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Chester A. Good | |
|---|---|
 Photograph of Chester A. Good, published in the Harrisburg Telegraph on February 8, 1928. | |
| Member of the Michigan House of Representatives from the Wayne 2 district | |
| In office January 5, 1927 – 1928 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 26, 1895 Tamaqua, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | November 6, 1970 (aged 75) Florida, U.S. |
| Spouses | Iva Clemens (m. 1915)Carolyn Dixon
(m. 1932; died 1964) |
Chester A. Good (October 26, 1895 – November 6, 1970) was an American politician, businessman, and convicted robber.
Biography
[edit]Early life and career
[edit]Good was born on October 26, 1895, in Tamaqua, Pennsylvania, to American parents. He was educated in Tamaqua and moved to Highland Park, Michigan, in the early 1910s. Before entering politics, Good was active in the insurance and real estate businesses.[1]: 648 [2]
Good was appointed deputy city clerk of Highland Park in May 1921, succeeding Charles H. Ketcham.[3] He resigned in April 1923, when he resigned, being succeeded by Avery G. Eagle.[4] In March 1923, Good ran for Highland Park city assessor against incumbent George L. Voorhis and Meyer J. Smith. Good lost to Voorhis by nearly 400 votes.[5]
Good was elected to the city commission of Highland Park in 1924[2][6] alongside Joseph M. Hackett.[7] As commissioner, Good was alleged to have violated the city charter by acting as surety on the bond of former policeman Gordon A. Suggs, who was charged with the possession of liquor.[8]
| Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chester A. Good | 4,342 | 27.62% | |
| Joseph M. Hackett | 3,946 | 25.10% | |
| Truman H. Gass | 3,904 | 24.84% | |
| William M. Merithew | 3,527 | 22.44% | |
| Total votes | 15,719 | 100.00% | |
In August 1926, Good filed to run for Wayne County's 2nd district in the Michigan House of Representatives as a member of the Republican Party.[9] Good was elected,[10][11] defeating Democratic opponent George E. Bushnell by nearly 800 votes.[1]: 280 He was assigned to the insurance, Michigan School for the Deaf, Pontiac State Hospital, and transportation committees.[12] During his time in the House, Good was an advocate for stronger laws against crime[13] and proposed a bill that would punish people convicted of six major crimes—including armed robbery—with whipping.[14] The bill failed to garner enough support and was defeated.[13]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Chester A. Good | 2,833 | 57.93% | |
| Democratic | George E. Bushnell | 2,057 | 42.07% | |
| Total votes | 4,890 | 100.00% | ||
Burglary charges
[edit]
Influenced by Good's proposal, 23-year-old former fireman Albert Dubus confessed to four robberies in which he alleged Good was involved in.[13][16] One of these said robberies took place on October 26, 1926, when the Highland Park branch of the Peninsular State bank was burglarized. Good was arrested and charged with armed robbery;[17][13] his trial was held across three weeks from June 24 to July 1927.[18][17] In the trial, the robbers—Dubus and Clarence Reault—claimed that Good assisted them to steal a car, while a friend of Good had claimed that Good was with him on the night of the robbery. Good did not testify during the trial and was ultimately found not guilty.[17] Good was later charged on August 9, 1926, for another burglary of the same bank.[19]
Later in July 1927, Good was arrested again and arraigned on a charge of breaking and entering with intent to commit a felony,[20]: 1 soon being released under a $3,000 bond.[21] According to Dubus in his confession, Good had assisted him in robbing the home of fireman Harvey Small—a friend of Good—on May 31, 1926, by mapping the layout of the home for Dubus. At the time of the robbery, Small was on duty and only his wife and daughter were home. Dubus forced the wife at gunpoint to hand over a bar pin containing 19 diamonds worth $650, a lavalier containing 10 diamonds worth $1,000, a diamond stick pin worth $300, and $91 in cash; the items totaled around US$2,041 (equivalent to $35,127 in 2023).[20]: 1 After the robbery, Dubus went to Good's apartment, where they hung out before a bit before letting him out through the back door after Small's wife rung the doorbell to let Good know of the robbery. Good soon called the police.[20]: 2 Dubus handed the gems over to Good, who then traveled to New York City where he pawned the diamonds for $250 under the pseudonym John L. Burns.[20]: 2 According to Dubus, despite both agreeing to getting equal payment, Good only gave Dubus around $70, to which Good later borrowed and never returned $20 of the sum.[20]: 1–2 A trial began in December 1927, with Good pleading not guilty.[22][21] After the trial, he was ultimately found guilty and was convicted for breaking and entering under a new state criminal code, which Good helped pass.[21][23] He was ultimately sentenced to four to fifteen years in a reformatory in Ionia.[24] The judge recommended that Good serve at least five years.[25]
Post-sentencing life and death
[edit]Good was released on parole on August 13, 1931, after his sentencing for the Small home robbery expired on May 1.[26][27]
After his release, he moved to Miami in Florida with his wife, Caroline G. Good.[29] In early 1933, he founded the Good Hotel and invested around $200,000 into it, employing architect Martin L. Hampton to create blueprints. He obtained a permit for the building of the hotel and construction began in May 1933 and was done by Coral Gables contractor Carl Green.[30][31] The hotel opened on December 12, 1933, and was managed by Fatio Dunham.[32]
Good was part-owner of the Bal Harbour Sea View Hotel.[29][33]
In July 1954 the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) filed two income tax liens against Good, totaling $437,352.[34] The first lien covered government claims against Good from 1944 to 1947 for $312,102. The second lien covered claims against both Good and his wife, Mildred, from 1949 to 1952 for $125,250.[29]
After a lengthy illness, Good died on November 6, 1970, at the age of 75.[33]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c Haggerty, John S.; Schulte, Sidney A. (eds.). Michigan Official Directory and Legislative Manual (1927–28 ed.). State of Michigan. pp. 280, 648. Retrieved August 5, 2024.
- ^ a b "C. A. Good Runs As An Independent". Detroit Free Press. Detroit, Michigan. April 3, 1924. p. 18. Retrieved August 3, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Will Aid Highland Park's City Clerk". Detroit Free Press. Detroit, Michigan. May 25, 1921. p. 11. Retrieved August 4, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Highland Park—Shriners Will Drill, Honoring Frank Lodge". Detroit Free Press. Detroit, Michigan. April 22, 1923. p. 30. Retrieved August 4, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
Delmer C. Gowing, city clerk, has appointed Avery G. Eagle, 79 Rhode Island avenue, deputy, in place of Chester A. Good, whose resignation will take effect Monday. Mr. Good has been deputy clerk a year and a half.
- ^ "Race for Justice Close". Detroit Free Press. Detroit, Michigan. March 8, 1923. p. 2. Retrieved August 4, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Both Gittins and Taylor Ask, Get Highland Park Recount". Detroit Free Press. Detroit, Michigan. April 9, 1924. p. 3. Retrieved August 3, 2024.
- ^ a b "Highland Park Recount Looms". Detroit Free Press. Detroit, Michigan. April 8, 1924. p. 1. Retrieved August 6, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Highland Park Commissioner in New Controversy". Detroit Free Press. Detroit, Michigan. September 10, 1925. p. 11. Retrieved August 6, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Powers, James P. (August 8, 1926). "Groesbeck Steps Out In Role of Humorist". Detroit Free Press. Detroit, Michigan. p. 15. Retrieved August 5, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Legislature Solid G. O. P." Battle Creek Moon-Journal. Battle Creek, Michigan. November 6, 1926. p. 3. Retrieved August 3, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Alward, Dennis E. (ed.). Journal of the Senate of the State of Michigan (1927 ed.). Lansing, Michigan: Robert Smith Co., State Printers. pp. 2–3. Retrieved August 4, 2024.
- ^ "Legislator Details". Michigan Legislative Biography Database. Michigan Department of Education. Retrieved August 4, 2024.
- ^ a b c d "Maker of Law Held in Jail By "Own Law"". Simspon's Leader-Times. Kittanning, Pennsylvania. February 10, 1928. p. 18. Retrieved August 4, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "See Parole Soon for Ex-Legislator". Lansing State Journal. Lansing, Michigan. June 3, 1931. p. 1. Retrieved August 4, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Good Faces Court on Robbery Charge". Detroit Free Press. Detroit, Michigan. June 2, 1927. p. 2. Retrieved August 5, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Rep. Good Faces Alleged Companion". Lansing State Journal. Lansing, Michigan. Associated Press. June 1, 1927. p. 17. Retrieved August 5, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c "Free Good in Bank Robbery Plot Charge". Battle Creek Moon-Journal. Battle Creek, Michigan. July 16, 1927. p. 1. Retrieved August 3, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Legislator Must Go on Trial on June 24". Battle Creek Enquirer. Battle Creek, Michigan. Associated Press. June 13, 1927. p. 1. Retrieved August 5, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Good Arraigned on New Charge". The Times Herald. Port Huron, Michigan. Associated Press. July 25, 1927. p. 1. Retrieved August 4, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c d e "Good Accused of House Raid". Detroit Free Press. Detroit, Michigan. July 24, 1927. pp. 1, 2. Retrieved August 4, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c "Detroit Legislator Charged With Robbery". Courier News. Bridgewater, New Jersey. July 25, 1927. p. 7. Retrieved August 3, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Chester A. Good on Trial Today". Detroit Free Press. Detroit, Michigan. December 5, 1927. p. 11. Retrieved August 3, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Legislator is Bound for Pen". Piqua Daily Call. Piqua, Ohio. January 26, 1928. p. 1. Retrieved August 4, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Former Solon To Be Given Parole Today". The Times Herald. Port Huron, Michigan. Associated Press. August 12, 1931. p. 13. Retrieved August 4, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "State Legislator is Given 5 Year Term". Ironwood Daily Globe. Ironwood, Michigan. Associated Press. January 26, 1928. p. 1. Retrieved August 4, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Doesn't Need Job to Retain Parole". Battle Creek Moon-Journal. Battle Creek, Michigan. October 21, 1931. p. 12. Retrieved August 4, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Ex-Legislator is Freed From Cell". Lansing State Journal. August 14, 1931. August 14, 1931. p. 1. Retrieved August 4, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: location (link) - ^ "Hotel Good in Miami Beach Open to Public Today". Miami Herald. Miami, Florida. December 17, 1933. p. 14. Retrieved August 6, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c Cavendish, Henry (March 1, 1957). "Fine Hotelman Good $3,000 In Tax Dodge". The Miami News. Miami, Florida. p. 2. Retrieved August 6, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Building Permits Up in Miami Beach". Tallahassee Democrat. Tallahassee, Florida. Associated Press. May 2, 1933. p. 5. Retrieved August 6, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Miami Beach Hotel is Italian in Motif". Miami Herald. Miami, Florida. December 17, 1933. p. 14. Retrieved August 6, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "New Miami Beach Hotel Now is Open". Miami Herald. Miami, Florida. December 13, 1933. p. 13. Retrieved August 6, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "Prominent Hotel Man C. A. Good". Miami Herald. Miami, Florida. November 7, 1970. p. 31. Retrieved August 6, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Tax Suit Laid To Ex-Miamian". The Miami News. Miami, Florida. July 27, 1954. p. 9. Retrieved August 6, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.