· Sheriff Fay F. Brown's Badge: Bury Me in My Black Clothes· Final Episode It’s Friday, September 23, 1927, in Hutchinson, Kansas, at the Johnson & Sons Funeral Home, 134 Sherman Avenue, east. The funeral service of Harvey E. Albrecht is starting. * As the organ music began, in a subdued voice, Funeral Director William H. Johnson, announced: “Ladies and gentlemen, we’ll be starting the service shortly; please take your seats in the chapel." W. T. Luckett, also known as Reverend … [Read more...] about Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Bury Me in My Black Clothes
Harvey Albrecht
Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Early Birds at the Funeral Parlor
· Sheriff Fay F. Brown's Badge: Early Birds at the Funeral Parlor· It’s Friday, September 23, 1927, in Hutchinson, Kansas, at the Johnson & Sons Funeral Home, 134 Sherman Avenue, east. People are arriving for the funeral service of Harvey E. Albrecht. * Mary Adella Albrecht, widow of Harvey Albrecht, looked in the mirror before exiting the funeral home’s bathroom. Out loud, she said, “I can do this.” As Mary opened the door, she was ambushed—abruptly challenged—by sister-in-law, Grace … [Read more...] about Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Early Birds at the Funeral Parlor
Sheriff Fay F. Brown’s Badge: Can’t Sleep
· 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
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
