Underground Esther Shemitz

reuben shemitz (dec 1948), shemitz s older brother

when chambers defected underground, grace hutchins delivered death threat against him, through brother, attorney reuben shemitz. later, following grand jury investigation in december 1948, reuben shemitz told press:

(hutchins) said wanted see him on matter of life , death ... assured me no harm come sister or children if whit in touch known whit steve (j. peters).

in 1952 memoir, chambers detailed:

there strode brother-in-law s office 1 morning rather striking-looking white-haired woman, fifty years old. told receptionist miss grace hutchins wished see mr. shemitz...

in private office, came point @ once: if agree turn chambers on us, said, party guarantee safety of sister , children. startled brother-in-law, who, americans, unaware of communism (we had never discussed subject), tried explain did not know whereabouts of sister, husband or children... if not show (such , such day), said briskly, killed. left...

terrified visit , unable warn us, frantic. rushed 2 people think of might know were... neither of them him.

she managed family s pipe creek farm during many active years late 1930s until mid-1950s.