"Coffin affair", 1953

Alexandre Kampouris filed this request with the National Archives and Records Administration of the United States of America.
Tracking #

F-2019-08750

Due Aug. 28, 2019
Est. Completion None
Status
Awaiting Response

Communications

From: Alexandre Kampouris

To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, I hereby request the following records:

All records pertaining to the 1953 disappearance and murder of the following three US citizens:

Eugene H. Lindsay, 47
Richard E. Lindsay, 17
Frederick Claar, 20

All three individuals were of Hollidaysburg PA.

They were last seen alive on or about 12 June 1953 as they entered the forest on a bear-hunting trip along the St-Jean river of the Gaspé peninsula in Québec, Canada.

The older Lindsay was a pipe fitter at the Altoona Works of the Pennsylvania Railroad.

A Canadian citizen, Wilbert Coffin, was convicted of one count of murder related to the above individuals. He was hanged in 1956 protesting his innocence.

All records pertaining to Wilbert Coffin are also herewith requested, including anything relating to the controversies that ensued in the following decades, including books, a public commission of inquiry, and a film.

Finally, records on any prior FOIA requests relating to Claar, Coffin, or the Lindsays, are also requested.

The requester believes that this request should be responsive, as he expects that the US Department of State would have followed up on a high-profile case involving US citizens, and would have made representations to, or liaised with, various Canadian federal and Québec authorities.

The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.

In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 20 business days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Alexandre Kampouris

From: U.S. Department of State

Potentially responsive documents were transferred to another department.

From: U.S. Department of State

Mr. Kampouris,

This is in response to your letters dated August 27&28, 2019. On August 26, 2019, the Department acknowledged your FOIA request dated August 1, 2019, and assigned it case control number F-2019-08750. The Department's letter advised that the records you seek are no longer in the possession of the Department. You were also advised to contact the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For your reference, attached is a copy of the Department's acknowledgement letter.
If you have further concerns or any questions regarding any FOIA-related matter, please contact the FOIA Requester Service Center (FRSC) at 202-261-8484 or send an e-mail to foiastatus@state.gov<mailto:foiastatus@state.gov>.
Regards,
Katrina M. Wood
U.S. Department of State
FOIA Requester Service Center

From: Muckrock Staff

Hi there,

We've been instructed to send this FOIA request to your office for processing. Confirmation of receipt and an estimated date of completion would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!
___________
To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, I hereby request the following records:

All records pertaining to the 1953 disappearance and murder of the following three US citizens:

Eugene H. Lindsay, 47
Richard E. Lindsay, 17
Frederick Claar, 20

All three individuals were of Hollidaysburg PA.

They were last seen alive on or about 12 June 1953 as they entered the forest on a bear-hunting trip along the St-Jean river of the Gaspé peninsula in Québec, Canada.

The older Lindsay was a pipe fitter at the Altoona Works of the Pennsylvania Railroad.

A Canadian citizen, Wilbert Coffin, was convicted of one count of murder related to the above individuals. He was hanged in 1956 protesting his innocence.

All records pertaining to Wilbert Coffin are also herewith requested, including anything relating to the controversies that ensued in the following decades, including books, a public commission of inquiry, and a film.

Finally, records on any prior FOIA requests relating to Claar, Coffin, or the Lindsays, are also requested.

The requester believes that this request should be responsive, as he expects that the US Department of State would have followed up on a high-profile case involving US citizens, and would have made representations to, or liaised with, various Canadian federal and Québec authorities.

The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.

In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 20 business days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Alexandre Kampouris

From: National Archives and Records Administration

Dear Mr. Kampouris:

Thank you for submitting your Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request
dated November 6, 2019 to the National Archives and Records Administration
that we received on the same date via email to foia <goog_788915744>
@nara.gov. You are looking for State Department records.

This office handles FOIA and Privacy Act requests for the National Archives
and Records Administration's *operational* records (records created by this
agency). Because your FOIA request is for records that may
be archival records (records created by or originated in a different agency
but that may have been transferred to the legal custody of NARA), we have
forwarded it to our *Office of Research Services, Textual Reference
(RDT2)* staff
who handle FOIA requests for textual archival records.

That office will assign your request a tracking number and respond directly
to you within the next 20 business days. In the future, if you need to
follow up with that office directly, please contact them at the address
below, or electronically via email.

National Archives and Records Administration
Research Services, Textual Reference Branch (RDT2)
8601 Adelphi Road, Room 2400
College Park, MD 20740

By phone: 301-837-3091
By fax: 301-837-1752
By email: archives2reference@nara.gov

For your reference, a copy of your request is below.

Please visit our website at www.archives.gov/foia for further information
about making a FOIA request to NARA. On our main website,
www.archives.gov, you
can learn more about the resources we offer to the public, and you can
access our online catalog.

Thank you for contacting the National Archives.

Sincerely,
Susan Gillett
Government Information Specialist
Office of General Counsel
National Archives and Records Administration
College Park, MD 20740-6001
301-837-3409
susan.gillett@nara.gov

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: requests@muckrock.com <
requests@muckrock.com>
Date: Wed, Nov 6, 2019 at 2:40 PM
Subject: RE: Freedom of Information Act Request #F-2019-08750
To: <FOIA@nara.gov>

U.S. Department of State
FOIA Office
U. S. Department of State
Washington, DC 20522-8100

November 6, 2019

This is a follow up to request number F-2019-08750:

Hi there,

We've been instructed to send this FOIA request to your office for
processing. Confirmation of receipt and an estimated date of completion
would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!
___________
To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, I hereby request the following
records:

All records pertaining to the 1953 disappearance and murder of the
following three US citizens:

Eugene H. Lindsay, 47
Richard E. Lindsay, 17
Frederick Claar, 20

All three individuals were of Hollidaysburg PA.

They were last seen alive on or about 12 June 1953 as they entered the
forest on a bear-hunting trip along the St-Jean river of the Gaspé
peninsula in Québec, Canada.

The older Lindsay was a pipe fitter at the Altoona Works of the
Pennsylvania Railroad.

A Canadian citizen, Wilbert Coffin, was convicted of one count of murder
related to the above individuals. He was hanged in 1956 protesting his
innocence.

All records pertaining to Wilbert Coffin are also herewith requested,
including anything relating to the controversies that ensued in the
following decades, including books, a public commission of inquiry, and a
film.

Finally, records on any prior FOIA requests relating to Claar, Coffin, or
the Lindsays, are also requested.

The requester believes that this request should be responsive, as he
expects that the US Department of State would have followed up on a
high-profile case involving US citizens, and would have made
representations to, or liaised with, various Canadian federal and Québec
authorities.

The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and
this request is not being made for commercial purposes.

In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform
me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer
the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or
CD-ROM if not.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I
look forward to receiving your response to this request within 20 business
days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Alexandre Kampouris

Filed via MuckRock.com
E-mail (Preferred): requests@muckrock.com
Upload documents directly:
https://www.muckrock.com/
Is this email coming to the wrong contact? Something else wrong? Use the
above link to let us know.

For mailed responses, please address (see note):
MuckRock News
DEPT MR 78136
411A Highland Ave
Somerville, MA 02144-2516

PLEASE NOTE: This request is not filed by a MuckRock staff member, but is
being sent through MuckRock by the above in order to better track, share,
and manage public records requests. Also note that improperly addressed
(i.e., with the requester's name rather than "MuckRock News" and the
department number) requests might be returned as undeliverable.

---

On Nov. 5, 2019:
Subject: FW: scan (F-2019-08750)
Mr. Kampouris,

This is in response to your letters dated August 27&28, 2019. On August 26,
2019, the Department acknowledged your FOIA request dated August 1, 2019,
and assigned it case control number F-2019-08750. The Department's letter
advised that the records you seek are no longer in the possession of the
Department. You were also advised to contact the National Archives and
Records Administration (NARA). For your reference, attached is a copy of
the Department's acknowledgement letter.
If you have further concerns or any questions regarding any FOIA-related
matter, please contact the FOIA Requester Service Center (FRSC) at
202-261-8484 or send an e-mail to foiastatus@state.gov<mailto:
foiastatus@state.gov>.
Regards,
Katrina M. Wood
U.S. Department of State
FOIA Requester Service Center
---

On Aug. 27, 2019:
Subject:
Potentially responsive documents were transferred to another department.
---

On July 30, 2019:
Subject: Freedom of Information Act Request: "Coffin affair", 1953

To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, I hereby request the following
records:

All records pertaining to the 1953 disappearance and murder of the
following three US citizens:

Eugene H. Lindsay, 47
Richard E. Lindsay, 17
Frederick Claar, 20

All three individuals were of Hollidaysburg PA.

They were last seen alive on or about 12 June 1953 as they entered the
forest on a bear-hunting trip along the St-Jean river of the Gaspé
peninsula in Québec, Canada.

The older Lindsay was a pipe fitter at the Altoona Works of the
Pennsylvania Railroad.

A Canadian citizen, Wilbert Coffin, was convicted of one count of murder
related to the above individuals. He was hanged in 1956 protesting his
innocence.

All records pertaining to Wilbert Coffin are also herewith requested,
including anything relating to the controversies that ensued in the
following decades, including books, a public commission of inquiry, and a
film.

Finally, records on any prior FOIA requests relating to Claar, Coffin, or
the Lindsays, are also requested.

The requester believes that this request should be responsive, as he
expects that the US Department of State would have followed up on a
high-profile case involving US citizens, and would have made
representations to, or liaised with, various Canadian federal and Québec
authorities.

The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and
this request is not being made for commercial purposes.

In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform
me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer
the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or
CD-ROM if not.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I
look forward to receiving your response to this request within 20 business
days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Alexandre Kampouris

Filed via MuckRock.com
E-mail (Preferred): requests@muckrock.com
Upload documents directly:
https://www.muckrock.com/
Is this email coming to the wrong contact? Something else wrong? Use the
above link to let us know.

For mailed responses, please address (see note):
MuckRock News
DEPT MR 78136
411A Highland Ave
Somerville, MA 02144-2516

PLEASE NOTE: This request is not filed by a MuckRock staff member, but is
being sent through MuckRock by the above in order to better track, share,
and manage public records requests. Also note that improperly addressed
(i.e., with the requester's name rather than "MuckRock News" and the
department number) requests might be returned as undeliverable.

From: National Archives and Records Administration

Dear Mr. Kampouris:

This is in response to your November 6, 2019, Freedom of Information Act
request (RDT2 20-07273) about Department of State records on the murder of
three Americans in Canada in 1953. We received your request on November 8.

The records of the U.S. consulate in Quebec City were not designated for
preservation in the National Archives. We searched the central files of
the Department maintained in Washington. We located only two documents
relating to the murder of Eugene Lindsey, Richard Lindsey, and Fredrick
Claar. The attached pdf includes an image of each document, as well as
citation information. We located no references to Wilbert Coffin.

The materials you are requesting are already open for public viewing in our
research room at the National Archives in College Park, MD, located at 8601
Adelphi Road, College Park, MD. Since there are no access restrictions on
these documents, there was no need to file a Freedom of Information Act
request with the National Archives.

This concludes the processing of your request.

If you are not satisfied with our action on this request, your options for
appeal and dispute resolution are as follows:

You have the right to file an administrative appeal in writing via regular
U.S. mail or email. Your appeal should be received within ninety (90)
calendar days from the date of this letter and it should explain why you
believe this response does not meet the requirements of the Freedom of
Information Act. Please address it to the Deputy Archivist of the United
States (ND), National Archives and Records Administration, 8601 Adelphi
Road, College Park, Maryland 20740. Both the letter and the envelope
should be clearly marked “Freedom of Information Act Appeal.” You may also
submit your appeal to FOIA@nara.gov also addressed to the Deputy Archivist.
All correspondence should reference your internal case tracking number
noted above.

In addition to your right to file an administrative appeal with the Deputy
Archivist, you may seek assistance from our acting FOIA Public Liaison
(FPL). Contact information for the FOIA Public Liaison at the National
Archives, Washington DC area is as follows:
FOIA requester Service Center telephone number: 301-837-3190
Acting FOIA Public Liaison: Britney Crawford
8601 Adelphi Road, Room 5500
College Park, MD 20740-6001
Telephone number: 301-837-3190
E-mail address: DC.FOIA.LIAISON@NARA.GOV

Finally, the Office of Government Information Services (OGIS) offers
mediation services to resolve disputes between FOIA requesters and Federal
agencies as a non-exclusive alternative to administrative appeals. Using
OGIS services does not affect your right to pursue an administrative
appeal. The contact information for OGIS is as follows:
Office of Government Information Services
National Archives and Records Administration
Room 2510
8601 Adelphi Road
College Park, MD 20740-6001
E-mail: ogis@nara.gov
Telephone: 202-741-5770
Facsimile: 202-741-5769
Toll-free: 1-877-684-6448

Sincerely,
DAVID A. LANGBART
Textual Records Division
National Archives at College Park, MD

david.langbart@nara.gov
www.archives.gov

RDT2 20-07273

---------- Forwarded message ---------
> From: Susan Gillett <susan.gillett@nara.gov>
> Date: Thu, Nov 7, 2019 at 7:07 AM
> Subject: Fwd: Freedom of Information Act Request #F-2019-08750
> To: <requests@muckrock.com>
> Cc: Textual Reference Archives II Branch <archives2reference@nara.gov>
>
> Dear Mr. Kampouris:
>
> Thank you for submitting your Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request
> dated November 6, 2019 to the National Archives and Records Administration
> that we received on the same date via email to foia
> <http://goog_788915744>@nara.gov. You are looking for State Department
> records.
>
> This office handles FOIA and Privacy Act requests for the National
> Archives and Records Administration's *operational* records (records
> created by this agency). Because your FOIA request is for records that
> may be archival records (records created by or originated in a different
> agency but that may have been transferred to the legal custody of NARA), we
> have forwarded it to our *Office of Research Services, Textual Reference
> (RDT2)* staff who handle FOIA requests for textual archival records.
>
> That office will assign your request a tracking number and respond
> directly to you within the next 20 business days. In the future, if you
> need to follow up with that office directly, please contact them at the
> address below, or electronically via email.
>
> National Archives and Records Administration
> Research Services, Textual Reference Branch (RDT2)
> 8601 Adelphi Road, Room 2400
> College Park, MD 20740
>
> By phone: 301-837-3091
> By fax: 301-837-1752
> By email: archives2reference@nara.gov
>
> For your reference, a copy of your request is below.
>
> Please visit our website at www.archives.gov/foia for further
> information about making a FOIA request to NARA. On our main website,
> www.archives.gov, you can learn more about the resources we offer to the
> public, and you can access our online catalog.
>
> Thank you for contacting the National Archives.
>
> Sincerely,
> Susan Gillett
> Government Information Specialist
> Office of General Counsel
> National Archives and Records Administration
> College Park, MD 20740-6001
> 301-837-3409
> susan.gillett@nara.gov
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ---------
> From: requests@muckrock.com <
> requests@muckrock.com>
> Date: Wed, Nov 6, 2019 at 2:40 PM
> Subject: RE: Freedom of Information Act Request #F-2019-08750
> To: <FOIA@nara.gov>
>
> U.S. Department of State
> FOIA Office
> U. S. Department of State
> Washington, DC 20522-8100
>
> November 6, 2019
>
> This is a follow up to request number F-2019-08750:
>
> Hi there,
>
> We've been instructed to send this FOIA request to your office for
> processing. Confirmation of receipt and an estimated date of completion
> would be greatly appreciated.
>
> Thank you!
> ___________
> To Whom It May Concern:
>
> Pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, I hereby request the following
> records:
>
> All records pertaining to the 1953 disappearance and murder of the
> following three US citizens:
>
> Eugene H. Lindsay, 47
> Richard E. Lindsay, 17
> Frederick Claar, 20
>
> All three individuals were of Hollidaysburg PA.
>
> They were last seen alive on or about 12 June 1953 as they entered the
> forest on a bear-hunting trip along the St-Jean river of the Gaspé
> peninsula in Québec, Canada.
>
> The older Lindsay was a pipe fitter at the Altoona Works of the
> Pennsylvania Railroad.
>
> A Canadian citizen, Wilbert Coffin, was convicted of one count of murder
> related to the above individuals. He was hanged in 1956 protesting his
> innocence.
>
> All records pertaining to Wilbert Coffin are also herewith requested,
> including anything relating to the controversies that ensued in the
> following decades, including books, a public commission of inquiry, and a
> film.
>
> Finally, records on any prior FOIA requests relating to Claar, Coffin, or
> the Lindsays, are also requested.
>
> The requester believes that this request should be responsive, as he
> expects that the US Department of State would have followed up on a
> high-profile case involving US citizens, and would have made
> representations to, or liaised with, various Canadian federal and Québec
> authorities.
>
> The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and
> this request is not being made for commercial purposes.
>
> In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform
> me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer
> the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or
> CD-ROM if not.
>
> Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I
> look forward to receiving your response to this request within 20 business
> days, as the statute requires.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Alexandre Kampouris
>
> Filed via MuckRock.com
> E-mail (Preferred): requests@muckrock.com
> Upload documents directly:
> https://www.muckrock.com/
> Is this email coming to the wrong contact? Something else wrong? Use the
> above link to let us know.
>
> For mailed responses, please address (see note):
> MuckRock News
> DEPT MR 78136
> 411A Highland Ave
> Somerville, MA 02144-2516
>
> PLEASE NOTE: This request is not filed by a MuckRock staff member, but is
> being sent through MuckRock by the above in order to better track, share,
> and manage public records requests. Also note that improperly addressed
> (i.e., with the requester's name rather than "MuckRock News" and the
> department number) requests might be returned as undeliverable.
>
> ---
>
> On Nov. 5, 2019:
> Subject: FW: scan (F-2019-08750)
> Mr. Kampouris,
>
> This is in response to your letters dated August 27&28, 2019. On August
> 26, 2019, the Department acknowledged your FOIA request dated August 1,
> 2019, and assigned it case control number F-2019-08750. The Department's
> letter advised that the records you seek are no longer in the possession of
> the Department. You were also advised to contact the National Archives and
> Records Administration (NARA). For your reference, attached is a copy of
> the Department's acknowledgement letter.
> If you have further concerns or any questions regarding any FOIA-related
> matter, please contact the FOIA Requester Service Center (FRSC) at
> 202-261-8484 or send an e-mail to foiastatus@state.gov<mailto:
> foiastatus@state.gov>.
> Regards,
> Katrina M. Wood
> U.S. Department of State
> FOIA Requester Service Center
> ---
>
> On Aug. 27, 2019:
> Subject:
> Potentially responsive documents were transferred to another department.
> ---
>
> On July 30, 2019:
> Subject: Freedom of Information Act Request: "Coffin affair", 1953
>
> To Whom It May Concern:
>
> Pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, I hereby request the following
> records:
>
> All records pertaining to the 1953 disappearance and murder of the
> following three US citizens:
>
> Eugene H. Lindsay, 47
> Richard E. Lindsay, 17
> Frederick Claar, 20
>
> All three individuals were of Hollidaysburg PA.
>
> They were last seen alive on or about 12 June 1953 as they entered the
> forest on a bear-hunting trip along the St-Jean river of the Gaspé
> peninsula in Québec, Canada.
>
> The older Lindsay was a pipe fitter at the Altoona Works of the
> Pennsylvania Railroad.
>
> A Canadian citizen, Wilbert Coffin, was convicted of one count of murder
> related to the above individuals. He was hanged in 1956 protesting his
> innocence.
>
> All records pertaining to Wilbert Coffin are also herewith requested,
> including anything relating to the controversies that ensued in the
> following decades, including books, a public commission of inquiry, and a
> film.
>
> Finally, records on any prior FOIA requests relating to Claar, Coffin, or
> the Lindsays, are also requested.
>
> The requester believes that this request should be responsive, as he
> expects that the US Department of State would have followed up on a
> high-profile case involving US citizens, and would have made
> representations to, or liaised with, various Canadian federal and Québec
> authorities.
>
> The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and
> this request is not being made for commercial purposes.
>
> In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform
> me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer
> the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or
> CD-ROM if not.
>
> Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I
> look forward to receiving your response to this request within 20 business
> days, as the statute requires.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Alexandre Kampouris
>
> Filed via MuckRock.com
> E-mail (Preferred): requests@muckrock.com
> Upload documents directly:
> https://www.muckrock.com/
> Is this email coming to the wrong contact? Something else wrong? Use the
> above link to let us know.
>
> For mailed responses, please address (see note):
> MuckRock News
> DEPT MR 78136
> 411A Highland Ave
> Somerville, MA 02144-2516
>
> PLEASE NOTE: This request is not filed by a MuckRock staff member, but is
> being sent through MuckRock by the above in order to better track, share,
> and manage public records requests. Also note that improperly addressed
> (i.e., with the requester's name rather than "MuckRock News" and the
> department number) requests might be returned as undeliverable.
>
>

From: National Archives and Records Administration

Mr. Kampouris,

You previously contacted the Department of State's FOIA Requester Service Center and requested an estimated date of completion (EDC) for your request, Case Control Number F-2019-08750.

It has been determined that the EDC for this request is 2/14/20. EDCs are estimates and are subject to change. Please be advised that the Department takes its FOIA responsibilities seriously and is processing your request as quickly as possible. If your request can be completed prior to the EDC, a response will be sent to you sooner.

If you have any concerns or questions regarding a FOIA-related matter, please contact the FOIA Requester Service Center (FRSC) at 202-261-8484 or send an e-mail to foiastatus@state.gov<mailto:foiastatus@state.gov>

If you are unable to get assistance from the FOIA Requester Service Center, you may also contact the FOIA Public Liaison, Kellie Robinson, who can be reached at (202) 485-2199 or via email at RobinsonKN@state.gov<mailto:RobinsonKN@state.gov>.
Regards,
Katrina M. Wood
U.S. Department of State
FOIA Requester Service Center

From: National Archives and Records Administration

FRIENDLY REMINDER:

This is the wrong email address for an FOIA status checks please send all FOIA status checks to foiastatus@state.gov<mailto:foiastatus@state.gov>. to properly be addressed therefore everything will be deleted from woodkm1@state.gov<mailto:woodkm1@state.gov>.

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