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;

Exterior of Immanuel Presbyterian Church, Russell and Babcock, Architects, 1909. Nativity scene, said to be a favorite of young kidnap and murder victim Charles Mattson. Taken in connection with the unsolved Mattson kidnapping case. (photograph T. Times 1/2/37 p. 10; story T. Times 12/28/1936- 1/25/1937, pg. 1)

Presbyterian churches--Tacoma; Immanuel Presbyterian Church (Tacoma); Kidnappings--Tacoma--1930-1940; Mattson, Charles--Kidnappings;

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;

Exterior view of Immanuel Presbyterian Church, Russell and Babcock, Architects, 1909. Spanish Mission style church with tower at rear. Taken in conjunction with the December 1936 Charles Mattson kidnapping case. (Seattle Star).

Presbyterian churches--Tacoma; Immanuel Presbyterian Church (Tacoma); Kidnappings--Tacoma--1930-1940; Mattson, Charles--Kidnappings;

Mattson kidnapping case. Thornton Shaw, Charles Mattson's teacher at Immanuel Presbyterian Church Sunday School, sitting at desk. On December 27, 1936 at approximately 9 p.m., ten year old Charles Mattson was kidnapped from his parent's home at 4605 No. Verde by a masked gunman. The gunman, viewed by his brother, sister and family friend, was described as 40, 5'7", 145 pounds, swarthy complected with a heavy dark beard and European accent. He left a ransom note demanding $28,000. In the days that followed, the kidnapper made confusing and conflicting demands of Dr. and Mrs. William Mattson by mail and telephone. Charles' body was found January 10. 1937 in a snowy, wooded area near Everett. The discovery prompted the largest manhunt in Pacific Northwest history, but the murderer was never found. (photograph T. Times 1/2/37 p. 10; story 12/28/1936- 1/25/1937, pg. 1)

Presbyterian churches--Tacoma; Immanuel Presbyterian Church (Tacoma); Kidnappings--Tacoma--1930-1940; Shaw, Thornton; 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. 1936. Two children put the finishing touches on a large snowman built after a heavy snowfall in the winter of 1936. (T. Times).

Snow--Tacoma--1930-1940; Snowmen; Children playing in snow;

Large steamer in bay.

ca. 1936. African white deer at Point Defiance zoo. The deer, called white fallow deer, are natives of South Africa. They were born in captivity in the Portland zoo and were a gift from that city. They are the 6th variety of deer to be added to the zoo's deer pens. The deer retain their white coat all year and weigh over 200 pounds when fully grown. Spectators called them more graceful and alert than the other varieties. (T. Times 2/4/1936, pg. 14)

Deer; Point Defiance Park (Tacoma);

ca. 1936. Relocation of St. Luke's Memorial Episcopal Church to North Tacoma, circa 1936. Five men and Rev. Arthur Bell, holding gavel, in front of huge stone pile. The historic stone church was disassembled from its original location at 6th and Broadway and each stone marked for reconstruction at new site at 36th and No. Gove. For Lee Merrill Advertising. (Argentum)

St. Luke's Episcopal Church (Tacoma); Episcopal churches--Tacoma; Bell, Arthur;

ca. 1936. Exterior of Associated Oil service station. Station located at Sixth & Sprague, circa 1936. One island, three pumps, "Flying A" emblem. Automobile on lube rack. For Miller & Miller Advertising. (WSHS)

Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Associated Oil Service Stations (Tacoma); Gasoline pumps--Tacoma--1930-1940;

ca. 1936. Exterior of Hemrich Wineries building, producers or distributors of Gold Seal Brands, wine and beer. Company was owned by Elmer & Nina Hemrich. Elmer was the son of Seattle Brewer Alvin Hemrich. For Miller & Miller Advertising. (WSHS)

Hemrich Wineries (Tacoma); Brewing industry--Tacoma--1930-1940;

ca. 1936. Drawing of character "the jolly boy, " later known as Alfred E. Neuman, with caption "Me Worry?" Copy photograph from the 1930s for Chauncey Griggs. MAD Magazine popularized the image, and named it, in the 1950s. When MAD was sued for copyright infringement concerning the image, one of the arguments that they used was that it had appeared on documents dating back to 1911. (Argentum)

Cartoons (Commentary); Fictitious characters;

ca. 1936. Interior of Pacific First Federal Savings and Loan, circa 1936, showing desks and business equipment behind tellers' counter. For Mr. Goff. (Argentum)

Banks--Tacoma--1930-1940; Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma);

ca. 1936. Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan with entrance on So. 11th Street. Building is divided by modernized lower floors and the 19th century facade of Equitable Bldg. on upper floors. Original structure dates from 1891, Proctor & Dennis, architects. Crown Drug located in Pacific Ave. storefront. (Argentum)

Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Pacific First Federal Building (Tacoma); Crown Drugs (Tacoma);

Christmas window display of hosiery at Lerner Shops. Sheer silk nylons available at 69 cents a pair for that special lady. Four thread silk chiffon nylons at 69 cents a pair made the perfect gift. A wide range of nylons in different colors displayed at prices ranging from 50 cents to 89 cents a pair. Dressing gowns on hangers accent the display.

Lerner Shops (Tacoma); Clothing stores--Tacoma--1930-1940; Window displays--1930-1940; Hosiery;

Two Foss tugboats, the "Diamond B" and the "Foss No. 17" carefully moved a crane, mounted on a Foss barge, down the Puyallup Waterway in December of 1936. The crane was probably being delivered to the St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Company. The "Foss 17" had a fire monitor mounted on top of its pilothouse, and with her high pressure pump she helped put out many waterfront fires before being retired in 1965. (copy of photograph also numbered and filed as D3015- 1A)

Hoisting machinery; Towing--Tacoma; Tugboats--Tacoma--1930-1940; Foss Launch & Tug Co. (Tacoma);

ca. 1936. Interior of Globe Machine Works, for Joe Cornish. This longtime Tacoma concern designed and manufactured heavy machinery, primarily for the plywood industry. (filed with Argentum)

Machinery industry--Tacoma; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Machinery; Equipment; Globe Machine Manufacturing Co. (Tacoma);

ca. 1936. The small lake at the entrance of Point Defiance Park, the jewel of the Metropolitan Park District, circa 1936. Strolling paths and evergreens surround the water feature. Originally a US military reservation, the city of Tacoma was given permission to develop the area into a park in 1888.

Point Defiance Park (Tacoma); Parks--Tacoma; Lakes & ponds--Tacoma;

ca. 1936. College of Puget Sound Choral Society leaving on bus tour of the state. Large group of boys and girls in and beside Washington Motor Coach System double-decker bus. (filed with Argentum)

College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1930-1940; Choirs (Music); Students--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Mrs. John D.(Francis) Regester and her children, Jack, age 7 and Elizabeth, age 4 pose beside fireplace reading a book. John Regester was a dean at the College of Puget Sound. Mrs. Regester was president of the Tuesday Study Club and active in various CPS organizations. (T. Times 4/3/1937, society pages)

Regester, John--Homes & haunts; Regester, John--Family; Regester, Francis; Mothers & children--Tacoma--1930-1940; Regester, Jack; Regester, Elizabeth; Families--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fireplaces--Tacoma--1930-1940;

ca. 1936. Edna (Mrs. Oscar) Kendall in tweed coat, veiled hat, fur collar and young son in zippered jacket. Oscar Kendall was a clerk at the Winthrop Hotel. (Argentum)

Kendall, Edna; Kendall, Oscar--Family;