anaheim-gazette 1951-04-09

Gossip "Over the Back Fence" discusses you and your neighbors. It is a regular weekly feature of your Gazette. Please see Page 8. VOLUME LXXX Anaheim's FIRST Newspaper ANAHEIM. ‘Triangle’ Seen as Motive in Murder Of C. W. Letbetter at Yorba Linda Home Aroused by his wife's admission that she was in love with the "other man," Jesse Vernon Thomas, 38, Garden Grove tree puller, allegedly stabbed his employer, Charles William Letbetter, 38, to death Saturday midnight at the Letbetter home, 4501 Casa Loma, Yorba Linda. Before he expired, Letbetter shot Thomas through the left arm with a 22 calibre rifle, while Thomas, agast at the blood spurting from Letbetter's jugular vein, was remorsefully telephoning for an ambulance to take Letbetter to a hospital. Letbetter's life ebbed away before the ambulance arrived. Deputy Sheriffs Hurd and Hunton summoned to the scene, found Letbetter's body lying in the doorway to his bedroom, clad in a bathrobe, with a slipper on his left foot. The other slipper was found in the front yard, where the stabbing reportedly took place. Mrs. Evelyn Irene Thomas, daughter of Mrs. W. E. Lenz, 9611 E. Crescent, Anaheim, sat with the three young Thomas children in the family car, watching the alleged stabbing, which resulted appar- Presbyterian Cornerstone Lain With Elder A. Arval Morris placing the first trowel of mortar, the cornerstone of the Presbyterian church, Clementine and Broadway, was lain yesterday morning at services at the church. Elder Harry M. Peterson, who has served as chairman of the new building committee since its inception in 1945, was originally picked to place the cornerstone, but he was unable to attend the ceremony because of illness. Morris, who is a member of that committee and who is also chairman of the architectural committee, represented Peterson in the placing of the stone. The cornerstone contained historical documents and records of importance to the church and they were placed there by Elder Frank N. Gibbs, senior active elder of Marine Killed, 17 Hurt in County Wrecks Death of one Marine and injury of 19 other persons was reported today from week-end traffic accidents in Orange county. Tyrus R. Cooney, 21, Marine from Camp Pendleton, was killed early this morning when a car in which he was riding with Francis P. Hocking, 20, of Manhattan Beach, collided with a car driven by James H. McGee, 52, Altadena, on Coast highway, a mile north of San Clemente. Four other Marines who were passengers in the Hocking car were injured and were taken to Santa Margarita hospital, at Camp Pendleton. Arnold Montreal, 21, of 607 E. Adele st., Anaheim, received major injuries early this morning when he reportedly rode his motorcycle through a barbed wire barricade on a road near Brea. He was taken to Cottage hospital in Fullerton. Walter E. Essington, 23, Bell Gardens, received major injuries in a collision between his car and the car of Ely A. Brix, 65, Long Beach, on Lincoln ave., near Miller st., west of Anaheim, Sunday. Willis A. Ward 27, Santa Ana, received minor injuries when his car went out of control and ran off the road on Harbor blvd., a short distance south of Anaheim yesterday. Injured in various other Orange county accidents were Antonio... Gardens, received major injuries in a collision between his car and the car of Ely A. Brix, 65, Long Beach, on Lincoln ave., near Miller st., west of Anaheim, Sunday. Willis A. Ward 27, Santa Ana, received minor injuries when his car went out of control and ran off the road on Harbor blvd., a short distance south of Anaheim yesterday. Injured in various other Orange county accidents were Antonio Britcha, 25, Los Angeles; Paul J. Davidson, 32, 12401 Elmwood, Garden Grove; Sam Lopes, 27, Los Angeles; Harry G. Turner, 21, Santa Ana; Trinidad G. Amescua, 29, Compton; Margaret Lamont, 34, Santa Ana; Malcolm K. Laidlaw, Camp Del Mar Marine; Jean Beverly Johnson, 19, Midway City; Marilyn Risdahl, 18, Westminster; Mrs. Doris L. Winans, 41, Redding; Arnold W. Hansen, 38 and Mary Hansen, 30, both of Long Beach. Mrs. Warriner, 91, Dies in Gar' Grove Mrs. Annie M. Warriner, 91, died yesterday at the Pacific Sanitorium in Garden Grove. She was born in Loverpool, England, and has been a resident of Galveston, Texas, until 10 months ago when she came to Anaheim. She leaves one daughter, Mrs. Walter L. Tordtran of Galveston, one granddaughter, Mrs. Kenneth L. Heuler of Anaheim and two great-grandchildren. She was a member of the Episcopal church of Galveston, Texas. Remains are to be shipped to Galveston today for interment in the family plot. Backs, Campbell and Kaulbars are in charge. MANKATO, Minn., April 9—FLOOD ENGULFS HOUSES—Flood water relatively small Minnesota river lapped above the first floors of North Mankato today. Residents of North Mankato were evacuated tributary streams continued to pour into the river.—(Associated Press) Approximately 75 Orange county men and women were in a 25-car caravan conducted by Orange County Water District officials Saturday afternoon on a tour of the course followed by Colorado river water purchased by the district from the Metropolitan Water district. The tour covered point of delivery at the MWD aqueduct across the Santa Ana river, where surplus Colorado river water is being released at the rate of 60 second feet into the river channel. It travels downstream 25 miles to the Orange county spreading grounds above Yorba bridge. So far no water is flowing below that bridge. Water district officials said that pres- ANAHEIM EST. 1870 GAZETTE ANAHEIM, ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA, MONDAY, APRIL 9, 1951 Murder anda Home Reds Try Man-Made Lain Elder A. Arval Morris the first trowel of mortar, cerstone of the Presbyterchurch, Clementine and y, was lain yesterday at services at the church. Harry M. Peterson, who had as chairman of the new committee since its inin 1945, was originally and place the cornerstone, was unable to attend the day because of illness. who is a member of that nee and who is also chairthe architectural commitpresented Peterson in the of the stone. cornerstone contained hisdocuments and records of ce to the church and they ced there by Elder Frank senior active elder of GOING SOUTH FOR THE SPRING—An unidentified GI assists a wounded Chinese red prisoner Wednesday near the western Korean front after the stretcher-borne captive and his comrade (left) had been taken prisoners by 25th Division troops north of the 38th Parallel. Communists today appeared to have pulled back on the western front.—(Associated Press Wirephoto) Gentleman’s Agreement’ by Sanitation Districts Nullified by Court Ruling Gentleman’s agreement by which a tax rate limit was established in three of the county districts at the time of their formation was legally nullified by a decision of sixth district court of appeals, announced here today, clearing away an obstacle in the selling the districts’ $8,302,000 bond issue voted Feb. 28, 1949. Court’s decision, granting application for a peremptory writ of mandate against the district chairmen, Robert H. Boney, of District 2, Hugh Warden of District 3, and Vincent Humeston of District 7, requires them to sign bonds of the district when sold. In order to bring the friendly test case before the court; the three chairman had refused to sign, on the ground that the districts might not raise sufficient funds, under the tax rate limits, to retire the bonds. When the districts were formed there was an informal agreement with agricultural areas of the district, which felt that they did not immediately need sewerage but wished to preserve disposal rights in a joint outfall works, that District 2 and District 7 would have a tax ceiling of 10 cents for $100 of assessed valuation, and District 3 would have a 12-cent limit. District 2 covers northeastern Orange county, District 3 covers northwest and western parts of the county, District 7, Tustin and Irvine Anaheim Traffic Accidents Wreak Minor Damage Anaheim traffic accidents over the week-end resulted in minor injuries to two women, a ruined automatic signal light, a broken water pipe and other property damage. Cars driven by Martin August Newland, San Pedro and Paul Blanchard Fisher, Santa Ana, collided at Lincoln and Manchester blvd.s., yesterday afternoon, resulting in minor bruises to Mrs. Newland and Mrs. Fisher. They were not hospitalized. Paul Franklin Huson, 17, 931 N. Zeyn st., Anaheim, was unhurt when his car crashed an automatic traffic light signal at Los Angeles and Cypress sts., Saturday at 2:30 a.m. The crash followed a wild chase through Anaheim streets when Huson tried to get away from a car driven by Auxiliary (Continued on Page 5) Holcomb Honor Police Graduate James W. Holcomb, Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. James A. Holcomb of Santa Ana, and grandson of Flood waters from the usually placid and above the first floors of hundreds of homes in suburban Mankato were evacuated from the area as waters from river.—(Associated Press Wirephoto) Presidents See Journey Water Through County WOULD INVESTIGATE SACRAMENTO (R) — Senator Jack B. Tenney (R-Los Angeles) initiated a move in the legislature today to create a state senate committee to investigate organized crime. He introduced a resolution calling for appointment of a seven-man group by the senate rules committee. Mrs. O. M. Ulvestad Passes in Orange Mrs. O. M. Ulvestad, mother of Mrs. T. B. Kuchel, passed away at St. Joseph's hospital this morning. She had been visiting her daughter and family for the past several months and contemplated returning to her Chicago home in the near future. She was taken with a heart attack last Friday morning and rushed to the hospital where she failed to rally. The remains will be sent to Chicago for burial. Services will be held at Neilson's Mortuary in Chicago at a date to be announced later. She is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Roy Kropp of Chicago and Mrs. T. B. Kuchel of Yorba Linda, and one son, Lester Ulvestad of Chicago, and five grandchildren. Holcomb Honor Police Graduate James W. Holcomb, Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. James A. Holcomb of Santa Ana, and grandson of Mr. and Mrs. C. E. Holcomb of Fullerton, received the W.H. Parker Award as honor graduate of cadet class which graduated Apr. 6 from the Los Angeles Police Academy. Officials of the academy report that the honor is a signal one since only three and one half per cent of the last 3000 applicants for admission to the school have been accepted. Holcomb will not go into police work immediately, however, since he will report Apr. 16 to the Presidio in San Francisco, where he will take up new duties as an Army Second Lieutenant. Glaskox Completes Basic Training CAMP CHAFFEE, Ark., Pvt. Rollan E. Glaskox of Anaheim has completed six weeks basic training with the 5th Armored Division here. Pvt. Glaskox is now enrolled in the Camp Chaffee Field Wireman School, and upon completion will be qualified as an Army specialist. He is the son of Mr. W. A. Glaskox, 10702 South Nutwood, Anaheim. Made Floods on Allies Hwachon Dam Floodgates Opened, But UN Troop Advance Goes On TOKYO (UP)—Chinese communists opened the floodgates of the massive Hwachon reservoir dam in Central Korea today and sent thousands of tons of water rushing down on Allied-held ground. But the Pukhan river rose no more than four and one-half feet. U.N. troops resumed their advance toward the reservoir Monday as the flood waters slowly receded. An Allied task force moved toward the dam in an effort to close it before the reds could attempt any further damage. The task force met rifle-machinegun and mortar fire. Elements of an American division had two fire fights with communist platoons south of the reservoir. A French patrol closed in on the reservoir without opposition. The reds were believed to be holding camouflaged positions Hheim Traffic Incidents Wreak For Damage Traffic accidents over the road end resulted in minor to two women, a ruined traffic signal light, a broken pipe and other property driven by Martin August St. San Pedro and Paul Fred Fisher, Santa Ana, at Lincoln and Manblvd., yesterday after resulting in minor bruises Newland and Mrs. Fisher were not hospitalized. Franklin Huson, 17, 931 st., Anaheim, was unhurt car crashed an automatic light signal at Los Angeles press sts., Saturday at 2:30 the crash followed a wild through Anaheim streets uson tried to get away car driven by Auxiliary continued on Page 5 W. Holcomb, Jr., son of Mrs. James A. Holcomb Ana, and grandson of ward the dam in an effort to close it before the reds could attempt any further damage. The task force met rifle-machinegun and mortar fire. Elements of an American division had two fire fights with communist platoons south of the reservoir. A French patrol closed in on the reservoir without opposition. The reds were believed to be holding camouflaged positions north of the reservoir and north of Hwachon city. American units seized two hills and found quantities of abandoned enemy material. Fifty communist bodies were found on one hill. American Army engineers said they thought the Chinese had opened the floodgates only part way. A complete opening, they said, would have sent a 12-foot high wall of water crashing down the valley. One engineer said "we are glad they are bleeding the river this way. Now, when they open them all the way, they won't have much water left." Nearly all Allied elements had moved above the expected high-water mark. A U.S. Eighth Army engineer said: "There will be no real strain. They can't do any worse without blowing the dam and that's a dam that will take a hell of a lot of blowing. The Hwachon reservoir, about (Continued on page 1) Shoplifting Trial Finally Underway Trial of two women and a man on an Anaheim shoplifting charge — three times delayed — finally got underway today when Victor Lee Kellis and Mrs. Rosa Lee Tillery, of Detroit, and Mrs. Etne Fells, of Los Angeles, faced a jury in Superior Judge K. E. Morrison's court in Santa Ana. They are formally charged with burglary and grand theft in connection with the alleged theft of four suits of clothing from the Swanbergers men's store in Anaheim last December 12. The jury had been selected when the case first came to trial March 12 and was interrupted by Tom Kuchel to Speak At HS Graduation Tom Kuchel, state controller and a graduate of the Anaheim Union High school, will be the speaker at graduation services to be held June 13, at 7 p.m., in the Greek Theater in City park. Member of a pioneer Anaheim family, former school student body president and annual editor, Kuchel has served successively as California Assemblyman and Senator. Invocation will be given by student Barbara Trapp, senior. Other student speakers will include Shelley Smith, class speaker; Ronnie Bevins, valedictorian and Lee Webb, salutatorian. Baccalaureate services, to be held the preceding Sunday afternoon, will feature Dr. Hugh M. Tiner, president of Pepperdine college, as chief speaker. He spoke three years ago at the school's annual football banquet. Students planning the graduation activities are Jim Ball, Annette Ater, Shelley Smith, Dan Holden and Bob Hoskins. Anaheim Youths Amosted in SA comb Honor ce Graduate W. Holcomb, Jr., son of Mrs. James A. Holcomb Ana, and grandson of Mrs. C. E. Holcomb of received the W.H. Parkas honor graduate of cawhich graduated Apr. 6 Los Angeles Police Acadies of the academy report honor is a signal one since and one half per cent of 3000 applicants for adto the school have been will not go into police mediately, however, since report Apr. 16 to the PreSan Francisco, where he up new duties as an second Lieutenant. kox Completes c Training CHAFFEE, Ark., Pvt. E. Glaskox of Anaheim pleted six weeks basic with the 5th Armored here. kox is now enrolled imp Chaffee Field Wireool, and upon completion qualified as an Army He is the son of Mr. kox, 10702 South Nutaheim. Emil Michel, 77, Dies in Santa Ana Emil J. Michel died Sunday in Santa Ana. He was born in 1874 in Ontario, Canada, and has been a resident of Anaheim since 1942 at 620 N. Zeyn. He is survived by his wife, Wilhelmina of Anaheim; two sons, Harold Michel of Rochester, N. K., and Arthur E. of Fullerton; four daughters, Mrs. Helen Gust of Rochester, N. Y., Mrs. Edna Olsen of Anaheim, Mrs. Freda Huff of Rochester and Mrs. Thelma Young of Westminster, Calif., and 17 grandchildren. He was a member of the Grace Lutheran church of Anaheim. Funeral services will be held at Backs, Campbell and Kaulbarg, Wednesday at 2 p.m. Rev. Harry Stief of the Grace Lutheran church will officiate. Interment will be in Loma Vista cemetery. Tiner, president of Pepperdine college, as chief speaker. He spoke three years ago at the school's annual football banquet. Students planning the graduation activities are Jim Ball, Annette Ater, Shelley Smith, Dan Holden and Bob Hoskins. Anaheim Youths Arrested in SA Arrested by Santa Ana police last night while assertedly attempting to steal a radio from the parked car of Arthur A. Sauer, Santa Ana, on the Santa Ana municipal parking lot, Donald R. McGinnis, 18, 908 E. Broadway, Anaheim, and Richard Alvarado, 18, Rt. 2, Box 8731, Anaheim (a location at Euclid and Manchester), were held today in Santa Ana for investigation. Police said that in the youths' car they found four cases of bottled soda pop taken from a service station at 17th and Flower, Santa Ana. Also an assortment of automobile hub caps, fender skirts, and beauty rims; assertedly stripped from parked automobiles. The happiest conversation is that of which nothing is distinctly remembered, but a general effect of pleasing impression—Johnson Temperatures Temperature reading in downtown Anaheim at 2:15 p.m. today was 73. High for the previous 24 hours was 71 at 3 p.m. yesterday. Low was 55 at 6 a.m. today.