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DURING THE REEFER MADNESS ERA
THE ALFRED HORACE WELLS CASE
Mr. Anslinger:
The enclosed clipping ree a marijuana-crazed killer may be of interest to you. White
November 5, 1941
In re: Alfred Horace Wells
Mr. J.A. Manning,
District Supervisor,
San Francisco, Calif.
Dear Mr. Manning:
Reference is made to the newspaper clipping submitted by you taken from the Los Angeles Times, issue of October 29, 1941, setting forth information regarding the trial of the above named person who is charged with having murdered three persons. Wells claims to have been smoking marihuana cigarettes before the killings.
We have not been able to find any report as to whether or not this is actually the case in which the use of marihuana had some relationship to the crimes committed. Please advise in the premises.
Very truly yours,
H.J. Anslinger
Commissioner
November 14, 1941
In re: Alfred Horace Wells
Mr. Joseph A. Manning,
District Supervisor
Bureau of Narcotics
San Francisco, California
Dear Sir:
Reference is had to communication addressed your office by the Bureau, under date of November 5, 1941, requesting information relative to the alleged use of marihuana by Alfred Horace Wells, san Bernardino, California.
Accordingly, the reporting officer communicated with Jerome B. Kavanaugh, district attorney, San Bernardino County, whose reply received on this date reads as follows:
“I received your letter dated November 12th requesting information concerning the use of marihuana by Alfred Horace Wells.Very truly yours,
“Up to the time the defendant took the witness stand in his own defense, he had never indicated in any of his conversations that he had either used marihuana or that he would claim to have used marihuana. The story on the witness stand was to me entirely unbelievable, so to rebut his statement we called the doctors who had been appointed as a commission to investigate his mental condition by virtue of his plea of not guilty by reason of insanity. These doctors testified that in the course of their mental examination they had specifically asked him if he had ever used any form of narcotic and he stated definitely that he had not.
“I am confident that his defense that he had been using marihuana was entirely a fabrication. There was absolutely nothing in the personal history of the defendant or the facts in the case to support his contention.”
Geo. Gyllenhammer
Narcotic Inspector
0480-36-1
In re: Alfred Horace Wells
Mr. J.A. Manning,
District Supervisor,
San Francisco, Calif.
Dear Mr. Manning:
Reference is made to Bureau letter of November 5, 1941, regarding the above named person who is alleged to have murdered three persons after having smoked marihuana cigarettes.
It will be appreciated if you will advise whether there have been any developments as a result of your inquiry in the matter reported.
Very truly yours
H.J. Anslinger
Commissioner
Bureau of narcotics
Federal Office Buildings
San Francisco, Calif.
December 27, 1941
0480-36-1
In re: Alfred Horace Wells
Confidential
Via Air Mail
Mr. H.J. Anslinger,
Commissioner of narcotics,
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:
Reference is had to your letter of December 22, 1941 in which you state that you will appreciate my advising whether there have been any developments as a result of our inquiry in the matter referred to above.
The records of this office indicate that a report was submitted by Narcotic Inspector George Gyllenhammer, under date of November 14, 1941, giving the information asked for in your letter of November 5, 1941, and it was transmitted to your office by endorsement. I am enclosing an extra copy of the Inspector’s report.
Very truly yours,
Joseph A. Manning
District supervisor
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