Monday, April 16, 1956
TAYLOR TAKEN TO CLEAR LAKE SLAYING SCENE
Rumored Published to Effect that Lindbergh Was Killed after Fight
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the US District Attorney George MacKinnon refused Wednesday to confirm a published report that James P. Taylor killed Kenneth Lindbergh, Thief River Falls bank cashier, during a fight.
The unconfirmed report was published after Taylor, confessed slayer of the banker, was taken to the farm near Clear Lake, Minnesota, where Lindbergh’s body was found last November 25.
Sherburne County Sheriff Chester Goenner, who was with authorities Wednesday on the farm near Clear Lake, declined to comment on what had taken place.
Lindbergh disappeared last November 12, after talking for some time with a stranger at the bank.
The published report said it was learned that Taylor had, ordered Lindbergh to drive off Highway 52 at Clear Lake, a back road leading to Crescent Lake, about 10 miles southeast of St. Cloud.
It was reported Taylor’s purpose was in turning off was to bury the $1750 in silver coins taken from the bank.
The report said Taylor carried, for digging purposes, a hatchet, which Lindbergh apparently had in his car.
Taylor reportedly said Lindbergh gave him a fight and that he struck the banker with the hatchet.
The confessed slayer reportedly said that he and Lindbergh crawled through a fence between strands of wire before they engaged in the fight.
FBI agents had been taking statements from Taylor for the proceeding two days. The trip to the farm was made with secrecy. The group tramped through the wooded area where the body was found and through the adjacent clearing.
Authorities would not say whether the murder weapon was found either Wednesday or at the earlier date.
There had been unofficial speculation that Lindbergh might have been killed elsewhere and his body was lifted over the fence on the farm where it was found.
Lindbergh weighed 50 pounds more than Taylor. For that reason, it was speculated that if the banker had been killed elsewhere his slayer would have needed help in getter the body over the fence.
It still has not been announced whether Taylor will be sentenced by the Court or his case ordered to a jury. If a jury decides his fate, a death penalty is possible.
April 19, 1956
TAYLOR PROPOSES TO OFFER BODY TO MEDICAL SCIENCE
Minneapolis Minister Quotes Lindbergh Slayer as Offering Atonement
Rather than spend a lifetime in jail, James P. Taylor would have his body serve the advancement of medical science, a religious advisor of the confessed slayer reported today in Minneapolis.
The Reverend Arnold Lowe, pastor of the Westminster Presbyterian Church said Taylor had expressed that wish during one of the several visit’s the churchmen had with Taylor in the Hennepin County Jail.
Reverend Lowe said the prisoner felt that donation of his body to science would provide some explanation for the slaying of Kenneth Lindbergh, Thief River Falls bank cashier last fall.
The pastors report came as federal officials indicated it might be several weeks before the detailed story of the kidnapping -- slaying is revealed.
A summary of the investigation will be handed to George MacKinnon, United States district Attorney for presentation to federal Judge Gunnar H. Nordbye who ordered the investigation.
The report will determine whether Nordbye calls a jury to decide on a possible death sentence -- -- permissible only by jury recommendation. Nordbye himself cannot sentence Taylor to not less than 10 years and up to life imprisonment.
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