Philigumbo
Verified registered nurse
- Joined
- Oct 21, 2012
- Messages
- 733
- Reaction score
- 1,276
THE ENVELOPE: Characteristics of cancelled, 1[SUP]st[/SUP] Class mail, in 1974 include:
1. Seven (7) waved lines across stamp. Except when it is replaced by a box nagging folks to “Always use Zip Code.”
2. “U.S. Postal Service, TX” and - first 3 digits of Zip Code where post originates, inscribed within a circle where the text follows below the “positive” line curve.
3. Centered: “AM” or “PM” denotes the first or last 12 REAL hours of the day the post is processed for delivery – stamp cancelled. (Not shift during which it was sorted.)
4. Horizontal orientation: dd/mm - 24 DEC – from evidence sample. Daily manual change.
5. Year followed by local U.S. Postal station, or sub-station code: 1974 3B – from evidence sample. These six (6) characters are clearly oriented and aligned above the “negative” line curve.
STAMP AND DIE PRACTICES: These “tools” were a combination of embossed metal plates – where information is not manipulated by local mail handlers, and rubber characters on a “track” manipulated by virtue of small gears. The dd/mm/ and yyyy would be rubber. Everything else, embossed metal. Note: the “4” in 1974 is not well aligned with “197.”
To summarize: The envelope was deposited in Fort Worth, TX at the Wedgewood sub-station, after midnight, on December 23, 1974. OR it was presented at the counter that morning. Thing is: if you stand in line and have your letter “hand-cancelled” they keep it. They don’t give it back to you. It is legally in possesion of the USPS. No mail was delivered on December 25[SUP]th[/SUP]. The earliest the “envelope” could have arrived is Thursday, December 26[SUP]th[/SUP]. The “letter” was presented to Francis Arnold sometime on the morning of the 24[SUP]th[/SUP] by Debra. Rachel’s mother called the police. The police came to 6[SUP]th[/SUP] Avenue to collect that evidence. They asked for the envelope and had to wait several days before it was produced (as it had not arrived?)
The envelope is addressed in pencil. “Rachel” is the return address. It’s not identical to the signature on the letter. It is a practiced facsimile. IMO.
I got married in 1972. Had a baby in 1973, another in 1975, another in 1977. I turned to my wedding album and baby books for examples of postmarks. My father-in-law retired from that sub-station, but started out downtown (1A) so, I do have some background on this subject. They are consistent in characteristics, even the ones from out of state. 3B is the Wedgewood Sub-Station. It was clear to police that the envelope produced by TT was mailed from that location to his home less than 1 mile away – not Seminary South, or Elliasville, Weatherford, Throckmorton or anywhere else.
Also, the letter was folded in a way that did not fit the envelope. Too big. Neither were a hoax – they were obstruction of justice. The police did not know what to make of this strange “evidence” and still don’t. That letter and that envelope never met each other.
If that letter were going to produce a confession – it would have long ago. It is proof that Tommy lied. It isn’t proof of what happened. It’s proof of something, but what? I have my opinion.
Do I need to post my postmark samples? I will if you aren’t convinced.
No need, FW_Cat, I'm following you. You are loud and clear!
Why do YOU think the letter and the envelope were handled in this manner? Why not mail the letter that night? (No car, so no transportation???) Or like you said, why not just say "we found this in the house in her underwear drawer." Why the stupid mailbox story? Did Debra truly believe it came in the mail??
