According to the U.S. Social Security Applications and Claims Index, James Joseph Gromley was b. Aug. 12, 1896 in Brooklyn, (Kings county), NY. His parents were:
Patrick Gormley, b. Jul. (?) 1862 (?) in Ireland &
Ellen 'Nelly' Sweeney, b. Aug. 1862 in Ireland

In the Jun. 9, 1900 U. S. census, 8 yr. old James Gormley, b. May 1892 in NY., was living in Brooklyn Ward 9, Kings, NY. with his
37 yr. old father, Patrick Gormley, a general carpenter, b. Jul. (?) 1862 in Ireland
37 yr. old mother, Nellie Gormley, b. Aug. 1862 in Ireland
10 yr. old sister, Bella Gormley, b. Apr. 1890 in NY.
5 yr. old brother, Hugh Gormley, b. May 1895 in NY.
2 mth. old Patrick Gormley, b. Apr. 1900 in NY.
Patrick immigrated to the U.S. in 1886 and was now a naturalized citizen.
Nellie immigrated to the U.S. in 1881.
Patrick and Nellie had been married for 12 years. Nellie was the mother of 8 children, only 4 still alive by this census.

In the 1905 NY. State census, 13 yr. old James Gormley, b. (abt. 1892) in the U.S., was living in Brooklyn, Kings, NY. with his
45 yr. old father, Patrick Gormley, a carpenter, b. in Ireland
50 yr. old mother, Nellie Gormley, b. in Ireland
15 yr. old sister, Bella Gormley, b. in the U.S.
10 yr. old brother, Hugh Gormley, b. in the U.S.
3 yr. old brother, John Gormley, b. in the U.S.

In the Apr. 27, 1910 U. S. census, 18 yr. old James Gormley, a chauffeur working out, b. in NY., was living on Franklin Ave. in Brooklyn Ward 9, Kings, NY. with his
75 (?) yr. old Patrick Gormley, a carpenter in a shop, b. in Ireland
60 (?) yr. old mother, Ellen Gormley, b. in Ireland
20 yr. old sister, Bella Gormley, a clerk in a patent medicines shop, b. in NY.
14 yr. old brother, Hugh Gormley, b. in NY.
7 yr. old brother, John Gormley, b. in NY.
This was a first marriage for both Patrick and Ellen. They had been married for 22 years. Ellen was the mother of 9 children, only 4 still alive by this census.
Patrick immigrated to the U. S. in 1887 and was now a naturalized citizen. Ellen immigrated to the U. S. in 1885.

Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, CA.), P. 9, Col. 5
Mon., Dec. 27, 1915
Startling.
DEATH RIDE’S FRENZY TOLD.
One of Motorists Confesses Details of Fatality.
And Headlong, Tragic Flight After Woman was Hit.
Driver to be Charged with Slaying, Say Police.
The ride of the mad motorists which resulted in injury to Miss Florence Whitman and the death of Chrles Harron, Friday night, was exposed with shocking detail yesterday by Kirk Rayfield, No. 1218 North Commonwealth avenue, a motion-picture actor, who was one of the passengers. He made a complete confession to Detective Sergeant Cline, revealing among other things, that instead of the three passengers James J. Gormley, the driver, had sworn were in the car, there were five. He does not know the name of the fifth.
Hayfield’s story blasts the alleged defense Gormley had attempted to construct in his favor. Rayfield said Gormley was driving at a rate that frightened the passengers; that he approached the street car at high speed and when the woman stepped into the path, attempted to set the brakes, but the momentum was so great he could not stop the car; that after striking down the woman the party fleet, onto to overturn at Valencia and Shatto streets, where Charles Harron was killed.
Rayfield admits he ran away after the accident.
This admission is one of the most remarkable things about his confession. Six months ago he was in a railway accident and his left leg was amputated above the knee. Later, a wooden stump was fitted to it and he has since walked with the aid of crutches.
However, the crutches were left behind when he went automobiling Friday night. Moreover, when the car capsized and threw him out, his right ankle was severely sprained. Yet his confession shows that, crutchless, with one wooden leg and one sprained ankle, he ran from the scene of the fatality to his home, a distance of three miles. He lives at No. 1248 North Commonwealth avenue.
When he told his story yesterday he was busy treating his right ankle, with a foot tub and mustard.
“I didn’t realize what I was doing until I got nearly home,” he said to Detective Cline. “The four of us had driven to Sixth and Flower streets, where Capt. Duchallu Dalton took some money to his wife. After he returned to the car we went to Sixth and Figueroa streets, where Charles Harron saw a friend. He hailed him, and the stranger got into the car. I guess Charlie introduced him, but I don’t remember the man’s name, and I guess the other boys don’t.
“Then we turned and started for the studio. Gormley was driving so fast I was frightened. We were tearing through traffic at a fearful pace. We went out Sixth street and when we got to Witmer the woman got off the street car right ahead of us. The car jumped when Gormley applied the brakes, but he couldn’t stop. We hit the woman and I heard the passengers scream. I felt the blow on our car. We didn’t stop. Instead, Gormley put on more speed and we beat it up the street. We circled then, but we were going too fast for safety and when we got to Valencia and Shatto streets I think a tire blew out. All I remember is flying through the air. Then I got up and Gormley was running. So I ran, too. I was panic-stricken. There was;t any reason for my running, but I couldn’t run fast enough. It wasn’t until I got home that I realized what a cowardly thing it was.
“Of course, I didn’t know Charlie Harron had been killed. I didn’t see anyone but Gormley.”
Rayfield’s confession puts, the police believe, the full blame on Gormley, and with the additional evidence, Detectives Cline and Ziegler declared they will ask the District Attorney today to issue a complaint against Gormley, charging murder in the second degree.
Miss Florence Whitman, No. 1219 West Sixth street, who was struck down by the machine, suffered a relapse last night in the Good Samaritan Hospital. Her condition is critical.
If tragic developments occur in the case of Miss Whitman, a second charge involving her injury will probably be made against Gormley.
Gormley is held under guard in the County Hospital.

Los Angeles Daily Times (Los Angeles, CA.), P. 13, Col. 3 & 4
The., Jan. 13, 1916
Notwithstanding.
ALL BLAME DEAD MAN, BUT GORMLEY IS HELD.
All blame for the automobile accident which seriously injured Miss Florence Whitman and killed Charles Harron, a motion-picture actor, was placed against the dead man by his companions when James J. Gormley was given a preliminary hearing on the charge of manslaughter in Justice Palmer’s court yesterday.
Despite this fact, Gormley was held to answer to the Superior Court on the original charge, and was placed under $3000 bond. The fatal ride occurred on the night before Christmas. Gormley, Harron, Capt. Duchallu Dalton and Kirk Rayfield, all motion-picture actors, were in the car when it struck Miss Whitman at the corner of Sixth and Witmer streets.
“We were traveling at the rate of a three-inch cannon ball.” drawled Capt. Dalton.
“How fast is that?” interrupted Deputy District Attorney Claire Woolwine.
“I should say about seventy-six miles an hour,” answered the captain. He declared that Gormley, realizing that Harron, who they assert was driving the car, had lost his head, was trying to take the wheel away from him.
“Harron was slightly intoxicated at the time and would not stop to see what we had hot,” explained the captain. Other witnesses also testified that Harron had been drinking.
All reference to the accident to Miss Whitman was ruled out of the case.

According to his Jun. 8, 1917 WWI Draft Registration card, 23 yr. old James J. Gormley, b. Aug. 12, 1894 in Brooklyn, (Kings county) NY., was living at 917 Berendo in Los Angeles, CA. He was married and was working as an automobile mechanic for John F. Powers at 553 Winsor (Windsor) Blvd. in Los Angeles. He was claiming exemption from the draft because his wife was dependent upon him.
James was described as medium in height and build, with brown eyes and dark hair.

Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, CA.), P. 15, Col. 5
Fri., Feb. 27, 1920
GORMLEY’S DIVORCE DECREE SET ASIDE
NULLIFIES HIS MARRIAGE TO HELEN KELLY, MAY LEAD TO COMPLICATIONS
Circuit Judge William E. Orr, sitting in Las vegas, Nev., yesterday set aside the decree of divorce granted by him some weeks ago to James J. Gormley from Mrs. Ramona Pinkey Gormley.
Judge Orr’s action yesterday will have the effect of nullifying Gormley’s marriage to Miss Helen Kelly, and may result in other proceedings against some of the principals in the case, according to advices from Nevada, last night.
Gormley was not present in court when Judge Orr set aside the decree.
According to William G. Hanson, general manager of the Nick Harris Detective Agency, Gormley is now with Helen Kelly, in Indianapolis, where an effort is being made by them to tie up the remaining portions of the estates held by Mrs. John F. Powers in trust for the girl until she is of age.
The decision setting aside the decree was accompanied by a severe arraignment of Gormley, the court holding that a flagrant fraud had been perpetrated in the case and instructing Dist.-Atty. Stebenne to make an immediate investigation. The latter said last night that criminal action may be instituted.
In his remarks from the bench, Judge Orr said that the courts of Nevada cannot be used “for this sort of practice”, and that he was glad Mrs. Ramona Gormley and her attorneys, Stevenson & Henderson on Las Vegas, and warren Williams of Los Angeles, reopened the case.
A feature of yesterday’s hearing was the receipt by Judge Orr of a telegram from Helen Kelly Gormley at Indianapolis, requesting a fair trial and stating her love for Gormley. The telegram was disregarded.

Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, CA.), P. 17, Col. 5 & 6
Fri., Mar. 5, 1920
GORMLEY UNDER ARREST
DANVILLE (Ill.), Mar. 4 - James J. Gormley was arrested here tonight on a telegraph warrant charging him with perjury. He gave bond and will return without extradition to las Vegas, where the warrant was issued.
LAS VEGAS (Nev), Mar. 4 - Complaint charging perjury against James J. Gormley was sworn to before Judge Lillis here today and a warrant of arrest telegraphed by Dist.-Aty. Stebenne to Danville, Ill., where Gormley is with Helen Kelly Gormley, niece of Johnny Powers, the baseball magnate. Ramona Gormley, whose spirited fight here in the District Court caused Judge Orr on February 26 to set aside the decree of divorce obtained by Gormley on jan. 20, swore to the complaint. The complaint recites at some length the testimony of Gormley in his suit for divorce to the effect that he was a bona-fide resident of Las Vegas, and had not been out of the county since coming to Las Vegas December 1; also that he did not know why his wife came here January 8, the date summons was served upon her and was not instrumental in bringing her here. All of the testimony of Gormley is false, according to the complaint filed today. The State will allege that Gormley got the decree in order to wed Miss Kelly, with whom he eloped from Los Angeles some weeks ago.

The Oxnard Daily Courier (Oxnard, Ventura, CA.), P. 1, Col. 4
Mon., Mar. 15, 1920
SCORNED WIFE WANTS $100,000
LOS ANGELES, Mar. 15 - Charging that she stole the love of James J. Gormley by offers of money and otherwise, Mrs. Ramona Pinkney Gormley today filed $100,000 alienation suit against Helen Gormley, niece of John S. Powers, Los Angeles baseball club owner.
By alleging that Gormley’s love was bought with wealth Mrs. Gormley contended her own natural attractiveness was overcome with riches.
The suit forms the latest chapter in the complications that followed Gormley’s elopement and marriage sometime ago, while a chauffeur.
Mrs. Gormley No. 1 succeeded in having the divorce decree granted her husband set aside and Gormley is now under arrest for having obtained a decree by perjury. Meanwhile he is the husband of wife No. 1, tho on a honeymoon with wife No. 2, his latest bride.

Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, CA.), P. 13, Col. 3
Sat. morning, Apr. 24, 1920
ADDS PUNCH TO GORMLEY FIGHT.
It’s Literal One on Jaw of Pretty Wife No. 1,
She Says Slapped Husband Beat Her up Badly.
Fracas in Street in Effort to Serve Helen Kelly.
A punch was added last night to the $100,000 heart balm suit filed recently by Mrs. Ramona Gormley against Helen Kelly, niece of John F. Powers, baseball magnate. The punch was not from the mouth of an oratorical lawyer - but was a bona fide punch, planted on the pretty jaw of pretty Mrs. Gormley, she says, by her irate husband, James J. Gormley.
After weeks of futile searching, Detective E. J. Cowan of the Nick Harris detective agency, accompanied by Mrs. Gormley, sought Helen Kelly last night to serve a copy of the complaint on her. Miss Kelly figured in the elopement with Gormley to San Diego. In front of the Prince Rupert Apartments Mrs. Gormley and the detective awaited the coming of Gormley and Miss Kelly and Dewitt Matthewson, a friend, arrived in an automobile.
While Mrs. Gormley remained hidden in her car, the detective approached the party. With Gormley and Matthewson, they were alighting from their automobile. The girl denied she was Miss Kelly. Mrs. Gormley then joined the group in front of the fashionable apartment.
“You are Miss Kelly!” said Mrs. Gormley.
Then, Mrs. Gormley stated later, Gormley called her a vile name.
“I slapped him,” she said after the fracas, “and then he punched me in the face. I saw a great big star, and almost fell to the ground. He punched me in the face with his clenched fist five more times. I saw myriads of stars, He battered me so savagely that I could hardly remain on my feet. In the scuffle my stocking was torn and one of my shoes was absolutely ruined. And all the while he was punching me nobody seemed to care to help me.”
At her apartments, 332 Blaine street last night, Mrs. Gormley displayed a swollen right jaw, tinged with blue bruises. She repeatedly declared she will have her husband arrested today on a charge of assault and battery.
In Mrs. Gormley’s lost-love suit she charges that while she was living happily with Mr. Gormley, Miss Kelly gained his affections. She says Mr. Gormley left her and then returned to her on August 4, 1919. Miss Kelly, it is charged, enticed Mr. Gormley and persuaded him to desert his wife on November 11, 1919. It was charged that Mr. Gormley decoyed Mrs. Gormley to Nevada, where divorce papers were served on her. Mr. Gormley obtained a divorce and then married Miss Kelly. Attorney Warren Williams hastened to Nevada and had the decree set aside. Mr. Gormley’s second marriage is void, according to Attorney Williams.

The Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, CA.), P. 13, Col. 2
Tue., Aug. 3, 1920
GORMLEY QUARREL MADE-UP.
Divorced Wife Asks to Drop Alienation Action Against Former Helen Kelly.
The unexpected appearance in Judge Jackson’s court yesterday afternoon of the three principals to an alienation of affection suit and the unanimous approval of the three parties to a request for the dismissal of the action smacked somewhat of the mysterious. None of the attorneys in the case was present, which added to the mystery.
Mrs. Ramona Gormley, who sued Helen Kelly, niece of a wealthy baseball man, now the wife of James J. Gormley, demanding $100,000 for his lost love, entered the courtroom with Mr. Gormley, and Mrs. Helen Kelly Gormley. She conversed amicably with Mrs. Gormley No. 2, and permitted Mr. Gormley to talk to Judge Jackson.
Mr. Gormley told the court that they wanted the case dismissed. He said that he was going out of town shortly, and left the impression with the court, that matters had been satisfactorily adjusted.
Judge Jackson told Mr. Gormley that in the absence of the attorneys, Warren L. Williams and Seymour S. Silverton, for Mrs. Gormley No. 1, and P. R. and Leo A. McNamee for Mrs. Gormley No. 2, he had no right to dismiss the action.
The trip left the courtroom together, sadly disappointed.

The Los Angeles Times (L. A., CA.), P. 15, last column & P. 19, Col. 2 & 3
Thu., Sep. 9, 1920
NEW TURN GIVEN GORMLEY MIX-UP
Wife No. 1 Asks Nevada Court for Absolute Divorce.
Paves Way for Chauffeur to Rewed Kelly Heiress
Action Comes As Surprise to Lawyers, Detectives
Another chapter was begun yesterday in James J. Gormley’s book of marital complications when his first wife, Mrs. Ramona Pinkney Gromley, instituted suit in las Vegas, Nev., for absolute divorce. It is based upon the grounds of extreme cruelty and failure to provide.
Paradoxical as it may sound, it looked like a good day for the husband since the way had been paved for straightening out his matrimonial tangle. For, if Mrs. Ramona Gormley is granted a divorce, he will be free to remarry his second wife, Mrs. Helen Kelly Gormley, and the probabilities are that a perjury charge against him and a $100,000 alienation suit against wife No. 2 will be dropped.
COMES AS SURPRISE
Filing of the suit in Las Vegas yesterday came as a distinct surprise to Nick Harris detectives and the several lawyers who have figured in the case since last January. Not one was consulted. More than passing interest was manifested in the fact that, instead of placing her divorce case in the hands of the attorneys who succeeded in getting Gormley’s divorce from her set aside last February, she retained Dist.-Atty. Stebennes of La sVegas, who is slated to prosecute the husband on a perjury charge next month. The fact that the suit for absolute divorce followed so closely upon unsuccessful efforts to quash the alienation case also was taken by the detectives and lawyers as indicative that oil had been poured upon the troubled waters.
The Gormley-Kelly-Gormley case is chronologically told thus:
Aug. 10, 1916 - Gormley, a chauffeur, under indictment for man-slaughter as the result of killing a pedestrian, was married to Miss Ramona Pinkney, she having agreed to marry him, according to her story, so as to influence the jury which was to try him.
Nov. 15, 1919 - Gormley got his wife to accompany him to Las Vegas, where she was unexpectedly served with papers in a divorce suit instituted against her.
GRANTED DIVORCE
Jan. 19, 1920 - Gormley was granted a divorce.
Jan. 22, 1920 - Gormley eloped to San Diego with Miss Helen Kelly, an heiress and niece of John F. Powers, president of the Los Angeles Baseball Club.
Feb. 26, 1920 - Gormley’s divorce was set aside by Judge Orr in Las Vegas on the ground that fraud was employed in procuring it.
March 4, 1920 - Gormley indicted for perjury, the charge being that he made a false oath to the effect that he was a bona fide resident of the State of Nevada. Gormley arrested in Danville, Il., in company with his second wife.
March 15, 1920 - Wife No. 1 instituted suit for $100,000 damages against wife No. 2 for alienation of Gormley’s affections.
Aug. 3, 1920 - Wife No. 1 accompanied by wife No. 2 and the husband, vainly pleaded with Judge Jackson in the Superior Court to dismiss the alienation suit.
Sept. 3, 1920 - Wife No. 1 began suit for absolute divorce.
According to a telegram received by Nick Harris, Gormley was in Las Vegas yesterday and was served with a summons in his wife’s divorce suit.
Pending settlement of the case, Mrs. Helen Kelly Gormley has made her home in Los Angeles and is loyal to her ex-husband. She will celebrate her twenty-first birthday the latter part of this month and will inherit about $200,000.

According to his Oct. 7, 1920 U. S. Passport application, James J. Gormley was born Aug. 12, 1893 in Brooklyn, (Kings county), NY.
His father was Patrick Gormley, b. in Ireland. Patrick's address was unknown. James' permanent residence was Los Angeles, CA., where he followed the occupation of 'motion picture producer'. He intended to leave the U. S. from the port of New Orleans, by (an unknown) ship. He desired to visit Cuba for the purpose of motion pictures.

Los Angeles Daily Times (Los Angeles, CA.), P. 6, Col. 6
Sat. morning, Oct. 23, 1920
Gormley Found Not Guilt in Perjury Trial.
James J. Gormley, whose elopement and marriage to Helen Kelly, niece of Johnny Powers, the baseball magnate, has been aired during the last year in the Los Angeles and Las Vegas (Nev.) courts, was acquitted of a charge of perjury yesterday in the Nevada court, after the jury had been out half an hour.
Mr. Gormley’s first wife, Ramona Gormley, months ago, filed a $100,000 heart-balm suit against the former Helen Kelly, now the wife of Mr. Gormley. She charged Mr. Gormley left her when he was enticed by Miss Kelly. Mrs. Gormley No. 1 also accused her former husband of decoying her to Nevada, where divorce papers were served on her.
After Mr. Gormley married Miss Kelly he was arrested at Danville, Ill., on a telegraphic warrant charging him with perjury. The complaint stated that Mr. Gormley in his suit for divorce testified that he was a bona fide resident of Las Vegas. This and other portions of his testimony were false according to the complaint.

Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, CA.), P. 16, last column
Thu., Feb. 10, 1921
HELEN KELLY AGAIN BRIDE OF GORMLEY.
Marriage Knot, Once Cut by Divorce Mix-Up, Retied for John Power’s Niece
A double knot is sometimes safer than a single one. In the case of James J. Gormley and Helen Kelly, niece of John F. Powers, the baseball magnate, it was thought necessary to tie a second marriage knot and so last evening they were married for a second time at the Gormley home, Vine street and Fountain avenue, Hollywood. The ceremony was witnessed by about 100 friends of the couple. It was performed by Dr. James H. Lash of the Hollywood Congregational Church.
Mr. and Mrs. Gormley were married once before a year ago. But because of a tangle in the divorce courts in Nevada, the first marriage did not take. Later, however, Ramona Gormley, wife number one, divorced Mr. Gormley and this left the way open for the legal knot with Helen Kelly to be securely tied.
The second marriage was unique in that one of the witnesses to the ceremony was Helen Kelly Gormley, II, their 4-month-old daughter.
The Gormley-Kelly-Gormely case has echoed through the California and Nevada courts for two years. Gormley was formerly chauffeur for John H. Powers, the baseball magnate. At that time Miss Kelly was the ward of Mrs. Powers and heiress to a fortune. Three days after he had obtained what he believed to be a divorce from his first wife Gormley eloped with Helen Kelly, on Jan. 24, 1920.
Mrs. Gormley No. 1 succeeded in having his divorce decree annulled at Las Vegas and the following September filed her own suit for divorce. Four months ago a baby girl arrived at the home of Mrs. Gormley No. 2. Last week a divorce was granted to Ramona Gormley on the grounds of cruelty. Then did Mr. Gormley and his second wife, Helen Kelly Gormley, agree to marry again.

James J. Gormley and Helen Marion Kelly were married for a second time, on Feb. 9, 1921.

Helen Marion Kelly was b. Sep. 12, 1899 in IL. and d. Apr. 5, 1946 in Los Angeles county, CA., age 46.

James and Helen Gormley had four children:
1. Helen Marion Gormley, b. Oct. 10, 1920 in CA. and d. Dec. 2, 1994 in Orange County, CA. Her married name was: Kerr.
2. Joseph James Gormley, b. Oct. 29, 1921 in CA. and d. Sep. 11, 1981 in Los Angeles county, CA.
3. Patrick Michael Gormley, b. Mar. 23, 1923 in Los Angeles county, CA.
4. Eileen Patricia (or Hetty L.) Gormley, b. Jul. 5, 1927 in Los Angeles county, CA.

Los Angeles Daily Times (Los Angeles, CA.), P.35, Col. 3 & 4
Tue. morning, Jan. 5, 1926
PSEUDO-OFFICER ACCUSED
Complaint Issued Against Ex-Chauffeur Arrested As Principal in Hollywood Street Fight
James J. Gormley, arrested in a street fight in Hollywood December 30, was charged yesterday in a complaint issued by Dep. List. Attys. Fits and Hamner, with robbery and assault with a deadly weapon. Samuel Lavine, whose car Gormley is declared to have taken at the point of a revolver, appeared as the complaining witness. Gormley has been held in the City Jail since his arrest.
Gormley, formerly chauffeur for John F. Powers, former president of the Los Angeles baseball club, got into the limelight in 1930 when, three days after a divorce from his first wife, he married Helen Kelly, niece and ward of Mrs. Powers and an heiress.
In litigation that followed, this marriage was dissolved and Gormley was tried and acquitted on a perjury charge. In 1921, after the clouds cleared away, he remarried Miss Kelley. He bobbed into sight again in November, when he was arrested on charges of possessing liquor.
On December 30, it is asserted, Gormley and several other men went to the home of Mrs. B. A Jacobs, 1043 Genesses street. Gormley said he was an officer and started to search the house. Laine, who was to be a dinner guest in the Jacobs home, appeared and Gormley is declared to have held him and gone off with his car.
A search for Gormley then started in which his first wife, now Mrs. H. L. Brown of 7522 DeLongpre avenue joined; when he was found a fight started and Capt. C. C. Brown of 6121 Lexington avenue, came to the rescue, took Gormley’s pistol away from him and shot twice, one of the bullets striking M. D. McHenry, a bystander, in the hand. The police ended the affair.

Los Angeles Daily Times (Los Angeles, CA.), P. 40, Col.
Tue., Jan. 26, 1926
Gormley Held to Answer for raid on Home
James J. Gormley, son-in-law of former President Powers of the Los Angeles ball club, was held to answer yesterday by Justice Blake on a charge of false imprisonment.
It was testified he went to the home of Bernard Jacobs, Genesee street, December 30, 1925, in company with James Gorman and locked Jacobs, his wife and Sam Levine in their kitchen while he and Gorman pretended to search the house for liquor.
Charges of assault to murder and of highway robbery are pending against Gorman also. Gorman has not been arrested.

Los Angeles Daily Times (Los Angeles, CA.), P. 15, Col. 3
Mon. morning, Aug. 30, 1926
HECTIC CAREER LEADS TO JAIL
James J. Gormley Sentenced for Assault
More Serious Accusations Dismissed.
Accused One Time Eloped With Heiress
The hectic and trouble-spotted career of James J. Gormley, recalled most readily perhaps as one-time chauffeur for John F. Powers, former president of the Los Angeles baseball club, who six years ago eloped with Miss Helen Kelly, Powers’s heiress-ward, three days after he had obtained a subsequently disputed divorce from his first wife, has come to a temporary halt. He has been sentenced to serve one and one-half years in the County jail. Sentence was passed last Friday afternoon by Superior Judge Craig after Gormley had pleaded guilty to simple assault and false imprisonment charges having their origin on December 30, last.
On that date, Gormley and several companions are said to have entered the home of Mrs. B. A. Jacobs at 1043 Genessee street. Gormley represented himself as an officer and aided by the other men began a search of the house. Ere they had completed their ostensible search for intoxicants, Samuel Lavine, who was to have been a dinner guest at the Jacobs home, appeared on the scene. He and Mrs. Jacobs were roughly handled and then locked in a clothes closet, it was charged, while Gormley and his assistants escaped.
CHARGE DROPPED
Gormley was originally charged with robbery as well as assault with a deadly weapon and false imprisonment, police believing that he was the one who drove away from the Jacobs’ home in Lavine’s automobile. However, there was not sufficient evidence that Gormley was guilty in this respect and the robbery charge was dismissed. Demurrers and continuances delayed the hearing of the case until Thursday last, when it was transferred to Judge Craig’s court. The following day, Gormley pleaded guilty to simple assault and false imprisonment charges, and was sentenced to one and one half years,, receiving the year sentence for the latter offense, six months for the former. The two terms are to run consecutively, and were pronounced with the recommendation that no parole be granted.
It was on January 24, 1920, that Gormley made his first bid for notoriety. On that day, three days after he had gotten a divorce from his first wife, he eloped with Miss Kelly, niece of Mrs. John F. Powers and ward of the latter’s husband, by whom Gormley was then employed as a chauffeur. Then trouble began trekking in the direction of the chauffeur-husband and heiress-wife.
DIVORCE ANNULLED
Slightly more than a month after the widely heralded elopement, Gormley’s divorce decree was set aside in a Las Vegas court. District Judge Orr declaring there was evidence Gormley had perjured himself in obtaining it. Tried on charges of perjury later, however, Gormley was acquitted. Then wife No. 1, Ramona Gormley, after a bitter court fight, succeeded in having her marriage to Gormley annulled.
This served to simplify matters somewhat for Gormley, who then declared his intention of remarrying wife No. 2, and did so. In the intervening years up to the affair which now has him in the County Jail, Gormley had frequent encounters with the law. In November of last year he and two associates were arrested on charges of having liquor in their possession. Less than a month later he was taken into custody on a suspicion of grand larceny charge when police officers found a license number of a Ford on his Cadillac automobile. From these difficulties, Gormley managed to wriggle free until the incident of December 30, last.
ATTACK CHARGED
He and two companions are said to have attacked the person of Gormley’s first wife, who had then become Mrs. H. L. Brown, when they encountered her in Hollywood. Their supposed effort to kidnap the woman was frustrated by the interference of Capt. Cornelius Brown - not related to the woman in distress - who heard her cries for help and hastened to her rescue. According to police reports, Gormley drew a gun which Capt. Brown wrested from him. The latter then put the trio to flight with a volley of shots which went purposely wide of the fleeing the asserted assault and imprisonment of Mrs. Jacobs and Mr. Lavine occurred.

In the 1930 U. S. census, 38 yr. old James Gormley, a self-employed real estate man, b. in CA. (NY)., was living in a rented home at 6259 Fountain Av. in Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA. with his
30 yr. old wife, Hellen Gormley, b. in CA. (IL.)
9 yr. old daughter, Hellen Gormley, b. in CA.
8 yr. old son, James Gormley, b. in CA.
7 yr. old son, Patrick Gormley, b. in CA.
3 yr. old daughter, Hetty L. Gormley, b. in CA.
35 yr. old roomer, Dorothy Sides, b. in IA.
There was a radio set in the house.
James was 28 yrs. old and Hellen was 20 at the time of their first marriages.
James' parents were both b. in CA. (Ireland).

San Bernardino Daily Sun (San Bernardino, CA.), P. 6, Col. 3
Fri., Nov. 24, 1933
Bad Check Suspect Will Appear Today
James J. Gormley, arrested in Los Angeles on a charge of issuing a bad check for $50 in payment of rent for a mountain cabin in waterman canyon last August, is scheduled to appear in the San Bernardino justice court at 10 a.m. today for preliminary hearing. When arrested and brought to San Bernardino for arraignment last week, Gormley was released from the county jail on his own recognizance by Justice G. W. Holbrook.

The San Bernardino Daily Sun (San Bernardino, CA.), P. 13, Col. 1
Sun.morning, May 6, 1934
U. S. OFFICERS ENTERT SUICIDE INVESTIGATION
Pair, Posing as federal Agents Took Widow’s Valuables by Ruse, Authorities Say
An inquiry was launched yesterday by Los Angeles police and Federal authorities into circumstances leading up to the suicide of Mrs. Ramona P. Brown at her Green Valley lake home Thursday. She killed herself in a fit of despondence over the loss of $25,000 in valuables several months ago.
Five persons, including Mrs. Brown’s former husband, James Gormley, now of Beverly Hills, were questioned April 15 by New Orleans authorities regarding the theft of the valuables. Los Angeles police were notified certain jewelry identified as belonging to Mrs. Brown was in possession of those questioned, but in the absence of any warrant, they were released.
DIVORCED IN 1920
Mrs. Brown was the widow of Herman Lynn Brown, who was killed in an airplane accident near Oakland nearly two years ago. Gormley divorced her in Salt Lake City in 1920 to marry Helen Kelley, wealthy niece of John Powers, former owner of the Los Angeles baseball club, for whom Gormley was chauffeur. The Browns married in 1924.
The jewelry was obtained by a ruse some time last winter, Los Angeles authorities said. Two men went to her Los Angeles home and posed as Federal agents.
TAKES VALUABLES HOME
They induced her to remove securities and jewelry she had in a bank safe deposit box to her home to be examined “in connection with income taxes.” While she was talking to one of the men, the other disappeared with the valuables, officers said. Federal agents were notified at once and an investigation was started.
Mrs. Brown is believed to have killed herself after giving up hope of recovering the property.
No inquest has been ordered by Coroner R. E. Williams.

Oakland Tribune (Oakland, CA.), P. 16, Col. 4
Thu., Jul. 23, 1936
Two $75,000 Gem Theft Suspects Taken
LOS ANGELES, July 23 - Two men were held today on suspicion of burglary in connection with an investigation into the theft of a $75,000 emerald lavaliere (*an item of jewelry consisting of a pendant, sometimes with one stone, suspended from a necklace) from a fur company’s showroom.
The men, James J. Gormley and Jack H. Cox were taken into custody at their homes by deputy sheriffs, who said they had information indicating the men were in the vicinity of the fur company Tuesday afternoon, when the valuable lavaliere disappeared.
William Seymour, wealthy jeweler, who was displaying more than $500,000 worth of gens in the showroom, said he discovered that a $2500 star sapphire and diamond clip had disappeared at the same time.

Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, CA.), P. 27, Col. 1
Fri. morning, Jul. 24, 1936
JEWEL CASE PAIR FREED
License Number Mix-up Told
Men Released in Display Gem Theft Investigation; Blackjack Found
Two men arrested on suspicion of implication in the theft of $77,250 in jewels from a $500,000 display in a West Hollywood showroom Tuesday were released from the County Jail late yesterday when the Sheriff’s office became convinced they had no part in the robbery.
The men, James J. Gormley of 842 North Curson avenue, and Jack H. Cox, 823 North Sierra Bonita avenue, were taken into custody Wednesday. They denied all knowledge of the theft.
ALIBI ESTABLISHED
Cox, a chauffeur, was provided an alibi by his employer who said he was working about the time he was supposed to have been seen near the jewel display, it was stated.
A mis-up in license numbers was responsible for Gormley’s arrest, officers said upon his release.
BLACKJACK FOUND
Investigators working on the case yesterday discovered a fourteen-inch piece of garden hose, loaded with buckshot to make a crude blackjack, on top of a locker in the room where the jewels were on display at 8660 Sunset Boulevard.
From the weapon they hope to obtain fingerprints that may help in solving the crime.

Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, CA.), P. 22, Col. 6 & 7
Thu. morning, Feb. 25, 1937
CHAUFFEUR WHO MARRIED HEIRESS HELD IN $62 THEFT
While James J. Gormley, 43-year old chauffeur who married Helen Kelly, heiress to $500,000 seventeen years ago, reposed in jail yesterday, Detective Lieutenant Driscoll prepared to request a complaint from the District Attorney’s office today charging Gormley with grand theft of $62 in cash from Gilbert davenport of 2017 North Argyle avenue.
WIFE COMPLAINS
Gormley was taken into custody early yesterday at his home at 3255 Cahuenga avenue after Davenport’s wife complained that following a visit of Gormley to their home, her husband’s purse containing $62 was missing. He was held on suspicion of grand theft, when detectives learned he had changed a $50 bill, such as one reported to have been in Davenport’s billfold, at a drug store at Franklin avenue and Tamarind street, according to Driscoll.
SERVED IN JAIL
Gormley, according to Driscoll, has been in the hands of the police before, having served one year and a half in the County Jail for assault with a deadly weapon. Police records show he participated in the beating of a Hollywood citizen after the latter was held up and robbed of two bottles of wine in 1925.
Gormley denies he took Davenport’s purse.
(*Note - There is a photo of Gormley accompanying the article.)

In the 1940 U. S. census, 42 yr. old James J. Gormley, a salesman for a retail car co., b. in NY., was living in a rented home at 5821 Fair in Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA. with his
38 yr. old wife, Helen K Gormley, b. in IL.
18 yr. old son, Joseph J Gormley, a truck driver, b. in CA.
16 yr. old daughter, Patrick M Gormley, b. in CA.
12 yr. old daughter, Patricia L Gormley, b. in CA.
Everyone in the family except for Joseph was living in the same place in 1935. Joseph was living in Miami, Dade Co., FL. in 1935.
James and Joseph were high school graduates. Helen was a college graduate. Patrick had completed 2 yrs. of high school and Patricia had gone as far at 5th grade.
James worked 48 hours in the week prior to the census and 52 weeks in 1939. His income was listed as $800. He had no income from other sources.

Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, CA.), P. 23, Col. 2
Wed. morning, Jul. 9, 1941 (see accompanying photo to right)
Truck Thefts Laid to Four
Sheriff’s Men Arrest Suspected Members of Hijacking Band
Four men were arrested yesterday by Sheriff’s officers, suspected of being members of a band of hijackers who steal loaded trucks while the drivers are making wayside stops.
Among the four is James J. Gormley, 46, of 5821 Fair Ave., North Hollywood. Gormley, former chauffeur for John F. Powers, onetime president of the Los Angeles Baseball Club, married Powers’ niece in 1920 and later was involved in a series of court battles with his first wife.
LOOT TOTALS $20,000
Deputy Sheriffs P. E. Ostraff and W. R. Tiernan have worked on the case for six months. The band hijacked a score of trucks, garnering loot estimated at $20,000.
The deputies said the gang stole parked trucks while the drivers were making deliveries, taking them to Glendale hideouts and emptying them of their cargoes.
MILEAGE GIVES CLUE
By computing and checking mileage on the trucks later discovered abandoned, the deputies calculated that Glendale hideouts were used.
Lodged in the County jail along with Gormley were Louis David Hopking, 44, of 4717 Elmwood Ave., booked on suspicion of grand theft of merchandise; Louis Chaus, 50, of 400 N. Ogden Drive, booked on suspicion of grand theft and receiving stolen property, and Edward Knott, 55, of 353 N. Spaulding Ave., jailed on suspicion of receiving stolen property.
Gormley was booked on suspicion of grand theft.
Knott was released on $500 bail.
Deputies believe Gormley, Hopking and Chaus hijacked a Rath Packing Co. truck on May 7, loaded with 6000 pounds of meat valued at $2000. The truck was taken from the Farmers Market at Third St. and Fairfax Ave. while the driver was inside taking orders. It was later found abandoned.
Chaos and Knott, deputies said, hijacked a truck June 16 belonging to Ceazan Tires, Ltd., 7201 Santa Monica Blvd. This truck, loaded with tires, was stolen from a Hollywood service station while the driver was making a delivery.

Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, CA.), P. 19, Col. 5
Sat. morning, Sep. 27, 1941
Lost Evidence Clues Sought
Exhibits in Stolen Property Case Vanish From Jury Room Here
It’s in a criminal trial, one of the few times in Los Angeles Superior Court history that such an incident has occurred, yesterday led to an exhaustive investigation by the District Attorney’s Sheriff’s and County Clerk’s offices.
The exhibits, evidence in a receiving stolen property case, disappeared a week ago last night from the jury room in Superior Judge Edward R. Brand’s court on the eighth floor of the hall of Justice after a jury had deadlocked and was dismissed.
For a week, authorities have been secretly investigating theft of the exhibits, all of a documentary nature, and indicated yesterday they soon may be able to fix the blame for the disappearance.
VANISH SWIFTLY
The exhibits were left in the jury room, authorities said, when the jury was dismissed. Checking back, investigators said they learned the documents had vanished within two hours after the jury left. Neither the jury foreman, the court bailiff nor the clerk had taken charge of the exhibits, it was learned.
Because of the week-end elapsing between the Friday night discharge of the jury and the following Monday when the court clerk missed the documents, investigators admittedly were hampered in the inquiry temporarily,
CUSTODIANS ALERT
They discounted quickly, however, the possibility that janitors disposed of them as the custodians are trained to be alert to avoid such mishaps.
The evidence was introduced in the trial of James J. Gormley, Louis D. Hopking and Louis S. Chaus, charged with receiving stolen property after assertedly trying to dispose pd a truckload of stolen hams and bacon valued at $1709. The jury after a lengthy trial failed to reach a verdict in the case and was discharged after only one defendant Gormley, offered testimony in their behalf.
BEAR COURT SEAL
Gormley said he was acting as a commission agent for a man he knew only as “Murray” and whom he has been since unable to locate.
The evidence stolen consisted of one ham wrapper (the hams are held in the jail icebox to preserve them), a bill of sale, an invoice and a large sheet of paper with writing on it. All were stamped with the official court exhibit seal and prominently identified by other markings as evidence.
Prosecutors are reluctant to admit what effect the disappearance would have on the retrial of the case, set for Dec. 8, but it was indicated the exhibits constituted the bulk of their evidence.
To clear the first blight of this kind on local Superior Court records, investigators yesterday intensified their inquiry and announced they soon may have sufficient facts to place the case before the county grand jury.

50 yr. old James J. Gormley, prisoner # 71874, usual occupation salesman, is found in the California, Prison and Correctional Records, 1851-1950, for San Quentin Prison, Marin county, CA.
His birth date was 'abt. 1894', in NY.
He was received at San Quentin on Jun. 24, 1944.
His crime was committed in Los Angeles, CA.
The crime included: Forg. (forgery) (470-PC) 5 counts, & forgery of Fict. Name (470-PC). 4 counts. All CC.
Sentence: 1 - 14 Yrs. 9 counts CC
James was described as 5'3 1/2" tall, weighing 148 lbs., with a medium stout build, greenish-brown eyes, grayish-white hair, a medium complexion, a pointed chin and fair teeth.
Tattoo, Marks and Scars: Left little finger stiff and drawn; Shoulders are heavily freckled; Operation scar right side of abdomen