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school. Her beauty was described as so fascinating that before maturity she stopped traffic on the streets. She was described as "petite, a wee trifle plump, with big steel-blue eyes, a tip-tilted nose, an oval face with a dimpled chin, a peewee mouth, and tiny hands and feet." As late as 1950 she was remembered as the prettiest girl ever born and raised in
Chicago. Other descriptions state that she was "a beautiful woman" and "a small brunette... exceeding pretty with plenty of snap."
340:
487:, where Helen had been attending school. Taylor had just started his songwriting career and was appearing with a traveling stage company in Adrian. Godman and Taylor had become good friends before dinner was over but did not correspond afterward. Two years later, while attending the performance of "The Girl Question," by
499:
in
Chicago, Godman recognized Taylor and sent a note to him backstage, and they became reacquainted. After spending much of their time together lunching and dining during the following week, they met once again for dinner at a downtown Chicago hotel, and sent for a judge to marry them in the hotel's
246:
Indicted co-conspirators in the scheme were Buda Godman, Helen Evers, Homer T. French, William Butler, Doc Brady (alias James
Christian), and George Irwin. Several of the male blackmailers were sentenced to prison. Godman was released on $ 10,000 bail ($ 877,000.00 in 2017) provided by two friends:
205:
Buda was the daughter of a telegrapher and race track sheet-writer, Otho Godman. According to Jack Lait and Lee
Mortimer, two former Chicago newspaper journalists, to protect her from growing up under bad influences, at age fifteen Buda was sent to St. Joseph’s Academy in Adrian, Michigan, a convent
186:," which involved framing a victim in an embarrassing and illegal situation that resulted in a staged arrest by fake law enforcement officials. Godman posed as an unmarried woman being held against her will in a hotel room across state lines, which, if true, would have been a violation of the
331:, the Bear King; race track notables, and Broadway climbers. To the other residents of the apartment house, she was known as Mrs. Stoneham; for others, she had other names; and meanwhile the 1916 blackmail charges in Chicago had been dropped.
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Martin. Morrow, in 1912, had been acquitted of the charge of murdering her husband. Summerville and Morrow forfeited bail when Godman skipped town and vanished for four years. In 1921, citing lack of evidence, the charges were dropped.
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The men transported West and Godman back to
Chicago and coerced West into paying them $ 15,000 to avoid prosecution, embarrassment, and damage to his and Alice's reputation. West reported the incident after becoming suspicious.
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Godman had two older siblings: Hester Ann (1886–1923) and James Arthur (1887–1945). Hester accompanied her sister and
Charles A. Stoneham on the trip to Cuba and its return. James followed his father in becoming a telegrapher.
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259:—an extortion tactic where an attractive woman lures a wealthy man into a compromising position; an associate breaks in, takes some pictures, then they all sit down to haggle over the price.
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In 1910, Tell filed for divorce from Buda in
Chicago. In late September of that year, the divorce was granted. In the proceedings, Tell accused Buda of having "affinities" with other
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Godman was the daughter of Otho James Godman (1863–1910) and Julia
Conklin (1866–1930) of Chicago. Otho had been a well-known telegraph operator and, in 1903, the first to operate a
182:. Six years after Taylor divorced her, Godman was arrested and released on bail for participating in a scheme to blackmail a wealthy widower. Godman attempted a scheme known as a "
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for producing and attempting to pass raised bills, a counterfeiting technique of gluing numerals onto low-denomination bills to make them look like higher denomination bills.
178:; December 4, 1888 – January 7, 1945) was an American criminal, actress, and singer. From 1907 to 1910, she was married to the popular songwriter and music publisher
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Helen possibly took the name "Buda" from the slang word "bud," used in the late 1800s and early 1900s for a cute girl that had just entered puberty.
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479:. They married November 4, 1907, in Chicago. Godman had met Taylor about two years prior when Taylor had been a dinner guest at the
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351:
for $ 305,000 worth of stolen jewels from New York businessman Harry C. Glemby. On
November 10, 1932, Godman was convicted for
227:, to travel with her from Chicago to New York City. West was the Vice President of the C. D. Gregg Tea and Coffee Company of
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John Homer French (1916, Chicago); aliases: Jackie French, Homer T. French, Jack H. French, John Fitch, John
Filmore
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and stated, "I married Buda when we both were drunk and I found out she was quite incapable of loyalty to anyone."
235:, two men, impersonating federal law enforcement agents, entered the room and "arrested" West for violation of the
219:
In 1916, Godman, under the alias "Alice Williams," persuaded Edward R. West, a wealthy business executive and
1146:"Nab Swindlers Wanted Here in $ 180,000 Frauds: Two Sought by Dade Sheriff Landed in Big Colorado Cleanup,"
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In 1932, Godman, under the alias "Helen Smith," was arrested and charged for an attempt to serve as a
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for four to eight years. She began her sentence on November 17, 1932, as prisoner number 1652 at the
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Film No.) 2194201, NYC Queens Reference No. 308 (registration/login may be required, but is free)
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Buda, under the alias of Louise French, and Jack French were arrested February 2, 1921, in
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190:. The ensuing fake arrest went awry when the victim reported the incident to authorities.
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Dapper Don Collins (pseudonym of Robert Arthur Tourbillon; 1880–1950) (1916, Chicago)
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After the 1916 scandal, up through the mid-1920s, Godman became the protege of
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From 1907 to 1910, Godman was married to Chicago music publisher and composer
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458:. Otho was also a horse race-sheet reporter, according to several sources.
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Doc Brady (pseudonym of James Christian) (1916, Chicago), alias W. J. Cross
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1916: convicted, released on bail, jumped bail, charges eventually dropped
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523:, New York. At the time of her death, she lived at 38-19 50th Street in
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Biography of a Business, 1792–1942: Insurance Company of North America,
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Books, magazines, journals, dissertations, public records, and websites
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535:, her grave-site marked by a simple and unassuming granite headstone.
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994:"Two Admit Blackmail – Buda Godman and Man Held in $ 10,000 Bail,"
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and, with other inmates, was transferred on June 30, 1933, to the
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In 1932, Godman, under the name of Helen Smith, was convicted for
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Hester Ann Gagen (1886–1923), Buda's sister, is also on the same
315:, owned the Cuba-America Jockey Club, the Havana Casino, and the
220:
1055:(weekly syndicated newspaper magazine), February 22, 1948, p. 12
1219:(weekly syndicated newspaper magazine), September 1, 1946, pp.
1213:"Queen of the Badger Band," by Elgar Arthur Brown (1897–1958),
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September 25, 1920, arriving New York City September 30, 1920,
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September 25, 1920, arriving New York City September 30, 1920,
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519:, widow of Charles Daniels, Godman died January 7, 1945, in
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NYPD: Stories of Survival from the World's Toughest Beat
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apartment served as a stage for criminals that included
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March 31, 1921, arriving New York City April 4, 1921,
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March 31, 1921, arriving New York City April 4, 1921,
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Marriage license of Tell Taylor and Buda Godman, 1907
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Mrs. Susie Summerville and Mrs. Rene Bernice Morrow,
1152:, Vol. 12, No. 275, August 27, 1922, pps. 1 & 7
984:, Volume XXXI, Number 230, September 26, 1916, p. 6
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621:November 11, 1932: West 54th Street, New York City
527:. She was buried Sunday, January 7, 1945, at the
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968:, Volume XLII, Number 292, October 6, 1916, p. 8
544:September 25, 1920: 7437 Merrill Avenue, Chicago
117:1932: convicted, sentenced to prison in New York
1130:"The Notorious Buda Godman in Prison at Last,"
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1074:), Vol. 122, No. 267, November 11, 1932, p. 1
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578:March 31, 1921: 7437 Merrill Avenue, Chicago
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823:"New York City Municipal Deaths, 1795–1949"
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601:Charles A. Stoneham is listed on the same
567:Charles A. Stoneham is listed on the same
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1010:"Confession Claimed On Raising Bills,"
895:, Vol. 20, No. 4, October 1, 1910, p. 4
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402:Helen Daniels, widow of Charles Daniels
395:Mrs. Stoneham (fictitiously married to
343:John Homer French at his arrest in 1922
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1084:"Tabloid News From The Towns: Auburn,"
1016:, February 4, 1921, p. 12 (accessible
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307:, who, among other things, owned the
197:and sentenced to prison in New York.
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624:January 1945: 38-19 50th Street in
450:on August 28, 1903, from a ship on
255:This particular scheme is known as
13:
1091:, November 18, 1932, p. 24, col. 3
1064:"Girl Sentenced for Taking Gems,"
962:"Six Indicted in Blackmail Ring,"
728:Sexual Blackmail: A Modern History
209:
14:
1283:
1272:Burials at Sleepy Hollow Cemetery
1197:"Weds Actor She Met At Convent,"
835:– January 7, 1945; citing Death,
424:Helen Evers, wife of George Irwin
388:Helen Taylor (she was married to
841:New York City Municipal Archives
481:St. Joseph's Convent and Academy
1188:, August 29, 1903, p. 8, col. 6
421:George W. Irwin (1916, Chicago)
262:
1:
1181:"Sends Message From Midlake,"
950:
653:Cassell's Dictionary of Slang
406:
200:
1067:Plattsburgh Daily Republican
977:"Blackmailer is Sentenced,"
7:
1171:), September 16, 1910, p. 2
888:"Music Publisher Divorced,"
470:
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10:
1288:
441:
370:
299:Havana, Cuba, and New York
1262:American female gangsters
1200:The Philadelphia Inquirer
1161:Obituary: "Otho Godman,"
428:
335:1932 Glemby jewelry heist
274:
159:
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89:
81:
62:
39:
30:
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1257:Depression-era gangsters
867:edited by Clint Willis,
766:(1936; reprinted 1968);
756:Fighting the Underworld,
734:Harvard University Press
636:
510:
397:Charles Abraham Stoneham
287:John Homer French), the
101:Helen Taylor (1907–1910)
1204:November 10, 1907, p. 3
1043:"The Perfect Disguise,"
533:Sleepy Hollow, New York
319:. For years, Godman's
317:Oriental Park Racetrack
662:Orion Publishing Group
529:Sleepy Hollow Cemetery
438:
344:
311:baseball club and, in
1072:Plattsburgh, New York
982:Riverside, California
979:Riverside Daily Press
799:Bobbs-Merrill Company
696:Chicago Confidential,
454:— the ship being the
436:
342:
215:1916 blackmail scheme
1013:Atlanta Constitution
632:Notes and references
539:Published residences
385:Louise French (1921)
365:Bedford Hills Prison
105:Helen Daniels (1945)
99:Louise French (1921)
1216:The American Weekly
1169:Logansport, Indiana
1052:The American Weekly
869:Thunder Mouth Press
710:(1950), pp. 26–30;
495:, and Hough at the
305:Charles A. Stoneham
155:Charles A. Stoneham
1267:American gangsters
1110:The New York Times
1001:, November 9, 1916
998:The New York Times
965:Los Angeles Herald
760:Philip S. Van Cise
448:wireless telegraph
439:
392:from 1907 to 1910)
357:prison in New York
345:
225:Hyde Park, Chicago
175:Helen Julia Godman
44:Helen Julia Godman
1133:San Antonio Light
1107:Don' Is Buried,"
934:SS Ulua Manifest,
831:"Helen Daniels,"
626:Sunnyside, Queens
525:Sunnyside, Queens
355:and sentenced to
283:of Jackie French
163:
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18:American criminal
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1252:American outlaws
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801:(1943), p. 299;
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497:La Salle Theater
485:Adrian, Michigan
325:Arnold Rothstein
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90:Other names
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54:December 4, 1888
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1137:January 1, 1933
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909:SS Morro Castle
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871:(2002), p. 94;
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764:Greenwood Press
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736:(2002), p. 90;
732:Angus McLaren,
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708:Dell Publishing
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569:SS Morro Castle
551:SS Morro Castle
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515:Under the name
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327:, the gambler;
309:New York Giants
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210:Criminal events
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517:Helen Daniels
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505:vaudevillians
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279:Godman was a
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257:badger gaming
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233:Ansonia Hotel
230:
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195:grand larceny
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153:Jackie French
152:
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139:Julia Conklin
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103:Mrs. Stoneham
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942:Ellis Island
938:Havana, Cuba
933:
919:Ellis Island
915:Havana, Cuba
907:
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883:
861:
857:
839:, New York,
827:FamilySearch
825:(database),
795:Indianapolis
786:
782:
755:
726:
722:
704:Lee Mortimer
695:
650:
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596:Ellis Island
592:Havana, Cuba
590:, departing
562:Ellis Island
558:Havana, Cuba
556:, departing
516:
514:
502:
474:
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456:SS Milwaukee
445:
376:Helen Strong
346:
329:Owney Madden
313:Havana, Cuba
302:
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93:Helen Strong
68:(1945-01-07)
15:
1247:1945 deaths
1242:1888 births
1024:.newspapers
847:microfilm (
477:Tell Taylor
390:Tell Taylor
382:Helen Smith
321:Park Avenue
293:Lou Blonger
269:Chattanooga
263:Chattanooga
184:badger game
180:Tell Taylor
166:Buda Godman
137:Otho Godman
128:Tell Taylor
126:1907–1910:
97:Helen Smith
82:Nationality
25:Buda Godman
1236:Categories
951:Newspapers
936:departing
913:departing
660:, London:
407:Associates
201:Early life
149:Partner(s)
76:, New York
50:1888-12-04
1030:/78727959
911:Manifest,
700:Jack Lait
670:769046857
549:Source:
289:bookmaker
229:St. Louis
134:Parent(s)
944:Archives
921:Archives
877:50164644
772:16570171
742:49627757
615:Manifest
606:Manifest
598:Archives
588:Manifest
583:Source:
572:Manifest
564:Archives
554:Manifest
500:parlor.
471:Marriage
462:Siblings
281:paramour
237:Mann Act
188:Mann Act
85:American
1105:'Dapper
892:Variety
807:1079378
716:2475547
664:(2005)
612:SS Ulua
603:SS Ulua
585:SS Ulua
442:Parents
371:Aliases
221:widower
57:Chicago
1223:&
1103:
875:
837:Queens
805:
776:435739
770:
740:
714:
702:&
668:
521:Queens
489:Howard
429:Family
275:Denver
173:
123:Spouse
74:Queens
1028:/clip
637:Notes
511:Death
493:Adams
349:fence
223:from
1026:.com
873:OCLC
803:OCLC
768:OCLC
738:OCLC
712:OCLC
666:OCLC
291:for
63:Died
40:Born
1045:by
1022:www
1018:via
845:FHL
833:DOD
789:by
758:by
698:by
531:in
483:in
285:(né
249:née
171:née
1238::
1225:17
1221:16
1119:^
1049:,
926:^
900:^
849:GS
843:;
813:^
797::
793:,
774:,
762:,
748:^
706:,
686:^
491:,
367:.
295:.
239:.
1202:,
1167:(
1135:,
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1101:"
1070:(
1033:)
865:,
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651:(
399:)
168:(
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