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RSN-24

Interior of the machinist room of the McNeil Island Federal Prison. Prison guard and two men can be seen speaking around a work desk at the right side of the room.

RSN-26

Exterior of facilities at McNeil Island Federal Prison. Prison yard, dock and smoke stack are visible.

Washington Corrections Center Shelton, WA. - 8

Back of Photo:
Warden Kurt Peterson stands in the shadow of tower #5, an unmanned guard tower at the Northwest corner of the Reception Center Recreation Yard where last week three inmates escaped by crawling over the 12 foot high security fence pictured to his right. (left in photo)
News/Mike Gilbert
Photo by Russ Carmack

D7355-3

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;

D7355-4

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;

D7036-4

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);

D7006-3

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.;

D7006-4

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.;

2700-14

This vacant and boarded up home stood about 200 feet from the home of the J.P. (Phil) Weyerhaeuser, Jr. family at 420 No. 4th. The Weyerhaeuser home is the one behind the tree at the right rear of the picture. The police suspect that the abandoned home may have been used a a hideout where the kidnappers could observe the Weyerhaeuser family prior to the May 24, 1935 kidnapping of nine year old George Weyerhaeuser. This theory was later abandoned and footprints attributed to an overly ambitious photographer trying to get a different viewpoint of the Weyerhaeuser home. (T. Times 5/28/1935, pg. 1 plus succeeding months)


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

2700-16

In May of 1935, a group of newsreel cameramen and reporters were staking out the home of J.P. Weyerhaeuser Jr. at 420 North 4th Street waiting for a break in the George Weyerhaeuser kidnapping case. Nine year old George Weyerhaeuser was abducted around noon on May 24, 1935 as he walked from Lowell School at 1210 North Yakima to Annie Wright Seminary at 827 Tacoma Avenue North to meet his sister and go home for lunch. By May 25, 1935, the kidnapping had become a front page story across the United States. Reporters streamed into Tacoma. The boy was reportedly being held for $200,000 ransom, truly a fortune in the depression strapped times. The kidnapping remained a front page story until George was released on June 1, 1935, despite the fact that very little information was being released by either the police or the family. Most stories published were filled with speculation and conjectures. (T. Times 5/25/1935, pg. 1 plus succeeding months)


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

2700-18

A sample of George Weyerhaeuser's third grade school work. On May 24, 1935, the nine year old boy was kidnapped as he walked from Lowell School to meet his sister at Annie Wright and travel home for lunch. The ransom note demanding $200,000 contained George's signature. His school work was used as a comparison for the signature. The paper says "Lowell School. Oct 19 1934. George Weyerhaeuser 3b. When I was at the zoo I saw some (animals.) We drove out in out mothers' and teacher's (automobiles)." (T. Times 5/25/1935, pg. 1 plus succeeding months)


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

2700-4

Man holding a suitcase, taken for the Tacoma Times in conjunction with the investigation into the kidnapping of George Weyerhaeuser on May 24, 1935.


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

2700-52

On June 12, 1935 at 6:14p.m., Harman and Margaret Waley arrive at Tacoma Field by United Airlines charter to stand trial for kidnapping and extortion in the abduction of George Weyerhaeuser. The crowd at Tacoma Field to watch them arrive numbered in the hundreds, the largest gathered there since Bromley had tried to fly nonstop Tacoma To Tokyo in 1929. The couple was arrested in Salt Lake City after 19 year old Margaret Waley tried to spend a marked bill. Harman, in white cap, can be seen between two agents; Margaret, in checked coat, can be seen in the center of the picture with her head bent. The pair were whisked into waiting cars and rushed to the Federal building for arraignment. (T. Times 06/13/1935, pg. 1 plus succeeding days)


Kidnappings--Tacoma--1930-1940; Waley, Harman; Waley, Margaret; Tacoma Field (Lakewood); Airplanes--Tacoma--1930-1940; Weyerhaeuser, George H.--Kidnappings;

2700-54A

On June 12, 1935 at 6:35p.m., Harman and Margaret Waley arrive at the Federal Building for arraignment on the charges of kidnapping and extortion in the abduction of George Weyerhaeuser. The pair are sped from Tacoma Field to the Federal Building in a convoy of four federal vehicles. They are surrounded by seven Federal agents and a crowd of about 50 spectators. Many of the spectators are newsmen, and the flash of bulbs lights up the evening. They are escorted to the federal court room on the 3rd floor of the Post Office building where they plead "not guilty." Original photograph (series 2700, image 54A) enlarged & cropped to make it more visually interesting for the newspaper. (T. Times 06/13/1935, pg. 1 plus succeeding days)


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

2700-61

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. (TNT 6/1/35, pg. 1)


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

2700-64

A friend of George Weyerhaeuser, identified with the last name La Gasa, and taken in connection the the May 24, 1935 kidnapping of Weyerhaeuser and resulting investigation. This is probably the son of Dr. and Mrs. James La Gasa.


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

2700-69

Reporters surround the Weyerhaeuser home at 420 No. 4th St. during the ordeal of the kidnapping of nine year old George Weyerhaeuser on May 24, 1935 and his release on June 1st. The story was covered nationally.


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

2700-B

The dislodged stone from the wall at Western States Hospital, possible ransom drop off spot in the George Weyerhaeuser kidnapping. In late May of 1935, US postal employee Fred Hipkins claimed that he had seen what he interpreted as an attempted ransom delivery. It consisted of a signal light high in a fir tree on Custer & Steilacoom Highways, a sedan parked near Western States with its lights off and people inside, and tire tracks and a dislodged rock the next morning in the stone wall surrounding the hospital. (T. Times 5/31/1935, pg. 1)


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

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;

D376-4

Mattson kidnapping case. Two boys standing on a path leading up the hillside below the Mattson home. Photograph ordered by the Seattle Star. On a peaceful post-Christmas night in 1936, the Mattson children and a family friend were watching area motorists drive up to view the Christmas light display in the front yard of the Mattson home at 4605 No. Verde. An armed and masked man broke in through a rear entrance of the home and seized Charles Mattson, the smallest of the group of children. He left a ransom note for $28,000. He then, it is believed, carried Charles down this path behind the Mattson home, down a steep bluff to Ruston Way and a waiting get away car driven by an accomplice. (T. Times 12/28/1936 - 1/25/1937, pg. 1)


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

D376-6

Mattson kidnapping case. View of Ruston Way and Commencement Bay from hillside below the Mattson home. On December 27, 1936, an armed intruder abducted ten year old Charles Mattson from his parents' home at 4605 No. Verde. He then carried the boy down the steep cliff behind the home leading to Ruston Way and the waterfront. A ransom note was left behind at the crime scene, demanding $28,000. Up to this point, no less than 12 well publicized kidnappings had occurred since the 1934 kidnapping of the Lindbergh baby. The previous year, 1935, young George Weyerhaeuser had been kidnapped and returned following payment of the ransom. Charles Mattson was murdered and his body dumped in a wooded area 200 feet off of the Edmonds-Everett Highway, 6 miles south of Everett. Despite an extensive manhunt, and numerous suspects, his murderer was never found. (T. Times 12/28/1936- 1/25, 1937, pg. 1)


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

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