◆ SpookStack

a Laska then asked for a diagram of the place where the remaining ransom money was buried. Edward Feldman furnished him with a fictitious diagram. woe, Laska subsequently demanded of Edward Feldman an . additional $2,000. By prearrangement Edward Feldman met Laska_ at Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, where the $2,000 of the Urschel ransom money was delivered to Laska. “ On. December 4, 1934,.Clara Feldman advised Special Agents of ‘the location of additional ransom currency in the sum of $38,460 which had been cached away. On November 2, 1934, Alvin H. Scott, a brother-in-law of Clara Feldman was seriously injured in an anto- mobile accident at Roseburg, Oregon. At the time of this accident, Scott had in his possession $1,360 in Urschel ransom money. A search of the premises of Alvin Scott disclosed the location of the additional sum of $6,140 in Urschel ransom money. Clara Feldman and Edward Feldman were taken into custody at Dunsmuir, California, November 9, 1934, $1,100 in ransom currency being recovered from their possession. Immediate questioning of them by Special Agents disclosed the location of $1,520 additional ransom currency which these parties had cached at a point near Woodland, Washington. con- tinued questioning of Alvin H. Scott disclosed the location of additional ransom money in the sum of $5,000. On December 14, 1934, the following persons were indicted by a Federal Grand Jury at Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, charging them with conspiracy to violate the Kidnaping Statute: Ben B. Laska, James C..Mathers, Clara Feldman, Edward Feldman, and Alvin H. Scott. Accordingly, Clara and Edward Feldman and Alvin Scott were removed | to Oklahoma City. On December 17, 1934, Ben Laska was taken into — custody by Agents in Oklahoma City. It was alleged that Mathers had accepted from Laska $2,000 of the Urschel ransom money, with knowledge of the character of the money. On December 17, 1934, Clara Feldman entered a plea of guilty to the indictment. Edward Feldman and Alvin Scott pleaded guilty on January 2, 1935. Alvin Scott, Clara Feldman, and Edward Feldman were sentenced on June 15, 1935, to serve five years each in a Federal penitientiary. These sentences were suspended for five years, and each placed on probation. James C. Mathers and Ben Laska were tried in Federal Court at Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, the trial commencing on June 10, 1935. On June 14, 1935, Mathers was acquitted by a directed verdict. On June 15, 1935, Laska was sentenced to serve ten years in a Federal penitentiary. nding an appeal. i At at —— | Pte _ otatcy The U. S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the 1 roult ~13-