SpECIALS Of ThE wEEk letter to the...
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2 May 24, 2008 NewsHopper TM www.NewsHopper.net FOR LOAN OR PURCHASE Aitkin High School Yearbooks circa 1909/10 - 1914/15 for research of WARREN WILLIAM KRECH, Broadway and Hol- lywood actor, born and raised in Aitkin, 1894 - 1916. Contact Connie at the NewsHopper, 218-927-6990; [email protected] Also looking for other old historical books on Aitkin County. WANTED: A retirement living community PEG FIELDER , COMMUNITY MANAGER BLACKROCK TERRACE 315 First Ave. SW, Aitkin, MN 56431 • 218-927-6807 dominiumapartments.com Office Hours: Mon. - Fri. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.; Sat. & Sun. by Appointment Activities • Guest Suite • Meal Plans • Garages Available • On-site Beauty/Barber Shop Endless opportunities—where life is full of special friends... You’re invited Sunday, June 1 6:30 8:30 p.m. BY PHILIP NEESE When John Henry and James Gray combined forces they decided to do a caper that would set them up for life. Their first crime was to hold up a truck containing six women and a chest that was supposed to contain a large amount of jewelry.They were surprised when they opened the chest and found that it contained candy! In 1937 in Lake Geneva, WI, the two held up the husband and wife who were owners of a local café and kidnapped the wife and held her for ransom, however, the husband decided not to pay. John and Gray had hidden the wife in a vacant barn. It was cold, the search was getting hot, and in addition they were running out of food. John saw no reason to kill the wife so he let her out of the car near her mother’s home. They planned several other kidnappings including that of the baseball pitcher “Dizzy” Dean and some of his fel- low players. Kidnapping a baseball player may just have been a dream or maybe they realized that it would be smarter to approach those who were less able to defend themselves. In any case, the two dropped those plans. John was convinced that they needed a hide out so they could hide the victim for some time and be able to write their ransom letters, a place that would be hidden and somewhat comfortable. They remodeled a cabin in a secluded area in Wiscon- sin and also fixed up an old farmhouse that had fallen in near Emily. They were ready for the big case and decided they would try out a few high-class res- taurants outside Chicago and look for some rich people. One evening at a swank place they observed a couple pull up in a shiny new Lincoln and when the occupants stepped out John couldn’t help but notice that they were both dressed fit to kill. The lady had on a nice fur and the man was all suited up. John’s eyes widened when the man placed a $5 tip on the table. Charles Ross of Chicago seemed like the ultimate prize. John and Jim Gray got In the end, the crime didn’t pay, Part 4 in their car and followed the shiny Lincoln. This was go- ing to be the big one. This decision ultimately led to the deaths of all three. With everything going as planned, the money received, greed or stupidity reared its ugly head and John Gray and Charles Ross lost their lives at the hands of John Henry. After taking care of the bod- ies, John went on a spending spree, ultimately ending in his arrest. John Henry admitted to the kidnapping and killing the two men and was sentenced to death. He was executed, in 1938, in Chicago, IL. Growing up in Ironton, John Henry was an average kid. The Depression and a short encounter with a gang- ster would change his life forever. In a time when jobs were scarce and gangsters were trendy, John Henry took the gangster way — the easy way. Unfortunately for him, in the end, the crime didn’t pay. Even his burial lacked dignity; his body was brought into the Klondike Cemetery at midnight and he was laid to rest with only the moon as a witness (The family feared the notoriety of a daylight burial). Robbery is a crime that usu- ally physically hurts victims, their friends and families. Another troubling aspect of these terrible crimes is the effect of the behavior on the perpetrators friends and families. Often criminals turn to people who are close to them for help when they are in trouble with the law. How strong are these obli- gations? The law states that it is a crime to aid and abet a suspected felon. Yet, many times criminals are afforded food and shelter by families or those close to them. Who helped John Henry and pro- vided him with the food and equipment that was hidden in that Model “A” car by Mud Creek School, which caused Woody to be so curious (see first article for details). Woody stated, “I have al- ways remembered that inci- dent and have been amazed that such unusual crimes were occurring right near our school house.” The house in Ironton where John Henry grew up. John Henry’s headstone, revealing his last name. John Henry GET IT, READ IT, LOVE IT… THE NEWSHOPPER I haven’t done much con- cerning searches of McGrath‘s history. What I’ve done is scan hundreds of pictures into my computer, clean them up in my paint and/or photo program as best I could, then send them di- rectly to Carol Bailey and Carol Danielson to help support their McGrath projects. Both women have contributed weeks upon weeks of personal hours toward the McGrath Historical Book and the McGrath Historical quilt. Their results will be trea- sured. Having just worked on the pictures, I’ve learned much about the history of McGrath. I’ve come across so many names, events, dates and people of inter- est. I’m sure there are hundreds more that I’m not yet aware of. I have recently read the on- going debates concerning the actual year that McGrath was recognized and accepted as a town. Some say it was in 1908, others say it was not until incor- poration in 1923. What I see is a win/win situation for both sides of this debate. McGrath came into existence in 1908. I’ve worked on the pictures that show Main Street at that time, then all of the other pictures right up to the point of incorporation.The McGrath Post Office, the McGrath State Bank, the McGrath High School, the McGrath Train Depot were well established and accepted long before the date of incorporation. This is not folklore, but fact. Federal and State acceptance and recognition were necessary in order to be named as such. Otherwise, they’d have been named Minnesota Post Office, Bank, High School, Train De- The debate of McGrath’s existence pot, etc. The existence of these established McGrath structures cannot logically or reasonably be denied. On the other hand, with McGrath having become incor- porated in 1923, it simply gives McGrath just one more reason to celebrate its historical signifi- cance. I see very good reason for our town and surrounding area to celebrate both significant dates and events. Both ‘sides’ are correct as far as I can tell and McGrath could rightfully celebrate its anniversaries con- cerning both dates, harming no one in the process. Let’s build each other up and support one another on our quests for the his- tory of McGrath and the celebra- tions surrounding the events. Submitted by Deb Nass McGrath LETTER TO THE EDITOR Summer is just around the corner. Do you have home repairs that need to be done before another winter rolls around? USDA Rural Devel- opment has a 1 percent home repair program for low income homeowners to finance basic home repairs, install essential home features and to remove health and safety hazards. Households must meet in- come guidelines, own and reside in the home, have stable and dependable income, meet credit standards and show re- payment ability.The maximum loan amount is $20,000 with a Need home repairs? term of 20 years. Grant funds may be available for eligible households over 62 years of age who do not have repayment ability for a loan and need a health and safety hazard removed. For more information call Rural Development at 218- 829-5965, extension 4, or stop into the office at 7118 Clearwater Road, Baxter, MN 56425. M C GREGOR: Downtown Next to Tracks 218-768-3032 AITKIN: E. of Aitkin on Hwy. 169-210 218-927-3207 Toll Free… 877-286-3408 Now Open Daily: 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Mon. and Fri. til 7 p.m. Petunia 4 packs $1.99 All 4.5 inch Regular and Premium Annuals Buy 5, Get 1 FREE! All Perennials Buy 5, Get 1 FREE! Shrubs of the Week Hardy Minnesota Azaleas and Rhododendrons Ready to bloom! 1st is 10% off, 2nd is 15% off, 3rd and more 20% off! • Quality Home Grown Plants - We grow almost all the plants we sell! That keeps more money circulating in our community and helps employ some of your neighbors! • Selection - Our 20+ experience helps us select the best plants for the area and always search for something new and different! • Service - We're not satisfied until you are! Our friendly, knowledgeable staff will go the extra mile to answer your ques- tions and do our best to get you everything you need to make your gardening efforts successful! • Delivery available on all orders - large or small! Fresh picked Asparagus Now Available at Both Garden Centers! (U-Pick on the Farm) GOT GARDEN QUESTIONS? WE CAN HELP ! Memorial Day Specials Open Memorial Day 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Remember your loved ones Memorial Day May 26! Leave the Mess with Us: Come in and plant your memorial con- tainers on our new potting benches and leave the mess with us! Or we will plant your containers or you can choose from the many beautiful contain- ers filled with colorful blooms by our artistic staff! • Wrecker Service 24 hr. Towing After Hours 218-927-4484 CUMMINGS AUTO SALES 24 SECOND ST. NE • AITKIN 218-927-3015 • OPEN 6 DAYS A WEEK SPECIALS OF THE WEEK 2006 Cadillac DTS 26,000 miles, Loaded, Remaining Factory Warranty! 2004 Buick Lesabre Limited, Dual power, Dual Heated Leather Seats $23,995 $13,995 Check out our selection of Vans!!! Sale Priced under book!! Dealer License #17884 ASE Certified Mechanics • Tune Ups • Alignments • Engine Repair • Tranny Service/Replacement • Tire Sales & Repair
Transcript of SpECIALS Of ThE wEEk letter to the...
2 May24,2008 NewsHopperTM www.NewsHopper.net
FOR LOAN OR PURCHASEAitkin High School Yearbooks circa 1909/10 - 1914/15
for research of WARREN WILLIAM KRECH, Broadway and Hol-lywood actor, born and raised in Aitkin, 1894 - 1916.
Contact Connie at the NewsHopper, 218-927-6990; [email protected]
Also looking for other old historical books on Aitkin County.
WANTED:
A retirement living community
Peg Fielder, Community manager
BLACKROCK TERRACE
315 First Ave. SW, Aitkin, MN 56431 • 218-927-6807
dominiumapartments.comOffice Hours: Mon. - Fri. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.; Sat. & Sun. by Appointment
Activities • Guest Suite • Meal Plans • Garages Available • On-site Beauty/Barber Shop
Endless opportunities—where life is full of special friends...
You’re invited
Sunday, June 16:30 8:30 p.m.
By PhiliP Neese When John Henry and
JamesGraycombinedforcestheydecided to do a caperthat would set them up forlife.
Their first crime was toholdupatruckcontainingsixwomenandachestthatwassupposedtocontainalargeamountofjewelry.Theyweresurprisedwhentheyopenedthe chest and found that itcontainedcandy!
In 1937 in Lake Geneva,WI, the two held up thehusbandandwifewhowereowners of a local café andkidnappedthewifeandheldherforransom,however,thehusbanddecidednottopay.JohnandGrayhadhiddenthewifeinavacantbarn.Itwascold,thesearchwasgettinghot,andinadditiontheywererunningoutoffood.Johnsawnoreasontokillthewifesoheletheroutofthecarnearhermother’shome.
Theyplannedseveralotherkidnappingsincludingthatofthebaseballpitcher“Dizzy”Dean and some of his fel-low players. Kidnapping abaseballplayermayjusthavebeenadreamormaybethey
realized that it would besmarter to approach thosewhowerelessabletodefendthemselves.Inanycase,thetwodroppedthoseplans.
John was convinced thatthey needed a hide out sothey could hide the victimforsometimeandbeabletowrite their ransom letters, aplacethatwouldbehiddenandsomewhatcomfortable.
Theyremodeledacabinina secludedarea inWiscon-sinandalsofixedupanoldfarmhousethathadfalleninnearEmily.
Theywerereadyforthebigcaseanddecidedtheywouldtryoutafewhigh-classres-taurantsoutsideChicagoandlook for some rich people.OneeveningataswankplacetheyobservedacouplepullupinashinynewLincolnandwhentheoccupantssteppedout John couldn’t help butnotice that they were bothdressed fit to kill.The ladyhad on a nice fur and themanwasallsuitedup.John’seyeswidenedwhenthemanplaceda$5tiponthetable.Charles Ross of Chicagoseemed like the ultimateprize.JohnandJimGraygot
In the end, the crime didn’t pay, Part 4intheircarandfollowedtheshiny Lincoln.This was go-ing to be the big one.Thisdecisionultimatelyledtothedeathsofallthree.
With everything going asplanned,themoneyreceived,greedor stupidity reared itsuglyheadandJohnGrayandCharles Ross lost their livesat thehandsof JohnHenry.Aftertakingcareofthebod-ies,Johnwentonaspendingspree, ultimately ending inhisarrest.
JohnHenryadmittedtothekidnapping and killing thetwomenandwassentencedtodeath.Hewasexecuted,in1938,inChicago,IL.
Growing up in Ironton,JohnHenrywasanaveragekid.The Depression and ashortencounterwithagang-ster would change his lifeforever.
Inatimewhenjobswerescarce and gangsters weretrendy, JohnHenrytookthegangster way — the easyway.Unfortunately forhim,in theend, thecrimedidn’tpay. Even his burial lackeddignity;hisbodywasbroughtinto theKlondikeCemeteryatmidnightandhewaslaid
torestwithonlythemoonasawitness(Thefamilyfearedthe notoriety of a daylightburial).
Robberyisacrimethatusu-allyphysicallyhurtsvictims,their friends and families.Another troubling aspect ofthese terrible crimes is theeffect of the behavior onthe perpetrators friends andfamilies. Often criminalsturntopeoplewhoarecloseto themforhelpwhen theyare in troublewith the law.How strong are these obli-gations?The law states thatitisacrimetoaidandabetasuspectedfelon.Yet,manytimescriminalsareaffordedfoodandshelterbyfamiliesorthoseclosetothem.WhohelpedJohnHenryandpro-videdhimwiththefoodandequipment that was hiddeninthatModel“A”carbyMudCreekSchool,whichcausedWoodytobesocurious(seefirstarticlefordetails).
Woodystated,“Ihaveal-waysrememberedthatinci-dentandhavebeenamazedthat such unusual crimeswereoccurringrightnearourschoolhouse.”
The house in Ironton where John Henry grew up.
John Henry’s headstone, revealing his last name.
John Henry
Get It, Read It, Love It… tHe NewsHoPPeR
I haven’t done much con-cerning searches of McGrath‘shistory.WhatI’vedoneisscanhundreds of pictures into mycomputer,cleanthemupinmypaintand/orphotoprogramasbestIcould,thensendthemdi-rectlytoCarolBaileyandCarolDanielsontohelpsupporttheirMcGrathprojects.Bothwomenhave contributed weeks uponweeksofpersonalhourstowardthe McGrath Historical Bookand the McGrath Historicalquilt.Theirresultswillbetrea-sured.
Having just worked on thepictures, I’ve learned muchabout the history of McGrath.I’vecomeacrosssomanynames,events,datesandpeopleofinter-est.I’msuretherearehundredsmorethatI’mnotyetawareof.
I have recently read theon-going debates concerning the
actual year that McGrath wasrecognized and accepted as atown.Somesayitwasin1908,otherssayitwasnotuntilincor-porationin1923.WhatIseeisawin/winsituationforbothsidesofthisdebate.
McGrathcameintoexistencein 1908. I’ve worked on thepictures that showMainStreetatthattime,thenalloftheotherpicturesrightuptothepointofincorporation.TheMcGrathPostOffice,theMcGrathStateBank,the McGrath High School, theMcGrathTrainDepotwerewellestablished and accepted longbeforethedateofincorporation.This is not folklore, but fact.Federal and State acceptanceandrecognitionwerenecessaryinorder tobenamedas such.Otherwise, they’d have beennamed Minnesota Post Office,Bank, High School,Train De-
the debate of McGrath’s existencepot,etc.TheexistenceoftheseestablishedMcGrathstructurescannot logically or reasonablybedenied.
On the other hand, withMcGrathhavingbecomeincor-poratedin1923,itsimplygivesMcGrathjustonemorereasontocelebrateitshistoricalsignifi-cance.Iseeverygoodreasonforourtownandsurroundingareato celebrate both significantdates and events. Both ‘sides’are correct as far as I can telland McGrath could rightfullycelebrateitsanniversariescon-cerningbothdates,harmingnoone in the process. Let’s buildeachotherupandsupportoneanotheronourquestsforthehis-toryofMcGrathandthecelebra-tionssurroundingtheevents.
Submitted by Deb NassMcGrath
letter to the editor
Summer is just around thecorner. Do you have homerepairs that need to be donebefore another winter rollsaround? USDA Rural Devel-opmenthasa1percenthomerepairprogramforlowincomehomeownerstofinancebasichomerepairs,installessential
homefeaturesandtoremovehealthandsafetyhazards.
Households must meet in-come guidelines, own andresideinthehome,havestableanddependableincome,meetcreditstandardsandshowre-paymentability.Themaximumloanamountis$20,000witha
Need home repairs?termof20years.
Grantfundsmaybeavailableforeligiblehouseholdsover62yearsofagewhodonothaverepayment ability for a loanandneedahealthandsafetyhazardremoved.
For more information callRural Development at 218-
829-5965, extension 4, orstop into the office at 7118ClearwaterRoad,Baxter,MN56425.
McGreGor:Downtown Next to
Tracks218-768-3032
Aitkin: E. of Aitkin on Hwy. 169-210
218-927-3207Toll Free… 877-286-3408
Now Open Daily: 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Mon. and Fri. til 7 p.m.
Petunia 4 packs
$1.99All 4.5 inch Regular and Premium Annuals
Buy 5, Get 1 FREE!All Perennials
Buy 5, Get 1 FREE!
Shrubs of the WeekHardy Minnesota
Azaleas and Rhododendrons
Ready to bloom!
1st is 10% off, 2nd is 15% off,
3rd and more 20% off!
• Quality Home Grown Plants - We grow almost all the plants we sell! That keeps more money circulating in our community and helps employ some of your neighbors!
• Selection - Our 20+ experience helps us select the best plants for the area and always search for something new and different!
• Service - We're not satisfied until you are! Our friendly, knowledgeable staff will go the extra mile to answer your ques-tions and do our best to get you everything you need to make your gardening efforts successful!
• Delivery available on all orders - large or small!
Fresh picked Asparagus now Available at Both Garden centers! (U-Pick on the Farm)
Got Garden Questions? We Can Help !
Memorial Day Specials
open Memorial Day 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.remember your loved ones Memorial Day May 26!
Leave the Mess with Us: Come in and plant your memorial con-tainers on our new potting benches and leave the mess with us! Or we will plant your containers or you can choose from the many beautiful contain-
ers filled with colorful blooms by our artistic staff!
• Wrecker Service 24 hr. towing After Hours 218-927-4484
CUMMINGS AUTO SALES
24 SECOND ST. NE • AITKIN218-927-3015 • OPEN 6 DAYS A WEEK
SpECIALS Of ThE wEEk2006 Cadillac
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Remaining Factory Warranty!
2004 Buick Lesabre Limited, Dual power,
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Sale priced under book!!
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• tune Ups • Alignments • engine repair • tranny Service/replacement • tire Sales & repair
