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| THE STANFORD DAILY | MONDAY, APRIL 7, 1930 | VOLUME 77, NUMBER 32 |
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On the trip to Berkeley the entire party of would-be thieves were jubilant and gay. They felt certain of success -- almost cocksure.
Street-corner cops were kidded unmercifully : motor patrolmen gayly greeted.
In Oakland the trip was nearly postponed for another year when one member of the raiding party saw a bewitching flapper who gave him that "come hither" look.
For Howard Avery, that 190-pounder who jumped on Horner's neck, the recovery of the Stanford axe was a family affair. His mother had been on campus back in '99 when the Californians first obtained possession of the trophy. The first thing he did on his return Thursday evening was telegraph the glad tidings to his mother.
"The closest jam in my life" -- that's the way Avery describes his feelings when he was pushed into the Berkeley bank by the surging mob of bloodthirsty Bears. Luckily, the tear gas brought an imminent slaughter to an abrupt close.
A University of California professor of chemistry is reported to have thusly addressed his class Friday evening: "Gentlemen: Recent events have shown the advantages of chemical warfare."
With the treasured axe safely reposing in his car, Jim Trimmingham roared out of the Berkeley bank vicinity so fast that Warren Gage nearly fell out backwards. Gage's downfall was prevented by Ray Walsh who grabbed his partner by the leg.
A vote of thanks to the Oakland, Berkeley, San Leandro, and way-points police and traffic officers was extended by the band of "twenty-one." Not a copper in sight.
Jim Trimmingham, "the pride of Sunol racing circles," piloted the roadster which speeded the precious axe back to the Farm. Jim, who had never before heard the siren of a pursuing speed cop, found last week a happy combination of luck and bad luck. Twice he was stopped Monday. But Thursday night, when speed was the order of the day, no John Law appeared on the scene.
A record of Trimmingham's speed record shows the following times:
The "twenty-one," after returning the rented car to Oakland, were stopped at Dunbarton Bridge on their way by irate Cal supporters. The Blue and Gold behemoths refused to allow any Stanfordites to pass by. Little Don Kropp, after arguing for a few moments, stepped into his sedan and "gave 'er the gas." He went through.
Three other Stanford cars, following suit, rushed the passage-way. They were met with stones and brickbats. Several broken windshields resulted -- but the boys got through.
When the Stanford men reported the injuries caused by the Californians a mob of Cardinals hastened to Dunbarton where the Bears were quickly sent growling on their way home. Several fistic engagements were reported.
Sequoia Hall was the scene of the first axe display after it was brought onto the campus. A howling, shouting gang of Sequoia men welcomed home the captors.
If any bill was ever more justified, the claim of $18.70 paid by the "twenty-one" for car rental should be recognized by the Ex Committee.
Fear concerning the legality of the claim has been expressed. The "twenty-one" didn't have an authorization for the $18.70.
Trials and tribulations of the famous are many.
Bob Loofbourow, pursued by an insistent and determined woman reporter from a San Francisco newspaper, found it necessary to leap out of a window of the Mining Building to escape the increasing demands of the female.
Early Friday morning found the steps of Sequoia lined with cameramen and newspaper reporters. All demanded "scoops," and individual pictures of Loofbourow and Kropp.
A special meeting of the "twenty-one" was held early Friday morning, 4 A.M. to be exact. A "21 or none" motto was adapted by the band concerning publicity.
Jerry Bettman, the Bull Montana of the "twenty-one," is reported to have left seven Cal Frosh in a perturbed and agitated state. He snarled at them.
Not a blow was exchanged between members of the "twenty-one" and Californians. "Everything went too fast for any fistic action,&qout; one of the band reported.
Jim Pursell, a member of the 1927 attempted raid, grabbed a ribbon off the axe at that time but couldn't get anything more. He was one of the men who handed the axe to the vault custodian.
Glenn Brunson, after making sure that Stanford car was speeding away with the axe, jumped up on the armored car and harangued the Cal multitude with an impassioned plea of "get back that axe."
He even chased a California and accused him of taking the axe.
Ed Soares, another member of the intrepid gang, rode through Berkeley most of Thursday evening with the University of California Rally Committee searching for the axe.
The American Trust Company bank officials here suggested to the Berkeley branch that they transfer the funds advanced by U.C. for a vault in which to safeguard the treasured trophy. Their demands were refused.
Howard Avery was almost thrown out of the Greek Theatre at Berkeley. He ignited an old broom and was merrily keeping tune with it while the Californians were religiously singing their hymn.