Journalists from across the country congregate in the vicinity of the J.P. (Phil) Weyerhaeuser Jr. home, 420 No. 4th St., after the May 24, 1935 kidnapping of nine year old George Weyerhaeuser and his June 1st release. The kidnapping was one of the hottest news stories of 1935 and was covered by reporters from across the nation. The story ended happily with the arrest and conviction of Harman and Margaret Waley and William Dainard. Most of the $200,000 in ransom money was recovered.

Kidnappings--Tacoma--1930-1940; Journalists--Tacoma--1930-1940; Photojournalists--Tacoma--1930-1940; Weyerhaeuser, George H.--Kidnappings;

In May of 1935, police guard the home of J.P. Weyerhaeuser Jr., 420 No. 4th St., keeping the press and the curious away while the family negotiates with their son's kidnappers. On May 24, 1935, nine year old George Weyerhaeuser was kidnapped from the grounds of the Annie Wright Seminary. The ransom demand was for $200,000. Reporters from around the country camped outside the Weyerhaeuser home hoping to get a story. The Weyerhaeusers managed to move secretly, pay the ransom and obtain the freedom of their son. The boy was returned safely on June 1st. (T. Times 5/25/1935, pg. 1 plus succeeding days) (filed with Argentum)

Kidnappings--Tacoma--1930-1940; Weyerhaeuser, John Philip--Homes & haunts; Weyerhaeuser, George H.--Kidnappings;

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;

ca. 1926. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Fletcher pose in happier days on the steps with their grandchildren Charles (in lap) and Muriel Mattson. On the evening of Dec. 27, 1936, ten year old Charles Mattson was kidnapped from the family's home. His parents received several ransom notes, but despite frantic attempts to contact the kidnappers, were unable to do so. On Jan. 10, 1937, the boy's battered body was found near a snowy road in Everett. The kidnapper has never been identified or caught. (filed with Argentum)

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

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;

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);

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;

A federal agent stands beside one of the huge redwood vats found in the July 1931 raid of Benston's Farm in Graham, Wa., to demonstrate its awesome size. This vat was calculated to hold 7,500 gallons of fermenting mash. The Prohibition era illegal distillery set up in Benston's barn contained a total of eight of these vats. The still operated 24 hours a day, seven days a week and could manufacture 100 gallons of pure alcohol every hour. At a market value of $10 per gallon, the feds estimated that the plant produced $20,000 worth of alcohol every 24 hours. It was reported that the operation was set up by a California syndicate, that rented the barn from Benston, and that it was backed by local capital. (TNT 7/17-19, 1931, pg. 1)

Benston, J. Thomas--Associated objects; Prohibition--Graham; Stills (Distilleries); Police raids--Graham;

On September 6, 1924 the Tacoma "Dry Squad" dug out an elaborately concealed illegal bootlegging operation that was hidden in a "cave" under the house at 7813 A Street. Two stills were found, each with a capacity of 50 gallons. One man was arrested and 200 gallons of finished moonshine seized. The Dry Squad members who took part in the raid were: (l to r) Captain Adam Wiley, R.C. Mowre, H.L. Phillips, William Farrar, William Blacksmith and W.H. Warren. The Dry Squad had been in business since May 15, 1923. (TDL 9-8-24, p. 1) TPL-9488; G24.1-078

Stills (Distilleries); Wiley, Adam; Mowre, R.C.; Phillips, H.L.; Farrar, William; Blacksmith, William; Warren, W.H.;

A roll of knotted bed sheets remains dangling from a window at the jail in the Public Safety Building, 621 Pacific Ave., on July 3, 1950. Federal prisoner Stanley P. O'Carter, age 34 of Phoenix, Arizona, made a daring attempt at escape from the multi-floored jail at 3:50 a.m. that morning. Only by chance was he captured as Officers Ed Cutler and Robert Hubert were passing nearby in the darkness at the time Mr. Carter dropped 12 feet onto the ground from the makeshift "ladder." Mr. Carter was one of only three federal prisoners in the government tank and had been alone in his cell for several days. It was believed that tools smuggled to him enabled him to cut a hole through the back of his cell and allowed him access to a small unbarred ventillating window on the north side of the building, immediately above the driveway. No tools were found on the prisoner nor in his cell. Mr. Carter did not resist arrest and was returned to the jail. (TNT 7-4-50, p. 1-article) TPL-6665

Public Safety Building (Tacoma); Prison escapes--Tacoma; Jails--Tacoma--1950-1960;

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;

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.;

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;

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;

Evidence in the kidnapping case of nine year old George Hunt Weyerhaeuser; communication by letter from the kidnappers and correspondence written by George. One of the later ransom notices, containing specific information for the delivery of money, was accompanied by this letter from George dated 5/25/1935, the day after the kidnapping. In it, he gives information about his family for verification and assures them that he has plenty to eat. A letter from the kidnappers received May 29th sets up a meeting at the Ambassador Hotel in Seattle and is signed "Egoist, Egoist." Phil Weyerhaeuser kept this appointment, signing the register as James Paul Jones as instructed, and attempted unsuccessfully to deliver the ransom on this attempt. He was successful in a second attempt. (T. Times 5/25/1935, pg. 1 plus succeeding days)

Kidnappings--Tacoma--1930-1940; Weyerhaeuser, George H.--Correspondence; Evidence (Law);

On May 24, 1935, nine year old George Weyerhaeuser was kidnapped near the grounds of the Annie Wright Seminary. The ransom demand was for $200,000. Reporters from around the country camped out outside the pictured home of the J.P. Weyerhaeuser Jr. family at 420 No. 4th St. hoping to get a story. The Weyerhaeusers managed to move secretly, pay the ransom and obtain the freedom of their son. Ironically the democratic efforts of the parents, in moving to a smaller home, in sending their son to public school at Lowell and in allowing him to walk alone the five or so blocks to meet his sister at Annie Wright, contributed to the ease in which he was kidnapped. To their credit, on his release on June 1st, they allowed him to return to his normal life without restrictions. (T. Times 5/25/1935, pg. 1 plus succeeding days)

Kidnappings--Tacoma--1930-1940; Weyerhaeuser, John Philip--Homes & haunts; Weyerhaeuser, George H.--Kidnappings;

Two men associated with the investigation into the kidnapping of young George Weyerhaeuser. The man on the left is believed to be US Attorney Owen P. Hughes and the man on the right is Pierce County Sheriff John Bjorklund. On May 24, 1935, the boy was abducted from the grounds of Annie Wright Seminary where he was planning to meet with his sister and travel home for lunch. (T. Times 5/25/1935, pg. 1 plus succeeding days)

Kidnappings--Tacoma--1930-1940; Weyerhaeuser, George H.--Kidnappings; Bjorklund, John;

George Hunt Weyerhaeuser, after his release from abductors on June 1, 1935. Nine year old George had curly hair and dark eyes. On May 24, 1935, in the most sensational crime in Tacoma history, George was kidnapped as he walked from Lowell School to Annie Wright Seminary to meet with his sister and travel home for lunch. He was held for $200,000 ransom. After the ransom was paid by his father J. P. (Phil) Weyerhaeuser, Jr., George was released near Issaquah and made his way to a local home to request help. His recollections of his abduction and imprisonment helped to convict the three kidnappers. To his parents' credit, he was allowed to resume his normal life on his return. (T. Times 06/02/1935, pg. 1 plus succeeding days)

Kidnappings--Tacoma--1930-1940; Weyerhaeuser, George H.;

Nineteen year old Margaret Waley covers her face with her coat after her arraignment on charges of kidnapping and extortion relating to the May 24, 1935 abduction of George Weyerhaeuser. Margaret, with her small stature, wavy brown hair and soft spoken ways, was generally pitied by the press. She was represented, in most cases, as being only an accessory to the kidnapping crime. She had married ex con Harman Waley against her parents' wishes. She seemed truly to love Harman however, exchanging kisses with him after the arraignment. The judge in the case, US Judge Edward Everett Cushman, later refused to accept her guilty plea and remanded her to trial. She was found guilty and sentenced to twenty years. (T. Times 06/13/1935, pg. 1 plus succeeding days)

Kidnappings--Tacoma--1930-1940; Waley, Margaret; Weyerhaeuser, George H.--Kidnappings;

Nine year old George Weyerhaeuser seems a bit perplexed by reporters' questions at a press conference given by the family after the boy's release from kidnappers on June 1, 1935. George, who exhibited courage and spunk throughout his captivity, earned the admiration of the reporters with his relaxed appearance after his ordeal. His recollections of his captors and his description of the house in which he was held helped in identifying the kidnappers. Original photo (series 2700, image 61) has been enlarged and cropped to make George more prominent for the newspaper photo. (TNT 6/1/35, pg. 1) TPL-9069

Kidnappings--Tacoma--1930-1940; Weyerhaeuser, George H.;

In May of 1935, police officers stand posted at the corners of the home of J.P. Weyerhaeuser Jr., 420 No. 4th St., keeping the press and the curious away while the family negotiates with their son's kidnappers. On May 24, 1935, nine year old George Weyerhaeuser was kidnapped from the grounds of the Annie Wright Seminary. Reporters from around the country camped outside the Weyerhaeuser home hoping to get a story. The Weyerhaeusers managed to move secretly, pay the ransom and obtain the freedom of their son. The boy was returned safely on June 1st. (T. Times 5/25/1935, pg. 1 plus succeeding days) (filed with Argentum)

Kidnappings--Tacoma--1930-1940; Weyerhaeuser, John Philip--Homes & haunts; Weyerhaeuser, George H.--Kidnappings;

The La Gasa children pose with a vehicle. Photograph taken in connection with the kidnapping of George Weyerhaeuser and the resulting investigation and trial. The trio are most probably the children of Dr. and Mrs. James La Gasa. Photo ordered by the Seattle PI.

Kidnappings--Tacoma--1930-1940; La Gasa, James--Family; Weyerhaeuser, George H.--Kidnappings;