Was Trickery Used Against Grandpa Brown?

Grandpa Brown In the News
88 Years Ago Today
By Don Taylor

Grandpa Brown found himself in the news again. He had abducted my mom from Illinois and brought her to Minnesota. He was then apparently removed from Minnesota illegally by Chicago officers.

From the Brainerd Daily Dispatch, April 9, 1935, Page 1.

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Probe Whether Trickery Used by Chicago

Officer for Illegal Removal of Local Man

Voluntary return of Clifford Brown, local man apparently illegally removed from Minnesota by Chicago officers, will be asked of Gov. Henry Horner of Illinois by Gov. Floyd B. Olson if it develops force or trickery was used in gaining custody special advices to the Daily DISPATCH at 3 p.m. today day.

At 3 p. m. this afternoon, Officer Enright had not arrived in Chicago. The state’s attorney office there insisted that “if Enrgiht [sic] took Brown from Brainerd it must have been after Brown waived extradition,” the special advices to the daily DISPATCH said.

Chief of Police Thomas Templeton, queried late this afternoon by Gov. Floyd B. Olson as to whether or not trickery was used by the Chicago officer in effecting Brown’s release, wired this reply:

“Clifford Brown released to Chicago officers on your signature, Brown told them he desired to fight extradition but apparently they took him immediately.”

Reference to the governor’s signature was made to the warrant secured by Chicago officers containing a 24-hour period clause for consideration of a demand to fight extradidion. Brown was not permitted the 24 hour period.

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Clifford Brown, Brainerd, arrested here several days ago on an abduction charge filed by Chicago authorities apparently we being returned to Illinois without having been granted a proper extradition hearing, according to attaches of the governor’s office, The Daily Dispatch learned late today.

Brown was delivered into the custody of Harold Enright, Chicago officer, whi with Mrs. Donna Clark, the complaining witness, arrived here last night. Enright immediately started back, presumably for St. Paul for an extradition hearing.

Up to a late hour today, the Chicago officer and his prisoner had failed to put in an appearance at the Governor’s office, leading to the belief that Brown was being illegally removed to Illinois.

It was pointed out, advices from St. Paul said, that Brown should have been given 24 hours to notify authorities that he wished an extradition hearing. The 24-hour period would not elapse until 9 p. m. tonight, the extradition clerk in St. Paul said.

Meanwhile, W. J. Swanson, counsel for Brown here, had notified State Attorney Courtney in Chicago and also the governor’s office that Brown would demand an extradition hearing. Swanson received a wire from State

S Attorney Courtney yesterday saying Enright and Mrs. Clark were enroute to Brainerd. Swanson expected that Enright would contact him upon his arrival but he was not informed until today that Brown had been delivered into Brainer authorities indicated that the custody of the Chicago officer. Brown had not changed his mind about fighting extradition when he was given in the hands of the Chicago officers as he reiterated at that time his rightful demand for an extradition hearing.

Failure of Officer Enright to present his charge before the extradition clerk, failure to permit him to consult his counsel, the belief that Brown refused to waive extradition and the apparent removal of Brown from the state indicated his illegal extradition.

Local authorities considered it impossible to contact Enright in view of the fact that they were traveling by auto.

The 3-year old child whom Brown is charged with abducting was given over by county authorities to Mrs. Donna Clark, who swore out the warrant for Brown’s arrest. Brown admits he is the father of the child but said that he and Mrs. Clark, said to be the mother, were unmarried.

The child had been in the care of Brown’s mother, Mrs. Mary Brown here, pending arrival of the Chicago authorities.

Mrs. Clark was expected to return to Chicago with the Child late today or tomorrow.