by Vanda Krefft
728 jurors’ eyes widened: Julia Shawell, “Bankers Trace $1,000 Bills at Davis Trial,” Philadelphia Daily News, May 22, 1941.
728 traced the five $1,000 bills . . . Mary Firestone: “Links Up Bills In Davis Case,” NEN, May 22, 1941.
729 Davis, now seventy-four: I. Gainsburg statement, Trial transcript, May 28, 1941, at 1636. US-DK.
729 “confessed criminal” . . . “other crimes”: William Gray statement, Trial transcript, May 29, 1941, at 1669. US-DK.
729 haven’t got the slightest fear: Ibid., 1690.
729 forty years . . . Bible class: J. Warren Davis testimony, Trial transcript, May 26, 1941, at 1230. US-DK.
729 clearing land . . . hauling rails: Ibid., 1218.
729 “While I have been poor”: Ibid., 1232.
729 “with no conscience”: I. Gainsburg statement, Trial transcript, May 28, 1941, at 1640. US-DK.
729 “despicable liar”: Ibid., 1618.
729 “vicious mind” and “lecherous thoughts”: Ibid., 1630.
729 “satanic, vicious look”: Ibid., 1623.
729 “less reliable than the yellowest cur”: Ibid., 1618.
729 “One minute, gentlemen”: Judge Robert N. Pollard statement, Trial transcript, May 22, 1941, at 618. US-DK.
730 died in May 1937: Alma N. Steedle testimony, Trial transcript, May 23, 1941, at 895. US-DK.
730 written reports inadmissible . . . had seen Davis and Kaufman: Walter H. Gahagan statement, interview with Harry McDougall, Sept. 12, 1941, at 3. Box 14, 118 Files, US-DK.
730 rather than intending to commit a crime: William Fox testimony, Trial transcript, May 20, 1941, at 354. US-DK.
730 “I was hoping that justice”: Ibid., 352.
730 Around 10:15 . . . deliberation: John M. McCullough, “U.S. Seeks Re-Trial of Davis, Kaufman Shortly After July 1,” PI, May 31, 1941, 2.
730 eleven men and one woman: “Retrial of Davis Listed For Mid-July; Boston Judge Will Preside,” Philadelphia Record, June 17, 1941.
730 six to six: “Third Davis Trial Is Being Planned,” PEB, Aug. 23, 1941.
730 a well-known jury fixer: E. A. Tamm memo to J. Edgar Hoover, Feb. 10, 1939, 12. Reel 8, FBI Confidential Files microfilm.
730 present during jury selection: “Davis and Kaufman Lose 2 Moves as Trial Opens,” PEB, May 19, 1941, 18.
730 notorious associates . . . loitering: H. J. Pharies, FBI Report, Sept. 9, 1941, 10. Box 15, 118 Files, US-DK.
730 lasted for twenty days: “Third Davis Trial Is Being Planned.”
730 diabetes treatment every morning: Robert T. Paul, “Defense Renews Fox Quiz today on ‘loans’ to Davis,” Philadelphia Daily News, Aug. 1, 1941.
730 He looked pale: Ibid.
730 couldn’t recall details: Walter H. Gahagan Jr., to Wendell Berge, Aug. 11, 1941, 2. Box 15, 118 Files, US-DK.
730 “always something the matter”: William Fox testimony, Trial transcript, Aug. 4, 1941, at 907. US-DK.
730 “I frankly cannot”: Walter H. Gahagan Jr. to Wendell Berge, Aug. 11, 1941, 2. Box 15, 118 Files, US-DK.
730 nine men and three women: “Third Davis Trial Is Being Planned.”
731 seven for conviction and five for acquittal: Ibid.
731 American Legion employee: “Statement of Edward L. Slocum, Juror,” Sept. 12, 1941, 2. Box 14, 118 Files, US-DK.
731 close-minded bullies: Interviews with Walter H. Gahagan Jr.: Charles F. Hetrick Aug. 25, 1941, 1–2; Wesley L. Beam, Aug. 26, 1941, 2; and Robert T. Levins, Aug. 27, 1941—all from Box 14, 118 Files, US-DK.
731 jumped up . . . “hell freezes over”: Wilson S. Rohrbach interview with Walter H. Gahagan Jr., Aug. 26, 1941, 4. Box 14, 118 Files, US-DK.
731 would take dynamite: Thomas F. Kelly interview with Walter H. Gahagan Jr., Aug. 26, 1941, 1. Box 14, 118 Files, US-DK.
731 constantly interrupted . . . on the table: Intervews with Walter H. Gahagan Jr.: James J. Carey, Aug. 26, 1941, 5; Thomas F. Kelly, Aug. 26, 1941, 4; Charles F. Hetrick, Aug. 25, 1941, 5—all from Box 14, 118 Files, US-DK.
731 “Bedlam” . . . “At no time”: Charles F. Hetrick interview with Walter H. Gahagan Jr., Aug. 25, 1941, 4 + 6. Box 14, 118 Files, US-DK.
731 close friends: “Statement of Mrs. Ella B. Clark, Juror,” interview with Walter H. Gahagan Jr., undated, 1–2. Box 14, 118 Files, US-DK.
731 many personal injury cases: Dr. Edgar Clark interview with Walter H. Gahagan Jr., Sept. 12, 1941, 5 + 8–9. Box 14, 118 Files, US-DK.
731 submitted Ella Clarke’s name: H. J. Pharies, FBI Report, Oct. 2, 1941, 10. Box 15, 118 Files, US-DK.
731 phone calls from strangers: Interviews with Walter H. Gahagan Jr.: Wesley L. Beam, Aug. 26, 1941, 3; and Wilson S. Rohrbach, Aug. 26, 1941, 1–4—both from Box 14, 118 Files, US-DK.
731 “Everything’s all right” . . . broad smile: James J. Carey interview with Walter H. Gahagan Jr., Aug. 26, 1941, 2. Box 14, 118 Files, US-DK.
731 guard at the Publicker Commercial Alcohol: H. J. Pharies, FBI Report, Oct. 2, 1941, 3. Box 15, 118 Files, US-DK.
731 virtually no attempt to subdue: James Carey interview with Walter H. Gahagan Jr., Aug. 26, 1941, 3. Box 14, 118 Files, US-DK.
732 “get to” anyone: H. J. Pharies, FBI Report, Sept. 9, 1941, 4. Box 15, 118 Files, US-DK.
732 “us jurors ain’t bright”: H. J. Pharies, FBI Report, Oct. 2, 1941, 7. Box 15, 118 Files, US-DK.
732 evidence . . . too insubstantial: Gerald A. Gleeson telegram to Wendell Berge, Oct. 5, 1941. Box 15, 118 Files, US-DK.
732 Biddle overruled him: “Biddle Rules Out Third Davis Trial,” PEB, Oct. 9, 1941.
732 more than $10,000: “Fox Gets Year for Fraud Plot in Bankruptcy,” CDT, Oct. 22, 1941, 19.
732 customary to drop charges: “U.S. Attorney General to Decide on Davis,” PEB, Aug. 25, 1941.
732 on November 8, 1941 . . . against Davis: “Ouster of U.S. Judge Is Sought in Fraud Plot,” CDT, Nov. 9, 1941, 4.
732 Davis had resigned: “Retired Federal Judge J. W. Davis Quits Under Fire,” CDT, Nov. 22, 1941, 2.
732 forfeiting . . . annual salary: “Murphy Bares FBI Probe Here of Judge Davis,” PI, June 8, 1939; “President Accepts Davis’s Resignation,” NYT, Nov. 26, 1941, 18.
732 at least six crooked decisions—including all five: “Ex-Judge Davis Accused of Six Crooked Rulings,” Philadelphia Record, Oct. 20, 1943, 1.
732 farm just outside Norfolk, VA: “John W. Davis Sr., Retired U.S. Judge,” NYT, Feb. 22, 1945, 25.
732 on February 21, 1945 at age seventy-seven: Ibid.
732 U.S. District Court disbarred . . . “unethical conduct”: “High Court to Hear Disbarment Appeal,” PEB, Nov. 14, 1947.
732 Board of Governance recommended disbarment: Ibid.
733 gave up and resigned: “M. S. Kaufman Quits as Lawyer,” PEB, Oct. 8, 1948.
733 would not object: “Appendix to Brief for Appellant,” U.S. v. William Fox, No. 7867, United States Circuit Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, at 47a. Box 15, 118 Files, US-DK.
733 October 21, 1941 . . . not guilty: Martin W. Littleton deposition, Nov. 28, 1941, at 1. U.S. v. William Fox, et al., No. 8969, United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Box 14, 118 Files, US-DK.
733 always been granted: “Brief for Defendant-Appellant,” U.S. v. William Fox, No. 7867, United States Circuit Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, at 12, Box 15, 118 Files, US-DK.
733 “a substantial prison term”: “Fox Sentenced to Year in Jail for Conspiracy,” Philadelphia Record, Oct. 22, 1941.
733 a year and a day in federal prison . . . $3,000: Martin W. Littleton deposition, Nov. 28, 1941, at 2. U.S. v. William Fox, et al., No. 8969, United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Box 14, 118 Files, US-DK.
733 no sign of emotion: “Fox is Sentenced to Year and Day and Fined $3,000,” PEB, Oct. 21, 1941.
733 remained silent while his lawyer: “Fox Gets Year for Conspiracy,” WP, Oct. 22, 1941, 5.
/> 733 more than thirty minutes: “Fox Gets One Year in Prison,” NEN, Oct. 21, 1941.
733 from $5,000 to $15,000: “Fox Is Sentenced to Year and Day and Fined $3,000.”
733 two hours in a detention cell: “Fox Sentenced to Year in Jail for Conspiracy.”
733 became ill . . . into the cell: Ibid.
733 Federal law prohibited . . . prisoner: “Fox Sentenced to Year and Is Fined $3,000” unidentified publication, Oct. 22, 1941, 4. (Folder 4, Box 293, AMG.)
733 “Talk about your Gestapo!”: “Fox Sentenced to Year in Jail for Conspiracy.”
733 she was allowed: Ibid.
733 arm in arm: Ibid.
734 Fulton . . . neglected to fill in: Martin W. Littleton deposition, Nov. 28, 1941, at 6. U.S. v. William Fox, et al., No. 8969, United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania,. Box 14, 118 Files, US-DK.
734 Fulton wrote to Judge Bard: Ibid., 5–6.
734 Biddle . . . “definite desire”: “Fox Again Seeks to Retract Plea,” PI, Dec. 2, 1941.
734 November 2, 1941 . . . White Plains Road: “Dr. Menas Gregory Dies on Golf Links,” NYT, Nov. 3, 1941, 19.
734 “desperate state of mind”: William Fox to Albert M. Greenfield, Nov. 12, 1941, AMG.
734 “an unheard of result” . . . never proved existed: Martin W. Littleton deposition, Nov. 28, 1941, at 7–8. U.S. v. William Fox, et al., No. 8969, United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Box 14, 118 Files, US-DK.
734 suspend Fox’s prison sentence: “Fox Again Seeks to Retract Plea.”
734 single defendant could be prosecuted: “Memorandum for Assistant Attorney General Berge,” Oct. 28, 1941, 1–2. Box 15, 118 Files, US-DK.
734 only restriction . . . acquittal: Ibid., 3.
734 final obstacle . . . conviction: Ibid.
735 no judge was bound to honor: “U.S. Backs Fox As He Seeks to Drop Guilty Plea,” Philadelphia Ledger, Dec. 1, 1941.
735 $895,000 settlement . . . discharged from bankruptcy on July 27, 1942: “Fox, Movie Pioneer, Out of Bankruptcy,” NYT, July 28, 1942, 13. The Internal Revenue Bureau settled its nearly $5.2 million tax claim against Fox for only $295,000 (“Probe of Film Tycoon’s Tax Case Urged,” New York Journal American, Oct. 30, 1952).
735 Four days later . . . Lewisburg: Wanda M. Hunt to the author, Oct. 30, 2003; “William Fox Freed From Prison on Parole; Has Served 5 Months in Bankruptcy Case,” NYT, May 4, 1943, 44.
CHAPTER 53: PRISON
736 “That which is past”: “A New Federal Prison,” NYT, Nov. 14, 1932, 16.
736 on November 20, 1942: Wanda M. Hunt to the author, Oct. 30, 2003; “William Fox Freed from Prison on Parole; Has Served 5 Months in Bankruptcy Case,” NYT, May 4, 1943, 44.
736 “1,014 acres: “Lewisburg, PA, Gets New Federal Prison,” NYT, Aug. 1, 1930, 14.
736 A week after: Kende Galleries display ad, NYT, Nov. 27, 1942, 6.
736 $5 million art collection: “Mrs. Fox To Sell Art Collection,” New York Sun, Oct. 15, 1942.
736 Kende Galleries . . . war bonds: “Fox Art Collection Will Go at Auction,” NYT, Oct. 15, 1942, 28.
736 126 paintings: “Auctions,” NYT, Nov. 29, 1942, X8.
736 Van Dyke . . . Reynolds: Kende Art Galleries brochure, Fox Art Collection, No. 75, Getty Research Insitute Library, Los Angeles, CA.
736 all the furnishings . . . Woodmere: “Fox Art Collection Will Go at Auction,” 28.
736 china . . . tapestries: Ibid.; “Mrs. Fox to Sell Art Collection.”
736 sixty tons . . . ornamental fence: “Put Out Scrap for Salvage Men Tonight,” Long Island Daily Press, date unclear. fultonhistory.com
737 blue denim uniform: L. H. Robbins, “Where the Prisoner Is Still a Man,” NYT Magazine, June 19, 1938, 5. Newcomers wore brown denim, until prison officials figured out where to place them.
737 long wooden table: Diana Medina Lasansky, “The Architecture of Redemption: The Federal Prison at Lewisburg,” in The History of the Federal Penitentiary at Lewisburg (Lewisburg, PA: Union County Historical Society, 2005), 57.
737 aluminum cup: Lasansky, “The Architecture of Redemption,” 77.
737 eight hours’ work: Robbins, “Where the Prisoner Is Still a Man,” 5.
737 dairy cows and chickens . . . racks: Lasansky, “The Architecture of Redemption,” 38, 65, 68.
737 tailor shop: Robbins, “Where the Prisoner Is Still a Man,” 18.
737 fifteen hundred inmates: Robbins, “Where the Prisoner Is Still a Man,” 5. Lewisburg prison was originally designed for twelve hundred inmates. (Lasansky, “The Architecture of Redemption,” 34.)
737 moonshiners . . . alcoholics: Robbins, “Where the Prisoner Is Still a Man,” 5.
737 Manton . . . October 13, 1941: “Manton Leaves Prison,” NYT, Oct. 14, 1941, 25.
737 Enoch “Nucky” Johnson: “Final Appeal Lost by ‘Nucky’ Johnson,” NYT, Feb. 16, 1943, 11.
737 humane and rehabilitative treatment: “A New Federal Prison,” 16; Robbins, “Where the Prisoner Is Still a Man.”
737 twenty-one-foot-high wall . . . watchtowers: “A New Federal Prison,” 16.
737 Italian Renaissance–style . . . university hall or a monastery: John W. Roberts, “The Origins of USP Lewisburg,” in The History of the Federal Penitentiary at Lewisburg (Lewisburg, PA: Union County Historical Society, 2005), 10.
737 talk to one another at meals: Robbins, “Where the Prisoner Is Still a Man,” 5.
737 play the radio: Douglas S. Dales, “Gates of Federal Prison Slam on Lustigs, Income Tax Evaders,” NYT, Oct. 30, 1947, 6.
738 baseball diamond . . . Rabbits: Lasansky, “The Architecture of Redemption,” 57, 59.
738 tantamount to a country club: John W. Roberts, “The Origins of UPS Lewisburg,” in The History of the Federal Penitentiary at Lewisburg, 6–19. Lewisburg, PA: Union County Historical Society, 2005. 16.
738 eligible for parole on March 16, 1943: Wanda M. Hunt, chief, FOIA/PA Section, Federal Bureau of Prisons, to author, Oct. 30, 2003.
738 released on May 3: “William Fox Freed After Five Months,” PI, May 4, 1943, 14.
738 five months and seventeen days: “William Fox Freed From Prison on Parole; Has Served 5 Months in Bankruptcy Case,” NYT, May 4, 1943, 44.
738 left quietly: Ibid.
738 seasonal suit issued by the prison: “William Fox Freed After Five Months,” 14.
CHAPTER 54: EXILE
741 “When you look at me”: Transcript, 19.
741 general manager . . . owned entirely: Carl. W. Vrooman, FBI Report, Jan. 29, 1947, “William Fox, Application for Pardon to Restore Civil Rights,” 1 + 3. Box 15, 118 Files, US-DK.
741 cameras for the U.S. military: “William Fox Begins Year’s Prison; Last Minute Plea of War Service Fails,” NYT, Nov. 17, 1942, 27.
741 assist the war effort: Vrooman, FBI Report, Jan. 29, 1947, 2.
741 high speed shutters . . . fifteen thousand deaths: Angela Fox Dunn, “A Man and His Camera,” Variety, Oct. 27, 1981, 83.
742 “the greatest of all motion picture companies”: Sherwin Kane, “William Fox Back in Business Again,” MPD, Apr. 7, 1944, 8.
742 1,500-acre plot of land: Lou Pelegrine, “Exhibs. Play Role in Wm. Fox Co,” FD, Apr. 7, 1944, 1.
742 Fox Pictures Corp.: Ibid.
742 William Fox Studio: “Fox Flying to Coast to Close for Studio,” FD, May 25, 1945, 1.
742 directors, stars, writers, and cinematographers: Kane, “William Fox Back in Business Again,” 8.
742 by franchised exhibitors: Pelegrine, “Exhibs. Play Role in Wm. Fox Co,” 6.
742 No bankers would be involved: Ibid.
742 twenty-five or twenty-six features: Ibid.
742 finest creative talent: Ibid.
742 two months in Los Angeles: Ibid., 1.
742 Lefcourt Building on Fifth Avenue: Bert Hicks, “William Fox to Sell Stock to Exhibitors in New Deal,” MPH, Apr. 22, 1944, 16.
&nbs
p; 742 simply “William Fox”: Ibid.
742 reception area . . . empty: Ibid.
742 beat-up looking desks and tables: Ibid.
742 no telephones or typewriters: Kane, “William Fox Back in Business Again,” 8.
742 one-third . . . private office: Hicks, “William Fox to Sell Stock to Exhibitors in New Deal,” 16.
742 “battered telephone table”: Thomas M. Pryor, “William Fox Plans Comeback as Film Producer,” NYT, Apr. 9, 1944, X3.
742 padded leather chairs . . . “mahogany desk”: Hicks, “William Fox to Sell Stock to Exhibitors in New Deal,” 16.
742 only three employees . . . Hart: Ibid.
742 “remarkably fit and vigorous”: Kane, “William Fox Back in Business Again,” 8.
742 considerably younger: Hicks, “William Fox to Sell Stock to Exhibitors in New Deal,” 16.
742 “I feel better now”: Kane, “William Fox Back in Business Again,” 8.
742 “I started with nothing”: Pryor, “William Fox Plans Comeback as Film Producer,” X3.
742 impossible . . . start a major new studio: Sherwin Kane, “Tradewise . . . “ MPD, Apr. 10, 1944, 2.
742 “I have never been more serious”: Kane, “William Fox Back in Business Again,” 1.
743 “Perhaps I am dreaming,” Hicks, “William Fox to Sell Stock to Exhibitors in New Deal,” 16.
743 “has not been doing any work” . . . “passed him by”: Joe Schenck to W. C. Michel, Mar. 3, 1944, “Sol Wurtzel correspondence,” FLC.
743 terminated on May 15, 1944: George Wasson interoffice memo, May 18, 1944, “Sol Wurtzel Correspondence,” FLC.
743 “honest and loyal” . . . “give Sol a break”: Joe Schenck to W. C. Michel, Mar. 3, 1944, “Sol Wurtzel Correspondence,” FLC.
743 as a consultant or adviser: F. L. Metzler to Donald A. Henderson, Mar. 7, 1952, 2; “Joe Schenck to W. C. Michel, Mar. 3, 1944. “Sol Wurtzel Correspondence,” FLC.
743 in either capacity: F. L. Metzler to Donald A. Henderson, Mar. 7, 1952, 2. “Sol Wurtzel Correspondence,” FLC.
744 all his movies off the lot: George Wasson to E. P. Kilroe, July 10, 1946, “Sol Wurtzel Productions, 4650,” FLC.
744 Florian . . . story mirrors that of the Austrian Empire: William R. Weaver, “It’s Florian on the Nose But Not as a Horse Film,” MPH, Jan. 13, 1940, 18.