MUSKEGON MAN DIES IN CRASH

GR WOMAN, SECOND RIDER HURT IN MISHAP ON M-50 NEAR PEARLINE

JOSEPH J. PETTIT, 49, of 1533 Clinton St., Muskegon, was killed late Sunday afternoon when the car in which he was a passenger went out of control and crashed into an embankment just east of Pearline on M-50.

Driver of the car, MARILYN KILGORE, 23, of 560 Paris Ave., SE., was admitted to St. Mary's Hospital with severe bruises on her foot, back and hand. She was being held Sunday night for observation, hospital attendants said.

THIRD INJURED

Another passenger, EDWARD SCHLIESS, 38, who gave his address as a Grand Rapids hotel was found by police a short time after the accident at a farm home west of where the car crashed.

Police reported Schliess said he was dazed by a bump on his head and had crawled from the car and walked to the farm house.

Officiers said he attempted to obtain transportation to Grand Rapids at the house. He was taken to the Grand Haven State Police Post, and later released.

Troopers John Pollard and Robert Neigeur of the Grand Haven Post said the driver told them she was attempting to pass another automobile while driving west on the highway. She pulled in suddenly to avoid oncoming traffic and her car went out of control.

CAR OVERTURNED

The car struck a steep embankment on the north side of the road and turned over, the officiers reported.

Coroner Joseph Kammeraad of Grand Haven said Mr. Pettit died of a broken neck.

Mr. Pettit had been employed by the Owen Ames Kimball Company at a Muskegon construction job.

He is survived by three children, MRS. MARY ANN LEWIS of Jackson, VIRGINIA of Grand Rapids, and JOSEPH of Des Moines, Iowa; a brother, LEO J. PETTIT of Grand Rapids, and two sisters, MRS. FRANCES BROCKWAY and MRS. MARIE BROCKWAY, both of Grand Rapids.

The body was removed to the Greenhoe Funeral Home.

GRAND RAPIDS HERALD, Grand Rapids, Mich., Mon., July 26, 1948, Pg. 1, Col. 7, Art. 2 & Pg. 2, Col. 5, Art. 2

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PETTIT - JOSEPH J. PETTIT, aged 49, of Muskegon met accidental death Sunday, July 25. Surviving are two daughters, MRS. MARY ANN LEWIS of Jackson and VIRGINIA of Grand Rapids; one son, JOSEPH, JR., of Des Moines, Iowa; a brother, LEO; two sisters, MRS. FRANCES BROCKWAY and MRS. MARIE BROCKWAY of Grand Rapids. Mr. PETTIT reposes at Greenhoe's Chapel where services will be held Wednesday morning at 9:30 and at St. Andrew's cathedral at 10 o'clock. Interment Mt. Calvary Cemetery. Friends and relatives will be at the funeral home Tuesday evening at 8 to recite the Rosary.

GRAND RAPIDS HERALD, Grand Rapids, Mich., Mon., July 26, 1948, Pg. 13, Col. 2, Obit. 9

*****

My grandfather, JOSEPH J. PETTIT, attended St. Joseph's Catholic School on Rumsey S.W., Catholic Central High School and Business College. He was a mischievious boy with a penchant for dipping girl's pigtails in the inkwell, and the like. In an attempt to curve their son's wild streak, his parents, JOHN & ANNA (STEINEBACH) PETTIT, sent Joe to the Seminary for a while. I once met an elderly priest who had been a classmate of Joe's. He said, "I don't want to speak ill of the dead...", but proceeded to tell me one story. At night the seminarians would place their shoes beside their bed. The seminary didn't have central heating and it was winter time. Joe filled this priest's shoes with water which froze solid by morning. Joe's seminary days fell rather short of a "call" to the vocation of the priesthood!

Joe, as an individual, was quite a dichtomy. On one hand he was intelligent and very athletic. He took pride in his physique. Joe played on a local baseball team, The Tanglefoots. In fact, it was through a fellow team mate, RUDY LANDGREN, that Joe was introduced to his future wife, ERNA. My mother was also told by Joe's sister, MARIE, that he won the All City title in tennis, but as of this date I have never come across any supporting newspaper articles.

On the darker side, my grandfather was also an alcoholic. After his wife Erna died in 1929, his life spiraled downward into alcoholism [a multi-generational affliction] and crime. His three children were raised by relatives on the Schmidt side of the family. Below are some of the records I have found chronicling Joe Pettit's life.

~Grandson, MICHAEL J. CRONK, 1 September 2011

**************************~ooOoo~**************************

KENT COUNTY, MICHIGAN, BIRTH RECORDS (1899), Pg. ?, Record No. 14671 - JOSEPH PETTIT (Male - White), b. 16 April 1899, in Grand Rapids, son of JOHN & ANNA PETTIT of 223 Grandville Ave. John & Anna were both b. in Michigan. John is a Machine Hand.

*****

1900 U.S. CENSUS - GRAND RAPIDS, KENT CO., MI - 4-5 June 1900
Pettit, John (Head), 24, b. Feb. 1876, MI (Parents b. [blank]), Married 1½ Yrs., Rip Saw Fcty [Occup. placed under Anna - believe mistake], Rent
Pettit, Anna (Wife), 23, b. Apr. 1877, MI (Father b. Germany / Mother b. Canada), Married 1½ Yrs., Mother of 1 Child - Living
Pettit, Joseph (Son), 1, b. Apr. 1899, MI (Parents b. MI)
Lived at 223 Grandville Ave.

1910 U.S. CENSUS - GRAND RAPIDS, KENT CO., MI - 27 April 1910
Pettit, John (Head), 43 [33], b. MI (Parents b. MI), Married 12 Yrs., Foreman - Factory, Rent House
Pettit, Annie (Wife), 42 [32], b. MI (Parents b. MI), Married 12 Yrs., Mother of 4 Children - All Living
Pettit, Joseph (Son), 10, b. MI (Parents b. MI)
Pettit, Leo (Son), 9, b. MI (Parents b. MI)
Pettit, Marie (Dau), 4, b. MI (Parents b. MI)
Pettit, Frances (Dau), 1-2/12, b. MI (Parents b. MI)
Lived at 107 - 4th Avenue.

*****

FINE RACING IN SOUTH END MEET
**
Fast, clean competition, with thrills and excitement in every race, marked the south end ice races, the second of the district meets of The Press skating tournament held Wednesday evening on the Madison playground rink.
**
The 220-yard dash for juniors was run in two heats, first and second in each heat racing in the finals. The race was won by LEO PETTIT, 342 Franklin street.
**
HONORS TO PETTIT FAMILY.
JOE PETTIT, brother to the winner of the Junior 220, rang the bell for the first place in the senior dash. His time was 30.6 seconds, the fastest by several seconds so far done.
**
Those taking first, second or third in any of the events in district meets qualify for the finals at John Ball park rink next Wednesday night when the city championship races will be skated.

THE GRAND RAPIDS PRESS, Grand Rapids, Mich., Thurs., Jan. 18, 1917, Pg. 12, Cols. 1-2, Art. 1 (Fine Racing In South End Meet - EXCERPTED)

*****

CRESTON'S MEET SETS NEW MARK

The largest field of entries to compete in The Press skating tournament raced at Creston rink Friday night in the last of the preliminary meets.
**
John Weeber, in the 220-yard dash for the seniors, skating the course in 30 seconds flat, lowered the mark made by JOE PETTIT at Madison by three-fifths of a second.

THE GRAND RAPIDS PRESS, Grand Rapids, Mich., Sat., Jan. 20, 1917, Pg. 8, Cols. 4-5, Art. 1 (Creston's Meet Sets New Mark - EXCERPTED)

*****

STAGE SET FOR SKATE FINALS

The event they've all been waiting for--the finals in The Grand Rapids Press first annual skating tournament--will be staged Wednesday evening on the spacious rink at John Ball park, pronounced by many the finest of the city's splendid string of municipal rinks.

If the success of the four preliminary numbers of the tournament is any indication of the success, which the final meet will enjoy there is no reason at all to doubt but that the closing tournament of the series will make sport history in Grand Rapids. It is estimated that 5,000 persons have witnessed the competition in the four preliminary meets. Close to 500 skaters have taken part.

**

The list of contestants and the drawing in the events for the final night's program follows:

Junior 220--First heat, R. Cherry, L. PETTIT, A. Kiehla, J. Nederveld; second heat, F. Kaminski, R. Grant, L. Ypma, B. Klanderman; third heat, C. Stell, P. Rockwell, P. Dunakin, R. Pearl (Heat winners to race in finals.)

Seniors 200--First heat, F. Boos, E. Boatman, W. Mulholland, J. De Looff; second heat, S. Tourmell, J. PETTIT, D. Stace, J. Weeber; third heat, W. Freeman, W. Vierglever, C. Coffee, T. Knol (Heat winners to race in finals).

Junior 440--First heat, L. Smallegan, L. PETTIT, J. Hoekstra, B. Klanderman; second heat, J. Lane, A. Kiehla, F. Grant, V. Malewitz; third heat, P. Dunakin, J. Shooks, F. Kaminski, P. Rockwell (Heat winners to race in finals).

THE GRAND RAPIDS PRESS, Grand Rapids, Mich., Tues., Jan. 23, 1917, Pg. 10, Cols. 1-2, Art. 1 (Stage Set For Skate Finals - EXCERPTED)

*****

ATTENTION, WINNERS OF PRESS SKATING TOURNAMENT:

Medals for the winners in The Press skating tournament were given out at the Happy Hour Sunday afternoon to all who were present, but about fifteen failed to appear to claim their prizes.

Those who were not present Sunday can procure their awards by calling at The Press. The list follows:

William Howe, Leonard Martin, Walter Kubiak, Emmett Bolden, J. PETTIT, T. Miller, James Lane, S. Tournell, C. Schmidt, E. Boatman, Thomas Read, J. Chulski, Benjamin Klanderman, LEO PETTIT and Miss M. Quimby.

THE GRAND RAPIDS PRESS, Grand Rapids, Mich., Mon., Mar. 12,, 1917, Pg. 16, Col. 6, Art. 1 (ATTENTION, WINNERS OF PRESS SKATING TOURNAMENT:)

*****

The Tanglefoots added another victory to their already long string of wins when they defeated the Casinos, 11 to 3 Saturday, at John Ball park. The winners play the Bridge Street Merchants at 9:00 a.m. Memorial day on the same grounds. The following men report: Cherry, B. O'Brien, Foster, PETIT [JOSEPH PETTIT], Corsiglia, Simmons, McOakar (?), Friar, Landgren, R. O'Brien, Doyle, Nie____(?), DeYoung.

THE GRAND RAPIDS HERALD, Grand Rapids, Mich., Sun., May 27, 1917, Sports Section, Pg. 1, Column 4, Article 3, Paragraph 2 (With the Amateurs)

*****

Seven other registrants, six of this city, who enlisted in the marine corps last summer have been given induction papers and will leave for Detroit Nov. 15. They are: ...Rudolph J. Schmidt, 13 National;...Joseph J. Pettit, 342 Franklin;...

THE GRAND RAPIDS PRESS, Grand Rapids, Mich., Mon., Nov. 11, 1918, Pg. 7, Col. 6, Art. 1 (Thirteen Go To Officers Camp - EXCERPT)

*****

1920 U.S. CENSUS - GRAND RAPIDS, KENT CO., MI - 2 January 1920
Pettit, John (Head), 43, b. MI (Parents b. MI), Veneer Foreman - Furniture Co., Owns Home Free of Mortgage
Pettit, Anna (Wife), 42, b. MI (Parents b. MI)
Pettit, Joseph (Son), 20, b. MI (Parents b. MI), Gen. Office - Railroad
Pettit, Leo (Son), 18, b. MI (Parents b. MI), Gen. Office - Automobiles
Pettit, Marie (Dau), 14, b. MI (Parents b. MI)
Pettit, Francis (Dau), 10, b. MI (Parents b. MI)
Live at 342 Franklin.

*****

KENT COUNTY, MICHIGAN, MARRIAGE RECORDS (1922), Record No. 15017 - JOSEPH J. PETTIT & ERNA S. SCHMIDT, married 19 April 1922, Grand Rapids, Kent Co., MI. JOSEPH (Salesman), b. Grand Rapids, is the son of JOHN L. PETTIT & ANNA STERNBACH [STEINEBACH]. ERNA, b. Grand Rapids, is the daughter of AUGUST P. SCHMIDT & ANNA WINZIG.

**

TO WED IN SPRING.

Mr. and Mrs. A.P. Schmidt of National-av. announce the engagement of their daughters, Erna Serena, to Joseph J. Pettit of this city. The wedding will take place in early spring.

THE GRAND RAPIDS PRESS, Grand Rapids, Mich., Mon., February 27, 1922, Pg. 11, Col. 4, Art. 11 (Social Affairs - To Wed in Spring.)

**

Joseph J. PETTIT, 23; Erna S. SCHMIDT, 22.

THE GRAND RAPIDS PRESS, Grand Rapids, Mich., Tues., Apr. 18, 1922, Pg. 19, Column 8, Top Paragraph (Marriage Licenses)

*****

Slugging (Kid) Joe Pettit and Capt. Bob Martin Angle, light heavyweights, slashed and tore one round to a draw. Angle claimed a foul on the grounds that Pettit had his hair greased but the referee disallowed the claim.

These bouts proved the most entertaining features of the Washington birthday party given for Standard Oil Co. employes Wednesday night.

THE GRAND RAPIDS PRESS, Grand Rapids, Mich., Thurs., Feb. 22, 1923, Pg. 20, Col. 5, Art. 5 (Referee Kayoed When Heavies Meet at Party - EXCERPT)

*****

STANDARD OIL CO. TO HAVE BASEBALL TEAM

The Standard Oil Co. will have a strong organization in the baseball field this year. Coykendahl, Lund, Busch, PETTIT, Bryson, Grundman and several other classy semi-pro players have been or will be signed up. Plans have been made for long trips into the northern and eastern parts of the state.

THE GRAND RAPIDS PRESS, Grand Rapids, Mich., Wed., Mar. 21, 1923, Pg. 26, Col. 2, Art. 5 (Standard Oil Co. To Have Baseball Team)

*****

MIXED JURY FAILS TO AGREE UPON VERDICT

A police court jury of three women and the same number of men failed to reach a verdict Wednesday in the case against JOSEPH PETTIT, 813 California-av., N.W., accused of Patrolman Van Campen of driving while intoxicated Aug. 1. Judge Frank A. Hess discharged the jury and ordered another trial, Sept. 22.

THE GRAND RAPIDS PRESS, Grand Rapids, Mich., Thurs., Sept. 8, 1927, Pg. 2, Col. 2, Art. 7 (Mixed Jury Fails to Agree Upon Verdict)

**

PETTIT CONVICTED OF TIPSY DRIVING
JOSEPH H. [J.] PETTIT, charged with motoring while intoxicated, was convicted by a police court jury Thursday afternoon. He appeared for sentence before Justice Harry L. Creswell Friday and the magistrate ordered him to return to court again Saturday. Testimony required perhaps four hours but the jury took less than a quarter of an hour returning the verdict.

THE GRAND RAPIDS PRESS, Grand Rapids, Mich., Fri., Sept. 23, 1927, Pg. 1, Column 4, Art. 3

**

TWO ARE JAILED FOR TIPSY DRIVES

WOMAN AND MAN ARE ASSESSED FINES IN ADDITION TO TERMS.

JUSTICE WARNS AGAIN

[Eliminated portion of story on Mrs. Lulu William, 30]

GETS 10 DAYS.

Another motorist to receive a jail sentence in accordance with the justice's policy in sending all tipsy drivers to jail, was JOSEPH PETTIT, 813 California-st., N.W., who was convicted Thursday by a police court jury. It was Pettit's second trial on the intoxicated motoring charge, the first jury disagreeing Sept. 7. Pettit was ordered to pay $100 and costs of $12.40 and spend 10 days in jail.

"So long as I am around here I am going to send drunken drivers to jail and fine them, too." announced Justice Creswell. "The law is known well enough and these $100 fines are paid to willingly and too easily."

THE GRAND RAPIDS PRESS, Grand Rapids, Mich., Sat., Sept. 24, 1927, Pg. 2, Col. 4, Art. 4 (Two Are Jailed For Tipsy Drives)

**

OFFICIAL RECORD OF TRAFFIC CASES

Police traffic officers announced Tuesday the following paid fees for violation of laws governing operation of motorcars:

JOSEPH J. PETTIT, 813 California-av., N.W., 38 miles, $10.

THE GRAND RAPIDS PRESS, Grand Rapids, Mich., Wed., Oct. 12, 1927, Pg. 21, Col. 4, Art. 1 (Official Record of Traffic Cases)

*****

1930 U.S. CENSUS - GRAND RAPIDS, KENT CO., MI - 18 April 1930
Waskievicuis, Sylvester (Head), 29, b. Poland (Parents b. Poland), First Married at 21 Yrs., Came to U.S. in 1911 - Naturalized, Polisher - Metal Plant, Was in WW.
Waskievicuis, Victoria (Wife), 29, b. Poland (Parents b. Poland), Married at 21 Yrs., Came to U.S. in 1917 - Alien
Waskievicuis, Muriel (Dau), 8, b. MI (Parents b. Poland)
Waskievicuis, Robert (Son), 5, b. MI (Parents b. Poland)
PETIT, JOSEPH (Lodger), 31, b. MI (Parents b. U.S.), Widowed, Molder - Iron Works, Was in WW
Johnson, Hugh (Lodger), 32, b. MI (Parents b. U.S.), Single, Metal Finisher - Body Works, Was in WW
Live at 1513 Seward Ave.

♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦

BANDITS BIND 2 STORE MANAGERS AND OBTAIN $150
West North Street Grocer And East Side Druggist Victims
Two store holdups, in which the victims were bound, netted bandits about $150 in cash and a wrist watch, Thursday evening and Friday morning.
The Kroger store at 447 West North street was held up and the manager, Donald Louden, was bound hand and foot, about 6:30 Thursday evening. This robbery yielded $45 and a wrist watch.
OBTAIN MORE THAN $100
The Doyle drug store at 1632 East Main street, was held up and the proprietor, Thomas Doyle, was trussed up in the rear room of the building while bandits looted the cash register and currency box of more than $100 at 9 Friday morning.
Descriptions of the two bandits and their methods of perpetrating the crimes, indicated to police that both robberies were staged by the same pair.
In both robberies, customers chancing to walk into the two stores went to the assistance of the proprietors whom they found bound with ropes.
DESCRIPTION OF BANDITS
One of the bandits is five feet and six inches in height, about 35 years old, weight about 150 pounds.
The other is five feet and nine inches in height, about 22 years old, weight about 150 pounds.
Both men wore dark trousers and white shirts and were bare-headed.
The Kroger store robbery took place just as Louden was preparing to close.
TALKS WITH PATRONS
In the process of the robbery, Mrs. A. Wordhoff, 921 West North street, walked into the store to make a purchase. "What is the price of that pail?" the woman asked one of the bandits. The bandit informed Mrs. Wordhoff that he did not know the price but that the proprietor was in the rear room and would be out soon. With that remark he and his companion left the store.
About five minutes later Louden came hobbling out of the rear room and, with the aid of Mrs. Wordhoff, removed the bonds from his ankles and wrists.
FLOURISHED REVOLVER
Louden said one of the bandits flourished a nickel-plated revolver. He also said that one of them had come into the store about noon and had purchased cigarets. At that time the customer, who proved later to be one of the bandits, said he would return at supper time to buy some groceries.
The wrist watch taken by the bandits was a 17-jewel Illinois watch. When the two robbers entered the store at 6:30 they asked for a peck of potatoes and when Louden went into the back room to fill the order, they followed him in. They then forced him to lie face downward on the floor.
RELEASED BY CUSTOMER
At the Doyle drug store one bandit entered and forced the proprietor into the rear room, where he was ordered to lie on his face. He was bound with rope and was forced to tell where the cash might be found. The first bandit then went to the front of the store where a second bandit had arrived. Doyle heard them riffling the cash register and money box.
As the two bandits were leaving the store a customer, Fred Rinehart, East Side barber, walked into the store. He waited a moment or two for Doyle and then called to him. Doyle recognized Rinehart's voice and called the customer to the rear room, where he released the bound proprietor.

THE KALAMAZOO GAZETTE, Kalamazoo, Mich., Fri., Sept. 11, 1931, Pg. 1, Column 3, Art. 2 & Pg. 7, Column 8, Art. 1

*****

CONFESSES TO 2 STORE ROBBERIES; $140 RECOVERED
JOSEPH J. PETTIT, 32, Grand Rapids, Seized In Hotel Room.
Police Saturday had in custody a man who gave his name as Joseph J. Pettit, 32, Grand Rapids, and who officers state has confessed holdups at the Kroger store in East North street Thursday night, and the Doyle drug store at 1632 East Main street, Friday morning.
Pettit is said to have signed a statement at police headquarters that he participated in the Kroger and the Doyle store holdups.
LOCATED THROUGH AUTO
Police were looking Saturday for another man, said to have been implicated in a series of holdups in Kalamazoo.
Pettit was arrested after Patrolman Dewey Carr had located an automobile answering the general description of the bandit car, in an alley off Portage street, late Friday afternoon.
Officer Carr watched the automobile and a man walked toward it. The officer started toward him and the suspect then ran and eluded the policeman after a chase.
FOUND IN HOTEL ROOM
Reserves were sent from police headquarters and Pettit was taken into custody in a hotel room near the place where the car was parked.
Officer Carr had been given a description of the automobile believed to have been used by the two store bandits and when he discovered the machine parked in an alley at the rear of an upstairs hotel he notified headquarters and stood watch over the machine. It was while he was away to notify police that the suspect still at large started out to the car. When the suspect saw the officier the former disappeared in an alley and then went into a building. It is believed he made his escape from the building by going down a fire [e]scape.
FIND $140 IN CASH
Police officers arriving at the hotel searched all rooms and in one of them found Pettit. They also found about $140, which is believed to have been part of the cash stolen in the Kroger and Doyle holdups.
Pettit was questioned by Police Commissioner Rock Fleming, Captain Charles Ballett and Detective Ellis Wilkins at police headquearters Friday night. He will be questioned further Saturday by the police and Prosecutor Paul M. Tedrow.

THE KALAMAZOO GAZETTE, Kalamazoo, Mich., Sat., Sept. 12, 1931, Pg. 1, Column 4, Art. 1

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NAMES TWO AS AIDS IN EIGHT HOLDUPS HERE
Prisoner's Confession Believed To Have Cleared Series Of Robberies
Hunt Another Suspect
Admits Accomplice Committed Crime For Which Lance Arnold Is Awaiting Trial In Circuit Court
Arrested as a suspect in a series of robberies here, JOSEPH G. [J.] PETTIT, 32, of 3342 Franklin street, S.E., Grand Rapids, a former patient at Kalamazoo State hospital, signed a confession at police headquarters Saturday night implicating two other men in at least eight holdups in this city. One of the two was said to have been the "brains" and the "finger man" of the gang, telling the others what stores to rob and when to rob them.
LEO J. PETTIT, 31, of 435 Edgemoor avenue, a brother of Joseph, was being detained by police Saturday for questioning in the case.
HUNT ANOTHER SUSPECT
Police were seaching for a man who is said by the prisoner to have participated in the eight Kalamazoo robberies. The name of the suspect was not announced by the officers.
Pettit first admitted his part in the robberies implicating another suspect when questioned by Captain Charles A. Ballett, Detectives Leonard Dyke and Ellis Wilkins, several hours after his arrest. He was again questioned Saturday by other officials of the police department and a stenographic statement of several pages was taken. Pettit signed both the statements.
According to Joseph Pettit's confession, this suspect was present at the following holdups and robberies:
LIST OF OFFENSES
DOYLE DRUG STORE at 1632 East Main street, Friday morning. (Joseph PETTIT participating)
KROGER GROCERY at 447 West North street, Thursday night. (Joseph PETTIT participating)
STANDARD OIL STATION at Portage street and Stockbridge avenue Wednesday morning.
A & P STORE in South Burdick street.
BAKERS CLEANERS and DYERS, 317 East Michigan avenue.
HOWARD W. WICKS manager of Kalamazoo Creamery Company.
H.B. MILLER, 114 Fellows avenue.
JOHN M. SCHARER, 423 Edgemoor avenue.
STOLE $800 RING
According to Pettit's admission, the third man wanted in the robbery series held up a Grand Rapids theatre and obtained, with other loot, a diamond ring valued at $800. This ring was taken from the manager of the theatre and was given by the bandit to a Kalamazoo man as security for a loan of $150, which was used to buy an automobile. Police were seeking the holder of this ring Saturday night.
Pettit also said that five other holdups--among them the robbery of the State theatre had been planned. They were:
PLANNED OTHER HOLDUPS
State Theatre
Kalamazoo Laundry
Kalamazoo State Hospital Employes' Association
A drug store in Oakland drive
The Colonial Bakery.
A check-up had been made of the five places according to Pettit, and Pettit said also that he and the suspect had driven to the Oakland drive drug store one night recently with the intention of holding it up but that the "job" was postponed because the accomplice was taken ill.
MET AT STATE HOSPITAL
Pettit first met the suspect, according to his admission, while he was still a patient at the state hospital. Pettit was released from the hospital Wednesday and took a room in a hotel in Portage street. He said he participated only in the Kroger and the Doyle drug store robberies. He was a voluntary patient at the hospital having been admitted from Grand Rapids in November, 1930.
Pettit said the robberies committed by the suspect alone and by the suspect and himself had been carefully planned and that "checks" had been made on places before they were looted.
BLAMED ON ANOTHER
The attempted robbery and kidnaping of Howard Wicks, manager of the Kalamazoo Creamery Company, which PETTIT laid to the suspect, has been blamed on Lance Arnold, 24, who is under charge of attempted robbery while armed. Arnold has steadfastly maintained his innocence, but was bound over to circuit court recently following an examination in municipal court.
Joseph Pettit said he was given a share of the loot from the Kroger and Doyle store robberies and also from one or two other robberies in which he did not participate.
The Kroger robbery, he said, netted about $45 and a valuable wrist watch. The money was split, but he and the suspect decided to flip a coin to see who would take the watch. Pettit said he won the flip. He said he hid the watch under a carpet in his hotel room and threw the wrist band out of a hotel window.
SAYS LIQUOR FLOWED
Pettit said liquor flowed while plans for robberies were being talked over. He recounted several occasions when supplies of liquor were purchased and admitted that he and the suspect drank freely.
The Doyle drug store robbery yielded about $100, including some checks which were cashed by the men. He told also of cashing checks taken in other robberies committed by the suspect.
Pettit was arrested at his hotel room as the result of Patrolman Dewey Carr's keen observation Friday afternoon, when he discovered an automobile resembling that said to have been used by the Kroger and Doyle store bandits. The machine was parked in an alley at the rear of the Portage street hotel. The suspect now being hunted fled when he noticed Patrolman Carr after starting for his machine. Police seized clothing said to have been the property of the suspect, and in it they found about $35. They also recovered about $105 in cash in Pettit's clothing and in a hotel room.
WARRANT EXPECTED
No warrant against Joseph Pettit had been issued Saturday night, but an order for a warrant charging robbery while armed will be issued the first of the week, it was announced.
Pettit's admission Saturday was made in the presence of Police Commissioner Rock Fleming, Assistant Prosecutor Walter Taylor, Captain of Detectives Oscar Wetherell, and Detective Hugh Stevens of the identification bureau.

THE KALAMAZOO GAZETTE, Kalamazoo, Mich., Sun., Sept. 13, 1931, Pg. 1, Column 3, Art. 1 & Pg. 2, Columns 1&2, Art. 1

*****

CHARGE PETTIT BROTHERS WITH ROBBERIES HERE
Joseph Waives And Leo Asks Examination; Bonds Set At 10,000
Arraigned on two warrants charging robbery while armed, JOSEPH PETTIT, 32, Grand Rapids, waived examination and was bound over to circuit court, and LEO J. PETTIT, 31, brother, 435 Edgemoor avenue, demanded examination Monday in municipal court. Examination for Leo Pettit was set for Monday, Sept. 28.
Bond for both men were set at $10,000, and were unfurnished.
BOTH FACE CHARGES
Joseph Pettit was charged with holding up and robbing of the Doyle drug store, 1632 East Main street, Friday morning, while Leo was charged with the robbery of the Standard oil station at Portage street and Stockbridge avenue.
An admission that he received money from holdups staged in Kalamazoo by a suspect for whom police are searching, which money was applied on wages due him, was made by Leo J. Pettit, 31, of 435 Edgemoor avenue, when questioned Sunday by police. It was announced by Commissioner Rock Fleming, Monday.
Joseph Pettit, 32, Grand Rapids, a brother of Leo, is in custody of police as one of the two bandits who held up the Kroger and the Doyle stores last week.
OWED HIM $100, CLAIM
Leo Pettit was taken into custody a few hours after the brother had confessed to police Saturday morning. He made and signed a statement following questioning by Captain Charles A. Ballett early Sunday morning. In this statement Leo Pettit said the suspect who has been sought since Friday afternoon, owed him about $100 in back wages for automobile striping and lettering. He said the suspect had told him of robberies he had "pulled" and had paid him sums to apply on the back salary after certain "jobs".
The payments ranged from $20 to $35 and at a check-up by Leo and the suspect a short time before the arrest of the Pettits, it had been found the suspect had paid all but $26 of the indebtedness, according to Leo's admission.
TOOK HIM TO HOSPITAL
Leo said he had met the bandit suspect in the latter's room at a downtown hotel, and also stated he had taken the suspect with him to Kalamazoo State hospital where Joseph Pettit was a patient until last Wednesday. The suspect and Joseph Pettit first met at the hospital, Leo stated.
Joseph Pettit was released from the hospital Wednesday and took a room at the same hotel where the suspect lived. He has confessed that he and the suspect staged the holdups at the Kroger store Thursday night and the Doyle drug store Friday morning. He was arested Friday afternoon in his room.
Leo Pettit, in his statement to police, said the suspect had told him of "jobs" he had pulled here. He enumerated seven or eight robberies, including the holding up and kidnaping of a manager of the Bestervelt store at Oakwood Park, several weeks ago. He told in his statement how the suspect had "checked" on possible victims by watching the banks for persons making deposits. He said the suspect had watched Howard W. Wicks, manager of the Kalamazoo Creamery Company, make deposits at a South Side bank, and had remarked: "There's my next job."
JEWELRY RECOVERED
Kalamazoo police Monday morning recovered an $800 diamond ring taken by the bandit suspect from a theatre manager in Grand Rapids during a theatre holdup, and a valuable sapphire dinner ring taken from the finger of Mrs. John Scharer at their home several weeks ago.
Police Commissioner Rock Fleming did not announce from whom the rings were obtained but it was understood they were placed by a third party acting in behalf of the bandit.

THE KALAMAZOO GAZETTE, Kalamazoo, Mich., Mon., Sept. 14, 1931, Pg. 1, Column 7, Art. 1 & Pg. 12, Column 6, Art. 2

*****

PETTIT BROTHERS SENT TO JACKSON
Judge Weimer Sentences Duo Who Pleaded Guilty To Armed Robbery.
LEO J. PETTIT, 31, of 435 Edgemoor avenue, and his brother, JOSEPH G. [J.] PETTIT, 32, Grand Rapids, who recently pleaded guility to charges of armed robbery, were given terms in Jackson penitentiary Friday afternoon by Judge George V. Weimer.
Leo Pettit was charged with armed robbery of the Standard Oil station at Portage street and Stockbridge avenue, and his brother with armed robbery of the Thomas Doyle drug store 1632 East Main street, early in September. Police and sheriff's officers have been seeking a third person who has been implicated by the Pettit brothers in a series of armed robberies in Kalamazoo during the last three months.
Joseph Pettit was arrested seven hours after the Doyle store hold-up Sept. 11, and his brother was taken into custody a few hours later. Both men, the police reported, made admissions involving a third person and clearing up eight local robberies.
Shortly after the arrest of the Pettits the police recovered four valuable rings which were stolen from Mr. and Mrs. John M. Scharer, 423 Edgemoor avenue, and Herman Bird, manager of the Rivoli theatre, Grand Rapids. The respondents claimed the Scharer and Bird robberies were staged by the man named by them as their accomplice.

THE KALAMAZOO GAZETTE, Kalamazoo, Mich., Fri., Oct. 2, 1931, Pg. 1, Column 1, Art. 2

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SUSPECT IS HELD IN STORE ROBBERY
Police Say His Original Alibi Later Shows Discrepancies
Clerk Is Slugged
A man was detained for questioning Monday by Detectives Thomas McGavin and Burton Irwin in connection with a robbery Sunday night at the Lewis drug store, 759 Division-av., S., in which a pharmacist was slugged. The man detained is LEO SCHUILLING, 46, painter and decorator, of 500 Prospect-av., S.E.
Federal agents joined police in the investigation because part of the total loot of $57.69 was postal funds.
Schuilling was ordered held by Police Chief Frank J. O'Malley and Inspector Albert Scheiern, chief of Detectives, after questioning early Monday. He had been questioned by detectives Sunday night after the robbery but was released when he gave an account of his whereabouts at the time of the robbery. Apparent discrepancies were found in his story, the detectives said, and as a result he was detained.
The robbery occurred about 9:30 p.m. while Samuel R. Smith, pharmacist, of 744 Lafayette-av., S.E., was alone in the store. The proprietor is Harry Lewis of 734 Bagley-av., S.E.
Smith was unable to tell police exactly what happened. He was dazed by two blows on the head, he said. As nearly as he could tell police, two bandits entered the store and one of them struck him on the head twice with a heavy instrument, rendering him unconscious.
POSTAL FUNDS $16.53
The money was taken from two cash registers and an unlocked safe. A postal station is operated in the drug store and of the total amount taken, police said, $16.53 was in postal funds.
Rose Agnello of 42 Graham-st., S.W., and Lena Mercante of 44 Graham-st., S.W., entered the store to make a purchase shortly after the robbery. They saw Smith stagger from behind the counter, still dazed from the blows. He asked them to call police.
Inspector Scheiern said a man who was in the vicinity at the time of the robbery told them he saw a man run from the drug store and enter a truck parked on Franklin-st., just around the corner from the store. He said the truck was driven away without lights.
KEPT RECORD OF LICENSE
The witness, according to Inspector Scheiern, jotted down the license number of the truck and gave the number to police. He said a check up of the license number disclosed it was issued for a truck belonging to Schuilling and that the description of the truck as given to police by the witness tallied in detail with the truck owned by Schuilling.
Although Schuilling admitted he was in the vicinity Sunday night, he denied his truck was parked on Franklin-st., at any time and denied any knowledge of the robbery, according to police.

THE GRAND RAPIDS PRESS, Grand Rapids, Mich., Mon., Oct. 23, 1939, Pg. 1, Column 1, Art. 1

*****

These men are charged with the holdup and robbery of the Lewis drug store, 759 Division-av. S., Sunday night. ARTHUR KIEFT, 43, of 447 Division-av. S; LEO SCHUILING, 46, of 500 Prospect-av., S.E.; JOE PETTIT, 38, arrested in Cleveland. Detectives said Kieft confessed and implicated Pettit, who was under arrest Wednesday in Cleveland. Pettit, who served a term in a California prison, is on parole, having been paroled more than two years before expiration of his term.

REPORT HOLDUP MAN CONFESSES

Police Say Arthur Kieft Admits Robbery and Accuses Another

Solution of the Sunday night holdup of the Lewis drug store at 759 Division-av., S., in which a pharmacist was slugged was announced by police Tuesday afternoon when detectives reported obtaining a confession from Arthur Kieft, 43, of 447 Division-av., S., that he and JOE PETTIT, 38, committed the robbery.
Police immediately broadcasted a description of Pettit and, within a few hours, he was arrested in Cleveland by police there. Information received by local police from Cleveland indicated Pettit would waive extradition and officers will be sent to that city Wednesday to return him.
According to Kieft's confession as reported by Inspector Albert R. Scheiern the two were driven to the scene by Leo Schuiling, 46, of 500 Prospect-av., S.E., in his truck. Schuiling, Kieft told detectives, did not know what took place until after the robbery, which netted the pair $59.69, part of which was in postal funds.
Kieft accuses Pettit of wielding the bludgeon on Samuel R. Smith, pharmacist in charge, rendering him unconscious while Kieft say he rifled two cash registers to get the funds.
Kieft said that Schuiling did not receive a "split" from the robbery, the police state. The three men police reported, are ex-convicts.
Solution of the robbery was brought about within 48 hours. Kieft was apprehended Monday by Detective Thomas McGavin and Burton Irwin after Schuiling had been picked up by them earlier in the day.

THE GRAND RAPIDS PRESS, Grand Rapids, Mich., Wed., Oct. 25, 1939, Pg. 2

*****

Details from the testimony of JOSEPH J. PETTIT in the case of THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN vs. LEO SCHUILING, 10 November 1939 - From the Cross Examination by Mr. Vander Wal

Q. How long have you lived in Grand Rapids?
A. Off and on my entire life.

Q. Where did you live when you wasn't living in Grand Rapids?
A. I worked in Cleveland and I was in prison part of the time.

Q. What prison?
A. Jackson and Folsum.

Q. What were you in Jackson for?
A. Robbery armed.

Q. How long did you serve?
A. Four years.

Q. And what other place?
A. Folsum

Q. Where is that?
A. California

Q. What were you in there for?
A. Attempt robbery.

Q. Were you ever in an asylum?
A. Yes sir.

Q. Where?
A. Kalamazoo

Q. How long were you there?
A. About ten months.

Q. When was that?
A. 1930

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City of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Governed by Commission, November 8, 1939

RECORD OF JOSEPH J. PETTIT, OUR #3660 AS SHOWN IN THE FILES OF THE IDENTIFICATION BUREAU [Rap Sheet]

SO, Grand Rapids, Mich. 8-1-27 Drunk Driving - 9-23-27 - $100.00 fine and costs and 10 days

PD, Kalamazoo, Mich. Robbery Armed - 5-15 years Jackson Pen. 10-1-35 Paroled to Los Angelos, Calif. 2-23-37 Warrant Issued. warr. cancelled and 4-18-39 re-instated on parole.

Los Angles, Calif. 1-24-37 Attempted robbery - 0-20 years
St. Pr. Folsom, Calif.

PD, Grand Rapids, Mich. 10-26-39 Asslt & robbery.

Very truly yours,
Frank J. O'Malley
Superintendent of Police.

cc. Judge Thaddeus B. Taylor
Fred N. Searl, Prosecuting Atty.
Postal Inspector
U.S. District Atty.
Clerk, District Federal Court

*****

1940 U.S. CENSUS - STATE PRISON OF SOUTHERN MICHIGAN - BLACKMAN TWP., JACKSON CO., MI - 26 April 1940
Kieft, Arthur (47178), 44, b. MI, Divorced, Completed 8th Grade, Resided in Same Place in 1935
Pettit, Joseph J. (47179), 41, b. MI, Widowed, Completed 1 Yr. College, Resided in Same Place in 1935.
NOTE: I included Arthur Kieft because he was Joe Pettit's 1939 partner in crime.

1940 U.S. CENSUS - U.S. PENITENTIARY - LEAVENWORTH CO., KS - 1-3 April 1940
Schuiling, Leo (56537), 46, b. MI, Married, Completed 1 Yr. H.S., Resided in Michigan in 1935.
NOTE: I'm including Leo because he was Joe Pettit's other 1939 partner in crime.

*****

LETTER, from JOSEPH J. PETTIT, inmate #47179, to his daughter, VIRGINIA PETTIT, dated 7 Dec. 1947, Marquette, Michigan [Marquette State Prison]
Dear Virginia,
This is to acknowledge your message in connection with your Xmas greeting of last year. You will have to forgive me for not replying sooner. I have been intent on writing you on numerous occasions, but Virginia there is so little to write about from a place of this kind, nothing ever happens, day just follows day in one continuous dull routine. I have had you in my thoughts daily - besides praying for you each morning and evening. Many is the time I sort of - well day-dream - and try to think how nice or pleasent it would be to have you as my guest at a foot-ball game or the theatre with a feed at the chop house either before or after. I guess its because your mother enjoyed these things that I in turn think of you as having possibly the same tastes.
I had one letter from Marie and I also hear from Joe periodically so I am not at a total loss for family news. It always pleases me to hear that they are doing so well. I trust you are doing likewise.
I am having your Xmas check forwarded with this letter for the usual distribution. Make certain of your mother's Mass.
You can see from the foregoing what a struggle I am having in composing this message so rather than falter further with the time worn injection of weather, health etc. let me close with sincere best wishes to Al, Leona, Alice and yourself - remaining as ever, Dad, [signature: Joseph J. Pettit]

*****

MICHIGAN DEATH CERTIFICATES, 1921-1952
Name: Joseph J Pettit
Event Type: Death
Event Date: 25 Jul 1948
Event Place: Allendale, Ottawa, Michigan, United States
Gender: Male
Age: 49
Marital Status: Widowed
Birth Date: 16 Apr 1889 [1898]
Birthplace: Grand Rapids, Michigan
Birth Year (Estimated): 1899
Father's Name: John L Pettit
Mother's Name: Anna Stienbach