Miscellany, Mar. 1, 1954

Music to the Ear. In Nashville, Algie King, picked up for attempted auto theft six hours after he finished a two-year prison sentence for auto theft, protested that he was merely “listening to the motor run.”

One for the Road. In Pensacola, Fla., Daisy Weatherington, hitchhiking in a strapless evening gown, was picked up by suspicious police, explained that the dress was “the only decent thing I had to wear.”

Mother’s Day. In Oklahoma City, Willie LaGrand, 49, was arrested and charged with drunken driving and leaving the scene of an accident after he ran over his mother and broke her leg.

Overdue. In Toledo, the public library got back a copy of David Crockett: His Life and Adventures borrowed in 1882, decided that the best thing to do was just forget about the fine of $788.

The Low Road. In Auburn, Ind., Carl Wilder, charged with drunken driving after his truck went through a farmyard, caromed off an automobile and demolished 100 yds. of fence, told police: “I always take this shortcut.”

Blood Tie. In Edinburg, Texas, Pedro Martinez was excused from jury duty after he told the assistant district attorney why he would not be willing to vote for the death penalty: “Jose [the defendant] is my cousin.”

Matter of Pressure. In San Mateo, Calif., Ramond Dockery explained to police why he had thrown a chunk of concrete through the station house door: “I just had to, officer, it’s been building up in me for 40 years.”

Sentimental Value. In Rochester, a jury acquitted William Aaron of a charge of illegal possession of a dangerous weapon after he testified that the blackjack police found in his desk was a memento given him by his mother 19 years before.

The Story Hour. In Chicago, two gunmen invaded the home of Louis Fahrberger, discovered that he was away, entertained the baby-sitter and Fahrberger’s children with fairy tales until he returned, then robbed him of $4,525 in cash and an estimated $7,000 in jewelry.

Christian at Work. In Sudbury, Ont., Delphis Chretien told a judge that he had destroyed all his wife’s coats and shoes because he did not want her running out to bingo games all the time.

Getaway. In Hamilton, New Zealand, the Waikato Times ran an ad: ENGAGEMENT RING, 2-STONE, DIAMOND AND PLATINUM, VALUE £50, SWAP FOR GOOD 2-STROKE MOTORCYCLE . . .