A kidnapped girl was found on this date in 1924. Her abductor was the son of a local marshal, and the theft of a horse and buggy gave investigators a break in the case.
100 years ago
June 12, 1924
• The Daily Republican revealed the recent theft of a horse and buggy was connected to a much more serious crime: the kidnapping of a 10-year-old girl.
Jesse Huey, 37, was captured at Vinegar Hill near Poplar Bluff yesterday evening. With him, authorities found Thelma May of Bernie, who was snatched on June 6 while playing with friends. Huey had cut her hair and disguised her as a boy while taking her through the woods, and told authorities he was going to Memphis to marry her because “anybody could marry there.”
They reached Qulin on June 9 and Huey stole a horse and buggy belonging to his father, John Huey. The elder Huey, a marshal, reported the theft to the Butler County Sheriff’s Department and deputies connected the two cases. John Huey joined a deputized posse in searching the roads until they found the buggy and gave chase. Huey tried to escape by running back into the woods with May but was apprehended.
May is recovering at a children’s home while her family travels from Bernie. She was malnourished and claimed Huey drugged her several times.
Huey had two prior convictions of stealing in Missouri and Illinois. He faces a minimum of 20 years in prison if convicted of the present kidnapping charges. By May’s statements, authorities also believe he assaulted her, but plan to focus on the kidnapping charges to avoid a drawn-out court battle — deputies explained May’s age would make her testimony easy to attack in court, and Huey’s route across county lines made it difficult to pin down where the assaults occurred.
Huey is being held in Butler County rather than Stoddard County to avoid mob violence.
75 years ago
June 12, 1949 — No issues available.
50 years ago
June 12, 1974
• A 1-cent sales tax aimed at Malden’s financial problems failed by 48 votes yesterday.
The proposal was included on the city election ballot. The final tally was 604 for, 652 against. The $200,000 in projected revenue was planned as part of a seven-step plan of civic improvement to expand sewers, build a new fire station, improve streets, start a retirement program for city employees, and more.
Officials feel the proposal’s defeat could require the city to cut back on basic services.