April 2004                                                    The Megaphone                                                     Page 5

Elwood's Gun Girl

Part Four

by Nancy Sumner EHS/FHS

April 9, 1940

Expect Gun Girl to Return Home

Local Police on look-Out for Miss Messmer

  Elwood police were today on the look-out for Miss Isabelle Messmer, 24, Elwood’s ‘gun girl’ who yesterday escaped from New Ector County, Texas jail at Odessa, Texas, after having been sentenced a week before to a three-year term in Texas penitentiary on a charge of having murdered a former House of David baseball player.

  Miss Messmer was believed likely to attempt to return to the home of her mother. She was believed to have returned here after a previous escape from a New Jersey reform farm.

  Local police were informed yesterday of the girl’s escape from the Odessa jail and were asked to be on the look-out for the girl.

  Miss Messmer perfected her escape after her appeal for a new trial had been denied by district court Judge Cecil Collings. She had previously told newspaper men that she would ‘never go to the Texas pen.”

May 30, 1940

‘Tip’ Leads to Girl’s Arrest Late Yesterday

State Policeman, Sheriff Take Her Into Custody with Drawn Guns

Tipton , Ind.

  Isabelle Messmer, Elwood’s famed ‘gun-girl’ was captured here late today by State Officer Kenneth Wines and Tipton County Sheriff Richard Hobbs.

  She surrendered quietly in front of a Tipton theatre and was taken into custody and later removed to the Tipton County jail. Whether she will be returned to Odessa, Texas jail from which she made her escape nearly two months ago, or whether she will be returned to the New Jersey reformatory from where she also escaped, has not been determined.

  Isabelle was traveling under the alias of Mary Ann McDonald but upon being captured, she readily admitted her identity and confessed to the charges which stand against her in Texas. “I like Texas but I still would hate to be returned to New Jersey," was her statement to authorities when questioned. From and unauthoritative source it was learned she begged the Texas court to accept a plea of guilty when she was charged with the murder of a semi-professional baseball player.

  Isabelle was apprehended by authorities as the result of a ‘tip’ from some person in Tipton who recognized her. The name of the person furnishing the information which led to her capture was withheld.

  She told authorities that she had been in California during most of the time since her escape from the Texas jail but confessed to having spent part of two days in Elwood with relatives. She said that on May 12 she was in Elwood and that she spent the night of that day at Anderson. She returned to Elwood the following day and stayed only a short time and then left for Fresno, California where she remained until about a week ago. Leaving California, she made her way to Indiana and spent last night in Lafayette, according to her report.

  The person furnishing the ‘tip’ to authorities was said to have seen Isabella getting off of a bus here about 2:20 o’clock this afternoon and entered the Tipton theatre. Authorities were notified and State Officer Wines and Sheriff Hobbs waited at the door of the theatre for Isabella to come out.

  She was taken into custody with drawn guns. As she came out of the theatre, Sheriff Hobbs placed a gun in her back and State Officer Wines confronted her and relieved her of the large handbag which she has often used to conceal weapons. According to the arresting officers, Isabella was carrying about $100 in travelers checks, $7 in currency, a Social Security card and a California drivers’ license. She was not carrying any weapons.

May 31, 1940

Texas Expected to Claim Elwood Gun Girl

Report Girl is Ill After Lack Nourishment

Indicates She Will Not Fight Extradition, But Is Too Ill To Discuss Matter.

  Isabelle Messmer, Elwood’s far-famed ‘gun girl’ who has affected escapes from Texas and New Jersey jails, was at home today in Tipton County jail with Sheriff C.D. Hobbs holding close guard over the girl who was arrested by himself and a state policeman late Wednesday as she was leaving a Tipton theatre.

  The ‘close guard’ was occasioned by the fact that Miss Messmer seems to be able to exert some spell over jail turn keys for her ‘walk-outs’ in both Clinton, N.J. and Odessa, Texas were made almost without hesitation after the ‘gun girl’ indicated she didn’t particularly care for either place.

  What would be done with Isabelle was, as yet, undetermined today, pending decision to turn her over to New Jersey or Texas authorities, although Texas appeared to have the inside track. Texas seemingly want her most – for Isabelle is a fugitive from a three year prison sentence imposed by a Texas district judge after she was convicted of the murder of Buford Armstrong, semi-professional baseball pitcher at a tourist camp near Odessa more than a year ago. New Jersey would like to have her back too, for she forgot to finish a term there after assaulting and insulting New Jersey police.

  Isabelle’s troubles were in multiple today. Not only captured and wanted by two states, the comely ‘gun girl’ was also suffering from lack of nourishment despite the fact she is said to have had $100 in bills on her person when arrested.

  Strain of the ordeal of her surprise arrest, together with the lack of sufficient food for 5 weeks, has produced a near collapse, jail officials said today.

  It was with smiling indifference to which she greeted capture Wednesday, but it soon became different. First whisked off to Pendleton’s  state police barracks where she was positively identified and later returned to the Tipton Bastille, strain began to show on the girl. Sheriff Hobbs was compelled to summon Dr. R. L. Fullerton, county physician to treat her.

  Her condition today was described as improved. Her mother was with her part of Thursday afternoon.

  Texas authorities telephoned late yesterday that they would come for the woman immediately if she would waive extradition. Sheriff Hobbs said that she would not fight extradition, but was too ill to discuss the matter.

  It's Not Quite Over Yet Folks!!

Submitted by . . .

Nancy Sumner, EHS/FHS '66