William Newman

Torture Bandit Suspect Denies Robbery Count

Article taken from The Lima News, November 16, 1934

PORTSMOUTH, O., Nov. 16 - (AP) - Charged with highway robbery, Ors Mattox, 30, of Rarden, Scioto-co. was returned here today from Steel, Mo., to face a charge of torturing and robbing William Newman, 80, a recluse of near Rarden last April 19.

Mattox denied the charge.

Othel Eisnaugle, 34, is in Ohio penitentiary serving 10 to 25 years for participation in the Newman robbery. He confessed and Sheriff Al Bridwell said, implicated Mattox, who escaped from the London prison farm last February 15 while serving time for robbery.

Newman was robbed by two men who entered his home and by applying a hot poker to his feel forced him to disclose the hiding place of his life savings of $900. They left him bound and gagged.

Sheriff Bridwell traced the pair to Springfield where Eisnaugle was arrested.

Mattox had purchased a farm and was raising cotton in Missouri when he was arrested on a cotton theft charge three weeks ago after exchanging shots with the arresting officers. A letter sent to a relative near Rarden led to his apprehension for officers here.

 

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Article Taken from The Lima News, March 5, 1935

PORTSMOUTH MAN PLEADS GUILTY IN TORTURE CASE

PORTSMOUTH, O., Mar. 5 - (AP) - After a jury of six men and six woman was selected, Ora Maddox pleaded guilty of a torture robbery. Judge B. F. Kimble sentenced Maddox to 10 to 25 years in prison.

Maddox was accused of having robbed William Newman, 82-year-old recluse near Rarden, of $900 after applying a hot-poker to his feet to make him tell where the money was hidden.