NOTE: Here’s a “who the Hell knows” case. Picked up as
suspect in a murder and released, Ruedell Harrison took credit for three
separate, but unidentified murders. . . . Who knows ?
***
FULL TEXT: Rock Island – The photograph of Ruedell, above
[full-figure photo], taken yesterday in a St. Louis jail, was being shown today
to witnesses who saw a woman with James R. Anderson, 25, of 1700 Twenty-ninth
street, Rock Island, early September 28 before Anderson’s body was found lying
in the back seat of a taxicab, the victim of knockout drops.
The woman, who is 35, was arrested Tuesday at the Hotel
Statler, St. Louis, after she allegedly attempted to rob a traveling salesman
after giving him knockout drops.
In a letter addressed to Chief of Police William J. Wilkins
of Rock Island. Jeremiah O’Connell, St. Louis police chief, said the woman has
stated she has killed three men and expects to kill more. However, the St.
Louis official said, she would not elaborate on the slayings or admit the Rock
Island murder.
According to the letter from St. Louis, the woman did admit
shootings and killer her husband in Dallas, Tex., in March, 1947, and that she
now is at liberty on bond on the murder charge. The information received this
morning also was sent to the Dallas police department. Chief O’Donnell stated
the woman demands extradition papers if she is taken either to Rock Island or
Dallas to face murder charges.
The St. Louis officer indicated the woman might have similar
physical aspects as the one being sought by Rock Island police for the cab
slaying. She gave five different names to the St. Louis police, including
Harrison, Murdock, Virginia Heath, Ruth Simmons and R. B. Jackson.
She previously was arrested in St. Louis on charges of
attempt to commit murder, burglary, forgery, robbery and carrying concealed
weapons.
~ Inquest Held. ~
An inquest into the Anderson death was held this morning in
the office of Coroner Leslie H. Banning. The jury, headed by Oscar Carlmark,
Moline, found that Anderson died as a result of an overdose of choral hydrate
administered by a person or persons unknown.
[“Use This Photo For Rock Island Murder Probe,” Moline Daily
Dispatch (Il.), Oct. 16, 1947, p. 30]
***
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NOTE: An alternate suspect in the same crime:
FULL TEXT: Cleared of murder charges in connection with the
knockout drop slaying of James R. Anderson, Rock Island, Mrs. Hazel Marie
Elder, 44, is returning to her home in Dayton, O., today.
Seven witnesses brought forward by Rock Island police
yesterday afternoon failed to identify
the woman as the companion of Anderson the night his body was found in the rear
seat of a taxicab in Rock Island.
After the last witness had failed to place her in the
puzzling murder case, Mrs. elder declared:
“Well, I’ve proved myself innocent and can return to my
husband.”
Mrs. Elder had maintained her innocence during questioning
by Dayton police and later to Rock Island authorities, stating she agreed to
come to Rock Island simply to clear himself of charges in the man’s death. She told
police here she had proof of purchasing three birthday cards in Dayton
September 27, the day before Anderson was slain.
She said she had never been in Rock Island before, but
admitted, when first queried by Dayton police, she may have driven through Rock
Island on a trip to St. Louis in August. “I often fall asleep when my husband
is driving,” she explained.
One other suspect, Ruedell Harrison, St. Louis, had been questioned
previously, but when witnesses failed to identify her, she also was released.
[“Release Woman In Poison Death At Rock Island,” Moline
Daily Dispatch (Il.), Oct. 28, 1947, p. 1]
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[227-1/29/22]
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