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Chapter 3 Old Time Radio Programs |
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THE VOICES OF EVIL
Who was William G. Walker? - Chief Narc, State of California:
Wm. G. Walker (Chief of the California State Bureau of Narcotics) in the 1930's is credited with being the originator of the much widely now discredited Eureka axe murder Myth: Which Runs as follows:
EUREKA AXE MURDERER
What the Narc's were claiming
”It happened in California. A man under the influence of marijuana actually decapitated his best friend. Then, coming out from the effects of the drug, he was as horrified as anyone could be at what he had done.” -- Heath Magazine Oct 1938
“One is Harry D. Smith, chief of the Federal narcotic division, the other William G. Walker, head of the State bureau. . . . "Here is a case of a man who actually decapitated his friend with an axe recently up in Eureka, and then, coming out of the effects of the drug [of Medical Marihuana], was as horrified as anyone else over what he had done.” -- S.F. Examiner Nov. 7, 1933 pp4.
”In California a young man who indulged in these convivial cigarettes went berserk, grabbed an ax, and decapitated his best friend. ---[Book] Narcotics: America's Peril by Will Oursler (1952)
“In Eureka, California, an addict under the influence of marihuana decapitated his best friend. Coming out of his drugged condition, he was horrified at what he had done.” ---Inside Detective (Magazine) Nov 1937
“. . . the unfortunate boy at Eureka, Ca. who, insane from the drug, seized a butcher's cleaver and cut off the head of his best friend. They found him---or rather he found himself--when he regained his senses, with the decapitated face staring up at him from the floor of his blood-smeared room!” -- Real Detective (Magazine) - April 1935
California. A man while under the effects of Marihuana decapitated his best friend, then corning out of the influence of the drug was amazed and horrified to see what he had done. --- Finger Print & Identification Magazine March 1938 pp3
“A California, frantic with the stuff, actually decapitated his best friend.” -- The EAGLE MAGAZINE Nov. 1941
“The weed acts as a powerful aphrodisiac and renders users capable of various acts of violence; a California man decapitated his best friend while under the violent spell of the smoke, . . “ -- News Week August 14, 1937
"A man under the influence of Marihuana actually decapitated his best friend; and then, coming out of the effects of the drug, was as horrified as anyone over what he had done." -- 1940 Drug Demon
“Practically every article written on the effects of the marihuana weed will tell of deeds committed without the knowledge of the culprit, while he was under the influence of this drug. There are many arguments for and against this statement, and many cases reported which uphold it, and still others which contradict it. Our opinion is that both arguments for and against are correct because of the inconsistency of the action of this drug on individual victims. The reactions resulting depend to a large extent on the innate characteristics of the individual. The person who is so unfortunate as to come under the influence of this drug, in many cases, becomes the unwilling offender of the law because the central nervous system has become affected, as is the case with other habit-forming drugs. As a representative case, note the tragic predicament of this Californian. "A man under the influence of marihuana actually decapitated his best friend; and then, coming out of the effects of the drug, was as horrified as anyone over what he had done" ---[Quoting - W. G. Walker, Chief, Division of Narcotic Enforcement, San Francisco, California, July 1, 1934] --- 1937 Congressional Testimony -- Marihuana - A More Alarming Menace To Society Than All Other Habit-Forming Drugs
The chief of the narcotic enforcement bureau in California reports:
“Marihuana has a worse effect than heroin. It gives men the lust to kill, unreasonably, without motive ---- for the shear sake of murder itself. In Eureka, Calif., a man under the influence of marihuana actually decapitated his best friend and then coming out of the effects of the drug, was as horrified as anyone else over what he had done.” --- Denver Post - Feb 24, 1935 Sec 3 page 2
“The Chief of the Narcotic Enforcement Bureau of California in a report to the Federal Bureau gave an interesting example of this "Marijuana", he wrote, "has a worse effect than heroin. It gives men the lust to kill, unreasonably, without motive - for the sheer sake of murder itself. In Eureka, California, a man under the influence of marijuana actually decapitated his best friend; and then, coming out of the effects of the drug, was as horrified as anyone else over what he had done." ---Health Officer - Dec. 1936
WHY WE BELIEVE IT'S A FAKE:
Here are the facts the way the museum sees them:
1- The sole source of ALL information concerning the case is the California Bureau of Narcotics.Logic and reason dictate that such a gruesome act would have made the local papers, especially in (a than) small town like Eureka California. So why didn't it? Extensive research by this museum curator [including hours upon hours of looking at Eureka newspaper archives] as well as various other historical societies and librarians, have all come to the same conclusion --- nothing, there is no mention. The following reply to our inquiries is typical:
2- To the best of our knowledge, first mention of the story was made by Narcotics Chief William G. Walker on Nov. 7, 1933, and that the words, "recently occur" were used.
3- While the story changes a bit, (according to the teller), a ghastly decapitation/murder was involved, close to or in Eureka California.
Reference Department Humboldt County LibraryIn addition, various Humboldt County governmental groups: Coroner, Sheriffs office, etc., have also been contacted. Most did not respond, but those that did simply stated that they knew nothing about the case.
Subject: Marijuana related butchery
It seems that your information would be considered urban legend these days. We have searched extensively through newspapers and other periodicals from the time. Searches have included the indexes of writings we have from the time also. There is no mention of this case. According to the couple [of] historians [that] we have contacted there was also very little marijuana use in this area at the time. If something like this had happened, it would have been printed in the papers. . . . “
SMOKING GUN:
However, the reason we are fairly sure that this case is a phantom, lays with the following newspaper Editorial, which constitutes a sort of smoking gun.
San Francisco Chronicle - Nov. 13, 1933 pg. 8 [Editorial Section]Recall that the original source of ALL information related to this was none other than the chief of narcotics, William G. Walker himself. In addition note the Editorial date: Only seven days after Walkers first mention of the case.
NARCOTIC FAKING The ADMISSION by William G. Walker, Chief of the State Narcotics Division, that narcotics and white slave charges were faked to obtain "emergency" appropriations once more turns the spotlight on a bureau more notable for turmoil than for public service.
Since Joseph Anderson's time there has not been a single case above the petty class turned up by the State bureau although gigantic rings have been brought to justice here by the Federal agents.
The legislature withheld appropriations for the narcotics division in an effort to discipline it into efficiency. The seeking of "emergency" allowances by hysterical and false charges is an effort to defeat the Legislature's intention.
The distortion of records against which Sacramento's Chief of Police made the indignant protest that brought forth Mr. Walker's letter of admission demands more serious consideration.
Hear the voice of Wm. G. WALKER:
DOWNLOAD THE VOICE OF Wm. G. WALKER
Sound Clip taken from the OTR program:
"Calling All Cars" - "The Manila Envelopes" - First Aired - (Aug. 11, 1937)
Wm. G. WALKER - 256 KBbyte
[To download - Right Click - choose "Save Target As"]
WANT TO KNOW MORE:
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