· Sheriff Fay F. Brown's Badge: Can't Sleep· It’s Thursday, August 22, 1927, in Hutchinson, Kansas, the day after Harvey E. Albrecht killed himself, and the day before his funeral. His daughters, Pearl and Jewel, can’t sleep. * “Are you still awake?” asked Pearl to her sister. “Wide awake,” said Jewel, who was in the bed next to her. “I was just thinking about us, how our lives have changed forever,” said Pearl. “I was prepared to distance myself from daddy, but I wasn’t ready for … [Read more...] about Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Can’t Sleep
Behind the Books Blog
Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: “Is My Dad in Heaven?”
· Sheriff Fay F. Brown's Badge: "Is My Dad in Heaven?"· It’s Wednesday, September 21, 1927, in Hutchinson, Kansas. Mary Adella Albrecht must tell her two girls that their father is dead. * “I need to collect Pearl and Jewel before they hear from someone else of their father’s death,” said Mary. “I need to leave right now." “Of course, thank you for your help,” said Detective Salmon. “Again, our condolences.” “Mary, I’d be happy to drive you, if you wish,” said Reverend Luckett. “Thank … [Read more...] about Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: “Is My Dad in Heaven?”
Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Brother Luckett and the Death Flies
· Sheriff Fay F. Brown's Badge: Brother Luckett and the Death Flies· It’s September 21, 1927 in Hutchinson, Kansas. A man has killed himself by taking poison. Everyone presumes the deceased is Harvey Albrecht, Mary Adella's husband. Waiting outside for permission to enter, Mary has grown impatient. Finally, she opens the door, saying, “I’ll identify my own husband. No one knows him better than me.” Reverend William Luckett follows her inside. * Reverend William Luckett arrived on the scene … [Read more...] about Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Brother Luckett and the Death Flies
Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: I Killed Him
· Sheriff Fay F. Brown's Badge: "I Killed Him"· On September 21, 1927, in Hutchinson, Kansas, while attempting to serve divorce papers to Harvey E. Albrecht at his home, Reno County Deputy Sheriff Martin Jolliffe found a man’s body inside on the floor. Mary Adella Albrecht, Harvey’s wife, was waiting outside before picking up some of her personal belongings, unaware of the deputy’s discovery. * Cora Brown’s unofficial communication network was impeccable. Uninvited, she arrived at the … [Read more...] about Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: I Killed Him
Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Knock, Knock, Knock
· Sheriff Fay F. Brown's Badge: Knock, Knock, Knock· It’s Wednesday, September 21, 1927, in Hutchinson, Kansas. A civil process server is attempting to deliver divorce papers to Harvey E. Albrecht. * “Knock, knock, knock,” was the sound heard by Stearman as he attempted to get some rest. It was the second time he’d heard the sound of impatient knuckles pounding on his neighbor’s door. Working at night, being a day sleeper, was a challenge. So many interruptions. At 64 years of age, Reno … [Read more...] about Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Knock, Knock, Knock
Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Albright Airfield
· Sheriff Fay F. Brown's Badge: Albright Airfield· It’s Saturday, September 17, 1927, in Hutchinson, Kansas. Sheriff Fay Brown and his wife, Cora, prepare to transport a back seat of new friends to Albright Airfield, 2 ½ miles southeast of town. * Sheriff Fay Brown sat behind the wheel of his new automobile, a 1927 Studebaker Standard Six Dictator. He glanced at the mounted clock, adjusted the rear-view mirror, and had the urge to honk the electric horn. But he didn’t. Then he recalled the … [Read more...] about Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Albright Airfield
Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: “When I First Met Harvey”
· Sheriff Fay F. Brown's Badge: "When I First Met Harvey"· It’s Tuesday, September 13, 1927 in Hutchinson, Kansas. Cora May Phares Brown, matron and cook at the Reno County Jail, 15 Avenue B, east, and guest, Mary Adella Phillips Albrecht, are in the kitchen, washing and drying family dishes. * “When I first met Harvey, he was so sweet to me,” said Mary, remembering back twenty-five years. “He was a school teacher. We courted in a buggy, not a car, and chaperones were mostly required,” … [Read more...] about Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: “When I First Met Harvey”
Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Supportive Shelter
· Sheriff Fay F. Brown's Badge: Supportive Shelter· It’s Sunday night, September 11, 1927, in Hutchinson, Kansas. Mary Adella Albrecht has been battered by her husband, Harvey, in their home. * “Mom,” said Pearl, “will you let me go to Delbert’s house and see if we can borrow their car to take you to the hospital?” “There’s no need. The bleeding’s stopped and this ice will help,” said Mary, as she pressed a dishtowel with rusty red bloodstains to her face. “How can you stay in the same … [Read more...] about Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Supportive Shelter
Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: The Highest Highs and Lowest Lows
· Sheriff Fay F. Brown's Badge: The Highest Highs and Lowest Lows· It’s Sunday evening, September 11, 1927, in Hutchinson, Kansas. Pearl Albrecht, 15, and Delbert Wright, 14, are visiting while sitting on his front porch swing. * “Delbert,” said Pearl, “it’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me! I’m only fifteen, but Rorabaugh-Wiley is paying me for being me, I mean, for dressing up like Charles Lindbergh.” “Now, tell me again,” said Delbert. “Does the department store still want to … [Read more...] about Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: The Highest Highs and Lowest Lows
Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: The Day after the Fall Festival Frolic
· Sheriff Fay F. Brown's Badge: The Day after the Fall Festival Frolic· It’s Thursday, September 8, 1927 in Hutchinson, Kansas. Cora Brown, matron and cook at the Reno County Jail, 15 Ave B, east, hears the front doorbell ringing at her residence attached to the jail. * “Why, Anna Kelly,” said Cora, “it’s great to see you again! Come on inside and rest your feet. I’m about ready to take a cherry pie out of the oven. Do you like pie?” “Oh, Cora!” said Anna, as she sniffed the delicious … [Read more...] about Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: The Day after the Fall Festival Frolic
