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TEXAS
A look at the great state of Texas through the eyes of Harry Anslinger’s Gore File:
Back in 1930’s our Federal Government launched a massive dis-information campaign against the use of Medicinal Cannabis. Literally an hysteria campaign against Cannabis (now renamed MARIHUANA to both confuse as well as take advantage of anti-Mexican feeling at the time) was created.
The campaign itself consisted of all the various propaganda tools that many of us would be familiar with today, bumper sticker slogans (“Marihuana the Killer drug”, “The Assassin of Youth” , “The Weed of Wow”), etc., but by far its most potent weapon was “The Gore File.” Also known today as “Anslinger’s Gore File”, (Harry Anslinger was America’s first drug czar), was created at his orders and contained various examples of brutal rapes, murders, assaults, etc . . . All said to have been committed while under the influence of Marihuana.
These examples themselves were widely publicized (oral speeches, newsprint, magazines, etc.), and most agree were instrumental in the creation of the anti-Medical Marihuana laws. However from a historical perspective, many if not all of the stated examples have been disproven (meaning the crimes had little or nothing to do with the use of Marihuana) and in fact some of them have been found to have been totally fabricated.
What follows (below) are the contributions made by the great state of TEXAS, to Anslinger’s Gore File. Please remember that much of what you see below is (ah) somewhat inaccurate – aka, welcome to the world of the Reefer Madness campaign.
WHY THIS PAGE
Obviously other historians have done investigations into the background of (at least) some of these cases, and to no one’s surprise, have found no merit to their supposed theory that medical marihuana had anything to do with the crime. However, doing such research can be very frustrating. One of the main stumbling blocks seemed to be the total lack of reference points; the Who, What, Where and When of the each of these cases.
A view of any one of the quotations regarding any given case quickly establishes that. Thus the reason for this case file index. The museum has collected so many Reefer Madness era articles, from newspapers, magazines, pamphlets, etc. It has been possible for us to pooled together many bits and pieces, from various publications. And as the reader might observe, one quotation, might give a date, another a name, and yet another a geographic location etc. Individually they mean nothing, but pool together they can be used to identify an incident.
Also as a tool for the student of governmental dis-information, we have included various newspaper articles (dates also given) about the given case, which might be of help.
Name: Clemente Apolinar - Location: - Texas -- Date: - Aug 16, 1921
What the Narc’s were claiming
Male 30 Beat to death with a rock T. Bernhardt, boy, 14, while herding cattle in pasture; accused boy of polluting his water supply. Boy's head crushed, one eye gouged out, and missing. Arrested several hours later, he screamed and tore jail furnishings. Smoking marihuana at time; claimed insane; found to be sane. Hanged -- Article by James C. Munch; "UN Bulletin on Narcotics"-1966 Issue 2
1921 - C . Apoliner, - Houston, Tex. - M - 30 - Beat to death with a rock T. Bernhardt, boy, 14, while herding cattle in pasture; accused boy of polluting his water supply. Boy's head crushed, one eye gouged out, and missing. Arrested, several hours later he screamed and tore jail furnishings. Smoking marihuana at time; claimed insane; found to be sane. - Guilty, hung. -- 6th conference report - INEOA 1965
NEWSPAPER ACCOUNTS:
Dallas Morning News
[Wanted]- August 17, 1921 Boy Beaten to Death near San Antonio
[Wanted]- September 2, 1921 Mexicans Will Aid in Murder Defense
[Wanted]- November 16, 1922 Motion Rehearing in Apolinar Case Denied
[Wanted]- December 21, 1922 Man Sentenced to Hang Declared Sane
[Wanted]- December 22, 1922 Apolinar, Pronounced Sane, Must Hang Feb. 2
[Wanted]- February 6, 1923- Last Fight Being Made for Condemned Men
[Wanted]- February 19, 1923 - Neff Takes No Action in Clemente Apolinar Case
[Wanted]- February 20, 1923 - Neff Not to Interfere in Clemente Apolinar Case
[Wanted]- February 21, 1923 - Apolinar to Hang Neff Declines to Interfere
[Wanted]- February 24, 1923 Apolinar Hanged at San Antonio
San Antonio Light
[S]- Aug 25, 1921 p8 - “Three Murder Indictments are Returned”
“Boys were muddying the water --- He is said to be a Marihuana addict”
[S]- Sep 8, 1921 p1 - “Witnesses Tell of Mental Condition of Man on Trial”
[S]- June 25, 1922 o9 - “Two Murder Cases Deferred by High Court’s Vacation”
[S]- July 20, 1922 p5 - “Strange Politics” [political Ad]
[S]- Dec 14, 1922 p25 - “Brother Says condemned Man Always Queer”
[S]- May 18, 1936 p11 - “Coiled Rope is Memento of Last Bexar hanging”
[S]- Nov 24, 1960 p59 - “Spotlight - Last One hanged” by Tom McGowan
San Antonio Express
[S]- Sep 22, 1921 pg 15 - “New Trial Sought”
[S]- Jan 4, 1922 p18 - “Apolinar, Gven Sentence of Death, Asks New Trial”
[S]- Nov 15, 1922 p1 - “Insanity Hearing Will Determine Apolinar’s Fate”
[S]- Dec 14, 1922 p13 - “One Juror Short in Apolinar Case”
[S]- Jan 11, 1923 p11 - “Stephens Will Hang for Crime”
[S]- Feb 22, 1923 p9 - “Governor Not to Prevent Hanging”
[S]- Feb 23, 1923 p1 - “Apolinar Pays Death Penalty Friday, Mother Despairs of Saving Son”
[S]- Feb 24, 1923 p 1 - “Man Goes to Death With Prayer on Lips”
[S]- March 16, 1952 p75 - “Hanged By Neck Until Dead”
San Antonio Evening news
[S]- Dec 18, 1922 p1 - “Apolinar Had Murder Mania, Witnesses Say”
[S]- Dec 19, 1922 p2 - “Are You Prepared to Meet Thy God, Apolinar Asked, In Letter to Doomed Man”
[S]- Dec 23, 1922 p1 - “Christmas Spirit Invades Jail; But Day Will Be Drab Event for condemned Slayer”
[S]- Feb 23, 1923 p2 - (Pictures) - Three Views of Clemente Apolinar”
Brownsville Herald
[S]- Feb 23, 1923 p1 - “Clemente Apolinar is Hanged Today In Bexar County Jail” (AP)
Galveston Daily News
[S]- Feb 18, 1923 p11 - “Neff Has Taken No Action on San Antonio Death Case”
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MUSEUM COMMENTS:
Will begin our studies with the Clemente Apolinar case (spelling may vary), which is most unusual for a number of reasons.
First, the State of Texas, refuses (to this very day) to acknowledge that such a case even accrued or that Mr. Apolinar was even executed. Yep, that’s right, the State of Texas has either lost the paper work or (God forbid) is conspiring to cover the whole thing up or whatever. Something that of-and-by itself makes one raise an eyebrow or two over the matter. Granted, one can imagine it is possible to loose the paper work dealing with a robbery somewhere, but to NOT even acknowledge the fact that the State EXECUTED someone – (we believe most people will agree), that that’s kind of a little hard to do.
Texas Department of Criminal JusticeSo the case itself (like did it even happen or not) comes into question, however after extensive research we’ve been able to locate physical newspaper articles – clearly indicating that the crime and the execution took place.
December 19, 2007
Re: Open Records request
This correspondence is in response to your Open Records request dated December 13, 2007 for information regarding E. Kimball and C. Apolineri.
After a thorough search of Texas Death Row files, I regret to inform you that the Texas Department of Criminal Justice has nothing responsive to your request. We were unable to locate any information regarding these two offenders.
Good luck in your endeavor.
I hope this information is beneficial to you.
Sincerely,
[Name witheld]
Open Records Act Coordinator
TDCJ - Executive Services
P.O. Box 99
Huntsville, TX 77342-0099
Dear Mr. Garret,===================
Thank you for using Houston Public Library's eServices.
According to the Dallas Morning News Archives, Theodore Bernhard (14 y.o.) was beaten to death by a "Mexican believed to be demented," near San Antonio, TX on August 16, 1921. The story was published on August 17, 1921, Page 1. -- Houston Public Library
MUSEUM SYNTHESIS:
1. First, the State of Texas (public Internet) listing of executions has no mention of any execution of a Clemente Apolinar. BUT as has been shown, there are various newspaper accounts of the incident.
2. Of all the newspaper articles only one makes any mention of Marihuana use, however, in all likelihood Mr. Apolinar did make occasional use of Marihuana. Given the era, it would have been all but impossible for him not to.
3. The Bureau’s letters ignore the fact that it was the children that started antagonizing Apolinar (as per the newspaper articles), but even then, this gave Apolinar no excuse to take the actions that he did.
4. Apolinar was mentally retarded.
Question, did the marihuana have anything to do with the crime? Due to the limited information, we are unable to determine an answer to this question. ------------------------
Click on Image to enlarge
Next, given the fact that the crime took place long before the Reefer Madness campaign even came into existence (1921). One must ask, “How did this case even come to make its way into Anslinger’s Gore File?”
In answer, we’ve been able to locate the following documents (National Archives, College Park, Md.), from old files of the Bureau of Narcotics.
As one can see, this case fell right into their hands by accident.
[Key-finder - Case #28]
Name: Pablo Rodriguez - Location: - Laredo Texas -- Date: - Dec 8, 1943
What the Narc’s were claiming
Dec. 8, 1943 life imprisonment was decreed for Pablo Rodriguez of Laredo, Tex., when he was convicted of whipping to death his 10-year-old niece, Guadalupe Flores. She and another niece had been kept in the back yard of the Rodriguez residence in a doghouse-like shack where they were sometimes chained. When Rodriguez was arrested, marihuana cigarettes were found on his person. It was the opinion of officials that he had been a marihuana smoker. -- Article by James C. Munch; "UN Bulletin on Narcotics"-1966 Issue 2
Newspaper accounts: [Marihuana not mentioned]
Reno Evening Gazette - Reno, Nevada
[S]-Nov. 11, 1943 p1 “Crowd Attacks Slayer’s Home”
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MUSEUM COMMENTS:
Other than that one newspaper account we have not been able to locate much more about the case. It should be noted that the newspaper account does not even mention Marihuana and in all probability Mr. Rodriguez (who does not seem like a nice person) simply smoked marihuana every now and then. [Key-finder - Case #14]
Name: Vince Boss - Location: - Texas -- Date: - Aug 2, 1938
| NAME | BOSS, VINCE |
|---|---|
| AGE | 22 |
| RACE | WHITE |
| SEX | MALE |
| OCCUPATION | ? |
| CRIME | MURDER-ROBBERY |
| METHOD | ELECTROCUTION |
| DATE | AUG 2, 1938 |
| COUNTY | CALDWELL |
What the Narc’s were claiming
HOUSTON, TEXAS. March 1937. Hitch-hiker under the influence of marihuana murdered motorist. -- MARIHUANA; The New Dangerous Drug (pamphlet) by Frederick T. Merrill 1950 version
Houston, Texas, March 1937. Hitch-hiker under influence of marihuana murdered motorist. ---Marihuana 1938 by Frederick Merrill
TEXAS---Young hitchhiker, under the influence of marihuana, murdered a motorist -– Survey Graphic (Magazine) April 1938
In Texas, a hitchhiker under the influence, of marijuana murdered a motorist -- FORUM AND CENTURY – Jan. 1939
On a road in Texas a marijuana-smoking hitchhiker shot and killed the stranger who bad given him a lift. --Narcotics: America’s Peril by Will Oursler (1952)
MR. Anslinger: . . . I received this letter from an attorney at Houston, Texas, just the other day. This case involves a murder in which he alleges that his client, a boy 19 years old, had been addicted to the use of marihuana.
Senator Brown: Shall we read this into the record?
MR. Anslinger: Yes, sir; I shall be very glad if you will.
(The letter is as follows:)
Houston, Tex., July 7, 1937
H. J. Anslinger
United States Commissioner of Narcotics
Washington, DC
Dear sir:
Your article on Marihuana appearing in the July issue of the American is very useful as well as interesting. This subject strikes close to home because of a client I have who not so long ago murdered in a brutal way a man who had befriended him in giving him a ride. This client is a boy 20 years of age and he explained to me he has been smoking marihuana for several years. I would like to have about 1 copies of your article and will gladly pay any necessary charges. I would appreciate an early reply.
Yours Truly,
Sidney Benbow -- Marihuana Tax Act, Congressional Testimony 1937
In Texas, a hitchhiker whose cigarette was "mooted" made a sudden unprovoked attack on the motorist who had given him a lift. ---- The Eagle Magazine [Nov. 1941]
Newspaper accounts:
Lowell Sun - Lowell, Massachusetts
[S-Aug 2, 1938 pg. 1] ”Loco Weed” Smoker Pays With Life”
Calmly Walks "Last Mile" to Electric Chair for Murder
Huntsville, Texas, Aug. 2
Vince Boss, 22 "Loco Weed" smoker, died in the electric chair early today for the murder of R. W. Albert, Houston cheese salesman.
Boss, found guilty after two trials, calmly walked "the last mile," thanked prison officials for consideration shown him and said he was leaving this world "with no grudge against anybody."
The Houston youth said: "I'd been smoking marijuana and didn't know what I did."
Reno Evening Gazette
[S]- Aug 2, 1938 - "Slayer Pays Death Penalty"
Museum Note: No mention of Marihuana made
===================
MUSEUM SYNTHESIS:
1. While the Vince Boss case became one of Harry Anslinger’s most celebrated and widely quoted Gore File cases. Consisting of a gristly crime if ever there was one; – still there are those who have their doubts as to exactly what role (if any) was played by Marihuana.
2. To begin with, there is the fact that (see magazine article below) no mention of Marihuana use was ever made at the first trial. A bit of an important factor to have forgotten, one would think.
3. In fact NO MENTION of the use of Marihuana seems to appear until just before his second trial. A fact that begins to make one wonder as to the validity of the claim.
4. Last of all there is the medical fact that Medical Marihuana simply doesn’t have this kind of effect. Shrink some forms of cancerous tumors YES, but make you go out and kill someone NO.
Thus we must conclude that the Marihuana angle was simply being used as a “Get out of Jail” card. A form of legal trickery by his lawyer to get him freed sort of speak. And as for the actual use of Marihuana, there is NO ACTUAL proof (other than his testimony) that Vince Boss had ever even made use of it.
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WANT TO KNOW MORE SEE WHAT VINCE BOSS HIMSELF HAD TO SAY |
 CRIME CONFESSIONS May 1938 , article |
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[Note that no where in the articles does it mention Marihuana, even once.]
[Key-finder - Case #21]
Name: Johnny Andrew Butler - Location: - Texas -- Date: - July 1, 1945
What the Narc’s were claiming
In Dallas, Tex., on Dec.15, 1940, Johnny Andrew Butler, 21, who had just completed a prison sentence for violations of the Federal marihuana law, and Molly Suger, 38, were charged with the slaying of Mrs. Rose Suger, her mother-in-law. Mrs. Suger was shot to death at her home in Dallas on July 2, 1945, by a person who fired a pistol bullet through a window in her home. Butler is alleged to have admitted firing the shot, and said he was hired by Molly Suger to kill her mother-in-law for about $500. The murder case is pending. In 1941 Butler was convicted for violations of the Federal marihuana law and sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment. He was again arrested on similar charges in 1943, and sentenced on January 26, 1944, to 6 months and placed on 3 years' probation. Probation was revoked on August 8, 1944, and unconditional sentence of 6 months imposed. -- The Traffic in Opium and Other Dangers Drugs (1945)
Newspaper accounts:
Valley Morning Star
[S- Oct 31, 1946 pg. 1] “Prosecution Ended In Suger Murder Trail”
Port Arthur News
[S-Oct 30, 1946 pg. 10] “Witness Tells of Plot With Butler”
Mexia Weekly Herald
[S-Dec 21, 1945 pg. 1] “Bond Hearing Set”
[Key-finder - Case #20]
Name: Gregorio Salas - Location: - El Paso, Texas -- Date: - June 11, 1930
What the Narc’s were claiming
Further, The Tulsa Tribune of June 11, 1930, carried the following article under an El Paso, Texas, date line, "Four men, including a deputy sheriff, were seriously injured last night by a Marihuana-crazed Mexican before the bullets of another officer killed him, as he charged this officer with a knife. The Mexican, Gregorio Salas, thirty, died after being shot through the body and both legs. H. S. Palmer, the deputy sheriff, was badly cut on the nose by a rock thrown by the Mexican." -- JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF CRIMINAL LAW AND CRIMINOLOGY– May-June 1932/Mar.-Apr., 1933
“They had a lot of trouble Saturday nights in these little southwestern towns, when these fellows would get loaded with marihuana and, by God, it would take four policemen to take care of them because when they became violent they had superhuman strength." -- Harry Anslinger - Esquire Aug 1968
“Dr. Matchett: One of the Internal Revenue officials, formerly in Texas, has told us that down there persons use alcohol and Marihuana together, and where they were very wild it took four or five officers to bring a man in. He attributed that to the combined effect rather than the effect of either one.
MR. SMITH: Still, there is a good deal of fancy on the part of some officers, whose experience with Marihuana is new. I have had some experience with one or two sheriffs. I know of one who recently employed the services of two other sheriffs and four deputy sheriffs to secure the arrest of a farmer on a farm where the material was growing. Any youngster, 18 or 19 years old, could have gone there and done it alone. This was because of the first experience of those officers with it. I think the men were anxious to capitalize on the possible publicity which might attend the arrest. So that sometimes you run up against that problem, where they report that it is necessary for a number of them to subdue an individual. That may be an effort to make it appear a more serious type of crime. So that I think we have to put our tongues in our cheeks as to this, also.” -- Marihuana Conference -Held Dec. 5, 1938
Newspaper accounts:
Reno Evening Gazette
[S-June 11, 1930 pg. 8] “Four are Hurt by Crazed Man”
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MUSEUM COMMENTS:
[Key-finder - Case #30]
Name: Charles T. Cullen - Location: - San Antonio, Texas -- Date: - Aug 3, 1936
What the Narc’s were claiming
In San Antonio, Texas, in August 1936, two young women were jailed after a raid which disclosed on their promises 12 MARIHUANA cigarettes and a gallon jug of prepared MARIHUANA, and a kit of instruments for narcotic injections. During the raid the officer was bitten on the face and hands by one of the women. -- The Union Signal (WCTU) Jan. 30, 1937
1936 - San Antonio, Texas - F - Two young women arrested for possession marihuana violently attacked Officer C. Cullen. - Arrested -- 6th conference report - INEOA 1965
1936 - San Antonio, Texas - Female Two young women arrested for possession marihuana violently attacked Officer C. Cullen. Arrested -- Article by James C. Munch; "UN Bulletin on Narcotics"-1966 Issue 2
Newspaper accounts:
San Antonio Light
[S]- Aug 4, 1936 pg 1 - “Fruits of Search”
MUSEUM NOTES:
1930 Censes shows a: Charles T. Cullen 29 years old / born in Texas / occupation policeman Wife Lola
[Key-finder - Case #31]
Name: Eugene Earl Kimbell - Location: - Corpus Christi Texas -- Date: - May 1937
What the Narc’s were claiming
Texas - 1937 – Corpus Christi Texas - M - Raped his 7-year old daughter. – Death -- Article by James C. Munch; "UN Bulletin on Narcotics"-1966 Issue 2
1937 - E. Kimball, - Corpus Christi, Texas - Raped his 7-yr. old daughter. - Death -- 6th conference report - INEOA 1965
Commissioner Anslinger: there is another case down in Corpus Christi that we have been able to establish, where an oil worker with a good reputation, obtained and smoked a cigarette, after which he raped his young daughter. -- Marihuana Conference -Held Dec. 5, 1938
[incident]- Corpus Christi - An oil worker, of good character smoked a cigarette, raped his six-year old daughter. When his wife returned home in the evening, she found him lying across the bed in a stupor and the little child torn and bleeding. He couldn’t remember. Was sentenced to death. before Jan 1937
Newspaper accounts:
Corpus ChristI Times
[S]- May 17, 1937 pg 1 - “Jury Being Picked in Trial of Man for Assault on Daughter”
[S]- May 19, 1937 pg 1 - “Kimbell Jury Still Undecided after Night Deliberation”
[S]- May 20, 1937 pg 1 - “Eugene Kimbell Assessed Death Penalty”
[S]- June 4, 1937 pg 1 - “Motion for Second Trial for Kimbell Being Heard today”
[S]- June 14, 1937 pg 1 - “Kimbell Assault Trial Continued” [2nd trial]
[S]- Nov 29, 1937 p6? - “Jury Being Selected for Kimbell Trial”
[S]- Nov 30, 1937 p6-B - “Ten Jurors Named For Kimbell Trial”
[S]- Dec 1, 1937 pg 2 - “State Closes Case Against Kimbell”
SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS
[s]- Dec 7, 1948 pg 4 - “Clemency Action”
AMARILLO NEWS AND GLOBE
[s]- June 6, 1937 pg 18 - “Condemned Man Gets Another Trial”
ABILENE TEXAS REPORTER-NEWS
[S]- Dec 7, 1948 - “Jester Grants Clemencies”
MUSEUM NOTES:
Boy did the museum have problems with this case. Due to the fact that there are no official State of Texas records of such an execution (see below), for a unit of time we even thought that it (like so many others) had been totally fabricated by Anslinger.
Texas Department of Criminal JusticeHowever, (as can be seen by the Newspaper accounts), after we found the correct spelling of his name, we were able to track the case down as well as why it didn’t turn up as an official execution. It turned out that Mr. Kimbell was given a second trial in which he was sentenced to “life in prison”. He was released from prison and back out on the streets in 1948.
December 19, 2007
Re: Open Records request
This correspondence is in response to your Open Records request dated December 13, 2007 for information regarding E. Kimball and C. Apolineri.
After a thorough search of Texas Death Row files, I regret to inform you that the Texas Department of Criminal Justice has nothing responsive to your request. We were unable to locate any information regarding these two offenders.
Good luck in your endeavor.
I hope this information is beneficial to you.
Sincerely,
[Name witheld]
Open Records Act Coordinator
TDCJ - Executive Services
P.O. Box 99
Huntsville, TX 77342-0099
[Key-finder - Case #33]
Name: Sandra Peterson - Location: - Brady Texas -- Date: - Aug. 26, 1949
What the Narc’s were claiming
Newspaper headlines tell the story every day. The recent hitch-hike robbery and murder of an innocent citizen involving a young 18-year-old girl and her 15-year-old companion, who admitted she was under the influence of marihuana, is but one grim example of the current tendency toward drug addiction by young people. -- Congressional Record 1950
Newspaper accounts:
Waukesha Daily Freeman
[ Aug. 26, 1949 p2 ] “Tough, Pretty Divorcee Held for $50 Murder”
[Jan 18, 1950 pp8 ] “Girl, Witness in Texas Murder Trial, Says She Killed Real Estate Man”
[Aug. 28, 1949 pp.1] “Faces in the News”
Valley Morning State (Harlingen Texas)
[Aug. 31, 1949 pp7] “Disowning by Parents No Surprise to Accused Girl”
[Jan 4, 1950 pp 1] “Girl Indicted For Murder”
[Jan 17, 1950 pp.10] “Sandra Peterson ‘Grows Up’; Trial for Murder Underway”
[Jan 18, 1950 ] “Death to be Asked For Sandra Peterson”
[Jan 19, 1950 pp1] “State Witness Changes Story, Says She Held Murder Gun”
[Jan 21, 1950 pp1] “Peterson Girl Found Guilty”
Sheboygan Press [Jan 19, 1950 pp15] “State’s Witness Insists She Killed Texas Motorist”
Sedalia Democrat
[Aug. 29, 1949 ] picture story
[Jan 20, 1950 ] “Doesn’t Know Whether She Was Killer”
Reno Evening Gazette
[Aug 31, 1949] “Murder Suspect Is Young Runaway”
[Aug 26, 1949 pp3] “Woman Murder Suspect Once Lived in Reno”
The News (Frederick Md)
[Aug 31, 1949 pp 6] picture “Held for Murder”
Independent Record (Helena Montana)
[Jan. 22, 1950 pp2] “Girl Is Sentenced to Life for Death of Texan”
[Jan 18, 1950 pp1] “15-Year Old Girl Declares She Shot Texas man”
Coshocton Tribune (Ohio)
[Jan 21, 1950 pp 3] Picture “Admits Slaying”
[Jan 21, 1950 pp 1] “Girl Convicted of Murder Despite Her Companion’s Claim”
Charleroi Mail
[Jan 28, 1950 pp5 ] “Girl Given Life in Texas Slaying”
[Key-finder - Case #37]
Name: David Eugene Ash - Location: - Amarillo Tx. -- Date: - Sept 11, 1949
What the Narc’s were claiming
1949-- David Eugene Ash was arrested at Amarillo, Tex., in the early morning of September 11, 1949, by State and county police officers for operating a vehicle while under the influence of drugs (marihuana). Ash had backed a large dual wheel truck over the top of a parked passenger automobile and overturned the truck. A quantity of marihuana was found on his person at the time of his arrest. --- Ash is a member of a notorious family and has a long criminal record, including convictions for theft, receiving and concealing stolen property, and affray. He has two sisters who are married to notorious narcotic addicts and criminals. Each of the sisters was sentenced in 1949 to serve 1 to 7 years for violation of the Kansas State narcotic law. He has two brothers who each have long criminal records. -- The Traffic in Opium and Other Dangers Drugs (1949)
Newspaper accounts:
Amarillo Globe
[ ]- Sept 12, 1949 pp1 “Charged With Driving While ‘Hopped Up’
[Key-finder - Case #42]
Name: Eleutero Gonzales (sic) - Location: - Del Rio, TX -- Date: - Sep 13, 1940
What the Narc’s were claiming
Texas - Sep 11, 1940---DEL Rio, TEXAS. September 1940. One Eleutero Gonzales, allegedly while under the influence of marihuana, shot to death two women and then committed suicide by literally slicing himself to bits about the abdomen, around the heart and throat, in a manner which indicated that he was bereft of all reasoning. Law enforcement officers believed that Gonzales was under the influence of marihuana at the time of the double murder and suicide, and that he had previously used marihuana. It was the opinion of the doctor who saw Gonzales just before he died that no one could so mutilate himself unless he was unable to feel "shock" and the only thing he knew that would produce such a condition, to such a degree, is marihuana. Gonzales had wandered around in the fields for hours after the killing and after his self-mutilation. -- MARIHUANA; The New Dangerous Drug (pamphlet) by Frederick T. Merrill 1950 version
Murdered sweetheart and friend, then stabbed self in throat, stomach and heart after marijuana binge. -- The Truth about Marijuana - STEPPING STONE to DESTRUCTION June 1967
1940 Del Rio, Texas - Male 30 Shot and murdered his 34-year old sweetheart, A. Antonia, also M. Gomez, nurse. Then inflicted stab wounds his throat, stomach, intestines, heart, genitalia. He had previously committed rape on 12-year old girl, and was free on bail awaiting new trial. -- Article by James C. Munch; "UN Bulletin on Narcotics"-1966 Issue 2
1940 - E. Gonzales - Del Rio, Texas - 30 - Shot and murdered his 34-yr. sweetheart, A. Antonia, also M. Gomez, nurse. Then inflicted stab wounds his throat, stomach, intestines, heart, genitalia. He had previously committed rape on 12-yr. girl, and was free on bail awaiting new trial. - Death -- 6th conference report - INEOA 1965
A man in Texas got "high" on marijuana recently and raped a twelve-year-old girl Out on bail, he "twisted" himself a couple of Indian sticks. Before he was picked up in the street, he had taken a long knife and slashed two gentle ladies to death. Then he turned the blade on himself, hacking his vitals apart until he died writhing in the blood and bits of his own body. -- True Story (Magazine) Dec. 1948
[e Sept. 1940] - Eleutero Gonzalez murder case. Note 1 star reefer madness rating, the article is quoted else-where, but when one reads it, it only states that the killings could have been committed because of marihuana and nothing else. -- SHERIFFS’ ASSOCIATION OF TEXAS MAGAZINE
Del Rio, Texas. 1940. One Eleutero G. while allegedly under the influence of marihuana, shot to death two women and then committed suicide by literally slicing himself to bits about the abdomen, heart, and throat, in a manner which indicated that he was bereft of all reasoning. Law enforcement officers believed that G. was under the influence of marihuana at the time of the double murder and suicide and that he had previously used marihuana. It was the opinion of the doctor who saw G. just before he died that no one could so mutilate himself unless he was unable to feel "shock" and the only thing he knew that would produce such a condition, to such a degree, is marihuana. G. had wandered around in the fields for hours after the killing and after his self-mutilation. -- The Traffic In Narcotics By H.J. Anslinger and William F. Tompkins 1953
Newspaper accounts:
Del Rio
[S]- July 22, 1939 pp1 - “Eleuterio Gonzlez to face trail on Criminal Assault Charge Monday” Gore File Case
[S]- July 24, 1939 pp1 - “Eleuterio Gonzalez Case Is continued; Hearing Set Aug. 14” Gore File Case.
[S]- Aug 15, 1939 pp1 - “Girl Testifies in Criminal Assault Case” Gore file Case
Maria Guadalupe Ramirez born Oct 1925 [S[- Aug 16, 1939 pp1 - “Witness Tells of Overhearing Interview Between Man and girl in Assault Case” Gore File Case [Maria Flores]
[S]- Aug 17, 1939 pp1 - “Jury to Get Criminal Assault Case Today” Gore File Case
[S]- Aug 18, 1939 pp1 - “Eleuterio Gonzalez Gets Fifteen Years” Gore File Case
[S]- Aug 19, 1939 pp1 - “Gonzalez Asks New Trail in Assault Case” Gore File Case
[No Mention of Marihuana] San Antonio Express
[S]- Sept 14, 1940 p10 - “Suicide Tried After 2 Slain”
Amarillo Daily News
[S]- Sept 14, 1940 - “Cultist Found Badly Wounded”
Nebraska State Journal
[S]- Sept 14, 1940 p1 - “Cult chief Found Wounded” (UP)
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WANT TO KNOW MORE SEE THE INTERNAL NARC MEMO'S |
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[Key-finder - Case #58]
Name: Myron McFatter - Location: - Delphi, Texas -- Date: - March 11, 1964
What the Narc’s were claiming
1964 Houston, Texas - M Stabbed and killed J. Ward, 24, in bar room fight; was marihuana user. -- Article by James C. Munch; "UN Bulletin on Narcotics"-1966 Issue 2
1964 - M. McFatter, - Houston, Texas - Stabbed and killed J. Ward, 24, in barroom fight; McFatter was marihuana user. - Arrested -- 6th conference report - INEOA 1965
Newspaper accounts:
Logansport Pharos Tribune
[S]- Mar 11, 1964 p23 - “Brookston Youth’s Death Ruled Murder”
Logansport Press - Logansport Indiana
[S]- Mar 11, 1964 p10 - "Brookston Native Shot to Death At Houston, Texas”
[Key-finder - Case #59]
Name: Bob Cruz Jr. & Dwight O. Cavelle, Adolph domingo Alire (victim) - Location: - San Antonio, Texas -- Date: - Nov 13, 1966
What the Narc’s were claiming
Texas - San Antonio, Tex., Nov 13, 1966---After smoking marihuana for several hours, two defendants decided to settle an argument with a mutual acquaintance. They pistol whipped, beat, stabbed, and finally shot and killed the other man. Police later learned the two murderers smoke marihuana until they became "vicious" then immediately went to "beat" the victim. -- Congressional Record -- April 4, 1968
San Antonio, Tex.-After smoking marihuana for several hours, two defendants decided to settle an argument with a mutual acquaintance. They pistol whipped, beat, stabbed, and finally shot and killed the other man. Police later learned the two murderers smoked marihuana until they became "vicious" and then, immediately, went to "beat" the man. -- FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Nov 1968
Newspaper accounts:
El Paso Herald Post
[S]- Aug 25, 1966 p4 - “no name”
San Antonio Express
[S]- Sep 28, 1966 p12c - “Bob Cruz Jr., Wife Plead Not guilty”
The San Antonio Light:
[S]- Nov 14, 1966p1 - “Cruz Jr., 2 Pals Held In Murder”
[S]- Nov 17, 1966 p1 - “Witness Puts Pair at Scene”
[Key-finder - Case #94]
Name: R. A. Redmond - Location: - Texas -- Date: - Nov 9, 1939
What the Narc’s were claiming
Texas - 1939 ---On Nov. 9, 1939, customs inspectors at El Paso, Tex., searched the person of R. A. Redmond, American, when he entered the United States from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, seizing several marihuana cigarettes. Redmond recovered 1 cigarettes and swallowed them, together with the paper covering. The inspectors regained one cigarette, but not until they had been attacked by Redmond. Redmond stated he had been smoking marihuana for approximately 8 months. The circumstances illustrate the effect that the marihuana had upon him, as it is reported that he possessed almost superhuman strength, it requiring the combined efforts of two officers to subdue him. Redmond is being held for prosecution. Mexican authorities were informed of this seizure. -- The Traffic in Opium and Other Dangers Drugs (1939)
INTERNAL BUREAU OF NARCOTICS MEMO Dealing with R.A. Redmond.
Click on Image to enlarge
THE UNSOLVED CASES
The following consists of those Gore File cases that as yet we have not yet been able to confirm or identify. So far newspaper checks, police reports, etc., have turned up nothing. Thus we cannot confirm whether or not the incident even took place.
However, (given the history and make up of Anslinger’s Gore File), it can be assumed that most of these cases have some validity. That is to say that some related incident actually took place. Granted a greatly distorted version of what actually happened, but still based on some true incident.
But then again, the reader should note that prior to 1936, Ansligner’s Gore File was composed mostly of newspaper clippings with little if any fact checking. Newspaper accounts that in many cases later on turned out to be false.
Also included are a few “Non-Official” Core file cases, which to our knowledge were NOT actually part of Anslinger’s “Official Gore File.”
MARIJUANA ARREST
TEXAS - El Paso On January 30, 1936, the first El Paso arrest under the State Narcotic Law, was made by the local police who raided a room in a tenement at 807 Tays Street and arrested Jovita Gutierrez, 29. Five pounds of marihuana leaves and 19 marihuana cigarettes were seized. A 16 year old boy arrested with the woman was turned over to the immigration officials. - Actual Gore File Jan 1935-March 1936
FARMER
San Antonio On July 8, 1935, Alfredo Farelle was arrested near San Antonio when Police discovered a field of marihuana plants growing on his farm. 1/8 "acre of marihuana, containing 18 growing plants, and weighing 200 pounds, were destroyed. The stalks ranged from 12 to 14 feet in height. The seed had been planted in the Spring of 1935 and had been extensively cultivated by the owner. The defendant was held for prosecution - Actual Gore File Jan 1935-March 1936
Police discovered marihuana plants growing on a nearby farm, when a one-eighth acre plot contained eighteen growing plants, totaling 200 pounds in weight. The stalks ranged in height from twelve to fourteen feet and had been carefully cultivated by the owner. --Oakland Tribune (Newspaper) Oct. 11, 1936 “Don't be a MuggleHead”
MARIJUANA SMUGGLER
El Paso On November 28, 1935, Police in El Paso while patrolling in the vicinity of a box factory, saw a Mexican crossing the Rio Grande River from Mexico into the United States and upon approaching him the Mexican dropped two sacks containing 7 1/2 pounds of marihuana and fled back into Mexico. - Actual Gore File Jan 1935-March 1936
MARIJUANA SMUGGLER
El Paso On December 7, 1935, Mr. and Mrs. Bernedino Hernandez were arrested as they entered the United States from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, when Customs officers discovered two sacks containing one pound each of marihuana concealed in their automobile. The defendants will be prosecuted. - Actual Gore File Jan 1935-March 1936
MARIJUANA PROCESSION
San Antonio On December 12, 1935, Police in San Antonio arrested Richard Gonzales, alias “Tony” and seized 15 marihuana cigarettes. He was released on bond, pending trial. - Actual Gore File Jan 1935-March 1936
MARIJUANA PROCESSION
Dallas On December 18, 1935, Police at Dallas arrested L. Perry for Possession of 20 marihuana cigarettes and approximately 5 ounces of loose marihuana. He will be prosecuted. - Actual Gore File Jan 1935-March 1936
MARIJUANA PROCESSION
San Antonio On December, 21 1935, Francisco Gonzalso.was arrested at, San Antonio for possession of 2 pounds of marihuana. The weed had been prepared for smoking and was considered of a very high grade. The defendant was held in default of bond awaiting trial. - Actual Gore File Jan 1935-March 1936
MURDER
Texas - [Pre-1939] - Two boys in Houston, Texas, were high school buddies. They smoked reefers and one began to fancy that the other was going to kill him. He took a knife to school one day and killed his best friend. -- True Story (Magazine) Dec. 1948
In his other booklet, "Battling The Wolves of Society" (1929) Mr. Rowell reports: "Just before I stepped on the platform to speak before a High School group in Houston, Texas, the principal drew me aside and told me how one of the boys from his own school had recently killed another boy. These two boys had grown up together, and were the best of friends: 'David and Jonathan' pals. On their way to school this boy smoked one or two Marijuana cigarettes. Suddenly to his befuddled brain, his best friend became to him his worst enemy, secretly trying to kill him. In order to kill him first be pulled his jack knife and plunged it into his pal's back, the blade going to his heart. -- War With the Underworld 1946 (Sic some info)
Prior to stepping onto the platform to speak before a high-school assembly in Houston, Texas, the principal told me a story concerning two boys, both students of his high school, who were on the way to school on a recent morning. The boys had been constant friends from childhood. One boy had smoked a reefer that morning, and, as he walked to school, suddenly he became convinced that his friend was really his enemy, clandestinely looking for an opportunity to kill him. So real and so urgent was this imagined threat that he decided the only thing to do was to kill the boy by his side. Drawing a jackknife from his pocket, he stabbed his pal in the back, killing him. To the students of that high school the effects of marihuana were real and tangible -- On the Trail of Marihuana the Weed of Madness (1939) By Earle Rowell
BAR FIGHT
Texas - On July 13, 1941, one Apodaca, allegedly under the influence of marihuana and while drinking at the bar of a cafe in El Paso, Tex., suddenly went berserk, took a knife from his pocket and started cutting the man standing next to him. This man seized the knife while his assailant attempted to cut two other persons. Apodaca was in possession of two marihuana cigarettes at the time he committed these crimes. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced on October 24, 1941, to serve 4 months in a correctional institution, and sentence was suspended for 1 year. -- The Traffic in Opium and Other Dangers Drugs (1941)
ASSULT
Texas - 1944 Houston, Texas - Female - Slashed Miss M. Jolly, 18, in quarrel - over sales and boys; 3 girls and 6 boys in gang smoked marihuana to get "hopped up" before committing various crimes. Arrested -- Article by James C. Munch; "UN Bulletin on Narcotics"-1966 Issue 2
1944 - Black Ora, Houston, Texas - Slashed Miss M. Jolly, 18, in quarrel over sales and boys; 3 girls and 6 boys in gang smoked marihuana to get "hopped up" before committing various crimes. - Arrested -- 6th conference report - INEOA 1965
MURDER
Texas -1964 Houston, Texas - M 45 Negro shot and killed E. Sampson, Negro, in argument over dice game. Both were marihuana users -- Article by James C. Munch; "UN Bulletin on Narcotics"-1966 Issue 2
1964 - R. Boscier, - Houston, Texas - M - 45 - Negro shot and killed E. Sampson, negro, In argument over dice game. Both were marihuana users. - Arrested -- 6th conference report - INEOA 1965
| Last Name | Sampson |
|---|---|
| First Name | Earnest |
| Middle Name | ? |
| Date | 02-13-1964 |
| County | HARRIS |
| Sex | M |
| Marriage Status | SINGLE |
MURDER
Texas -1964 Houston, Texas - M Negro, stabbed negro A. Grimes, 30, to death; motive unknown; marihuana used. -- Article by James C. Munch; "UN Bulletin on Narcotics"-1966 Issue 2
1964 - R. Eaton, Houston, Texas - M - Negro stabbed negro, A. Grimes, 30, to death; motive unknown; marihuana used. - Arrested - 6th conference report - INEOA 1965
| Last Name | Grimes |
|---|---|
| First Name | Arch |
| Middle Name | ? |
| Date | 3-27-1964 |
| County | PALO PINTO |
| Sex | M |
| Marriage Status | WIDOWED |
Texas - Austin, Tex., Dec 13, 1966----A neighbor noticed two men enter an unoccupied house and begin to take out the furniture. She approached the men and asked their purpose. They assaulted her, fracturing her jaw, and pulled a pistol threatening to kill her. When arrested, the two admitted being "high" on marihuana. -- Congressional Record -- April 4, 1968
WANT TO KNOW MORE:
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