Crime Classics 53-07-06 004 The Shrapnelled Body of Charles Drew, Senior

Summary

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Crime Classics: "The Shrapnelled Body of Charles Drew, Senior"

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Host: Thomas Hyland (portrayed by Lou Merrill)
Original Air Date: July 6, 1953
Summary of this episode by: [YourName/AI]
Episode Theme:
A dramatized retelling of an 18th-century British crime – the murder of Charles Drew, Senior, by his son, Charles Drew, Junior – exploring the motives, aftermath, and bumbling attempts at evading justice. The episode blends period-accurate detail, dark humor, and classic radio crime storytelling.

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Main Themes & Purpose

• Exploration of a historical patricide: The episode investigates the circumstances surrounding the murder of Charles Drew, Senior, in rural England, 1739, and the subsequent efforts of the perpetrator, his son, to cover up the crime.
• Analysis of motive: Through period dialogue and satirical narration, the story traces envy, inheritance, and desperation leading to murder.
• Dark humor and social observation: The script comments on human folly, criminal incompetence, and the quirks of 18th-century British justice.

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Structure & Key Discussion Points

1. Introduction to the Crime (00:32–02:35)

• Host Sets the Scene:
  • Narrator Thomas Hyland opens with descriptive sound design and scene-setting in 1739 London, introducing Charles Drew Jr. and Captain Rat, hinting at a murder and a request for an alibi.
  • "Tonight, my report to you on the shrapnelled body of Charles Drew, Senior." – Thomas Hyland (00:32)

2. Motives and Murder (02:35–05:20)

• The Family Dispute:
  • Charles Drew, Sr. reveals to his son that his inheritance has been reduced to a measly sixpence, enraging Charles, Jr.
  • Arguments about character, lifestyle, and family loyalty escalate ("You consort with people of ill fame. And also with Mr. Richardson's housekeeper." – Charles Drew, Sr., 04:10)
• The Patricide:
  • Charles Jr., in a fit of anger, kills his father using a firearm loaded with "irregular junk iron" for ammunition (05:20).

3. Attempts at a Cover Up (06:19–08:01)

• Recruiting a Fall Guy:
  • Charles Jr. approaches Humphrey Bun Baker, a local baker, offering him £200 to confess to the murder in exchange for another £200 after release, attempting to exploit the laxity and corruption of jailers.
  • "Write me a confession that you killed your poor dear old dad. I will hide it. I will go to the police and confess the deed." – Humphrey (07:12)
• Humphrey's Confession:
  • Humphrey agrees, bargains, and promptly turns himself in to police as the murderer, keeping a written confession from Charles Jr. as leverage.

4. The Complications & Further Deceit (08:27–14:37)

• Police Investigation:
  • Police rapidly uncover evidence suggesting Humphrey is not the true killer, including the murder weapon and incriminating iron junk in the home.
• Negotiations and Alibi Schemes:
  • Charles Jr., desperate, tries to bribe various notables for Humphrey’s release, resulting in comical failures and the involvement of dubious Captain Rat.
  • Captain Rat agrees to help but only for a substantial fee: "I'll need £500 for expenses." (12:05)

5. Escape to London & Blackmail (15:55–21:36)

• Flight and Romance:
  • Charles Jr. flees to London with his lover, Liz Bathol, plotting to change his name and lose himself in the city ("Since I've killed him, I've done everything wrong." – Charles Drew Jr., 17:30).
  • Liz, unapologetic, encourages running: "When you listen to Liz, surely we get to London, we change your name and you forget about Humphrey." (17:37)
• Humphrey’s Counter-Plot:
  • Mrs. Humphrey, the baker’s wife, concocts a plan to extort money from Charles Jr. in exchange for silence, seeking him out in London (19:09–20:17).

6. The Coincidence and the Capture (21:36–27:02)

• London Search:
  • Mrs. Humphrey, recognizable by her nervous "mischievous twitch," arrives in London, searching pubs with comedic misdirection (20:17–24:00).
• A Mistaken Encounter:
  • She delivers the blackmail letter to another man named Drew (Timothy Drew) who, incensed at the tarnishing of his name, takes it to the police.
• Arrest:
  • Police find Charles Jr. hiding under Liz’s bed. He confesses frankly: "Yes, I killed my father." (27:05)

7. Aftermath and Period Reflection (27:35–29:24)

• Justice Served:
  • Charles Jr. is hanged in Long Melford; the gibbet is a new mechanical model, mentioned with dark irony.
• Period Satire:
  • The narrator quotes an actual 1740 gazette, underlining the period’s moralizing about crime.
  • "When a man has abandoned all religious principles and has suffered his depraved appetites and passions to govern, his reason was shown yesterday when Charles Drew Jr. was hanged in Long Melford." – Gazette (27:35)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On British Ballistics:
  "Ammunition was chiefly of two types, round or irregular. ... Mostly guns were loaded in this era by whatever iron junk was to hand." – Thomas Hyland (05:20)

• The Transactional Nature of Confession:
  "All you must do is say you killed a man." – Charles Drew Jr.
  "I killed a man. My hundred pounds, please." – Humphrey Bun Baker (06:22–06:34)

• On Human Folly:
  "The gin caused her to twitch mischievously. This attracted to her London dandies who plied her with more Holland gin and who promised her help in finding Mr. Drew. And who never did." – Thomas Hyland (20:17)

• The Finale:
  "Yes, I killed my father." – Charles Drew Jr. (27:05)

• Moral Reflection:
  "Truth is stranger than fiction, as they say." – Thomas Hyland (24:00)

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Important Timestamps

• 00:32 – Thomas Hyland’s opening narration and crime announcement
• 03:06–04:44 – Father/son inheritance confrontation; motive for murder
• 05:20 – Host on ballistics and murder’s grisly detail
• 06:22–08:01 – Bun Baker’s confession plot
• 12:05 – Captain Rat agrees to assist… for a price
• 17:10 – Charles Jr. and Liz plan their escape and future
• 19:09–20:17 – Humphrey and wife plot blackmail in jail
• 21:36–24:00 – Mrs. Humphrey’s gin-fueled search and the mistaken “Drew”
• 26:40–27:05 – Arrest and confession of Charles Drew Jr.
• 27:35 – Reading of the execution notice
• 29:24 – Lead-in to next week’s episode

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Tone & Language

• Wry, ironic, and period-accurate throughout, with narrator Thomas Hyland’s droll commentary contrasting with the earnest or desperate tones of the main characters.
• Language mixes formal 18th-century speech (among Drew family and notables) with sly, colloquial quips by lower-class characters and the narrator.

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Overall Takeaway

A darkly comedic tale of greed, desperate plotting, and poetic justice, set against the rich backdrop of 18th-century British society. The episode balances satiric period detail with genuine suspense, making it both entertaining and a sly social commentary on human nature and crime.

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Transcript

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[Thomas Hyland]

Good evening, this is Crime Classics. I am Thomas Hyland. I'm going to tell you another true crime story. Listen. The sound you hear is that of a man having his right hand hook filed. It's Saturday night in London Town and he wants to be gleaming and presentable. The year is 1739 when a well sharpened hook in London Town was considered prudent. And Captain Rat, that's R A T T, besides being a drunkard, a scoundrel and a smuggler, was a prudent man. The young man handling the file is named Charles Drew Jr. And he is performing this intimate little ironmongery because he needs a favor down. Captain Rat can help him out. He can supply the youngster with an alibi. And Junior badly needs one. For he has just shot his father dead. And tonight, my report to you on the shrapnel body of Charles Drew Senior.

[Narrator]

Crime Classics. A new series of true crime stories taken from the records and newspapers of every land, from every time. Your host each week, Mr. Thomas Hyland. Connoisseur of crime, student of violence and teller of murders. Now once again, Mr. Thomas Hyland.

[Thomas Hyland]

The year, as I've told you, is 1739. And the place Long Melford, in the county of Suffolk. Long Melford was a small quiet town near London. And in it a manor. And in the manor a high vaulted room of roaring fire, great shadows and flying buttresses. Directly beneath the buttress that flew toward the west, two men. Father. Son. Charles Drew Senior Jr.

[Charles Drew Senior]

Son.

[Charles Drew Junior]

Yes, Father.

[Charles Drew Senior]

The time is come for you and I to have a talk.

[Charles Drew Junior]

I'm grateful. There are things vexing me.

[Charles Drew Senior]

Perhaps what I have to tell you will answer your vexation.

[Charles Drew Junior]

I'm very fortunate.

[Charles Drew Senior]

I've tried to be a good father.

[Charles Drew Junior]

A most excellent father. There's no one richer than you in Long Melford.

[Charles Drew Senior]

Which is what I want to talk with you about.

[Timothy Drew]

I know.

[Charles Drew Senior]

I've drawn my latest will.

[Humphrey Bun Baker]

This.

[Charles Drew Junior]

What a gentle and most excellent father I have. Have you ear to what they say of you in the square?

[Thomas Hyland]

No.

[Charles Drew Senior]

What do they say?

[Charles Drew Junior]

That you are gentle and most excellent. What of the will?

[Charles Drew Senior]

I'm leaving everything to your five sisters and to you. Sixpence to lend to spend to start your fortune.

[Charles Drew Junior]

But the last will, the one before this. You left me everything. Only a kind word to My Five Sisters.

[Charles Drew Senior]

That was when you were 11. Now you are 19 and a good son.

[Thomas Hyland]

To whom?

[Charles Drew Junior]

Good to you? Good?

[Charles Drew Senior]

Nay, to the cutthroats and smugglers with whom you cozen.

[Charles Drew Junior]

It is not so.

[Charles Drew Senior]

This is so. I know it. You consort with people of ill fame. And also with Mr. Richardson's housekeeper.

[Charles Drew Junior]

Shall I explain this of Mr. Richardson's housekeeper to you?

[Charles Drew Senior]

Twould be well.

[Charles Drew Junior]

She is a most excellent housekeeper and I wish to employ her for our own household.

[Charles Drew Senior]

And this you have been trying to do for the last year.

[Charles Drew Junior]

She demands high payment.

[Charles Drew Senior]

Our family can afford high payment.

[Charles Drew Junior]

But I personally cannot, Father. Not until I inherit your fortune.

[Charles Drew Senior]

And which with this new will will never be.

[Charles Drew Junior]

Father.

[Charles Drew Senior]

I don't scare, son. Wave that gun.

[Thomas Hyland]

A smattering of intelligence concerning 1739 ballistics. Ammunition was chiefly of two types, round or irregular. The former was manufactured by dropping chunks of molten lead from a great height. And when it reached the vat of water at the bottom of flight, it was round due to centrifugal forces and gravity. Among men who puttered with this sort of thing, round shot was considered pretty fancy. Mostly guns were loaded in this era by whatever iron junk was to hand. It should be recorded that Charles Drew Jr. Had stopped at a small junkyard on his way to talk with his dad. This is the reason the coroner found numerous pieces of irregular junk iron in dad's corpse. Let's see what dad son is up to now. Scene. Ye old Bunnery. A run down bake shop on Abernathy lane. The time two hours later. Principals Charles Drew Jr. And a Mr. Humphrey Bun Baker.

[Humphrey Bun Baker]

That brings you to ye old Bannery Charlie.

[Charles Drew Junior]

I want to know a thing and that is what? Humphrey, how would you like a hundred pounds?

[Humphrey Bun Baker]

You were saying hundred pounds.

[Charles Drew Junior]

All you must do is say you killed a man.

[Humphrey Bun Baker]

I killed a man. My hundred pounds, Please.

[Charles Drew Junior]

You must say you killed my father.

[Timothy Drew]

I killed your father.

[Narrator]

My hundred pounds to the police.

[Charles Drew Junior]

She asked me £200 now and. And £200 after. You've been to the police.

[Humphrey Bun Baker]

You killed your poor old dad, Charlie, with this pistol. Leave you to be a wery rich man.

[Charles Drew Junior]

If someone were to go to the police and said he killed my father.

[Humphrey Bun Baker]

He would be rich too, with his neck in A gibbet.

[Charles Drew Junior]

I would guarantee that the man would be released inside of a week. He would be released. There are jailers who would release such a man. Persuaded correctly, with enough money.

[Humphrey Bun Baker]

A guarantee. I. I know a guarantee. Write me a confession that you killed your poor dear old dad. I will hide it. I will go to the police and confess the deed. If I am still in jail in a week, I will tell the jailer where to find your confession.

[Charles Drew Junior]

Wrap me up half a dozen of your excellent buns, Humphrey, and I will give you 200 pounds plus the price of them.

[Thomas Hyland]

Thereupon, Humphrey plucked a quill from his favourite goose in the back goose coop, sharpened it and presented it to Charlie. With it. The lad wrote out his confession, paid up and left. Humphrey waited for his wife, got permission to leave the shop, stopped at his house for a moment, then walked into the local constabulary and made history with this statement.

[Humphrey Bun Baker]

If you boys are looking for a Corpus, try 26 Bloom Street. If you're wondering what his name is, it's Charles Drew Senior. If you're wondering who did the murder on him, it's me and my name is Humphrey.

[Thomas Hyland]

The police, upon arriving at the appropriate room at 26 Bloom street, understood immediately that foul play had been done. One of the constables was assigned to look in on the household of Mr. Humphrey, and there saw the Humphrey children at play at thistle de do, a game usually played with marbles, but by the Humphrey children played with pieces of iron junk, which latter were of a size that could easily be rammed down the muzzle of a gun. The gun was there too, under a pillow on Mr. Humphrey's side of the bed. Mrs. Humphrey, who in the meanwhile had returned home, shook her head philosophically when apprised of the situation. It is recorded that Mrs. Humphrey's parents had both been put away as confirmed smuggler, a felony against the Crown, the next day in jail.

[Humphrey Bun Baker]

Nice of you to wisit me, Charlie.

[Charles Drew Junior]

Yes.

[Humphrey Bun Baker]

What news do you bring? When am I to be released?

[Charles Drew Junior]

I. I went to see Sir Roger Firebrace.

[Humphrey Bun Baker]

Wow. Is Sir Roger dead?

[Charles Drew Junior]

Tis a pity too, for he would have gotten your release in a nonce for a few hundred pounds.

[Humphrey Bun Baker]

Don't forget, laddie, I've got your confession. You've got till Sunday.

[Thomas Hyland]

The youngster, however, knew another man of note, Sir Chauncey Fenwick. Sir Chauncey was compassionate and understood the situation exactly, but unfortunately had just had one of his periodic flights out with the magistrate's wife. But Sir Chauncey did not send the lad away empty handed. He suggested an Old sea dog named Captain Rat with two T's.

[Captain Rat]

What's the file, Mr. Drew? You be missing me. You couldn't be scraping me wrist.

[Charles Drew Junior]

I'm very sorry, Captain Rat.

[Captain Rat]

Nervous be?

[Charles Drew Junior]

I traveled here to London to talk to you.

[Captain Rat]

You see, Sir Fenwick sent you to me.

[Charles Drew Junior]

Sir Fenwick took 500 pounds and said he could do nothing with it. You're my last resort, Captain Rat.

[Captain Rat]

Weep it here, Mr. Drew. Ay, now, what can old Captain Rat do for ye?

[Charles Drew Junior]

Do you have any influential friends?

[Captain Rat]

What be you needing an alibi for yourself?

[Charles Drew Junior]

For a friend, Ay.

[Captain Rat]

Tis always for a friend. What about him?

[Charles Drew Junior]

He confesses he killed my father and.

[Captain Rat]

He be your friend.

[Charles Drew Junior]

By killing my father, he made me rich. I bear him no malice.

[Captain Rat]

And for him you want an alibi.

[Humphrey Bun Baker]

Why?

[Captain Rat]

Why not let him rot? Why zany? You see, you kill your daddy, sonny.

[Charles Drew Junior]

Keep the hook catching. You almost stuck me.

[Captain Rat]

Pardon, young gentlemen. An alibi. You wanted it for a friend. To say what?

[Charles Drew Junior]

That my friend is making a mistake? That he is having hallucinations? That he did not kill my father because he was with you the night my father died?

[Captain Rat]

And where, Mr. Drew, will that leave you?

[Charles Drew Junior]

Since one has confessed to the crime, it is doubtful whether I would be charged with it.

[Captain Rat]

Sly one, bean't you? A sly one, young gentleman, be you. I'll travel down to the jail with here and have a talk with your friend. How's that, huh?

[Charles Drew Junior]

Very good.

[Captain Rat]

I. I'll need £500 for expenses.

[Charles Drew Junior]

Yes.

[Captain Rat]

Now, y. That is wasting a Saturday night and all coming down here to the dungeon. Speaking to you, Mr. Humphrey. But I don't mind.

[Humphrey Bun Baker]

And you're going to furnish me an alibar.

[Captain Rat]

Captain, this be a strange one.

[Charles Drew Junior]

I explained it all to you, Captain.

[Captain Rat]

You kill your dad. This one here says he done it. Now the both of you want me to see. He couldn't have done it because he was with me.

[Humphrey Bun Baker]

That lad thought it up. He's the bright one, not me.

[Charles Drew Junior]

My plan will work. By the time you get Humphrey out of here and the police begin to dig about again, I'll be in Paris, lost. I will change my name, and with my fortune, I.

[Captain Rat]

Therefore, your fortune. I will do it.

[Charles Drew Junior]

But I gave you £500.

[Timothy Drew]

Bah.

[Captain Rat]

The pittance your fortune, Mr. Drew.

[Humphrey Bun Baker]

Except what he's promised to me.

[Captain Rat]

What about it, lady? I know Taylor isn't talking to both of you.

[Humphrey Bun Baker]

It's Saturday night, Charlie. What will you do?

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[Humphrey Bun Baker]

It's Saturday night, Charlie. I've got your confession hidden away. Ain't tomorrow Sunday? What will you do?

[Thomas Hyland]

And they looked at each other there in the dungeon, the jailed and the young visitor. And the question hung there. What would Charlie do?

[Humphrey Bun Baker]

It's Saturday night and tomorrow is Sunday. What will you do, Charlie?

[Narrator]

You are listening to Crime Classics and your host, Thomas Hyland. Tomorrow night hear the premiere performance of 21st Precinct, a new hard hitting mystery series revealing the inner workings of the world's largest police force. Precinct, produced by CBS Radio team that gave you Gangbusters is a program you'll want to listen for every Tuesday night on most of these same stations. Premiere performance tomorrow night on CBS Radio. Now once again, Thomas Hyland and the second act of Crime Classics and his report to you on the shrapneled body.

[Thomas Hyland]

Of Charles Drew Senior. It's a short, dusty road from Long Melford to London. Not only that, but these days it's hard to find. In its day, however, it was remarkable for two things. The brothers Shoe Spooner, Dick and Harry, who embarked on a career of highwaymanship on the morn of June 3, 1735, were hung on the eve of that same day from the highest branch of an elm at a fork on Long Melford Road. The other historic feature of Long Melford Road is the fact that on a Sunday morning a young murderer, Charles Drew Jr. And his lady love rode a coach down its ruts.

[Elizabeth Bathol (Liz)]

Oh, he's a ranting roving lad. He is a brisk and a bonny lad. Be tied what may. I will be with and follow the boy with the white cockade.

[Charles Drew Junior]

Liz.

[Elizabeth Bathol (Liz)]

What is it, dearie?

[Charles Drew Junior]

Shut up.

[Elizabeth Bathol (Liz)]

Everyone's singing that song, dearie. It's the rage.

[Charles Drew Junior]

Please shut up.

[Elizabeth Bathol (Liz)]

Aw, duck, what's the matter?

[Charles Drew Junior]

You're the cause of it all.

[Elizabeth Bathol (Liz)]

What all, duck?

[Charles Drew Junior]

My killing my father.

[Elizabeth Bathol (Liz)]

You wanted a way to have all his money. I told you a way to do. That's yes. Aw, duck, dearie. You'll see when we get to London.

[Humphrey Bun Baker]

What a time.

[Elizabeth Bathol (Liz)]

I'll show you, make you forget.

[Charles Drew Junior]

Since I've killed him, I've done Everything wrong.

[Elizabeth Bathol (Liz)]

Will you listen to Liz again? Will you?

[Charles Drew Junior]

Surely I'll listen, Poodle.

[Elizabeth Bathol (Liz)]

Aw, duck monkey. When you listen to Liz, surely we get to London, we change your name and you forget about Humphrey.

[Charles Drew Junior]

But if I don't get him out of jail tonight, he'll show the police my confession.

[Elizabeth Bathol (Liz)]

But you'll be in London. Start forgetting about him right now.

[Gertrude Humphrey]

All right.

[Thomas Hyland]

And so they fled to London town, little knowing that they had made a road famous in London. They located a little known hideaway called Bonhomme Carter's Thorny Bull Inn on the corner of Asquith and Chiswick. The lad registered under an alias, Thomas Roberts. Liz, however, registered in her own name, Elizabeth Bothell. As this was going on back in Long melford jail where Mr. Humphrey was, there transpired this in one hour.

[Humphrey Bun Baker]

Wifey, I'm getting out of here.

[Gertrude Humphrey]

You be a fool.

[Humphrey Bun Baker]

How a fool?

[Gertrude Humphrey]

Where'd you ever have so much money?

[Humphrey Bun Baker]

What bun are you baking, wifey?

[Gertrude Humphrey]

This bun. The lad's giving you money. All that money and he's good for more.

[Humphrey Bun Baker]

Aye, all we want. He's a rich one. That's true.

[Gertrude Humphrey]

We can get more money. Before you show his confession how you said he fled his Liz told me they were off to London town. You could write him a letter and say as long as he paid you £20 a day, you'd be willing to stay where you are.

[Humphrey Bun Baker]

£20 a day? That's a robbery.

[Gertrude Humphrey]

I will go to London and find Master Drew and present him with the letter.

[Humphrey Bun Baker]

How will he find him?

[Gertrude Humphrey]

I will ask here and a bart of him.

[Humphrey Bun Baker]

London, eh, Bart?

[Gertrude Humphrey]

London.

[Humphrey Bun Baker]

What of the children?

[Gertrude Humphrey]

Mrs. Nickelrod says she will take care.

[Humphrey Bun Baker]

Of them in you alone in London.

[Thomas Hyland]

So Mrs. Humphrey went to London. A few observations about Mrs. Humphrey. Wash away the flour and the excess dough. Put on long sleeves to hide the muscles made prominent from kneading bundo. Comb the hair, exchanged shoes for boots. And Gertrude Humphrey was rather presentable. When she went to London, Mrs. Humphrey did all of these things, plus making a mental note not to laugh too much, not only because of the horrible sound she made, but also because of the mischievous twitch it brought on which she could not control. So off she went to this place, to that, to this pub, to that, asking for a Mr. Drew. I should like to comment here that in 1739 the gin was of an excellent Holland distillation. However, its chemistry had a peculiar reaction with Gertrude Humphrey, though she fought it and though she laughed not at the most hilarious joke, including the historically famous one about Lady Mumbly and the Troubadour. The gin caused her to twitch mischievously. This attracted to her London dandies who plied her with more Holland gin and who promised her help in finding Mr. Drew. And who never did. But Gertrude never lost sight of her mission. And one night in a pub in Covent Garden.

[Charles Drew Junior]

Mister.

[Thomas Hyland]

Mister. What's your present, dearie? What now, dearie?

[Gertrude Humphrey]

I want a gin.

[Thomas Hyland]

Gin for the lady. What's your name, dearie?

[Gertrude Humphrey]

Gerty.

[Thomas Hyland]

Gertie?

[Humphrey Bun Baker]

Aye.

[Thomas Hyland]

There's your jib, Gerty. Pick up.

[Gertrude Humphrey]

Well, now, dearie, Is your name Drew?

[Thomas Hyland]

Is that what you want my name to be?

[Gertrude Humphrey]

I'm looking for Mr. Drew. Mr. Drew? Is there a Mr. Drew?

[Thomas Hyland]

Yeah. Oh, now, Gertie, I'm the one who's.

[Charles Drew Senior]

Bought you the gin.

[Timothy Drew]

Yes, my name is Drew.

[Gertrude Humphrey]

You ain't the Drew I'm looking for.

[Timothy Drew]

Now, why do you say that?

[Thomas Hyland]

Here, now, lad. I'm the fellow who's bought her the gin.

[Timothy Drew]

Here's a guinea, my lad. Find another lady who likes gin.

[Thomas Hyland]

Oh, oh, I will, governor. Thank you. Bye, Kirty.

[Timothy Drew]

Oh, now, now, why do you weep, pretty one?

[Thomas Hyland]

You're so, so beautiful. Always cry at beautiful things. Gin for the lady.

[Timothy Drew]

Now, now, now, now, stop that weeping. Ah, here's your gin. I say, mischievous wink you have.

[Gertrude Humphrey]

Is that truly your name?

[Timothy Drew]

Truly Ladybird.

[Thomas Hyland]

It is Ladybird, lady.

[Timothy Drew]

And you were looking for me. My name is Drew. And you shouted for Mr. Drew.

[Thomas Hyland]

So beautiful you are.

[Timothy Drew]

What do you want of me?

[Gertrude Humphrey]

I have a letter for a man named Drew.

[Thomas Hyland]

Really?

[Gertrude Humphrey]

Oh, I want you, David. I really do.

[Timothy Drew]

Then give it to me.

[Gertrude Humphrey]

You must turn you back now.

[Thomas Hyland]

Right you are.

[Gertrude Humphrey]

Yeah, yeah. You want a conniver? You are.

[Thomas Hyland]

His name really was Drew. Timothy Drew. It's one of those coincidences in history which gave rise to the old saw. Truth is stranger than fiction, as they say. And he was a curious man and a proud man. Jealous of his name. Drew. He had heard his name mentioned and he was forced to find out why. He read the letter then and there. He read it again a little later, out loud to the police and my.

[Timothy Drew]

Missus told you have gone to London with Liz Bathol. But Charlie, my lad, you shall pay me £20 a day. Else I will tell that you have murdered your poor daddy. I have your paper, which you confessed you did right where nobody but me knows where. So when my wife hands you this letter, you better give her money and find a way to keep it. Giving it to her. Your faithful servant, Mr. Walter Humphrey. Pray, gentlemen, here in London is a man named Charles Drew. He has murdered his father and he bears the same surname as I. I cannot permit this deed to go unpunished.

[Thomas Hyland]

Even in 1739, the London Police were thorough and goaded by the enormity of the crime. And spurred and accompanied by a man whose name had been besmirched, they combed the alleys, hostelries, pubs, dens. It was late on a moist Thursday morning when Timothy Drew happened into Bonhomme Carter's thorny Bull Inn on the corner of Asquith and Chiswick. Bonhomme Carter denied the presence of a Mr. Charles Drew, but affirmed that Elizabeth was most certainly a guest there. He directed Timothy to Liz's chambers.

[Elizabeth Bathol (Liz)]

Who is it?

[Timothy Drew]

Open the door.

[Elizabeth Bathol (Liz)]

No games, dear. It's too early. Who is it?

[Timothy Drew]

A representative of the police.

[Elizabeth Bathol (Liz)]

Why didn't you say?

[Timothy Drew]

May I come in?

[Elizabeth Bathol (Liz)]

If you be the police, you can do anything. Ain't that so?

[Timothy Drew]

Thank you.

[Elizabeth Bathol (Liz)]

I ain't done nothing.

[Timothy Drew]

Is your name Elizabeth Bathol?

[Gertrude Humphrey]

It is.

[Timothy Drew]

Do you know a man named Charles Drew?

[Elizabeth Bathol (Liz)]

What's he look like?

[Timothy Drew]

I don't know.

[Elizabeth Bathol (Liz)]

Then how can I tell if I know him? Here, here. What sort do you take me for? There's no one in me closet.

[Timothy Drew]

What is this young man doing under your bed, madam?

[Elizabeth Bathol (Liz)]

A man? What's he.

[Timothy Drew]

Quiet, woman. Is your name Charles Drew? I'm talking to you under the bed there. Is your name Charles Drew? Come out from under there, sir.

[Charles Drew Junior]

That's right, sir. My name is Charles Druser.

[Timothy Drew]

And did you kill your father?

[Charles Drew Junior]

It would be a small life, living as I have been. Yes. Yes, I killed my father.

[Thomas Hyland]

I have the original issue of a gazette dated January 22, 1740, from which I'd like to read the melancholy proof that when a man has abandoned all religious principles and has suffered his depraved appetites and passions to govern, his reason was shown yesterday when Charles Drew Jr. Was hanged in Long Melford. Since the hanging elm on Long Melford Road had recently been demolished to make a keel for the British Navy, a new gibbet was erected. This gibbet was equipped with a new mechanical device invented by Mr. Douglas Langford of Eastburn. Mr. Langford is to be congratulated.

[Narrator]

In just a moment, Thomas Hyland will tell you about next week's crime classic, the Shrapnel Body of Charles Drew Senior. Tonight's crime classic was adapted from the original court reports and newspaper accounts by Morton Fine and David Friedkin. The music was adapted from themes of the period and conducted by Bernard Herrmann. And the program is produced and directed by Elliot Lewis. Thomas Hyland is portrayed on radio by Lou Merrill. Charles Drew, Jr. Was played by Terry Kilburn and Liz by Betty Harford. Featured in the cast were Paul Fries, Ben Wright, Irene Tedro, William Johnstone and Anthony Ellis. Bob Lamond speaking. And here again is Thomas Hyland.

[Thomas Hyland]

Next week, the office directly below that occupied by Oliver Wendell Holmes is the scene of a catastrophe. The place, Harvard Medical school. The time, 1849. My report on the terrible deed of Dr. Webster. Thank you. Good night.

[Narrator]

It's big news when a former publisher, soldier and congressman, the famous son of a famous father, stars in a new radio series. And this Wednesday night, you'll want to listen with all your might when CBS Radio stars Will Rogers, Jr. As Rogers of the Gazette over most of these same stations. Rogers of the Gazette tells the story of a small town newspaper editor, what he stands for and also what he refuses to stand for. Premiere performance this Wednesday on CBS Radio. Stay tuned now for Gary Moore with Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts, which follows immediately over most of these same stations. And remember, America now listens to 110 million radio sets and listens most to the CBS Radio Network.

[Humphrey Bun Baker]

Sam.