Status of Brown – Detailed Letter – Local Attorney Title
88 Years Ago Today By Don Taylor
Grandpa Brown found himself in the front page news once again. He had abducted mom and was being held by the Chicago Police. However, he was illegally removed from Minnesota by the Illinois state police and brought to Illinois. Because of that, the two governors were in a battle of letters about what to do with Grandpa.
Question of the burden of safeguarding an alleged fugitive, precipitated by the apparently illegal removal of Clifford Brown. Brainerd, to Chicago on a warrant charging child abduction, today brought the opinion that local authorities to whom the warrant was sent *or execution are responsible.
The opinion was shared by Gov. I Floyd B Olson and Gov. Henry Horner of Illinois, who held an exchange of letters investigating the removal of Brown. William J. Swanson. Brainerd attorney and counsel for Brown, said following receipt of a letter from Gov. Olson’s office.
Swanson said the letter quoted the law saying that the alleged fugitive should be given ample time to consult counsel before being removed. The law, he said, also provides penalty for violation. Swanson said Brown was moved without being given opportunity to consult counsel and despite his demand to fight extradition.
The warrant provides for an opportunity to apply for writ of habeas corpus to the local court and although Brown requested of the police officers here the right to see his attorney and his folks before he was taken away, he was refused that right, which the law affords him. Brown also requested extradition hearing, which was refused him.
Brown’s case has been postponed! until April 29 and he is represented by counsel in Chicago. In the meantime, the governor of Minnesota and the governor of Illinois are in communication with reference to the removal of Brown to Chicago. The governor of Illinois is of the opinion that it is doubtful whether there is any legal way to return Brown unless the charge is dismissed. He is, however, having an investigation made and the question of Brown’s return is held in abeyance pending the investigation and the further action of Minnesota authorities.
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Key fact learned: Clifford Brown’s case was postponed until April 29th, 1935.
This week, for Photo Friday, I identify the people in five more envelopes from the Ethel Wight Studio Collection[i]. The envelopes typically contain the name of the person who paid for the photos, not necessarily of the individual portrayed in the image. As such, it is vital to analyze the pictures and information to identify the individual therein.[ii] Ultimately, my goal is to reunite the photos with family members who may have never seen the image.
Donald Robinson, circa 1934.
The envelope this negative was in says, “Mr. Donald Robinson, 5 Waymouth St., #408.”
Donald Robinson,
Why I believe this to be the individual.
The 1935 Portland City Directory lists Donald A Robinson living at 5 Weymouth.
The 1930 US Census lists Charles A Robinson, the family’s head, living at 5 Waymouth. Living with him is his wife (Emily), two daughters (Mildred & Flora), and son, Donald A, who is 15 years old.
Ancestry Family Trees Suggest this is Donald Archibald Robinson, born 11 June 1914.
Alternate Individuals.
Do not confuse with Donald F Robinson, who lived at 36 Chapel in South Portland in 1935.
Conclusion.
I am convinced this photo is of Donald Archibald Robinson, son of Charles and Emily (McMillan) Robinson, who was born on 11 June 1914 and lived at 5 Waymouth, Portland, Maine, in 1934 when this photo was taken.
Confirmed to be Donald Robinson by a son and a granddaughter.
Richard Robbins, circa 1934 (age 1)
This negative envelope says, “Mrs. Dorothy Robbins, 177 St. John St #282.”
Richard Robbins, circa 1934
Why I believe this to be the individual.
The 1934 Portland City Directory lists Dorothy E Robbins living at 177½ St. John. She is a clerk at 532 Congress in Portland.
The 1935 Portland City Directory lists Mrs. Dorothy E Robbins living at 841 Broadway, South Portland. She is still a clerk at 532 Congress.
The 1940 US Census lists 28-year-old Dorothy Robbins living with her parents, Angus and Edna McArthur. Dorothy is divorced and has a six-year-old son, Richard Robbins.
I am sure this is a photo of Richard E Robbins, born on 11 May 1933.
Ancestry has nine public trees that refer to Richard E Robbins (1933-2019). Family Search does not appear to have a profile for Richard, so I uploaded a photo of Richard to Dead Fred.
Priscilla Maye Robinson, circa 1935.
This negative envelope says, “Mrs. Flora M Robinson (Mrs. Flora Kingsbury) 140 Congress St – #835.”
Priscilla Maye Robinson, circa 1935.
Why I believe this to be the individual.
The 1933 Portland City Directory lists Flora M Robinson working at 518 Congress and residing at 5 Weymouth. At 140 Congress lives Clarence A Nichols.
The 1937 Portland City Directory lists Flora M Robinson working at 554 Congress and residing at 35 Ellsworth. At 140 Congress lives Mrs. Achsa Nichols.
The 1940 US Census lists Flora M Robinson, the 28-year-old daughter of Charles (& Emily) Robinson. She has a 4-year-old daughter, Priscilla M Robinson. Flora is a Department Store Clerk. Flora and her daughter were born in Maine, while her parents were born in Canada.
I am sure this is a photo of Priscilla Maye Robinson, born 29 July 1935 to Flora M Robinson.
Ancestry has ten public trees that refer to Priscilla Robinson (1935-2017). Family Search does not appear to have a profile for Priscilla, so I uploaded a photo of her to Dead Fred.
Catherine Robbins (née Dugan), circa 1935.
Priscilla Maye Robinson, circa 1935.
This negative envelope says, “Mrs. Katherine Robbins, 1a – Elmont Place #565.”
Why I believe this to be the individual.
The 1935 Portland City Directory lists Catherine C Robbins living at 1a Elmwood Pl.
The 1940 US Census lists Catherine Robbins, the Daughter of John (& Florence) Dugan, living at 1a Elmond. Catherine is 35 years old and was born in Maine.
Ancestry Trees suggest this is Katherine C (Dugan) Robbins, who was born on 16 Nov 1904.
This photo appears to be of Catherine C. (Dugan) Robbins about 1935 when she was 31.
Ancestry has four public trees that refer to Katherine C Dugan (1904-1988); Family Search has profile L55F-3WT for Katherine.
This negative envelope says, “Mrs. Katherine Robbins, 1a – Elmont Place #555.”
Why I believe this to be the individual.
This photo has the same name and address as #565 mentioned above. I’m sure Katherine paid for this photo the same (or the next) day. As such, I believe it to be Katherine’s mother, Florence Ethel (Wentworth) Dugan. Florence was born in April 1870 in Massachusetts. She would have been about 65 in 1935 when this photo was taken.
Ancestry has 11 public trees that refer to Florence Ethel (Wentworth) Dugan. Family Search has profile L5P5-2JX for Florence. I uploaded a photo of Florence to her Family Search Memories.
Conclusion
I identified all five All appear in Ancestry Trees. Three have Family Search profiles, so I uploaded their images to their Family Search Memories. Two did not have Family Search profiles, so I uploaded their photos to Dead Fred.
I will love to hear your reaction if any of these photos are of your family member. Especially if this photo is of a loved one for whom you hadn’t seen this photograph before.
Due to software limitations, the images uploaded to Family Search, Dead Fred, and Flickr have higher quality than those linked here.
For all postings of the Ethel Wight Collection, please see here.
Endnotes
[i] The Wight Studio was in Portland, Maine. Many thanks to Ethel Wight’s family for access to and permission to use the collection of their great aunt.
[ii] These images were converted to positives using a lightbox, a Nikon camera and computer software.
Grandpa Brown found himself on the front page of the Daily Dispatch again. He had abducted his daughter (my mom) and was being held by the Chicago Police.
From the Brainerd Daily Dispatch, 17 April 1935, Page 1 (via Newspaper Archive).
Brainerd Daily Dispatch, 17 April 1935
Indicate Brown Not to Return
St. Paul—Clifford Brown, arrested in Brainerd and returned to Chicago to face trial on an abduction charge, probably will remain there even though he may have been illegally removed from this state, it was indicated today in a letter received by Gov. Floyd B. Olson from Governor Henry Horner of Illinois.
Horner’s letter was in reply to a communication from Olson which pointed out that Brown was not granted an opportunity to fight extradition. Horner did not say that Brown would be returned and then extradited through proper legal channels. Neither did he say that he would refuse return if specifically asked by Olson.
Horner tended to lay the blame for Brown’s removal on local offices at Brainerd, contending they should have been familiar with extradition requirements and so informed the officer who to Brown to Chicago.
Authorities here, it was understood did not intend pursuing the matter any further.
Grandpa Brown In the News 88 Years Ago Today By Don Taylor
Grandpa Brown found himself in the news again. He had abducted Mom and was being held for the Chicago Police.
From the Jacksonville Daily Journal (Jacksonville, IL), April 11, 1935, Page 1, column 2 (Thanks to Newspaper Archive).
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Jacksonville Daily Journal, April 11, 1935, Page 1, column 2.
WANTS MAN RETURNED
St. Paul, April 10—(AP)—Governor Floyd B. Olson today asked Governor Henry Horner of Illinois to return Clifford Brown, arrested in Brainerd, Minn., on a warrant charging abduction in Chicago and taken to Illinois with extradition hearing.
Brown, charged with having kidnaped the 3-year-old daughter of Mrs. Donna Clark, Chicago night club entertainer, was taken to Illinois by Chicago officers yesterday after issuance of an extradition warrant.
Olson told Horner that the 24 hours permitted for a writ of habeas corpus had not elapsed between the warrant and the departure.
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From this article, we learn that the Associated Press (AP) picked up the story. Jacksonville, Illinois, is about 35 miles west of the capital, Springfield.
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 10, 1935, Page 1.
Appeal to Illinois
Governor Illegal
Removal of Brown
Brainerd Daily Dispatch – Apr 10, 1935 – pg 1.
Brainerd Man Granted Continuance on Abduction Charge After Appearing in Felony Court
Clifford Brown, arrested in Brainerd on an abduction warrant and returned to Chicago late yesterday, today appeared in felony court in Chicago, The Daily DISPATCH was advised.
He was granted a continuance of his case until April 22 and was remanded to jail.
Governor Olson has protested to Governor Horner of Illinois against the apparently Illegal removal of Clifford Brown from Brainerd to Chicago, to face a charge of abduction, according to a letter received by Chief of Police Thomas Templeton here.
Olson, in a communication to Horner, pointed out that Brown was not allowed 24 hours in which to decide whether or not he would waive extradition. He was removed by Harold Enright of the Illinois state’s attorney’s office, and started for Chicago by automobile shortly after a warrant from Olson a office was received in Brainerd.
The warrant, Olson’s letter pointed out, cited that Brown should be allotted 24 hours and permission to consult counsel before being removed unless he reversed a previous decision and waived extradition. The letter said local officers were advised that Brown did not wish to be extradited without a hearing.
Olson said, however, he would abide by Horner’s decision as to whether Brown should be immediately returned to Minnesota for an extradition hearing, or whether he should be kept in Chicago to face the abduction charge, the United Press reported to The Daily DIS- PATCH.
Mrs. Donna Clark, who swore out the warrant for Brown’s arrest, left for Chicago late Tuesday with her 3-year-old daughter whom Brown is alleged to have abducted. Brown says he is the father of the child but that he and Mrs. Clark are unmarried.
This week, for Photo Friday, I identify the people in five more envelopes from the Ethel Wight Studio Collection
