The Odd Truth, May 5, 2003
The Odd Truth is a collection of strange but factual news stories from around the world compiled by CBSNews.com's Brian Bernbaum. A new collection of stories is published each weekday. On weekends, you can read a week's worth of The Odd Truth.
Farewell, Old Man
FRANCONIA, N.H. - New Hampshire awoke to find its stern granite symbol of independence and stubbornness, the Old Man of the Mountain, had collapsed into indistinguishable rubble.
The fall ended nearly a century of efforts to protect the giant mountainside landmark from the same natural forces that created it. Only stabilizing cables and epoxy remained Saturday where the famous ledges had clung.
"With heavy rains and high winds and freezing temperatures, the combination was just right to loosen him up," said Mike Pelchat, a state parks official. "We always thought it was the hand of God holding him up, and he let go."
The Old Man is a natural rock formation that was created by a series of geologic events beginning an estimated 200 million years ago.
Over time, nature carved out a 40-foot tall profile resembling an old man's face, and it soon became New Hampshire's most recognizable symbol. The face appears on the state quarter, state road signs and countless souvenirs and tourist brochures.
In the 19th century, the profile inspired New Hampshire statesman Daniel Webster to write: "In the mountains of New Hampshire, God Almighty has hung out a sign to show that there He makes men."
David Nielsen, whose father was the profile's official caretaker for decades before passing the job on to his son in 1989, had tears in his eyes as he looked at the mountainside Saturday.
"The oldest person in my family just died," he said.
Foot-Licker Faces Trial
MILFORD, Mass. - A man convicted of licking the feet of three female shoppers in Rhode Island is facing a trial in June on charges he allegedly licked a woman's foot in a Massachusetts supermarket.
Raymond C. Dublin, 35, of Rhode Island, is finishing a one-year sentence for simple assault charges in connection with the foot-licking complaints in Rhode Island.
He will appear before a Milford District Court judge for a bench trial on the Massachusetts charges on June 2, The MetroWest Daily News of Framingham reported.
Dublin allegedly sneaked up behind a woman last year at a Bellingham supermarket and licked her feet and toes. He faces charges of assault and battery and lewd and lascivious behavior, the paper reported.
Dublin also has run into trouble for other sex offenses in the past.
In 1991, he was convicted of first-degree sexual assault and sentenced to 15 years with 10 to serve; in 1998 he was convicted of second-degree sexual assault and sentenced to 15 years with five to serve, the newspaper said.
Wife Mistaken For Husband
ORLANDO, Fla. - A woman was jailed for nearly 24 hours after her description was mistakenly listed on a warrant issued by the State Attorney's Office, which was actually seeking to have her husband arrested, officials said.
Dawn Gentry, 37, was released from Orange County Jail on Wednesday. Her husband, Ronnie Gentry, 34, was planning to turn himself Thursday night on charges of battery and resisting arrest Thursday night, she said. The incident stemmed from an apparent domestic dispute during which Dawn Gentry claims she was beaten by her husband.
"I'm a victim in this," Dawn Gentry said. "Not once — twice."
A telephone message left early Friday with an Orlando police spokesman was not immediately returned.
Randy Means, a spokesman for State Attorney Lawson Lamar's office, said the confusion occurred because mistakes were made during the data-entry process. Police were given Ronnie Gentry's name, but the warrant they carried had Dawn Gentry's physical description.
"The last thing we want to do is re-victimize the victim," Means said.
Not Exactly A High-Speed Getaway
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - A bank robbery suspect, apparently confused by a labyrinth of routes near Cedar Bluff Road in Knoxville, was arrested about 45 minutes after the heist — right behind the bank.
David A. Hughes, 27, of Johnson City was charged with one count of aggravated robbery, Knoxville police said.
A branch of First Tennessee Bank was robbed about 9:30 a.m. Thursday. Police officers nabbed Hughes' car about 10:15 a.m. as it circled the bank's back parking lot.
Hughes apparently had driven around the area but found himself back at the bank as he attempted to flee, police said.
Officers Cynthia J. Chandler and Jason Krumenacker handcuffed Hughes 247 feet from the bank's front door, police said. Inside his car they found a yellow plastic bag containing stacks of money and a BB pistol.
The Truth Is Out There, Somewhere
AZTEC, N.M. - Calling all UFO witnesses. Researcher Stanton Friedman wants to interview witnesses to the famed Roswell, New Mexico, crash in 1947. It's the stuff of legend. At the time the Air Force touted the discovery of a flying saucer. Within hours, officials said it wasn't a spaceship but a weather balloon. Friedman is convinced there was a cover-up and he wants to talk to people who were actually there. Friedman researched the site for the government years ago. Now, he says he's racing the undertaker. He says there are people who know about Roswell, but don't know who to talk to. Stanton's toll-free number is 1-877-457-0232.
Schoolgirl Bandit
TOKYO - Japanese police on Sunday arrested a man who allegedly robbed a woman of $160 while disguised in a schoolgirl's uniform.
Yoshifumi Moriwaki, 24, admitted snatching the handbag of a 19-year old student from her bicycle basket as she was riding home on April 24, Midori district police in Aichi prefecture said in a statement.
Dressed in a navy blue miniskirt and a white top with a sailor's collar, Moriwaki rode up behind the woman on his bicycle and grabbed her bag as he overtook her, the police said.
Moriwaki wore a shoulder-length brown-colored wig, they added.
Midori police had been on alert after five reported purse snatchings by robbers dressed in schoolgirl uniforms since late March.
Officers questioned Moriwaki late Saturday night after they spotted him in a miniskirt and a navy blue cardigan near a local train station.
Moriwaki also confessed to four other incidents, the police said.
Illegal Mouse-Farm Busted
OKLAHOMA CITY - The owner of about 30,000 mice found on the city's south side has signed the rodents over to the city.
Police found the mice in a barn Thursday after receiving complaints about the odor from residents who live nearby. Officers arrested Steven Grant Burgess later that day on complaints of unhealthy conditions, lack of care and an animal cruelty violation, according to a police report.
The rodents were feeder mice that were sold to pet stores and snake breeders. The mice won't be returned to him and he won't continue his business, Burgess, 44, said Friday.
Steve Lira, animal welfare supervisor for Oklahoma City Animal Control, said the mice probably will be donated to the Oklahoma City Zoo.
"That amount of mice will save the zoo thousands of dollars in feeding costs," Lira said.
Gary West, Oklahoma City Zoo veterinarian, said the mice will be used to feed reptiles, birds and some carnivores.