A child's dial typewriter used for ransom note, with a hand operating it. Photograph ordered by the Seattle Star. On December 27, 1936, Charles Mattson was kidnapped by an armed and masked intruder at his parents' home at 4605 No. Verde. The ransom note left behind appeared to be typed on a child's typing machine or made with a child's letter stamps. The note contained less than 25 words and demanded $28,000 ransom. Misspellings were corrected with pen and ink. (T. Times 12/28/1936- 1/25/1937, pg. 1) (filed with Argentum)

Kidnappings--Tacoma--1930-1940; Mattson, Charles--Kidnappings;

Charles Mattson, on right, tied to a telephone pole while playing "G-men" with another boy. According to the Tacoma Times, FBI men were Charles' heroes and he and his friends often played "kidnap" where Charles doubled as the victim and the G-man. Later, in December of 1936 at the age of ten, Charles Mattson was kidnapped from his parents' Tacoma home and murdered. Despite the questioning of numerous suspects across the country the following month, the case was never solved. This photograph shows a younger Charles and appeared on the front page of the Tacoma Times December 30, 1936. (T. Times 12-28-1936 - 1-25-1937, pg. 1) (filed with Argentum)

Kidnappings--Tacoma--1930-1940; Mattson, Charles;

Mattson kidnapping case. Warehouses and shoreline along Commencement Bay. Photograph ordered by the Seattle Star. On December 27, 1936, at around 9 p.m., ten year old Charles Mattson was abducted from his parents' home by an armed intruder. The man left a typed ransom note demanding $28,000. He then, it is believed, carried the 70 pound boy down a steep cliff behind the Mattson home, across the railroad tracks and to a waiting car on Ruston Way. The following day, the area was crawling with press attempting to fill their front pages. It was hypothesized the the abductor could have hidden the boy in one of the warehouses along the waterfront. (T. Times 12/28/1936- 1/25/1937, pg. 1)

Waterfronts--Tacoma--1930-1940; Piers & wharves--Tacoma--1930-1940; Kidnappings--Tacoma--1930-1940; Warehouses--Tacoma--1930-1940; Mattson, Charles--Kidnappings;

Mattson kidnapping case, schoolmates of Charles Mattson. Five young boys sitting on concrete steps. One youth is holding a small dog. The boys are Wallis Anderson, Robert Olsen, Marvin Shaw, Richard Hunt and Bill Stevenson. Photograph ordered by the Seattle Star. On the night of December 27, 1936, ten year old Charles Mattson was abducted by an armed intruder at his parents' home at 4605 No. Verde. He was never seen alive again. The intruder demanded a ransom of $28, 000 for the boy's safe return. The fourth grader at Sherman School had many friends in the neighborhood. Some of his friends pose in this picture for the Seattle Star, as newspapers across the country scrambled for pictures to fill their front pages. From 1934 to this point, there were no less than 12 well publicized kidnappings across the nation, beginning with the Lindbergh baby. (T. Times 12/28/1936- 1/25/1937, pg. 1; photograph printed T. Times 12/28/1936, pg. 5)

Kidnappings--Tacoma--1930-1940; Boys--Tacoma--1930-1940; Mattson, Charles--Kidnappings;

View of Dr. William Mattson residence, Hill and Mock, Architects, Nelson J. Morrison, designer, circa 1925. Photograph ordered by the Seattle Star. On December 27, 1936, on a night characterized by heavy darkness and fitful showers, a masked intruder forced his way into a rear entrance of the Mattson residence and abducted ten year old Charles. Charles, his brother William, 16, sister Muriel, 14, and family friend Virginia Chatfield, 14, of Seattle had been in the front room watching motorists drive up to view the enormous evergreens lit up like Christmas trees on the Mattson front lawn. The intruder carried 70 pound Charles down a steep cliff behind the home that led to Ruston Way and the waterfront. He left behind a ransom note demanding $28,000 dollars. A previous kidnapping attempt had been made in November of 1936 only two blocks away; as a prowler placed a ladder to a second floor window in an attempt to abduct the 6 year old son of Mr. and Mrs. George Franklin. The Franklins had purchased "Haddaway Hall, " the home of John Philip Weyerhaeuser Sr. at 4301 No. Stevens. The attempt was foiled when Mrs. Franklin was awakened by the beam of a flashlight. No fewer than 12 high profile kidnappings had occurred nationally since the 1934 kidnapping of the Lindbergh baby. Like in the Lindbergh case, Charles Mattson was found murdered. His murder was never solved. (T.Times 12/28/1936- 1/25/1937)

Kidnappings--Tacoma--1930-1940; Houses--Tacoma--1930-1940; Mattson, William--Homes & haunts; Mattson, Charles--Homes & haunts; Mattson, Charles--Kidnappings;

Charles Mattson's maternal grandfather Charles Fletcher showing the door through which his grandson was kidnapped. On December 27, 1936, Charles Mattson was abducted by a masked and armed man who forced his way in through this rear door. The broken glass panes have been replaced. With his parents attending a social function, Charles was spending the evening at his home with his brother, sister and a family friend. A ransom demand was made for $28,000. The ransom was never paid despite many attempts by his parents to respond to irrational instructions. The boy's body was found January 10, 1937 in a snowy woods near Everett. The crime was never solved. Mr. Fletcher was 78 years old at the time of the kidnapping and resided at 3205 No. 20th St.(T. Times 12/29/1936, pg. 1)

Kidnappings--Tacoma--1930-1940; Mattson, Charles--Homes & haunts; Fletcher, Charles; Mattson, Charles--Kidnappings;

Copy photograph of Charles Mattson, on pony, wearing hat, scarf, leather vest and chaps. At the age of ten, Charles Mattson was kidnapped at gunpoint from his parents' home at 4605 No. Verde. Copies were made of several older photographs of the boy, such as this one, as newspapers fought to fill their front pages with the story. No fewer than 12 high profile kidnappings had occurred since 1934 and the famous kidnapping and murder of the Lindbergh baby. Charles' parents, Dr. and Mrs. William W. Mattson, were an unusual target; they were only modestly well-to-do and not widely known. In fact, Dr. Mattson had lost much of his savings in the Depression and his $50,000 home was heavily mortgaged. The boy's battered body was found in the woods in Snohomish County, near Everett, on January 10, 1937. His death brought the largest manhunt in Pacific Northwest history, involving federal FBI men, state, county and city law officers. After a few weeks, despite questioning a large number of suspects, all leads failed. The story slipped from the front page January 26, 1937 and the murder remains unsolved. (T. Times 12/28/1936- 1/25/1937, pg. 1; photograph used T. Times 1/29/1937, pg. 1) (filed with Argentum)

Kidnappings--Tacoma--1930-1940; Mattson, Charles;

Mattson kidnapping case. Bluff behind the home of Dr. William Mattson at 4605 No. Verde. On December 27, 1936, a masked gunman abducted ten year old Charles Mattson from his home. It is believed that he carried the boy down this steep cliff to a waiting car on Ruston Way. A ransom of $28,000 was demanded for the boy's safe return. The note was typed in purple ink on a child's typing set. All communications with the kidnapper were to be made through classified ads in the Seattle Times. Newspapers from across the nation publicized every event in the case. Within 48 hours, the Northwest was hit with frigid temperatures and record snowfall. Concern grew for the lightly clad boy who was recovering from a severe cold. The days dragged on as the frantic Mattsons attempted to contact the kidnapper. The body of the boy was found in a snowbank in a wooded area near Everett on January 10, 1937. He had been dead for 5-6 days. His murderer was never found. (T. Times 12/28/1936 - 1/25/1937, pg. 1)

Kidnappings--Tacoma--1930-1940; Mattson, Charles--Kidnappings;

Charles Mattson kidnapping case. Hillside bluff below the Mattson home; photograph ordered by the Seattle Star. On December 27, 1936, while his parents attended a social function, Charles Mattson was snatched from his home at 4605 No. Verde, in the view of his brother, sister and a family friend, by an armed and masked man who forced his way through a rear door of the house. The masked intruder carried him bodily down the steep cliff behind the Mattson house. At daybreak, the FBI and Tacoma police swarmed the deep gully at the base of Verde Street on Ruston Way, adjacent to the waterfront, looking for clues. (T. Times 12/28/1936- 1/25/1937, pg. 1)

Kidnappings--Tacoma--1930-1940; Mattson, Charles--Kidnappings;

Mattson kidnapping case. View from Ruston Way of hillside below the Mattson home. Two boys are standing on the edge of the bluff. Photograph ordered by the Seattle Star. On the evening of December 27, 1936 at around 9 p.m., a masked gunman forced his way into the Mattson home at 4605 No. Verde and snatched ten year old Charles Mattson. The intruder carried the 70 pound boy down the steep cliff behind the home, across the railroad tracks and it is believed to a waiting accomplice and get away car on Ruston Way. The boy's battered body was recovered January 10, 1937 near Everett. The demanded $28,000 ransom was never paid and the boy's murderer was never apprehended. (T. Times 12/28/1936 - 1/25/1937, pg. 1)

Kidnappings--Tacoma--1930-1940; Mattson, Charles--Kidnappings;

Copy of letter left by kidnapper of Charles Mattson, photograph ordered by the Seattle Star. On December 27, 1936, ten year old Charles Mattson was abducted by a armed and masked man from his parents' home at 4605 No. Verde. A ransom note was left demanding $28,000 in unmarked bills. The letter was typed in purple ink on a cheap grade of paper. It appeared to be typed on a child's typing machine. Mistakes in spelling were corrected with pen and ink. The note had rigorous demands regarding the age and denomination of the bills. Ransom money had been traced and used as evidence in the Lindbergh and Weyerhaeuser kidnapping cases. Communication with the kidnapper was to be made through classified ads in the Seattle Times personal section, addressed to "Mable" and signed "Tim." The kidnapper also signed his note "Tim." For some reason, probably due to later communication from the kidnapper, the actual personal ads were signed "Ann." It was later disclosed, after Charles' body was recovered, that later communications from the kidnapper came through the mails and on the telephone. (T. Times 12/28/1936- 1/25/1937, pg. 1)

Kidnappings--Tacoma--1930-1940; Mattson, Charles--Associated objects;

On the evening of December 27, 1936, ten year old Charles Mattson was kidnapped from his home at gunpoint in front of his brother William, 16; sister Muriel, 14; and her friend Virginia Chatfield, 14, of Seattle. This is a copy of an earlier photograph of Charles Mattson in a sweater and shorts standing next to his sister Muriel, wearing shorts, a heavy coat and hat, standing outside house where kidnapping occurred. Copy made for the Seattle Star. Muriel was four years older than Charles. A ransom demand of $28,000 was made for the boy's safe return. The boy's body was found January 10, 1937 in a snowy woods near Everett. The ransom was never paid despite many efforts of his frantic parents to comply with the kidnapper's demands. The demands were so erratic and conflicting that law officials felt that the kidnapper had to be insane. Despite the questioning of many suspects, the crime was never solved. (T. Times 12/28/1936- 1/25/1937, pg. 1)

Kidnappings--Tacoma--1930-1940; Mattson, Charles;

Older boy with rake and Charles Mattson in yard of his parents' two-story Tudor-style house. The older boy is most probably Charles' brother William, who was six years older. Copy of this photograph made for the Seattle Star in 1936. On December 27, 1936, Charles Mattson was abducted at gunpoint from his parent's home by a swarthy man with a heavy black beard and a European accent. Charles, his brother William, sister Muriel, and family friend Virginia Chatfield, 14, of Seattle had been watching cars slow down to enjoy the home's Christmas light display when an armed man forced his way through a French door at the rear of the home, kidnapping Charles and leaving a ransom note. Dr. and Mrs. William Mattson were away at a social event. Charles was never seen alive again and his murder was never solved. (T. Times 12/28/1936- 1/25/1937) (filed with Argentum)

Kidnappings--Tacoma--1930-1940; Mattson, Charles;

Copy photograph of Charles Mattson, as a young child. Ten year old Charles Mattson was kidnapped from his parents' Tacoma home, at 4605 No. Verde, at gunpoint December 27, 1936. A ransom of $28,000 for his return was demanded in a note left at the crime scene. Conflicting and confusing demands from the kidnapper by phone and mail prevented his parents, Dr. and Mrs. William W. Mattson, from paying the ransom. Charles' battered body was found in a wooded snowbank near Everett by a teenage rabbit hunter on January 10th, 1937. He had been murdered 5-6 days before. The kidnapper had continued to make ransom demands even after the boy's death. Many suspects were questioned, but the murder remains unsolved. The investigation centered on the theory that the kidnapper was a madman. For Seattle Star. (T. Times 12/28/1936- 1/25/1937, pg. 1)

Kidnappings--Tacoma--1930-1940; Mattson, Charles;

Mattson kidnapping case. An open Bible and a poinsettia plant are seen on a wrought iron table at Charles Mattson's bedside. The Bible, treasured by the murdered boy, is said to be as he left it. The Bible had been won by the boy by attending Sunday School regularly. He had returned it to his bedside table after attending Sunday School the same day as the kidnapping. On Sunday, 12/27/1936, at around 9 p.m., Charles Mattson was abducted at gunpoint from his parents' home. A ransom of $28,000 was demanded for his return. As the days dragged on, the kidnapper's demands became more confused and conflicting. Dr. Mattson was unable to obtain clear instructions on paying the ransom. Charles' battered body was found in the snowy woods outside of Everett on January 10, 1937. His murder remains unsolved. (photograph T.Times 1/2/37 p. 10; story T. Times 12/28/1936- 1/25/1937, page 1)

Kidnappings--Tacoma--1930-1940; Bibles--Tacoma; Mattson, Charles--Associated objects;

Mattson kidnapping case, playmates of Charles Mattson. Three boys posed on the sidewalk for their portrait, ordered by the Seattle Star. At approximately 9 pm. on December 27, 1936, Charles Mattson, his 16 year old brother William, his 14 year old sister Muriel and a 14 year old family friend Virginia Chatfield sat in the front room of the Mattson home at 4605 No. Verde watching motorists drive up to view the large, living Christmas tree illuminated on the front lawn. The childrens' parents, Dr. and Mrs. William Mattson, were attending a social function. The idyllic scene was interrupted by the shattering of glass as an armed intruder broke through a french door at the rear of the house. He made a pretense of searching William for money and then bodily carried ten year old Charles out the rear of the house, leaving a ransom note. The Mattsons were an unusual target, although living in a wealthy neighborhood, the family was only moderately well-to-do. Dr. Mattson had lost much of his savings in the Great Depression and their home was mortgaged. He raised the $28,000 ransom with difficulty but was unable to receive clear instructions from the kidnapper on how to deliver the money. Charles Mattson was killed by a blow to head and dumped in a wooded area off of the Edmonds-Everett highway. His body was discovered January 10, 1937, he had been dead 5-6 days. Despite questioning and holding many suspects, the FBI and police were unable to locate his murderer. The canny and well planned kidnapping varied greatly from the kidnapper's later disjointed and confused communications. The authorities were led to believe that the kidnapper was a madman. (T. Times 12/28/1936 - 1/25/1937, pg. 1)

Kidnappings--Tacoma--1930-1940; Boys--Tacoma--1930-1940; Mattson, Charles--Kidnappings;

Mattson kidnapping case, marina showing boat houses and boats. Telephone and power lines in the background. Photograph ordered by the Seattle Star. On the evening of December 27, 1936, Charles Mattson was abducted from his home at 4605 No. Verde by a masked gunman in full view of his older brother, sister and family friend. Because the teens did not hear a car pull away, it is believed that the intruder carried the boy down a path at the rear of the house that winds down a steep embankment to a wooded gulch below. He would then escape by car on Ruston Way or by boat at the waterfront. The gunman demanded a $28,000 ransom for the boy's return. As days passed, subsequent communications by the kidnapper were confusing and conflicting. The frantic parents were unable to get clear instructions on how to deliver the ransom. The boy's body was found near Everett on January 10, 1937; he had been dead 5-6 days. The kidnapper had made ransom demands even after he had murdered the boy. A massive manhunt turned up many suspects, but no one was indicted in connection with the murder. The story slipped from the front page on January 26, 1937 as leads began to peter out. (T. Times 12/28/1936 - 1/25/1937, pg. 1)

Waterfronts--Tacoma--1930-1940; Piers & wharves--Tacoma--1930-1940; Kidnappings--Tacoma--1930-1940; Mattson, Charles--Kidnappings;

Sketch of the living room in the Mattson house on the night that Charles Mattson was kidnapped. On December 27, 1936, a masked gunman abducted ten year old Charles Mattson from his home. A drawing of the gunman is placed near the rear doors which he forced open to enter. The Mattson boy was at home with his brother, sister and a family friend. A demand for ransom was made. It was never paid, despite the family's efforts to deliver the money. The boy's body was found January 10, 1937 in a snowy woods near Everett. The crime was never solved. (WSHS)

Kidnappings--Tacoma--1930-1940; Mattson, Charles--Homes & haunts; Mattson, Charles--Kidnappings;

ca. 1937. Sentencing of Stanley G. Morrison, Tacoma real estate and investment broker tried for mail fraud in 1937. Four men crossing the street at 9th Street and Court A on their way to the Federal Courts. Mr. Morrison would end up serving three years of a five-year term at McNeil Island federal penitentiary. In October, 1941, he would be summoned to Superior Court on eleven counts of grand larceny in the alleged misappropriation of $30,000 entrusted to his firm by Frank Berry, fisherman. (T.Times, 10-14-41, p. 1, 10-16-41, p. 1)

Crimes--Tacoma; Morrison, Stanley G.--Trials, litigation, etc.;

ca. 1937. Sentencing of Stanley G. Morrison, Tacoma broker tried for mail fraud, 1937. Three men standing in the doorway to the Federal Building. Mr. Morrison would be sentenced to a five-year term for using the mails to defraud. He would be released on parole from McNeil Island federal penitentiary after serving three years. He then would be tried in Superior Court on 11 counts of fraud in 1941. (T.Times 10-14-41, p. 1)

Crimes--Tacoma; Morrison, Stanley G.--Trials, litigation, etc.;

ca. 1937. Sentencing of Stanley G. Morrison, Tacoma broker tried for mail fraud, 1937. Mr. Morrison would be sentenced to a five-year term for using the mails to defraud. He would be released on parole from McNeil Island federal penitentiary after serving three years. He then would be tried in Superior Court on 11 counts of fraud in 1941. (T.Times 10-14-41, p. 1)

Crimes--Tacoma; Morrison, Stanley G.--Trials, litigation, etc.;

ca. 1937. 1937 sentencing of Stanley G. Morrison, Tacoma investment broker tried for mail fraud. Courtroom filled with people. A courtroom awaits the sentencing of Mr. Morrison on federal charges of mail fraud. He would be sentenced to a five-year term at McNeil Island federal penitentiary and serve three years before being released on parole. He would be charged in 1941 with eleven counts of fraud stemming from a 1937 situation where Frank Berry, Old Town fisherman, lost $30,000 through investments made through the Morrison Investment Co. (T. Times, 10-14-41, p. 1)

Crimes--Tacoma; Morrison, Stanley G.--Trials, litigation, etc.;

On January 19, 1938, Pierce County Sheriff John C. Bjorklund posed on the steps of the old Pierce County Courthouse at 1012 South G Street with his 16-member staff. Sheriff Bjorklund is in the front row, second from the left. His criminal deputies donned blue caps, coats and high laced boots for this photograph. Marian Hager, stenographer, was the only female staff member. The names of the sixteen aides are listed in the newspaper caption. (TNT 1/19/1938, pg. 7-alternate photograph)

Bjorklund, John; Uniforms; Sheriffs--Pierce County--1930-1940; Law enforcement officers; Pierce County Courthouse (Tacoma); Courthouses--Tacoma; Hager, Marian;

Pierce County Sheriff's officers, George W. Kupka on right, flank Sheriff John C. Bjorklund on the Court House steps in January of 1938. John C. Bjorklund was in his second term. When re-elected in 1938, he received the largest majority ever given a candidate for any office in the history of Pierce County up to that time. Bjorklund was for many years the secretary of the Tacoma Longshoremen's Union and he was a familiar figure on Tacoma's waterfront. (filed with Argentum)

Bjorklund, John; Uniforms; Sheriffs--Pierce County--1930-1940; Pierce County Sheriffs (Tacoma); Pierce County Courthouse (Tacoma); Courthouses--Tacoma; Kupka, George;

Attempted robbery at Hunt and Mottet Company. Office interior. Police officer, or security guard, pointing out something to inspector who is taking notes. (T. Times)

Police--Tacoma--1930-1940; Robberies--Tacoma--1930-1940; Hunt & Mottet Co. (Tacoma);

Attempted robbery at Hunt and Mottet Company. Officers in office. Police officer looking around desk with flashlight. (T. Times)

Police--Tacoma--1930-1940; Robberies--Tacoma--1930-1940; Hunt & Mottet Co. (Tacoma);

Mental patient Frank Olson, also known as Lester Mead and Charles Thorp, wearing a cap and soiled jacket, caused a stir when he confessed to kidnapping Charles Mattson. Charles Mattson was kidnapped 12/27/1936; his body was found 1/10/1937 and his murder unsolved. It was later learned that Olson was an escaped mental patient from Medical Lake Asylum. Medical Lake staff told the FBI that Olson had been at the asylum since 1925, and had walked off before. He was also considered harmless and liked to pretend that he was a wanted criminal. Prior to his exoneration, however, special editions of the Tacoma News Tribune and a Seattle morning paper were released proclaiming him as the culprit in the heinous crime. He did fit the description of the kidnapper given by the Mattson children present at the kidnapping. He was held by the state patrol at the Hotel Winthrop for two days of questioning before the case fell apart, then returned to Medical Lake. (T. Times 7/13/1938, p.1).

Kidnappings--Tacoma--1930-1940; Olson, Frank; Mattson, Charles--Kidnappings;

Frank Olson, also known as Lester Mead and Charles Thorp, poses for the police photographer without his hat. He bore a startling resemblance to the kidnapper of Charles Mattson, as described by the other children present at the event. He stunned the community when he confessed to the crime. Charles Mattson was kidnapped 12/27/1936; his body was found 1/10/1937 and his murder unsolved. The Tacoma News Tribune and a Seattle morning paper released special editions proclaiming that the case had been cracked. It was later learned that the 32 year old male was an escaped mental patient from Medical Lake Asylum. He was held for a few days for questioning at the Hotel Winthrop, then returned to the Asylum. He apparently liked to pose as famous criminals. (T. Times 7/13/1938, p.1).

Kidnappings--Tacoma--1930-1940; Olson, Frank; Mattson, Charles--Kidnappings;

Washington State Patrol officers review Charles Mattson kidnapping crime scene photographs with an unidentified man. Ten year old Charles Mattson was kidnapped for ransom on December 27, 1936. His battered body was recovered January 10, 1937. His murder was never solved. Frank Olson, a mental patient at Medical Lake Asylum, confessed to kidnapping the Mattson boy. After two days of questioning by the State Patrol at the Winthrop Hotel, Olson, also known as Lester Mead and Charles Thorp, was found harmless and was returned to the Asylum. He was in residence at the Asylum at the time of the kidnapping. (T. Times 7/13/1938, pg. 1; TNT 7/13/1938, pg.1)

Kidnappings--Tacoma--1930-1940; Washington State Patrol (Tacoma); Mattson, Charles--Kidnappings;

A Washington State Patrol officer knocks on the door of room 305 at the Winthrop Hotel where officers questioned Frank Olson who had confessed to the Mattson kidnapping. Olson, also known as Lester Mead and Charles Thorp, had walked away from the Medical Lake Asylum and fabricated his part in the crime. He was found to be harmless and returned to the Asylum. The state officers were accused by the Tacoma Times of blowing up the entire incident with poor investigative technique. To make matters worse, the Times claimed that special editions were released by the Tacoma News Tribune and a Seattle morning paper proclaiming that the crime had been solved. (T. Times 7/13/1938, pg. 1; TNT 7/13/1938, pg. 1)

Kidnappings--Tacoma--1930-1940; Washington State Patrol (Tacoma); Mattson, Charles--Kidnappings;