1958 cleared suspect interview summaries
In 1958, Detective McPhail and the deputies assigned to the Izard murder cases conducted over 500 interviews with suspects.
Only those interviews that were directly relevant to the investigation are included in the 1958 case file summaries. Interviews with potential suspects who were eventually cleared of involvement and/or who provided alibi information regarding other suspects follow.
The following interview summaries are taken directly from the 1958 case files.
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0830 hours |
Steve Ibello Interviewed at station. Ibello said he was at Sid's from a little bit after 1200 hours until about 1515 hours when he heard of the Izard murders and left Sid's to go to Frank Abbott's house on Taylor Road. Stated that Frank was at home and had not heard the news until he arrived at about 1530 hours. Ibello said he called his wife at home at about 1540 hours from Frank Abbott's. He stated that he personally heard Jimmy Warren make threats against both Bowlan and Richard Izard. He said he also personally heard Hadley and Elbert Warren make specific threats against both Bowlan and Izard. He stated there were others who were making general threats and that there was a lot of talk about teaching lessons to people that take away jobs. He feels that it was all talk and that everyone was getting drunk and talking crazy to blow off steam. He stated his opinion that most were too drunk to do anything about their threats. Ibello returned to his home directly from Frank Abbott's house, leaving there at about 1600 and arriving at his home at about 1620 hours. Conducted by Deputy Larry Kuhn. |
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0930 hours |
Glenn Johnson Interviewed at station. Stated that he was at Sid's from about 1200 hours or a bit before with Fred Earle, Lou Nash, Ralph Quillens, Charlie Duncan, Walter Hinkley and Joe Mitchell. Said that Walter Hinkley was particularly upset and angry over the loss of the job and was not wanting to go home. Said Fred and Lou were discussing the idea of going to Michigan to look for union jobs there. Perch was encouraging on the possibilities in the Flint and Detroit areas. Stated that many of the men were angry at the idea of being forced to leave the area just to support their families. Said it was about that time when the threats were really heating up, and Jimmy Warren started throwing punches and went for Perch. He stated that he, Fred Earle, and Lou Nash decided that was a good time to leave and decided to go to Robert Abbott's home out on Bell River Road. Said the group left Sid's at approx. 1255 hours, right after the fight, and arrived at Abbott's home approx. 1330 hours. Said both Robert Abbott and his wife, Mary Ellen, were at home, and they spent most of the afternoon discussing job options. He said Robert Abbott's son, Frank, called the house shortly after 1600 hours to inform them of the Izard murders and that the children were missing. He stated that he, Nash, and Earle left about 15 minutes later discussing getting a group together to help with the search for the children. Notes: Deputy Moffett confirms the three stopped by the station to inquire about volunteering for the search. Dep. Moffett stated that all three were on the search along Hurricane Creek from approx. 1700 hours to 2100 hours on Friday, April 11. Conducted by Deputy Larry Kuhn. |
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1015 hours |
Charlie Duncan Interviewed at station. Stated that he was at Sid's from approx. 1200 hours until approx. 1450 hours. He said he returned home and learned of the Izard murders from his nephew, Tim Knepp, who stopped at the house approx. 1600 hours and left approx. 1700 hours. Miz Duncan has not been in the best of health and was at home all day. She verified the timing. Charlie said he stayed at home rather than join the volunteer search for the Izard children to care for Miz Duncan who took the news badly. He also stated he had more than usual to drink and did not feel he would be able to contribute much to the search effort. He confirmed that he personally heard Jimmy Warren, Howard Hadley, Ed Rebstock, Jessie Danahy, and a number of others he couldn't specifically name make threats toward Perch, Bowlan, and Izard at Sid's. Conducted by Deputy Larry Kuhn. |
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1100 hours |
Ed Rebstock Interviewed at station. Rebstock stated that he arrived at Sid's at approx. 1145 hours and left after one beer at approx. 1215 hours. He said that like most of the men, he was very angry about the layoffs and suspected that there would be many fights at Sid's. He said he and Joe Mitchell agreed to go out to Pappy's on Route 6 and shoot pool. He stated he arrived at Pappy's around 1440 hours, and Joe Mitchell joined him there closer to 1500 hours. He stated he learned about the Izard murders at Pappy's around 1645 hours. He said he and Mitchell stayed at Pappy's until approx. 1730 hours. He said he returned home and was under the impression that was Mitchell's plan also. Notes: Verified with Harris that Rebstock arrived at Pappy's between 1430 and 1445 hours and that Mitchell arrived a short time later. He stated that they appeared normal, no signs of being in a fight, and played pool until around 1700 hours or so. Travel time between the crime scene at County Road 106 and Pappy's is at best 27 minutes, unlikely Rebstock or Mitchell were directly involved in the murders. Conducted by Deputy Larry Kuhn. |
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1140 hours |
Fred Earle Interviewed at station. Earle confirmed that he was at Sid's from about 1200 hours or a bit before with Lou Nash, Glenn Johnson, Charlie Duncan, Joe Mitchell, and others. Stated that Walter Hinkley was taking the loss of the job very hard. Earle confirmed that he and Lou Nash were discussing the idea of going to Michigan to look for union jobs there and that Perch was encouraging on the prospects. Said he left with Lou Nash and Glenn Johnson shortly after Jimmy Warren started throwing punches and went for Perch. He stated that they went to Robert Abbott's home out on Bell River Road arriving at approx. 1330 hours. Said both Robert Abbott and his wife, Mary Ellen were at home, and they spent most of the afternoon discussing job options. He confirmed prior statements that Robert Abbott's son, Frank, called the house shortly after 1600 hours to inform them of the Izard murders and that the children were missing. He stated that he, Nash, and Johnson left about 15 minutes later discussing getting a group together to help with the search for the children. Notes: Deputy Moffett confirmed the three stopped by the station to inquire about volunteering for the search. Dep. Moffett stated that all three were on the search along Hurricane Creek from approx. 1700 hours to 2100 hours on Friday, April 11. Conducted by Deputy Larry Kuhn. |
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1300 hours |
Jeff Skinner Interviewed at station. Jeff Skinner stated that he was at Sid's by 1215 hours and stuck with Danahy, Peach, Valenti, Corey, and Booker until Danahy, Corey and Booker left. He said he is unsure of when they left but that it was by 1315 hours. He stated that he, Valenti, and Peach remained at Sid's drinking and "crying in our beers" until they learned of the Izard murders around 1540 hours. He said he did have some thoughts about Danahy's involvement but doesn't think Danahy would really go so far as murder, stating that was "plum crazy and Danahy's crazy but not that crazy." He stated that he returned home and then joined the volunteer search effort for the Izard children around 1730 hours along Hawkins and Hurricane Creeks. Confirmed by Dep. Moffett, search coordinator. Skinner stated he has no idea who would do this. He said that maybe he could see someone going after Dick Izard, but not the whole family and taking kids. He stated that "some of them guys were mean and drunk, and maybe that'd be enough, but what would they do with little kids?" Conducted by Deputy Larry Kuhn. |
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1345 hours |
Louis Corbett Interviewed at station. Corbett stated that he was at Sid's from about 1215 hours until 1545 hours. He said when he heard about the Izard murders, he was concerned that maybe Jimmy Warren "went totally off the deep end." He said he tried to call Jimmy's house, and when he got no answer, he went out there arriving at approx. 1630 hours and found Jimmy sleeping on the porch. Stated Warren was still quite drunk when he arrived, and it took a bit to get him awake and understanding that the Izards had been murdered. He stated that Warren wasn't too upset about Dick Izard's death, saying something to the effect of "well, he deserved it," but Corbett says Warren adamantly denied any role in the murders or disappearance of the kids. Corbett believes him. Corbett states that when he saw Warren, Warren was wearing the same clothes he'd had on at Sid's and he didn't seem to be "any worse for wear" than he had been when he left Sid's around 1315 to 1330 hours. Corbett stated that if Warren had been involved in those "bloody murders, he woulda looked a lot worse". Conducted by Deputy Larry Kuhn. |
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1430 hours |
Joe Mitchell Interviewed at station. Mitchell stated that he was at Sid's for only a short while from about 1200 to 1230 hours. He said he stopped in for one beer with what he called the "organizers:" Fred Earle, Lou Nash, Glenn Johnson, Elbert Warren, Ralph Quillens, Frank Abbott, Steve Ibello, Charlie Duncan, Wes Hannaford, and Elliott Perch. He said the mood, as he'd expected, was "mean drunk," and he had "no intention of getting caught up in that mess." He said he drove over to Sardis to look into some field work, but that he was unable to find anyone to speak to. He stated that he returned home directly from Sardis, stopping for gas at the Red Spot around 1430 hours, arriving home at approx. 1510 hours. Miz Mitchell and Joe's daughter, Laura were both at home. They confirmed the time. He stated that he spoke to his mother on the phone at approx. 1530 hours (verified). He stated that he learned of the murders at approx. 1630 hours on the radio. Notes: Dep. Kuhn spoke with the attendant on duty at the Red Spot who recalled that Joe Mitchell had stopped there for gas that afternoon, but he was unable to recall the time any more specifically than between 1430 and 1530 hours. The farm that Mitchell said he went to outside of Sardis was looking for field hands and stated that there was no one around the house at the time Mitchell said he was there. Mitchell is not considered a viable suspect in the murders. Conducted by Deputy Larry Kuhn. |
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1525 hours |
Wes Hannaford Interviewed at station. Hannaford stated he was Sid's from approx. 1200 hours until about 1300 hours at which time he left. He said he spent most of his time discussing job options with Steve Ibello and Frank Abbott. He said he is seriously considering moving to Michigan to look for a union job. He was present for the altercation between Jimmy Warren and Perch. He said he left with Perch while some of the others held Jimmy back. He said he then drove around for some time thinking about moving out of state. He stated that he decided to go to his mother's house outside of Taylor to discuss it with her, arriving there at approx. 1500 hours. Notes: Miz Hannaford confirmed the time and told Deputy Kuhn that Hannaford had come to discuss relocating to Michigan with her. She stated that he was worried but otherwise seemed fine, did not appear to have been drinking, and had no cuts, dirty clothes, or signs of having been in a fight. There would barely be enough time for Hannaford to arrive at the crime scene, commit the murders and arrive at Miz Hannaford's by 1500 hours. However, this would not account for the children or his clean appearance. Hannaford shows no signs of injuries at the time of the interview. Hannaford is not considered a viable suspect. Conducted by Deputy Larry Kuhn. |
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1635 hours |
Frank Valenti Interviewed at station. Valenti stated he was at Sid's from shortly before 1200 hours until approx. 1600 hours. He stated he learned of the murders at Sid's around 1530 or shortly after. He said he went home from Sid's and fell asleep, having had too much to drink. He said that it's possible that Danahy might have been involved, but he said that Elbert and Jimmy Warren were more likely in his mind to be involved. He stated that they were both hyped up and ready to fight with anyone and they both left Sid's by about 1330 hours as best he can recall. He said Corbett was concerned about Jimmy Warren being in on it and left Sid's right after they got the news to go out to Jimmy's. He hasn't talked to Corbett since then. Conducted by Deputy Larry Kuhn. |
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1945 hours |
Frank Abbott Interviewed at station. Abbott stated he went to Sid's along with many of the other men from Bowlan arriving at about 1200 hours along with a large crowd. He stated he was there until about 1345 hours at which time he left and went home. He said the mood at Sid's was ugly for the entire time he was there and that most were drinking heavily. Abbott stated he had only two beers and spent much of his time discussing job options with Steve Ibello and Wes Hannaford. He said a number of men are talking about heading to Chicago or Michigan to look for union jobs. He was present and confirmed that Jimmy Warren was throwing punches and talking about "teaching someone a lesson." Abbott said Warren jumped Perch but was pulled off before any real damage was done. He said many men left between 1300 and 1330 hours after the fight. He stated that he arrived home at about 1400 hours. He said he learned about the Izard murders when Steve Ibello came to his house at approx. 1530 hours directly from Sid's and that Steve Ibello called his wife at home to inform her of the murders and left shortly after the call. He stated that Jimmy Warren, Elbert Warren, Howard Hadley, and Louis Corbett were the most vocal in their threats of violence at Sid's, but that he doesn't really believe any of them would go this far. He recalled that Corbett was the only one of that group still at Sid's when he left. Conducted by Detective Jack McPhail. |
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2125 hours |
Jack Peach Interviewed at station. Peach stated that he arrived at Sid's approx. 1145 hours with Danahy, Corey, and Booker. He stated that Frank Valenti and Jeff Skinner joined their group at about 1200 hours. He stated that Danahy, Corey, and Booker left Sid's at approx. 1300 hours, shortly after the fight between Perch and Warren. He stated that he, Valenti, and Skinner opted to stay at Sid's and were there until about 1545 hours after the news of the Izard murders. Peach said Danahy was in an ugly mood and looking for trouble, though he doesn't believe Danahy would have gone to the Izards'. He stated that he does not know what Danahy, Corey, or Booker's plans were for the rest of the afternoon. They had talked about going hunting on Saturday, April 12 and then going to Pappy's out near Batesville afterward. However, he said they did not follow through with those plans after the Izard murders made the news and they were scheduled for interviews. Conducted by Detective Jack McPhail. |
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On April 12, 1958, Deputy George Lamb interviewed and verified alibis for the following laid-off employees of Bowlan Glove, all of whom were cleared of any involvement in the crimes. Norman and Sharon Anderson (cousins), Ron Babb, Angie Baker, Samuel Gaddis, Delma Hale, Thelma Idzik, Linda Parker, Jerome Peacock, Agnes Ray (who verified the Stout's visit on the afternoon of Friday, April 11), Leroy Ray, Gary Reese, Mike Sharpe, Jaina Kelly, and Alfred Weber. |
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1530 hours |
Lou Nash Interviewed at station. Nash stated he was at Sid's from about 1200 hours or a bit before with Fred Earle, Glenn Johnson, Ralph Quillens, Charlie Duncan, Walter Hinkley, and Joe Mitchell. Confirmed prior statements that Walter Hinkley was taking the layoff hard. Said he discussed looking for a union job in Michigan or possibly Chicago with several of the men, but said he and his wife are rooted in the area and he doubts he'll leave. Said that might be good for "some of the younger fellas, but not us old folks." Confirmed the prior statements on the details of Jimmy Warren's altercation with Elliott Perch. Confirmed that he left with Fred Earle and Glenn Johnson at approx. 1255 hours to go to Robert Abbott's home arriving there around 1330 hours. Said they spent the afternoon with Abbott and his wife until Frank Abbott called around 1600 hours with the news of the Izard murders. He stated that he left and went with Earle and Johnson to the station to sign up for the search. He said he was in the group searching Hurricane Creek north from approx. 1700 hours to after 2100 hours. Confirmed by Deputy Moffett. Nash said that he would put one or both of the Warrens or Danahy, Corey, and Booker on the list of possible suspects. He stated that he can't see anyone going this far and has no other information to assist the investigation. Conducted by Detective Jack McPhail. |
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On April 13, 1958, Deputies Lamb and Kuhn were able to interview and verify alibis for the following Bowlan Glove Factory workers who were laid off on Friday, April 11. All of these individuals were cleared of any involvement and none had information pertinent to the investigation. Guthrie Adams, Roy Anderson, Paul Arbuckle, Jeff and Paul Beck (brothers), Elizabeth Bramlett, Grace and Roger Chandler (brother and sister), Leslie Dailey, Julia and Peggy Douglass (cousins), Jim and Scott Earle (cousins), Ruth English, Samuel Farmer, Dusty Furr, Nora and Carter Gabbey (cousins), Melissa Hardy, Nathaniel, Pearl, Sadie and Thaddeus Jackson (Sadie and Pearl are sisters, Nathaniel and Thaddeus are cousins), Lee Kearney, Douglas Maddox, Elaine Marlow, Hank Otter, Daniel Schardt, Kate Taylor, Martin Whaling, and Ida Williams. |
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On April 14, 1958, Deputies Lamb and Kuhn were able to interview and verify alibis for the following Bowlan Glove Factory workers who were laid off on Friday, April 11. All of these individuals were cleared of any involvement and none had information pertinent to the investigation. Jack Aldridge, Frank Alford, Doris Crabbe, Mark Dillon, Collette and Wardell Ebberts (cousins), Jennifer Espey, Darryl and Valerie Ford (cousins), Jean Framm, Paul Frye, Marion and Jennings Gaither (brother and sister), Patrick Hatcher, Roy Kersey, Hanna and Samuel Lambert (cousins), Rodney Luther, Will McDuffie, Dwight Neely, Ellen Nelson, Rheta and Tim O'Brien (brother and sister), Stanley Paige, Elroy Riddick, Bill Shaw, Eugene Simms, Kevin Tapp, Jerome and Norma Taylor (brother and sister), Harvey Tubbs, Sidney and Grady Wallace (cousins), Dennis Valentine, Herman West, Jasper Yaeger, and Carol Young. |
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1145 hours |
Beatrice Carmichael Interviewed at Jefferson Florist Shoppe. Confirmed that she arrived at Sid's on Friday, April 11 between 1330 and 1340 hours. She said she learned there of the layoffs and was concerned about Howard Hadley when she heard he was one of those who lost their job. She stated she went to his house, arriving there at approx. 1400 hours, and found him working in his garden. She said he had already been drinking very heavily and was in a "terrible mood." She stated she returned home at around 1630 hours to collect groceries and staples to make a good meal for Hadley and his little girl. She said the little girl was with the Otts, a neighbor family of Hadley on Hopewell Road, who took care of the child when her father was at work. Miz Carmichael stated she stopped at the Otts and picked up the Hadley girl, returning to Hadley's house at about 1900 hours where she prepared supper for them. She stated that Hadley was in no condition to watch the little girl so she took her home with her and returned her to Hadley's house late on Sunday night. She said she occasionally watches the child for Hadley. She has had a serious relationship with Hadley since his wife died in 1955. She confirmed that Hadley had been to the hospital on Sunday afternoon after falling while doing roofing work on the house on Saturday. Miz Carmichael was nervous about saying so, but she did disclose that she feared for the child's safety when Hadley was on a binge, stating he can be a "very mean drunk." Conducted by Detective Jack McPhail. |
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On April 15, 1958, Deputies Lamb and Kuhn were able to interview and verify alibis for the following Bowlan Glove Factory workers who were laid off on Friday, April 11. All of these individuals were cleared of any involvement and none had information pertinent to the investigation. Virgle Armstrong, Carter Burdette, Albert Davis, Ed Davis, Calvin Doyle, Dave Eltz, Bruce Ezrine, Britt Fahey, Mike Frye, Henry Gafford, Mike George, Elmer Hovak, Andrew Kellam, Tim Knepp, Mervin Lange, Dana and Jerry Leonard (cousins), Leo Manning, Dewey Miller, Ben Neal, Ray Nugent, Luther Pitts, John Reeder, Jack Ruppert, Lamont Scott, Ron Scott, Ruby Smith, Charles Smith, Lee Tarver, Joe Thomas, Tyrone Tippett, Gus Varney, Dick Vetter, Steve Wallace, Rodney Wayland, Brian Wells, Leroy Whitney, and Andy Zeller. |
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