Man’s Boast

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 248, 21 October 1935, Page 10

Man’s Boast

TWENTY-SEVEN MURDERS “MEN BURIED EVERWHERE” Earl Cramer, who is only 21, and has confessed to committing 27 murders during the past four years, is puzzling the Californian police. They do not know whether to class him as a colossal liar or i outrageously cold-blooded criminal.

Two bodies - havo been recovered at Auburn by tho police, who followed directions given by Cramer. They aro those of John Kennett, aged 65, and John Mangan, aged 17. Cramer has been charged with tho murder of Kennett.

Polico are now searching tho desolate mining region of Placer-, Country for further victims. After confessing in detail to four murders, Cramer said to the police: “You go. and find those bodies and then I’ll tell you some more. If you look in the old prospecting holes, you will find men buried everywhere.” Big Task of Police

Cramer said ho intended to tell the police about ‘ ‘ two or threo ■ killing a day” until ho had finished tho list. Unless ho gives them detailed directions, it will be almost impossible to find tho bodies. The entire district is riddled with tho shafts of scores of ab-

andoned mines and prospectors’ excavations.

Mining experts aro inclined to doubt whethor Cramer could have concealed so many victims. But they admit that it is possible that many persons listed as missing might havo been his victims and have remained undiscovered.

The accused man is displaying extraordinary vanity as he lies in his 'ell awaiting formal indictment. Ho seems anxious to know how much publicity ho is getting, and reads eagerly all tho newspapers he can got. Originally lie was arrested on charges of stealing cattlo. He admitted killing calves and drinking their blood, and it was while in prison on these charges that ho astounded the polico by Ms confession of mass murder.