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HARRY ANSLINGER'S GORE – GEORGIA
HARRY ANSLINGER'S GORE FILE -- GEORGIA
The following case, while not the best known and certainly not the most important of the Gore File cases, it still constitutes one of Harry Anslinger’s most important cases. After all, how can anyone ignore one’s own son robbing their parents, etc. -- Note, this is one of the examples Anslinger used in his famous (1937) “American Magazine” article.
ROBS HIS OWN FATHER
Name: Newt A. Garner Jr. - Location: - Atlanta, Georgia - Date: - Aug 1936
What the Narcs were claimingNEWSPAPER ACCOUNTS:
August 22, 1936, one Knute Garner of Atlanta, Georgia, reported that his son while under the influence of Marihuana robbed his safe of several thousand dollars in jewelry and cash. The cigarettes were purchased from a local peddler whose apprehension was assisted in by the father of this young man who blamed the Marihuana vice for being the cause of his son’s depravity. --- Review of the Illicit Traffic in the U.S. and the Philippine Islands in 1936.
A high school boy in Atlanta, Georgia, stole thousands of dollars in cash and jewelry from his father's safe. Prior to this act of base ingratitude it had been noticed that the boy was subject to rapid and seemingly inexplicable changes in temperament and conduct. Periods when he manifested an exaggerated ego, characterized by a grandiose manner and extravagant conversation, were followed by spells of shakiness and despondency. When the robbery of his father's store finally climaxed his peculiar actions, an investigation traced the cause of the crime to a marihuana peddler who catered to school children. --- “Assassin of Youth” (Book) 1954 By Robert Devine
An Atlanta boy who robbed his father’s safe of thousands of dollars in jewelry and cash. Of high-school age, this boy apparently had been headed for an honest, successful career. Gradually, however, his father noticed a change in him. Spells of shakiness and nervousness would be succeeded by periods when the boy would assume a grandiose manner and engage in excessive, senseless laughter, extravagant conversation, and wildly impulsive actions. When these actions finally resulted in robbery the father went at his son’s problem in earnest — and found the cause of it a marijuana peddler who catered to school children. The peddler was arrested. --- American Magazine “Marijuana, Assassin of Youth” By H.J Anslinger - July 1937
A high school boy in Atlanta, Georgia, stole thousands of dollars in cash and jewelry from his father's safe. Prior to this act of base ingratitude it had been noticed that the boy was subject to rapid and seemingly inexplicable changes in temperament and conduct. Periods when he manifested an exaggerated ego, characterized by a grandiose manner and extravagant conversation, were followed by spells of shakiness and despondency. When the robbery of his father's store finally climaxed his peculiar actions, an investigation traced the cause of the crime to a marihuana peddler who catered to school children. --- The Moloch of Marihuana (1945) By Robert James Devine
Atlanta, Georgia. August 1936. Knute Carner reported that his son robbed sale while under the influence of marihuana. ---PennState Anslinger Collection Box9File57
In August 1936 one Knute Carner of Atlanta, Georgia, reported that his son while under the influence of Marihuana robbed his safe of several thousand dollars in jewelry and cash. The cigarettes were purchased from a local peddler whose apprehension was aided by the father of this young man. He blamed Marihuana as the cause of his son’s depravity. ---PennState Anslinger Collection Box9File57
ATLANTA CONSTITUTION
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[S]- August 23, 1936 p9
“MARIJUANA CIGARETS(sic) ARE SEIZED IN ARREST”
An alleged sale of six marijuana Cigarets(sic) to Edward Murphy, federal narcotics agent, resulted in the arrest at Peachtree and Ellis streets about 11 o’clock last night of a man who identified himself as Gordon Thomas, 30, of 1130 Flynn street.
Murphy was accompanied by Detective Walter McGee when the alleged “buy” was made. Thomas was charged with violating the state Marijuana law. He was held under $500 bond. According to Murphy Thomas had 2,000 cigarets in his possession.
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[S]- September 17, 1936 p4
“SELLER OF MARIJUANA REFUSED MERCY PLEA”
Judge G. H. Howard, veteran jurist in Fulton superior court, lectured on the evils of drugs yesterday as be sentenced Gordon Thompson, 30, to serve two to three years for selling six marijuana cigarets to a federal agent.
Thompson who was indicted by the grand jury Tuesday for violating of the state narcotic laws, entered a plea of guilty and asked for mercy.
“I cannot grant mercy to one who deals in drugs,” Judge Howard told . . more
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[S]- May 10, 1940 p18
“JAMES BUICE EX-POLICEMAN FATALLY STRICKEN”
Suffers Heart Attack While Returning Home From Doctor.
James David (Jim) Buice, 42, former policeman and for the last five years an employee of Newt Garner. Atlanta bondsman, died yesterday when stricken with a heart attack while returning from a doctor’s office to his home at 759 Woodland Avenue, S.E.
A familiar figure around the police station for more than a decade, Buice served as head of the vice squad during the administration of Police Chief T.O. Sturdivant. He was dismissed twice, but reinstated each time, finally resigning in 1935 to accept a position with Garner.
At the time of his death, he was riding in an automobile with C. E. Garner of 645 Grisham Avenue. S.E., the son of his employer.
Surviving are his wife; two daughters, Mrs. W. G. Moore and Miss Mary Joe Buice; a son, J.D. Buice Jr. four sisters, Mrs. Jim Langley, Mrs. R.B. Maner, Mrs. Frank Peavy and Mrs. Ernest Bagwell, and two brothers, J.T. and R. W. Buice. ---------------------------------
[S]- Aug 24, 1936p16
“OFFICERS WILL BRING GARNER BACK HOME ”
“Trio, Arrested in Texas, Face Warrants Charging Burglary” Austin, Texas, Aug.22. – (AP) -- Three young men, accused of stealing 6,000 Indian-head pennies and some jewelry, face a speedy return to Atlanta tonight.
Arrested in Austin two days ago, Newt A. Garner Jr., 22, and Mike Deprano, 24, and Elians Owen, about 25, waived extradition and were claimed by Detective Lieutenant C.E. McCrary, of Atlanta, who held a felony warrant charging burglary.
McCary and N. A. Garner Sr., of Atlanta, father of the Garner under arrest, flew to Austin and planned to return trio without delay.
Officers said the pennies and jewelry were taken from Garner’s residence safe.
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[S]- Aug 26, 1936p12
“BONDMAN’S SON JAILED IN PROBE OF ROBBERY”
N. A. Garner 22, son of Newt A. Garner Sr., Atlanta professional Bondsmen, with two other men, was returned here yesterday from Austin, Texas, in connection with an investigation of the theft of a safe from the home of the bondsman, on Peachtree Battle Avenue.
The men were brought here by train under the custody of Mr. Garner Sr. and Detective Lieutenant C.E. McCrary. Young Garner and the other two, who gave their names as Mike Daprano and Elias Owen, were booked on a charge of suspicion burglary, police said.
The safe which was removed from the home, was found battered open and rifled Friday near Austell, Jewelry valued at about $1,000 and old coins worth several hundred dollars were taken.
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[S]- March 10, 1938p22
Newt A. Garner, Atlanta bondsman, was reported resting comfortable last night at Crawford W. Long Memorial hospital, where he has been a patient since last Saturday. He lives at 2398 Dellwood drive, Haynes Manor.
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[S]- Oct. 30, 1940 p14
“Services Are Held For Newt Garner”
Funeral services for Newt A. Garner, 51, Atlanta professional bondsman, who died Sunday at the residence, 2396 Dellwood drive, N. W., were held yesterday afternoon at Spring Hill Rev. T. Davis officiating. Interment will be in West View cemetery.
For years, Garner was a professional bondsman with offices near police headquarters on Decapture Street. He was also the owner of considerable Atlanta real estate.
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[S]- Oct. 29, 1940 p1
“NEWT Garner, Bondsman for 20-Years, Dies”
“Was Man Who Freed Thousands of Petty Offenders Here”
Newt A. Garner, 51, the man who liberated thousands of petty offenders from the police station and county jail, died yesterday at his home, 2396 Dellwood Drive, N. W.
Garner, who maintained an office near police headquarters on Decatur Street, ”Newt Garner” had been a professional bondsman for about 20 years. Before that, he was a clerk in the office of Judge Hugh M. Dorsey when the latter was solicitor general of the Fulton superior court.
He was the owner of considerable Atlanta real estate, having nearly a block of property on Decatur near police headquarters. Poor health caused him to retire from heading his bonding business actively about two years ago, but despite this, Garner was a familiar figure around police headquarters every day.
Since retiring from the bonding business, his son, Eugene Garner, has been actively in charge of the bond office, while the elder Garner devoted his time to his property holdings.
As a result of his activity in the bonding business Garner was an Important figure in the lottery investigation several years ago which resulted in the indictment of many of the lottery “big shots.”
He is survived by his wife; two daughters Mrs. M. W. Blackwell, Miss Louise Garner; three sons, C.E. Garner, Newt A. Jr., and C.C. Garner; by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. G.C. Garner, and by a sister, Mrs. J.B. Hill.
Funeral services will be held at 2 o’clock this afternoon at Spring Hill, the Rev. T.T. Davis officiating. Burial will be in West View cemetery.
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[S]- Sept 02, 1936 p 19
“Garner Asks Court to send son to Gang”
Three Plead Guilty in Burglary; Another Boy Faces Recorder.
A courtroom scene as dramatic as any ever played on the stage took place yesterday in Fulton superior court when N.A. Garner Sr., of 126 Peachtree Hills Avenue, asked Judge G. H. Howard to send his son to jail to “prevent him committing some future crime of violence.”
Young N.A. Garner Jr., 22 was indicted with Mike Deprano and E. Owens Tuesday for the burglary of the elder Garner’s home, and yesterday they entered pleas of guilty to stealing jewelry and cash value at $1,560 from the father.
Both Garners wept as the father told the judge “there is no doubt of my boy’s guilt. He should be sent to the chain gang for his own good, so that he will not commit a more serious crime later.”
Judge Howard sentenced young Garner to serve from five to six years when the father asked him to be merciful. Deprano was sentenced to 9 to 12 years, while Owens, who said he did not participate in the burglary August 20, received a sentence of 12 months suspended.
“Such a situation as this --- passing sentence on the relative of my good friends--- is one reason why I am glad to leave the bench.” Said Judge Howard who is retiring at the end of the year
Garner, Deprano and Owens were arrested in Austin, Texas, and charged with the burglary of the elder Garner’s safe.
In the afternoon, another son, C.C. Garner, 19. Appeared before Recorder A.W. Callaway to face charges resulting from automobile collision in front of the Peachtree station Monday night.
Young Garner was bound over to Atlanta criminal court under bonds of $100 each, on charges of drunk and reckless driving, carrying concealed weapons and leaving the scene of an accident.
A suspended fine of $25 was also Imposed on a charge of drunk and disorderly conduct.
Garner was arrested when his automobile struck a car driven by E.L. Roquemore, of 2140 Peachtree road. Both cars were damaged but neither was injured.
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[S]- Aug 29, 1936 p 20
GARNER’S SON INDICTED IN BURGLARY OF HOME
N.A. Garner Jr., son of N. A. Garner Sr., of 126 Peachtree Hills Avenue, and two companions E. Owens and Mike Deprano, were named in a true bill alleging they burglarized the elder Garner’s home of an iron safe, a five-stone diamond dinner ring, a 27-diamond bracelet and $60 in cash, all valued at $1,560. The burglary occurred August 20.
Lieutenant C.E. McCary and Austin, Texas, officers testified before the grand jury that the junior Garner was working in Austin and he and Owens and Deprano came back to Atlanta to Rob Garner’s father’s safe. Most of the jewelry was recovered. All three are under arrest.
Garner Sr., is a professional bondsman. Bond for his son and the other two was set at $1,000 each.
RIDDLES OF THIS CASE:
RIDDLE #1:
WHO WAS THE ALLEGED MARIHUANA PEDDLER INVOLVED?
Due per the following information given:
THE ATLANTA CONSTITUION - August 23, 1936 p 9A situation which now begs the question; Was Gordon Thompson the Marihuana salesmen in question? -- I am of the opinion that the answer is YES and for the following reasons.
MARIJUANA CIGARETS(sic) ARE SEIZED IN ARREST
An alleged sale of six marijuana Cigarets to Edward Murphy, federal narcotics agent, resulted in the arrest at Peachtree and Ellis streets about 11 o’clock last night of a man who identified himself as Gordon Thomas*, 30, of 1130 Flynn Street.
Murphy was accompanied by Detective Walter McGee when the alleged “buy” was made. Thomas was charged with violating the state Marijuana law. He was held under $500 bond. According to Murphy Thomas had 2,000 cigarets in his possession.
* His name is actually spelled Thompson.
First a quick check on www.ancestry.com shows that Garner Sr. served as court clerk, and a private security detective, long before opening up his own Bail Bond office. In addition, that, as the articles above clearly show, “he was well connected” with police officials. Even so far as to have in his employment the ex-head of the Atlanta Vice Squid working for him. Thus, it would have been a somewhat easy thing for him to have contacted his police friends, who probably owned him favors, etc., and they got right on the job. -- Which explains why an arrest was made the next day.
However, in case the reader didn’t notice, “Marihuana” is NOT mentioned anywhere in any of the newspaper articles. So what gives? Simply, the reefer madness campaign was well under way at that point so there’s a good chance that Garner Sr., actually believed the propaganda. His son had gone astray, therefor there had to have been some reason for this; said reading being, Marihuana of course. However, as the articles indicate, there probably was something else going on.
RIDDLE #2:
WAS GORDON THOMPSON A MARIHUANA PEDDLER?
The answer seems to be yeah, B-U-T, something else was going on over here, just take a look at the following:
THE ATLANTA CONSTITUION - September 17, 1936 p 4Ok, so we have a low-down dirty guy who's going to go to jail and stay there for a long, long, long time. HOWEVER, according to the prison records (again as per ancestry dot com), he was released from prison some three (3) months after showing up. Hummm! Makes one wonder what really did happen; like had the whole thing been staged, etc.
SELLER OF MARIJUANA REFUSED MERCY PLEA
Judge G. H. Howard, veteran jurist in Fulton superior court, lectured on the evils of drugs yesterday as he sentenced Gordon Thompson, 30, to serve two to three years for selling six marijuana cigarets to a federal agent.
Thompson who was indicted by the grand jury Tuesday for violating of the state narcotic laws, entered a plea of guilty and asked for mercy.
“I cannot grant mercy to one who deals in drugs,” Judge Howard told . . more
RIDDLE #3:
According to the Rev. Robert James Devine “A high school boy in Atlanta, Georgia,” but according to newspaper accounts Newt Andrew Garner Jr. (son of Newton A. Garner Sr.) was 22 years of age at the time. -- In addition, various census data shows that the boy in question was 22-years of age at the time.
RIDDLE #4:
Although the statement that the boy was under the influence of Marihuana at the time of the robbery, there is no actual evidence to support that claim.
RIDDLE #5:
The Garner family name is spelled Carner at times by Federal Narcotics police, however, most records spell it with a “G” instead of a “C.”
RIDDLE #6:
According “www.ancestry.com”, Newton A, Garner Jr. (the kid that did the robbery) was released from (the second time he was in prison) on May 31, 1946, yet his death certificate states that he died on May 31, 1946 or on the same day?
RIDDLE #7:
NO EVIDENCE OF MARIHUANA USE FOUND – Although there are various statements made to the effect that Young (22-year-old) Garner was under the influence of Marihuana, a good faith effort to locate such evidence has failed to do so. It was also noted that no mention of Marihuana use was made in any of the newspaper articles located so far.
RIDDLE #8:
There has been some confusion between this and other (reefer madness era) cases. For example, according to the St Louis Star Times - Jan 18, 1935p1:
"To get the money he stole jewelry from his mother who under the influence of marijuana and pawned it. He was arrested but when his mother found out who the thief was she naturally dropped the complaint.Which sure enough sounds a lot like our case here, however, if you noticed the date (1935), you can see that whatever happened where, this couldn’t be making reference to the Garner case in question.
Case#GA06_Garner
HARRY ANSLINGER'S GORE FILE IN GEORGIA
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