December 14, 1932
GUARD MAYOR AFTER RECEIPT OF WARNING
TALKS OF 'WRONGS'J. H. Leasure Released After He Talks to City Council About Station Permit
J. H. Leasure, 4431 Montana St., was taken into custody for a short time today by Police Chief L. T. Robey after Mayor R. E. Sherman received Information that an attempt to take his life would be made.
Robey acted as Sherman's personal bodyguard after the information was received. He was waiting In the city clerk's office when Leasure entered yelling: "I've been wronged—I've been wronged!"
Robey did not find a weapon on Leasure, but took him in custody for investigation.
Leasure told Robey he became excited because the city council last week granted a filling station permit to W. Weatherly, 4530 Montana St., and had refused to give him a permit.
Thanks Police Chief
"I told him he was in no condition to talk to Mayor Sherman," Robey said. "He later thanked-me for quieting him. He said he might have said something he would have regretted."
Leasure's wife, Mrs. Clara Leasure, who was waiting at the police station, fainted when she saw her husband in custody.
"What have you done—did you kill anybody?" she asked her husband when she regained consciousness.
"I didn't say I was going to kill anybody," Leasure told his wife. "I just said they ought to be killed."
Taken Before Council
Leasure was taken back to city hall for a conference with the council on his service station application. He was informed the council will consider the permit, if Leasure gets neighbors to withdraw their objections to the station. The first permit was refused because of city zoning and objections of neighbors.
Leasure was released after the meeting.
Mayor Sherman was unperturbed by the incident.
"It's all in the game," he said.
"I've been threatened before — in anonymous letters. I merely called Robey to handle whatever situation might arise.
World War Veteran
"Anyone may talk over their differences with the council."
Leasure is a World war veteran. He and his wife operate Cactus Acres, shipping desert cacti plants to all sections of the United States.
At the Minneapolis Flower show in 1930, his display arranged from plants, stuffed horned toads and a bleached cow's skull was awarded first prize.
Last June, Leasure went to Chicago to sell live rattlesnakes trapped in Texas.
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