Calif. Flag
REEFER MADNESS
SKULL
CALIFORNIA
Calif. Flag
ANSLINGER'S GORE FILE
CALIFORNIA


CALIFORNIA – IN A LEAGUE ALL TO ITSELF
There is Reefer Madness and than there is Reefer Madness, and then there is California; in a league all to itself.   --- During the Reefer Madness Era, CALIFORNIA (acre for acre, person for person) had MORE Gore File Cases than any other state in the union.

There are many reasons for this:
  •   First (unlike most of the other States) California has had its own Bureau of Narcotics since around the 1920’s.   And like narc’s everywhere else, they seem very interested in job security etc.

  •   Next, California was either cursed or blessed by sharing a border with Mexico.   And needless to say, race relations (or lack of them thereof) seems to have played a significant role.

  •   Then there was geography.   For good or for bad, California (during the 20’s and 30’s) became a major hub or throughway for raw Opium coming in from Japan/China.*   And somehow (just read any 'Fu Man Chu' book) Cannabis became associated in peoples minds with Opium, etc.
And more . . . BUT probably the worst factor was the curse of one William G. Walker, who in 1933 became head of the California Bureau of Narcotics.   Like Harry Anslinger at the national level, Walker would fan the flames of Reefer Madness Hysteria at the state level.   Whole books can be written about this one man, and an entire webpage is devoted to him within these pages.   But for now it is enough to say that he seems to have been a teller of good stories, but was less than an honest man when it came to the facts.   Thus (for whatever reasons) California NOT ONLY has a high number of Reefer Madness Era Gore File cases but also more fake (totally fabricated) such cases than any other State in the Union.

*   It is an ugly truth that Japan in its war with China in the 1930’s used Opium addiction as a weapon of war.   This subject is way beyond the topic of conversation, here the reader should just note that there was great sympathy at the time toward the plait of the Chinese.


LESBIAN LOVE
WOMAN STABBED TO DEATH

Name: - Miss Frances Woods - Location: - Los Angeles - Date: April 6, 1938
LESBIAN
What the Narc’s were claiming
1938 - F 28 Prostitute stabbed Mrs. M. O'Shannon for not cooperating Lesbian activities.   -- Article by James C. Munch; "UN Bulletin on Narcotics"-1966 Issue 2

1938 - F. Wood - F - 28 - Prostitute stabbed Mrs. M, O'Shannon for not cooperating Lesbian activities.   - Arrested -- 6th conference report - INEOA 1965

One of the places where marihuana is prevalent is Los Angeles, with its huge Mexican population, where there are numerous of robbery, holdup, suicide and murder directly traceable to the weed; one woman recently slashed another to death with a pocketknife merely because the victim had expressed disapproval of her friend's interest in marihuana.   -- DESIGNS IN SCARLET By Courtney Ryley Cooper 1939
Los Angeles Times:--April 7, 1938 Pg.2B
Nurse Seized in Stabbing
Waitress Near Death and Woman Held; Row Over marijuana
Near death in General Hospital from knife wounds suffered in a fight with another woman early yesterday, Mrs. Maureen O'Shannon, 33-year-old waitress, assuredly identified Miss Frances Woods, 25-year-old nurse, as her assailant.   She told police that the fight started during an argument over marijuana cigarettes.   Miss Woods, recently arrived in Los Angeles from Bakersfield, denied that she had attacked Mrs. O'Shannon.
Will Talk In Court
"I will do my talking in court," she told questioning officers.   According to Radio Officers Compton and Montgomery, Miss Woods was found standing near the form of the wounded woman at 640 East Twenty-eighth street.   She assuredly admitted cutting Mrs. O'Shannon and produced a blood-smeared pocket knife, the police said.   Later she denied the asserted confession, refused to explain the knife, the reason for her being at the scene or any details concerning the fracas.
Car Parked Near by
Miss Wood's expensive car was parked near the scene of the stabbing.   She had $180 in her purse.   Three knives were in her possession.   Miss. O'Shannon, who lived at 2108 South Maple avenue, was given slight chance for recovery.
NEWSPAPER ACCOUNTS:
Los Angeles Times
[Apr 7, 1938. p. A2] Nurse Seized in Stabbing; Waitress Near Death and Woman Held; Row Over Marijuana
[Apr 16, 1938 p.6] Woman Dies Of Stabbing In Quarrel Over Marihuana Gore File
[Apr 19, 1938. p. A8] Nurse to Face Murder Charge; Woman Remanded to Jail Following Stabbing Inquest
[Apr 24, 1938. p. A2] “Slaying Charged”
[Apr 25, 1938. p. A10] “Nurse to Face Slaying charge”
[Jul 13, 1938. p. A2] “Nurse to Plead Self Defense”
[Jul 15, 1938. p. A1] (2 pgs).”Jury Discharged in Girl-Slaying Case”
[Jul 19, 1938. p. A1] Nurse Gets New Trial in Marihuana Slaying
[Aug 31, 1938. p. A8] Nurse to Face New Trial Today; Marihuana Slaying Case Slated for Second Hearing
[Sep 14, 1938 p.11] “Nurse Again Goes on Trial in Fatal Stabbing Case”
[Sep 15, 1938. p. A3] Dying Threat Told at Trial; Stabbing Victim's Wish to 'Get Even' With Nurse Recounted

Fresno Bee
[S]- April 19, 1938 p9 - “Former Kern Nurse Held on Murder charge”


Skull MORE ABOUT
The Miss Frances Woods Case
Skull

MUSEUM COMMENT:
MS. WOODS WOULD EVENTUALLY BE FOUND NOT GUILTY BY A JURY OF HER PEERS.

[See Reefer Madness Newspaper Index pamphlet for more references]
[Key-finder - Case#CA10]



ELDERLY WOMAN MURDERED
STABBED 35 TIMES

Name: - Donald S. Crosby, (age 16) - Location: - La Jolla Ca. -Date: - Dec 16, 1952
CROSBY
What the Narc’s were claiming
La Jolla, California - Male 16 Paroled juvenile delinquent, under influence smoking marihuana, murdered Mrs. I. KacKeown, 67, grandmother, inflicting 35 knife wounds.   She called him marihuana user and threatened to call police.   -- Article by James C. Munch; "UN Bulletin on Narcotics"-1966 Issue 2

1967 - Juvenile delinquent on parole, murdered 67-year old grandmother with 35 stab wounds, while under influence of marijuana.   -- The Truth about Marijuana - STEPPING STONE to DESTRUCTION June 1967

D. Crosby, - La Jolla, Calif. - M - 16 - Paroled juvenile delinquent, under influence smoking marihuana, murdered Mrs. I. MacKeown, 67, grandmother, inflicting 35 knife wounds; she called him marihuana user and threatened to call police.   Arrested -- 6th conference report - INEOA 1965

NEWSPAPER ACCOUNTS:
Los Angles Times
[**]- Dec. 16, 1952 pp 2 "Woman Artist Found Knifed to Death in La Jolla Home"
[**]- Dec 17, 1952 pp 2 "Blames Marijuana - Youth Tells How He Killed Artist"
[**]- Dec. 19, 1952 pp 26 "Murder Hearing Set in La Jolla Slaying"

Redlands Daily Facts - Redlands, California
[S-Dec 1, 1952 ] “16-Year-Old Youth Admits Killing San Diego Artist”
[S-Dec 17, 1952 ] “Youth Says He Was Doped When He Killed Artist”
[S-Mar 27, 1953 pg. 1] “Boy, 16, May Get Life For Stabbing”


Skull MORE ABOUT THE
ROTTON KID AFFAIR
Skull

[See Reefer Madness Newspaper Index pamphlet for more references]
[Key-finder - Case#CA02]



NAVAL OFFICER
MURDERED

Name: - Lt. Herman Haase (victim) - Location: - Los Angeles, Ca. - Date: - July 9, 1945

What the Narc’s were claiming
On July 9, 1945, at Los Angeles, Calif., two Navy officers, Lt. Herman Haase and Ensign Norman Bicknese, picked up an automobile ride with two 19-year-old boys, Leslie Howard Moore and Alvin Goldson, the latter a soldier.   After the officers entered the automobile, Moore and Goldson attempted to hold them up.   Ensign Bicknese resisted and was shot and killed by Goldson.   A few weeks later Goldson and Moore were apprehended by Los Angeles police officers and it was ascertained that they were the leaders of a gang of six youths preying on servicemen.   In addition to the killing of Ensign Bicknese, another member of the gang admitted the shooting and wounding of Army Lt. Armand Beford in another "hitchhike hold-up" on July 22, 1945.   The self-confessed trigger man of the gang, Edward Priestley, Jr., aged 16, of Los Angeles, after his apprehension told the police he shot Lieutenant Beford at the urging of Leslie Howard Moore, when the Army officer started to run away.   On Nov. 9, 1945, Leslie Howard Moore appeared before Superior Court Judge Thomas L. Ambrose at Los Angeles, Calif., and was sentenced to life imprisonment for murder and 12 counts of robbery.   He made the following statement in court: "If I had never used marihuana I wouldn't be in this court today."   Asked by the court what effect the, drug had on him, Moore stated it made him, fearless and bold.   When Judge Ambrose questioned him as to how often he indulged in use of the drug, Moore said, "Only when with the group I accompanied on the robberies and the murder."   The judge replied, "Mr. Moore, I wish this little sermon on the consequences of using marihuana could be broadcast to the youth of the Nation."   Judge Ambrose also added that so many users do not realize the danger involved.   Alvin Goldson, as a result of the murder of Ensign Bicknese, was tried by a military court martial during August 1945 and was sentenced to life imprisonment at hard labor.   This man also claimed to be a user of marihuana.   -- The Traffic in Opium and Other Dangers Drugs (1945)

Los ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.   July 1945.   Two Navy officers, Lt. Herman Haase and Ensign Norman Bicknese, picked up an automobile ride with two 19-year-old boys, Leslie Howard Moore and Alvin Goldson, the latter a soldier.   After the officers entered the automobile, Moore and Goldson attempted to hold them up.   Ensign Bicknese resisted and was shot and killed by Goldson.   A few weeks later Goldson and Moore were apprehended by police and it was ascertained that they were the leaders of a gang of six youths preying on servicemen.   Another member of the gang admitted the shooting of Army Lt. Armand Beford in a "hitch-hike hold-up."   When Moore was sentenced to life imprisonment for murder and 12 counts of robbery, he made the following statement in court: "If I had never used marihuana I wouldn't be in this court today."   Asked by the court what effect the drug had on him, Moore stated it made him fearless and bold.   He said he indulged in the drug "when with the group I accompanied on the robberies and the murder."   The judge replied, "I wish this little sermon on the consequences of using marihuana could be broadcast to the youth of the Nation."   judge Ambrose also added that so many users do not realize the danger involved.   Goldson, as a result of the murder of Ensign Bicknese, was tried by a military court martial and was sentenced to life imprisonment at hard labor.   He also claimed to be a marihuana user   -- MARIHUANA; The New Dangerous Drug (pamphlet) by Frederick T. Merrill 1950 version

On November 9, 1945, Leslie Howard Moore appeared before Superior Court Judge Thomas L. Ambrose at Los Angeles, Calif., and was sentenced to life imprisonment for murder and 12 counts of robbery.   He made the following statement in court: "If I had never used marihuana I wouldn't be in this court today."   Asked by the court what effect the, drug had on him, Moore stated it made him, fearless and bold.   When Judge Ambrose questioned him as to how often he indulged in use of the drug, Moore said, "Only when with the group I accompanied on the robberies and the murder."   The judge replied, "Mr. Moore, I wish this little sermon on the consequences of using marihuana could be broadcast to the youth of the Nation."   Judge Ambrose also added that so many users do not realize the danger involved.   -- The Traffic in Opium and Other Dangers Drugs (1945)

NEWSPAPER ACCOUNTS:
Council Bluffs Nonpareil (Iowa)
[s]- Sept. 10, 1951 page 1 “Use of Marijuana in U.S. Spreading like Wild-fire” (story is in the past tense) -- Must reading
[s]- Sept. 11, 1951 page 1 (story is in the past tense)

Los Angles Times
[s]- Ensign Killed by Bandit Pair" - July 10, 1945 page 12 part 2. --- marihuana is not even mentioned.


[Key-finder - Case#CA09]



BRUTAL MURDER
VICTIM STABBED TO DEATH

Name: - Eusiolo Martinez - Location: - Merced, Ca. - Date: - July 3, 1939

What the Narc’s were claiming
1939 - In July, 1939, at Merced, California, there was a murder of a young man by a Mexican, in whose possession was found a quantity of marihuana cigarettes and who was examined by a physician and found to be under the influence of Marihuana.   --- Calif, Dept. Penology, Report for the year 1939

NEWSPAPER ACCOUNTS:
FRESNO BEE
[s]- July 3, 1939 p3B - “Merced Man Is Fatally Stabbed”
[s]- July 5, 1939 p5B - “Suspect Awaits Arraignment On Murder Charge”


Skull SEE HIS
PRISON RECORDS
Skull

[Key-finder - Case#CA13]


W.P.A. WORKER ARRESTED
FOR MARIHUANA

Name: - Raymond Landis - Location: - Sacramento Ca. - Date: Aug 1, 1939

What the Narc’s were claiming
1939 - In July, 1939, at Sacramento, a man 32 years of age was arrested (Raymond H. Landis) after selling forty cans of Marihuana to an Inspector of the State Narcotic Division.   In his room was found an unopened express package, which had been sent to him by a confederate in Lincoln, Nebraska.   This information was forward to the Federal authorities in that district, and resulted in the arrest of his confederate, who was found in the very act of processing marihuana and building its strength by spraying it with alcohol.   The statement of the young man at Sacramento was to the effect that he “would like to see the person that could smoke two of these cigarettes and then drive an automobile.”   At Lincoln, Nebraska, more than twenty-five tons of Marihuana were destroyed by Federal Agents.   --- Calif ; Dept. Penology, Report for the year 1939

NEWSPAPER ACCOUNTS:
LOS ANGELES TIMES
[s]- Aug. 02,1939 - “Marihuana Seized and Suspects Held”
“SAN FRANCISCO, Aug 1. (AP) The arrest of one person and the seizure of 105 cans of the highest grade marihuana ever received from outside California was announced today by Paul Madden, chief of the State division of Narcotics Control.
Madden said Raymond H. Landis, 32, W.P.A. worker, was held in Sacramento on charges of sale and possession of marihuana.   He said agents brought 40 cans from Landis and that a search of his premises uncovered 65 more.   Retail value was estimated at $1500.
[Key-finder - Case#CA12]


MARIHUANA DRUG LORD
THE 2 OUNCE ARREST

Name: - Charles (Peter) Archer- Location: - Fresno Ca. - Date: - March 19, 1936

What the Narc’s were claiming
CALIFORNIA - Fresno On March 19, 1936, Federal and State Narcotic Agents searched the Premises in Fresno occupied by Peter Archer and found 2 ounces of marihuana concealed therein.   Archer was held for action of the Superior Court.   --- ILLICIT TRAFFIC IN MARIHUANA

NEWSPAPER ACCOUNTS:
FRESNO BEE
[s]- March 19, 1936 - Page 2 “Officers Arrest Eleven in Raid”


Skull SEE PETER'S
PRISON RECORDS
Skull

[Key-finder - Case#CA26]


THE SACRAMENTO REEFER BOY
THE STUFF OF LEGENDS

Name: - Ray Shields - Location: - Sacramento, Ca. - Date: - Mar 1935

What the Narc’s were claiming
A sixteen-year old boy in CALIFORNIA was arrested for burglary.   He had stolen a revolver and was on his way to stage a hold-up when arrested.   He was under the influence of MARIHUANA.   -- Box9, File7 - PennState Collection

The Sacramento Police Department reported that in March, 1935, a sixteen year old boy was in jail for burglary.   He stole a revolver and was going out to stage a hold-up when he was arrested.   He was under the influence of marihuana.   The two men who sold the drug to the boy were sentenced to the State Penitentiary.   -- Box9, File7 - PennState Collection

California, Sacramento Boy 16 yr age / stole revolver / arrested for burglary A sixteen-year-old boy in California was arrested for burglary.   He had stolen a revolver and was on his way to stage a hold-up when he was arrested.   He was under the influence of marihuana   -- The Union Signal (WCTU) Jan. 30, 1937

Sacramento The Sacramento Police Department reported that in March, 1935, a 16 year old boy was in jail for burglary.   He stole a revolver and was going out to stage a hold-up when he was arrested.   He was under the influence of marihuana.   The two man who sold the drug to the boy were sentenced to the State Penitentiary.   --- ILLICIT TRAFFIC IN MARIHUANA - aka Gore File

"Here's a 16-year old boy in California, arrested for burglary," "He stole a revolver and was on his way to stage a hold-up when arrested.   He was under the influence of marihuana.   --- Oakland Tribune (Newspaper) Oct. 11, 1936 “Don't be a MuggleHead”

"A sixteen-year-old boy, caught in a Sacramento burglary was 'high' on marihuana.   --- MARIHUANA; The New Dangerous Drug (pamphlet) by Frederick T. Merrill 1950 version

CALIFORNIA---Sixteen-year-old boy, caught about to stage a holdup, found to be under the influence of marihuana.   --- Survey Graphic (Magazine) April 1938

A 16-year-old boy in California was caught about to stage a holdup under the influence of marihuana.   -- "Here's a 16-year old boy in California, arrested for burglary," he said, grabbing a sheath of reports from his desk and turning to the case cited.   "He stole a revolver and was on his way to stage a hold-up when arrested.   He was under the influence of marihuana.   ----Oakland Tribune (Newspaper) Oct. 11, 1936 “Don't be a MuggleHead”

Then, there was another case of a 16-year-old who was arrested in California for burglary.   Under -the influence of marihuana he had stolen a revolver and was on the way to stage a holdup when apprehended.   --- INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL DIGEST – Sep, 1937

A sixteen-year-old boy was arrested in California for burglary.   Under the influence of marijuana he had stolen a revolver and was on the way to stage a holdup when apprehended.   --- American Magazine “Marijuana, Assassin of Youth” By H.J Anslinger - July 1937

[pre-1941] A sixteen-year-old in California thinks he is an oldtime road agent and tries to hold up a stage.   --- Narcotic Agent: by Maurice Helbrant (book) 1941

"A sixteen-year-old boy, caught in a Sacramento burglary was 'high' on marihuana.   Two California men were sent to prison for cultivating the marihuana habit among boys.

NEWSPAPER ACCOUNTS:
Woodland Daily Democrat
[Wanted]- March 20, 1935p4 - “NARCOTIC RING LEADERS HELD”
"SACRAMENTO -- Two ringleaders of a Sacramento narcotic ring preying upon youthful victims taught to use Marijuana were arrested by police.
Tuesday night after a terrific struggle in an isolated shack near the city incinerator.   D.F. Alfred, 29, Eddie Squires 40, said by police to have allegedly been engaged in “training” Sacramento youths to smoke Marijuana in order to increase the market for the narcotic, were arrested and charge with violation of the state [. . . ns] act.
SACRAMENTO, BEE
[s]- Mar 20, 1935 p1 - “Dope Ringleaders Seized Here After Fierce Fight; Preyed on Young Victims”
“Two ringleaders of a Sacramento narcotic ring preying upon youthful victims taught to use marijuana were arrested by police last night after a terrific struggle in an isolated shack near the city incinerator.   D.F. Alfred, 29, and Eddie Squires, 40, said by police to have allegedly been engaged in “training” Sacramento youths to smoke marijuana in order to increase the market for the narcotic, were arrested and charged with violation of the state poisons act after a fight with Sergeant E. J. Cox and Detective Arthur Thomas of the police narcotic squad.
Identity of the pair and their hideout was revealed by Ray Shields, 16-year-old Oregon youth, as an act of gratitude to police, he said, for the treatment he had received during the past 10 days he has been held in jail as a delinquent minor.
Tells of “Dope” Lessons”
Shields told Cox that the two men, with others whose names he did not learn, showed him how to smoke marijuana almost a year ago.   In the same “class” were three other youths under 21 years of age whose names are known by the police.
For several weeks, Shields said, they were supplied with cigarets free.   Then, when they had formed the habit they were forced to purchase the narcotic from Alfred and Squires.   If they did not have the money, they were denied the weed, and many times, Shields said, they sold articles of clothing to obtain the necessary price.
When Cox and Thomas broke into the cabin last night, the men who were said by the officers to have been drinking, denied selling marijuana and attempted to throw the detectives out.   At that time, however, two youths aged 22 and 19 knocked at the door and asked to purchase some cigarets.   After admitting to Cox that they, too, were victims of these men, they were released.
As the youths left, Squires attempted to hit Cox over the head with a large pair of pliers.   Cox knocked him out with a blow to the jaw and handcuffed him.
Meanwhile, Thomas was battling to subdue Alfred, who threw a heavy chair through a window in an attempt to halt the detectives advance.   Alfred, after a struggle, was handcuffed to the bed.
In the city jail Squires and Alfred were identified by Shields as his “teachers.” Squires admitted being released from the Los Angeles county jail on narcotic charges last December, Cox said.
A large quantity of marijuana cached in tin cans was seized.
[s]- Mar 20, 1935 p1 - “Police Judge Holds Three Men for Superior Court”
[s]- April 20, 1935p3 - “. . . Jack Remas, an ex-convict, and M. Garcia, a Lincoln rancher, who were arrested here recently in possession of marijuana, also were held to answer on charges of violating the state poison act.

[s]- May 13, 1935p20 - “Head of Narcotic Gang Is Sentenced to Folsom”
“Eddie Squires, 40, who is accused of heading a narcotic gang that instructed Sacramento youths in the use of marijuana, to-day was sentenced to Folsom Prison after he pleaded guilty before Superior Judge Martin I. Welsh to a charge of violating the state poison act.
D. F. Alfred, 29, who was arrested with Squires by Detective Sergeant E.J. Cox and Detective Arthur Thomas on March 20th in a shack near the city incinerator, likewise pleaded guilty but applied for probation.   The application will be acted upon May 23rd. Squires was sentenced after Judge Welsh was informed the defendant previously served two prison terms for grand larceny and one term for violation the federal narcotic law.   Alfred has no felony record.

Skull MORE ABOUT THE
SACRAMENTO REEFER BOY
Skull

Our thanks to the Sacramento Library system for their assistance.
[Key-finder - Case#CA32]



MARIHUANA ASSAULT
TWO SMOKERS GO AFTER EACH OTHER

Name: - Ted Albright - Location: - Woodland California - Date: - April, 1939

What the Narc’s were claiming
1939 - M 39 Assaulted and shot another man in controversy while both smoking marihuana.   - Convicted ---Article by James C. Munch; "UN Bulletin on Narcotics"-1966 Issue 2

1939 - M - 39 - Assaulted and shot another man in controversy while both smoking marihuana.   - Convicted ---6th conference report - INEOA 1965

In April, 1939, the Division of Narcotic Enforcement was asked to investigate a situation at Woodland, California.   Three young men had been arrested for extortion, grand theft and robbery.   One of the defendants in the case informed us that they had conspired to high-jack a cache of Marihuana on a certain ranch located in Yolo county.   Inspectors of the Division visited this ranch, early in the morning, and there arrested two Mexicans (Lee Garcia and Jose Guiterez), who had marihuana cigarettes in their possession.   The three young men were sentenced to San Quentin Prison.   – all of whom had admitted that they had smoked Marihuana cigarettes.   In this investigation it was uncovered that in 1937 a young man, 29 years of age, had shot another man in a controversy over Marihuana.   The assailant escaped at the time, but was later apprehended at Fresno by State authorities and returned to Woodland, where he was convicted and sentenced.   --- MARIHUANA - State of Calif. Dept. of Penology, Narcotic Enforcement (excerpt from report for the year 1939)

NEWSPAPER ACCOUNTS:
(none)

SAN QUENTIN, PRISON RECORES
Ted Albright - San Quentin Prison ID 22431


Skull See Ted Albright's
PRISON RECORDS
Skull
[Key-finder - Case#CA31B]


THE YOLO COUNTY
MARIHUANA RANCH

Name: - Leo Garcia - Location: - Yolo County, Ca. - Date: - April 1939

What the Narc’s were claiming
In April, 1939, the Division of Narcotic Enforcement was asked to investigate a situation at Woodland, California.   Three young men had been arrested for extortion, grand theft and robbery.   One of the defendants in the case informed us that they had conspired to high-jack a cache of Marihuana on a certain ranch located in Yolo county.   Inspectors of the Division visited this ranch, early in the morning, and there arrested two Mexicans (Lee Garcia and Jose Guiterez), who had marihuana cigarettes in their possession.   The three young men were sentenced to San Quentin Prison.   – All of whom had admitted that they had smoked Marihuana cigarettes.   In this investigation it was uncovered that in 1937 a young man, 29 years of age, had shot another man in a controversy over Marihuana.   The assailant escaped at the time, but was later apprehended at Fresno by State authorities and returned to Woodland, where he was convicted and sentenced.   --- MARIHUANA - State of Calif. Dept. of Penology, Narcotic Enforcement (excerpt from report for the year 1939)

[ SEE California's FABRICATED Gore File Cases ]
[Key-finder - Case#CA35]


EVIL MARIHUANA
POSSESSION

Name: - Tony Alvarez - Location: - Sacramento, Ca. - Date: - Sept 14, 1939

What the Narc’s were claiming
Police in Sacramento, Calif., arrested Tony Alvarez and confiscated 175 cannabis cigarettes and a supply of the plant in bulk form sufficient to produce 5,000 additional cigarettes.

Sacramento On September 16, 1935, Sacramento police broke into a room at 1207 ½ Third Street and discovered a quantity of dried marihuana that would make 5,000 cigarettes.   Tony Alvarez, 35, who had been pointed out to the police as a car looter, was arrested on a charge of possession of marihuana weed which was found spread out under a bed and drying on a window sill.   In addition, 125 manufactured cigarettes were seized.   -- ILLICIT TRAFFIC IN MARIHUANA - aka Gore File)

NEWSPAPER ACCOUNTS:
(none)
NOTE:   The Sept 15, 1935 issue of the Sacramento Bee is missing from micro-film for that date and we have NOT been able to located any physical newspaper articles.   However, we have been able to locate Mr. Alvarez’s San Quentin prison records, including: Mug shot, Index and entry cards.


Skull SEE TONY'S
PRISON RECORDS
Skull
[Key-finder - Case#CA30]


KIDNAPPING
IT HAPPENED IN YOLO COUNTY

Name: - Gerald K. Diffenbacher / Johnnie Rodriquez / Richard Garcia/ Ted Albright
Location: - Yolo County, Ca. Date: - April 1939

What the Narc’s were claiming
In April 1939, the Division of Narcotic Enforcement was asked to investigate a situation at Woodland, California.   Three young men had been arrested for extortion, grand theft and robbery.   One of the defendants in the case informed us that they had conspired to high-jack a cache of Marihuana on a certain ranch located in Yolo county.   Inspectors of the Division visited this ranch, early in the morning, and there arrested two Mexicans (Lee Garcia and Jose Guiterez), who had marihuana cigarettes in their possession.   The three young men were sentenced to San Quentin Prison.   – all of whom had admitted that they had smoked Marihuana cigarettes.   In this investigation it was uncovered that in 1937 a young man, 29 years of age, had shot another man in a controversy over Marihuana.   The assailant escaped at the time, but was later apprehended at Fresno by State authorities and returned to Woodland, where he was convicted and sentenced.   -- MARIHUANA - State of Calif. Dept. of Penology, Narcotic Enforcement (excerpt from report for the year 1939)

NEWSPAPER ACCOUNTS:
THE TIMES (San Mateo, California)
[S] - May 6, 1939 p3 - “Youth Claims Marihuana Use at High School“

SAN QUENTIN, PRISON RECORES
Gerald K. Diffenbacher (Dieffenbacher)- San Quentin PrisonID 63703
Johnnie Rodriquez - San Quentin PrisonID 63704
Richard Garcia - San Quentin PrisonID 63697
Ted Albright - San Quentin PrisonID 22431


Skull SEE MORE ABOUT
THE YOLO KIDNAPPING
Skull

[Key-finder - Case#CA31A]


CULTIVATING NARCOTICS HABIT
IN YOUNG BOYS

Name: - Reyes Ramirez - Location: - Sacramento/Galt Ca. - Date: - August 29, 1935

What the Narc’s were claiming
California - Sacramento, Calif.: A man was arrested, charged with cultivating narcotic habits in young boys to boost the demand for his marihuana cigarettes.   His source of marihuana was found growing on railroad property near Galt, The plants were cleverly camouflaged by cornstalks.   ----Oakland Tribune (Newspaper) Oct. 11, 1936 “Don't be a MuggleHead”

CALIFORNIA -Sacramento On August 29, 1935 Reyes Ramiriz, 30 was arrested.   Charged with cultivating a narcotic habit in young boys to boost the demand for his marihuana cigarettes.   A field of growing marihuana was found on the Southern Pacific Railroad property near Galt.   The growing plants were cleverly camouflaged by corn stalks.   --- ILLICIT TRAFFIC IN MARIHUANA - aka Gore File

NEWSPAPER ACCOUNTS:
Woodland Daily Democrat (Woodland, California)
[e]- Thursday, August 29, 1935 - Pg 5 - “Sacramento Opens Drive on Marijuana Traffic” SACRAMENTO--City, county and state narcotic officers struck two stinging blows at Sacramento’s marijuana traffic.
Charged with cultivating a narcotic habit in young boys to boost the demand for his marijuana cigarets, Reyes Ramirez, 30, was seized by Sergeant E.J. Cox and Detective Arthur Thomas.
Meanwhile, sheriff’s deputies uncovered a field of marijuana growing on Southern Pacific property near Galt.   The plants valued at several hundred dollars, were cleverly camouflaged by corn stalks.


Skull REYES RAMIREZ'S
PRISON RECORDS
Skull

[Key-finder - Case#CA27]


THREW A GLASS IN A BAR
(yeah, we don't get it either)

Name: - Buford McFatridge - Location: - Treasure Island, Ca. - Date: - Oct 1939

What the Narc’s were claiming
1939 - M Threw glass at bartender while smoking marihuana just bought from peddler.   Arrested   -- Article by James C. Munch; "UN Bulletin on Narcotics"-1966 Issue 2

1939 - M - Threw glass at bartender while smoking marihuana just bought from a peddler.   - Arrested   -- 6th conference report - INEOA 1965

During the month of October, 1939, at Treasure Island, (site of the golden Gate International Exposition) a young man twenty-three years of age, stepped into a tavern and, in the presence of an Inspector of the San Francisco Police Department, who was close at hand, picked up a water glass and threw it at a bartender, - cutting him over the eye.   This man was identified by his fingerprints and found to have been twice arrested for peddling Marihuana cigarettes, and on a previous occasion, in Los Angeles, had fired shots at a passing autoist who had spattered mud on his automobile.   He was apprehended at that time by State Highway Patrol officers and was seen throwing two guns over the side of his automobile as he was forced to the curb.   At the time of this assault at Treasure Island, he was out on bail on a charge of selling Marihuana cigarettes.   He was sentenced on the Marihuana charge pending against him, and was sent to San Quentin prison for the term prescribed by law.   --- MARIHUANA - State of Calif. Dept. of Penology, Narcotic Enforcement (excerpt from report for the year 1939)

NEWSPAPER ACCOUNTS:
none

SAN QUENTIN PRISON RECORDS:
Buford McFatridge -- aliases Buford Leonard
San Quentin Prison ID = 64240


Skull BUFORD McFATRIDGE'S
PRISON RECORDS
Skull

[Key-finder - Case#CA33]


CHILD RAPIST
Name: - Townsend Davis - Location: - Pasadena, Ca. - Date: - Feb 23, 1939

What the Narc’s were claiming
1939 California - Male 20 Raped 7-year old girl Life, San Quentin, no parole.   -- Article by James C. Munch; "UN Bulletin on Narcotics"-1966 Issue 2

1939 - California - M - 20 - Raped 7-yr. girl.   - Life, San Quentin, no parole.   -- 6th conference report - INEOA 1965

NEWSPAPER ACCOUNTS:
SANTA CRUZ EVENING NEWS:
    [Wanted]- February 23, 1939 pg4 - “Reunited After Kidnapping Scare”
    [Wanted]- May 5, 1939 - Page 16
SAMTA CRUZ SENTINEL:
    Wanted]- May 5, 1939 pg16 - Player Guilty, Jury Decides - Child Stealing, Morals Count Against Pasadena Man
BAKERSFIELD CALIFORNIAN:
    [S]- 1939-02-20p8 - “Bakersfield Organist Hunted in Kidnapping of Child, Age8”
    [Wanted]- February 28, 1939 - P1
    [Wanted]- April 28, 1939 - Page 6
    [Wanted]- April 13, 1939 - Page 27
    [S]- 1939-03-02p1- “Father Attacks Kern Organist”
OAKLAND TRIBUNE
    [S]- 1939-02-21p1 - “Kidnap Suspect, Child found”
BERKELEY DAILY GAZETTE
    [S]- 1939-02-20p1- “Organist Sought As Kidnapper of Lost Schoolgirl”
    [S]- 1939-02-21p1- “Police End flight of Organist Schoolgirl”
ARCADIA TRIBUNE
    [S]- 1939-02-20p1- “Pasadena Kidnap Hunt Swings to Border”
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY SUN:
    [Wanted]- May 5, 1939 - Page 2
    [Wanted]- March 3, 1939 - Page 2
    [Wanted]- March 28, 1939 - Page 2
    [Wanted]- February 21, 1939 - Page 2
THE TIMES: (San Mateo, California)
    [Wanted]- February 20, 1939 - Page 1
    [Wanted]- May 23, 1939 - Page 11
SANTA ANA REGISTER:
    [Wanted]- February 20, 1939 - Page 1
UKIAH DISPATCH DEMOCRAT:
    [Wanted]- May 26, 1939 - Page 5


Skull MORE ABOUT
TOWNSEND DAVIS
Skull

[Key-finder - Case#CA25]


TWO ITINERANT NEGROES
Name: - Sam Sheppard - Location: - Los Angeles - Date: - June 1939

What the Narc’s were claiming
1939 - In the city of Los Angeles, during 1939, two itinerant negroes were arrested as they called for a package containing Marihuana, which had been shipped into the State by express.   They admitted they had traveled as itinerants to Kansas City, Missouri: there cut and processed the Marihuana and shipped it to Los Angeles, where they expected to receive it and sell it.   -- Calif --Dept. Penology, Report for the year 1939

NEWSPAPER ACCOUNTS:
LOS ANGELES TIMES:
[s]- 1939-06-22p11 - "Suspect Indicted on Marihuana Charge"


Skull MORE ABOUT THE
SAM SHEPPARD
Skull



THE HALF MOON BAY
MARIHUANA FARM

Name: - Tony Gamazza - Location: - Half Moon Bay, Ca. - Date: - Sept 1939

What the Narc’s were claiming
1939 - In September, 1939, two peddlers of Marihuana were arrested in San Francisco, one of whom informed the officers that, to his knowledge, 1500 cans of Marihuana had been sold last year, by “his connection”, This peddler was followed to his source of supply, by State Narcotic Inspectors, and a man who was cultivating marihuana on his ranch at Half Moon Bay (a Mexican) was arrested.   After making a seizure of Marihuana (in cans), - a portion of which were found buried on the ranch – the inspectors uncovered patches, approximating an area of about three-quarters of an acre, where old stalks of marihuana and seeds were found in the earth, - indicating that these well concealed patches had been used to cultivate the weed.   -- Calif --Dept. Penology, Report for the year 1939

NEWSPAPER ACCOUNTS:
The Times (San Mateo)
[S]- October 4, 1939p6 - “Coast Rancher Held On Narcotic Charge”
[e]- October 11, 1939p1 “Narcotic Agents Defy Armed Coast Rancher In Marihuana search”
. . .Agents of the State Division of Narcotic Enforcement today continued their search for more hidden fields of marihuana despite threats of one rancher who yesterday drove them away at the point of a rifle.   Armed with a search warrant issued by Justice of the Peace M.J. Bettencourt, eight agents this afternoon planned to invade the half Moon Bay ranch of Fred Faustina who yesterday said he “would like to use his 30-30 gun on them.   Tony Gamazza, coast rancher who is free on $2500 bond . . . [more]
[S]- October 13, 1939 p15 - “Hunt Delayed For Marihuana”
[S]- Dec. 12, 1939 p12 - “Probation Opposed In Marihuana Case”

Skull MORE ABOUT
ANTONIO GAMAZZO
Skull

[Key-finder - Case#CA34]



D.W.B.
DRIVING WHILE BLACK

Name: - Leo True Renfro - Location: - Bakersfield Ca. - Date: - Oct 11, 1939

What the Narc’s were claiming
1939 - Bakersfield California.   – a Negro was apprehended who was driving a car through the center of traffic at more than fifty miles an hour and was finally brought to a halt by officers firing six shots into his automobile.   This man was found to be “high” on Marihuana and to have in his possession Marihuana cigarettes, - which he stated he had brought with him from St. Paul, Minnesota.   (He was convicted and sentenced to San Quentin Prison).   -- Calif ; Dept. Penology, Report for the year 1939

NEWSPAPER ACCOUNTS:
The Bakersfield Californian (Bakersfield, California)
[s]- BakersfiedCal1939-10-09p1 - “Shots Halt Suspect in Dope Case”
[e]- Oct 10, 1939 p9 - “ Dope Charge Is Faced by Suspect”
Leo True Renfro 34-year-old Negro from St. Paul, Minn., who was arrested early Sunday Morning on a charge of possession and transportation of narcotics, was to be arraigned in the sixth Township Justice Court of Judge Steward Magee late today, according to Inspector Robert Knight of the city police department.   Renfro was arrested by Officers B.M. Vanderpool,.   Vernon Furry and Clarence McGraw after an attempted escape from East Bakersfield, the police records show.
First suspected of causing a disturbance in an East Bakersfield cafe shortly before 2 a.m. Sunday, Renfro sped away from officers when they asked to see the registration on his car.   Six bullets were fired by the officers during the flight which ended at Eighteenth and Union as Renfro’s car was forced to the curb.
Nearly 60 grains of marijuana found in Renfro’s car, police records indicated.   Inspector Knight declares that his evidence indicates that Renfro may be connected with Marijuana and white slave traffic in many states of the union.   An investigation has been launched by the Federal Bureau of Investigation
Renfro has already been under surveillance of the state board, Knight states
[s]- BakersfiedCal1939-10-11p15 - “Dope Suspect is Arraigned on Charges”
[s]- BakersfiedCal1939-10-20p9 - “Leo Renfro Bound Over to Superior Court on Charge”
[s]- BakersfiedCal1939-11-09p1 - “Renfro Pleads Not Guilty to Charges”
[s]- BakersfiedCal1939-11-30p1 - “Police Brutality charges Are Dismissed”
[s]- BakersfiedCal1939-12-07p1 - “Trial of Negro Musician Gets Under Way”
[s]- BakersfiedCal1939-12-08p1 - “Mayor Witness in Leo Renfro Dope Trail”
[s]- BakersfiedCal1939-12-09p1 - “Jury’s Quick Verdict Finds Renfro Guilty on dope Count”
[s]- BakersfiedCal1939-12-12p8 - “New Trials Are Sought Here in Renfro and Ratterman Cases”
[s]- BakersfiedCal1939-12-18p1 - “Prison Sentence Is Meted to Renfro”
[s]- BakersfiedCal1940-05-31p1 - “Officers Cleared in Felon’s suit on Beating”
[s]- BakersfiedCal1940-06-25p8 - “Effort to Reopen Renfro Case Fails”

Skull MORE ABOUT THE
Leo True Renfro
Skull
[Key-finder - Case#CA28]



MARIHUANA BUST
Name: - George Yokayama - Location: - Sebastopol, Ca. - Date: - Aug 18, 1939

What the Narc’s were claiming
1939 - On July 18th, 1939, Inspectors of the State Narcotic Division, arrested a Japanese (George Yokayama) in the city of Sebastopol, Sonoma County, California, - and charged him with cultivating and possessing Marihuana (about 800 pounds).   This Japanese was found guilty by a jury in the Superior Court of Sonoma County.   -- Calif ; Dept. Penology, Report for the year 1939

NEWSPAPER ACCOUNTS:
FRESNO BEE
[s]- July 19, 1939 - “Dope Charges jail 6: Big Cache of Marihuana Seized”
“San Francisco, July 19. -- (INS) -- The state narcotics division late today announced the arrest of four California doctors, one druggist and a Japanese on charges of narcotics law violations. Paul E. Maddeen, head of the narcotics division also announced the seizure of 900 pounds of marihuana on a large field near Sebastapol.   A Japanese, George Yokoyama, 41, was arrested there.   He told agents he used the drug for cooking.   Agents said the marihuana was growing eight and one half feet tall.
The doctors arrested are E.J. Finnerty of Sonoma, R.P. Woodruff of Cotati, R.E. Hamlin of Santa Rosa, and J.B. Blackshaw of Sebastabol.   They were charged with three counts of law violation, including the sale of large quantity morphine to Mrs. Helen Ralson of Sebastopol. Agents also arrested Bertel C. Gribery, druggist of Sonoma, on charges that his morphine stock was 300 tablets short.   Agents said the four doctors and the druggist all pleaded guilty to the charges today in a hearing at Sonoma County. Muddend said the marihuana crop was the second largest seizure of the drug in California within his knowledge.“
[Key-finder - Case #CA01]



BEVERAGE SHOP MURDER:
Name: Paul Vasquez (17) / Martin Hecht (15) - Location: San Jose Ca. - Date: July 11, 1967
VASQUEZ

What the Narc’s were claiming
San Jose, Calif., 1967---During an armed robbery two teenagers, ages 15 and 17, shot and killed the owner of a beverage shop.   After they were arrested, the two juveniles admitted they used marihuana before committing the robbery. -- Congressional Record -- April 4, 1968

San Jose, Calif.----During an armed robbery two teenagers, aged 15 and 17, shot the owner of a beverage shop to death.   After they were arrested, the two juveniles admitted they had used marihuana before committing the robbery.   -- FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Nov 1968

NEWSPAPER ACCOUNTS:
San Jose Mercury News:
[S-July 11, 1967 pg 1] “Owner Shot to Death”
[S-July 11, 1967 pg 1] “Mystery Slaying In Liquor Store”
[S-July 12, 1967 pg 1] “2 Boys Held In Murder”
[S-July 12, 1937 pg 4] “Customers Served As Store Owner Waited Murder”   By Gil Bailey (Mercury Staff Writer)     Franklin Heimgartner, 49, Cambrian Park Liquor store owner was led to his death while two unsuspecting liquor store patrons were served by one of his murderers.   Two San Jose youths, Raul Raymond Vasquez, 17, and Martin David Hecht, 15, will appear today before Juvenile . . . They added they were served at Garten Beverages, 4850 Union Ave., by a youth answering the description of Vasquez. . . .


MUSEUM COMMENT:
We were not able to locate any mentions of Marihuana related to this case.

[Key-finder - Case#CA11]



PORTERVILLE'S
MARIHUANA FARM

Name: - Cricencio Jiminez - Location: - Porterville Ca. Date: - August 2, 1935

What the Narc’s were claiming
CALIFORNIA -Porterville On August 2, 1935, Cricencio Jiminez, 43, was arrested on a charge of possession of marihuana following a raid on his ranch on the Toule River.   Officers in the raiding party reported that they destroyed 75 full-grown marihuana plants on the ranch.   The marihuana patch was enclosed with a high woven wire fence.   -- ILLICIT TRAFFIC IN MARIHUANA - aka Gore File

NEWSPAPER ACCOUNTS:
LA TIMES
[s]- Aug 2, 1935p4 - “Bonfire Follows Marihuana Plant Raid”


MUSEUM COMMENTS:
This appears to be a simple Marihuana bust that just made itself into the gore file.

[Key-finder - Case #CA03]


BURGLARIES
A ROYAL LOOSER

Name: - Philip Sorahan - Location: - San Jose Ca. Date: - Dec. 15, 1933+

What the Narc’s were claiming
NOT A FEDERAL REEFER MADNESS CASE
From Sacramento, California, comes the story of a 20-year-old-girl mother who sobbed out to police a tragic story of how her husband, crazed with narcotics, forced her to help him in a career of crime.   The girl, a former nurse, is Mrs. Ruth Sorahan, an attractive wisp of a blonde, who was arrested as she stepped from a train in Sacramento last month.   Her husband is Philip Sorahan under arrest in San Jose for a series of burglaries which, according to Mrs. Sorahan, encompassed the entire San Francisco Bay region.   The girl sobbed: "Philip was a good husband until he started to use marihuana.   We were happily married, and both looked forward eagerly to the birth of our first child.   -- "Then some one got him smoking marihuana.   Over night he changed.   From then on he seemed like a stranger.   He lost his job, and when our savings ran out, he started to steal to get more money to buy the dope." -- Her story, punctuated by wracking sobs, told how Philip was alternately hysterically gay and inhumanly cruel.   She continued: "He would beat me until I fainted from pain.   He threatened to kill me if I didn't help him dispose of the things he stole.   In fear of my life, I would take them to a pawn shop.   Philip would go into insane rages when I failed to get what he thought was a good price for the things."   --- SAN FRANCISCO POLICE AND PEACE OFFICER’ JOURNAL (of the State of California) - May 1934 pg. 29 - MARIHUANA AND CRIME

NEWSPAPER ACCOUNTS:
Oakland Tribune
[** Dec. 15, 1933] "Addict Burglar's Wife, Aid, Set Free
[** Jan. 13, 1934] "Brothers Sentenced On Burglary Charge"
[** Mar. 15, 1938] "Suspect Is Arrested for Burglary"
[** Mar. 18, 1938] Napa Suspect Faces More Crime Probes"
[** Mar. 19, 1938] "Felon Escapes From Napa Jail"
[** Mar. 22, 1938] "Napa jail Escape Caught"
[** Mar. 29, 1938] "Burglar Suspect To Face Sentence”
[** Apr. 1, 1938] "Jail breaker Given Life"
[** Mar. 21, 1938 - "Jail Escape Spurs Drive For Building"

Skull SEE HIS
PRISON RECORDS
Skull

MUSEUM COMMENT:

Not much is known about this guy, but boy was he a total looser!
[Key-finder - Case#CA17]



CHILD KILLER / CHILD RAPIST
Name: - Paul Gutierrez - Location: - Fresno Ca. Date: - Nov 1950
PAUL GUTIERREZ
Execution (State of California) Blotter
NAME PAUL GUTIERREZ
AGE 26
RACE HISPANIC
SEX MALE
OCCUPATION RANCH HAND
CRIME MURDER-RAPE
METHOD ASPHYXIATION-GAS
DATE Dec 01 1950
COUNTY FRESNO

What the Narc’s were claiming
1950 Fresno, California - 25-year old Paul Gutierrez, Took 17-mo. old J. Yanez from auto, spanked her for crying, shoved her face into mud 200 feet from car, suffocated.   Didn't know what happened until blood spots found on shoes and clothes next morning.   Blamed marihuana and whisky.   His counsel stated: "The real criminal in this case is marihuana." -- Article by James C. Munch; "UN Bulletin on Narcotics"-1966 Issue 2

1950 - P. Gutierrez, - M - 26 - Fresno, Calif. - Took 17-mo. J. Yanez from auto, spanked her for crying, shoved her face into mud 200 ft. from car; suffocated.   Didn't know what happened until blood spots found on shoes and clothes next morning.   Blamed marihuana and whiskey.   His counsel stated: "The real criminal in this case is marihuana." - Killed in gas chamber -- 6th conference report - INEOA 1965

1967 -Took 17-month-old infant from auto, spanked her for crying, suffocated her by burying face in mud; while under influence of marijuana.   Didn't know about it until next morning.   --- The Truth about Marijuana - STEPPING STONE to DESTRUCTION June 1967

On a Saturday evening in November, 1945, a pretty seventeen-month-old baby girl was left in the family car while her parents went in search of a relative.   When they returned to the car less than ten minutes later, the baby had disappeared.   The next afternoon, scarcely 200 yards away, the body was found in the furrow of a cotton field.   The baby was naked except for one small white shoe and a red-knitted bonnet.   She had been violated.   Teeth marks covered her body.   Her tiny contorted face had been shoved into the mud and particles of dirt in her lungs showed that she had been alive at the time and suffocated later.   Police arrested a twenty-five-year-old cotton picker, Paul G., who readily admitted kidnapping the child and "spanking her a little bit." G. stated that on the Saturday evening in question he had been drinking when a friend offered him a reefer which he accepted and smoked.   Further intoxicants followed.   Then G. went to a dance hall, from which he departed because no one would dance with him in his condition.   As he left, he heard the child crying in a car.   Annoyed, he picked up the infant and spanked her, but remembers nothing further except he "guesses he just went crazy."  His next recollection was when he came to in his cabin the following morning with mud and blood on his clothes.   For what the district attorney described as "the most horrible, the most brutal crime in the history of the area," Paul G. was sentenced to death.   The final words of his counsel are well worth remembering: "The real criminal in this case is marihuana!” -- Narcotics and Narcotics Addiction by D.C. Parks 1969

Paul Gutierrez, 25 years of age, a cotton picker, held in the Fresno, Cal., county jail admitted having attacked a 17-month-old Huron, Cal., baby girl, Josephine Yanez.   The little child was kidnapped from her parents' parked car, was criminally attacked and brutally killed, in what the police agreed was the most vicious murder in Fresno county history.   The little one's battered body was found in a muddy field.   Gutierrez, when arrested, admitted that he had "spanked" the child, but said he could remember nothing more than that, because his mind had blanked out after smoking a marihuana cigarette.   No one is immune from attack when a brain is inflamed and stepped up on reefers.   -- “Assassin of Youth” (Book) 1954 By Robert Devine

On a Saturday evening in November, 1945, a pretty seventeen month-old baby girl was left in the family car while her parents went in search of a relative.   When they returned to the car less than ten minutes later, the baby had disappeared.   The next afternoon, scarcely 200 yards away, the body was found in the furrow of a cotton field.   The baby was naked except for one small white shoe and a red-knitted bonnet.   She had been violated.   Teeth marks covered her body.   Her tiny contorted face had been shoved into the mud and particles of dirt in her lungs showed that she had been alive at the time and suffocated later.   -- Police arrested a twenty-five-year-old cotton picker, Paul G., who readily admitted kidnapping the child and "spanking her a little bit." G. stated that on the Saturday evening in question he had been drinking when a friend offered him a reefer which he accepted and smoked.   Further intoxicants followed.   Then G. went to a dance hall, from which he departed because no one would dance with him in his condition.   As he left, he heard the child crying in a car.   Annoyed, he picked up the infant and spanked her, but remembers nothing further except he "guesses he just went crazy." His next recollection was when he came to in his cabin the following morning with mud and blood on his clothes.   -- For what the district attorney described as "the most horrible, the most brutal crime in the history of the area," Paul G. was sentenced to death.   The final words of his counsel are well worth remembering: The real criminal in this case is marihuana !" The Traffic In Narcotics By H.J. Anslinger and William F. Tompkins 1953

Paul Gutierrez, 25 years of age, a cotton picker, held in the Fresno, Cal., county jail admitted having attacked a 17-month-old Huron, Cal., baby girl, Josephine Yanez.   The little child was kidnapped from her parents' parked car, was criminally attacked and brutally killed, in what the police agreed was the most vicious murder in Fresno county history.   The little one's battered body was found in a muddy field.   Gutierrez, when arrested, admitted that he had "spanked" the child, but said he could remember nothing more than that, because his mind had blanked out after smoking a marihuana cigarette.   No one is immune from attack when a brain is inflamed and stepped up on reefers. " ---"The Assassin of Youth" -- The Moloch of Marihuana (1945) By Robert James Devine

NEWSPAPER ACCOUNTS:
San Francisco Chronicle
[e Nov 22, 1949 pg. 1] "Kidnap Confessed - Fresno Baby Rape Suspect Talks"
[e Nov 23, 1949 pg. 1] "Murder Charge Filed in Rape-Slaying of Baby Girl"
[e Nov 24, 1949 pg. 13] "Raped Child Buried"
[e Nov 26, 1949 pg. 2] "Child-Slaying Suspect's Hearing Set"
[e Nov 27, 1949 pg. TW3] "California, "I Don't Know Why"
[e Nov 30, 1949 pg. 11] "Gutierrez Is Charged With Rape-Murder"
[e Dec. 15, 1949 pg. 16] "Gutierrez Pleads Innocent In Baby Killing, Waives Jury"
[e Dec. 21, 1949 pg. 2] "Baby Rape Trial Opens In Fresno"
[e Dec. 22, 1949 pg. 24] "Baby Rapist to Die"
[e Dec. 24, 1949 pg. 17] "I Did It,' Cries Fresno Rape Slayer"
[e Dec. 28, 1949 pg. 3] "Gutierrez to Die for Baby Rape-Murder"

SAN JOSE MERCURY:
[-- Nov. 22, 1949 pg. 1 "Man Charged With Murder of Yanez Baby - Cotton Picker, 25, Booked for Killing, Ravishing Infant
[**]- Nov. 23, 1949 – pg. 1 - "Suspect in Murder of Infant Faces Court; Preliminary Set"

SAN FRANCISCO CALL BULLETIN
[**]- Nov. 22, 1949 pp 1 - Guard Girl Slaying Suspect In Fresno
[**]- Nov. 23, 1947 pp 3 - Suspect Resigned To Fate in Girl Slaying"
[**]- Nov. 24, 1949 pp 7 "Reveal Slaying Suspect is Dad"
[**]- Nov. 29, 1947 pp 6 - Gutierrez In Court Today

SAN FRANCISCO EXAMINER:
[**]- Nov 22, 1949 pp 1 - Youth Admits Fatal Kidnap of Fresno Tot
[e]- Nov 23, 1949 pp 7 - Fresno Baby Murder Suspect Faces Court
[e]- Nov 24, 1949 pp 23 - Second Charge Against Killer of Fresno Baby
[e]- Nov 26, 1949 pp 6 - Teeth Tests In Slaying
[**]- Nov 27, 1949 pp 10 - Five Jailed in Oakland marijuana Ring Raid.
[e]- Dec. 22, 1949 pp 5 - Cotton Picker Guilty of Slaying Infant Girl
[See Reefer Madness Newspaper Index pamphlet for more references]

[Key-finder - Case#CA04]



OAKLAND'S
MAD DOG RAPIST

Name: - John Picadura - Location: - Oakland, Ca. - Date: - March 25, 1940

What the Narc’s were claiming
1940 - M 33 Forced his landlady, Mrs. M. Delisle to smoke marihuana, and frequently raped her.   Arrested -- Article by James C. Munch; "UN Bulletin on Narcotics"-1966 Issue 2

1940 - J. Piadura - M - 33 - Forced his landlady, Mrs. M. de Lisle, to smoke marihuana and raped her frequently.   - Arrested -- 6th conference report - INEOA 1965

NEWSPAPER ACCOUNTS:
Oakland Tribune
[S]- March 3, 1940 p - “Marijuana Crop Leads to Arrest” “The Window box greenery that John Picadura, 33, dreamy-eyed guitar teacher, lavished such tender care upon, got him into trouble.
[S]- Aug 16, 1940 p16D - “Jury Acquits Guitar Instructor on 2 Counts”
“A jury of six men and six women in San Francisco Superior Court today acquitted John Picadura, 33, guitar instructor, of charges of statutory assault and possession of narcotics.   The jurors debated only 20 minutes on the story of Mrs. Walter De Lisle that Picadura had seduced her after blowing marijuana smoke down her throat.


Skull MORE ABOUT THE
PAUL PICADURA CASE
Skull

MUSEUM COMMENT:
MR. PICADURA WAS EVENTUALLY EXONERATED AND FOUND NOT GUILTY BY A JURY OF HIS PEERS.

[Key-finder - Case#CA18]



AZUSA'S
MARIA-HUANA FARMERS

Name: - see below - Location: - Azusa Ca. Date: - Oct. 11, 1935
Oxnard Daily Courier 1935-10-15p1

What the Narc’s were claiming
The state narcotic agents of California raided a ranch growth of Marihuana near Azusa, and found that the amount seized was enough to make some $25,000 worth of cigarettes.   -- Finger Print & Identification Magazine March 1938 pp3

Oct. 11, 1935, State narcotic officers discovered one-half acre of cannabis (growing in a field near Azusa, Calif.   A number of the plants had already been harvested.   These weighed approximately 300 pounds.   There were still about 309 flowering cannabis plants under cultivation.   These, when uprooted, weighed approximately 150 pounds.   The owners of the field, Pedro Lugo, Jesus Roigos, Antonio Figuerga, Frank Vasquez, Roque Vasquez, and Mrs. Polita Vasquez, were arrested together with Donald W. Ramsey, Edward Dobrilien, and Toby Whidden.   -- The Traffic in Opium and Other Dangers Drugs (1935)

NEWSPAPER ACCOUNTS:
LOS ANGELES TIMES:
[S]- Oct 12, 1935 p 9 - “Record Narcotic Raid Made by Officers”

OXNARD DAILY COURIER:

[S]- 1935-10-15p1 - "PIX"


[See Reefer Madness Newspaper Index pamphlet for more references]
[Key-finder - Case#CA15]



YOUTH GROWING MARIHUANA
Name: - Thomas Sullivan - Location: - San Jose, Ca. - Date: - Aug 23, 1949
Thomas Sullivan
What the Narc’s were claiming
On August 23, 1949, at San Jose, Calif., a 19-year-old youth was arrested for the unlawful possession and cultivation of marihuana.   The marihuana, which was found growing in the flower garden of his residence, was admittedly for his own use.   In a statement to the arresting officers this boy stated that he had read in the public library a copy of the mayor’s report on Marihuana Problems.   Because it gave him the definite impression that marihuana was not harmful or habit forming, he decided to try smoking it.   He stated further that as far as he was concerned the mayor’s report is erroneous on practically all points.   He said he had to have marihuana now and that was why he had been growing it.   -- The Traffic in Opium and Other Dangers Drugs (1949)

PIX (left) Shows Tom and a San Jose Narc pulling up an Industrial Hemp Plant.

NEWSPAPER ACCOUNTS:
SAN JOSE MERCURY:
[e Aug. 24, 1949] "Officers Find Marijuana Garden Here” –- “Youth in Marijuana Patch Blames Fiorello”
[e Aug. 25, 1949] “Accused Marijuana Grower to Answer in Superior Court”

MUSEUM COMMENT:
NOTE; this became a national case with Anslinger putting the blame on those trying to reform the anti medical marihuana laws.
[Key-finder - Case#CA16]



CHILD KILLER / CHILD MOLESTER
Name: - Albert Dyer (Eddie the sailor) Location: - Inglewood Ca. Date: - June 1937
Albert Dyer
What the Narc’s were claiming

In Inglewood, California, a crazed sailor attacked three girls, each under twelve years of age.   -- True Story (Magazine) Dec. 1948

Some of the brutal and unspeakable sex crimes of recent years have had their cause in marihuana.   In Inglewood, California, recently, three little girls, all under twelve years of age, were fiendishly attacked and killed by an ex-sailor - a marihuana fiend.   The horrible, sadistic attacks upon girls, even upon children, are sometimes inspired by this drug.   -- On the Trail of Marihuana the Weed of Madness (1939) By Earle Rowell

Execution (State of California) Blotter
NAME DYER, ALBERT
AGE 33
RACE WHITE
SEX MALE
OCCUPATION SCHOOL GUARD
CRIME MURDER-RAPE
METHOD HANGING
DATE SEP 16, 1938
COUNTY LOS ANGELES


NEWSPAPER ACCOUNTS
EDWARDSVILLE INTELLIGENCER
    [S-July 1, 1937 pg. 2] “Continue Hunt For Slayer of Girls”
CHRONICLE TELEGRAM
    [S-June 29, 1937 pg. 1] “Three Little Girls are Found Slain”
HARMON TIMES
    [S-July 2, 1937 pg. 4] “Civilians and Police hunt Girls’ Slayer”
    [S-Aug. 14, 1937 pg. 2] “Child Witness Traps Slayer of Three Girls”
NEVADA STATE JOURNAL
    [S-July 5, 1937 pg. 1] “Stranger Jailed for slaying of California”
RENO EVENING GAZETTE
    [S-June 28, 1937 pg. 1] “Children Missing From Home and Foul Play is Feared”
DEL RIO, Tx.
    [S]- July 5, 1937 pp1 - “WPA Worker Confesses Slayings”
    [S]- July 9, 1937 pp1 - “Killed girls, then prayed” Gore File Case Pix of Albert Dyer


Skull MORE ABOUT
ALBERT DYER
Skull

[Key-finder - Case#CA19]


SEX FIEND / SERIAL RAPIST
Name: - John Navarro Location: - San Leandro Ca. Date: - Oct 1939
John Navaro
What the Narc’s were claiming
1939 San Leandro, California -- Male 20 Arrested after raping 5 women while under influence --- Article by James C. Munch; "UN Bulletin on Narcotics"-1966 Issue 2  

1939 - J. Navarro, - San Leandro, Cal. - M - 20 - Arrested after raping 5 women, while under influence.   - Arrested   --- 6th conference report - INEOA 1965

On the night of October 24th, 1939, a young man twenty years of age was arrested in Alameda County, by a State Highway Patrol Officer.   The suspicions of the Highway Patrol Officer were aroused when the defendant was observed following a bus, in which rode an unescorted woman.   (During the six months immediately preceding the arrest, seven women had been attacked and badly beaten, after leaving buses out-bound from Oakland.) The young man confessed to rape, assault to commit rape, and robbery.   One woman was fifty-five years of age and found wandering, badly beaten and in a semi-conscious condition, on the highway, eighteen hours after she had been attacked.   The arresting officers said “While he held these women prisoner, every law of God, man and decency had been violated.   He confessed to the arresting officers that he was a smoker of Marihuana, - and, on November 28th, 1939, he was sentenced to San Quentin Prison, to serve a series of life sentences, - with no possibility of parole.   --- MARIHUANA - State of Calif.   Dept. of Penology, Narcotic Enforcement (excerpt from report for the year 1939)

NEWSPAPER ACCOUNTS:
SAN LEANDRO REPORTER
[e Oct. 27, 1939 pg. 1] "S.L. Youth Admits Attacking Women"
[e Nov. 3, 1939 pg. 1] "Grand Jury Hears Attack Victims Of San Leandro Cannery Worker"
[e Dec. 1, 1939 pg. 1] "Navarro Sentenced to Life Imprisonment"

OAKLAND TRIBUNE
[** Oct. 25, 1939 pp 1] Bay Youth Admits Attacking Women"
[** Nov. 28, 1939 pp 1] "Attacker of women gets life term


Skull SEE HIS
PRISON RECORDS
Skull

[Key-finder - Case#CA20]



CASTRATION
WOMAN STABBED TO DEATH

Name: - Alvin Arnesen/Georgia Castenada (Victim) Location: - Los Angeles Ca. Date: - Nov. 27, 1944

What the Narc’s were claiming
1944 - M 39 Murdered Ga. Castenada, 29; mutilated her hips and head with razor blades, then castrated self; had been smoking marihuana for an hour before attack.   --- Article by James C. Munch; "UN Bulletin on Narcotics"-1966 Issue 2

1944 - A. Arnesen - M - 39 - Murdered Ga. Castenada, 29; mutilated her hips and head with razor blades, then castrated self; had been smoking marihuana for an hour before attack.   - Arrested, hospital, jail.   --- 6th conference report - INEOA 1965

NEWSPAPER ACCOUNTS:
Reno Evening Gazette
[S-Nov 27, 1944 pg. 2] “Man Confesses Slaying Woman”

CURRENT DETECTIVE MAGAZINE
[Winter 1945 pg. 12 ] “Torture Death of the Reefer Queen”


Skull READ THE ARTICLE
CURRENT DETECTIVE
Skull

[Key-finder - Case#CA21]



GIRL EXPOSES MARIHUANA DOPE RACKET
Name: - - Location: - San Francisco Ca. - Date: - Nov. 1935

What the Narc’s were claiming
CALIFORNIA - San Francisco On November 17, 1935, James Stevens, 23, was arrested/held on charges of possession and sale of marihuana cigarettes.   Six other suspects were questioned in reference to the report that marihuana cigarettes were peddled from the sidewalks, in various hotels and beer taverns, and along Ellis and O’Farrel Streets, and in the tenderloin section.   --- ILLICIT TRAFFIC IN MARIHUANA - aka Gore File

There were revelations in San Francisco that an owner of a taxicab service was delivering marihuana to hotel parties.   The weed was purchased by a young girl on the streets from peddlers who worked the sidewalks, hotels and beer taverns.   --- MARIHUANA; The New Dangerous Drug (pamphlet) by Frederick T. Merrill 1950 version

NEWSPAPER ACCOUNTS:
SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE
[e]- Nov. 18, 1935 – pg.1] “Police Close in on Dope Traffic Here” (Girl’s story reveals big marijuana trade among children of city)
[e]- Nov. 19, 1935 pg.1] “Girl Guarded after threat by Dope Ring” (Police, protecting S.F. Informer, push drive on Marijuana Gang)
[e]- Nov. 20, 1935 pg.1] “Mother, girl dope victim are reunited”


Skull MORE ABOUT
THE CASE
Skull

[Key-finder - Case#CA14]


WIFE BEATER
MARIHUANA TO BLAME

Name: - George Derrigan - Location: - San Francisco Ca. - Date: - Nov 17, 1934

What the Narc’s were claiming
September 1934 -- George Derrigan, 25, beat his wife at 834 Jones Street, San Francisco.   Neighbors called the police.   Inspectors Frank Ahem and Barney Reznik found Derrigan "hopped up" with marihuana.   --1990- The PROTECTORS (Book) By John C. McWilliams

NEWSPAPER ACCOUNTS:
Oakland Tribune
[S]- Nov 17, 1934 p B3 - “S.F. Police Jail 4 In Marihuana Raid”

[Key-finder - Case#CA06]



THE MODESTO
MARIHUANA RAPIST

Name: - Otis Martin Fisk - Location: - Modesto, Ca. - Date: - Aug 10, 1939
Otis Martin Fisk
What the Narc’s were claiming
1939 Modesta, California - Assaulted a housewife. Sentenced, 50 years -- Article by James C. Munch; "UN Bulletin on Narcotics"-1966 Issue 2

1939 - Modesta, Calif. - M - Assaulted a housewife.   Sentence 50 years -- 6th conference report - INEOA 1965

On August 9th, 1939, one of the inspectors of the Division of Narcotic Enforcement was sent to San Quentin Prison to interrogate a young man of twenty-one years of age, who had been committed there for a term of fifty years for criminal assault upon a young housewife at Modesto, California.   He readily admitted that just previous to this assault he had smoked two marihuana cigarettes and could give no other explanation for his dastardly deed than that he did not know what he was doing, because of the influence of this drug.   --- MARIHUANA - State of Calif. Dept. of Penology, Narcotic Enforcement (excerpt from report for the year 1939)

[ SEE California's FABRICATED Gore File Cases ]

[Key-finder - Case#CA07]



ROBBERY
Name: - Frank Schoengarth - Location: - Los Angeles, Ca. - Date: - Feb. 1953

What the Narc’s were claiming
1953 Los Angeles, California - Male 18 Armed robbery M. Friedman, gun not loaded as afraid might hurt somebody; previous record stole money to buy heroin; had started smoking marihuana in Hollywood high school; 3 years reformatory; got worse.   -- Article by James C. Munch; "UN Bulletin on Narcotics"-1966 Issue 2

1953 - B. Garth, - 18 - Los Angeles - M - Armed robbery M. Friedman, gun not loaded as afraid might hurt somebody; previous record stole money to buy heroin; had started smoking marihuana in Hollywood High School; 3 years reformatory; got worse.   - Arrested - 6th conference report - INEOA 1965

NEWSPAPER ACCOUNTS:
Los Angeles Times
[Feb 27, 1953 pp 17] “Father Asks Roll to Help Youth in dope’s toils”
[Jan 16, 1953 pp1] “Father Turns in son, 18, as Bandit”
[Jan 17, 1953 pp A6] “Hearing Set for boy Turned Over to Police”

[Key-finder - Case#CA08]



SAN QUENTIN
MARIHUANA GROWN IN PRISON

Name: - Philip Torres - Location: - San Quentin (Prison) Ca. - Date: - June 7, 1935

What the Narc’s were claiming
The New York Times and other papers announce discovery of marihuana growing in San Quentin (Calif.) Prison yard.   Some had been harvested and smoked by the convicts.   --- The Literary Digest (Magazine) Oct 24, 1936

In San Quentin, Ca. and in Colorado State Reformatory, it was found growing within the prison walls, where it was harvested and smoked by some of the inmates.   --- American Journal of the Medical Sciences - 1938 pg 351

On June 7, 1935 it was reported that Marihuana was found to be growing in the San Quentin prison yard.   From some of this cigarettes had been made and smoked by some of the prisoners.   As a result two prisoners were placed in the dungeon.   --- Finger Print & Identification Magazine March 1938 pp3

CALIFORNIA -San Quentin In July, 1935, prison authorities of San Quentin, California, learned of an effort to trade between Philip Torres, a drug addict, who attempted to sell a tobacco sack filled with prepared marihuana for smoking to another prisoner.   Torres had been employed in the prison garden and when his work was inspected, several flourishing marihuana bushes were found growing on prison grounds.   --- ILLICIT TRAFFIC IN MARIHUANA - aka Gore File

San Quentin, Calif.: Prison authorities at San Quentin Prison learned of a drug addict who attempted to sell a tobacco sack filled with prepared marihuana for smoking to another prisoner.   The addict was employed in the prison garden and when his work was inspected several flourishing marihuana plants were found growing on the prison grounds.   --- Oakland Tribune (Newspaper) Oct. 11, 1936 Don't be a MuggleHead

Convicts at Joliet, Illinois, and San Quentin, California, were discovered growing it in prison garden patches.   Cultivated plots have also been found-and destroyed-in such unexpected districts as Coney Island and the so-called "jungle" near Brooklyn bridge.   ---Physical Culture Magazine – Feb. 1937

Prisoners in San Quentin were even cultivating a secret patch inside their high walls.   --- True Story (Magazine) Dec. 1948

Hemp has been discovered concealed between rows of corn in the prison yards of San Quentin and Colorado State, in window-boxes of New York penthouses and in city lots in the Bronx.   --- The American Scholar Vol.8. No.1 1938-1939

In California the plant was actually found growing in the yard of San Quentin prison; --- The Conspiracy of Silence (Book) 1938 - by Juanita Hansen and Preston Langley Hickey

Nearly every State has enacted legislation curbing production, and enforcement agents have discovered cultivated plots growing in Maryland, in Brooklyn, N.Y., and even in the San Quentin prison lot.   --- Newsweek (Magazine) Aug 14, 1937

Mr. McCormack: As a matter of fact, I understand they found that some were grown in one of our Federal prisons.
Mr. Anslinger: They found some marihuana growing in one of the prisons.   We heard of that.   There was a seizure made in the Colorado State Reformatory for boys not long ago.
Mr. McCormack: Was there not one made at San Quentin?
Mr. Anslinger: Yes, sir. --- 1937 Congressional Testimony

NEWSPAPER ACCOUNTS:
Woodland Daily Democrat - Woodland, California
[S]- June 19, 1935 p 3 - “Dope In Prison”

Skull SEE Mr. TORRES'S
PRISON RECORDS
Skull

[Key-finder - Case#CA09]



THE EUREKA AXE MURDERER
Name: - (none) - Location: - Eureka Ca. - Date: - Pre-Nov. 1933

What the Narc’s were claiming
”It happened in California.   A man under the influence of marijuana actually decapitated his best friend.   Then, coming out from the effects of the drug, he was as horrified as anyone could be at what he had done.”   --- Heath Magazine Oct 1938

“One is Harry D. Smith, chief of the Federal narcotic division, the other William G. Walker, head of the State bureau. . . . "Here is a case of a man who actually decapitated his friend with an axe recently up in Eureka, and then, coming out of the effects of the drug [of Medical Marihuana], was as horrified as anyone else over what he had done.”   --- S.F. Examiner Nov. 7, 1933p4

”In California a young man who indulged in these convivial cigarettes went berserk, grabbed an ax, and decapitated his best friend.   ---[Book] Narcotics: America's Peril by Will Oursler (1952)

“In Eureka, California, an addict under the influence of marihuana decapitated his best friend.   Coming out of his drugged condition, he was horrified at what he had done.”   ---Inside Detective (Magazine) Nov 1937

“. . . the unfortunate boy at Eureka, Ca. who, insane from the drug, seized a butcher's cleaver and cut off the head of his best friend.   They found him---or rather he found himself--when he regained his senses, with the decapitated face staring up at him from the floor of his blood-smeared room!”   --- Real Detective (Magazine) - April 1935

California. A man while under the effects of Marihuana decapitated his best friend, then corning out of the influence of the drug was amazed and horrified to see what he had done.   --- Finger Print & Identification Magazine March 1938 pp3

“A California, frantic with the stuff, actually decapitated his best friend.” -- The EAGLE MAGAZINE Nov. 1941

“The weed acts as a powerful aphrodisiac and renders users capable of various acts of violence; a California man decapitated his best friend while under the violent spell of the smoke, . . “   --- News Week August 14, 1937

"A man under the influence of Marihuana actually decapitated his best friend; and then, coming out of the effects of the drug, was as horrified as anyone over what he had done."   --- 1940 Drug Demon

“Practically every article written on the effects of the marihuana weed will tell of deeds committed without the knowledge of the culprit, while he was under the influence of this drug.   There are many arguments for and against this statement, and many cases reported which uphold it, and still others which contradict it.   Our opinion is that both arguments for and against are correct because of the inconsistency of the action of this drug on individual victims.   The reactions resulting depend to a large extent on the innate characteristics of the individual.   The person who is so unfortunate as to come under the influence of this drug, in many cases, becomes the unwilling offender of the law because the central nervous system has become affected, as is the case with other habit-forming drugs.   As a representative case, note the tragic predicament of this Californian.   "A man under the influence of marihuana actually decapitated his best friend; and then, coming out of the effects of the drug, was as horrified as anyone over what he had done" ---[Quoting - W. G. Walker, Chief, Division of Narcotic Enforcement, San Francisco, California, July 1, 1934]   --- 1937 Congressional Testimony -- Marihuana - A More Alarming Menace To Society Than All Other Habit-Forming Drugs

The chief of the narcotic enforcement bureau in California reports: “Marihuana has a worse effect than heroin.   It gives men the lust to kill, unreasonably, without motive ---- for the shear sake of murder itself.   In Eureka, Calif., a man under the influence of marihuana actually decapitated his best friend and then coming out of the effects of the drug, was as horrified as anyone else over what he had done.”  --- Denver Post – Feb 24, 1935 Sec 3 page 2

“The Chief of the Narcotic Enforcement Bureau of California in a report to the Federal Bureau gave an interesting example of this "Marijuana", he wrote, "has a worse effect than heroin.   It gives men the lust to kill, unreasonably, without motive - for the sheer sake of murder itself.   In Eureka, California, a man under the influence of marijuana actually decapitated his best friend; and then, coming out of the effects of the drug, was as horrified as anyone else over what he had done."   ---Health Officer - Dec. 1936

[ SEE California's FABRICATED Gore File Cases ]


THE L.A. COP KILLER
Name: - (none) - Location: - Los Angeles Ca. - Date: - Pre-Nov. 1937

What the Narc’s were claiming
”A boy seventeen years of age shot and killed a policeman in Los Angeles, California.   Inasmuch as the officer had been his best friend, the boy's action was difficult to understand until it was discovered he was "high" on "reefers" when he committed the crime.”   --- “Assassin of Youth” (Book) 1954 By Robert Devine

“A boy seventeen years of age shot and killed a policeman in Los Angeles, California.   Inasmuch as the officer had been his best friend, the boy's action was difficult to understand until it was discovered that he was "high" on "reefers" when he committed the crime.”   --- Moloch Of Marihuana (1945) Robert James Devine

“I am reminded of a Los Angeles case in which a boy of seventeen killed a policeman.   They had been great friends.   Patrolling his beat, the officer often stopped to talk to the young fellow, to advise him.   But one day the boy surged toward the patrolman yellowish flame, and the officer fell dead.   “Why did you kill him?” the youth was asked.   “I don’t know,” he sobbed.   “He was good to me.   I was high on reefers.   Suddenly I decided to shoot him.”   --- American Magazine “Marijuana, Assassin of Youth” By H.J Anslinger - July 1937

[ SEE California's FABRICATED Gore File Cases ]



SkullD
CALIFORNIA'S UNSOLVED GORE FILE CASES

The following consists of Gore File Cases that so far the Museum has been unable to ID and document.   And as the reader is all too well aware, in some cases Anslinger’s Gore File cases were indeed totally fabricated.   Thus it is important to state, that (at this time) we this Museum are NOT stating that they did not occur, only that (despite a good faith effort on our part) we have not as yet been able to locate any independent references to them.

HOWEVER, it is our belief that for the most part, they actually did occur (exceptions denoted) and that sooner or later we are bound to find some newspaper clipping to that effect.   However, at the present time, we are unable to confirm their authenticity and are relying solely on what the narcotics police had to say about the matter.


CULTIVATION
California - [PRE- Nov 1933]
A big railroad official in San Francisco was astounded a short while ago when I told him he had eighty acres of Marihuana planted on his country estate in Telama (Tehama ) county.   A Mexican caretaker and confederates planted the “hempseed,” ostensible to supply food for wild ducks on the official’s hunting preserve.   “The owner himself had no inkling of the true purpose, I am certain.   It took fourteen men three days to uproot and burn the stuff, and cost the official $1,400 to get it out.
“More chance gave us the tip.   The Mexicans had boldly hoisted a white flag on the lodge, a signal that the Marihuana was ripe for harvest and sale to the weed addicts, and this caught the eye of one of my agents traveling along the river.   --- San Francisco Examiner (Newspaper) Nov 14, 1933 -- William Walker:
[ SEE California's FABRICATED Gore File Cases ]


POSSESSION
California: Los Angeles - [September 3, 1935]
Los Angeles, Calif.: A 74-year-old man was arrested for the possession of several thousand dollars worth of marihuana growing in a garden in Montebello Township.   ---Oakland Tribune (Newspaper) Oct. 11, 1936 Don't be a MuggleHead

CALIFORNIA -Los Angeles On September 3, 1935, Alvard D Martinez, 74, was arrested for the possession of several thousand dollars worth of marihuana which was confiscated in a garden in Montebello Township.   --- ILLICIT TRAFFIC IN MARIHUANA - aka Gore File


SALES
CALIFORNIA - San Francisco On January 16, 1935, Officers of the Division of Narcotic Enforcement, State of California, arrested Terry Doris on a charge of possession of Indian Hemp.   This party (person) was selling marihuana to bell boys in various hotels in the tenderloin district for resale to guests, and was also known as a "fence” and small-time gangster.   When arrested he had in his room 76 cans of marihuana, a cigarette making machine and several hundred cigarettes - ready for distribution; also three revolvers, a quantity/number of stolen watches, etc, which he stated he had received in exchange for the drug.   He was convicted and sentenced to the county jail for one year.   --- ILLICIT TRAFFIC IN MARIHUANA

Skull MORE ABOUT
TERRY DORIS
Skull


CULTIVATION
CALIFORNIA - Salinas On July 30, 1935, raids were made at 39 Riker Street and 49 Buena Vista.   Jose Guzman of the former address and A. Garei of the latter were taken into custody as the suspected growers.   The marihuana field was shielded from the public by rows of corn.


POSSESSION
CALIFORNIA - Stockton On September 13, 1935, Paul Rodriquez, Mexican laborer, was arraigned before Justice Cyril Kenyon and admitted possession of marihuana and was held in charge in the Superior Court.   --- ILLICIT TRAFFIC IN MARIHUANA - aka Gore File


POSSESSION
CALIFORNIA - Stockton On September 13, 1935, Juan Cavarera, 35, was arrested at San Joaquin and Washington Streets.   The officer reported finding 10 marihuana cigarettes in Cavarera’s possession.   --- ILLICIT TRAFFIC IN MARIHUANA - aka Gore File


POSSESSION
CALIFORNIA - Youngstown On October 26, 1935, Edmond Agnatio, alias Gullernue Hernandez, 53, of 33 North End Watt Street, was held in the county jail under $5,000, bond on charges of unlawfully possessing marihuana cigarettes.   He and two others were arrested by local detectives, who found about 50 marihuana cigarettes in Agnatis’ possession.   --- ILLICIT TRAFFIC IN MARIHUANA - aka Gore File


POSSESSION
CALIFORNIA - Stockton On November 14, 1935, George Xono, 42, Japanese, was arraigned on a charge of possession of marihuana and was remanded to jail pending a hearing.   --- ILLICIT TRAFFIC IN MARIHUANA - aka Gore File


SMUGGLING
CALIFORNIA - San Ysidro On July 15, 1935, Federico de la Vega, a Mexican, was arrested at San Yeidro, California, as he attempted to bring 5 grains of cocaine and 4 marihuana cigarettes into the United States from Tia Juana, Mexico.   The case against him was dismissed by the Grand Jury.   --- ILLICIT TRAFFIC IN MARIHUANA - aka Gore File
[ SEE California's FABRICATED Gore File Cases ]


POSSESSION
CALIFORNIA -Fresno On January 6, 1936, State Narcotic Officers arrested Salvador Figerroa at Fresno, California and seized 3 marihuana cigarettes.   The defendant was held for the action of the State Superior Court.   --- ILLICIT TRAFFIC IN MARIHUANA - aka Gore File


POSSESSION
CALIFORNIA - Fresno On January 7, 1936, Marno Lafayette was arrested at Fresno by State Narcotic Officers in possession of 12 marihuana cigarettes and 1 ounce of marihuana in bulk.   He was held for prosecution.   --- ILLICIT TRAFFIC IN MARIHUANA - aka Gore File


POSSESSION
CALIFORNIA - Fresno On February 5., 1936, Julius Laredo was detained by Fresno Police as suspicious character.   Nine marihuana cigarettes were found in his coat Pocket.   The defendant pleaded guilty and was held for trial.   --- ILLICIT TRAFFIC IN MARIHUANA - aka Gore File


STABBING
1939 - We also uncovered the fact that, in April 1939, a young man of 22 years of age, stabbed another man to death in a dispute over the playing of a guitar.   We were informed that the assailant was a user of Marihuana and was under the influence of this drug at the time of this murder.   --- Calif --Dept. Penology, Report for the year 1939



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CALIFORNIA
REEFER MADNESS
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