anaheim-gazette 1951-12-24

Merry Happiness The Gazette staff wishes all of you the happiest and merriest of Christmasses. No paper tomorrow, but we'll be back Wednesday. VOLUME LXXXI Anaheim's FIRST Newspaper ANAHEIM WHERE EIGHT AMERICANS PERISHED IN CRASH—This is the wreckage of the Egyptian Airlines plane that crashed Saturday night north of Tehran, Iran, killing 21 persons including U.S. Point Four Chief Dr. Henry G. Bennett and seven other Americans. The plane crashed in a blinding snowstorm. Dr. Bennett's wife was among the victims.—(Associated Press Wire photo by radio from Rome) Air Disaster in Iran Takes Lives of 21 --8 Americans TEHRAN, Iran (P) — Iran's American colony was in mourning today for Dr. Henry G. Bennett, U.S. point four program director, and seven other Americans who perished Saturday night in a plane crash which claimed 21 lives. The crash came when the big four-engined plane, owned by Egypt's Misr Airlines, tried to grope through a blinding snowstorm and hurtled into the base of a 10,000-foot granite range north of Tehran. No one survived the disaster, worst in Iran's air history. Among the victims was Bennett's wife, who had accompanied him to Tehran for an official five-day visit in connection with the Point Four program of technical aid to underdeveloped countries. The Iranian government sent a message of condolence to the United States government. In Washington, President Truman paid tribute to Bennett as "a great teacher of the simple ideas of co-operation and brotherhood." Mr. Truman spoke of another of the victims, Benjamin H. Hardy, chief public affairs officer of the program, as one of the creators of the idea of helping underdeveloped areas. Secretary of State Acheson also expressed grief over the tragedy. The American embassy here, which had prepared elaborate plans to entertain the Christmas visitors, was plunged in gloom. Other Americans aboard the plane were James T. Mitchell. SEVEN PERSONS HURT Seven persons were injured in Orange county traffic over the weekend, official reports disclosed today. Injured in various accidents were Thomas A. Swayne, 43, of Balboa; Harold Revmul, 39, and his wife, Frances. Drunk Driver Fined, Jailed Following Hi-Speed Crack-up Sammy Montgomery, 218 W. Cypress st., Anaheim, was fined $50 and sentenced to 20 days in county jail Saturday on charges of drunk driving. Montgomery failed to negotiate the turn from N. Los Angeles st. into Palm st. Saturday and rammed a car driven by Arthur Lafayette Yarbrough of Los Angeles. Police, who had taken up pursuit of Montgomery when he failed to stop at the Lemon and Los Angeles st. stopsignal, were unable to overhaul him until the accident occurred. No one was injured in the collision. Charles W. Ryan of Tustin was sentenced to 100 days in county jail on charges of drunk and driving Saturday. Eighty days of the sentence were suspended and the court recommended that he be committed to county hospital. Anaheim stores will close at 5:30 p.m. today to allow proprietors and employees to Among the victims was Bennett's wife, who had accompanied him to Tehran for an official five-day visit in connection with the Point Four program of technical aid to underdeveloped countries. The Iranian government sent a message of condolence to the United States government. State-Wide Con Man Arraigned For Grand Theft Mitchy Naumcheff, alias Ray Collins, was arraigned in city court Saturday morning on a grand theft charge. Preliminary hearing was set for Dec. 28 at 2:30 p.m. Naumcheff was picked up last week-end in Fillmore, Ventura county, by Anaheim police after they were notified by Fillmore Bank of America officials that Naumcheff had attempted to get a loan. He is being held by Anaheim police on a charge by the Anaheim Bank of America which states Naumcheff was loaned $250 Dec. 11, which was due Dec. 28, and was not repaid. On investigation it was found that he has been loaned amounts from $180 to $400 from at least 42 branches of the Bank of America since 1947. He has served time previously in Oregon for forgery. There is also a hold on him from Ventura county police. Bail has been reduced from $5000 to $3500 and Naumcheff has been transferred to the county jail. SEVEN PERSONS HURT Seven persons were injured in Orange county traffic over the weekend, official reports disclosed today. Injured in various accidents were Thomas A. Swayne, 43, of Balboa; Harold Revmul, 39, and his wife, Frances, 39, of Los Angeles; Frances I. Billingsley, 19, Santa Ana; Rex M. Grisson, 35, and his son Michael, 2, of Orange. MISSING GENERAL?—Wilfred Burchett (left) a communist correspondent for the Paris newspaper Ce Soir, says this picture shows him with Maj. Gen. William F. Dean, when he interviewed him in a prison camp at Pyongyang, North Korea, Dec. 21. Gen Dean was commanding general of the 24th Division and was listed as missing in action for 17 months until his name appeared recently on red POW list. Picture was obtained by Associated Press Correspondent Robert B. Tuckman from Burchett.—(Associated Press Wirephoto by radio from Tokyo) Christmas Party Fire Takes At Least 41 Lives in Mexico TIJUANA, Mexico (P)—Screams of dying children and women left this city gripped today in the horror of a Christmas party fire that took a toll officially estimated at 41 or more lives. Burned and broken remains were still being examined in an effort to complete an accurate count. There were unofficial estimates (by Chamber of Commerce President Jorge D. Solar, for one) ranging up to 90 or more. Dist. Atty. Francisco Gastanon Jr., who announced the official estimate, said he believed it was of death. Among the 33 were 19 children. Officials said this probably indicates the ratio of little ones among the dead. Only 26 of the bodies had been identified early today. The annual party for needy children was in full swing when its joy was turned to terror at 11:15 o'clock Saturday night. There were different accounts of how the fire started. TIJUANA Fire Chief Gill Chidez declared that someone was criminally responsible. He did not elaborate. Lagunan Faces Murder Rap After Poker-Party Fracas Because his companions at a poker party laughed at his saxophone playing, Gerald Harvey Bonebrake, 21, went berserk and shot his friend, Richard Vincent Shaw, 20, to death early Sunday in Bonebrake's apartment at Laguna Beach. Bonebreak himself was wounded during a torrid gun battle with Laguna Beach police and was in the county jail today, booked on suspicion of murder. A .38 caliber Colt automatic pistol bullet, fired into Shaw's back from a distance of one foot, as he tried to flee from Bonebrake's apartment, passed entirely through his body and killed him instantly. Killer Hit A moment later, Lt. George Pletts of the Laguna Beach police department fired two shots through the window of Bonebrake's small garage apartment. The first shot missed, but the second struck Bonebrake in the hip, Bonebrake fired four shots at the police before he collapsed. Police pieced the story together from three youths who attended horror of a Christmas party fire that took a toll officially estimated at 41 or more lives. Burned and broken remains were still being examined in an effort to complete an accurate count. There were unofficial estimates (by Chamber of Commerce President Jorge D. Solar, for one) ranging up to 90 or more. Dist. Atty. Francisco Gastanon Jr., who announced the official estimate, said he believed it was the highest toll of deaths in a single fire in the history of Mexico. Eighty-eight who escaped from the burning, three-story building downstairs to a single doorway, were treated for burns at the Miguel Aleman hospital. Officials said the only fire escape was not only locked but boarded up. Thirty-three were still in the hospital, five or six on the verge the poker party in Bonebrake's apartment at 416 Mountain rd., Laguna Beach, who witnessed the subsequent shooting. Bonebrake, Shaw, Gordon Knute of Capistrano Beach, Raymond Blaketer, 18, Laguna Canyon rd., and Richard Brightman, 18, Laguna Beach, were at the poker party. They were drinking vodka, gin, whiskey; ale and beer, police were told. Ridiculed Sax Playing It was nearly 4 a.m. when they stopped playing and Bonebrake, who is a service station attendant, got his new saxophone. When the others ridiculed his playing, he flew into a frenzy, they said. He seized the pistol and began waving it and threatening them. Knute and Blaketer dashed for the door and escaped, but Shaw and Brightman were cornered by the furious Bonebrake. From next door, Knute telephoned police. Lt. Pletts and Officers John Zelko and Joe Terry answered the call. They met Knute and Brightman and were directed to the Bonebrake (continued on Page 6) MINER CARRIED TO SAFETY-Wearing gas masks carry one o'clock after the mine ex-Frankfort, Ill. Twenty bodies Killer Hit A moment later, Lt. George Pletts of the Laguna Beach police department fired two shots through the window of Bonebrake's small garage apartment. The first shot missed, but the second struck Bonebrake in the hip, Bonebrake fired four shots at the police before he collapsed. Police pieced the story together from three youths who attended Local Developments OK'd by Planners Two Anaheim business developments, approved by the county planning commission Friday, will come before the county supervisors Wednesday for the granting of permits. R. F. Klein and associates received approval of their proposal to subdivide six acres into 32 residential lots on Sycamore st., near the Anaheim city limits. Plans of C. M. McNess to move existing business structures and residences from the right of way of the Santa Ana freeway and relocate them on a six-acre tract, adjoining the freeway between Haster st. and Katella rd., was approved by the planners. He proposes to operate a chinchilla supply store, juice plant, cafe business, and other businesses, including a warehouse. He will provide off-street parking. The planning commission approved the proposed new 40-acre site for a high school in Fullerton Union high school district at Buena Park. The site is located on the west side of Magnolia ave. between Orangethorpe ave. and Valencia ave. HOMES RANSACKED Two Anaheim homes were unwillingly open to uninvited visitors last night. Mrs. O. W. Heying, 514 N. Clementine st., and Mrs. Delores Mittman, 620 N. Helena st., both reported their houses had been ransacked during the evening while the families were out. However, nothing was missing from either house. WRECK MYSTERY SOLVED The mystery of the wrecked 1937 model coupe without an apparent owner was solved by police yesterday morning when Ray Prado, 18, 232½ Sycamore st., was taken to the station for questioning. Prado admitted overturning the car on Placentia ave. at about 1 a.m. Sunday. It was registered to Pauline Martinez of the same address. Ray Osuna, also of 232½ E. Sycamore st., was a passenger in the car. No one was injured. WORKINGHAM, Eng. (T) — Santa Claus got official notice today to stay away from the Workingham Children's home for at least a week. A quarantine notice said 40 of the kids had come down with mumps. GLENS FALLS, N. Y., Dec. 24—Mrs. John she holds children in front of last night. Cause of her happiness John J. Swift, one of four U. by Hungarian government for a would be released soon instead Children are five-year-old daughter David.—Associated Press U.S. Shocked by Hungary for Four United States officials, from the president down, appeared shocked and puzzled Monday by the ransom demand of communist Hungary for four fliers forced down in their unarmed cargo plane and convicted in a swift trial. They were accused of violating the Hungarian border. The situation seems to be unparalleled in history. U. S. officials both in Washington and in Buda- CALIFORNIA STATE The Weather S. Calif.—Considerable cloudiness tonight and Tuesday, with intermittent drizzle or light rain tonight and Tuesday morning west portions. Slightly cooler generally Tuesday. 5c per Copy — 50c per Month NUMBER 38 CARRIED TO SAFETY—Rescue workers using gas masks carry one of the four miners safely after the mine explosion at West Fort, Ill. Twenty bodies had been counted in the pre-Christmas coal mine disaster and possibly 60 or more men are trapped or dead. (Associated Press photo) POLIO CASE RECORDED Hernandez, 2, of La Hesita in the county hospital today with the 62nd infantile paralysis sub-sed in Orange county this according to Dr. Edward Russell, county health offi-irma is the daughter of Hernandez, 718 Fourth Habra. Dr. Russell said no other suspected cases are observation. There were 50 pollo in Orange coun-ing all of 1950. WEST FRANKFORT, Ill. (PA)—One miner was jerked back from death today 56 hours after the nation's worst mine tragedy in 23 years claimed 119 lives. Taken from the shaft 550 feet below the surface was Cecil Sanders, 44, of Benton, Ill. He was taken to the United Mine Workers hospital in serious condition. Shortly after Sanders was brought to surface, Mine Superintendent John R. Foster said: “There are five men down there—no more alive. We believe that is all.” The recovery of the last of the 119 bodies on the day before Christmas added a poignant chapter to the desperate rescue efforts that have been in progress day and night since the violent explosion shattered the Orient No. 2 mine Friday night. Morgue attendants reported one of the six bodies found early today still was warm. Found on the body of B. R. Williams, about 40, of West Frankfort, was this final message scrawled on the inside of a cigarette package and addressed to his widow, Laura: "I love you all way (sic). I go tonight with Christ. I love him too." It was the worst mine disaster in Illinois since 1909 and the worst in the nation since 1928. The Cherry Mine blast in Illinois FALLS, N. Y., Dec. 24—MERRY CHRISTMAS FOR HELD 'S FAMILY—Mrs. John J. Swift smiles with happiness as olds children in front of Christmas tree in her home here right. Cause of her happiness is news that her husband, Capt. J. Swift, one of four U. S. fliers fined $120,000 yesterday ungarian government for alleged border violation, probably be released soon instead of spending time in a prison cell. Ten are five-year-old daughter Leslie, and eight-week-old avid.—Associated Press Wirephoto) Shocked by Ransom Demand of gary for Four American Fliers States officials, from the down, appeared shocked ed Monday by the ranand of communist Hunfour fliers forced down armed cargo plane and in a swift trial. They used of violating the border. Uquation seems to be unin history. U. S. officials Washington and in Buda- pest moved cautiously, aware that the Hungarian move was one calculated to humiliate the United States before the world, and remembering that premature speculation in the jailing of American businessman Robert Vogeler by Hungary delayed his release from prison. A military court, acting with astonishing speed, convicted the four fliers in Budapest yesterday of violating the border with the (Continued on Page 6) Temperatures Temperature reading in downtown Anrheim at 1:30 p.m. today was 63. High for the previous 24 hours was 62 at 2 p.m. yesterday. Low was 48 at 6 a.m. today.