tea Is reunited with *her lamlly in Jackson. Mich., alter being held hostage overnight by five escaping
held*bv the0ronC^n»ICt^Ce!,ter’ ^ Wlt“ *nd <Uughter Cynthia. Right, Miss Helen Gilbert who was also
^ L^er* r*leased unharmed- Two of the 13 inmates who escaped were still
today and being hunted by officers In the Det roll area. Two were captured Monday The convicts
^°IJLr0W “tt' /''i 5° ri*ht' R°beH Dmv,,ng ,ttt ,arge>- Edward Emerick, Virgil Lane,
Daniel Bousha, and Roman Usiondek (at large) (NEA Telephoto).
Two Still Free
In Prison Break
One Convict Feared
Planning Venegance
DETROIT. Dec. 23 —<U.R)— Two
convicts who participated In a mass
escape from Southern Michigan
prison eluded police today and one
of them was believed to be stalk*
ing five persons who helped put him
behind bars 10 years ago.
Roman Usiondek. 37. described as
a psychopathic murderer, and Ro-
bert Dowling, 33, who was serving a
breaking and entering term, were
the the only "survivors" from a
group of 13 convicts who fled the
huge prison at Jackson Saturday
night.
Three fellow convicts with whom
Usiondek and Dowling sped to the
motor city in a stolen car were
captured Monday at the home of an
ex-convict kidnaper. The other eight
were rounded up earlier.
Man Swore Revenge
Police recalled that Usiondek swore
revenge against an assistant pro-
secutor and four witnesses who
helped send him to prison for life
In 1043.
The prosecutor, A. Tom Pasieczny,
now a circuit court commissioner,
was spirited from the city with his
family. Police posted a 24-hour
guard at the homes of the four wit-
nesses.
Usiondek boasted in 1943 that the
prison, the world’s largest walled
institution 60 miles west of here,
would “never hold me."
“I'll be back and when I do you
will be no. 1 on my list," he told
Pasleciny at the time.
Killed Tavern Owner
Captain Walter Jeros of suburban
Hamtramck, where Usiondek was
convicted of killing a tavern owner,
said the fugitive was' “one of the
most dangerous felons known to be
free."
“I fear he will try to carry out his
threat," Jeros said.
The three newly-captured con-
victs either did not know where
Usiondek and Dowling were hiding
or refused to give the Information
to police. They are Edward Emrick,
42, a convicted murderer; Daniel
Bousha, 33, a kidnaper, and Virgil
lane, 27, sentenced for armed rob-
bery.
Soviet Aggression Danger
Has Lessened, Dulles Says
WASHINGTON, Dec. 22-(AP)-Secretary of State
Dulles said today the ministers of the 14 North Atlantic
treaty allies believe the danger of “open military aggression
from Soviet Russia” is less than it was a year or two ago.
Yet the danger is immense and persistent,” Dulles said,
adding’:
“This is no time for the free world to relax.”
Dulles reported in a speech
••'“••"J I " • jwuilg pw^ic V,
to go caroling at that time
Indians, Bees
Meet Putnam
There Tonight
1JVL RENO’S INDIANS, along
^ with the "B” cage aquad will
visit Putnam City tonight for the
Tribe'* second scheduled game
this season and first match of the
year for Coach Kenneth Kamm’s
Bees.
The Indians opened their cage
itinerary against Edmond on Dec.
7, defeating the Bulldogs. 49-27,
then Coach Jenks Simmons took
advantage In a schedule break to
play the Southwestern State col-
lege frosh two games in the In-
terim. shellacking the Weather-
ford college freshmen both games.
Putnam City Pirates, who won
only two of 24 games last season,
have shown remarkable improve-
ment under the guidance of
Coach Doc Graves, toppling Del
City. Midwest City and Bethany,
while forcing strong Pauls Valley
and Chlckasha Into overtime play
before losing.
Playing In the Putnam City
gym, tonight’s twinbUl will
opened by the ”B” squads at 7:30.
to be followed by the Indian-Plr-
ate match.
The Tribe Is scheduled to enter
the annual Enid invitational
tournament on Dec. 28-2B, then
they visit Ardmore and Duncan
Jan. 5 and 8. before returning to
their home court against Capitol
Hill's Redskins on Jan. 12.
Probable starters tonight will be
Kendall Hale, 6-5. center; Jesse
Nordman, 6-2, and Jim Archer,
«-l, guards, and Earl Johnson,
6-4, and Bill Bruce, 6-2, forwards.
prepared for the National
Press club on the meeting of
the alliance council in Paris
a few days ago.
If the danger of aggression has in
fact declined, he said, it is due to
at least two reasons — growing
NATO power and unrest behind
the iron curtain.
Dulles said that 1954—weighted
with such problems as atomic dis-
cussions with Russia—will be a year
“for great decision," and declared;
“our hopes are high.”
Hints Aid Cals
Dulles stressed the urgency of
creating a European defense com-
munity and rearming Germany.
He listed it, as well as the pro-
jected Berlin conference with Rus-
sia on Germany's future, as among
the great matters for 1954.
And, by Implication, he suggested
that United States forces might be
withdrawn from Germany if EDC
collapses and German strength can
not be drawn into the European
defense force.
Dulles reported that NATO had
successfully adopted In the Decem-
ber 14-16 meeting a new “long
haul” concept, the essence of which
Is that the alliance should operate
on a budget which member nations
can sustain over a long period.
Red Discontent Cited
In explaining why there is a be-
lief the danger has possibly de-
clined, Dulles laid heavy emphasis
on “the vast underlying discontent”
among workers in 8ovtet satellite
countries.
"It seems that the 8ovlet rulers'
exploitation of their own and the
satellite peoples has reached the
point where it would be reckless for
them to engage in general war.” he
said.
RELIGIOUS activities celebrating the Christinas season
have been scheduled for the next three nights and on
Christmas day by various El Reno churches.
Three churches have slated activities for 7:30 p. m.
today, with young people of the First Baptist church
cefore holding a fellowship
Meeting in the church.
Annual Christmas pag-
eant of Wesley Methodist
dhurch will be presented at
the church, with carols to
be sung by vocal groups
of all departments.
Judy Halverson will be reader
for the pageant, entitled "The
Nativity", and Jane Bailey will
be narrator. A violin solo will
presented by Mrs. W. B. Blanton
and a reading will be delivered by
Arlone Moyer.
Backfired
OKLAHOMA CITY, Dec. 22-
(U.R)—District Judge Glen O.
Morris reported today some of
his friends are not taking his
Christmas cards In the spirit he
intended.
The Judge sent his Yuletlde
greetings In the form of mock
subpenas, commanding whoever
receives the card to “appear on
the 25th day of December, 1953,
before all persons whom you
contact, especially your friends
and loved ones, to be happy
and merry in commemoration
of the birth of our Lord and
Saviour . .
The Judge began to suspect
some of his friends were giving
the cards a hasty reading when
a man showed up at his office
yesterday to protest against hav-
ing to appear In court Christ-
mas day.
Then an Irate woman called tp
make a similar protest. She said
her husband had promised “to
drive me to my mother's for
Christmas” and shouldn't have
to go to court.
'Tell him to go right ahead
and drive him to your mother’s,"
Morris said. "And please read
the rest of the subpena before
you get too mad at me.”
Bigger Wheat
Harvest Seen
OKLAHOMA CITY. Dec. 23-IU.R)
—Oklahoma wheat farmers will
harvest a bigger crop in 1954 than
they brought in this year—In spite
of reduced acreage—the U. 8. de-
partment of agriculture predicted
today.
The state's wheat crop for next
year was estimated at 73,346,000
bushels. K. D. Blood, federal crop
statistician here, said the 1054
crop "has one of the best starts of
any we've had since 1040.”
In an unusual turnabout, Blood
said the crop now needs a dry, cold
winter to produce its top yield.
Oklahoma farmers are used to
praying for moisture, but Blood
said if the wheat becomes too rank
it has lees chance of living up to
its potential next year.
There is little abandonment, and
fields are a rich carpet of dark
green over all the state. Surface
moisture conditions are good every-
where. Blood said the subsoil could
be wetter In parts of the Pan-
ted the extreme west /central
V i
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Manley Gets
65-Year Term
For Shooting
OKLAHOMA CITY. Dec. 22 —
WV- District Judge A. P. Van
Meter today sentenced Billy Eu-
gene Manley to a 65-year prison
term for the slaying of highway
patrolman Johnny Whittle.
A Jury last Friday convicted
Manley of first degree manslaughter
but left punishment to Judge Van
Meter.
County prosecutors had asked the
death penalty for the 19-year-old
Missouri parole violator and Van
Meter today told Manley the Jury
would have been "fully Warranted
in finding you guilty of murder."
Manley was dressed in denim cov-
eralls and appeared nervous when
he stood before the bench to hear
sentence pronounced. The widow of
the slain officer and her 17-year-
old daughter were seated In the
rear of the courtroom.
M1
By Carrier:
DELIVERED IN
EL RENO
Par Year
(Tax Inc.)
$11.00
By Mail:
IN CANADIAN AND
ADJOINING COUNTIES
$6.50
OTHER RATES ON REQUE8T
The El Reno Daily Tribune
PWs To Hear
Final Appeal
PANMUNJOM, Dec. 22—(/P)—The
allies today scheduled last-minute
'come home" broadcasts to the 22
American POWs who embraced
communism as hope of face-to-
face talks with them was all but
abandoned.
Midnight Wednesday ends the
90-day period for coaxing home war
prisoners who rejected repatriation.
The 22 Americans will be listed
as absent without leave at that
hour. Thirty days later they will
be classed as deserters.
The Indian chairman of the Ko-
rean repatriation commission vis-
ited the Americans this afternoon
and said they turned down his ap-
peal to attend interviews. The
prisoners also objected to the pro-
posed broadcast but It will go on
aa scheduled.
RS. ROY’ EICHOR prepared
the script for the program
and Floyd Durham will serve as
coordinator.
Annual Christmas program of
the El Reno First Christian
Church also has been set for 7:30
p. m. today In the church, featur-
ing a play, "Star of the Nativity”,
directed by Mrs. Hallie McCart-
ney.
Cast members will be from the
Junior, Intermediate and senior
groups. Mrs. Arthur Harrison is
in charge of costumes.
Preceding the play, the nursery,
beginners and primary classes
will sing carols, and a Christmas
tree party will follow the pro-
gram.
piHRISTMAB programs will be
v/ presented by beginner, pri-
mary and Junior departments of
the First Baptist church at 7 p.m.
•Wednesday.
A children’s Christmas pro-
gram also has been scheduled at
7:30 p. m. Thursday at the Trinity
Lutheran church. Christmas day
sendees will be held at 10 a. m.
Friday at the church.
Sermon for the service will be
entitled "The Wonderful Babe of
Bethlehem". Anthems will be sung
by the choir.
A celebration of the Holy Com-
munion will be held at 11 a. m.
on Christmas day at Christ Mem-
orial Episcopal church with the
the Rt. Rev. Clinton Powell Epi-
scopal bishop of Oklahoma, as
celebrant.
At Sacred Heart Catholic church
the traditional midnight High
Mass wlU be celebrated at 12 p. m.
Thursday, and will be followed
during Christmas day by low
masses at 7 a. m., 8 a. m.. 9 a. m.,
10 a. m„ and 11 a m., with Bene-
diction of the Blessed Sacrament
following the 11 a. m. service.
McAlesfer Fire
Spread by Blast
Two Business Firms
Destroyed in Blaze
McALESTER, Dec. 22 —t/n— An
early morning fire, spread out of
control by a mysterious explosion,
destroyed two downtown McAlester
business firms today and put two
others out of holiday business by
smoke and water damage.
Businessmen estimated their loss-
es probably will exceed a quarter
of a million dollars.
The flames knocked out tele-
phone cables In the rear of the
buildings and blacked out telephone
service to a part of the business
district.
Traffic on the Rock Island rail-
road near the fire scene also was
halted for a time.
Area Is Shaken
Fire Chief H. E Oacy said he
thought the blaze was under con-
trol at one time early In the bat-
tle but a loud explosion shook the
flaming area and spread the fire
into adjoining buildings.
This blast along with a high
north wind and sub-freezing temp-
eratures gave the city's entire fire
lighting force a tough time. The
24-degree temperature caused wa-
ter to freeze on buildings and hose
and made footing slippery for the
firemen.
Building Destroyed
The two-story building housing
the Fair store and Western Auto
store was destroyed. Blsaner's
Jewelry and the New theater on
each side of the building suffered
extensive smoke and water dam-
age along with the office of Dr
Russell Smith, a dentist.
Cacy said the explosion apparent-
ly centered in the Fair building
which sustained the heaviest loss.
Fire officials could not determine
immediately what started the fire.
Three Rock Island
Employes Promoted
Three Rock Island freight traffic
representatives have been promoted
due to absorption of the industrial
department Into the company's
freight department.
Those promoted were Albert F.
Hatcher, from acting fuel traffic
manager to assistant general indus-
trial agent at Chicago; Louis R. S.
Ragot, from assistant general freight
agent, Memphis, Tenn., to the same
post In Dallas. Tex.; Ernest C. Roth,
traveling freight and passenger
agent, Birmingham, Ala., to assist-
ant general freight agent, Memphis.
Hatcher started with the com-
pany in 1937 as a stenographer at
El Dorado, Ark., and Ragot came to
the Rock Island lines In 1921 as a
helper in the billing department.
Roth started with the company as
a stenographer In 1941 at Wichita,
Kan.
Train-Truck
Crash Causes
Traffic Jam
Rock Island crews were working
today in an effort to clear wreck-
age of a freight train from the
main line south out of Wichita,
Kan., where the diesel engine
struck an oil transiwrt truck Mon-
day evening.
Railroad officials In El Reno re-
ported today that 24 boxcars were
piled up behind the big diesel en-
gine following the collision. The
three-unit diesel caught fire, burn-
ing both the engineer and fireman,
but it was not known how seri-
ously.
The engineer was Floyd Haun,
and the fireman was A. L. Byers,
both of Herington. Kan.
Meanwhile, as the wreckage was
being cleared, it was announced
that southbound traffic was being
detoured via the Santa Fe lines
to Peabody, Kan. It was expected
that the rails would be cleared for
normal travel by nightfall.
Roads in North, Panhandle Icy;
Light Snow Melts Quickly Here
Snow flurries accompanied sub-freezing temperatures in
El Reno today, while the weatherman predicted the icy blast
across the state would drop temperatures to zero tonight
in the north and no higher than 10 degrees above zero in
the south.
The Associated Press reported worst weather conditions
today were in the Panhandle, northwest and northern sec-
tions of Oklahoma, the regions nearest Kansas and Colorado
where a near-blizzard dumped heavy snows on cities and
farms.
The Oklahoma highway patrol warned motorists that
main roads in the Bart'esville, Pawhuska and Ponca City
regions were icy, slick and extremely dangerous. One mo-
torist reported top safe speed possible near Ponca City on
U. S. 77 was 20 miles an hour.
Highways in the Panhandle were open but icy in spots,
particularly on approaches to bridges and on curves and
hills. The same conditions prevailed in the Enid, Woodward
and Alva areas.
Roads in areas near Stillwater, Perry, McAlester, Salli-
saw, Okmulgee, Poteau and Seminole were dry and open with
light snow falling intermit---
Weather
Cold wave today and tonight with
temperatures falling to zero to 10
above In the north and 5 to 10 above
in the south by Wednesday morn-
ing. Mostly clear this afternoon
and tonight with gradually dimin-
lahing winds. Wednesday, clear to
partly cloudy and continued cold
with high temperatures generally
tn the 20s.
Woman Is Killed In
Fire at Holdenville
HOLDENVILLE, Dec. 22 _{/p)
One woman was burned to death
and three other persons were sev-
erely burned today when fire de-
stroyed an apartment building in
downtown Holdenville shortly be-
fore noon.
The body of a Mrs. Hawkins was
taken from the smouldering rpins.
Her son and daughter-in-law, Mr.
and Mrs. O. G. Hawkins, were burn-
ed. The other burned person was
A. E. Mayfield, father of Mrs. O.
O. Hawkins, who lived in an ad-
joining apartment.
Red Cross Disaster Aid Passes
$10,000 Here Following Flood
The American Red Cross has
spent a total of $10,095.88 In re-
habilitation and assistance work
as the result of a flash flood
which swept through El Reno
early on the morning of Nov. 18
following an unprecedented rain-
storm.
A disaster relief report prepared
by the Canadian county Red
Croes chapter showed today that
194 homes received minor damage
in the flood disaster, while 21 per-
sons suffered major injuries or
illnesses as a direct result of the
flood. Two of these persons were
hospitalized.
Mass care was given to 60 per-
sons and 30 emergency workers
were served at’ s total cost of
$164.17, while food, clothing and
maintenance was given 89 persons
at a cost of $2,541.03.
Assistance in building and re-
pair work was given IS families,
at a cost of $796.86; aid in house-
hold furnishings was given 54
families at a cost of $6,035; and
14 received medical and nursing
assistance at a cost of $410.88.
Three families received occu-
pational supplies and equipment
at a cost of $46.95.
A total of 98 families applied
for individual assistance by the
Red Cross, which also took on the
Job of repairing lg dwellings.
The National Red Cross organ-
ization made 813.000 available for
the work here, while Individuals
and organizations contributed
$73.50.
tently. Highways in the rest
of the state were dry and
safe.
Heaviest precipitation overnight
was .20 of an inch recorded at
Gage. Enid had .18. Tulsa .06, Guy-
mon .02, McAlester and Ponca City
.01 and El Reno and Oklahoma
City a trace.
Coldest spots overnight were Pon-
ca City and Pawnee which report-
ed 13 degrees. Guymon had 15, En-
id 17, Ft. Sill, Gage, Oklahoma City
and Tulsa 19, McAlester 21, Hobart
22 and Ardmore 23.
The highway patrol reported an
Inch and half of snow and ice cov-
ered all roads In Kay county and
described driving conditions there
as "terrible." Icy roads also were
reported in the northern half of
Osage county.
A half inch of snow was reported
in the Bartlesville area.
Light snow was reported at Tul-
sa, Claremort, Miami and in the
central sections around Oklahoma
City.
A cold wave rolling eastward out
of the midwest drove temperatures
downward and dumped the layer of
new snow over a wide band stretch-
ing from the western Great Lakes
to the Texas Panhandle.
Heavier In North
Six inches fell in Kansas City
and three at Wichita, and the Mis-
souri and Kansas highway patrols
warned motorists to keep off the
roads except for essential travel.
A wet, steady snow storm whiten-
ed Chicago.
Rural schools in the Topeka, Kan.,
area were closed.
Temperatures were still dropping
as the leading edge of the cold
wave moved to a line from the
eastern Great Lakes southwestward
to southern Texas, and the weather
bureau Issued several special warn-
ings.
Warnings Issued
"Cold wave warnings" were issued
early today for Nebraska, Illinois,
Indiana and Wisconsin. The weath-
erman predicted temperatures
would fall to 15 below zero In Ne-
braska and from zero to five above
in the other areas. Kansas and
Missouri could also expect near
zero readings.
Northern Indiana and southern
Michigan were warned to expect
moderate to heavy snow storms.
Travel was described as extreme-
ly hazardous in eastern Kansas and
northern Missouri as biting winds
piled the new snow across some
roads.
In other areas the winds swept
the roads clear, baring a thin lay-
er of treacherous ice.
Search Pressed
For Davenport
Woman Companion
Quizzed by Police
WICHITA PALLS. Tex., Dec. 23
—<&h-iOfficers searched Wichita
Palls today for a dangerous prison
breaker and tried to learn his hid-
ing place from a woman who said
she left her husabnd for him.
The search for Norman Daven-
port, 35, spread through the city
after federal, state and local of-
ficers failed to find him in the
northwest part of town near his
parents' borne. He had been re-
ported seen there.
Davenport, believed to be heavily
armed and desperate, is a fugitive
from the Oranite reformatory.
Officers questioned Mrs. Zoma
Crosswhite, 19. of Clovis, N. M..
She was arrested Saturday night
by officers hunting Davenport. Her
two sons—one 2 years, the other
6 months old—were with her.
Two detectives and an FBI agent
had started to nearby Burkburnett
and Henrietta to check a tip that
Davenport’s car par ked beside the
highway, with another car behind
It. Davenport's car drove away and
the officers pursued it.
When they caught up, they found
Mrs. Crosswhite and her children.
Norman and his brother Chester.
23, were given 25-year sentences for
kidnaping tn February 1953 after
the abduction of an Oklahoma
highway patrolman.
Chester escaped last summer by
walking away from a prison base-
ball game. Norman and another
prisoner broke out two months
later, on Oct. 2.
New Support
Plan Slapped
WASHINGTON, Dec. 22 —<U.B—
Two Democratic senators charged
today that the "two-price" support
plan for farm commodities under
study by administration agricultural
advisers would cut farmers' income.
Senator Robert S. Kerr of Okla-
homa and Hubert H. Humphrey of
Minnesota coupled a slashing at-
tack on the proposal with a pledge
to fight next session for extension
and expansion of present high level
supports on basic commodities.
The national agricultural advisory
commission, at work on the admin-
istration’s new farm program, is
understood to be considering a two-
price system to replace high sup-
ports on some products. The plan
would call for high simports on
that portion of the crop consumed
domestically with little or no price
guarantee on the portion sold tor
export.
Goods Stolen
From Yukon
Firm Located
Loot taken from a Yukon jewelry
store sometime during the night of
Dec. 10. has been recovered at Yu-
kon.
Sheriff Tiny Royse said today
that the stolen articles were re-
ported found late Monday by I. A.
Floyd, Yukon city marshal, but
that no suspects had been arrested
late today.
Floyd said most of the stolen pro-
perty had been recovered, and
Sheriff's Deputy F. R. Preston was
In Yukon today assisting In efforts
to find the remainder of the Items.
*The stolen goods were found in
an outbuilding at Yukon.
Earl Johnson, proprietor of Earl'a
shop, a combination barber shop
and jewelry stare, found the place
looted when he opened up for busi-
ness Dec. 11.
He told officers the burglar had
taken 13 watches, including two
wrist watches and three pocket
watches owned by customers
brought for repairs. Also missing
were 13 cigaret lighters, five identi-
fication bracelets, two ruby rings, a
woman’s bracelet, between 12 and 15
wedding rings, and two men's rings
with Masonic emblems.
CAE IS DAMAGED
A car driven by Lawrence McCul-
lough. 88, ol 423 South Hadden, re-
ceived about $80 damage in an ac-
cident shortly after 5 pm. Monday
in the 480 blook an South teak
Island avenue. The other
volved, driven by Hurley
*4, of El Reno, was
lice traffic records ate
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Dyer, Ray J. The El Reno Daily Tribune (El Reno, Okla.), Vol. 62, No. 253, Ed. 1 Tuesday, December 22, 1953, newspaper, December 22, 1953; El Reno, Oklahoma. (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc920396/m1/1/: accessed April 25, 2024), The Gateway to Oklahoma History, https://gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.