April 20, 1946
Public Assured Officers Will Publicize 'Break' in Murders Immediately
News from the investigation of the slaying of Betty Jo Booker and Paul Martin simmered down to nothing Thursday. Ranger Captain M.T. Gonzaullas and Sheriff W.H. Presley issued a statement, however, in which they assured the public that if and when a break comes in the case, the news will be communicated immediately to the Texarkana Gazette and Daily News.
"The Texarkana newspapers have co-operated with us all through this investigation and we intend to co-operate with them in furnishing them the information they desire when the time comes for divulging that information", Captain Gonzaullas and Sheriff Presley said. "The newspapers are not printing rumors and have assured us they will not. Any information the public hears about this case will not be official unless it comes from us through the newspapers. We will continue to work day and night on the investigation. We will appreciate information from citizens and all such information will be treated confidentially."
Texarkana Council, both retiring and incoming members, and Mayor W.N. Harkness voted late Thursday to donate $500 to the growing reward fund for the apprehension of the perpetrator of what they described as the "foulest murder ever committed in Texarkana".
John Holman, chairman of the reward fund, disclosed Thursday afternoon that Captain Gonzaullas himself had offered him $100 for the reward fund.
"I turned it back to him, however." Holman said. "I told him that if he would catch the man, we would take care of the job of raising the money."
Holman released the following list of cash contributors and pledges to the fund:
- City of Texarkana $500.00
- B.S. Atkinson $50.00
- Arthur Temple $100.00
- Templeton-Morgan $100.00
- Texarkana Natl. Bank $100.00
- Texas High Boosters $25.00
- Ellis Namee $25.00
- Tilson & Co. $25.00
- W.D. Smith $25.00
- Buhrman-Pharr $100.00
- Southwestern Gas $100.00
- State Natl. Bank $100.00
- Betty's Shop $50.00
- W.J.S. Smith $25.00
- Pioneer Assoc $5.00
- J.G. Morgan $100.00
- Longhorn Co. $10.00
- Terminix $25.00
- Ernest Slaughter $10.00
- J.B. Dunklin $50.00
- Vonie Haile $100.00
- Nelson-Huckins $50.00
- Leon Kuhn $100.00
- Otis Henry Post, VFW $250.00
- Lions Club $250.00
- Rotary Club $250.00
- Gazette $200.00
- Oliver Dryer $100.00
- Sheriff Presley, Chief Runnels $500.00
- Robert McDonald $50.00
- F.P. Mathews $100.00
- 3 Texarkana Business men $500.00
- Residents of Bowie Courts $30.00
- Elks Club $250.00
- J.G. Miller & T. Butrous of Club Dallas $25.00
TOTAL = $4280.00