Sewickley Herald

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The Sewickley Valley’s Home Weekly Newspaper
HONOR THE BOY SCOUTS NEXT WEEK
Voi, 49 No. 5
SEWICKLEY, PENNSYLVANIA, THURSDAY, JANUARY 31, 1952
Price Ten Cents
Ex-Cabbie Held for Court on Five Counts
Band Uniform Benefit
Jerrie Woss
Pictured above is pretty Jerrie Woss, one of- the featured dancers with the popular Duquesne University Tamburitzans. She wears a beautifully embroidered authentic costume ( Macedonian ) received as a gift from the people of Macedonia on the Tamburitzans’ recent European tour. ,
This is but one of the fifteen or more colorful native costumes displayed on the Tamburitzans’ 'colorful two hour show which appears here on Thursday, February 21, in the Sewickley High School auditorium, as a joint benefit for the band uniform fund, sponsored by the Sewickley Valley Board of Trade and the Band Parents of the High School.
Matt L. Gouze directs the internationally famous group which celebrates its fifteenth anniversary season this year.
The singing and dancing Tamburitzans, Duquesne University’s highly talented ensemble, is made up of fulltime university Students working their way through college. The unique organization is ,the only one of its kind in the world.
The program is centered around the tamburitza,' a musical instrument with soft mellow tone, hence the name ‘Tamburitzans.’
Weeks of intensified training at scenic Lake Nebagambn in northern Wisconsin under the skillful guidance of well trained dance and choral instructors has helped perfect the fascinating program of the young college artists. A three weeks tour throughout Minnesota and WiSconsffi followed the training period. The result is a well balanced two hour program of wonderful folk music, sparkled with rhythm and vivacity,
The Tamburitzans, who play the music and do the dances of all nations truly are a remarkable ensemble. Singing the heart warming and enchanting songs of the Croatians and Dalmatians, dancing to the rhythm of the Mexican and Latin American numbers as well as1 the gay Kolo routines of the many Balkan nations, and playing the music of the Serbians, Macedonians, arid Hungarians, is a variety seldom heard in American concert circles. From opening overture to the close of the two hour program, audiences are thrilled by the delightful ' performance of the versatile entertainers. , Several newcomers have been added to complete the roster of 24 Tamburitzans. Veteran male performers include dancers Steve Kovacev and John Stipefic, soloists Norman Tureharl and accOrdian-1st Ed Tooehek. Tammie lovelies include dancer and singer Gloria Keleminic, prim players Larie Culjak and Evelyn Yureno-vich, and soloist Ellen11 IveS,
Mothers1 March Of Dimes Tonight
Turn On Your Porch Light For Signal
Turn on your porch light! Fight Polio tonight, Japuary 31st, 7 to 8 p. m- The Mothers’ March on Polio will take place in Allegheny County this evening. Block wardens Will visit each block in Spwick-‘ ley, Osborne, and Edgeworth and call at every house where they see a porch light burning. This is tlie only time that you’ will be called on this year to contribute fo the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis. The March of Dimes Campaign is worthy, of each family’s support because the funds raised are available for-partial, or in cases needed, whole payment of polio patients’ care and treatment, and for vitally needed research in' the field of Polio.
Mrs. Ralph E. Smith, 213 Qrchard Lane, is the Community Chairman 'for Edgeworth.. Working with her are the following lieutenants and block wardens: Mrs. Carl S.' Horner, Lieutenant; Mrs. Kenneth'Loofboro, Mrs. Howard Snyder, Mrs. Lee Jenkins, Mrs. William Wytiaz, Mrs. Neal Mitchell, Mrs. James P. Wilson. Block wardens, Mrs. Martin H. Doyle, .Lieutenant; Mrs. F. M. Dixon, Mrs. Glade Bowman, Mrs. Francis N. Barnes, Mrs. Jaseph M. Lasher, Mrs. Vernon Campbell, Mrs. Edmund D. War-drop, Mrs. Wilfred Taylor; Block Wardens, Mrs. Wm. Graef, Lieutenant; Mrs. Mark Shriver, Mrs. Joseph Blackhurst, Mrs. Orin Alexander; Block wardens, Mrs, John B. Girdler, Lieutenant; Mrs. Leonard Ifolsinger, Mrs. Martin .Doyle, Mrs. Andrew Deane; Block wardens, Mrs. D. E. Stauffer, Lieutenant; Mrs. W. W. Hazzard, Mrs. Richard Patterson, Mrs. Wm. Bradley, Mrs, Walter M. Sutton.
Sewickley: Mrs. Richard Quinn, Chairman; Mrs. David Klicker, Mrs. J.' R. An-gros, Mrs. Harold Leach, Mrs. Kenneth Dale, Mrs, Ben Mauro, Mrs. Norman Polk and Mrs. Richard Cole, Lieutenants.
Osborne: Mrs. Robert W. Smith, Chairman; Mrs. W. H. Colbert, Miss Barbara Grafflin, Mrs. R. A, Winn, -Mrs. L. L. Laster, Mrs. L. R. Baumgartel, Mrs. C. K. Stroh, Mrs. R. A. Carr, Mrs G. W. Peiffer, Jr., Mrs. W. H. McComb, Mrs. Percy Lewis, Mrs. C. H. L. Schuette, Mrs. W. C. Seagren, Mrs. J. R. Mac-queen.
YMCA Financial Campaign Starts Soon
At a meeting held Wednesday evening, January 23rd, at the Y.M.C.A., initial plans were discussed for the Financial Campaign which will hold its “kick-off” dinner on Tuesday, February 12th, at the W”.
A. W, Ehgelf” well known throughout the. Valley for his civic activities in the community, proudly informed committee chairmen that the Sewickley “Y” is being used, and to carry on the expanded activities of the "Y”, an estimated minimum goal of $25,000 for the 1952 budget will have to be raised. The Sewickley Y.NLC.A. is proud of its new interior, of its: new facilities, new memberships, ^ and asks the citizens’ all-out support in continued contributions toward the continuous expansion of activities.
The divisional captains fql the 1952 Financial Campaign of the Sewickley Y.M.C.A.^arc as follows: Louis I-I. Shad* duck, Mrs. Hnrton Semple, Mrs, I-Iarold S. Irons and Mrs, William R, Carson, Mrs, Charles F. Reott and Mrs, Margaret O, Borovich, Mrs, Duane G, Barbour and Mrs. Cuyler S, Poor, Mrs,
36-Hour Reign of Terror Ended When Desperate Suspect Surrenders
Neighboring Borough Police Join County Detectives And State Police In Gigantic Man-Hunt
Charles Leeper, 30-year-old former cab driver, of 711 Chestnut Street, Edgeworth, was held for court Tuesday evening at a hearing before Justice of the Peace William B. Evans on five charges. The counts against the negro, a life-long resident of the Valley, included false imprisonment, which means holding a person against her will; robbery resulting from his securing $200 from Mrs. Andrew1 K. Black III’, of 60 Thom Street; burglary, entering the home by force; larceny of Mrs. Black’s station wagon* and attempted burglary at the residence of Mrs. Van :H. Voit, 105 Beaver Street. The quickr thinking of both Mrs. Black and Mrs. Viot frustrated Leeper in his ’ attempts to secure more money and eventually resulted in his capture.
The 36-liour period of uncertainty and fear which gripped many residents of the Valley began suddenly at 11:40 a. m. on Thursday, when Mrs. Black appeared at the Sewickley police headquarters and gasped out a request to send police to 60 Thom Street, She was unable to tell more at the moment, so Mrs. William E. Evans, police department secretary, radioed Lt. Lee S. Jones in one police car and Officer Bertil Neely in another, to go to the house immediately. Lt.
Jones arrived first, with Borough Secretary Ellerton still in the car, to find the house empty. When Officer .Neely arrived, they searched the place from top to bottom and found no one. Later, they were informed from headquarters that a Negro Was on his way to the house to kill 'the children, who, by that time were at the home of a neighbor, Mrs.
E. R. Coyle. ,
Chief Thomas Prendergast questioned Mrs. Black and she told him that at eight o’clock that morning the telephone rang and a man claiming to be Mr.
Wellman' wanted to talk to Mr. Black, a Koppers Company official in the labor relations, department of the firm’s tar products division. Mrs. Black told ‘Mr.
Wellman.’ that he probably : wanted to talk to another Mr. Black but when he insisted she said he wouldn’t be back until Saturday from a business trip to St. Louis. About 10 o’clock tlie, door bell rang and Mrs. Black looked out the upstairs window and Called to see who was there. She Recognized Leeper as a driver for the Seay Taxi Company, as she had ridden in his cab a number of times.
■Charles Leeper
pale; the writing was ‘scribblv’ and she didn’t open the door very wide.
The bank called Mrs. Black back tQ. say that her balance in the special account was $230 and Mrs. Black persuaded Leeper that a check for the:
Dallas Irvine, Mrs. Robert P, Clarke, Jr,, Mrs. D. E. Davis, Mr. and Mrs. David Oliver, William R, Carton and Mrs. D. Ross Stickell, Mrs. Robert D. Neil and Mrs. M. D. Brand, Mr. and Mrs. Dale Park, Oliver MyClintock and Rev. David C, Wilson of Leetsdale; and Mrs. Edna C. Ehrnstrom,, publicity chairman.
Mr. Engel asked that a special invitation be given to all in the Valley to visit the ‘Y’ to view its interior, and to become acquainted with its new activities.
Hear Mr. George W.
Cassler Tonight
You will want to hear Mr. George W. Cassler, Assistant County Supervisor, at the Sewickley High School tonight at 8:00 p, m. Mr. Cassler, an interesting speaker known for his informality, and humor, will talk on “Highlights of County Supervising”,
Community Calendar
Thursday, January'31
7	to 8 p. m. Mothers’ March of Dimes,
8	p, m. Sewickley P.T.A. meeting at1 Sewickley High School. George W. Cassler will speak on “Highlights of County Supervising.” -
4 p. m. Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Concert free to all school children from first grade up, at' tlie Sewickley Academy, Mr. Bakaleinikoff conducting.
8:30 p. m. Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Concert at Allegheny Country Club with Mr. Bakaleinikoff conducting.
Friday; February 1
6:30 p. m. Blue and Gold Dinner of Cub Pack ‘No. 98 at Sewickley Presbyterian Church.
. Saturday, February $
9	a. m. Bake Sale and Bazaar sponsored by the Ladies Aid of the Little Hill E.U.B. Church at McMaster’s Flower Shop, Beaver Street.
Monday, February 4 Board Meeting of B. Pi W., at-tlie Home of Virginia Horton, 7:45 p. m.
Friday, February 8'
8:30 p. m. P. T. A. Card Party, Sewickley High School gymnasium.
Sunday, February 10 2 p. m. to 6 p. m. Open House at Friendship House, Centennial and Nevin.
Monday, February 11 ■8:30 p. m. Women’s Gatholic Guild Card Party at the Trade School, Walnut and Bank Streets.
Tuesday, February 12 6:30. p. m. Blue gpd Gold Dinner of Pack 168, St. Stephen’s Parish House.
Thursday, February 21 6:30 p. m. Turkey Dinner at the Sewickley Methodist Church given by the Wesley Brothefhood.
8:15 p. m. Full cast of Duquesnd University Tamburitzans at Sewickley High School. Benefit sponsored by Board of Trade for band uniforms. •
Monday, February 25 6:30 p. m. Father and Son and Sewickley Kiwanis Club dinner at the Sewickley YMCA.
8:30 p. m. Women’s Catholic Guild Card Party at tlie Post 4, American Legion, Broad Street:
February 29 .
2 p. m. World Day of Prayer, sponsored by the Sewickley Council of Church Women, to be held in the Sewickley Baptist Church.
March 26, 27, 28
4th Annual Child Health Antique Show at the Sewickley Academy,
Friday, April 25
Card Party sponsored by the Sewickley Century Club in St. Stephen’s Parish House.
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He called up to her, “My taxi is broken down on tlie road and I have a message here I was told to bring you.” He had ‘ an envelope in his hand and asked if he could .come in, as the message needed an answer. At the front door, Mrs. Black asked if he would like to use the telephone to hall Seay’s to send -for the broken-down taxi and he replied, “yes.” Then he lunged in the door, hitting Mrs. Black in the face and knocking over the dining room table. He asked if she were alone in the house and upon receiving an . affirmative answer, pulled the curtains and locked the doors. /
Mrs. Black then stated that Leeper said, “If you do anything wrong, I’m going to kill your child. I’ve got a gun.” He held his hand in liis coat pocket as if he was carrying a gun, but Mrs. Black never saw one, 1-Ie asked, “How much money do you have in tlie house?” and Mrs. Black said none, or maybe 75 cents. He then told her to write a check for $250 an,d to call the bank and tell them that she was sending a man from the taxi company to cash the check. Trudell’s phone was busy, so she' called Seay’s. She also called the bank, William Cooper, a Seay driver, came to the house .at 10 minutes to 11 o’clock for the check. He told investigating officers later that lie didn’t suspect that anything Was wrong, even though Mrs, Black appeared
entire amount might be suspicious, so. he agreed to take $200 and Mr. Cooper was sent back by the bank to get tlie check for tlie smaller amount. He afterwards told police that lie thought it rather funny, “but then people are always asking cab drivers to do funny things.” When he returned with the money, he slipped it in tlie partly opened door. Meanwhile Leeper had forced Mrs. Black to go upstairs where he pulled all the Curtains. He said he had seen her picture in the paper and that’s what gave him thè idea. She replied that it must have been someone else who looked like her.
She gained command of the situation by telling him that it was time to go to school for her daughter, and, that'if she didn’t pick her up, her in-laws would do so and come to the house and he would be caught, Thereupon they went ' to tlie station wagon and drove up Thorn Street, meeting the 4-year-old daughter, on her. way home from kindergarten. Leeper helped the child into the station wagon and then helped her to the door at home. They didn’t see her son, He had been' driving and then ,went to the allèy back of the house where he forced1 her to change seats without letting Mrs; ‘Black Out of the wagon. He had told'her that he had a child in Children’s Hospital, which wasn’t true, and she promised to drive
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