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T141-1

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;

N603-6

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;

N604-1

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;

N602-3

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;

N603-4

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;

N603-2

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;

N602-1

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;

N603-5

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;

N603-1

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;

G7.1 -015

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;

D38577-4

Prowl car and radio station, Times, Earl Floathe. Officer Robert Gibbs speaks into the microphone of the accident prevention car of the Tacoma Police Department as driver J.E. Steele and Robert S. Temme, Commissioner of Public Safety, stand by outside the police department garage.


Tacoma Police Department (Tacoma); Gibbs, Robert; Steele, J.E.; Temme, Robert S.; Police surveillance--Tacoma--1940-1950; Police--Tacoma--1940-1950; Communication devices;

D38577-6

Officer Robert Gibbs and J.E. Steele are seated in the accident prevention car of the Tacoma Police Department as Robert S. Temme, Commissioner of Public Safety, stands by the driver's door in front of the police department garage. Photograph taken on February 23, 1949 and ordered by the Tacoma Times, Earl Floathe. TPL-6487


Tacoma Police Department (Tacoma); Gibbs, Robert; Steele, J.E.; Temme, Robert S.; Police surveillance--Tacoma--1940-1950; Police--Tacoma--1940-1950; Automobiles--Tacoma--1940-1950;

D77494-3

Tacoma's finest, along with their vehicles, stand alertly outside the Public Safety Building/City Hall Annex on August 29, 1953. They were members of the Tacoma Police Department's Motorcycle division. TPL-7118


Police--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Police Department (Tacoma); Public Safety Building (Tacoma); City Hall Annex (Tacoma); Motorcycles--Tacoma--1950-1960;

D77362-1

Tacoma Police Department swing shift. The swing shift shows off the whiskers that they have grown for the Northwest Territory Centennial beard contest.


Police--Tacoma--1950-1960;

D77361-2

Tacoma Police Department graveyard shift on the Spanish Steps at the Elks lodge. Police officers display beards and mustaches in keeping with the request for Tacoma men not to shave during the month of August. The city sponsored a beard contest as a part of the ceremonies celebrating the Northwest Territory Centennial. TPL-8748


Police--Tacoma--1950-1960;

D77494-2

Tacoma Police Department, Motorcycle Division. Some of the officers are bearded or mustached in support of the Northwest Territory Centennial beard growing contest. TPL-6490


Police--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Police Department (Tacoma);

A31065-1

View of Pierce County Sheriff's office new medicine kit, kit is shown both opened and closed. Medicine kit has analgesic balm, liniment, Olympic Trainer athletic liniment, Red Cross bandages, ammonia inhalant, tweezers, scissors, swabs, gauze and other first aid items. Richard's Studio has combined two images, photo ordered by Gordon Hill, Pierce County Deputy Sheriff's Officer.


Sheriffs--Tacoma; Law enforcement--Tacoma; Law enforcement training--Tacoma; First aid--Tacoma; Emergency medical services--Tacoma; Pierce County Sheriffs (Tacoma);

D31155-3

Harold J. O'Brien of Algona, Washington was killed on Christmas Day, when his car was sideswiped by a truck. The accident occurred about 800 feet south of the King-Pierce County line on Edgewood Road. O'Brien's neck was broken with the impact, killing his instantly. O'Brien's mother, brother and sister-in-law were also in the vehicle, they did not suffer any injuries. State Patrolmen reported O'Brien was driving 1-1/2 feet over the center line. View of State Patrolmen carrying away the body (T. Times, 12/26/47, p. 3).


Law enforcement officers--Tacoma; Traffic accidents--Tacoma; Litters; Emergency medical services--Tacoma; Rescue work--Tacoma; Wounds & injuries--Tacoma; Victims--Tacoma; Washington State Patrol (Tacoma); O'Brien, Harold J.--Death & burial;

D28493-1

Safety Award being presented in Mayor Val Fawcett's office to Police Department and other city departments by the American Automobile Association. The Pedestrian Protection Award was presented to the Tacoma Police Department and citizens for their reduction in pedestrian accidents. (T.Times, 6/24/1947, p.3)


Police--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Police Department (Tacoma); Safety; Accidents; American Automobile Association (Tacoma); Awards; Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950;

D28493-3

Safety Award being presented in Mayor's office to Police Department and other city departments, AAA Pedestrian Protection award. Tacoma won a National Safety Plaque by the Automobile Association of America in recognition of the work done by Tacoma police and citizens to reduce pedestrian accidents. Tacoma was given third place in cities with populations from 100,000 to 500,000. (T.Times, 6/24/1947, p.3)


Police--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Police Department (Tacoma); Safety; Accidents; American Automobile Association (Tacoma); Awards;

D25332-1

In December 1946, 41 men graduated from the Washington State Patrol training camp, 770 men submitted applications, 45 men were selected to go through training, but only 41 completed the program. Washington State Patrol had recently gone through program budget cuts and an increase in duties, which were made by the last Legislature. The agency was hoping that this year's elections would increase program funds. View of Washington State Patrolman.


Law enforcement officers--Tacoma; Uniforms; Law enforcement--Tacoma; Offices--Tacoma--1940-1950; Washington State Patrol (Tacoma);

D25332-5

Herbert Algeo was the Chief of the Washington State Patrol during this time. The State Patrol had many responsibilities including: speed monitoring, first aid safety, weight control units to help prevent damage to roads, accident prevention and many other duties. The organization was formed in 1921. View of Washington State Patrolmen with first aid supplies, outside of the Vehicle Safety Inspection center. TPL-6674


Law enforcement officers--Tacoma; First aid--Tacoma; Law enforcement--Tacoma; Uniforms; Washington State Patrol (Tacoma);

D23441-1

Tacoma Police Department. Ten dignitaries, attending the graduation services for 37 police officers, stand on the stage at Stadium High School.


Police--Tacoma--1940-1950; Law enforcement training--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Police Department (Tacoma); Stadium High School (Tacoma); Stages (Platforms);

D23441-7

During the summer of 1946, while Tacoma's school age children were on vacation, a group of police candidates were taking classes at Stadium High School. At the end of August, 37 of the candidates received diplomas and were declared full-fledged members of the Tacoma Police Department. Attending the graduation were a number of veterans of the Tacoma and Seattle police departments including: Police Captain A.E. Farrar, third from the left in the front row; Police Chief P.G. Gregg, in a dark suit and white hat; Safety Commissioner R.S. Temme, in light colored suit and "skimmer"; and Seattle Police Captain Emile Vallet, next to Temme. Others names are listed in Tacoma Times. (T.Times, 9/4/1946, p.16.)


Police--Tacoma--1940-1950; Law enforcement training--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Police Department (Tacoma); Stadium High School (Tacoma); Portraits; Graduation ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950;

D23212-2

West Disinfecting Company. The section at the lower, right-hand corner states, "Bob Palling, West Representative, demonstrates to Officer Dan Johnson the method of using Westamine Disinfectant, now used daily on all mobile equipment of Tacoma Police Department". The doors of the garage are open. One police vehicle is pointing out towards the street. The other has its back doors open where the demonstration is taking place. TPL-6673


Police--Tacoma--1940-1950; Automobiles--Tacoma--1940-1950; Chemicals--Tacoma--1940-1950; Teaching; Johnson, Dan; Palling, Bob;

D22833-1

On Wednesday July 3, 1946, Frank Casey (left), a Tacoma Fabricating Company millworker, found a large military flare which had washed ashore in the Old Town area of Tacoma. Not sure whether it was a flare, or a bomb, Casey called the Tacoma police. Officer Frank Pim (rt) was dispatched to the scene. Later, a demolition team from Ft. Lewis disarmed the flare, which had been removed from the protective casing, held by officer Pim, by children. Had the children pulled the flare's safety pin, they could have been seriously injured. (T. Times, 7/4/46, p. 11).


Police--Tacoma; Signals & signaling--Tacoma; Explosives; Tacoma Fabricating Co. (Tacoma);

A21114-2

The Pierce County Sheriff's Department force including patrolmen, detectives and Pierce County Sheriff Lee Croft. The sheriffs force is standing on the steps of the Pierce County Courthouse. The courthouse, built in 1892 and designed by Proctor and Dennis architects, was patterned after the courthouse in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It was finished with Tenino bluestone. The building was demolished in 1959.


Sheriffs--Pierce County--1940-1950; Pierce County Sheriffs (Tacoma); Pierce County Courthouse (Tacoma); Courthouses--Tacoma; Uniforms; Croft, Lee

A21114-1

The Pierce County Sheriff's Department force including patrolmen, detectives, and Pierce County Sheriff H.W. "Lee " Croft posed on the steps of the Pierce County Courthouse in December of 1945. Sheriff Croft (center, first row) was first elected to his position in 1942. He was a former logger, gold miner, heavyweight boxer, checkers enthusiast and longtime operator of the Croft Hotel on Pacific Ave. Lee Croft served two terms as sheriff and passed away in December of 1951.


Sheriffs--Pierce County--1940-1950; Pierce County Sheriffs (Tacoma); Pierce County Courthouse (Tacoma); Courthouses--Tacoma; Croft, Lee

D17681-7

On June 3, 1944, 459 members of Tacoma's Schoolboy Patrol were the guests of the Tacoma Police Department at a picnic held at Point Defiance Park. During the school year, the boys directed traffic around the schools, making sure that students made it safely to classes. At the picnic, they directed the celebration of Public Safety Commissioner Einar Langseth's birthday by lining up to give him a good luck birthday swat. Commissioner Langseth, bending over on lower right side, replied that he was not nearly as old as the 459 swats he received. (T. Times, 6/5/44, p. 2).


Police--Tacoma; Picnics--Tacoma; Langseth, Einar, 1892-1968;

D16966-6

Joyce Atkins, Evalu Clevenger, and Shirley Williams (l to r), the drum majorettes for the Lincoln High School marching band, were photographed sitting on the handle bars of three Tacoma Police Dept. motorcycles on February 11, 1944. They are flanked by four unidentified policemen. The Lynx Majorettes and the Stadium H.S. Tigerannas led the combined Lincoln and Stadium bands when Wendell Willkie visited Tacoma to address the Pierce County Republican Club at their 1944 Lincoln Day dinner. (Lincolnian, 1944 p.72)


Tacoma Police Department (Tacoma); Police--Tacoma--1940-1950; Motorcycles--Tacoma--1940-1950; Drum majorettes--Tacoma--1940-1950; Atkins, Joyce; Clevenger, Evalu; Williams, Shirley; Students--Tacoma--1940-1950;

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