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

Summary

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

Podcast Information:

• Title: Harold's Old Time Radio
• Host: Harold's Old Time Radio
• Episode: Crime Classics 53-07-06 004 The Shrapnelled Body of Charles Drew, Senior
• Release Date: August 13, 2025
• Description: Relive the Golden Age of Radio with classic crime dramas. Hear tales from the era before television, featuring beloved shows like The Shadow, Abbott & Costello, Amos & Andy, and Dragnet.

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Introduction

The episode opens with a gripping narration by Thomas Hyland, setting the stage for a true crime story that intertwines deceit, murder, and desperation in 18th-century London.

Notable Quote:

"The sound you hear is that of a man having his right hand hook filed." — Thomas Hyland [00:02]

Setting the Scene

Hyland transports listeners to 1739 London, specifically the tranquil town of Long Melford in Suffolk County. The setting is meticulously described, highlighting the manor with its high vaulted room, roaring fire, and imposing buttresses.

Notable Description:

"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." — Thomas Hyland [02:05]

The Central Conflict

The core of the story revolves around a tense conversation between Charles Drew Senior and his son, Charles Drew Junior. The elder Drew announces a new will that significantly alters the inheritance, causing Junior to fear financial instability.

Notable Dialogue:

Charles Drew Senior: "I've drawn my latest will."

Charles Drew Jr.: "But the last will, the one before this. You left me everything and only a kind word to My Five Sisters."

— Thomas Hyland [02:34 - 02:53]

The Murder Plot Unfolds

Faced with the loss of his expected inheritance, Charles Drew Jr. conspires with Humphrey Bun Baker to fabricate an alibi for the murder of his father. They involve the unscrupulous Captain Rat, a known smuggler, to manipulate the police investigation.

Notable Quotes:

"All you must do is say you killed a man." — Charles Drew Jr. to Humphrey Bun Baker [05:49]

"I would guarantee that the man would be released inside of a week." — Charles Drew Jr. [06:30]

Manipulating the Police

Junior’s plan involves ensuring that a false confession is planted, thereby exonerating him from suspicion. Captain Rat is enlisted to provide the necessary alibi, but issues arise as the plot thickens, leading to further complications and confrontations.

Notable Exchange:

Captain Rat: "Why not let him rot?"

Thomas Hyland: "Why?"

Captain Rat: "Zani. You see, you kill your daddy, Zani."

— Thomas Hyland [10:24 - 10:44]

Gertrude Humphrey's Intervention

Amidst the chaos, Elizabeth Bathol (Liz) emerges as a moral compass for Junior. She confronts him about his actions, expressing both frustration and determination to help him escape the dire consequences of his crime.

Notable Dialogue:

Elizabeth Bathol: "I'll show you. Make you forget."

Charles Drew Jr.: "Since I've killed him, I've done everything wrong."

— Charles Drew Jr. & Elizabeth Bathol [16:03 - 16:35]

The Climactic Confrontation

The plot reaches its peak when the police become aware of the fabricated confession. An intense chase ensues, leading to Charles Drew Jr.'s capture. The meticulous police work of the London Police ensures that no stone is left unturned, ultimately leading to Junior's downfall.

Notable Quote:

"You must turn your back now." — Elizabeth Bathol to Charles Drew Jr. [25:08]

Resolution and Justice

In the aftermath, Charles Drew Jr. is tried and hanged for the murder of his father. The episode concludes with a reflection on the moral lessons learned and the swift justice administered by the diligent police force of the era.

Notable Conclusion:

"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." — Thomas Hyland [26:35]

Character Interactions and Development

• Charles Drew Senior: Portrayed as a manipulative patriarch whose sudden change in the will ignites the central conflict.

• Charles Drew Jr.: A young man driven by greed, whose actions propel the narrative towards tragedy.

• Humphrey Bun Baker: The gullible accomplice who becomes ensnared in Junior's deceit.

• Captain Rat: The embodiment of criminal ingenuity, facilitating the alibi but ultimately failing to evade justice.

• Elizabeth Bathol: Represents conscience and redemption, attempting to steer Junior away from his destructive path.

Insights and Themes

This episode delves deep into themes of greed, betrayal, and the inevitability of justice. It showcases the lengths to which individuals will go to secure wealth and the moral decay that accompanies such pursuits. The interplay between characters highlights the complexities of human relationships and the consequences of unethical decisions.

Conclusion

"The Shrapnelled Body of Charles Drew, Senior" masterfully weaves a tale of crime and consequence set against the rich backdrop of 18th-century London. Through engaging storytelling, vivid character portrayals, and a tightly-knit plot, the episode captivates listeners, providing both entertainment and a cautionary tale about the perils of avarice and deceit.

Notable Final Reflection:

"Truth is stranger than fiction, as they say. And he was a curious man and a proud man. Jealous of his name. Drew." — Thomas Hyland [22:59]

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Production Credits:

• Adaptation: Morton Fine and David Friedkin
• Music: Bernard Herrman
• Production and Direction: Elliot Lewis
• Cast:
  • Thomas Hyland portrayed by Lou Merrill
  • Charles Drew Jr. portrayed by Terry Kilburn
  • Elizabeth Bathol (Liz) portrayed by Betty Harford
  • Additional Cast: Paul Freeze, Ben Wright, Irene Tedro, William Johnstone, and Anthony Ellis

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Upcoming Episode Preview: Next week, Thomas Hyland narrates a new crime classic set in Harvard Medical School, 1849, focusing on the mysterious death of Dr. Webster.

Teaser Quote:

"Next week, the office directly below that occupied by Oliver Wendell Holmes is the scene of a catastrophe." — Thomas Hyland [28:23]

Stay tuned to Harold's Old Time Radio every Tuesday night for more enthralling tales from the Golden Age of Radio.

Transcript

[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, the scoundrel and a smuggler was a prudent man. The young man handling the file is named Charles Drew, Junior. And he is performing this intimate little ironmongery because he needs a favor done. 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 Junior son.

[Charles Drew Jr.]

Yes, father?

[Charles Drew Senior]

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

[Charles Drew Jr.]

I'm grateful. There are things vexing me.

[Charles Drew Senior]

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

[Charles Drew Jr.]

I'm very fortunate.

[Charles Drew Senior]

I've tried to be a good father.

[Charles Drew Jr.]

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.

[Charles Drew Jr.]

I know.

[Charles Drew Senior]

I've drawn my latest will.

[Humphrey Bun Baker]

This.

[Charles Drew Jr.]

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 Jr.]

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 Jr.]

But the last will, the one before this. You left me everything and 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.

[Captain Rat]

To whom?

[Charles Drew Jr.]

Good to you? Good?

[Charles Drew Senior]

Nay, to the cutthroats and smugglers with whom you cozen. It is not so this is so, I know it. You consort with people of ill fame and also with Mr. Richardson's housekeeper.

[Charles Drew Jr.]

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

[Charles Drew Senior]

Twould be well.

[Charles Drew Jr.]

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 Jr.]

Well, she demands high payment.

[Charles Drew Senior]

Our family can afford high payment.

[Charles Drew Jr.]

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 Jr.]

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. Lets see what dad son is up to now. Scene Ye Olde Bunnery. A run down bait 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 Jr.]

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 Jr.]

All you must do is say you killed a man.

[Humphrey Bun Baker]

I killed a man. My hundred pounds please.

[Charles Drew Jr.]

You must say you killed my father.

[Humphrey Bun Baker]

I killed your father?

[Narrator]

My hundred pounds to the police.

[Charles Drew Jr.]

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 very rich man.

[Charles Drew Jr.]

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 the gibbet.

[Charles Drew Jr.]

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 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 Jr.]

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 Tarleck. 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 visit me, Charlie.

[Charles Drew Jr.]

Yes.

[Humphrey Bun Baker]

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

[Charles Drew Jr.]

I. I went to see Sir Roger Firebrace.

[Humphrey Bun Baker]

Wow. Is Sir Roger dead?

[Charles Drew Jr.]

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

[Humphrey Bun Baker]

Don't forget, laddie, I've got your confession. You've got till seven 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 boys Rawlings 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 Jr.]

I'm very sorry, Captain Rat.

[Captain Rat]

Nervous, ben't you?

[Charles Drew Jr.]

I travelled here to London to talk to you.

[Captain Rat]

You see. Sir Fenwick sent you to me.

[Charles Drew Jr.]

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 you?

[Charles Drew Jr.]

Do you have any influential friends?

[Captain Rat]

What be you needing an alibi for yourself?

[Charles Drew Jr.]

For a friend, ay?

[Captain Rat]

Tis always for a friend. What about him?

[Charles Drew Jr.]

He confesses he killed my father.

[Captain Rat]

And he be your friend?

[Charles Drew Jr.]

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

[Captain Rat]

And for him you want an alibi.

[Thomas Hyland]

Why?

[Captain Rat]

Why not let him rot?

[Thomas Hyland]

Why?

[Captain Rat]

Zani. You see, you kill your daddy, Zani.

[Charles Drew Jr.]

Keep the hook, Chops. And you almost stuck me.

[Captain Rat]

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

[Charles Drew Jr.]

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 Jr.]

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, bean't you?

[Elizabeth Bathol]

Thank you.

[Captain Rat]

I'll travel down to the jail with you and have a talk with your friend. How's that, huh?

[Charles Drew Jr.]

Very good.

[Captain Rat]

I. I'll need £500 for expenses.

[Charles Drew Jr.]

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 Jr.]

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 Jr.]

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, for your fortune I will do it.

[Charles Drew Jr.]

I gave you £500.

[Thomas Hyland]

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?

[Charles Drew Jr.]

No.

[Captain Rat]

Talking to both of you.

[Humphrey Bun Baker]

It's Saturday night, Charlie. What will you do? It's Saturday night, Charlie. I've got your confession hidden away. Ain't tomorrow's 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 It's 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 Highland and the second act of Crime Classics and his report to you on the shrapneled body of Charles Drew Senior.

[Thomas Hyland]

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 Milford 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]

Oh, he's a renting roving lad he is a brisk and a bunny let be tied what may I will be with and follow the boy with a white cock.

[Charles Drew Jr.]

Liz.

[Elizabeth Bathol]

What is it, dearie?

[Charles Drew Jr.]

Shut up.

[Elizabeth Bathol]

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

[Charles Drew Jr.]

Please shut up.

[Elizabeth Bathol]

Oh, duck. What's the matter?

[Charles Drew Jr.]

You're the cause of it all.

[Elizabeth Bathol]

Of what all, duck?

[Charles Drew Jr.]

My killing my father.

[Elizabeth Bathol]

You wanted a way to have all his money. I told you, a way to do, that's all.

[Charles Drew Jr.]

Yes.

[Elizabeth Bathol]

Oh, duck, dearie. You'll see when we get to London.

[Charles Drew Jr.]

What a time.

[Elizabeth Bathol]

I'll show you. Make you forget.

[Charles Drew Jr.]

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

[Elizabeth Bathol]

Will you listen to Liz again, will you?

[Charles Drew Jr.]

Surely I'll listen, Poodle.

[Elizabeth Bathol]

Oh, duck.

[Charles Drew Jr.]

Monkey.

[Elizabeth Bathol]

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

[Charles Drew Jr.]

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

[Elizabeth Bathol]

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

[Humphrey Bun Baker]

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.

[Mrs. Humphrey]

You be a fool.

[Humphrey Bun Baker]

How a fool?

[Mrs. Humphrey]

Where'd you ever have so much money?

[Humphrey Bun Baker]

What bun are you baking, wife?

[Mrs. Humphrey]

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

[Charles Drew Jr.]

Aye.

[Mrs. Humphrey]

All we want.

[Humphrey Bun Baker]

He's a rich one. That's true.

[Mrs. Humphrey]

We can get more money before you show his confession.

[Humphrey Bun Baker]

How you said he fled.

[Mrs. Humphrey]

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.

[Charles Drew Jr.]

Stay where you are.

[Humphrey Bun Baker]

£20 a day? That's a robbery.

[Mrs. Humphrey]

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

[Humphrey Bun Baker]

How will you find him?

[Charles Drew Jr.]

I will ask.

[Mrs. Humphrey]

Hearing about of him.

[Humphrey Bun Baker]

London, eh, Bart?

[Mrs. Humphrey]

London.

[Humphrey Bun Baker]

What of the children?

[Mrs. 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, exchange 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. Drood. 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 Mumbley 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. Mister. Mister. What's your present, dearie? For now, dearie, I want sir Gin.

[Humphrey Bun Baker]

Gin for the lady.

[Thomas Hyland]

What's your name, dearie? Gertie. Gertie? Aye. Is your jid Gerty pick up.

[Mrs. Humphrey]

Well, now, dearie, is your name Drew?

[Thomas Hyland]

Is that what you want my name to be?

[Mrs. Humphrey]

I'm looking for Mr. Drew.

[Thomas Hyland]

Mr. Drew. Is there a Mr. Drew? Yes. Oh, now, Gertie, I'm the one who's.

[Charles Drew Senior]

Bought you the gin.

[I]

Yes, my name is Drew.

[Mrs. Humphrey]

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

[I]

Now, why do you say that?

[Thomas Hyland]

I'm the fellow who's bought her the gin.

[I]

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

[Charles Drew Jr.]

Oh.

[Thomas Hyland]

Oh, I will, Governor. Thank you. Bye. K. Oh, now, now.

[I]

Why do you weep, pretty one?

[Thomas Hyland]

You're so beautiful. Always cry at beautiful face.

[I]

Gin for the lady. Now, now, now, now, stop that weeping.

[Thomas Hyland]

Ah, here's your gem.

[I]

I say, mischievous wink you have.

[Mrs. Humphrey]

Is that truly your name?

[I]

Truly, ladybird, it is. And you were looking for me? My name is Drew. And you shouted for Mr. Drew.

[Thomas Hyland]

So beautiful you are. What do you want of me?

[Mrs. Humphrey]

I have a letter for a man named Drew.

[Thomas Hyland]

Really?

[Mrs. Humphrey]

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

[I]

Then give it to me.

[Mrs. Humphrey]

You must turn your back now.

[Thomas Hyland]

Right you are.

[Elizabeth Bathol]

Yeah.

[Mrs. Humphrey]

You are 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.

[I]

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. 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 spiritual. 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 Elizabethal was most certainly a guest there. He directed Timothy to Liz's chambers.

[Elizabeth Bathol]

Who is it?

[I]

Open the door.

[Elizabeth Bathol]

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

[I]

A representative of the police.

[Elizabeth Bathol]

Why didn't you say?

[I]

May I come in?

[Elizabeth Bathol]

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

[Thomas Hyland]

Thank you.

[Elizabeth Bathol]

I ain't done nothing.

[I]

Is your name Elizabeth Bathol?

[Thomas Hyland]

It is.

[I]

Do you know a man named Charles Drew?

[Elizabeth Bathol]

What's he look like?

[Thomas Hyland]

I Don't know.

[Elizabeth Bathol]

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.

[I]

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

[Elizabeth Bathol]

A man? What's he.

[I]

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 Jr.]

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

[I]

And did you kill your father?

[Charles Drew Jr.]

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 Herrman. 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 Freeze, 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.