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;

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;

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;