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HARRY ANSLINGER'S GORE – MICHIGAN
Michigan- TEMPORARY WEBSITE
– LOCATION OF FUTURE WEBSITE
Due to lack of material resources, at the present time we can only post this temporary website dealing with the STATE OF MICHIGAN during the Reefer Madness Era. It is our hope to have a full website for the state running sometime in the future. But (again) due to lack of resources this will be a long while. For now we hope that this quickie will be of some help to researchers into the era.
Name: Alcide Benoit / (Victim) Richard Hammond - Location: - Michigan - Date: - Jan 22, 1937
What the Narc’s were claimingNEWSPAPER ACCOUNTS:
Perhaps you remember the young desperado in Michigan who, a few months ago, caused a reign of terror by his career of burglaries and holdups, finally to be sent to prison for life after kidnapping a Michigan state policeman, killing him, then handcuffing him to the post of a rural mailbox. This young bandit was a marijuana fiend. -- American Magazine “Marijuana, Assassin of Youth” By H.J Anslinger - July 1937
In Michigan, a teen-age kid kidnapped a state policeman, killed him, and then handcuffed his body to a mailbox. -- True Story (Magazine) Dec. 1948
Then again, the case of the young desperado in Michigan who, a few months ago, caused a reign of terror by his career of burglaries and holdups, finally to be sent to prison for life after kidnapping a Michigan state policeman, killing him, then handcuffing him to the post of a rural mailbox. This young bandit was another marihuana fiend. -- INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL DIGEST – Sep, 1937
In Michigan, a marijuana addict manacled a trooper to a mail post and put a bullet through his head. -- FORUM AND CENTURY – Jan. 1939
In Michigan, Alcide Benoit, after forty robberies and two murders, was accused during his trial for murder of having committed every one of his major crimes while under the influence of marijuana. In his murder of State Trooper Richard Hammond, Benoit knocked Hammond unconscious, fastened him to a post with his handcuffs, then calmly waited for him to regain consciousness before shooting him through the head --- COLLIER’S - June 1949
In Michigan, a marijuana-crazed ex-convict manacled a state trooper to a rural mailbox and then shot him through the head. -- Narcotics: America’s Peril by Will Oursler (1952)
GETTYSBURG TIMES - Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
[S-Jan 22, 1937 pg. 2] (Picture of ALCIDE Frenchy" BENOIT) gore file
[S-Jan 23, 1937 pg. 5] “Slayer of Trooper Sentenced to Life” Gore File
[See Reefer Madness Newspaper Index pamphlet for more references]
Also the museum has been able to obtain his written confession, etc.
[Key-finder - Case #12]
Name: Tylczak - Location: - Marquette State Prison Michigan - Date: - June 9, 1932
What the Narc’s were claimingNEWSPAPER ACCOUNTS:
"Sometime ago the silence of the state prison at Marquette, Michigan, was shattered by the sound of fusillade of pistol shots and an hour later a kindly prison doctor lay dead and beside him lay the trusty who had given his life trying to save his friend the doctor. An investigation developed that arms and ammunition had been smuggled into the prison in the false bottoms of herring containers and that the MARIHUANA from which Tylczak, the murderer of the doctor and trusty, had derived his demoniac courage, had also been smuggled into the prison." --- The pamphlet "the Drug Demon" 1940
Michigan. Some time ago some Marihuana was smuggled into the state prison at Marquette. At the same time a gun and ammunition were also Smuggled in. From the effects of the drug one prisoner named Tyczak, shot and killed the prison doctor and a trusty. --- Finger Print & Identification Magazine March 1938 pp3
A recent one-man riot in the Michigan State Prison at Marquette, staged by a prisoner named Tylczak, was due to marihuana and firearms smuggled into the prison. When the smoke from the gun of the marihuana-crazed prisoner cleared, the kindly prison doctor lay dead. Beside him was the body of a trusty who gave his life trying to protect his doctor friend. The gun, ammunition and marihuana had entered the prison in false bottoms of herring buckets. -- Inside detective Nov 1937
Some time ago the silence of the state prison at Marquette, Mich., was shattered by the sound of a fusillade of pistol shots. An hour later a kindly prison doctor lay dead and beside him lay the trusty who had given his life to save his friend, the doctor. --- An investigation developed that arms and ammunition had been smuggled into the prison in the false bottoms of herring containers. -- It was found further that the marihuana from which Tylezak, the murderer of the doctor and the trusty, had derived his demoniacal courage had also been smuggled into the prison. -- Denver Post – Feb 24, 1935 Sec 3 page 2
HELENA (Daily) INDEPENDENT - Helena, Montana
[S-Dec 1, 1933 pg. 2] “Open Season is On in Detroit” Tylczak – Gore File
WISCONSIN RAPIDS DAILY TRIBUNE - Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin
[S-June 9, 1932 pg. 1] “Indict 3 for Gun Smuggling”
[See Reefer Madness Newspaper Index pamphlet for more references]
Additionally the following site has more about the Tylczak case
http://reefermadnessmuseum.org/chap06/RM_Halliday3.htm
[Key-finder - Case #13]
Name: Tony Chebatoris - Location: - Midland MI. - Date: - Oct. 1937
| NAME | CHEBATORIS, ANTHONY |
|---|---|
| AGE | 38 |
| RACE | WHITE |
| SEX | MALE |
| OCCUPATION | ? |
| CRIME | Murder |
| METHOD | HANGING |
| DATE | July 8, 1938 |
| State | MICHIGAN |
NOT A FEDERAL GORE FILE CASENEWSPAPER ACCOUNTS:
What the Narc’s were claiming
In Midland, Michigan, a man named Chebatoris confessed to bank robbery and murder. Though Michigan has no provision for capital punishment, Chebatoris was sentenced to death under Federal law and was later executed at Milan, Michigan, prison farm. A "reefer" addict, he testified to smoking two marihuana cigarettes before "pulling the job." -- “Assassin of Youth” (Book) 1954 By Robert Devine
In Midland, Michigan, a man named Chebatoris confessed to bank robbery and murder. Though Michigan has no provision for capital punishment, Chebatoris was sentenced to death under Federal law and was later executed at Milan, Michigan, prison farm. A "reefer" addict, he testified to smoking two marihuana cigarettes before "pulling the job." -- Moloch Of Marihuana (1945) Robert James Devine
A man in Michigan was executed at the prison farm for robbery and murder. He, a reefer addict, said that he smoked two marihuanas before "pulling the job." – Enemies Of Youth ( Book) 1939
[Museum Note: Only one execution that took place in Michigan]
Hammond Times - No Mention Of Marihuana is made??
Oct 28, 1937 pp5 – “Bank Bandit is Identified”
Oct 20, 1937 pp4 – Federal Jury Indicts First Robber-Killer Under New U.S. Law”
Nov. 4, 1937 pp18 – Federal Jury Indicts First Robber-Killer Under New U.S. Law”
Dec. 1, 1937 pp2 -
APPLETON POST-CRESCENT - Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
July 8, 1938 pp.2 – Federal Execution of Robber-Killer Is First in Michigan in 108 Years.
THE CHARLEROI MAIL - Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
Oct 29, 1937 – pp1 – “Suicide Try by County Man in Michigan Jail”
DAILY TRIBUNE – Wisconsin Rapids
Oct. 29, 1937 pp3 – “Bank Robber Tries Suicide”
Nov. 3, 1937 – pp3 – “Justice Dep’t. in Quandary Over Robber’s Execution”
HELENA INDEPENDENT – Wisconsin Rapids
July 9, 1938 – pp1 “Execution in Michigan Held Despite Protest”
EVENING SENTINEL – Holland Michigan
Feb. 3, 1937 pp9- “Michigan Was First To Abolish Death Penalty”
IRONWOOD DAILY GLOBE – Ironwood Michigan
Nov. 9, 1937 pp1. “Find Chebatoris Could Be Put to Death in Michigan”
Nov. 10, 1937 pp1. “Robber Is Given Death Sentence”
Nov. 1, 1937 pp1 “Chebatoris is Taken to Detention Farm”
[Key-finder - Case #NO35]
Name: Eddie Gaines - Location: - Saginaw MI. - Date: - May 1967
What the Narc’s were claimingNEWSPAPER ACCOUNTS:
Saginaw, Mich., June 6, 1967---Two Saginaw patrolmen stopped at a local restaurant to obtain food. One officer entered the restaurant while his partner waited in their scout car. A man followed the policeman into the restaurant and, without provocation or comment, shot the officer three times In the back killing him on the spot. The defendant was killed by the officer's partner in an ensuing gun battle. A companion of the murderer stated that he and the dead defendant had parked across the street from the restaurant and smoked a number of marihuana cigarettes. When the police car pulled up in front of the restaurant, the murderer announced he was going to kill one of the officers for kicks. -- Congressional Record -- April 4, 1968
Holland Evening Sentinel – (Holland, Michigan)
[May 22, 1967 pp. 5] “Officer Slain, Assailant Hurt In Gun Battle”
[Oct. 9, 1967 pp7 ] “Man Convicted”
[Key-finder - Case #41]
Name: Joseph Bouchie - Location: - Ypsilanti MI. - Date: - Oct. 1967
What the Narc’s were claimingNEWSPAPER ACCOUNTS:
Ann Arbor, Mich., Oct 29, 1967---A man pulled Into a drive-in parking lot and, without provocation, shot and seriously wounded four patrons. The suspect was under the influence of marihuana at the time of this shooting and has a long record of habitual marihuana use. -- Congressional Record -- April 4, 1968
IRONWOOD DAILY GLOBE
[Oct 30, 1967 pp3] “Police Seek Parolee, 24”
HOLLAND EVENING SENTINEL – (Holland, Michigan)
[Oct 30, 1967 pp 16] “Seek Young Man, Girl Friend in Shooting of Four”
VAN WERT TIMES – (Ohio)
[Oct. 31, 1967 pp1] “Former MP Resident Is Shot In Detroit”
[Key-finder - Case #43]
Name: William Eddington, Ronald L. Johnson --Dr. Archie Claytor (Victim) - Location: - Saginaw MI. - Date: - Feb. 1967
What the Narc’s were claimingNEWSPAPER ACCOUNTS:
Saginaw, Mich., January-February 1967--- Two men robbed two elderly women at gunpoint. On February 2, 1967, one of these men and another companion forced their way into the home of a doctor. The suspects sexually assaulted the physician's 65-year old wife, then bludgeoned the doctor and his wife to death with a hammer. They shot both dead bodies several times and left them lying in the house. The original two criminals were arrested. One admitted using marihuana to get up his nerve before both of the above crimes, the other admitted using marihuana, just before the armed robbery. -- Congressional Record -- April 4, 1968
HOLLAND EVENING SENTINEL (Holland, Michigan)
[Feb 7, 1967] “Police Seek Two Suspects In Slayings”
[Feb 14, 1967 pp.1] “Two Men Face Charges in Slayings”
[Feb 13, 1967 ] “Authorities Hold two Men In slayings”
[Feb 15, 1967 pp.10] “Suspect Came From Split Home”
THE POST-STANDARD (Syracuse N.Y.)
[Feb 3, 1967 pp.1] “Find Physician and Wife Slain”
[Key-finder - Case #44]
Name: (victim) Alfred Jones - Location: - Detroit Mich. - Date: - Mar 1952
What the Narc’s were claimingNEWSPAPER ACCOUNTS:
During March 1952, four youths, the youngest sixteen, robbed and murdered a filling station attendant at Detroit, Mich. When three of the youths were later arrested at Kirkwood, Mo., 23 marihuana cigarettes were found in their possession. They admitted having smoked marihuana just prior to committing this atrocious crime. During the trial for murder in December 1952, a defense effort was made to show that they should not be found guilty because they were so strongly under the influence of marihuana that they didn't know what they were doing. The jury refused to accept this as a defense found them all guilty of murder in the first degree. The person who was their source of supply for marihuana was apprehended by agents of the Bureau of Narcotics and later convicted. -- The Traffic in Opium and Other Dangers Drugs (1952)
TRAVERSE CITY RECORD EAGLE
[S-Mar 24, 1952 pg. 1] “Nab Trio in Robbery Spree”
[S-Dec 17, 1952 pg. 9] “Mother of Accused Killer Goes on TV”
[S-Dec 18, 1952 pg. 20] “Life Terms for Four Youths”
HOLLAND EVENING SENTINEL
[S- April 2, 1952 pg. 1] “Wants to Charge Youth With Murder”
[S- Dec 12, 1952 pg. 10] “Model Son Held As Burglar Suspect”
HERALD PRESS
[S-Mar 22, 1952 Pg. 1] “Hunt Gang in Brutal Killing”
[S-Mar 25, 1952 Pg. 2] “Youths Admit Dope Slaying”
[S-Dec 19, 1952 Pg. 9] “Given 4 Youths Terms of Life”
[Key-finder - Case #71]
Name: (victim) Alfred Jones - Location: - Chelsea MI - Date: - Aug 26. 1937
What the Narc’s were claimingNEWSPAPER ACCOUNTS:
CHELSEA, MICH. - On August 26, 1937, a narcotic officer and State officers destroyed approximately 25,000 marihuana plants from 6 to 12 feet in height growing on a farm near Chelsea. Mich. There was no evidence that any of the tenants of the farm recognized the weed until a guest identified it as marihuana. From the appearance of the patches the marihuana had evidently been planted by a former tenant.
CHELSEA STANDARD
[S]- Sept 2, 1937 pg1 - “Destroy Marijuana on Farm in Lyndon”
[Key-finder - Case #75]
Name: Isaak Somershein - Location: - Ann Arbor, MI. - Date: - Aug 20, 1967
What the Narc’s were claimingNEWSPAPER ACCOUNTS:
Michigan - Ann Arbor, Mich., Aug 20, 1967----A hitchhiker jumped in front of an oncoming car in an attempt to commit suicide. He was later arrested and admitted he had been under the influence of marihuana at the time of this suicide attempt. -- Congressional Record -- April 4, 1968
ANN ARBOR NEWS
Aug 21, 1967 p1 sec2 – “Running Man Hit On I-94”
[Key-finder - Case #84]
Name: - Location: - Highland Park MI - Date: - Feb 11, 1938
NOT A FERDERAL GORE FILE CASENEWSPAPER ACCOUNTS:
What the Narc’s were claiming
What Robert Devine was claiming:
Michigan, Highland Park
Another in Michigan. Three boys confessed to a criminal attack on a woman. The elder confessed other attacks, and gave as the reason that he was "high" on marihuana. This is one more proof that sex passion is aroused by marihuana. But more of that in another chapter. ---- Book 1939– Enemies Of Youth
Three youths confessed to Highland Park, Michigan, police that they had criminally attacked a 26-year-old girl after forcing her escort from the car in which they were parked. The three lads were 20, 18 and 16 years of age. The elder of the trio confessed, attacks upon two other women whom he forced into an alley at 3 a. m. a few days before his arrest. This lad had been arrested four times previously and had served a prison term for disturbing the peace. He stated that marihuana cigarettes were responsible for his criminal career. His confession of marihuana addiction is one more proof of the fact that sex passion aroused by the use of marihuana is uncontrollable. But it does not erase from the minds of his victims the horror of their experiences, nor rid them of the results of his marihuana madness. -- “Assassin of Youth” (Book) 1954 By Robert Devine
On Monday, April 4, 1938, three youths confessed to Highland Park, Michigan, police that they had criminally attacked a 26-year-old girl on February 11. after forcing her escort from the car in which they were parked. The three lads were 20, 18 and 16 years of age. The elder of the trio confessed attacks upon two other women whom he forced into an alley at 3 a. m. a few days before his arrest. This lad had been arrested four times previously and had served a prison term for disturbing the peace. He stated that marihuana cigarettes were responsible for his criminal career. His confession of marihuana addiction is one more proof of the fact that sex passion aroused by the use of marihuana is uncontrollable. But it does not erase from the minds of his victims the horror of them experiences, nor rid them of the results of his marihuana madness. -- Moloch Of Marihuana (1945) Robert James Devine
DETROIT FREE PRESS
[S]- Feb 12, 1938 pg1 “Girl Is Kidnapped by Auto Thieves” [note only names of victims are mentioned]
[Key-finder - Case #NO83]
Name: John Sienkiewicz - Location: - Detroit, MI - Date: - March 18, 1938
NOT A FERDERAL GORE FILE CASENEWSPAPER ACCOUNTS:
What the Narc’s were claiming
What Robert Devine was claiming:
In Detroit, a twenty-three-year-old boy was arrested on a robbery charge and possession of a gun. He confessed to a dozen holdups but claimed they were all committed when he was "high" on marihuana, but some he did not remember, the time and place for he was "too high" from smoking marihuana. --- Book 1939– Enemies Of Youth
John Sienkiewicz, a 23-year-old Detroit, Michigan, lad, was arrested on a charge of robbery, armed. The young man confessed to half a dozen holdups and burglaries, but claimed they were all committed while he was under the influence of marihuana. "I always smoked the weed before I pulled a job because it kept me from being nervous," he said to police investigators. John stated that he could not remember when or where some of his holdups were committed, because he was "too high" from smoking marihuana. He was able to give descriptions of other crimes, committed when he was not under influence of the drug. -- “Assassin of Youth” (Book) 1954 By Robert Devine
On March 18, 1938, John Sienkiewiscz, a 23-year old Detroit, Michigan, lad, was arrested on a charge of robbery, armed. The young man confessed to half a dozen holdups and burglaries, but claimed they were all committed while he was under the influence of marihuana. "I always smoked the weed before I pulled a job because it kept me from being nervous," he said to police investigators. John stated that he could not remember when or where some of his holdups were committed, because he was "too high" from smoking marihuana. He was able to give descriptions of other crimes, committed when he was not under the influence of the drug. -- Moloch Of Marihuana (1945) Robert James Devine
In Detroit, a twenty-three-year-old boy was arrested on a robbery charge and possession of a gun. He confessed to a dozen holdups but claimed they were all committed when he was "high" on marihuana, but some he did not remember, the time and place for he was "too high" from smoking marihuana. -- The History of the Marihuana Tax Act of 1937 By David F. Musto, M.D., New Haven, Conn.
DETROIT FREE PRESS
[S]- Mar 19, 1938 pg 9b “Dope Deadens Thug’s Memory of Crime Orgy”
[Key-finder - Case #NO84]
MICHIGAN'S
UNSOLVED GORE FILE CASES
SALES
MICHIGAN - Detroit On October 24, 1935, acting upon information that several marihuana peddlers were selling marihuana cigarettes to soldiers at Selfridge Field, Michigan, Narcotic Agents at Detroit, accompanied by an Army Corporal observed one Ose Abraham, alias Abraham Hallil, as he was in the act of selling 3 marihuana cigarettes to a patron of the Whippet Cafe. Abraham then sold 2 marihuana cigarettes to the bartender of the cafe and 6 marihuana cigarettes to the Agent. He was then arrested. The Agents and the Army Corporal then proceeded to another section of the City and arrested Edward Rodriguez after purchasing 6 marihuana cigarettes from him, Abraham was held for prosecution. Rodriguez pleaded guilty and will be sentenced. --- ILLICIT TRAFFIC IN MARIHUANA - aka Gore File
[see documents - National Archives]
SALES
MICHIGAN - Detroit On October 25, 1936 , the same Narcotic Agents, accompanied by an enlisted man from Selfridge Field, went to the Harris Grill in Detroit and there purchased 3 marihuana cigarettes, from Alee Mohammed, alies Lee Mo, and William Handerson. The defendants were held for prosecution. --- ILLICIT TRAFFIC IN MARIHUANA - aka Gore File
SALES
MICHIGAN - Flint On January 1, 1936, Police at Flint, Michigan, arrested Louis Morales for possession of 48 grains of marihuana. Morales will be prosecuted. --- ILLICIT TRAFFIC IN MARIHUANA - aka Gore File
POSSESSION
MICHIGAN - Saginaw On January 10,, 1936, Oscar Williams was arrested at Saginaw, Michigan, for possession of 4 marihuana cigarettes. He pleaded guilty and was placed on probation for three years. On the same date Saginaw Police arrested one Irios for possession of 4 marihuana cigarettes. He was hold for prosecution. --- ILLICIT TRAFFIC IN MARIHUANA - aka Gore
GIRL RUN-AWAY, MARIHUANA DEN
Michigan - [Pre-July 1937] A fifteen-year-old girl was arrested in a marihuana "den" in Detroit to which she had been lured by her male companions. – Survey Graphic (Magazine) April 1938
A fifteen-year-old girl who has disappeared is discovered in a marihuana hangout of young toughs in Detroit. -- Narcotic Agent: by Maurice Helbrant (book) 1941
Not long ago a fifteen-year-old girl ran away from her home in Muskegon, Mich. , to be arrested later in company with five young men in a Detroit marijuana den. A man and his wife ran the place. -- American Magazine “Marijuana, Assassin of Youth” By H.J Anslinger - July 1937
In Detroit, Michigan, a fifteen-year-old girl was picked up with five men in a marihuana den. 'This pretty and attractive youngster had run away from her home in a near-by small town, where she had first learned to use "Mary Warners" while attending school. -- “Assassin of Youth” (Book) 1954 By Robert Devine
In Detroit, Michigan, a fifteen-year-old girl was picked up with five men in a marihuana den. This pretty and attractive youngster had run away from her home in a near-by small town, where she had first learned to use "Mary Warners" while attending school. Had I space in these pages to give in detail the incredibly sordid stories describing the experiences of girls who run away from home to co-habit with the most debauched and degraded scum of black, white and yellow humanity, my readers would be shocked beyond measure. -- Moloch Of Marihuana (1945) Robert James Devine
A 15-year-old Michigan girl ran away from home and was later arrested in a “marihuana den" in Detroit, where she had been lured by her male companions. -- MARIHUANA; The New Dangerous Drug (pamphlet) by Frederick T. Merrill 1950 version
BACKYARD MARIHUANA
MICHIGAN - Detroit. - On September 17 1936, 2,500 pounds of marihuana found growing in the backyards of various houses were confiscated under the Michigan State narcotic law. The marihuana was burned on an order from the prosecuting attorney of Flint County. No arrests were made. --- The Traffic In Opium and Other Dangerous Drugs 1936
BACKYARD MARIHUANA
Michigan - GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. - On September 23, 1937, narcotic and police officers destroyed about 2,000 marihuana plants growing, on a vacant lot. It was alleged that a person whose name was unknown was obtaining the drug from this lot and selling cigarettes, but since the lot was being used as a playground by children of the neighborhood it was deemed advisable to destroy the plants immediately rather than leave them and attempt to apprehend the person responsible for their growth. -- The Traffic in Opium and Other Dangers Drugs (1937)
RAPE, THEFT, LARCENY
Michigan - 1937 - M and 6 others, M. and F., age 21-23, arrested Detroit, Michigan for rape, theft, grand larceny. Arrested -- Article by James C. Munch; "UN Bulletin on Narcotics"-1966 Issue 2
1937 - H. Thatcher / A. Gates - M - And 6 others, M and F, ages 21-23, arrested Detroit, Mich. for rape, theft, grand larceny. - Arrested - - 6th conference report - INEOA 1965
GIRL RUN-AWAY, MARIHUANA DEN
DETROIT, MICH. - Between July 15 and August 9, 1937, the Detroit Police Department destroyed several tons of marihuana found growing partly wild and partly under cultivation in various vacant lots and back yards in the city of Detroit, the amounts in the several plots ranging from 20 to 3,360 pounds.
GANG RAPE
Michigan, Highland Park Another in Michigan. Three boys confessed to a criminal attack on a woman. The elder confessed other attacks, and gave as the reason that he was "high" on marihuana. This is one more proof that sex passion is aroused by marihuana. But more of that in another chapter. ---- Book 1939– Enemies Of Youth
Three youths confessed to Highland Park, Michigan, police that they had criminally attacked a 26-year-old girl after forcing her escort from the car in which they were parked. The three lads were 20, 18 and 16 years of age. The elder of the trio confessed, attacks upon two other women whom he forced into an alley at 3 a. m. a few days before his arrest. This lad had been arrested four times previously and had served a prison term for disturbing the peace. He stated that marihuana cigarettes were responsible for his criminal career. His confession of marihuana addiction is one more proof of the fact that sex passion aroused by the use of marihuana is uncontrollable. But it does not erase from the minds of his victims the horror of their experiences, nor rid them of the results of his marihuana madness. -- “Assassin of Youth” (Book) 1954 By Robert Devine
On Monday, April 4, 1938, three youths confessed to Highland Park, Michigan, police that they had criminally attacked a 26-year-old girl on February 11. after forcing her escort from the car in which they were parked. The three lads were 20, 18 and 16 years of age. The elder of the trio confessed attacks upon two other women whom he forced into an alley at 3 a. m. a few days before his arrest. This lad had been arrested four times previously and had served a prison term for disturbing the peace. He stated that marihuana cigarettes were responsible for his criminal career. His confession of marihuana addiction is one more proof of the fact that sex passion aroused by the use of marihuana is uncontrollable. But it does not erase from the minds of his victims the horror of their experiences, nor rid them of the results of his marihuana madness. -- Moloch Of Marihuana (1945) Robert James Devine
NEWSPAPER ARCHIVES:
DETROIT FREE PRESS
[S]- Feb 12, 1938 pg1 “Girl Is Kidnapped by Auto Thieves” [note only names of victims are mentioned] “Bandits rob Escort and take car - Two unarmed bandits who robbed Peter Sayerd, 28 years old, of 4399 Pacific Ave of $4 and then kidnapped his companion, Miss Irene Earler, 25, of 5954 Lincoln Ave., were being sought early Saturday. Sayer told police that he was parked at Manor ave. and Eight Mile Road when the men walked up to the car, ordered him out robbed him of $4 and drove away in his car with Miss Earler.
COLLEGE GIRL MURDERS BEST FRIEND
Michigan - [Pre-Dec 1938] A college graduate, allegedly crazed by the continued use of marihuana cigarettes, brutally murdered her closest friend by pumping five bullets into her breast. Voluntarily giving herself up, she would offer no reason for her premeditated, cold-blooded act. Psychiatrists sought in vain to pierce her sullen silence by repeated interviews with her in her cell. To a schoolgirl friend she is alleged to have given the clue which science failed to secure. "Leave cigarettes alone, kiddo, and, whatever you do, never, never smoke 'reefers'; see what they have done for me? Nobody will ever know how often I have wanted to kill my Dad. I've got the best Dad in all the world, girlie, but I've had to fight myself for months to keep from killing him." Two days later she committed suicide in her cell! -- “Assassin of Youth” (Book) 1954 By Robert Devine
One University girl, in Michigan, under the influence of this dire drug killed her chum, another girl, with a knife and later committed suicide. --1938 – Marihuana –weed of madness/Killer Weed
In Michigan, a college girl stabbed her dearest friend to death and then killed herself. -- On the Trail of Marihuana the Weed of Madness (1939) By Earle Rowell
Passers-by gasped in horror as a scream drew their attention to the body of a boy hurtling downward from an upstairs window of his home. Those who reached him almost as soon as he crashed upon the ground expected to find a corpse. He was not dead, however. Willing hands tenderly lifted him and an older sister, evidently the only other occupant of the house at the time, took charge of him until the arrival of a physician.
Little hope was held out for his recovery. For months he survived the terrible fall, though so broken in body as to be a helpless invalid. But apparently something more, than his body was affected. Those nearest him noticed a marked change in his demeanor. He seemed possessed of a terrible fear. He dreaded being left alone, even with his sister in the house.
Months after his death that sister , allegedly crazed by the continued use of marihuana cigarettes, brutally murdered her closest friend . It began then to be whispered about that her brother had not fallen from the window by accident but that, in one of her moments of marihuana madness, she had pushed him to his death. "Only that," said the gossips, "could explain his fear of being left alone in the house with her from the time of his 'accident' to the day of his death."
His sister, following the shocking and cold-blooded murder of her friend, would give authorities no reason for her premeditated act. Psychiatrists sought in vain to pierce the problem by repeated interviews with her in her cell. To a schoolgirl friend she is alleged to have given the clue which science failed to secure. "Leave cigarettes alone, kiddo, and, whatever you do, never, never smoke 'reefers'; see what they have done for me. Nobody will ever know how often I have wanted to kill my Dad. I've got the best Dad in all the world, girlie, but I've had to fight myself for months to keep from killing him."
Next day she committed suicide in her cell! -- Moloch Of Marihuana (1945) Robert James Devine
LOUSY TEEN DRIVER
Michigan - Pre-Dec 1938 [between 1935-1938] In Grand Rapids, Michigan, Sheriff Blacklock, an ardent crusader against the weed, told us of a boy who, after school hours, drove a truck as a part-time job. One afternoon, while intoxicated with marihuana, he started after a group of his high-school friends, trying to run them down with his truck. They ran frantically for the sidewalks; he followed them, jumping the truck over the curb. As they ran through the gate and up on the porch of a house, he followed just behind and crashed through the fence into the porch, narrowly missing them. --- On the Trail of Marihuana the Weed of Madness (1939) By Earle Rowell
In Grand Rapids, Michigan, I learned of a high school boy who was a truck driver. He smoked marihuana and suddenly had an over-powering urge to kill his high school friends who were then walking on the sidewalk. He ran his truck onto the sidewalk in pursuit of them. They run screaming into nearby stores. The police took the boy to jail. -- Marihuana – The Weed of Madness/Killer Weed (1938) by Earle Rowell
FARMERS FENCE
Michigan - [Pre-1939] In Flint, Michigan, we learned of a farmer who had a tall hedge about his large chicken yard. So many young people were plucking branches from his hedge that it was in a fair way to be destroyed. So he called the police. They were amazed to find that his hedge was worth several times the value of his farm. It was marihuana! The farmer didn't know what it was. He was forced to destroy it all, with a stern admonition not to let it grow again. -- On the Trail of Marihuana the Weed of Madness (1939) By Earle Rowell
INSANITY
Michigan - Pre- Dec 1939 The sheriff in Flint, Michigan , told us of a businessman there who, after smoking marihuana for only three days, thought he was a millionaire. He started passing out five- and ten-dollar bills to everybody on the street. The newsboy on the street got a five-dollar greenback for his three-cent paper; the bootblack, ten dollars for his ten-cent shoeshine; and so on, until, in three days, the man had passed out $2,700 - every cent he had. He had to be committed to the state asylum, for he had become completely deranged by marihuana. -- On the Trail of Marihuana the Weed of Madness (1939) By Earle Rowell
DRAFT DOGGER
Michigan - In October 1943 in Detroit, Mich. , Prison sentence given for claiming use of marihuana to evade military service Gad Sam Holland was sentenced in Federal Court to 5 years' imprisonment on a charge of attempting to evade induction into the Armed Services by smoking marihuana cigarettes to make him physically unfit before appearing for his examination, and by giving false statements that he was addicted to the use of marihuana. - After Holland was rejected by his Selective Service Board because he informed them of his use of marihuana, narcotic agents investigated his case which resulted in the conviction. -- The Traffic in Opium and Other Dangers Drugs (1943)
HIGH SCHOOL GAME
Michigan - Pre-1945 A Michigan publication dealing with juvenile crime printed a story to the effect that two high school football teams had been "pepped up" for their final games by the use of marihuana cigarettes smoked by the members of the teams. It has been impossible to obtain confirmation of this startling statement, though the publication carrying it is considered dependable and authoritative. -- “Assassin of Youth” (Book) 1954 By Robert Devine
A Michigan publication dealing with juvenile crime printed a story to the effect that two high school football teams had been "Pepped up" for their final games by the use of marihuana cigarettes smoked by the members of the teams. It has been impossible to obtain confirmation of this startling statement, though the publication carrying it is considered dependable and authoritative. -- Moloch Of Marihuana (1945) Robert James Devine
ROTTON PERSON
Michigan - Saginaw, Mich., Sept. 1964 ---A panderer became angry with one of his prostitutes. An argument followed and he severely burned her with a hot electric iron on both upper legs and the lower abdomen. During the trial he confessed he had smoked two marihuana cigarettes just prior to the argument. -- Congressional Record -- April 4, 1968
ROBBERY
Michigan - Kalamazoo, Mich., November, 1965 ---Three men robbed and murdered a co-worker . All defendants, by their own admission, were under the influence of marihuana at the time the murder occurred. -- Congressional Record -- April 4, 1968
BAD DIVORCE
Michigan - Saginaw, Mich., March 16, 1966 ---A man entered the home of his estranged wife, who was in the process of obtaining a divorce. He raped her three times in front of their young child. As he left the house he said he would return, again rape his wife, and kill the entire family. He returned about one hour later, began shouting obscenities as he attempted to force his way into the house. He was shot and killed by his wife who later was found not guilty in a court of law. The man was a chronic user of marihuana and witnesses stated he had been smoking the day of his death. -- Congressional Record -- April 4, 1968
MURDER
Michigan - Detroit, Mich., Nov 8, 1967 ---A 19 year old man was arrested for murdering his 3-month old daughter. His wife told homicide detectives her husband was a constant marihuana user and had been under its Influence when he beat their Infant daughter to death with his hands. -- Congressional Record -- April 4, 1968
Detroit, Mich.-A 19-year-old man was arrested for murdering his 3 month-old daughter. His wife told homicide detectives her husband was a constant marihuana user and had been under its influence when he beat their infant daughter to death using his hands. --- FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Nov 1968
KIDNAPPING, MURDER
Michigan -Ann Arbor, Mich., Aug 27, 1967 ---A 19-year old habitual marihuana user was arrested for kidnapping and murder. He admitted he had used marihuana just prior to the incident. He also confessed to several unsolved breaking and entering cases, and vicious assaults all committed while under the Influence of marihuana. -- Congressional Record -- April 4, 1968
GANG RAPE
Michigan - Detroit, Mich., Jan 15, 1968 ----Seven men were charged with the rape of a 19-year-old girl after an all night drinking and Marihuana Party. When police raided the home where the party had been held, they found a number of marihuana cigarettes as well as a jar of marihuana. -- Congressional Record -- April 4, 1968
MUSEUM NEWSPAPER INDEX:
NOTE: NO, this index of (what may or may not be) Reefer Madness Newspaper articles is NOT COMPLETE and in fact is anything but. At best it should be thought of as a starting point for historical scholars doing research into the origin of the anti-Medical Cannabis laws.
DETROIT FREE PRESS
[S]- Feb 12, 1938 pg1 “Girl Is Kidnapped by Auto Thieves” [note only names of victims are mentioned] [unofficial Gore File Case]
[S]- Mar 19, 1938 pg 9b “Dope Deadens Thug’s Memory of Crime Orgy” [unofficial Gore File Case]
TRAVERSE CITY RECORD EAGLE - Traverse City, Michigan
[S]- Feb 21, 1945 pg. 1] .”Slayer of Mother Smoked Marijuana” Elven Kent
[S]- Sept 20, 1945 pg. 9] “Narcotic Charge”
[S]- Oct 31, 1945 pg. 6] “WCTU Program” – short [N.W.R.]
[S]- Dec. 20, 1945 pg. 8] “Fruit Pickers had marijuana”
[S]- Aug 13, 1947 pg. 1] “Singer Starts jail Term”
[S]- July 3, 1948 pg. 2] “Find Death Gun in Chicago Bar”
[S]- Dec 3, 1948 pg. 2] “Delinquency on Decrease Among the Juveniles”
[S]- Dec 24, 1948 pg. 4] short [N.W.R.]
[S]- March 30, 1949 pg. 5] “Mitchum Ends jail Sentence” [N.W.R.]
[S]- April 6, 1949 pg. 1] “Detroit Starts Drive to Stamp out Marijuana”
[S]- June 14, 1949 pg. 9] “Detroit Boy was Narcotic Peddler” ---
[S]- July 28, 1949 pg. 5] “Krupa to Fight Dope Smokers”
[S]- Aug 23, 1949 pg. 13] “Find Dope Ring in Milwaukee”
[S]- March 8, 1951 pg. 9] Film – The Devil’s Weed”
HERALD PRESS - Saint Joseph, Michigan
[S]- Aug. 12, 1943 pg. 14] “Nature Lover” [N.W.R.]
[S]- Feb 22, 1944 pg. 8] “Sidney Jerome, Former Actor who once lived in St. Joseph, Succumbs”
HOLLAND EVENING SENTINEL - Holland, Michigan
[ ]— August 23, 1949...federal agents that they purchased MARIJUANA cigarettes from three men who.....who is 117 years old, said he sold MARIJUANA cigarettes for 50 cents each..
[Gore File Case] -- Joseph Bouchie -- Ann Arbor, Mich., Oct 29, 1967---A man pulled Into a drive-in parking lot and, without provocation, shot and seriously wounded four patrons. The suspect was under the influence of marihuana at the time of this shooting and has a long record of habitual marihuana use. -- Congressional Record -- April 4, 1968
[S]- Feb. 7, 1967 ] “Police Seek Two Suspects In Slayings”
[S]- Feb 13, 1967 ] “Authorities Hold Two Men In Slayings”
[S]- Feb 14, 1967 ] “Two Men Face Charges in Slayings”
[S]- Feb 15, 1967] “Suspect Came From”
[S]- May 22, 1967 pg. ] “Officer Slain Assailant Hurt In Gun Battle”
[S]- Oct 9, 1967 ] “Man Convicted”
[S]- Oct 30, 1967] “Seek Young Man, Girl Friend in Shooting of Four”
IRONWOOD DAILY GLOBE - Ironwood, Michigan
[S]- June 9, 1932 pg. 1] “Indict 2 inmates in Gun Smuggling” Gore File
[S]- July 14, 1932 pg. 2] “Hold 3 Men charged with Doctor’s Murder” gore file
[S]- Aug 17, 1932 pg. 7] “Murder Trial Opens” Gore File
[S]- Aug. 23, 1932 pg. 1] “Prisoner is Found Guilty of Murder” Gore File
[S]- Aug. 19, 1933.pg. 4] “In New York”
[S]- Jan. 07, 1936 pg. 1] “Grimm Repudiates his Confession of Murder”
[S]- April 23, 1936 pg. 11] “$100,000 Worth in One Dope Haul” BLUE MOUNTAIN Gore File.
[S]- Aug 14, 1936 pp7] “Our State”
[S]- Jan. 21, 1937 pg. 1] “Trooper’s Abductor Faces Trial” gore file case
[S]- Aug. 02, 1937.pg. 7] “See Increase in Use of narcotics”
[S]- Feb. 10, 1938 pg. 1] “Blames Narcotic for Crime Career”
[ ]- Feb 12, 1938 pg.5 ] “Gone—1400 Acres of Dreams”
[S]- Feb. 22, 1938.pg. 4] “Reefers Go to School” Editorial
[S]- April 11, 1938 pp.4] Editorial
[S]- June 15, 1938 pg. 4] “Editorial “Up to Parents”
[S]- July 02, 1938.pg. 4] “The Family Doctor” by Dr. Morris Fishbein
[S]- July 12, 1938 pp1] “Indian Arrested for Sale of Marihuana”
[S]- July 25, 1938 pg. 4] “The Family Doctor” By Dr. Morris Fishbein [NWR]
[S]- Aug 15, 1938 pg. 1] “Legion Votes Against War” [resolution against marihuana]
[S]- Sept. 3, 1938 pg. 2] “Asks fro Projects to Eradicate Marijuana”
[S]- Sept. 12, 1938 pg. 5] “Marijuana in Common Use”
[S]- Sept. 20, 1938 pg. 7] “Find Marihuana”
[S]- Sep 22, 1938.pg. 9] “Find Marijuana Plants”
[S]- Dec. 8, 1938 pg. 6] “In Hollywood” Film.
[S]- July 13, 1939.pg. 11] “MARIHUANA' ADULTS ONLY” Film [NWR]
[S]- Nov. 18, 1939 pg. 9] “Possessed Marihuana”
[S]- Oct 9, 1948 pp1 ] “Two Are Held on Narcotic Charge”
[ ]-Oct 15, 1948 pp1] “Seven Under Arrest”
[S]- July 7, 1951 pp.6] “Medical Marihuana case”
[S]- July 20, 1951 pp1] “Huge Marijuana Patch discovered”
[S]- Jan 24, 1952 pp2] “breaks Up Teen Age Dope Rings”
[S]- Oct 30, 1967 pg. “Police Seek Parolee, 24” (Gore File Case)
PRESS - (Pontiac, Michigan) Editorial - Feb 26, 1937
DETROIT TIMES (a hearst paper)
[WANTED ]- Sept 11, 1935 - Editorial
A Michigan WEBSITE COMING -- ONE OF THESE DAYS:
We wish that we had the ability to run a complete website on this state, but due to limited resources, this is not a possibility at this time. For now, we hope that this partial material will be of some help to students of the Reefer Madness Era. ---- (Hint) if you make a financial donation to the museum it might help to speed things up a bit.
WANT TO KNOW MORE:
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