Lot 700

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Description:

(CHARLES STARKWEATHER)
GUY STARKWEATHERFather of convicted serial killer Charles Starkweather who, in 1958, murdered 11 victims in Nebraska and Wyoming during a road trip with his fourteen-year-old girlfriend, Caril Ann Fugate. Among the victims were Fugate's parents and her two-year-old sister. He became a national fascination in the U.S.A., eventually inspiring the films The Sadist, Bad Lands, Starkweather and Natural Born Killers. He also inspired the Bruce Springsteen song "Nebraska", which Springsteen originally considered calling "Starkweather". Outstanding A.L.S., 5pp. 4to., Lincoln, Neb., Sept. 25, 1959, just three months after his son's execution on June 25th, in small part "….Your letter of June 26th was very influential to me…it was nice to know that someone cared…to know that you wrote every time I got a stay of execution, but it was not easy…I did not feel good when the U.S. Supreme Court said that he had not exhausted his Civil Court rights in Nebraska…. they did not allow us time to prepare writs. If we had been given more time Charles' life would have been spared. He told me that he did not 'kill' all those people including the baby, two year old Betty Jean…and the teenager Carol King was killed by his confederate Caril Ann…and I believe him! Charles never gave up hope or prayer and said 'If God thinks I have suffered enough he will take me…if not I will live a little longer' .We had the last laugh if one would call it that, those witnesses, reporters that wanted to watch his execution were disappointed he didn't holler and squirm…he turned to the witnesses before they closed the curtain and smiled….that after the switch was thrown the witnesses were stunned in silence for at least three minutes…so you see they were disappointed they had gotten their pound of flesh but Charlie didn't screetch…..he said 'I must pay for my crimes dad…but somehow prove to the people that I did not do them all like they make out I did'. The crimes he committed I do not condone, but somehow I only think of the boy that I adored and loved as my son...". In 1976, Caril Ann Fugate was released from prison after serving almost 20 years, paroled to a society that was finally able to admit that they felt she was a murderess! Also included in this lot: an original signed greeting card, 12mo., with printed inscription: "Thank you sincerely for your kind expression of sympathy. It was deeply appreciated". On the inside, Guy Starkweather writes: "Julie Jones…for your devotion and expressive thoughts of Charles…I wish to thank you…". Along with a swatch of Starkweather's burial shroud, a transparent pink cloth measuring 13", upon which is handwritten: "Whosoever believeth in me though he be dead yet shall he live; for I am the life and everlasting". A fine and unusual crime lot.

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December 16, 2010 11:00 AM EST
Stamford, CT, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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