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Story
October 1, 1962
The Nome Nugget
Nome, Nome County, Alaska
What is this article about?
In San Francisco, passenger Sherwood Sprague joked about an atom bomb in his coat pocket to a United Airlines stewardess, delaying a flight by 45 minutes. He was charged with a false bomb report but the charge was dismissed by Judge Alfonso Zirpoli as an obvious joke.
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Full Text
Atom Bomb Joke
Holds Up Plane Flight
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - United Airlines stewardess Beebee Stoweell asked a passenger if she might hang up his top coat.
"Wait until I take the atom bomb out of the pocket," she quoted Sherwood Sprague as saying.
Sprague, of Pittsfield, Mass., apologized but his baggage was searched and the plane's departure Thursday delayed 45 minutes. Sprague remained behind, charged with making a false bomb report.
Friday, his attorney admitted that "there is no defense of the asininity and utter stupidity of Sprague's statement," but told U.S. District Judge Alfonso Zirpoli no one could take the threat seriously.
Zirpoli dismissed the charge, noting "it was obviously a joke." and adding the government hadn't proved its charge anyway.
Holds Up Plane Flight
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - United Airlines stewardess Beebee Stoweell asked a passenger if she might hang up his top coat.
"Wait until I take the atom bomb out of the pocket," she quoted Sherwood Sprague as saying.
Sprague, of Pittsfield, Mass., apologized but his baggage was searched and the plane's departure Thursday delayed 45 minutes. Sprague remained behind, charged with making a false bomb report.
Friday, his attorney admitted that "there is no defense of the asininity and utter stupidity of Sprague's statement," but told U.S. District Judge Alfonso Zirpoli no one could take the threat seriously.
Zirpoli dismissed the charge, noting "it was obviously a joke." and adding the government hadn't proved its charge anyway.
What sub-type of article is it?
Curiosity
Crime Story
What themes does it cover?
Deception
Justice
What keywords are associated?
Atom Bomb Joke
Plane Delay
False Bomb Threat
Dismissed Charge
What entities or persons were involved?
Beebee Stoweell
Sherwood Sprague
Alfonso Zirpoli
Where did it happen?
San Francisco
Story Details
Key Persons
Beebee Stoweell
Sherwood Sprague
Alfonso Zirpoli
Location
San Francisco
Event Date
Thursday And Friday
Story Details
Passenger Sherwood Sprague made a joke about an atom bomb in his coat pocket, causing a flight delay and his arrest for a false bomb report; the charge was later dismissed by Judge Zirpoli as an obvious joke.