Clean Towel and Linen Service Company

[Paul Cummings]

What I've been researching will not solve the JFK case. Ever since I started reading about the case and looking at pictures, the white van parked at the corner of Elm and Houston next to the Dal-Tex building has always caught my eye. Why is that truck sitting at that location for a Presidential parade? I'm starting this thread to give an in-depth look at Clean Towel and Linen Service Company, it's owners and employees. This will be evolving as I disclose of what I've was found. I also ask for your patience with grammar etc as I'm new here and learning how to use the tools this site provides.

When I first started this project two years ago, I wanted to find out who owned Clean Towel? My goal was to get as many names as possible so I could investigate. The company had to have a physical address so that began the hunt to the Tarrant County website for Titles and Deeds for possible transactions on the business. The more names I could get the better opportunity for leads. I've enclosed the picture of Clean Towel on that fateful day by Altens.

 

[Paul Cummings]

On June 10, 1958 Clean Towel and Linen Service Company 2431 Weisenberger Street in Fort Worth, Texas was incorporated. In the articles of incorporation three witnesses signed the document and a fourth person was the agent of record with the filing.

[Paul Cummings]

The persons listed on the documents ; WJ Newell, BJ Lewis, Allen B. Conner and the registered agent Mark Sutphen.

[Paul Cummings]

WJ Newell (1911-1983) born and raised in Fort Worth, Texas. Early in his career he worked for GMAC and later on became involved in Industrial parks in Fort Worth and later on in San Antonio. "Jack" as he was called, can be found in several articles in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram about running for school board and his outspoken politics. He did serve in the Navy in WWII and in the capacity of flying gliders. Newell has a very famous brother-in-law Bryon Nelson the professional golfer. TJ Newell also got the attention of Ben Bradlee when he wrote this letter back in 1960 to Newsweek. Here is the link to Newsweek as it gives you a feel of the 1960 Presidential campaign. https://www.jfklibrary.org/asset-viewer/archives/jfkcamp1960-1020-006#?image_identifier=JFKCAMP1960-1020-006-p0002

[Paul Cummings]

Allen B. Conner was a Fort Worth Attorney. If memory serves me, Conner's grandfather sat on the Texas Supreme Court. Conner's father was a doctor as was his brother who was in France when WWII broke out. During the WWII, Allen Conner was in the FBI (1940-1945) and returned to Fort Worth to resume his law practice when the war ended. He also served as Tarrant County Chairman for Coker Stevenson Senate campaign in which LBJ won in a "landslide" with a found ballot box in another county. Conner did have a case go before the Texas Supreme Court on a Trademark lawsuit. 

BJ Lewis was an expert in photography. He moved from upper New York area to Fort Worth back around 1933. It appears he did photographic work for the U.S. agricultural and even found a newspaper article in which he remarries his wife in Iowa. In the 1950's Lewis worked at Bell Helicopter as inspector. It talking with a few people familiar with the industry, it would be not unusal for someone his position to employed to look for possible cracks or defects on the aircrafts. I found his obituary and have it included in here. Notice the resembalance to Joseph Milteer? 

[Paul Cummings]

More to follow

[Paul Cummings]

Registered Agent on the transaction and who later became General Manager of Clean Towel was Mark Alvin Sutphen (Sutphin) who worked from 1958-1967. I will spend a good amount time about Sutphen because when you get into a central figure who worked for Clean Towel during the time of the JFKA, it warrants no stone left unturned. This area will be the longest and most detailed as possible. Last year I had the opportunity to talk with Sutphen's two remaining daughters that were alive. Like most family relatives that I've talked with, they end up saying you know more about "x" than I know. I have no problem forwarding research documents that I've done or currently doing. I'm up front in saying "I'm not here to accuse your family member of plotting the JFKA. 

Mark Alvin Sutphen was (12/4/1912) in Commanche, TX. His family would move to Fort Worth Texas where graduated from Fort Worth Texas Polytechnic. In 1933 Fort Worth City Directory had Sutphen listed as a Manager Citi Oil Services Company No 12. In 1934 Sutphen moved to Los Angeles CA. when the following year in (7/25/1935) he marries his girl (Los Angeles) from Texas Frances Young Sutphen. The next year, he moves to 313 E. Adams in Stockton CA. and his job is listed as clerk. If you gone this far one little story about Mark's marriage. Before leaving for Los Angeles, Frances was thrown a party by one of the hosts...Ben Hogan in Fort Worth. Byron Nelson and Ben Hogan. According to his WWII draft card, Sutphen was back in Los Angeles working for Crescent Towel & Linen Supply Company 125 North Mission Road. The owner of this company back in 1940 was Manuel Turetz. It's important to stop here and briefly explain this relationship further as it relates to November 22, 1963. 

Earlier, I posted Clean Towel's articles of incorporation the names and the dates from June of 1958. Well, as it turns out before heading back to Fort Worth to manage the laundry company, Sutphen signed a contract with Manuel Turetz in Los Angeles in May of 1958. Turns out Turetz sued Sutphen and his a family member for leaving the company in 1967. In that lawsuit the contract was submitted by Turetz attorneys and shows the date of the agreement. Why is Turetz suing? Clean Towel and Linen Company in other documents will bear him out as the owner. So the questions arise, why is a guy out in Los Angeles fronting a contract for employment when the original articles of incorporation do not list Turetz? There's no doubt in my mind this is the business owner of the Clean Towel truck on Elm and Houston. 

I will take you further into Sutphen's timeline in the late 40's and to 1950's.

[Paul Cummings]

I'm sorry about grammar. I'm taking notes from files and memory and using this as basically a scratch pad. I'm hoping you understand and can still follow along.

[Paul Cummings]

Also looking back. It's WJ Newell. Sutphen has two daughters still living and I have spoken with one of them and not two. I'm hoping there's a way I can edit some of this stuff?

[Paul J Cummings]

Sometime around 1947, Sutphen moved back to Fort Worth Texas. On June 1st 1947, he along with WJ Newell, and Buford Walling (brother in-law) purchased Evans Cleaners (1009 Evans Rd) from Will Wendeborn. Then in May of 1949 a major flood hit Fort Worth and a fire swept through the district including Sutphen's business. The damages were at least $30k and by the following month, Sutphen and his relatives decide to sell.

In 1950 Sutphen would move to Big Spring, Texas and opened a dry cleaning with George J Severs. Later on I will discuss Severs and his relationship with Mark Sutphen. It was also during this time, where Sutphen became involved with the Shriners. In the Big Spring Daily Herald, there's several announcements of meetings in which his named is used. A lawsuit against Sutphen and Severs was filed in September of 1951 by Bratton-McCowen Manufacturing Company suit for debt. No indications of when or how this lawsuit was settled. September of 1953, Sutphen leaves Big Spring and moves back to California where he starts New Ace Laundry (5066 Alhambra Ave, LA, CA) with T. Leuenberger 641 W. Riggin St. Monterey Park, CA. Leuenberger according to his WWII Draft card was working for LA Towel around 1940. Sutphen is in the Los Angeles area until the summer of 1958 when moves back to Fort Worth in staring Clean Towel and Linen Service Company. He would remain General Manager until January of 1967.

[Paul J Cummings]

At this point, I'm trying to go chronologically with the time. I believe the people who incorporated Clean Towel are not only Moslah Shriners but friendships from the past. Three of the four people listed went to Fort Worth HS together; Newell, Conner and Sutphen. I will write more on Sutphen later. The Moslah has a fund in which you can access documents via Tarranty County website. It's a rabbit hole at this point but there's one name that I saw that other researchers might be familiar. Not going to post the name for now. The next information/subject will be Manuel Turetz the owner of Clean Towel and Linen Service Company

Manuel Turetz was born (6/25/1904) in Philadelphia, PA.Turetz and shortly thereafter moved to Los Angeles, CA. The U.S. City Directories in 1918 & has him living with his parents at 75 E 51 St. in LA. His father Harry, was listed as a cigar maker along with his three sisters. I've attached 1924 US City Directory as it's been difficult at this time to determine his business dealings. The U.S. City Directories doesn't list him again until 1973, the year in which he died. Here is Turetz's WWII Draft card. Also he has a patent that was filed on (8/16/1959) which I've enclose one of the pages. My research through Ancestory led to several international trips that he took. 

[Paul J Cummings]

The Turetz WWII Draft Card has Crescent Towel like Sutphens. I apologize but the last document was downloaded wrong and does not pertain.

[Paul J Cummings]

The next document is where I found Turetz as the owner in Fort Worth Texas. In 1960, Clean Towel had a fire and Turetz hired a Power of Attorney and believe the person (Sid Levine) is his brother in-law. The fire resulted in $11k of damages and it appears Levine is representing for insurance claims. There's another fire in 1966 (more on that later) which again documents Clean Towel and Linen Service is owned by Turetz. 

[Paul J Cummings]

This past March, I reached out to relative of Turetz's and discussed his travels. The person indicated he loved to travel and experience different cultures. I had two phone conversations with the living relative and the person was not aware of his businesses. One of Turetz's daughters is still living, but given her age, I felt it would be more appropriate in trying to reach a relative someone younger. I forwarded several documents including ownership. Travel documents.

[Paul J Cummings]

Hopefully better image of second travel doc.

[Paul J Cummings]

Tarrant County also provided the name of Robert Lesh (middle name Allen) who this document says he is representing Clean Towel and Linen Service on May 29,1963. (Work in progress)

Robert Allen Lesh was (5/28/1931) was born in Kansas City, Missouri as the only child to George Allen Lesh and his mother Mabel (Trotter). His family would move to Loveland Colorado where his father was employed with Great Western Sugar Company as a labor. Thhe 1950 Census lists George A Lesh (Farm worker) and Bobby Lesh (19 yrs) living in Thomson, Missouri. Mabel Lesh is not listed with at this address in 1950. In 1956 Lesh has a daughter with the birth certificate listing Robert as policeman in Fort Worth, TX. During the 1950's Fort Worth had a cadet training program and believe Lesh worked in that capacity with the police department. Also in 1956, he's listed in the Fort Worth City Directory  at 6036 E. Belknap as a construction foreman with company called Ray Durham Construction. I came across a few article with Bob's exploits this being the first in August of 1956. (more to follow)

[Paul J Cummings]

[Paul J Cummings]

[Paul J Cummings]

[Paul J Cummings]

In 1957, Lesh was living in Hurst Texas. In speaking with his daughter, they have no idea why "Bob" ended up in Fort Worth. The following year, Lesh appeared in 96th District Court Leonards Dept. Store Robert A Lesh with judgement. On November 4, 1958 he married Mrs. Oneda Faye Winnett of Fort Worth. The marriage license lists Lesh as employed by the Texas Department of Correction Huntsville Texas. Bob's daughter also indicated he contracted the work on homes but doubts he did the actual construction. Then in of May of 1961, Lesh would have his name come up again in the newspapers with an "incident" that didn't seem to warrant follow up?

[Paul J Cummings]

In November of 1962 Bob and his wife purchased a home at 1908 Dakar Ridgmar Fort Worth Texas. It isn't clear if this was home for remodeling or actual house they lived in. When discussing this with his daughter and showing a picture via internet, she indicated that would be the type of house he would work on. Bob's activity (Tarrant county website) in 1963 picked up. From January until May 27th, Lesh contracted with 11 people to work on their homes. What happens after this date is noteworthy. As the earlier document indicates, Lesh represented himself as a Clean Towel employee but the Fort Worth City Directory for the years in which is incorporated doesn't list Robert Lesh as employee. The document with Lesh representing with Clean Towel and Linen Service Company is notarized by Tarrant County.  I will go over the rest of Bob's activity in 1963 the next time I write. (more to follow)

[Paul J Cummings]

One of Bob's activities that caught my attention was filing Power of Attorney on June 13, 1963 in which he names his father George Allen Lesh. Then in August of 1963, Lesh has started a company out in Arizona for mortgages. In discussing this with his daughter, she believed Bob took advantage of the retirees moving out west to Arizona. He also moved his parents from Missouri to Phoenix for their retirement and George worked for Bob on his properties. Two documents are the original draft of August 1963 and the Incorporation in Arizona. The agreement signed in Maricopa County agreement includes Herman Tracht (45%), Robert Lesh (45%) and James R Byrer. (10%) Bryer is not named in the Incorporation filed later. In my phone conversations with Lesh's daughter she would say Bob flew us in a plane going back to Texas from Arizona. Faye (Step mother) would take the girls shopping nearby while Lesh conducted business. I asked if she had any pictures of Bob next to a plane or flying but does not have any. The fall of 1963 (10/28) a document was filed and only signed by Faye B Lesh and has an address listed as 1102 E. Madison, Phoenix, Arizona. A similar document was filed by the other owners wife Dorothy A Tracht. It is my assumption the documents with the two women's name as to be included as partners in the Home Mortgage, Inc. It would list Herman A Tracht President and Treasurer Robert A. Lesh as Vice President and Treasurer. 

[Paul J Cummings]

Two documents appear with Lesh in 1966 both in Tarrant County. On March 5th, in 67th District Court, Helen Page et vir vs Robert Lesh dismissed with prejudice. The next date of September 5th, Lesh divorces Faye after 8 years of marriage. According to his daughter, Bob and Faye had a volatile relationship. Once while eating dinner, Faye took a knife from the kitchen and stabbed Bob in the back. In the fall of 1967, Lesh would once again make the newspapers with incident at an apartment. Once again Bob is shot and recovers but in 1968, Lesh life would come to gruesome death.

[Paul J Cummings]

Joe Watson, the dean of Texas police chiefs said in November of he will call it quits in early 1985. Watson said he will retire with one disappointment on his mind--- the unsolved 1968 Robert Allen Lesh case, a brutal homicide. "To this day I know who did it but I never had enough evidence to prove it." 

Instead of writing about what happened to Robert Lesh, I will post a series of articles about his disppearance and what followed. In one of the discussions with Lesh's daughter she mentioned to me about DA Frank Coffey. The week before he died, Lesh came back to Arizona and gave a manila envelope to his father and said if anything happens to me give this information to Frank Coffey DA of Tarrant County. Take notice of the March 13th 1968 article in which Coffey is quoted. The following month is when Bob's case seems to have gone cold.

[Paul J Cummings]

Photo and electronic devices were found in Lesh's home. I asked Lesh's daughter about this equipment and do you recall him having these items. She wasn't sure but one item she does remember Bob having was a car phone in the mid 1960's. As you can imagine, that peaked my interest. A car phone back in the 1960's? Lesh's daughter is not aware of Bob having a military background other than being a reserve police officer/cadet with Fort Worth. She also said her dad was very secretive and wasn't unusual being left alone for several days when his children were 10 & 8 years old. It was so bad, both daughters had truancy problems in school. According to his daughter, they rode in cars with him when either they were chasing or he was being chased. Bob also dressed sharp with alligator boots. In previous discussions, Bob was a genius with a very high IQ. Her sister also has very high IQ. He spoke fluent spanish but isn't know if he spoke other languages. When I asked her what her grandparents thought about Bob? They believed he worked for the FBI or CIA. The investigation of his death is what follows. (more to follow)

[Paul J Cummings]

Page 1 of Robert Lesh's death which I did not include in previous post.

[Paul J Cummings]

These are the last of the articles about Robert Allen Lesh. The case went cold and has never solved. I will conclude with my many phone conversations that I had with Lesh's daughter with some notes.

He was a pilot who flew from Arizona to Texas on his airplane. He was a genius with a very high IQ. Both of Bob's parents thought he worked for the FBI or CIA.Spoke fluent spanish and doesn't know if he spoke other foreign languages. A week before he died, he came back to Arizona and gave his father a manila envelopeand said if anything happens to me give this information to Frank Coffey District Attorney of Tarrant County.

[Paul J Cummings]

The final item which I found researching Mark Alvin Sutphen obituary was this article from January 28, 1976.

[Paul J Cummings]

The names that I've included thus far were from Tarrant County Titles and Deeds. I was hoping to find more leads of names and associates of the company. I've used the Fort Worth Star-Telegram but when it comes to Clean Towel finding past employees was hard to find. What tool has been successful was the U.S. City Directory List on Ancestry. As I was going through the Fort Worth Directory, I could find very little in the years of my research. It was very frustrating trying to find an employee so I decided to concentrate on the Fort Worth 1960 U.S. City Directory. Why 1960? Clean Towel was incorporated in 1958 and thought by 1960 the company and employees might be more established. The 1960 Directory on Ancestry only went up to the "L or M" so I decided to go through it line by line. Not fun, but I did it. The letter "C" provided the obvious Clean Towel and Linen 2431 Weisenberger Manager Mark Sutphen. I found no employees until I reached "F" and finally a name appeared; Fabla Aldorez (Toni) emp Clean Towel & Linen n3207 Ellis av. I started researching the name everywhere and got nothing. Fabla is only listed in this directory. I did a deep search on Ancestry and the name popped up on baptism but even that was limited. I even tried the name Toni Fabla and got nothing. Stumped. What next. I can't let this go because getting employees names has been difficult. Then I thought, he lived at 3207 Ellis Avenue I can search where he lived via Tarrant County Titles and Deeds. He wasn't there but the person whom I believe owned this property back during this time, is worth looking into.

[Paul J Cummings]

 (work in progress) I would again point out, these are leads which I'm following. I'm hoping to generate names or connections around Clean Towel and Linen employees. Thus far, it's been limited but has allowed me to dig deep on names which I've found. A former employee by the name of Aldorez Fabla resulted in finding nothing. I then decided to see who owned the property back in 1960. According to Google Maps, the address 3207 Ellis Avenue is about one mile from Fort Worth Meacham Airport. Tarrant County records indicate (Lot No. 4 Block 103 MG Ellis Addition) in 1955 Robert D. Hibler along with spouse Mldred C. Hibler bought the property. The U.S. cities Fort Worth Directory has Hibler's living at this property until 1959 but County records indicate transactions during and after this period may have had different owners. On September 21, 1957 another document was generated at the property with both Hilber's being listed. In September of 1959, Hibler's name comes up for different property in Tarrant County in which they paid $12,500. This transaction was submitted and signed by Scott L. Daly. In late 1959, 3207 Ellis Avenue would have classified ad's of the properties availibility via Fort Worth Star-Telegram. The property has two transactions with November of 1962 in which Scott L Daly now becomes the owner until 1975. The next section will now cover who is Scott L. Daly.

[Paul J Cummings]

(work in progress) Although not clear about ownership from 1960-61, there's no doubt in November of 1962 this property is owned by an attorney in Fort Worth named Scott Love Daly. (7/4/1912-11/29/1980) A Fort Worth native, he went to North Side HS and graduated from University of Texas where he also obtained his law degree. Practicing as an attorney in Fort Worth, on June 1, 1945 he enlisted with the Army and served in General Douglas MacArthur's Pacific Headquarters in counter intelligence. His date of release (Military headstone application) was April 18, 1946. He returned to the Fort Worth practicing law along with being active in other areas of business. Besides his involvement in real estate, Scott Love Daly owned a dry cleaning place. This perhaps maybe why the connection with Aldorez Fabla who listed as employee of Clean Towel while living at 3207 Ellis Avenue in the Fort Worth 1960 U.S. Cities Directory. Sometime in the 1950's, Daly bought a laundry facility "Superior Laundry and Dry Cleaners" 1220 N. Main in Fort Worth. I've included the Gemberling Report in which the FBI tried to trace a tag that was in Oswald's jacket and his business is contacted on April 14, 1964. What you won't find on the Gemberling report is the Clean Towel and Linen Company. This same company whose van sat at the corner of Elm and Houston in Dealey Plaza was not contacted by the FBI. Why? The most likely reason was Clean Towel was more business to business than a retail walk in store. I will point out later in a lawsuit Clean Towel vs. Sutphen there's a list of laundry businesses that operated with or for in 1967. So, while they may lack a frontal store, the lawsuit points out several laundry businesses they were working with locally. (Mary Ferrell) In the late 1950's till early 1960's, Daly was involved in the North Fort Worth Business association, having served as President in 1961. Later on in 1962, attention turned to operators at Meacham Field who saw rent hike go up as much as 50%. Posted is an article from Monday January 22, 1962 in which Attorney Scott Daly, representing the North Side association express concerns about new rates will drive industry out of Meacham. Then again in June of 1963, Meacham Field operators that they did not receive notices of the meeting. "One of the Meacham Field operators, Ed Richey, said Daly was not connected with the operators and no longer represented them. A few days later, Scott Daly is named Board of Aviation and takes air board oath and is immediately named vice chairman. As stated before, Daly's laundry business was contacted by FBI in April of 1964.

[Paul J Cummings]

In 1975, Daly sold 17 properties including 3207 Ellis Avenue. On November 29, 1980 he died from a heart attack.