An article that appeared in the Lykens Standard, October 23, 1925, noted that a “fugitive from justice” had been spotted in the First National Bank in Lykens, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. The individual, known by the name Eli Stanton, was identified as a “Grecian,” and the crime he had supposedly committed was said to be a “serious offense.” At the time, the term “serious offense” was commonly used to describe crimes such as infidelity, sexual assault, abortion, attempted abortion, and other acts against women with or without their consent.
With further research, it was discovered that Eli Stanton was wanted for failing to appear for a trial in Los Angeles, California, where he was charged with criminally assaulting a married woman in his hotel room.
Eli Stanton, a. k. a. Elias Stassinopulos, was a film actor who had appeared in a movie with Jack Dempsey, the famous boxer. In 1921, he was hired as a member of the Washington, D. C. police force, where he served for about one year. He was from Greece and had become a naturalized citizen around the same time — although one article reported that he was an Indian.
It was never officially confirmed that the individual who was seen at the Lykens bank was Eli Stanton. And, the only news articles found about him (other than those from his short career as an actor) are presented below.
From the Lykens Standard, October 23, 1925:
FUGITIVE VISITS LOCAL BANK; ESCAPES ARREST
Lykens probably missed quite an excitement last week when the borough was visited by a notorious fugitive from justice in the person of Eli Stanton alias Elias Stanton alias Joe Stanton alias Elias Stassinopulos who is being sought on a superior court bench warrant charged with a serious offense.
Stanton’s photo is being held by Officer Bretz of this place, who noticing the man on the street, thought he recognized him and followed the man to the First National Bank, which he entered. He proposed to sell bonds to Mr. Sheibley who was not interested and after a very brief conversation, the man left again passing Officer Bretz in front of the bank.
After the man passed, Bretz went into the bank and showed the photo to Mr. Sheibley for identification purpose and Sheibley recognized the photo as the man who had just left. Bretz gave chase in the direction the man traveled but found that he had a coupe in the alley in rear of the Commercial [Hotel] with a lady occupant who had the motor running. He got into tyhe car and left Lykens immediately, before it was possible for Officer Bretz to get the tag number or other information which mught have lead to his apprehension in nearby towns.
Stanton is aged 34 years, weighs 210, is 6 feet, 2 inches tall; dark hair, brown eyes and has a two-inch scar near his ear. He is a Grecian.
$100 reward is offered for his arrest. He poses as a motion picture actor, boxer, cook, elevator operator and frequents dance halls. The description sheets says he is “strong for the ladies.”
Stanton’s intentions when entering the bank are not known, altho he proved upon untrance that he was not a bond salesman and indications are that the presence of the police office in front of the bank when he entered saved Lykens excitement.
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From the Washington (DC) Evening Star, October 30, 1925:
POLICE ASKED TO SEEK FORMER D. C. OFFICER
Eli Stanton Wanted in Los Angeles for Jumping Bail on Assault Charges
Washington police have received a requesrt to institute search for a former policeman here — Eli Stanton, once known as “Jack Dempsey, the cop,” from his resemblance to the pugilist.
Word came here from Los Angeles that he is wanted there to answer a charge of criminal assault and for jumping bail. A reward of $100 is offered.
The descriptive circular states that he is about 34, weighing 210 pounds and standing 6 feet 2 inches in height, with dark brown hair and brown eyes. He was appointed here in 1921 as a private and remained on the force about one year.
Stanton is also known as Elias Stassinopulos and was a native of Greece, but was naturalized in 1921.
In Washington at the time of his appointment a photograph was published in local papers showing his resemblance to Jack Dempsey and he was often mistaken for the pugilist.
Search of Washington thus far has failed to reveal any trace of him or of relatives.
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From the Los Angeles Evening Express, June 29, 1925:
INDIAN IN FILMS TO FACE JUDGE
Eli Stanton Accused by Married Woman
Alleged to have lured Mrs. Betty Rathburne into his room with the promise he would find her work in motion picrtures, Eli Stanton, an Indian motion picture actor, who played the “villain” in a recent production starring Jack Dempsey, was scheduled to appear before Justice of the Peace Ballard today for arrangement.
Stanton, it was understood, will fight the charge, and claim he is innocent of any wrongdoing.
According to information obtained by the district attorney, Stanton promised to find Mrs. Rathburne work in the pictures if she would come to his home.
The woman, who has not been married long, went to the room, and as she closed the door behind her, it is charged, Stanton seized her.
Freeing herself, Mrs. Rathburne swore out a complaint against the Indian, and he was arrested last week. He has been in county jail since.
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From the Los Angeles Times, September 14, 1925:
ACTOR CAST IN ROLE OF DEFENDANT
Eli Stanton Faces Trial on Charge of Attacking Film-Struck Woman
Eli Stanton, motion-picture “heavy,” today will appear before Judge Keetch for trial on a charge of attacking Mrs. Peggy Rathburn. The attack occurred, according to her story, when Stanton made an appointment with her late one night on the graound that he might be able to secure her an opportunity in pictures. She went to his hotel, she said, and was enticed into his room.
Testimony in the case will take only two days, according to Deputy Attorney Works, prosecuting the case, Mrs. Rathburn, Officer Page of Hollywood Police Station, who made the arrest, and Dr. Donald Cass will be the prosecution witnesses.
Stanton took the stand in his own defense in the preliminary examination. He stated the woman had asked him to help her get into pictures and he had tried to do so. He said she came to his room voluntarily but that they remained there only a few minutes. It was several days later, he said, that he heard she complained of an attack.
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From the Seattle Union Record, September 15, 1925:
POLICE SEEK VILLAIN IN DEMPSEY’S PICTURE
LOS ANGELES, September 14, 1925 — (I. N. S.) — Instructed they could identify him from a broken nose, inflicted by Jack Dempsey‘s good right arm, authorities today sought Eli Stanton, a screen villain, formerly ploying opposite the heavy-weight pion, after Stanton failed to appear for trial on charges of attacking Mrs. Peggy Rathbourne.
Dempsey was the hero in a recent picture and broke Stanton’s nose when the “villain got too rough.”
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Articles from Newspapers.com.
Corrections and additional information should be added as comments to this post.