The Story Behind the Photograph - The capture of Goddard P. “Chickadee” Lefingwell III.

The capture of Goddard P. “Chickadee” Lefingwell III. originally uploaded by anyjazz65. This rare photograph of “Chickadee” Lefingwell (pronounced leFINGwell) shows him about to be captured by Agent Harlan Kruhz (no relation) in an elm tree just outside the Dirtpile city limits in either Ohio or Ontario. According to legend “Chickadee” was known to elude his pursuers easily by flying into tree tops and hiding among the leaves. His downfall, pictured here, was when “Chickadee”, steeped in the false confidence of hundreds of previous escapes, taunted agents from a lower perch. Agent Kruhz, on loan from the Holloway Junior High Jump team had been specially selected and trained for the capture of the elusive G. P. Lefingwell III. While other agents dressed nattily as sunflower seeds distracted the nefarious felon, Kruhz leapt into the tree behind “Chickadee” and put the arm on him thus ending the troublesome but illustrious career. It was now safe again to wear pink at polka parties and Chocolate Chip Cookie challenge events. That historic day, February 15th 1915 (probably a Saturday or a Tuesday, no one knows for sure) is described prominently and in pointed detail, in primary school history books. The lengthy notation is credited for a renewed disinterest in the subject of history among students of that era. After his rapid conviction, Lefingwell was incarcerated at the Indiana Yodeling Institute for Young Individuals. (The ‘I YI YI’…) He was pardoned in 1974 by Gerald Ford along with some other forgotten hardened criminals. “Chickadee” spent his last days working in a kite factory and dreaming of the old days. Decades later, modern DNA evidence would prove that not only was Lefingwell III innocent of all charges, he was actually not a “Chickadee” at all but just another loon.

And the conversation went as follows: soozika says: Just for the record, Mister: February 15th 1915 was a Monday. www.hf.rim.or.jp/~kaji/cal/cal.cgi?1915 The rest seems okay. anyjazz65 says: I knew SOMEBODY would look it up... oldog_oltrix says: Also just for the record, Mister, the IYIYI is a still-functioning incarceration facility, although it is now in Minnesota and its name has been changed to the Oklahoma Institute for the Clueless - "O.I.C." anyjazz65 says: Ah. So that's where they went. I have been collecting their mail but they left no forwarding address so I have been saving it. I have been enjoying reading their subscription to "Waiting Room" magazine. That's a relief. Gee, nobody's called me "Mister" since my mom told me, "No Mister, you may NOT join the Brownies." ed ed says: not innocent of ALL charges, surely. this photo at least provides evidence to support his conviction for breaking the prohibition laws regarding pipe smoking on a Monday, which had come into force on Jan 1st. 1915, if my memory serves me right. in my humble opinion, the pardon bestowed by Gerald (gumchew) Ford was a kick in the teeth for the descendents of the courageous Harla Kruhz, who - as a man - took to drink (sunflower oil) and have never (well, hardly ever) been seen since. God bless you, H.K., i say: long may your memory flame.. anyjazz65 says: Good point, ed ed! There is the matter of the pipe. Some say his "tobacco" was the primary reason “Chickadee” did so much flying, but the history books, detailed as they may be, are a bit vague in this aspect of the capture. Some say the pipe actually belonged to Harlan (later Harla) and was additional motivation for the sensational capture. But, there are always conspiracy theorists on the periphery of such monumentally historical events. True, Harla’s descendants were affected by the early release of Lefingwell III (often mispronounced) after only 59 years in maximum security. Some were merely taken aback while others, (the red headed ones) had full-blown snits. They paraded about carrying signs decrying the judicial system and Lefingwell III (often misspelled) in particular. In the end, I understand they were given custody of the pipe. That seemed to help them lose interest in parading and turn to more contemporary issues about corn chips, gummy bears and ice cream sandwiches.