Suspect Two in Gas Terrorism
OCD, Legion Join Hunt for Maniac
BY GLADYS ERICKSONMATTOON, Ill. Sept. 8 -- First indication that police are making progress in their search for the mysterious "mad anesthetist" of Mattoon was seen today in the statement of Police Chief C.E. Cole that there are two suspects here.
Meanwhile, as war workers remained at home to protect their families, the American Legion, Boy Scouts, Office of Civilian Defense and other organizations joined in the search at the request of State's Attorney William Kidwell.
The plea came as the terror spread by the gas-spraying maniac reached such proportions that Mrs. J.F. Mallory, president of the Woman's Club, announced that evening meetings would have to be canceled and executives of the Diesel Company said they and their 800 employes were volunteering as vigilantes.
Mayor E.E. Richardson, in charge of the search, revealed that the army's chemical warfare department office in Chicago told him that the reaction of the Mattoon victims is similar to that of soldiers who have been exposed to poison gasses which have as base ingredients picric acid and chloropicrin.
The war workers who guarded their families left no doubt as to the terrorist's fate should they sight him. Typical of their comment was that of William Robinson, who said:
"I've got a 16-gauge shotgun. I'm shooting to kill."
Meanwhile, one victim, Mary Hendershott, 11, who was gassed on Wednesday night, was still so ill that she was unable to attend school. -- Friday, September 8, page 3
No comments:
Post a Comment