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THEWORLDTHEORIZES

7 5
revengeforsomefanciedwrong .
Andthethird
theory thathaditssu p p orterswasthatthek idnap -
p ing
hadb eenp erp etratedb y p ersonswho, b eing
sl ightl y awry mental l y , fou ndintheactthe" mag-
nificationoftheego" thatJ osep hG ol l omb describ ed
.
Ofcou rsethek idnap p ers, ifthey wantedmoney ,
cou l dnothaveandwou l dnot . haveattemp tedto
negotiateintheearl y stagesofthegame, whetherex -
p eriencedorno . Even a
b l indmancou l dhaveseen
thesu icidal asp ectsoftry ingtop rodhisway throu gh
averitab l earmy ofp ol icetonegotiatewiththeLind-
b erghsoreventheirrep resentatives- atl eastdu ring
thefirstfortnightorso
.
P erhap sthemostp op u l argeneral ideaofwhat
hap p ened- al way sb earinginmindthatthesetheories
wereb asedu p on" k nownfacts" b eforeany cl ews
arosethatindicatedany p ossib il ity ofthe real
facts- wasthatthek idnap p inghadb eendoneb y a
gang . Thegangasgeneral l y p ictu red, wantedmoney .
Thep u b l icidea- atl eastthatp u b l icdoseenou gh
tothecaseandfamil iarenou ghwiththedetail snot
tob emisl edb y wil dtab l oidnewsp ap erheadl ines-
wasthatthegangwasnotwhol l y p rofessional . El se
itwou l dhavereal iz edthehop el essnessofcol l ecting
money easil y andfast . Thegangwasdeemed
" amateu rish, " b u tcal cu l atingandintel l igent
There
werethreetofivep ersonsinthegangandoneof
themmighthaveb eenawoman .
Informationthatmadep ossib l ethismostimp os-
7 6
TRUESTORYOFTHELINDBERG HKIDNAP P ING
sib l eofk idnap p ings, camefromsomep ersoninside
thehou se, atsometime, inadvertentl y andwithou t
any su sp icionastotheu l timateresu l ts . Thegang,
havinggottentheb ab y , fou nditsel fhol dingared
hotcoal .
Ittherefore, " du gin" u ntil thestorm
mightb l owover, thentob eginnegotiations- orp er-
hap sgiveu p .
Thatwasthegeneral p u b l icviewp oint, as itstood
afterafu l l su rvey ofal l thefactsandaftergangsters,
au thoritiesandvol u nteersofal l k indshadfail edto
digu p any thingreal l y significantab ou tthek idnap -
p ing.
Al way sitmu stb erememb eredthatthesl ightest
errorwou l dhaveb rou ghtdetection
. Thek idnap p er
madenomistak es .
Thek idnap p ercou l dnothave
b eenstu p id .
Fantasticru morscameou tofNewJ ersey .
One
ofthemp ersistedthou ghitneverreachedthenews
col u mns
. Itwaswhisp eredthatthereasonwhy the
Lindb erghshadsomu chdifficu l ty recoveringtheir
chil dwasb ecau seBab y C harl eshadnotremainedin
thehandsofhisoriginal k idnap p ers
. Thisgrou p ,
they arnhadit, hadseenanop p ortu nity toridthem-
sel vesoftheirhu manb u rdenandhad" sol d" him
toanothergrou p ofk idnap p ersfor$ 5 0 , 0 0 0
.
Eventhen, Lindy mighthavemanagedtomak e
connectionswiththesecondgrou p ex cep tthattheu n-
u su al transactionwasdu p l icated, thistimethead-
THEWORLDTHEORIZES

7 7
vantage to the second
grou p b eing the su m of
$ 1 0 0 , 0 0 0 , sotheru morran .
Andsoitwent . Bab y C harl es, thewhisp ersp er-
sisted, hadb eentransferredfromonegangtoan-
other, eachgang" cl eaningu p " onthetransaction .
The" sal estal k " ofeachgangseek ingto" sel l " the
gol denhairedchil dwasthathisfol k swerewil l ing
andready top ay any su mforhim- evenifthat
su mreachedthemil l iondol l armark .
Innu merab l eviciou sru morssp readb y wordof
mou th .
They neverfou ndtheirway intop rint
b ecau sethey werel ib el ou s
. Neverthel ess, many p er-
sonswho, b y retel l ingscandal ou sstoriescou l dgain
thel imel ight, werenotb eneathp assingontheseu n-
su b stantiatedstories . Noneofthep rincip al char-
actersinthedramawereomittedfromthisty p eof
u nder- handedattack .
Whisp ers- theories- ru mors- u nder- covertal k -
b u titp ersisted- andwhowastheretoaffirmor
deny ?
C HAP TERV
C LEWS- C LEWS- C LEWS!
M any afictionmy stery story hasdep endedu p on
nothingmoretangib l ethanawhiffofOriental in-
censeforitssol u tion . Thep op u l arconcep tionofa
p erfectthril l erisacrimeinWhichthemu ch- sou ght
cl ewissoinfinitesimal thatnoteventheu seofa
microscop ecanreveal it . Su chacrimeteststhefic-
tionhero' singenu ity . Itisb eneaththedignity of
thesl eu thsinafictionstory tosp endtheirtimeon
crimeswherecl ewsareascommonastheb l ossoms
inSp ring .
Unfortu natel y , thisp ictu resq u eideasop op u l arl y
esp ou sedb y fictionwriters, isnotnecessaril y tru ein
real l ife . IntheLindb erghcase, forinstance, there
weresomany dewsthatthewhol eworl dwask ep t
b u sy trail ingthem, notwithou tsomeconfu sionand
b itterfu til ity .
Tru eenou gh, fewofthedewswereb asedu p on
tracesl eftb ehindb y theab du ctorsatthesceneof
thek idnap p ing
. M any ofthemwere, infact, p u re
hu nchesorweak ru mors, someofthemevenma-
l iciou sl y sp readb y gossip ersandmorons . Other
7 8
C LEWS- C LEWS- C LEWS!

7 9
cl ewscamefromrel iab l esou rcesandonthevery
faceofthemwarrantedinq u iry .
Theex tentoftheinvestigationwasgreater, al most
b ey ondq u estion, thanany simil arp rob eevercon-
du ctedinAmerica
.
Thefu til ity ofmostof
. thein-
vestigationssoonb ecameap p arent .
Bu tthegeneral viewwas- andju stl y so- that
theau thoritiescou l dnotaffordtonegl ect
any hint,
nomatterhowtrivial . M any anotoriou scriminal has
b eencau ghtb ecau seofthesl ightestmisstep . M any a
b ru tal , wel l p l annedcrime, hasb eensol vedb y ami-
nu tecl ewthatnormal l y mighthaveb eenoverl ook ed
.
Insu chacaseastheLindb erghk idnap p ing, itwas
thereforesu icidal tofail toovertu rnevery stone, re-
gardl essofhowsil l y itmay haveseemed
.
Forawhil e, theap p earanceofHenry J ohnson,
b etterk nownas" Red" J ohnson, cau sed a sensation .
J ohnson, adeck handonthey achtofThomasW . La-
mont, wasafriendofBetty G ow, theLindb ergh
b ab y ' snu rse . Withinafewday safterthetrail l ed
tohim, aseriesofmy steriou sfactsseemedtop il e
u p evidencethatmighthaveindicatedthathehad
servedasafigu reinthek idnap p ing, ifonl y u nwit-
tingl y . Hewasl aterex onerated, b u tthehy steria
ofthemomentmu sthavecau sedhimsomeconcern,
whenhewasu nderscru tiny - ifhewasathin- sk inned
p erson .
Hewastak enintocu stody inHartford, C onnecti-
cu t . By coincidence, ap ostcardp u rp ortingtohave
8 0
TRUESTORYOFTHELINDBERG HKIDNAP P ING
b eenmail edb y thek idnap p er, wasfou ndin . thep ost-
officeatHartford
. AndtoaddtoJ ohnson' strou b l es,
anemp ty mil k b ottl ewasfou ndinthegreenC hry sl er
cou p ethathewasdriving . StateAttorney Hu ghM .
Al corn, ofC onnecticu t, whosel ongrecordincl u ded
thetrial andconvictionformu rderofthenotoriou s
k il l er, G eral dC hap man, immediatel y condu ctedthe
investigationintoJ ohnson' sactivities, inp erson .
Thesail orfreel y admittedhisfriendship with
M issG ow, thenu rse .
Hesaidthathehadb een
" goingwithher" forab ou tthreey ears . Heex p l ained
that, b eingou tofwork , hehadsou ghtshel terinthe
homeofhisb rother, J ohn, inWestHartford
.
J ohnson' sarrestwasfol l owedb y anal mostend-
l essb u il dingu p ofcu riou sfacts . Itwasp ointedou t
thathehadl eftLamont' semp l oy onthey acht,
" Rey nard, " inJ anu ary . Inq u iry attheship y ard
wheretheb oatwasindry dock , reveal edthatmany
step l adderswereu sedarou ndthep l ace
. Thestor-
agey ard, ownedb y theC onsol idatedShip b u il ding
C orp
. , ontheHarl emRiver, inTheBronx , New
York C ity , b ecameacenterofactivity foraday . De-
tectivesex aminedthel addersinthey ardandcom-
p aredthemwiththel adderfou ndatthesceneof
theLindb erghk idnap p ing .
Asoneoftheship y ardex ecu tivescommented,
however, " al adderisonl y al adderandthey ' real l
p retty mu chthesame
. " Therewasnothingtoindi-
catethatthel adderfou ndattheLindb erghhome
C LEWS- C LEWS- C LEWS!

8 1
hadcomefromtheship y ard- andnob ody b el ieved
thatithad, sotheinq u iry wasab andonedatthat
p oint .
Thosewhohadb eenfol l owingthecasedidnot
p l acetoomu chrel ianceu p ontheJ ohnsonarrest
.
Thep rincip al reasonforthiswasthep ol icediscovery
thatJ ohnsonhadhadanap p ointmenttomeetthe
nu rseonthenightofthek idnap p ing . They had
p l annedto" goou tonap arty . "
Aswasherwont, M issG owhadsp enttheweek -
endatEngl ewood, wheretheM orrowsl ived
. Itwas
fu l l y ex p ectedthattheLindb erghs, inaccordance
withtheircu stom, wou l dl eaveHop ewel l attheend
oftheweek - endandcometoEngl ewood .
OnSu nday andM onday evenings, theday sb efore
thek idnap p ing, M issG owandsail orJ ohnsonwent
ou ttogether . They hadanap p ointment, al so, for
Tu esday evening . Bu tmeanwhil el ittl eC harl es
Au gu stu s, J r . , hadcontractedacol dandM rs
. Lind-
b erghdecidedthatshecou l dnottak ethechanceof
movingtheb ab y . Shesu mmonedthenu rsemaid
' fromEngl ewoodtoHop ewel l , u nex p ectedl y , on
Tu esday afternoon .
J ohnsonl earnedfromamu tu al friendthatM iss
G owhadgonetoHop ewel l
. Hewaitedforthenight
tel ep honeratestogointoeffectand, at8
: 4 7 p . m . on
Tu esday night, cal l edthenu rsemaidonthep hone
.
Hemadethecal l inadru gstoreinEngl ewood
. The
p honeconversationmay haveb eengoingon, b e-
8 2 TRUESTORYOFTHELINDBERG HKIDNAP P ING
tween J ohnson
in Engl ewood and M iss G ow in
Hop ewel l , atthevery timewhentheab du ctionwas
tak ingp l ace .
J ohnsonwasrep ortedasask ingM issG ow, " How' s
theb ab y ?" whenhegotheronthep hone .
P ol icedemandedtok nowthereasonforhissol ici-
tu deab ou tthechil d .
" Itwasonaccou ntoftheb ab y shecou l dn' tmeet
me, " J ohnsonresp onded .
" Natu ral l y I' dask ab ou t
theb ab y . "
Afterthep honeconversation, J ohnsontook M r .
andM rs . J ohanneJ u ng, friendsofhis, foranau to
ridearou ndEngl ewood . TheJ u ngswereemp l oy ees
intheM orrowhou sehol d .
Retu rningtohisb oardinghou seab ou tmidnight,
J ohnsonsp enttheremainderofthenightthere .
Thenex tday , J u ngreadab ou ttheab du ctionin
thenewsp ap ers
. Heimmediatel y wenttoM issEl iz a-
b ethM orrow, sisterofM rs . Lindb ergh, andindi-
catedthatJ ohnson, asM issG ow' sfriend, wou l d
cl earl y comeu ndersu sp icion . J u ngsu ggestedthat
M issM orrowcal l theLindb erghsandex p l ainwherd
J ohnsonhadb eendu ringthetimewhentheb ab y was
p resu mab l y snatchedfromitscrib .
M issM orrow
sentthemessage, asreq u ested
.
EachtimethatJ ohnsoncametotheLindb ergh
home, hesaid, hewaswithM issG ow .
Thefirst
time, theb u il dingwasstil l u nderconstru ction
. It
wasintheAu tu mnof1 9 3 1
. OnNewYear' sDay
C LEWS- C LEWS- - C LEWS

8 3
fol l owing, hesaid, hep aidasecondvisit . Histhird
andl astvisitwasab ou ttwoweek sb eforetheab -
du ction .
Desp itenu merou sal l egedweak sp otsinthisac-
cou ntofhisactivities, p ol iceq u estionedadoz enp er-
sonsdirectl y orindirectl y associatedwithJ ohnson .
Hisstory seemedtostandu p initsentirety .
Theau thorities, however, gril l edhimforseveral
day s . Thereisnownodou b tthatsomeofthein-
vestigatorsb el ievedJ ohnsontob einnocentb u tfel t
that, sincehewasnomadicb y natu re, hemay have
giveninformationtothek idnap p erswithou tk nowing
it . Forthatreason, they hel dontohimforaweek ,
b u tDep u ty C hiefofP ol iceFrank Brex ofNewark ,
ex oneratedhimthen .
Du ringthep eriodofJ ohnson' sdetention, onno
criminal chargeinconnectionwiththeab du ction, the
reasongivenforhol dinghimwasthathehadentered
theUnitedStatesil l egal l y , fromSweden, in1 9 2 7 .
Interviewedb y rep ortersonhisfirstfreeday ,
J ohnsonascrib edthek idnap p ingto" aninsidejob . "
Hesaidthatitwashisop inionthatnob ody emp l oy ed
b y theLindb erghswasresp onsib l e, b u twou l dnot
amp l ify hisview .
Howmy stery wasal l owedtocreep intothesein-
q u iriesandoftencreateimp ressionsl aterp roved
fal se, waswel l demonstratedintheJ ohnsoncase .
C onsiderab l edou b tex istedregardinghisp honecal l
8 4
TRUESTORYOFTHELINDBERG HKIDNAP P ING
toHop ewel l , Newjersey , toex p ressmerel y " re-
grets
. "
Itwassimp l eenou gh, b u titcau sedendl essfu rore,
demonstrating, ifsu chdemonstrationwerenecessary ,
thatvery oftentheordinary thingsthathu manb eings
do, canap p eartob eq u itemy steriou sifp l acedu nder
cl oseinq u iry .
Thisp ersistentq u estioningofthesail orb oy - friend
ofBetty G owhaditsp u rp ose, however
. Ital l hinged
u p onhisk nowl edgeofthechangeofp l ansmadeb y
theLindb erghs- theirdecisiontoremainatHop e-
wel l du etotheil l nessoftheirb ab y b oy
. J ohnson
k newofthesu ddenchangeb ecau seofthe" date"
withBetty G owwhichhadb eencal l edoffforthat
reason
. Au thoritieshadcheck edu p anddiscovered
thatvery fewothersk newoftheLindb ergh' sdeci-
siontoremainatHop ewel l
.
Thu stheminu teandp ersistentinvestigationof
J ohnson' severy action- notb ecau seitwasnecessaril y
fel tthathehadany thingwhatevertodowiththe
crime
. Asamatteroffactitwasfel tthatthesail or
wasaninnocentb y standerwhohadb eendrawninto
theaffair .
However, au thoritiesb el ievedthathe
mightu nwittingl y havetol dsomeoneofthechange
inp l ans- someonewhowascl osetothek idnap -
p ers- someonewhomighthaveb eentheactu al k id-
nap p ers
. Knowl edgeofthechangeoftheLind-
b ergh' sp l ansmighthavecomefromJ ohnson, they
C LEWS- C LEWS- - C LEWS!
8 $
reasoned .
Andsothey q u estionedhim- - q u estioned
him- q u estionedhim!
Fiveday safterJ ohnsonhadb een" cl eared" b y
Dep u ty C hiefBrex , asu ddencal l forhimcamefrom
C ol onel Lindb ergh, atHop ewel l . C ol onel H
. Nor-
manSchwarz k op f, Su p erintendentofNewJ ersey
Statep ol ice, tel ep honedtoNewark , whereJ ohnson
hadb eendetainedb y au thorities, ask ingthatheb e
del iveredtotheLindb erghhome
.
AtHop ewel l itwasex p l ainedthatdetectiveswere
merel y check ingu p onJ ohnson' sstory .
C ol onel Lindb erghal sowishedtoq u estionJ ohn-
sonp ersonal l y , itwassaid .
Schwarz k op f' sofficial statementonthesu ddenre-
cal l ofJ ohnsonwasep itomiz edinthecommentthat
" itwasdesiredtotak ehimoverthegrou ndtoverify
hisstatementthathehadb eentoHop ewel l several
times
. "
However, twonightsafterJ ohnsonwasb rou ghtto
theLindb erghestate, hewasretu rnedtoJ ersey C ity
.
" Noinformationofconseq u encewasdiscovered"
asaresu l tofhis, ex amination, C ol onel Schwarz k op f
annou nced .
J ohnson' sb rother, Fred, wasmeanwhil ecl osel y
q u estionedatJ ersey C ity , aswereM r
. andM rs .
J u ng
. Anu mb erofwomenwhoweresaidtohave
b eenfriendsofJ ohnson, weresu b jectedtocl oseex -
amination
.
Andnow, with" Red" J ohnsonp resu mab l y ou tof
8 6
TRUESTORYOFTHELINDBERG HKIDNAP P ING
the case, J ersey C ity detectivestook hisb rotherinto
cu stody onsu sp icion, al so, ofhavingenteredthe
cou ntry il l egal l y .
Onhisway b ack totheNewark p ol icehead-
q u arters, J ohnsonb u rsttheb u b b l ethathadrefl ected
mostimp ortanceonhisvisittoHop ewel l . Hesaid
hehadnotseenC ol onel Lindb erghorC ol onel Breck -
inridge, whil eatHop ewel l . Whil ehewasatthe
Lindb erghhome, hesl ep tinthecel l ar, hesaid . Al l
thathadhap p ened, herel atedwasthatq u estionshad
b eenhu rl edathimb y C ol onel Schwarz k op f, C ap tain
J . J . Lamb , andtentroop ers .
M issG owhersel fwasnotwithou tq u eriesfrom
au thorities . Shewasb orninScotl andandhermother,
inG l asgowatthetimeofthek idnap p ing, madep u b -
l ical etterfromthegirl
.
Inviewoftheinnu endosthatattachedtothe
girl ' sname, thou ghp rovedgrou ndl ess, herl etterwas
p ertinent .
Referringtotheab du ction, shewrotetoher
mother, " Itisthemostcru el thingIeverk new . "
C ontinu ing, shesaid,
" Idiscoveredthattheb ab y wasgonewhenIwent
tol ifthimat1 0 o' cl ock , asu su al .
" TheLindb erghswerehere( Hop ewel l ) forthe
week - end, al ongwiththeb ab y , b u thecau ghtcol d
andM rs . Lindb erghsentformetocomedown
( fromEngl ewood) ratherthanmovetheb ab y .
" Hiscol dhadgonetohischestal ittl eb itandI
C LEWS- C LEWS- - - C LEWS

8 7
madehimal ittl efl annel vest, ru b b edhischestand
gothimfix ed u p andl efthimasl eep p eacefu l l y .
" Wegu essthey took himwhil ewewereal l hav-
ingdinner . "
Afterdiscu ssingthecl ews, thenu rseconcl u ded :
" Iju stfeel nu mb edandterrib l y l ostwithou tthat
darl ing . Il ovehimso . M rs . Lindb erghhasb een
very b raveab ou tit . She' swonderfu l
. "
M issG owwas2 6 y earsol d- al thou ghotherre-
p ortshaditthatshewas2 8 , andwhoistoq u estion
a woman' sage?- andcametothiscou ntry ab ou tfou r
y earsp riortothek idnap p ing . Shewasemp l oy edb y
theLindb erghsonrecommendationofEl iz ab eth
M orrow, sisterofM rs . Lindb ergh . M issM orrow' s
p ersonal maidwasafriendofBetty G ow
. Shortl y
afterthek idnap p ing, p ol icecl earedal l emp l oy eesof
theM orrowsandLindb erghsofany comp l icity inthe
crime .
Describ edasacheerfu l , sl endergirl ofI' u ndi-
minishingsmil e, " shewasb estk nownb ecau seshe
hadb eenfreq u entl y seenwheel ingtheLindb ergh
b ab y ab ou t, inacarriage, ontheLindb erghp rop erty .
Thenu rsewasemp l oy edwhentheb ab y wassix
week sol d, su cceedinganu rsenamedM arieC u m-
mings. M issG ow' srecordwascarefu l l y investigated
andevenherp rioremp l oy ment, withaM rs . M oser,
inDetroit, inM ay , 1 9 3 0 , wascheck edu p . Before
that, shehadwork edinhotel sandvariou shomes
as
8 8 TRUESTORYOFTHELINDBERG HKIDNAP P ING
ahou semaid . Herb rother, Wil l iam, l iveswith her
mother, M rs . Tay l or, inG l asgow .
Desp itetheex p ressionsofconfidenceb y theM or-
rowsandLindb erghsinthegirl , p ol iceinq u iredinto
herp ast
. Soontherecametol ightthearrestofgirl s
namedBetty G ow . Onegirl wassaidtohaveb een
dep ortedin1 9 2 7 , b earinganidentical name .
Acu riou ssidel ightonthel ightning- l ik esp eedwith
whichcl ewsweretrack eddown, wasthenational p u r-
su itofp ersonsnamed" G ow . " Thep resu mp tion
seemedtob ethatany oneb y thatnamemighthave
b eenrel atedtoM issG ow, thou ghherownstate-
mentswereanop enb ook .
Thu s, b esidesthegirl s
named G ow whoweretraced, menofthatnameal so
came, u nderscru tiny . Afel l ownamedScotty Thomas,
ofWy andotte, M ichigan, washel dinthesearchthat
stretchedacrossthenation . Itwasb el ievedhemight
haveb eenk nownasScotty G ow .
HewenttoLa
Sal l e, Ontario, tob econfrontedb y a mannamed
Arthu rLaFramb oise, whowassu p p osedtohavehad
someval u ab l einformation
.
LaFramb oisehad
k nownacharacterb y thenameofScotty G ow . Bu t
Scotty Thomasp rovednottob etheman .
Onthesameday , theScotty G owchaseex tended
acrossthenationtoothercities . New J ersey au thori-
tieshadheardthataScotty G owhadb eenamemb er
ofthenotoriou sk idnap cl iq u e, theP u rp l eG ang, of
Detroit
. Bu tp ol iceof the l attercity hadheard
C LEWS- - C LEWS- C LEWS!

8 9
nothingofsu chaman .
TheP u rp l eG ang, they in-
sisted, hadb eenou tofex istenceforsometime
.
ToBostonthechasewent .
TheUnitedStates
M arshal ' sofficetheresaidthataWil l iamC amp b el l ,
intheEastC amb ridgejail , hadgoneu nderthename
ofScotty G ow . Bu tadisp atchfromC amb ridge
soonreveal edthatWil l iamC amp b el l , 2 6 y earsol d,
ofthatcity , deniedhewas" Scotty G ow, " asserting
heneverhadu sedthenameorhadk nownany one
b y it .
Itwasaty p ical national check - u p , withty p ical l y
l ittl eresu l ts .
Raidsonap artmentsthrou ghou tthel argercities,
su chasP hil adel p hiaandNewYork , werecommon
.
Themererep ortthatadu l tshadb eenseencarry ing
aninfantsimil arinap p earancetothefamou sk id-
nap p edchil d, wasconsideredsu fficientforp ol iceto
q u estionthegu ardiansofthechil d
. M orethan5 0 0
su chchal l engesandinq u irieswererecordedinthe
firstmonthofinvestigation
. Bu tthosewerenot
the" scares" mostp rodu ctiveofinterest, thou ghof
temp oraril y sensational val u etothenewsp ap ers
.
Al way sitwasfel tthattheC ol onel ' swil l ingness
top ay $ 5 0 , 0 0 0 ransom- andthefigu rewasrep orted
as
highas$ 2 5 0 , 0 0 0 - wou l db ringfortheitherthe
k idnap p ersoraninformant
. Itwasb ecau seofthe
k nownreadinessofthefl y ingacetop ay for, there-
tu rnofhischil dthatmany ofthedewsseemedso
p romising .
9 0
TRUESTORYOFTHELINDBERG HKIDNAP P ING
Someofthecl ewsweresoal l u ringtoinvestigators
that, inmany instances, theheadsofp ol icedep art-
mentsthemsel vesassistedinru nningdownrep orts
.
P ol iceC ommissionerEdwardP
. M u l rooney , ofNew
York C ity , work edu ntil theearl y hou rsofthemorn-
ingonsu chcl ews .
" Every su ggestion, every cl ewthatreachesu s, no
matterhowfl imsy itap p ears, isb eingru ndown, "
hesaid, afteronesu chfru itl esssearchcondu cted
u nderhissu p ervision .
M issDorothy D
. Wal k er, emp l oy einarestau rant
andicecreamp arl orinP ennington, NewJ ersey ,
eightmil esfromtheLindb erghhome, wasonesu ch
p ersonwhowasl ook edtoforaid
. Shehaddescrib ed
three" dark menofforeignap p earance" whohad
drivenu p tothep l acewhereshework edaswaitress,
ask ingtheway totheLindb erghestate
. Bu tcare-
fu l inq u iry discl osed- nothing .
Track ingcl ewswasnohap haz ardu ndertak ing
.
Withinafewday s, theLindb erghestatehadb ecome
anervecenterforcommu nication .
Thesecl u ded
home, withitsgarage, wastransformedb y p ol iceinto
averitab l eheadq u artersforal l secretop eratives
.
Radioengineersinstal l edshort- waveb roadcasting
andreceivinginstru mentsintheLindb erghgarage
.
Thisenab l edthemtodisp atchau top atrol sinstantl y ,
fromal mostany p ointintheEast, toany p ointatal l ,
withou tthel ossofasecond .
Thu s, ifa" tip " b rok e,
theshort- waveradiob roadcasterannou nceditand
C LEWS- - C LEWS- - C LEWS!

9
1
thenearestp ol icestationwasonthejob , b y au to, in
afewminu tes .
Thetel ety p e, amoreorl essrecentp ol iceinnova-
tion, wasnotoverl ook ed . TheLindb erghestateb e-
camethecenterforatel ety p ehook - u p thatstretched
throu ghtheeast . TheNewYork P ol iceDep artment
wasl ink edintoit
. Fifteenp rivatetel ep honeswires,
connectedwithp ol iceheadq u artersinthevicinity ,
comp l etedthecommu nicationsl ay ou t . Ifp ol icehad
aconfidential messagetoconvey tothedep artments
ofothercommu nities, theop eratorattheLindb ergh
estatewasab l etosendthemessageb y tel ety p eand
itwasrep rodu cedinstantl y onrecordingmachinesin
hu ndredsofp ol icestations .
Itisthereforeal l themoreamaz ingthatsomeof
theseearl y , " redhot" tip sdidnotb ringresu l ts, for
thereseemedtob enochancethatany p ersoncou l d
el u dep ol iceoncethescenthadb eenestab l ished .
M indy ou - thesearteriesofcommu nicationwere
inadditiontotheorganiz edandthevol u nteersearch
al l overtheworl d!
Herewasamy stery , indeed!Herewasathril l er
thatecl ip sedal l p reviou sthril l ers, whetherfictionor
fact!
Onthefou rthday fol l owingthek idnap p ingitwas
estimatedthatthesearchb eingcondu ctedwascost-
ingtheStateofNewJ ersey atl east$ 1 5 , 0 0 0 aday .
Intheex p enseswereincl u dedthesal ariesofmen
engagedinthemanhu nt, thecostofeq u ip mentem-
9
2 TRUESTORYOFTHELINDBERG HKIDNAP P ING
p l oy ment, andtel ep honeandtel egrap hcharges . How
mu chmorethesearchhadcostC ol onel Lindb ergh,
p rivatel y , isnotk nown .
Inl essthanthreeweek sacardindex l isting1 , 4 0 0
p ersonswhohadb eenq u estionedanddiscardedas
thek idnap p ersoftheb ab y , ap p earedtob ethesol e
accomp l ishmentoftheforcesofthel aw . Atthis
ju nctu reitb ecamemoreevidentthaneverthatthe
crimewasl ik el y toremainamy stery u ntil theb ab y
steal ersthemsel veschosetomak eamovetowards
sol vingit .
Howmany atip dovetail edp erfectl y witha
theory , waswel l showninaseriesofdewsthatwere
carefu l l y siftedatHop ewel l morethantwoweek s
afterthecrime . Itwil l b erecal l edthattherewasa
p ol icetheory oftheactu al methodofthek idnap p ers,
annou ncedonWednesday , M arch1 6 . Thefol l ow-
ingday discl osedaninq u iry al ongl inesthatseemed
tosu b stantiatethetheory
. Thep ol icenotionwas
thatthreep ersonswereinvol ved .
Ab l u e- greensedan, withNewYork l icensep l ates,
wasseeninthevicinity oftheLindb erghhomesev-
eral timesb eforethek idnap p ing . Itcarriedthree
men
.
Thefirstrecol l ectionofthecarwasthatof
TheresaDersi, amu sicstu dent, 1 9 y earsofage, re-
sidingnearFeatherb edLane .
Shesaidthatshehad
seenthecaronFeb ru ary 2 2 , withthreemeninit
.
C LEWS- - C LEWS- C LEWS

9 3
Themenask edhertheway totheLindb erghhome,
shetol ddetectives .
Al fredHammond, awatchmanattheSk il l man
rail roadcrossing, tol dofhavingseenacarthat
seemedju stl ik ethecardescrib edb y M issDersi,
onl y fiveorsix day sb eforetheab du ction .
Thecar
p assedb etween8 and9 o' cl ock inthemorning, Ham-
mondsaid
.
J ohnDou gherty , atel ep honel ineman, wentfu r-
therinb earingou tthisstory . Hewasontheroad
nearthel anetotheLindb erghresidence, whenhe
sawtheau to . Stil l nearer, itwasseenb y J ay M oore,
afarmer' sson . M issDersiwasthenearesttothe
Lindb erghhometoseetheau to
. M issReb ecca
Bu sh, ofZion, rep ortedhavingseenthecareastof
thel ocal p ostoffice, indicatingthatitmay havere-
tu rnedb y thenorthrou tetoZion . Thecarwasnever
seenafterM arch1 , theday b eforethek idnap p ing
.
P ol icedidnotfail totrack thatcl ew, either . Bu t
thedewssimp l y addedtotheendl esstrail .
Thep rob l emofcheck ingrep ortsofal l varieties
fromthefarcornersoftheworl dgradu al l y assu med
tragic- b u rl esq u ep rop ortions . Tru eenou gh, any du e
mightl ocatetheb ab y .
Bu twheretherewereso
many su p p osedtraces, somany p rob ab l el eads, the
p ol ice, thep rivateinvestigatorsandthevol u nteers
constantl y fou ndthemsel vesontheb rink ofsheer
ab su rdity .
Therep ortsgrewcu mu l ativel y . Inasingl eday ,
9 4 TRUESTORYOFTHELINDBERG HKIDNAP P ING
asmany asfou rb ab ieswerefou ndinvariou ssections
ofthecou ntry , eachatfirstseriou sl y consideredthe
Lindb erghb ab y .
Asl ongafterthek idnap p ingasM arch1 8 , these
rep ortscrop p edu p . Fou rb ab ieswerefou nd, de-
scrib edasthemissingchil d, andthenl efttotheir
gu ardians
. AtC reston, Iowa, M rs . Fl orenceBay ne,
4 0 y earsol d, ofJ erome, Ariz ona, wasaccostedina
hotel witha2 0 - monthsol dinfant . Theb ab y ' sde-
scrip tion, whensenttoHop ewel l , p rovedthatthe
chil dwasnotthemu ch- sou ght" eagl et
. " Atthe
sametime, al most, achil dseenintheAl b anoInn,
atTrenton, was" su sp ect . " Inq u iry reveal edthe
b ab y inq u estiontob ethegrandsonofJ osep hAl -
b ano, p rop rietorofthep l ace
. InTheBronx , New
York C ity , stil l anotherinfantwasinvestigated
. And
inWaterb u ry , C onn
. , afou rthchil dwasb el ievedto
b etheLindb erghoffsp ring
. Al l su chdewsl ed
y
ex
actl y nowhere .
Oneofthecu riositiesoftheLindb erghcasep roved
tob etheimmensity of" p ositivecl ews . " Timeand
again, informationwasmadep u b l icthatwou l dhave
l edany onetob el ievethattheLindb erghchil d
mightb eretu rned, orl ocated, atany minu te
.
P erhap s, shou l dthereeverariseagainacasecom-
p arab l etothisone, p ol icewil l b eab l e, fromtheex -
p eriencegainedintheLindb erghchase, todistingu ish
moreq u ick l y b etweenfactandfancy
. Whethermany
ofthep ersonsinvol vedinthese" cl ews" werereal l y
C LEWS- C LEWS- - - C LEWS!

9 5
convincedthatthey weretel l ingthetru th, wil l never
b ek nown . M any ofthemu ndou b tedl y b el ieved
theirownstories
. Somewerel iarsontheface- ofit .
Andstil l othersmay haveb eenl edtob el ievethey
weretel l ingthetru thb ecau sethey hadb ecomeso
ex citedb y thechasethattheirmindshadb ecome
sop p edu p initandtheirimaginationshadgottenthe
b estofthem
. Afteral l , thedistanceb etweenimagina-
tionandfactisnotsofar .
Anex amp l eofwhatseemedl ik easignificantcl ew
wasthatfu rnishedb y C al vinP etty , afarmerof
Kingston, NewJ ersey , ab ou ttwel vemil esfromthe
Lindb erghs .
OntheSatu rday fol l owingthek idnap p ing, P etty
saidthathewasap p roached, atab ou t8
: 3 0 p . m . , b y
amanwhop romisedtogivehimtheLindb ergh
b ab y , andp ay him$ 1 0 0 forthe" trou b l e . " The
" trou b l e" wastheretu rningofthechil dtoitsp arents
.
P etty saidthathehadwal k edou tofhishome
whenanau tomob il ewasp assing . Thedriverstop p ed
thecarsomedistancedowntheroad, P etty said, and
amanwal k edb ack andask ed, " Doy ou l ivehere?"
P etty saidhedid .
" Howmu chwou l dy ou tak etoretu rntheLind-
b erghb ab y toitshome, iny ou rownau tomob il e?" the
manissu p p osedtohaveask edP etty
.
P etty tol dtheau thoritiesthathehadanswered
" twenty thou sanddol l ars . " Thefigu rewasthe
" firsttoenter" P etty ' shead, heex p l ained .
9 6 TRUESTORYOFTHELINDBERG HKIDNAP P ING
Thestrangerthenannou ncedthathewou l db ring
P etty $ 1 0 0 inanenvel op e, inonedol l arb il l s, P etty
rel ated . Themoney andb ab y wou l db edel ivered
tohimonM onday , twoday safterthevisit, theu n-
k nownmantol dP etty , accordingtothefarmer' s
story .
Then, P etty said, themanthreatenedtok il l him
ifhedaredrel atethestory . Withthatedict, the
strangerraceddowntheroadtothecarandtheau to
sp edoffb eforeP etty cou l dgetagl imp seofitorof
thel icensep l atenu mb er .
P etty describ edthemanasab ou t3 5 y earsol d, an
American, shortandheavy setwithamark l ik ea
mol eonhisrightcheek . Thederb y thatthemanwore
wasseveral siz estool argeforhimandwasjammed
downoverhishead, tothecol l arofhisgray coat .
Thestory wascheck edb u twasap p arentl y grou nd-
l ess .
Henry F. M ey ersandFrank Sp u rl l e, twomore
l ocal farmers, thentol dstoriesofhavingseenanu m-
b erofmeninanau tomob il ep erformingmy steriou s
trip sthrou ghthecou ntry side
. They describ edhow
someofthesefel l owsmetanothermaninacl u mp of
b u shes, handinghimap ack ageanddep artingafter
awhisp eredconversation . Au thoritiesb el ievedthat
incidenttob ethep ossib l edel ivery ofl iq u orb y b oot-
l eggers .
Onemanactu al l y confessedthathewasthe
'
driver
ofthek idnap p ers' carandhisconfessionatfirstcau sed
C LEWS- C LEWS- C LEWS 9 7
consternationandwasthenq u ick l y discarded . That
manwentsofarastonamethep l acewherehesaid
theb ab y wasl eftwhenhedep artedfromthecom-
p any ofthek idnap p ers .
Thisu nu su al confessionwasmadeb y amanwho
describ edhimsel f as IgnaceBl au stein
. Hehadb een
ap p rehended
in Boise, Idaho, onachargeofsteal ing
cl othesandjewel ry fromafraternity hou seatthe
l ocal u niversity
. Hehad, whenarrested, " confessed"
top ol icethathewasthechau ffeu rfortheLindb ergh
k idnap p ers .
Hegavethep ol iceaNewark address
wherehesaidthek idnap p ersandb ab y werel iving
atthetimethathehadl eftthem, afewday searl ier .
TheconfessionwasmadeinP ocatel l o, Idaho, and
desp itethedistance- acrossthecontinent- thecheck -
u p wasmadeinstantaneou sl y . P ol icesaidthatthe
addressgivenasthehide- away ofthek idnap p ershad
reveal ednothing .
Oneofthesensationsinthecasewhich, p rob ab l y
b ecau seitwasenshrou dedwithsomu chmy stery ,
arou sedthehop esofthefol l owersoftheLindb ergh
case, wasthatwhichoriginatedintheTomb s- the
NewYork C ity p rison
. Oneofthego- b etweensof
theLindb erghs, madeavisittotheTomb saftermid-
night, toconsu l twithap risonerthere . J osep hFu l -
l ingFishman, NewYork C ity ' sDep u ty C ommis-
sionerofC orrectionsadmittedthattheemissary had
b eenthere, b u tdecl inedtodescrib ethenatu reofthe
visit . C ommissionerRichardC
. P atterson, Fish-
9 8
TRUESTORYOFTHELINDBERG HKIDNAP P ING
man' ssu p eriorofficer, remainedsil entinthefaceof
rep ortsthatthep risonerhadb eenru shedtothe
Lindb erghhometoattendaconferencethere .
Theincidentstirredthecity
. Thingsb eganto
hu m . Rep orts, theeternal l ifeb l oodoftheLindb ergh
case, indicatedany thingandevery thing .
Onthefol l owingday , C ol onel H. Norman
Schwarp k op fadmittedthatap risonerfromtheNew
York C ity p enitentiary onWel fareIsl and, inthe
metrop ol is, hadb eentransferredtothecu stody of
theNewJ ersey au thorities, whil einformationthat
hehadimp artedwasb einginvestigated .
Thistimetheau thoritieswerep roceedingcau -
tiou sl y andthesecrecy seemedl ik el y tob ringou t
somethingval u ab l e .
Thep risonerarou ndwhomsomu chsecrecy had
b eenthrownp rovedtob eC harl esOl iver, describ ed
b y p ol iceasa" C hicagohoodl u m" whohadacq u ired
acriminal recordsincehehadl efttheWindy C ity
andcomeEast .
Ol iverdescrib edap l otthathesaidhehaddis-
cu ssedwithWil l iamG l eason, ofC l iffside, NewJ er-
sey , whenthetwoofthemwereservingtimeinthe
Hu dsonC ou nty P enitentiary inNewJ ersey , some-
timeearl ier . G l eason, saidOl iver, hadconsp ired
withhimtok idnap theLindb erghb ab y . They were
tol eavethechil dwithM rs . C atherineDu chek , G l ea-
son' sl andl ady , accordingtoOl iver' sstory .
ThefactthatG l easonhadsinceb eendischarged
C LEWS- C LEWS- C LEWS!

9 9
fromp risonl edp ol icetob el ievethathemay have
carriedou tthep l an, withou tinformingOl iverab ou t
it . BothG l easonandM rs
. Du chek werecl osel y
q u estioned .
Bu tmostvigorou sinq u iry reveal ed
nothingthatwou l dindicatetheirp articip ationinthe
crime . G l eason, whohadb eendetainedb y p ol ice,
wasthenfreed .
Stil l anotherex amp l eofaccu mu l atingevidence
thatseemedsu fficienttoestab l ishal ink withthe
ab du ctionwasthecaseoftheEngstenb ergs
.
Thisu nu su al cl ewcametotheattentionofthe
au thoritieswhennewsp ap ersb egantop u b l ishthe
statementsofC
. LeandroLightfoot, weal thy sal es
managerofal argeconcern, residinginFrank l in
P ark , asu b u rb ofNewBru nswick , NewJ ersey , ab ou t
twenty mil esfromtheLindb erghestate . Light-
footandhiswifedescrib edthemy steriou sdisap p ear-
anceoftheirformerservants, P au l andC atherine
Engstenb erg, G ermans, whohadb eenintheLight-
footemp l oy foronl y amonth .
OnthenightoftheLindb erghk idnap p ing, M r .
andM rs
. Lightfootsaid, theirtwoservantshad
b orrowedtheLightfootau tomob il eandhadretu rned
itcak edinmu d, aftertravel l ing6 0 mil esinsteadof
1 4 , asthey hadp romised
. Andontheday afterthe
k idnap p ing, accomp aniedb y inex p l icab l eex cu ses, the
Engstenb ergssu ddenl y resignedashou sehol dem-
p l oy eesanddep arted . Themissingcou p l eu seda
1 0 0 TRUESTORYOFTHELINDBERG HKIDNAP P ING
different
name
when she emp l oy ed them, M rs .
Lightfootsaid .
Aseriesofcu riou sfactscametol ight . Lightfoot
hadask edEngstenb ergtomak eal adderforhim .
Achisel wasmissingfromtheLightfootestate .
Thesearticl es, ofcou rse, werel ink edtotheLind-
b erghaffair .
Final l y , p ol icel ocatedthemissingp air . They
hadsecu redemp l oy mentinArdmore, P ennsy l vania .
They ex p l ained, forinstance, thatthereasonwhy
they hadl efttheLightfoothomesohu rriedl y and
my steriou sl y wasthatthey hadconcoctedsomeharm-
l ess" fib s" inordertodep artwithou ttel l ingthe
Lightfootsthereal reasonforresigning- thefact
thatthey cou l dnotgetal ongwiththeLightfoots'
son, a 1 2 - y earol dstu dentatRu tgersUniversity .
Fiveday safterthefirstex citedal armwassou nded
fortheEngstenb ergs, thecou p l ehadb eenb rou ght
totheLindb erghestateandhadex p l ainedtheir
activitiestop ol icesatisfactoril y
. They werecl eared
ofcomp l icity inthecase- andretu rnedtoob scu rity
.
Itwasnotu ncommonforol dk idnap p ingsandk id-
nap p l otstob eu nearthedandre- ex amined . The
theory herewasthatak idnap p erorp otential k id-
nap p ermighthaverep eatedtheactintheLind-
b erghcase .
Stanl ey C randal , ofRochester, NewYork , who
wasimp l icatedinthek idnap p ingofVernerAl ex -
anderson, ofSchenectady , NewYork , wasq u estioned
C LEWS- - C LEWS- C LEWS!

1 0 1
b y p ol ice, b u tfou ndtohavenoconnectionwiththe
Lindb ergh
case . Aco- p l otterinthatcase, Harry
C
. Fairb ank s, wasfou ndtob estil l injail
. Ab etter-
k nownk idnap p l otwasthatwhichhadasitsp u rp ose
theab du ctionofM ax P hil l ip s, weal thy retiredcol l ar
manu factu rerofEatontown, NewJ ersey
. Thisfan-
tasticscheme, whichhadex p l odedsometimeearl ier,
invol vedamannamedFrank Berg.
Thel atterwas
sou ghtb y p ol ice_ andfou nd
. Up onq u estioningin
connectionwiththeLindb erghcase, itwasannou nced
thatthemancou l dnothavehadany connectionwith
itandhewasex onerated
.
Every k idnap casethatoccu rred- inthiscou ntry for
y earsearl ierwasthu s_ p rob edcomp l etel y .
Kidnap -
p erswerecheck edu p .
M any werefou ndtob estil l
injail . Thoseou tonp arol e, oratcomp l etefreedom,
wererou ndedu p in al l
p artsofthecou ntry and
thorou ghl y q u estioned .
Natu ral l y , thep ol icewereearl y u rgedtoinq u ire
intotheidentitiesofthemenwhob u il ttheLind-
b erghhou se
. Itwasargu edthatthek idnap p ersmu st
havehadk nowl edgeofthel ay ou t
of therooms . It
thereforefol l owedthatawork manemp l oy edincon-
stru ctingtheb u il dingmightwel l haveinformedthe
k idnap p ersofthel ocationofthenu rsery andgiven
othertip s .
Anofficial commu niq u efromC ol onel Schwarz -
k op fsettl edthatp haseofthecl ew- chase
.
" C arefu l andthorou ghcheck hasb eenmadeon
1 0 2 TRUESTORYOFTHELINDBERG HKIDNAP P ING
morethan1 0 0 formeremp l oy eshiredtoassistinthe
constru ctionoftheLindb erghresidence, " C ol onel
Schwarz k op fsaid . " Nothingofany k indwasfou nd
tol ink themwiththecrime . "
Itwil l b eob servedthatnostonewasl eftu n-
tu rned- howeverrep etitiou sthetu rningofstones
mighthaveb een .
Thesomewhatb iz arrefigu reofAntoniaC howl ew-
sk y , who, b ecau seofheroccu p ation, b ecameb etter
k nown as the" p igwoman, " shedagl owacrossthe
dou rSou rl andhil l s
. The" gl ow" wasthewoman' s
ever- p resentstory ab ou tk idnap p ingru morsinthe
hil l sb eforeevertheLindb erghb ab y wastak enaway .
Thefirstp u b l ishedinterviewwiththe" p ig
woman" washadb y J oanLowel l , thewriter, and
Antonia' sversionwastol dinacop y rightedstory in
theNewYork Eveningjou rnal , ex cl u sivel y .
Thep igwomanl ivedonahal f- forgotten, isol ated
roadnearZion, ahaml etinthehil l s . Themostim-
p ortantp ointinherstory wasthat, onthenightof
thek idnap p ing, someb ody hadb rok enintoal ock ed
su mmercottagethatsheowned . Awomanandsev-
eral menl eftmu ddy track sonthefl oor, shesaid .
M ajorSchoeffel , oftheNewJ ersey Statetroop ers,
cal l edherstatementhighl y significant, b u titwas
l atercontendedthatthe" mu ddy track s" mighthave
b eenmadeeitherb y investigators, afterthecrime,
orb y p ersonswhohadb rok enintothep l aceforany
reason, somep eriodb eforethecrime
.
C LEWS- - C LEWS- C LEWS

1 0 3
Antoniacl u ngtotheviewthatl ocal fol k shadk id-
nap p edtheb ab y .
Astrangermovedintoahou seu p theroadfrom
herin J u l y , 1 9 3 1 , shesaid . Themancameoverone
day and, aftergu ardedhints, informedherthat
someonewho" didn' tl ik etheLindb erghs" mightb e
" p aidwel l " fortheirviews
.
ThemancamefromBrook l y nandwasaccom-
p aniedb y anothermanandtwowomen, thep ig
womansaid .
Antoniasaidshewasafraidto" tal k toomu ch" -
afraidofthemou ntainfol k s, sheadded . Heroc-
cu p ationasa" p igrenderer, " gaveherop p ortu nity
tok nowtheneighb oringfol k swhomsheap p arentl y
didnotgetal ongwith, very wel l
. Herjob was
sl au ghteringp igsandshedidthesmok ingofthe
hamandb acon, aswel l . Herjob , sheindicated,
wasn' tcondu civetowarmfriendship sintheregion .
Sincenocu rtainshu ngintheLindb erghhome, she
said, theirb u siness, desp itetheirideasofisol ation
andtheirl oveofit, wasasop enas" agol dfishb owl . "
Antonial ook edu p onthek idnap p ingasajob of
vengeanceb y aBrook l y nrack eteerb entu p onfasten-
ingtheb l ameonarival . Themanhadgottenl ocal
fol k stodothek idnap p ing, thep igwomansaid
.
Al thou ghhertheoriesweresomewhatfantastic, her
factswerenot .
Shep ointedou t, forinstance, that
thesu p p osed" rack eteer" whomshehadnotseen
sincethesu mmerb efore, ap p earedsu ddenl y onthe
1 0 4 TRUESTORYOF THELINDBERG HKIDNAP P ING
Zionroad, inanau tomob il e, theday b eforethek id-
nap p ing . Hedrove off withou tsp eak ingtoher .
Onanotheroccasion, whenab ab y ' sdiap erwas
fou ndinoneofAntonia' sab andonedhu ts, thep ig
womanassertedthatherconfidenceinherown
theory - thatl ocal fol k didtheab du ction- wasb ased
u p onherb el iefthatthey wantedtogetC ol onel Lind-
' b ergh to moveaway . Thereasonforthat, sheadded,
wasthathisp resenceb rou ghtap ossib il ity ofdetection
intheap p l e- jack indu stry , whichfl ou rished in that
region .
Sp ectacu l arraidsinandarou ndNewYork C ity , on
ap artmentsandotherp l aces, inap ol icesearchfor
Harry Fl eischer, NewYork andDetroitgangster,
attractedwideattention . Fl eischerwasrep ortedto
haveb eenamemb eroftheoriginal " p u rp l egang" of
Detroit
. Accordingtorep orts, hewasinhidingwith
Ab eWagner, arack eteerofNewYork ' sEastSide .
El ab oratel y anddramatical l y stagedraids, p articu -
l arl y oneatG reenp ort, LongIsl and, avail edl ittl ein
thesearchforthisp air
. Itwasl aterrep ortedthat
they hadgainedshel terab oardaru mru nner, b e-
y ondthetwel ve- mil el imitandtheC oastG u ardhad
b eenu rgedtoaidinthesearch
.
Anotherp ertinentreasonforthesearch for
Fl eischerandhisaidewasgiven . Thehu nt, itwas
said, resu l tedfromastory thathadcomefroma
tru ck driverwhohadob servedaC hry sl ercou p eon
C LEWS- C LEWS- C LEWS!

1 0 5
BergenStreet, Newark , at9 : 3 0 a . m . onM arch2 , a
shorttimeaftertheab du ction.
C ap tainofDetectivesHarry G au thier, ofJ ersey
C ity , hadatal k withthetru ck man
. Themansaid
thatthecou p ewassp eedingwhenhefirstsawit .
TheC ap tainq u otedthetru ck manasfol l ows :
" Thecou p eranoveracrateandp u nctu red a tire .
OnemanwaschangingthetireasIdrovep ast, in
my tru ck . Anothermansatinsidethecou p ewitha
b ab y , wrap p edinal ightwool enb l ank etinhisarms .
" AsIp assed, themanp u l l edhishatoverhisey es
andtu rnedtheb ab y ' sheadaway . Bu tIcou l dsee
thechil dhady el l ow, cu rl y hairandIgotagoodl ook
atthatman' sfaceb eforehep u l l edhishatdown .
Thefel l owchangingthetiretu rnedhisb ack tome . "
Thetru ck manwhohadreadofthek idnap p ingthat
very morning, triedtofindap ol iceman, b u twhen
heretu rnedtothescene, thecou p ewasgone . He
thentol dhisemp l oy erwhob rou ghthimtoG au thier
.
Withdetectives, thechau ffeu r, wenttoNewYork
andintheRogu e' sG al l ery , p ick edou tap hotograp h
ofFl eischerasthemanwhomhehadseeninthe
cou p e .
Themerechaseofcl ewswasnotenou ghandthe
doseadvisersoftheC ol onel ap p arentl y recogniz ed
thatfact . They offeredconstru ctivesu ggestionsde-
signedtomeetany emergency . TheC ol onel , itmu st
b eob served, hadissu edformal annou ncementsin-
tendedtomak etheway easy forthek idnap p ersto
1
0 6
TRUESTORYOFTHELINDBERG HKIDNAP P ING
getintou chwithhim . Hehadarrangedtohave
p ol iceceaseop eninghismail . Hehadap p ointed
u nderworl denvoy s . Hehadp l edgedhiswordnot
todivu l getheidentitiesofthek idnap p ers . Hehad,
infact, madeevery conceivab l eoffertocl earthe
way fornegotiations .
Stil l anotherarrangementwasp l anned, anditwas
advancedb y M rs . Lindb ergh' su ncl e, Brigadier
G eneral J ay J . M orrow
. Thep l an, whenfinal l y
arranged, wasl ook edu p onastheonl y fool - p roof
oneadvanced .
Lindb erghwassecretl y tosecu retheaidofa
l awy erhavingwidesp readcontactswiththeu nder-
worl d . Thel awy erwastob eau thoriz edtop ay the
ransomtothek idnap p ersandp romisethatthey
wou l dnotb emol ested .
Thep rocedu rewasthenthatthek idnap p erswou l d
p l acetheb ab y withsomefamil y total l y disinterested
inthecase .
Thel awy erwasthentob enotifiedof
thewhereab ou tsofthechil d
. Thek idnap p erswere
tofl eetoaforeigncou ntry
. Whenthechil dhadb een
recovered, C ol onel Lindb ergh, u nderG eneral M or-
row' sp l an, wastosendthemoney toaforeigncou n-
try wherethek idnap p ersmightgetit- andescap e
.
Fromtheseandotherincidents, theconcl u sionthat
awhol l y u np recedentedorganiz ationwasinhotp u r-
su itofthek idnap p ers,
is inevitab l e . Neverb efore
C LEWS- C LEWS- C LEWS!

1 0 7
inhistory hadsomany p ersonssou ghtthewhere-
ab ou tsofonep erson- andthatonep ersona2 0 -
monthsol db ab y !
C HAP TERVI
THELADDER- AC LEW?
Nocrimewasevercommittedwithou tacl ew
.
Thatistheedict, fromtimeimmemorial , towhich
every criminol ogistsu b scrib es . Nomatterhowcl ever,
nomatterhowcarefu l l y p l anned, nomatterhow
ex -
traordinary theintel l igenceofthecriminal - inshort,
nomatterhowp erfectthecrimemay b e, acl ewmu st
b el eft . Thevery actofacrimeinvol vesacl ew
.
Any thingthatisdonel eavesitsmark
.
Tru e, theLindb erghk idnap p ersl eftfootmark s .
Tru e, they l eftachisel
. Tru e, they l eftimp rintson
theroadwheretheircarp ark ed
. Andthey l efta
l adder!
Ofal l thecl ews, su rel y thel addermostdeserved
investigation . Achisel , afteral l , isachisel
. Even
iftheshop werefou ndinwhichthechisel hadb een
b ou ght ; evenifthemanu factu rer' snamewereascer-
tained, thechisel wou l dp roveadifficu l tcl ew
. Itis
nothereru l edou tasacl ew, norwasitru l edou tb y
p ol ice . Bu ttherewasnothingu niq u eab ou tit-
nothingwhateverthatstoodou t . Thesamewastru e
ofthefootp rintsandtheau to- tiremark s . Evenif
thetiresonthek idnap - au towerenew- nothingu n-
1 0 8
THELADDER- AC LEW?

1 0 9
u su al cou l db eascertainedfromthat . Incidental l y ,
therewerenofingerp rints .
Nowastothel adder, twoimp ortantconsiderations
mu stb eb orneinmind .
Thefirstisthatthel adder
may nothaveb eenu sedatal l .
Thesecondisthat,
ofcou rse, itwasu sed
.
Inthefirstevent, thel addercou l dhaveb een
no
morethanacl ew astotheidentity ofthek idnap p ers,
forwhetherthey u seditornot, itwas their
l adder .
Andifitwasn' ttheirs, itsu rel y b el ongedto
some-
one.
Findtheownerofthel adderandy ou havea
l eadtotheidentity ofthek idnap p er .
Itisacu riou s , aswel l asp ertinentfactthatwhen
descrip tionsofthel adderweregivenou t, forp u b l ic
consu mp tion, withthehop ethatp u b l icaidmightb e
had, thedescrip tionsofthel adderdiffered . Inview
ofthefactthatthestoriesofthefactssu rrou nding
theactu al k idnap p ingal sodifferedgreatl y , thereis
nodou b tb u tthataidofthep u b l ic, whichatthetime
mighthaveb eenassu medtob eneeded, wasb al k ed
b y thep u b l icationofsomany stories .
Thiswasnot
thefau l tofthenewsp ap ermen, b u tofthesou rces
ofinformation, inal l p rob ab il ity .
Onthevery day , forinstance, whentheNew
York Americanwasdescrib ingp encil mark sonthe
l u mb erofthel adder, theWorl d- Tel egraman-
nou nced : " therewerenop encil mark sformeasu re-
mentsb eforecu tting . "
Itisnotk nown, norhasitb eenannou ncedsince
1 1 0 TRUESTORYOFTHELINDBERG HKIDNAP P ING
thel adderwask ep tfromp u b l icviewb y p ol ice,
whetherthesep encil mark sex isted . Unimp ortant?
Wel l , inthisonecase, nothingwasu nimp ortant, as
thechasesoonp roved .
Theonl y actu al cl u eonthel adderitsel fwasp en-
cil l edvery cru del y withtheinitial s" YP C l assD
. "
Ofcou rsethisl edtoathorou ghvisittoal l l u mb er
y ardswhereany su chmark smighthaveb eenmade
asidentification, b u tnothingmaterial iz edintheearl y
inq u iries .
Onetheory haditthatthel adderhadb eenu sed
somewhereintherearofthehou se . Accordingto
thatnotion, thek idnap p ershadgainedaccesstosome
otherroomonthesecondfl ooroftheb u il dingand
hadgonethrou ghthehal l way sandroomstothe
nu rsery . Bu tM rs
. Lindb ergh, atl eastsoitwashel d,
wasonthesecondfl oor, intheb athroomofthehou se,
whenthek idnap p ingtook p l ace . Shemighthave
heardthek idnap p ers . Andb esides, why wou l dthe
k idnap p ersu seal adderonsomeroomotherthan
thenu rsery , whenthey cou l dju staswel l gointothe
nu rsery directl y ?Detection? Hardl y that
. They
stood as mu chchanceofb eingdetectedinany room .
Nowifthel adderwerenotu sed b y any stretch
oftheimagination- ithadtob eb rou ghttothe
p rop erty b y someb ody andthatsomeb ody wasu n-
dou b tedl y al ink inthechainl eadingtothek id-
nap p ers .
THELADDER- AC LEW?

III
Thel adder, therefore, l oomedu p fromthestart
asasignificantdew .
Thel adderwas in threesections, eachsevenfeet
l ong
. Al l threesectionsweremadeofp ine
. One
official descrip tionhaditasy el l owp ine, anotheras
Sou thernwhitep ine, b u titwasthel atter . The
woodwasnew . Thesectionsweremadesothateach
wou l dtel escop eintotheother . Eachsectionwas
sl ightl y widerattheb ottomthanatthetop , top er-
mitthep artstofit .
Now, thetwotop sectionswerecarefu l l y made .
Thestep shadb eensu nk , ormortisedintotheside
p l ank s, oru p rights .
Thetop softhestep soneachofthetwotop sec-
tionswerefl u shwiththeu p rights . Thu sthemiddl e
andtop sectionshadb eencarefu l l y made .
Inthetop section, fou rstep shadb eenmortised
intotheu p rights, ab ou ttwenty inchesap art .
The
step sweretwoandthree- q u arterincheswideandan
inchthick . They hadb eensecu redintwou p rights
thatwerethreeincheswideandoneinchthick . Two
nail swereu sedoneachsideofeachstep , mak ing
fou r
nail stoastep . Eight- p enny wirenail shad
b eenu sedthrou ghou t
.
Intheb ottomofeachoftheu p rightsoftheu p p er
sectionofthel adder, wasanotchab ou teightinches
l ong. Thenotchwasu sedtohook downoverthe
nex tl owersection, forminganex tensiontothemid-
dl esectionofthel adder .
i
1 1 2 TRUESTORYOFTHELINDBERG HKIDNAP P ING
Thesawmark swerenewl y madeontherawends
ofthel u mb er . Theonl y mark swererou ghp encil
scratches, ob viou sl y p l acedthereb y thecarp enter
whodidthejob , toindicatewherethestep swere
togo . Themark swereontheu p rights .
Inthetop section, then, therewerep l enty of
cl ewstowork . on, b ecau setherewereidentification
mark sthatnomak ercou l dmistak e .
Nowastothemiddl esectionofthel adder :
Itwasal mostthesameasthetop sectionasto
general stru ctu re . Ithadfou rstep s . Thetwo
l owerstep swereonl y afewinchesap art . They were
mortisedintotheu p rightsandfastenedwiththesame
ty p eofneweight- p enny wirenail s .
Ab ou tsix inchesfromthetop ofthemiddl esec-
tionwasawoodenru ng, fittedintohol esthathad
b eenb oredintothesidesoftheu p rights . Theru ng
actedasa su p p ortforthetop sectionwhenitrested
onthel owersection . Thedevice, ofcou rse, isk nown
toany onewhohaseverhandl edasectionl adder .
Attheb ottomofeachoftheu p rightsinthemid-
dl esection, notcheshadb eencu ttop ermitittofit
intothel owersectionofthel adder
.
Andatthisju nctu reinthedescrip tionofthel ad-
der, comesanimp ortantp oint
. M u chstresswas
p l acedu p onthisp ointatthetimeofthecrime .
Wedgesofwoodwereb rok enattheb ottomofeach
ofthetwou p rightsinthesection . Theb reak sex -
THELADDER- AC LEW?

1 1 3
tendedfromtheb ottomandfrontofthesectionto
ap ointop p ositewherethenotchterminated .
Ify ou visu al iz ethat, y ou wil l seethat, ifweight
werep l acedonthel adder, itmighthaveweak ened
atthesp otwherethenotcheswere- andb rok en . On
theotherhand, thewoodmighthaveb eenb rok en
ifthek idnap p ershadsou ghthu rriedl y tosep arate
thesectionand, b eingu nab l etodoso, hadstrained
atthemandsp l itthem .
Theb ottomsectionofthel adderwashel dmost
significant, however
.
Itwasmadeofthesamewood
andnail sastheu p p ersectionsofthel adder . Ithad
onl y threestep s
.
Bu tthestep swerenail edontheu p rightsinstead
ofb einginsetormortisedintotheb eams .
Theop inionofau thorities, whenthey sawthis,
wasthattheb ottomsectionhadb eenmadehu rriedl y
.
Andthatithadb eenmadeafteritwasl earnedb y
thek idnap p ersthattheothertwosectionswerenot
l ongenou ghtoreachthenu rsery windowofthe
Lindb erghhome . Thisnatu ral l y l edtotheconcl u -
sionthatthek idnap p ershadmadetwotrip stothe
Lindb erghhome . Thefirsttrip wastoascertain de-
tail s- anditwasthenl earnedthatthetwosections
togetherweretooshorttoreachthedesiredwindow .
Thesecondtrip wasforthek idnap p ing .
Therefore,
itwasreasoned, thek idnap p inghadb eenp l annedand
hadnotb eendoneonthesp u rofthemoment, ou tof
someemotion . Ofcou rsethedistancemighthave
1 1 4
TRUESTORYOFTHELINDBERG HKIDNAP P ING
b eenl earnedb y thek idnap p ersfromsomeinnocent
p erson- - andthecorrectioninthesiz eofthel adder
thenmade .
Bu tsu chal ineofreasoninginvol vedthetheory
thatthek idnap p ershadb eenintou chwiththeinno-
centinformantforap eriodoftimeal mostrightu p
tothek idnap p ing, whenthemechanical detail swere
b eingwork edou t
. Thatwasdeemedimp rob ab l e, for
thek idnap p ers, itwasassu med, wou l dhaveb een
shrewdenou ghtoreal iz ethatq u estioningofal l su ch
innocentinformersb y p ol icewou l dhavereveal edthe
p ersonstowhomthey hadgivensu chinformation-
p articu l arl y su chminu teinformation- andthep ol ice
wou l dthu shavel earnedtheIdentity ofthek idnap -
p ers .
Official statements, atthetimeofthek idnap p ing,
weretotheeffectthattherewerefivestep sonthe
middl esection
.
The
nu mb erofstep swasimp ortant .
Iftherehad
b eentwel vestep s, astheofficial versiontotal l edit,
thestep swou l dhaveb eennearertogether, onan
average
. Twooftheactu al el evenstep sweresocl ose
togetherthatap ersonu singthel adderp rob ab l y
wou l dhaveattemp tedtou seoneandnottheother
.
Thu stheu sab l estep snarroweddowntoteninnu m-
b er
. Andonatwenty - onefootl adder, thatwou l d
mak ethemab ou ttwofeetap art
. Try cl imb inga
l adderwithstep stwofeetap art!
Andthereonhu nganotherimp ortanttheory
.
THELADDER- AC LEW?

1 1 5
Aman might cl imb u p a
l adderwithru ngstwo
feetap art
. Bu tcou l d
any mancl imb downal adder,
withasl eep ingb ab y inhisarms- andwithru ngs
twofeetap art
. Wel l , may b e, aman cou l d
doit . Bu t
wou l d
he, ifhewerep l anningak idnap p ing?
Wou l dn' theb esu rethathisl adderwas, firstl y ,
strong ; andsecondl y , thatitsstep swerenearenou gh
togethertomak ehisl imb
easy andsp eedy ?
Up onthisp ointmu chdiscu ssionarose
. Andmu ch
ofitgaveweighttothenotionthatthel adder
had
neverb eenu sedatal l , namel y , thatithadb eenu sed
asa" p rop " tothrowsu sp icionofftherighttrack
.
Thefactthattheab du ctorscou l dhavegottenou t
ofthehou se
b y a door, withou tarou singtheLind-
b erghs, wasadmittedb y C ol onel Schwarz k op f, on
M arch8 . Hehadsu rvey edthel ay ou tofthehou se
andconcededthatitwasp ossib l ethatthel adder
mightnothaveb eentheway ou tu sedforthek id-
nap p ers, oncetheb ab y wasintheirhands
.
The" p rop " theory , thenwasp l au sib l e
.
Bu tthatwasanendl esschain
. Foritp resu p p osed
thatthek idnap p erswere p ositive
thatnob ody cou l d
everfindwherethel addercamefrom, whomadeit,
orhowithadb eentransp ortedtothesceneofthe
crime .
Wou l dthek idnap p ers
havetak enthe chance
of
l eaving acl ewb ehindthem- adewwithsomu ch
" p ersonal ity " asahome- madel adder- fornoother
1 1 6 TRUESTORYOFTHELINDBERG HKIDNAP P ING
reasonthantomak eit
ap p ear thatthey hadu sed
thel adder?Thatwasap oser!
Ontheotherhand, ifthek idnap p inghadb een
p l anned- andevery oneb el ievedthatitwas- then
why didthey nottak eafool - p roofl adderwiththem?
Wasn' titsomewhathap haz ardtou seal adderthat
hadstep sfarap art, thatcou l dn' tb etak enap artwhen
ithadtob e- andthathadahastil y madeb ottom
section?
Itisevidentthatthel adder, inevitab l y hadto
figu reinthecase, whetheritwasp rodu ctiveofresu l ts
ornot
.
Itwasthe' onep hy sical dewthathadsu f-
ficientp ointsinittotrace, withareasonab l eassu rance
thattheeffortwou l dl eadsomewhere . Timeand
again, my sterieshaveb eensol vedwhol l y b y cl ews
fu rnishingfewerl eadsthanthis, one .
Andthel adderwassoweak thatitmighthave
b eenb rok enu nderthep ressu reofu se! Asamatter
offact, theau thoritieshadru l edou tany b el iefthat
onl y onep ersonhaddonethek idnap p ing, b ecau se
itwasassu medthatthecl imb ingofthel adderwas
difficu l t andthat, therefore, onemancou l dnottak e
thechil dou tthewindowanddownit
. Oneman, in-
side, mu sthavehandedthechil dtoanother, waiting,
onthel adder, itwasreasoned .
Anordinary l adder, andap oorl y madeone! A
b u ndl eofwoodandafewnail s
. Andy etthe most
imp ortantcrimecl ew
ofal l time!
C HAP TERVII
FORBIDDENP RIVAC Y
They wantedp rivacy
.
Brave, b oy ishLindy andthegentl egirl hemar-
ried, Anne, wantedtob efaraway fromtheadmiring
crowds, theadoringthrongs, theinq u isitive, thesp y -
ing, andthedevotedmob swhostormedthep op u l ar
cou p l ewhereverthey ap p eared
. They wantedtob e
al onewiththeir, l oveandtheirl ove' sex p ression,
Bab y C harl es .
Andsothey b u il tthel ittl ewhitehou seonthe
wind- swep thil l
. Here, they fel t, they wou l dfind
tranq u il ity andp eace
. Here, atl ast, theworl dwou l d
nottak ethetrou b l etofol l owthem
. Here, away
fromtheconstantgaz eofthep op u l ace, they cou l d
l iveandl oveasthey p l eased- ju stthethreeofthem
- theLoneEagl e, hiscl ear- ey edgirl - wifeandtheir
gol denb ab y withtheey esandhairofhisfamou s
fatherandthedainty noseofhisaristocraticmother
.
" AnneandIwanttheb ab y togrowu p ju stl ik e
any otherb oy , " thehap p y C ol onel tol dhisfriends
whenBab y C harl esfirstarrivedtob l esstheirl ove
.
" Wearesoafraidthatthep u b l icity wehavehadwil l
b edisastrou stohisheal thy devel op ment
. Wewant
1 1 7
1 1 8 TRUESTORYOFTHELINDBERG HKIDNAP P ING
tol eadthel ivesofahap p il y marriedcou p l eand
wewantou rb ab y tol eadthel ifeofanormal chil d
. "
P oorLindy !
Littl edidhe gu ess ashesp ok ethewords, thatjoy
andhap p inessweretob eswep tfromhisgrasp b y
someonewhowou l dnotstop tothink ofhiswishes .
Littl edidhedreamthatthehavenofcomfortand
p eacewhichhehadcarefu l l y b u il tforhimsel fand
hisp reciou sl ittl efamil y wastob eru thl essl y de-
stroy ed b y anu nk nownhand .
" Wewanttol eadthel ivesofahap p il y married
cou p l e!"
Thatwashiswish, hisdream, hisasp iration . It
hadb eenl oveatfirstsightthatday inDecemb erof
1 9 2 7 whenhemetthedau ghterofhisgoodfriend,
DwightM orrow, theAmericanAmb assadortoM ex i-
co, du ringhisgoodwil l trip toSou thandC entral
America
. Andthere, u nderthesu nny M ex icansk ies
ofC u ernavaca, M orel as, theirromancehadfl owered .
Oftenthey strol l edtogetherab ou tthegrou ndsof
thesp aciou sM orrowestate . Atfirsthetal k edofhis
amb itionsandofthefu tu reofaeronau tics . Some-
timeshetou chedonthatl onetrip acrosstheAtl antic
Ocean
. Toherrecep tiveearshereveal edthedetail s
ofthatadventu reofadventu res .
Neverwou l dheforgettheirfirstairfl ightto-
gether
. Annehadb eenab itnervou sonthatday . Bu t
shehadb eenab ravegirl andsoonshehadb ecome
a
fu l l - fl edgedaviatrix withmany a sol ofl ighttoher
FORBIDDENP RIVAC Y

1 1 9
credit .
Overtheb eau tifu l hil l sand val l ey softhe
M ex icancou ntry sidethey fl ewtogether- andtheir
l ovegrewandb l ossomedintoab eau tifu l fl ower
.
Try ashemighttok eep hisromancetohimsel f
theworl dsoonl earnedofitanddemandedtok now
more .
" You b el ongtou s, " itseemedtosay
. " Every -
thingy ou do, orsay , orthink , isou raffair .
You
madeitsowheny ou b rou ghtab itofcol orintoou r
otherwisedrab l iveswithy ou rdaring, romantic
fl ight
acrossthegiganticsp anofwater
. Afterthatcou ra-
geou sfeaty ou l ostal l cl aimtofu tu rep rivacy
. We
adorey ou y ou rdaring, y ou rcou rage
) y ou rb oy ish-
ness, y ou rreticence, y ou rmodesty
. Andb ecau sewe
worship y ou , wewil l notl eavey ou inp eace . "
Bu tLindy cou l dnotu nderstandthisattitu deofan
idol iz ingp eop l e . Sl owl y
afeel ingofresentmentgrew
inhim
. Tohimtheadoringmen, womenandchil -
drenwhosou ghttok nowhisevery thou ghtwere
merel y p ry ing, inq u isitiveb u sy b odieswhorefu sed
toal l owhimthep rivacy hep riz edsohighl y
.
OnFeb ru ary 1 2 , 1 9 2 9 , their
engagementwasan-
nou nced . Bey ond a
b riefstatementtothateffect,
nothingwassaid
. Itcameasasu rp risetothe p u b l ic,
forru morsfirstnamedEl iz ab eth, Anne' ssister, asthe
y ou thfu l C ol onel ' sfiance
. Eventhathadb eenasu r-
p rise, forthefamou sfl ierwasshy b y temp erament
.
Hisearl ierassociatesrel atedstoriesofhishaving
" fl edfromwomen
. "
1 2 0 TRUESTORYOFTHELINDBERG HKIDNAP P ING
Lindy andAnnewereq u ietl y marriedattheM or-
rowhomeinEngl ewood, onM ay 2 7 , steal inga
marchontherep ortersandcameramenstationedal l
arou ndtheestateforweek s, inanticip ationofthe
hap p y event .
Evenonhishoney moon, Lindy andhisb ridewere
notal l owedtob eal onewiththeirnew- fou ndhap p i-
ness .
They had, escap edevery b ody b y theirq u iet
marriage. They wereoffontheirhoney moonb efore
theastonishednewshou ndsreal iz edwhathadhap -
p ened
. Andnowthesevery samenewshou ndswere
b entonmak ingu p thel ostop p ortu nity
.
Thenfol l owedamerry chasewithb rideand
groomthehu nted, andrep ortersandcameramen
fromevery metrop ol itannewsp ap er, thehu nters .
Occasional l y thehu nterssp iedthecou p l ewhowere
onay achtingtrip , andthenthenewsp ap erswere
treatedtovagu e, l ong- distance" shots" ofLindy on
theb oatorLindy p ou ringwaterintoap ail orLindy
rep airingamast .
Anneneverap p earedinthese
p ictu res .
Fromthattimeu ntil shep resentedherp rou d
hu s-
b andwitha7 / p ou ndsb oy b ab y thep u b l iccon-
tinu editsinterestintheminu testdetail softheir
l ives .
Itwas
b ecau seofthisnever- diminishing
cu riosity thatLindy , afewweek sl ater, handedou t
p hotograp hsofhisheirtotherep resentativesof
thenewsp ap ers
.
They ou ngcou p l emadetheirfamou strip tothe
FORBIDDENP RIVAC Y

1 2 1
Orient, in 1 9 3 1 , l eavingtheirp reciou soffsp ringin
thecareofhisgrandp arents, theM orrows, attheir
NorthHaven, M aine, home . Itwaswhil ethey were
intheFarEastthatthey l earnedofthesu ddendeath
ofDwightM orrow, whichb rou ghttheirtrip toa
hu rriedcl ose .
Simp l icity wasthek ey noteoftheirl ivesafterLin-
dy andAnneretu rnedfromtheirtrip totheOrient .
Al mostasifhereal iz edthatevery u nu su al move
meantcop y forthehu gep ressesinthenewsp ap er
p l antsthey sedu l ou sl y k ep tou tofthel imel ight .
Lik eany normal , hap p y , congenial y ou ngcou p l ethey
l ivedq u ietl y inthel ong, ramb l ingstonehou sethey
hadp aintedwhitetomatchtheirl ove . Becau sethey
enjoy edsimp l ethingsthey hadcop iedthehou se
fromtheFrenchp rovincial sty l e . Al oneitstood in
thecenter of 5 5 0 acresofrou ghl and, stu ddedwith
forestandu nderb ru shandl arge, u nevenb ou l ders .
Here, atl ast, Lindy fel tthathewassafefrom
thep ry ingey esoftheworl d . Herehefel tthese-
cu rity andp eacehehadmissedsincethatep och- mak -
ingfl ight . Nowhecou l dtak efroml ifethethings
heenjoy ed . Ifhewishedtowal k b areheadedthrou gh
thewoods, therewasnooneheretostop himand
ask himtosmil eintoacamera . Ifhewishedtofrol ic
withhisScotchterrier, therewasnoonetol ook with
greedy , inq u isitiveey esu p ontheinnocentdiversion .
And' ifhewishedtowhisp eragainthosewordsof
l ovetothesweetestgirl intheworl d- orifhe
1 2 2
TRUESTORYOFTHELINDBERG HKIDNAP P ING
wishedtoshou tthemtothesk ies- here, atl ast, he
wasfreetodoso .
Herehecou l dp l acehisarms
adoringl y ab ou therwithou ttheawfu l fearofb eing
seenb y hu ndredsofthou sandsofp ry ing, grasp ing-
for- romanceey es .
Herehecou l drel ax intothe
y ou ng, hap p y hu sb andthathewas, insteadofthe
idol aworship p ingmassofp eop l ehadmadeofhim
.
Theirhomeoftwenty roomswasfashionedafter
themannerofFrenchcou ntry homes
. Fromthe
frontdoorasmal l entrancehal l l eadsintothecheer-
fu l l ivingroomwhichtothem, isthevery heartand
centreoftheirhou se . Itisthel argestroominthe
hou sewithfirep l acesateachend . Frenchwindows
l ook ou tu p onastone- p avedterrace, b ey ondwhich
thel andex tendsaway toC ol onel Lindb ergh' sp ri-
vatel andingfiel d .
Su rrou ndingthel ivingroomarediningroom, k it-
chen, p antry andb ack p orch .
Thecu stomary French
b arnisrep l acedb y athree- cargarageattachedtothe
hou se . Atanotherendoftheb u il dingonthisfl oor
aretwosmal l chamb ersu sedasadenandagu est
room .
Thestairway l eadingu p stairsarisesfromtheen-
trancehal l tothefamil y p rivatechamb ers . Lindy ' s
andAnne' srooms, aredirectl y ab ovethel ivingroom,
withb ab y C harl es' nu rsery adjoining . Theservants'
q u artersareoverthegarage, andthethirdfl oorcon-
sistsofanu nfinishedattic .
This, then, wasthehap p y , p eacefu l andq u iethome
FORBIDDENP RIVAC Y

1 2 3
chosen for disru p tionb y acru el fate . Thevery sanc-
tu ary whichLindy hadatl astfou ndforhimsel f,
andwherehewasl earningtol osehisresentment
againstap ry ingworl d, wastob ethesceneofatrage-
dy whichshook thevery fou ndationsofevery home
inthecou ntry
.
Somewhere, someonehassaidthatitwasthey ou ng
C ol onel ' sp atheticdesireforp rivacy whichb ecamea
b oomerangtohim . For, sowel l didheshiel dhis
b ab y fromtheey esoftheworl d, thateventhefami-
l y ' sintimatefriendscou l donl y giveavagu edescrip -
tionofthechil dafterthek idnap p ing .
" Ifitishu manl y p ossib l eI' mgoing to k eep ou r
b ab y away fromthep u b l ic, " Lindy hadsaid . " I' d
l ik etohavehimgrowu p u nsp oil ed . Wefeel that
b ab y C harl esandou rp rivatel ivescanb eofnocon-
cerntothep u b l ic . It' sgoingtohu rtthaty ou ngster
ifhefindshimsel finthenewsal l thetime . I' ve
hadahardtimemy sel fandIwanttotry andsave
himfromit . "
Seriou s, l ogical words
. Hu man, p l eadingwords .
Yetitwasthesevery wordsandtheactingu p onthem
whichcheck ed, toadegree, thecou ntry - widesearch
forthestol enb ab y . Forfewtherewerewhohad
seenthel ittl eeagl et
. Onl y acomp arativehandfu l
ofp ersonsk newwhatBab y C harl esactu al l y l ook ed
l ik e .
Until 1 0 o' cl ock ontheeveningofTu esday ,
M arch1 , therewasnothingtoal armthep arentsof
1 2
4 TRUESTORYOFTHELINDBERG HKIDNAP P ING
theb l u e- ey edl au ghingb ab y insofarastheirchil d
wasconcerned . Tru e, hehadasl ightcol dandso
hadthey , b u tsu chthingswereex p ectedandu na-
voidab l e . M inu teattentionwasgivenBab y C harl es,
andAnne, too, wascarefu l nottostandinadraft,
foronl y ashorttwomonthsb eforeshehadjoy ou sl y
tol dLindy thatanotherb ab y hadb eenp romised
theminSep temb er - - anotherchil dto
cal l them
" Dad" andI' M u msy . "
Bu tthiswasTu esday evening, M arch1
. One
minu tethereex istedinthewhitestonehou seonthe
hil l ahap p y , contentedfamil y ofthree, envied, y et
u nap p roachedb y theou tsideworl d . Thenex tminu te
thehorrifiedscreamofawomanannou ncedthesu d-
den, astou ndingfactthatBab y Lindb erghhadb een
stol en- stol enou tofhisownl ittl ecrib inthenu r-
sery . Betty G ow, theb ab y ' snu rse, hadfou ndhim
missing . Kidnap p ed! Thewordseemedp rep oster-
ou sinconnectionwiththischil d . Itcou l dn' tb e! It
mu stnotb etru e!
Bu titwas . Stu nnedandhorrified, thefirstaction
ofAnneandLindy wastocal l thep ol ice . Itwasa
cru el jok e, they mu sthavefel t . Noonewou l ddare
tosteal theirb ab y ! Howcou l dany onethink they
cou l dgetway withit?Whowou l dp l ay su chap re-
p osterou strick u p onthem? Thiswasnomatterfor
fool ing!Theb ab y hadacol d! Heshou l dnothave
b eentak enou t
Bu tdownintheirheartsthey ou ngcou p l ek new
FORBIDDENP RIVAC Y

1 2 5
thatitwasnotajok e . . Theransomnotereveal ed
that
. Theimp ossib l ehadhap p ened . Someonehad
daredtosteal theirb ab y toob tainal argesu mof
money forthemsel ves . Ofal l themil l ionsofb ab ies
intheworl d, theirshadb eenp ick edforthisterrib l e
reason . Theirhel p l essl ittl eb oy - chil d, theircu rl y -
headed, b l u e- ey edinnocentb ab y , theiridol , hadb een
stol enfromthem, al mostb eforetheirvery ey es-
andthey hadb eenob l iviou softhep l ot!
ThemotherheartinAnneLindb erghal most
stop p edb eatingashermindp ictu redtheterrib l e
thingsthatcou l dnowb efal l herchil d . Whil eher
hu sb andl edthep ol icethrou ghtheirhome, showed
themthenu rsery withitsemp ty crib , took them
throu ghtherestofthehou seandthegrou nds, and
answeredthehu ndredsofq u estionsthey shotathim,
Anne' smindstru ggl edagainstthefearfu l thou ghts
whichp ersistedinintru ding
. Sometimessheb rok e
down .
" Oh, my b ab y , " shemoanedthen . " Whereare
y ou ? Whathavethey donetoy ou ?
Wil l Iever
seey ou again?
Wil l Ieverhol dy ou inmy arms
oncemore?"
Heranswerwasonl y thewhistl ingofthewindin
thetreesou tside .
Du ringthatfirstawfu l nightthey triedtoconsol e
eachother- thesetwoy ou thfu l p arents .
" Don' tworry , Anne, " saidLindy . " He' l l b eb ack
soon
. They can' tgetvery farwiththep ol iceontheir
1
2 6
TRUESTORYOFTHELINDBERG HKIDNAP P ING
trail .
- They didn' tgetmu chofastart . They ' re
somewherenearhere . Any minu tewemay hearof
theircap tu re . "
Bu ttheminu tesstretchedintohou rs, thehou rs
intoday s, andtheday sintoweek s . Al way sAnne
triedtocontrol hergriefandangu ish . Fornowshe
hadanotherl ifetothink of, anotherb ab y l ifewhich
hadb eengivenintoherk eep ingandwhosesafeen-
try intotheworl ddep endedu p onher .
" Imu stb ecarefu l , " herwrack edmindk ep tre-
p eating
. " Imu stnotal l owmy sel ftogrieve . It
isn' tgoodfortheb ab y
. "
Bu tsoonthethou ghtofherfirst- b orntak enfrom
herarmsb y anu nk nownhand, retu rnedtotortu re
heranew
. Sometimesacol d, nu mb feel ingtook the
p l aceoftheachingsorrowthatconsu medher . Occa-
sional l y shefou ndcou ragetosmil ewhenitwasex -
p ectedofher .
Theofficersofthel aw, intentu p on
theirwork ofrescu e, al way sfou ndhercou rteou s,
p l easantandconsiderate, desp itetheintensep ainthat
shook hervery b eing .
Thatfirstnight!Al way sitwil l l iveinthemem-
ory ofLindy andAnneasthemosthideou s, horri-
b l enightmareoftheirl ives
. Al way sitwil l retu rn
totortu rethemwithitswretchedness, misery and
imp otence .
Thedawnfou ndAnne' sfacegrey andhaggard
fromtheterrificstrain
. Lindy , too, hadaddedy ears
tohisl ook s
. Theap p eal ingb oy ishnesswasnowre-
FORBIDDENP RIVAC Y

1
2 7
p l acedb y adirect, forcefu l attitu de
. Teethcl enched,
they facedthesecondday oftheirvigil .
Withou t-
sidersthey neverl osttheircal mp oise
. Witheach
otherthey trieddesp eratel y tob eb rave . Al one, each
darednotfacetheterrib l efactswithou tfal l inginto
afathoml essp itofdesp air
.
Ifonl y shehaddecidedasu su al toretu rntoEn-
gl ewood, thehomeofhermother, aftertheweek -
endsp entattheirHop ewel l home, insteadofremain-
ingb ecau seoftheb ab y ' scol d!
They didn' twant
tomovel ittl eC harl esforfearhiscol dmightget
worse, andnowsomeoneel sehadmovedhimfor
them- someonewhou ndou b tedl y l ack edthetender-
nessofamother .
Howherownmother, M rs
. DwightM orrow, had
gasp edwhenshehadtol dhertheterrib l enewsover
thetel ep hone!
Now shewashereatthehou sewith
Anneb u therownsorrowatthel ossofthechil dso
overwhel medherthatshewasforcedtob edwiththe
shock ofital l .
Therewerethosewhop itiedM rs
. M orroweven
moreintensel y thanherdau ghter, Anne
. Fortoher
thesu nroseandsetinhergrandchil d
. Bab y C harl es
washeresp ecial chargewhenAnneandLindy went
offontheirfl ightsorvisits .
Theb ab y handsofher
dau ghter' schil dhadwou nd
themsel vesfirml y
arou ndherheart, sofirml y thatshecou l dhardl y
withstandtheshock ofhisdisap p earance
.
Thefirstday oftheb ab y ' sab sencep assed
. The
1 2 8
TRUESTORYOFTHELINDBERG HKIDNAP P ING
secondeveningarrived
. Stil l theb ab y wasamong
themissing . Andnowthel ovel y whitefarmhou se
thathadb eenb u il tasaretreatassu medaghostl y
ap p earance . G onewasitsq u al ity ofp eaceandq u iet
.
G onewasthefeel ingofsecu rity thatitex u ded
. Now
itap p earedl ik eawhiteghostinthedark ness- a
ghostwithb rightfl ashingey es, forthehou sewas
al ivewithl ightsthrou ghou tthenight .
Thewindthathadhowl edsofu riou sl y du ring
thoseterrib l emomentswhentheb ab y wassnatched
fromhiscrib , coveringthecrimeandescap eofthe
k idnap p ers, continu edtowhistl eandmoanthrou gh
thetrees . Occasional l y asil ent, b l ack figu rewou l d
sau ntercl osetothehou se, searchl ightinhand, toex -
aminetheshru b b ery orgrou nd, forthesearchfor
cl ewsofal l k indswason .
Insidethehou seAnne, ap al e, p itifu l figu reina
whitefl annel sp ortsdress, wal k edthrou ghtherooms .
Aiml essandl ostsheap p eared, thisex p ectantmother
mou rningforherstol enb ab y . Al way sshewou l d
retu rntothenu rsery , forthereitwasthatC harl ie
hadl astb een, wherehehadsl ep tsosou ndl y and
p eacefu l l y
.
Hel p l essshewou l dgaz eatthel ittl ecrib withits
simp l e, whiteru mp l edb edding . Herb ab y ' sheadhad
restedonthatp il l owonl y l astnight . Wherewashe
tonight? Washecry ing? Didheneedher?
M ay b e- b u tshedarednotthink thethou ghtthat
p ou ndedathertiredb rainforrecognition
. Herb ab y
FORBIDDENP RIVAC Y

1 2 9
wasal ive!He
mu stb eal ive!Thek idnap p erswanted
money .
Wel l , they shou l dhaveit- al l ofit- as
l ongasthey b rou ghthimb ack toher- u nharmed!
Sometimesshesatatthediningroomwindow,
l ook ingl istl essl y ou t
. Itwastheonl y roomwhere
p rivacy wasstil l l efther
. Every whereel sethrou gh-
ou tthehou se, detectives, statetroop ersandother
officerswanderedinandou tintheirsearchforcl ews
.
Up stairstencotshadb eenmovedinforsomeofthe
troop ers .
Shehadinsistedthatthey remainthere
du ringthesearch . Andnow, intheirhandsomegray -
b l u ecoatsanddark b l u ep antswiththey el l owstrip e,
they wereseenevery where .
Thehou se, whiteaschal k inthestarl ight, might
haveb eenaweirdsettinginal u ridmy stery thril l er
.
Scru b cedarsandsecondgrowthtimb ersu rrou ndedit
.
Thegravel driveway l eddown a hal fmil eofwind-
ing, mu ddy l aneu ntil itreachedasmal l hou seof
l ights- thedwel l ingrentedb y ap ressservice
. Back
ofthehou seatangl edwintry wil derness
. Infront
ofthehou se- u nderb ru sh . Al l arou ndanink y b l ack -
ness, ex cep tfortheoccasional twink l ing
l ightsof
farmhou sesmil esap art .
Anothernightofwaiting- anothergrindingvigil
thatb rou ghtadeep erl ook ofdesp airintotheey esof
thel ittl emother . Andthen, whenshecou l db earit
nol onger- thethou ghtthatherb ab y wasnotb eing,
p rop erl y caredfor- sheb eggedthatthechil d' sdiet
1 3 0
TRUESTORYOFTHELINDBERG HKIDNAP P ING
b edivu l gedtothenewsp ap ersandb eb roadcastb y
radioevery where .
" Whoevery ou arewhohasmy b ab y , b ek ind, " she
seemedtosay inthatp itifu l discl osu re . " Tak ecare
ofhim. He hasacol d
. Heneedsmoreattention
thanap erfectl y heal thy chil d . I, hismother, ask
y ou tok eep my b ab y safeforme . You took him
fromhiscrib dressedonl y inawhiteone- p iecefl annel
sl eep ingsu it
. Hemay havecau ghtmorecol d . P er-
hap sy ou didn' twrap himsecu rel y inab l ank et
. The
nightsaresochil l y here . Hisregu l ar, normal diet
may hel p
. P l ease! P l ease! Feedittohim!"
Andso, throu ghou tthel engthandb readthofthe
cou ntry , thedietofthel ittl e2 0 monthtoddl erwas
b roadcast
. M othersevery wherel earnedthatLindy ,
J r . , hadsu b sistedthu sfaronthefol l owingdail y
menu :
One- hal fcu p oforangeju iceonawak ening .
Oneq u artofmil k aday .
Threetab l esp oonsofcook edcereal morningand
evening .
Twotab l esp oonfu l sofcook edvegetab l eonceaday
- p referab l y p eas, carrots, sp inachorp otatoes .
They ok eofoneegg
.
Oneb ak edp otatoorrice .
Twotab l esp oonfu l sstewedfru it .
One- hal fcu p p ru neju iceaftertheafternoonnap
.
Fou rteendrop sViosterol ( acodl iveroil p rep ara-
tion) du ringtheday .
FORBIDDENP RIVAC Y

1 3 1
Whenshereal iz edthattheitemsofherb ab y ' s
diethadp rob ab l y seep edintoevery home
in
the
cou ntry viathenewsp ap erandradiomethodAnne
b reathedasighofrel ief . Thatwou l dhel p , shede-
cided, tok eep herb ab y innormal heal th, desp itethe
strainofl ivinginastrangeenvironmentandb eing
caredforb y u nk nownp ersons .
Herb ab y wasnormal l y aheal thy chil dandshe
wantedhimtoremainso
.
Sheal mostsmil edasshe
rememb eredtheidl egossip thathadb eencu rrent
whenthechil dwasfirstb orn . Somehow some p eop l e
gottheimp ressionthatherl ittl esp ark l ingb ab y
wasn' tq u itenormal . They whisp eredthathewasa
deafanddu mb defective . Herb ab y notab l etotal k !
Howsil l y ! Hewasal ready say ingtheadorab l e,
sweetl ittl ewordsofb ab y hood .
Ofcou rsehehad
l earnedtosp eak hisnu rse' snamefirstb u tthatwas
onl y natu ral sinceshewasconstantl y withhimand
al way scaredforhim
.
Bu thewou l dsoonl earnto
cal l
her" mu vver" andhisfather" da- da . "
Notonl y cou l dhetal k b u thehadl earnedtocou nt
tofou rashecl imb edthestep s .
Whatap ictu rehe
was
withthosetiny , gol denringl etsencircl inghis
head, thosel ight, q u estioningb l u eey esandfu nny
l ittl enose!
Areminiscentsmil eap p earedinher
ey esassherememb eredthatonthoseoccasionswhen
hecou ntedtofou rashel ab oriou sl y cl imb edthe
stairs, hewou l dstartandcou ntal l overagainwhen
hereachedthefifthstep .
Hisnu rsehadb eenteach
1 3 2 TRUESTORYOFTHELINDBERG HKIDNAP P ING
inghimtou nfastenhisshoesanddresshimsel fl ate-
l y . Ofcou rsehewastool ittl etodoity et, b u the
wou l dhavel earnedvery q u ick l y
. Hewasab right
chil d .
Thatnight, thethirdsincetheb ab y haddisap -
p eared, Annesl ep t
. Inthemorningshearoseab it
refreshedafterthefirstnight' ssl eep sincetheb ab y
hadb eentak enaway . G rimandstoical shefacedthe
dawn, dressedhersel finasimp l el ittl esp ortscos-
tu mewithwhitefl annel sk irtandcontinu edhervigil
.
NowitwasthatAnne' scou rageu p hel dtherestof-
thefamil y . Itwasherb ravery thatservedasan
ex amp l eforLindy andhermother . Withou tfl inch-
ingshecontinu edtoendu rethegreatestagony a
mothercanu ndergo . Insteadofgivingintoher
sorrowandfearsshenowtriedtosu stainthemanshe
l ovedwho, b y thistime, washimsel fal mosta
p hy sical andnervou swreck .
Notforamomentsincethey discoveredtheirl oss
hadhethou ghtofany thingb u tmethodsofb ringing
theirchil db ack . Hou rshehadstoodatthetel e-
p hone, answeringthehu ndredsofincomingcal l s
withsu p p osedtip stel l ingwherethechil dwasorhow
itcou l db erecovered . Forendl essmorehou rshe
hadb eenb u sy p honingthep ol ice, detectives, friends
- coveringevery p ossib l ep haseofthesearch . Sl eep
tohimwasu nthou ghtof .
Thereweretimeswhenhismindb ecameconfu sed
withtheendl esscomp l ications . Thenhewou l dy ank
FORBIDDENP RIVAC Y

1 3 3
hisshortl eathercoatfromitscl oset, whistl etothe
whiteterrierthatwashisconstantcomp anion, and
ru shb areheadedoffintothewoodswherematters
cou l db ethreshedou tandstraightenedafteral ong,
hardwal k withtheterrierathisheel s . Sometimes
hewal k edsofastthatthetiny doghaddifficu l ty
k eep ingu p withhim . ThenLindy wou l dstop , p ick
theanimal u p inhisarms, hu gitcl osel y tohimand
continu ethestrol l .
Anhou rorsol aterhewou l dretu rnwithnew
ideasoncontinu ingtheman- hu ntthatstretchedfrom
coasttocoastandevenontoship sl eavingthecou ntry .
C onferenceswiththep ol icechiefsandhisaides
wou l dfol l ow. Instru ctionswou l db egivenou t . A
renewedhu b b u b ofactivity wou l db efel t
. Sl owl y
b u tsu rel y Lindb ergh' stremendou svital ity wasb eing
worndown
. Neverarob u stl ook ingman, hisface
grewthinnerandmore_ p al l id . Thel oosehanging
cl othesheworeseemedtob ecomemoreb aggy . Bu t
hewasob l iviou sofal l this . Hischiefconcernwas
l ocatinghisb ab y son .
WheredidLindy gethisstoicism?Howcou l d
heb earu p u ndertheterrificstrainofhisb ab y ' sl oss?
Theseq u estions, ask edb y hu ndredsofthou sands
throu ghou tthecou ntry , fou ndtheiranswerinthe
aviator' smother, M rs . Evangel ineLindb ergh, and
grandmotherofthek idnap p edb ab y . Itwasshewho,
du ringthatfamou soceanairvoy agemadeb y her
son, cal ml y condu ctedhercl assesatC assTechnical
1 34 TRUESTORY
OTC ' THELINDBERG HKIDNAP P ING
HighSchool , Detroit, M ich sthou ghnothing
u nu su al washap p ening .
Simil arl y , whil ethewhol eUnitedStatesand
C anadawerefrantical l y searchingforherfamou s2 0
monthsol dgrandson, sheagainhel dcl asses, thou gh
thistimesheshowedtheeffectsofmany sl eep l ess
nights. Thou ghherp u p il swererou nd- ey edwiththe
sensational news, they didnotcommenttotheir
teacheronthetragedy . M rs . Lindb erghheardseven
l assesaday
.
" I' mtry ingtocarry onwithmy work , " shesaid
theday aftershel earnedofthek idnap p ing . " Ishal l
endeavortok eep cal m, andwil l not
al l ow
my sel f
eventothink thatmy l ittl egrandson wil l notb e
sp eedil y retu rnedtohisp arents . Iamgratefu l for
my work , asitmak esthehou rsp assal ittl el ess
sl owl y .
" M y b rother, atou rhomeonLak eP ointAvenu e,
is
inconstanttou chwithmy son, andnotimewil l b e
l ostinnotify ingmeifIamhearingmy l asses
. "
WheredidLindy gethisstoicism?Theanswer
is, fromhismother
.
Anne, l ik ethel oy al wifeandmothershewas, ac-
cep tedtheresp onsib il ity forthesp iritofherhou se-
hol d .
Shek newthatifsheb rok edownitwou l d
b ringherhu sb andthatmu chnearercol l ap se
. She
gaveasighofrel iefwhen, onthemorningofthe
six thday ofthefru itl esssearch, shel earnedthat
Lindy hadatl easthadsomesl eep . Shehadb een
FORBIDDENP RIVAC Y

1
3 5
afraidhewou l dcrack u ndertheterrib l estrainorb e-
comeil l fromtheeffectsofthecol dwhichhadnot
hadanop p ortu nity toimp rove .
ThatmorningAnnetel ep honedhersister, El iz a-
b eth, inEngl ewood, anddel ightfu l l y tol dher
:
" C harl esisfeel ingb etterandhashadsomesl eep
. "
ItwasM rs . M orrow, Anne' smother, whohadb y
thistime, tak enchargeofthehou sehol d
. Herown
griefcarefu l l y withhel d, shenowb ecame" b oss, "
managingtheaffairsofthe2 0 - roomhou sewithits
u nu su al nu mb erofinhab itantsq u ietl y andcomp e-
tentl y
. G ratefu l l y Annenowl eanedu p onhermother
whomadetheb eds, hel p edherp l anthemeal sand
evenwaitedontab l e . Every morningM rs
. M orrow
tel ep honedherhomeinEngl ewoodandorderedthe
p rep arationofthefoodb y herownk itchenstaff
.
Whenthefoodwasp rep areditwastak enb y au toto
theLindb erghhome .
ThefoodM rs . M orrowservedthetroop ersand
herownfamil y wassimp l eb u tab u ndant
. Bu tter
wasservedinl argep l atesasatafarmhou setab l e
.
M il k wasb rou ghtinb igy el l owp itchers . Freshvege-
tab l esandrichcreamformedp artofthemenu and
thehel p ingstothetroop erswerel avish .
Andsotheday sp assed . AnneLindb ergh, p oised
andcu l tivated, accep tedhercrossandb oreitwith
fortitu deandcou rage . C ol onel C harl esLindb ergh
maintainedasimil arcou rageou sattitu deal thou gh, as
timep assed, ahau ntedl ook camesl owl y intohisface .
1
3 6 TRUESTORYOFTHELINDBERG HKIDNAP P ING
M rs . M orrowremainedwithb othofthem, encou r-
aging, smil ing, hel p fu l .
Hu ndredsofdewsweretracedtotheirdiscou rag-
ingconcl u sion
.
Thou sandsofl ettersp ou redinto
thehou se. Thep ol icecontinu edtheirex cu rsionsin
andou tsideofthehou se .
Rep orterstrieddesp erate-
l y togainadmittancetothehou seb u tfewmanaged
toreachthecou p l ewhomthey wereorderedb y their
editorstointerview
. Bey ondthegau nthil l saworl d
waited, throb b ingwithsy mp athy atthemeremen-
tionoftheirnames .
M il l ionsofinterestedsy mp athiz ersthrou ghou t
theUnitedStatesandinothercou ntriesscannedthe
newsp ap ersdail y forthel atestwordconcerningthe
ou tstandingcrimeofthegenerationwhich" P u b l ic
Enemy No . 1 " ofthiscou ntry hadp erp etrated .
C ou ntl essmenwhowereonceenviou softhey ou th-
fu l " Sl im" Lindb erghandhismiracu l ou sfeatnow
sy mp athiz edwithhim . Andwomenmental l y ap -
p l au dedhishel p meet, thel ittl ewomanwhomanaged
somehowtocontrol hersel finthistragicsitu ationfor
thesak eofheru nb ornchil d .
Eagerl y thesemenandwomenscannedthedail y
p ap ersforreassu ringnews . Hop efu l l y they read
ab ou tthel ittl ehou sehol d- ab ou tLindy andAnne
andAnne' smother- ab ou tM rs . AidadeAcosta
Breck inridge, theb eau tifu l wifeofLindy ' schiefad-
visor, C ol onel Henry Breck enridge, formerassistant
totheSecretary oftheNavy , andadistingu ishedat-
NewP ortraitofM rs . Lindb ergh .
FORBIDDENP RIVAC Y,

1 3
7
torney . Thiswasthecou p l ewhostoodl oy al l y b y
theiry ou thfu l friendsintheirhou rofneed- M rs .
Breck inridgeb y thesideofthep oorl ittl erich
mother, andtheC ol onel attheb eck andcal l ofthe
b ereavedfather .
WhenM rs . M orrowdonnedanap ronandwent
smil ingl y towork waitingontab l eandmak ingb eds,
M rs . Breck inridge, ' amemb erofoneofthemost
social l y p rominentfamil iesinthecou ntry - awoman
b rou ghtu p inl u x u ry andwithmany servants, al so
p itchedintothehou sework .
Therewereothersinthehou sehol dwhocom-
mandedtheattentionofthenewsp ap erreaders-
" Ol l ie" Wheatl ey andM rs
. Wheatl ey , theb u tl er-
chau ffeu randhiswifewhoactedasmaidandcook .
Wheatl ey wasashort, wiry Scotchmanwithap ro-
nou ncedHarry Lau derb u rrinhissp eech .
They
weresaid, however, tohavecomefromBirmingham,
Engl and, inAp ril , 1 9 3 0 , andtohavel ivedfortwo
week sinaroominghou seofM rs . S. Kru gerofNew
Rochel l e . Thenthey wereemp l oy edinacou ntry
homeatM endham, N
. J
. , comingtotheLindb erghs
whenthey l efttheemp l oy oftheownerofthates-
tate .
Theonl y otherp ersonintheemp l oy oftheLind-
b erghswasBetty G ow, C harl ie' snu rse, thevivaciou s,
b ru nettewithb ob b edhairandb l u eey es
. Ab onny
l assfromG l asgow, Scotl and, sheb ecamek nownas
the" girl withtheScottishheatherinherhair" for
1 3
8
TRUESTORYOFTHELINDBERG HKIDNAP P ING
shehadcometotheUnitedStatesonl y threey ears
b eforeandsp ok ewithaScotchaccent .
Forap p rox imatel y ay earshehadb eenintheem-
p l oy oftheLindb erghsandal way sshehadp l eased
themwithherwork . Nowordsb u tthoseofhighest
p raisewerevoicedtoinq u irersb y thosewhok new
her . Beforegoingtowork fortheLindb erghsshe
wasemp l oy edasanu rseforthechil dofM rs . War-
renSu l l ivanof8 2 G l enwoodRoad, Engl ewood . Of
herM rs . Su l l ivansaid :
" Shep rovedthemostwonderfu l nu rseforchil -
drenIhaveeverk nown
. Shewasl oy al , wil l ingand
devotedtohercharge, aswel l ashighl y trainedfor
herwork . Shewasemp l oy edb y meforab ou tsix
months, l eavingonFeb ru ary 2 2 , ofherownvol ition,
toentertheLindb erghhou sehol d .
" Beforecomingtomy home, M issG owwasem-
p l oy edforsix monthsb y M rs
. C arol ineG ib b s, in
Teaneck , andl ivedwithherb rother, Wil l iam, and
thel atter' swife, inroomsab ovetheG ib b s' garage
.
Theb rotherwask il l edinanaccidentab ou tay ear
ago, andsix monthsagohiswidowandb ab y sonl eft
onavisittoScotl and .
" Iwou l dhaveb eengl adtohavehadM issG ow
remain in
my homeindefinitel y , andIamcertainshe
isab ovethesl ightestsu sp icioninthiscase
. "
Aftertheb ab y ' sk idnap p ingtheScotchgirl ap -
p eared fu l l y
asheartb rok enasthechil d' sownmother
- - ap itifu l l y tragicfigu reshewas
. Toherhad
FORBIDDENPRIVACY

1 3 9
b e e n e n t r u s t e d t h e c a r e o f t h e m o s t f a m o u s b a b y i n
t h e w o r l d
. S h e h a d b e e n g i v e n t h e j o y a n d t h e p r i v i -
l e g e o f w a t c h i n g t h i s a d o r a b l e c h i l d g r o w b e f o r e h e r
v e r y e y e s . An d n o w h e w a s g o n e - s t o l e n d u r i n g
t h a t s h o r t p e r i o d o f t i m e a f t e r s h e h a d p u t h i m t o
s l e e p a t 7
: 3 0 a n d w h e n s h e c a m e t o s e e t h a t h e w a s
c o m f o r t a b l e a t 1 0 o ' c l o c k . H e r s w a s t h e s c r e a m t h a t
h a d u l t i m a t e l y a w a k e n e d a w o r l d t o t h e k n o w l e d g e
t h a t t h e s o n o f t h e L o n e Ea g l e h a d b e e n k i d n a p p e d
.
T h e s e t h e r e w e r e b e s i d e s S c o t t i e , t h e t e r r i e r , a t t h e
h o u s e p e r c h e d o n t h e h i l l s i d e w h e n t h e t r a g e d y o c -
c u r r e d .
T h e s e w e r e t h e p e r s o n s w h o b e c a m e t h e
b y - w o r d o f p r a c t i c a l l y e v e r y f a m i l y i n t h e c o u n t r y .
Ag l i m p s e o f t h e m , a t a l k w i t h t h e m , b e c a m e t h e
m a j o r p u r s u i t o f e v e r y r e p o r t e r a s s i g n e d t o t h e f a -
m o u s L i n d b e r g h c a s e .
T o t h e s e s y m p a t h e t i c y e t v o r a c i o u s n e w s h o u n d s
a n i n c i d e n t w h i c h o c c u r r e d d u r i n g t h e h e i g h t o f t h e
e x c i t e m e n t , b e c a m e a s t o r y t h e y l o v e d t o t e l l
. Wi t h
p o l i c e m e n a n d d e t e c t i v e s a n d S t a t e t r o o p e r s r u n n i n g
e x c i t e d l y i n a n d o u t o f t h e h o u s e , w i t h r e p o r t e r s a n d
o u t s i d e r s k n o c k i n g a t t h e d o o r f o r a d m i t t a n c e , w i t h
w o m e n s o b b i n g f i t f u l l y a n d m e n s h o u t i n g a n g r i l y ,
An d r e w M i l l e r , 1 0 y e a r o l d s o n o f M r s
. M a r i e M i l -
l e r o f Ea s t An w i l l T o w n s h i p , s u d d e n l y a p p e a r e d a t
t h e L i n d b e r g h r e s i d e n c e a n d a s k e d f o r a d m i t t a n c e
.
H e w a n t e d t o u s e t h e t e l e p h o n e , h e t o l d L i n d y ,
t o c a l l a d o c t o r f o r h i s m o t h e r w h o w a s n ' t f e e l i n g
w e l l , h e s a i d . Wo u l d M r
. L i n d b e r g h p l e a s e a l l o w
1 4 0 T RUES T ORYOFT H EL INDBERGH KIDNAPPING
h i m t h e u s e o f t h e p h o n e f o r j u s t a f e w m i n u t e s ?
T h e y w e r e n e i g h b o r s , h e a d d e d . L i n d y , d i s t r a c t e d
a n d w o r r i e d a s h e w a s , a s s i g n e d " Ol l i e " Wh e a t l e y
t o m a k e t h e c a l l f o r t h e b o y a n d f o r g o t t h e i n c i d e n t .
T h e d o c t o r w a s s u m m o n e d , t h e b o y r e t u r n e d t o
h i s h o m e a n d a s h o r t w h i l e l a t e r a s i x t h s o n w a s b o r n
t o M r s . M i l l e r . H e w a s c h r i s t e n e d Fr e d e r i c k Fr a n k -
l i n
. T h o u g h L i n d y d i d n o t k n o w i t , h e w a s l e n d i n g
a h e l p i n g h a n d a t t h e b i r t h o f a b a b y b o y w h i l e h e
h i m s e l f , w a s s o r r o w i n g o v e r t h e l o s s b y k i d n a p p i n g ,
o f h i s o w n .
Ne v e r d i d t h e u n h a p p y c o u p l e l o s e c o n f i d e n c e t h a t
t h e i r b a b y w a s a l i v e , w e l l t r e a t e d a n d w o u l d b e u l -
t i m a t e l y r e t u r n e d .
S e v e n t e e n d a y s a f t e r h i s b a b y ' s
d i s a p p e a r a n c e t h e b a b y ' s f a t h e r i s q u o t e d a s h a v i n g
s a i d t o a c l o s e f r i e n d :
" Ia m c e r t a i n h e i s a l i v e , b e c a u s e Ib e l i e v e h i s o w n
i n t e l l i g e n c e w o u l d h a v e s a v e d h i m f r o m d e a t h a t t h e
h a n d s o f t h e k i d n a p p e r s
. Un l e s s h e d i e d o f e x p o s u r e ,
h e l i v e s a n d w i l l b e b r o u g h t b a c k .
" T h e c h i l d i s s o e x c e p t i o n a l l y b r i g h t , g o o d - n a -
t u r e d a n d a p p e a l i n g i n p e r s o n a l i t y , " t h e f r i e n d e x -
p l a i n e d , " t h a t h e a m u s e s a n d e n d e a r s h i m s e l f t o a l l
w h o m e e t h i m
. T h e c h a r m h e e x e r t s o v e r p e o p l e i s
s p o n t a n e o u s a n d q u i c k l y f e l t
. It i s t h i s c h a r m t h a t
h i s p a r e n t s b e l i e v e w o u l d s e r v e t o s t a y t h e h a n d o f
t h e k i d n a p p e r w e r e i t l i f t e d a g a i n s t h i m . "
Co l o n e l L i n d b e r g h , n e v e r f l e s h y , w a s s a i d t o h a v e
l o s t 2 0 p o u n d s i n t h e f i r s t t w o w e e k s a n d t h r e e d a y s
FORBIDDENPRIVACY

1 4 1
o f s e a r c h i n g f o r h i s l o s t b a b y .
At f i r s t h e r e f u s e d t o
s l e e p a t a l l a n d a s a r e s u l t h i s e y e s g r e w b l o o d - s h o t
a n d s u n k e n
. L a t e r , h o w e v e r , h e w a s f o r c e d t o t a k e
s o m e r e s t b u t h e c o n t i n u e d t o l o s e i n w e i g h t .
In a l l t h o s e f i r s t w e e k s o f s u f f e r i n g , i f L i n d y e v e r
f e l t a d e s i r e t o s u c c u m b t o h i s s o r r o w , t o b u r y h i s
f a c e i n h i s h a n d s a n d c r y a l o u d w i t h t h e p a i n i n h i s
h e a r t , h e d i d n o t s h o w i t
.
In s t e a d h e b e n t e v e r y
o u n c e o f e n e r g y t o t h e t a s k a t h a n d - t h e f i n d i n g o f
t h e b a b y . Re l e n t l e s s l y h e d r o v e h i m s e l f
. Wh e r e v e r
t h e r e w a s a c l e w h e f o l l o w e d i t t o t h e v e r y e n d
. H e
w a s m e r c i l e s s w i t h h i m s e l f .
H e d i d n o t m a t t e r . H e
m u s t f i n d t h e b a b y .
T h e r e w a s An n e w h o w a s s u f -
f e r i n g . H e m u s t h e l p h e r - a n d h i m s e l f !
An d An n e ?
" If e e l s u r e Ba b y i s a l i v e , " w a s h e r o n l y p o s i t i v e
r e m a r k a b o u t t h e e n t i r e e p i s o d e
. At s e a a b o u t a l l
e l s e , t h i s o n e b e l i e f w a s t h e a n c h o r u p o n w h i c h s h e
t i e d h e r h o p e s , h e r c o u r a g e , h e r s t r e n g t h
.
Pe r h a p s i t e x p l a i n s t h e a b s e n c e o f s c e n e s o f w i l d
h y s t e r i a , o f f r a n t i c p l e a d i n g s , o f f a i n t i n g s p e l l s a n d
a l l t h e o t h e r m a n i f e s t a t i o n s o f m o t h e r - s u f f e r i n g t h a t
a l m o s t i n e v i t a b l y b e c o m e p a r t o f w o m e n w h e n t h e i r
c h i l d r e n h a v e b e e n t o r n f r o m t h e i r s i d e s b y a n u n -
k n o w n h a n d .
In s t e a d o f s u c c u m b i n g t o t h e a w f u l f e a r t h a t
w o u l d h a v e b e e n n o r m a l i n a n y o t h e r w o m a n , An n e
d e t e r m i n e d l y w e n t a b o u t t h e b u s i n e s s o f h e l p i n g t o
f i n d h e r b a b y . T h i s m o t h e r w h o s e m i s f o r t u n e h a d
1 42
T RUES T ORYOFT H EL INDBERGH KIDNAPPING
s h o c k e d t h e w o r l d w e n t c a l m l y a b o u t t h e t a s k o f
r e a d i n g i n n u m e r a b l e l e t t e r s a d d r e s s e d t o h e r s e l f a n d
Co l o n e l L i n d b e r g h
. T h e y h a d m a d e a n o f f e r t o t h e
k i d n a p p e r s t o h o l d s t r i c t l y c o n f i d e n t i a l e v e r y c o m -
m u n i c a t i o n t h a t c a m e b y m a i l a n d n o w i t w a s t h e i r
t a s k t o s i f t t h r o u g h t h e m a s s i v e p i l e o f m a i l f r o m
s y m p a t h i s e r s , c r a n k s a n d t r o u b l e - m a k e r s a n d a t t e m p t
t o f i n d a c o m m u n i c a t i o n f r o m t h e k i d n a p p e r s t h e m -
s e l v e s , i f s u c h a c o m m u n i c a t i o n w e r e s e n t
.
Ev e r y l e t t e r t h a t a p p e a r e d a s i f i t m i g h t b e a u t h e n -
t i c w a s s e t a s i d e b y t h e l i t t l e w o m a n a n d h e l d f o r t h e
i n s p e c t i o n o f h e r h u s b a n d w h o w a s n o t i d l e a m o m e n t
i n h i s d e t e r m i n e d s e a r c h . Fo r h o u r s a n d h o u r s s h e
p o r e d o v e r t h e l e t t e r s , h o p i n g d e s p e r a t e l y t o f i n d a
c l e w t h a t w o u l d u l t i m a t e l y l e a d h e r t o h e r b a b y .
T h o u g h e v e r y o n e a b o u t h e r t r i e d h a r d t o s p a r e h e r
s h e r e f u s e d t o r e s i g n t h e t a s k a n d , a t o n e t i m e ,
w o r k e d a s t r e t c h o f 1 5 h o u r s u n t i l h e r e b b i n g s t r e n g t h
f o r c e d h e r t o d i s c o n t i n u e .
Af t e r t h a t s h e s a t , i n w e a r y r e s i g n a t i o n , i n a d e e p ,
c o m f o r t a b l e c h a i r i n t h e l i b r a r y , r e a d i n g o n e o f t h e
b o o k s t a k e n f r o m t h e b u i l t - i n s h e l v e s s t r e t c h i n g f r o m
c e i l i n g t o f l o o r . H e r b o y i s h h u s b a n d h o v e r e d a b o u t
h e r , a l m o s t p i t i f u l l y s e e k i n g t o c o m f o r t h e r w i t h
l i t t l e s o l i c i t o u s w o r d s o f e n d e a r m e n t . Of t e n h e w o u l d
s u g g e s t a n o t h e r b o o k a n d e a g e r l y h a n d i t t o h e r i n
t h e h o p e t h a t s h e m i g h t f o r g e t h e r s o r r o w i n t h e
a b s o r p t i o n o f i t s p a g e s .
Bu t h i s e f f o r t w a s u s e l e s s . Ye s , t h e s e w e r e h e r
FORBIDDENPRIVACY

1 4 3
b e l o v e d b o o k s , t h e b o o k s s h e h a d a c c u m u l a t e d i n h e r
t w e n t y - f i v e y e a r s , t h e b o o k s s h e l o v e d s o w e l l , - b u t
t h e y h a d l o s t t h e i r a t t r a c t i o n n o w
. S h e h a d b r o u g h t
t h e m w i t h h e r w h e n t h e i r H o p e w e l l h o m e w a s f i n a l -
l y c o m p l e t e d a n d h a d l o v i n g l y p l a c e d t h e m o n t h e
n e w l y - b u i l t s h e l v e s . T h e r e h a d b e e n s o m a n y t h a t
Co l o n e l L i n d b e r g h ' s b o o k s , w h i c h w e r e m o s t l y s c i e n -
t i f i c w o r k s , h a d b e e n t e m p o r a r i l y p l a c e d u p s t a i r s i n
h i s b e d r o o m
.
Of t e n s h e p a c e d t h e f l o o r
. Fr o m t h e l i b r a r y t o t h e
d i n i n g r o o m , w i t h i t s l o n g t a b l e b a r e , i t s f u r n i t u r e
o f l i g h t m a p l e a n d c u r t a i n s o f p a l e g o l d
. Fr o m t h e
d i n i n g r o o m b a c k t o t h e l i b r a r y , a g a i n i n t o t h e d i n i n g
r o o m a n d t h e n c e t o t h e e n t r a n c e c o r r i d o r , w i t h i t s
f l o o r s o f h a r d w o o d o n w h i c h w e r e s c a t t e r e d a f e w
h o o k e d r u g s
. S o m e t i m e s s h e w o u l d l o o k a t t h e h u g e
d e s k i n t h e c o r r i d o r , p l a c e d t h e r e s i n c e t h e d i s a p p e a r -
a n c e o f t h e b a b y , f o r t h e b u s i n e s s o f f i n d i n g h i m
.
H e r e m u c h o f t h e o f f i c i a l m a t t e r s w e r e t a k e n u p
. T h e
h u g e p i e c e o f f u r n i t u r e b e f o r e w h i c h s h e h a l t e d m u s t
h a v e s e e m e d a n i n t r u d e r t o h e r
. An d t h e n s h e w o u l d
c o n t i n u e t o p a c e .
Do w n t h e c o r r i d o r s h e w o u l d w a l k , p a s t t h e
l i b r a r y a n d i n t o t h e s m a l l g u e s t r o o m w i t h i t s l o v e l y ,
f o u r - p o s t e r m a p l e b e d
. Ou t a g a i n a n d i n t o t h e s m a l l
r e c e p t i o n r o o m i n t h e r e a r a n d b a c k a g a i n i n t h e l i v -
i n g r o o m w i t h i t s l a r g e Fr e n c h w i n d o w s . Bu t s t i l l
t h e t u r m o i l i n h e r b r a i n h a d n o t c l e a r e d .
Ag l a n c e i n t o t h e s m a l l p a n t r y b a c k o f t h e d i n i n g
1 44 T RUES T ORYOFT H EL INDBERGH KIDNAPPING
r o o m w o u l d r e v e a l Ol l i e Wh e a t l e y , t h e b u t l e r , h e l p -
i n g h i s w i f e p r e p a r e a
t a s t y d i s h t o t e m p t h e r v a g r a n t
a p p e t i t e .
Ba c k a n d f o r t h f r o m p a n t r y t o t h e l a r g e
k i t c h e n b e y o n d , s h e w o u l d s e e t h e m t r a v e l , t h e i r
f a c e s s e t i n r e s i g n e d s o r r o w .
Oc c a s i o n a l l y s h e w o u l d f i n d h e r w a y t o t h e s u n
p o r c h w h e r e , w i t h h e r m o t h e r a n d M r s . Br e c k i n -
r i d g e , s h e w o u l d s i t a n d t r y t o r e a d . Wh a t e l s e w a s
t h e r e t o d o ?
An d s o t h e d a y s p a s s e d .
S o m e t i m e s t h e r e w e r e
v i s i t o r s . Co n s t a n c e , h e r y o u n g e s t s i s t e r , c a m e f r o m
S m i t h Co l l e g e , t o c o m f o r t An n e d u r i n g t h e S p r i n g
h o l i d a y s .
El i z a b e t h , a t w h o s e s c h o o l l i t t l e Ch a r l i e
h a d b e e n d o i n g s o w e l l , o f t e n d r o v e o u t f r o m En g l e -
w o o d t o s e e w h a t s h e c o u l d d o t o h e l p .
Po o r An n e !
In t h o s e d a y s s h e w a s a p i c t u r e o f s o r r o w i n g , s u f -
f e r i n g y o u n g m o t h e r h o o d . Al w a y s s m a l l , h e r s o r r o w
s e e m e d t o m a k e h e r e v e n s m a l l e r , a n d n o w s h e
s e e m e d a q u i e t , b e a t e n , l o s t l i t t l e p e r s o n . T h e
t h o u s a n d s o f l e t t e r s s h e h a d r e a d a s h e r p a r t o f t h e
w o r k o f l o c a t i n g h e r s t o l e n b a b y h a d t a k e n t h e i r t o l l
u p o n h e r n e r v e s . It h a d b e e n d e c i d e d t h a t s h e w a s
t o r e a d n o m o r e o f t h e m . T h e y w e r e m o s t l y f r o m
c r a n k s , a n y w a y , s o m e o f t h e m c o n t a i n i n g d i r e t h r e a t s
a n d w a r n i n g s w h i c h h a r d l y s e r v e d t o i m p r o v e h e r
f r a m e o f m i n d
.
Oc c a s i o n a l l y h e r m o t h e r i n s i s t e d t h a t s h e m u s t
t a k e a w a l k i n t h e a i r f o r h e r h e a l t h . An d o n t h o s e
FORBIDDENPRIVACY

1 4 5
d a y s s h e w o u l d s t r o l l t h r o u g h t h e g r o u n d s a r m i n .
a r m b e t w e e n h e r m o t h e r a n d M r s . Br e c k i n r i d g e o r
h e r s i s t e r , El i z a b e t h , i f s h e h a p p e n e d t o b e t h e r e a t
t h e t i m e . T h o u g h s h e c a r r i e d a h a n d k e r c h i e f a n d
i t w a s f r e q u e n t l y l i f t e d t o h e r f a c e , i t w a s n o t b e -
c a u s e An n e w a s c r y i n g . T h e c o l d s h e h a d w h e n t h e
b a b y w a s k i d n a p p e d s t i l l c l u n g t o h e r , f o r c i n g t h e u s e
o f t h e d a i n t y b i t o f l i n e n
.
T h e c h i e f c o n c e r n o f b o t h An n e a n d L i n d y d u r -
i n g t h e t u r b u l e n t d a y s w a s e a c h o t h e r . Ev e r w a t c h -
f u l t h a t t h e a n x i e t y , d o u b t a n d s t r a i n o f t h e t r a g e d y
d i d n o t c a u s e a c o l l a p s e i n t h e o t h e r , b o t h c a r r i e d o n
w i t h i r o n w i l l - e a c h d r e a d i n g t h a t t h e b r e a k - d o w n
o f o n e w o u l d b e f o l l o w e d b y t h e c o l l a p s e o f t h e
o t h e r .
Po o r , u n h a p p y , a d o r e d y o u n g p a r e n t s . T h e y h a d
w a n t e d p r i v a c y
. It w a s l i t t l e , t h e y f e l t , t o a s k o f t h e
w o r l d
. J u s t t o b e l e f t a l o n e , t o l i v e q u i e t l y a n d c o m -
f o r t a b l y i n t h e i r w h i t e n e s t p e r c h e d o n t h e h i l l s i d e .
T o l i v e f a r a w a y f r o m t h e a w e d , w o r s h i p p i n g
t h r o n g s . T o b e n o r m a l , c o n t e n t e d p a r e n t s o f a n o r -
m a l , c o n t e n t e d b a b y .
T h e y w a n t e d p r i v a c y . H a d i t b e e n t o o m u c h t o
a s k ?
CH APT ERVIII
CARNIVAL OFT H ECRANKS
Cr a n k l e t t e r s c r o p p e d o u t i n t h e L i n d b e r g h c a s e
a s i n n o o t h e r c r i m i n a l c a s e i n h i s t o r y
. T h e y h a d
b e e n e x p e c t e d a n d t h e y l i v e d u p t o e x p e c t a t i o n s
.
S o m e o f t h e m w e r e p l a i n l y w r i t t e n b y i n s a n e p e r -
s o n s
. Ot h e r s h a d b e e n p e n n e d b y n i t w i t s . S t i l l m o r e
c a m e f r o m p e r s o n s w i t h a d e g r a d e d s e n s e o f h u m o r .
T h e v a r i e t y w a s a s w i d e a s t h e v a r i e t y o f t h e h u m a n
r a c e
. T h e n u m b e r o f l e t t e r s h a s n e v e r b e e n t a l l i e d
.
In a l l p r o b a b i l i t y 7 5 , 0 0 0 w o u l d b e a m i l d g u e s s
.
T h e l e t t e r - w r i t i n g n u i s a n c e a s s u m e d s u c h m o n u -
m e n t a l p r o p o r t i o n s t h a t r e p r o d u c t i o n o f a n y n u m b e r
o f t h e c o m m u n i c a t i o n s w o u l d b e i m p o s s i b l e h e r e .
H o w e v e r , i n t h e h e i g h t o f t h e c r a n k l e t t e r a v a l a n c h e ,
Dr . Ca r l J
. Wa r d e n , p r o f e s s o r o f Ps y c h o l o g y a t Co -
l u m b i a Un i v e r s i t y , s t r u c k a s t i n g i n g b l o w a t t h e
" b u g s " w h o w r o t e s i l l y l e t t e r s t o t h e L i n d b e r g h s
.
" T h e g r e a t e r n u m b e r o f t h e s e l e t t e r w r i t e r s , " s a i d
Dr
. Wa r d e n , " a r e p e r s o n s m e n t a l l y u n b a l a n c e d .
T h e y a r e b o r d e r l i n e c a s e p a r a n o i a c s
. By t h a t Id o n ' t
m e a n t h e y a r e i n s a n e , b u t t h e y a r e f i l l e d w i t h d e l u -
s i o n s o f g r a n d e u r , o w i n g t o t h e L i n d b e r g h c a s e
. T h e y
b e l i e v e t h a t L i n d b e r g h m a y s e n d t h e m a n a n s w e r
1 46
i
CARNIVAL OFT H ECRANKS

1 4 7
w h i c h t h e y c a n s h o w t o t h e i r f r i e n d s . It m a k e s t h e m
l o o k i m p o r t a n t .
" S o m e o f t h e w r i t e r s o f t h e s e c r a n k l e t t e r s a r e
m o n o m a n i a c s , e m o t i o n a l l y u n b a l a n c e d . S o m e a r e
e v i d e n t l y s e e k i n g p u b l i c i t y .
If s u c h l e t t e r s c o u l d b e
s t o p p e d , a r e a l c l e w m i g h t b e o b t a i n e d . "
T h e v i e w t h a t t h e c r a n k l e t t e r s w e r e s t a n d i n g i n
t h e w a y o f p r o g r e s s , b y o b s t r u c t i n g t h e m a i l a n d
o t h e r w i s e a n n o y i n g e v e r y o n e b e n t u p o n s o l v i n g t h e
c r i m e , w a s s h a r e d w i d e l y b y e d u c a t o r s , l a w m a k e r s ,
o f f i c i a l s a n d o t h e r a i d e s o f t h e L i n d b e r g h s
. Pr o p o s a l s
w e n t s o f a r a s t o m a k e " c r a n k l e t t e r w r i t i n g " a c r i m e ,
t h u s e s t a b l i s h i n g a h a z a r d f o r t h e w r i t e r s i f t h e y w e r e
l o c a t e d .
T h e u n f o r t u n a t e p a r t o f t h e m a t t e r w a s t h a t , i n
a c a s e f u l l o f a b s u r d i t i e s , e v e n a b s u r d l e t t e r s c o u l d
n o t b e o v e r l o o k e d . T h u s , a c r a n k l e t t e r o f t e n c o u l d
n o t b e d i s t i n g u i s h e d f r o m a n i m p o r t a n t o n e . An d
m a n y a f a l s e c l e w w a s t r a c k e d d o w n w i t h r e s u l t a n t
w a s t e o f t i m e , o n t h e t i p o f w h a t Dr
. Wa r d e n c a l l e d
s o m e " m o n o m a n i a c . "
In g e n u i t y w a s s h o w n b y t h e h o a x e r s .
At t h e e n d
o f t h e t h i r d w e e k o f t h e s e a r c h f o r t h e a b d u c t o r s , a
d e a d p i g e o n w a s f o u n d i n Ea s t S t r o u d s b u r g , Pe n n -
s y l v a n i a . T h e r e w a s a n o t e a t t a c h e d t o i t s l e g w h i c h
r e a d :
" Pu l l e d o f f t h e j o b i n f i n e o r d e r .
M a d e a c l e a n
g e t a w a y
. No o n e e v e n s u s p e c t s m e .
Wi l l m e e t y o u
t
1 4
8 T RUES T ORYOFT H EL INDBERGH KIDNAPPING
M o n d a y a s p l a n n e d
. Wi l l h a v e t h e d o u g h w i t h m e .
Yo u r s , Re d . "
If c o u r s e " Re d " J o h n s o n ' s n a m e w a s c o n n e c t e d
w i t h , t h i s n o t e
. Bu t i n q u i r y s o o n r e v e a l e d t h a t s o m e
b o y s i n Ea s t S t r o u d s b u r g h a d p i n n e d t h e n o t e t o a
d e a d p i g e o n ' s l e g a s a p r a n k !
M o r e i m p o r t a n c e w a s c r e d i t e d t o a n o t h e r m e s s a g e ,
a t t a c h e d t o a n o t h e r d e a d p i g e o n ' s l e g .
T h i s b i r d
w a s b e l i e v e d b e a t e n d o w n b y a s t o r m i n Co n n e c t i c u t
.
T h e m e s s a g e w a s s u p p o s e d t o h a v e b e e n d e c o d e d b y
a l o c a l b o o t l e g g e r w h o w a s e x p e r t i n s u c h t h i n g s .
T h e m e s s a g e s a i d :
" Al l l i n e s u n s a f e . Ki d i n y a c h t . M a k i n g n o p o r t .
We l l t r a i n e d c a r e o u t s i d e Un i t e d S t a t e s j u r i s d i c t i o n .
Re t u r n b i r d . "
Wh e t h e r i t w a s a n y l i n k t o t h e a b d u c t i o n i s n o t
k n o w n , b u t a p e d e s t r i a n o n Ri v e r s i d e Dr i v e , Ne w
Yo r k Ci t y , a t a b o u t S e v e n t y - s i x t h s t r e e t , r e p o r t e d
h a v i n g w i t n e s s e d s o m e m y s t e r i o u s a c t i o n s i n v o l v i n g
a p i g e o n b e f o r e t h e d e a d b i r d w a s f o u n d .
T h i s p e d e s t r i a n d e s c r i b e d h o w t w o r o u g h l o o k i n g
m e n s t o p p e d i n a b a t t e r e d c a r w i t h t o r n i s i n g l a s s a n d
t h e c u r t a i n s u p . On e o f t h e m e n g o t o u t o f t h e c a r .
H e l o o k e d c a u t i o u s l y u p a n d d o w n t h e Dr i v e a n d
e v i d e n t l y i m a g i n i n g h i m s e l f s a f e , t o o k a p i g e o n f r o m
u n d e r h i s c o a t .
H e t o s s e d t h e b i r d u p a n d i t f l e w
t o w a r d Ne w J e r s e y
. T h e p e d e s t r i a n ' s s t o r y w a s s u b -
j e c t e d t o i n q u i r y b y p o l i c e .
CARNIVAL OFT H ECRANKS

1 4
9
Co l o n e l L i n d b e r g h w a s r e p o r t e d , o n M a r c h 4, t o
h a v e r e c e i v e d a n o t e f r o m t h e s u p p o s e d k i d n a p p e r s
b e a r i n g t h r e e p r i c k s o f a p e n p o i n t
. T h e n o t e w a s
d e s c r i b e d a s h a v i n g m a n y p o i n t s o f s i m i l a r i t y w i t h
t h e o r i g i n a l r a n s o m d e m a n d .
It r e a d :
" In s e r t i n a Ne w Yo r k p a p e r i f y o u w i l l m e e t
t h e $ 5 0 , 0 0 0 r a n s o m . It m u s t b e p a i d i n b i l l s o f n o t
o v e r $ 2 0 d e n o m i n a t i o n . Do n o t w o r r y a b o u t y o u r
c h i l d ' s h e a l t h ; w e h a v e c h i l d r e n o f o u r o w n . Af t e r
t h e m o n e y i s i n o u r h a n d s , y o u w i l l b e t o l d w h e r e
y o u r b a b y c a n b e f o u n d
. De a l w i t h n o o t h e r s . Yo u ,
k n o w o u r m a r k . "
An d u n d e r n e a t h w e r e t h e p i n p r i c k s .
T h e e p i s t l e w a s p u t d o w n a s a n o t h e r c r a n k l e t t e r ,
b u t a n e s p e c i a l l y v i c i o u s o n e . Of c o u r s e t h e r e w e r e
n o t e s t h a t t h r e a t e n e d d e a t h t o t h e b a b y
. On e o f t h e s e
e v e n r e f e r r e d t o a n o t h e r d i s a p p e a r a n c e c a s e , t o m a k e
i t s e e m t h a t a n o r g a n i z e d g a n g h a d t a k e n b a b y
Ch a r l e s .
In a n y e v e n t , s p u r i o u s o r r e a l , t h e " t h r e e d o t "
n o t e f o r e c a s t t h e u s e o f n e w s p a p e r a d v e r t i s e m e n t s i n
t h e c a s e . It w a s n o t s u c h a n o t e a s t h a t d e s c r i b e d
h e r e w i t h , n o r w a s i t e v e n t h e t h r e a t s , t h a t m o s t
a r o u s e d t h e b e t t e r - t h i n k i n g c l a s s o f p e o p l e
. It w a s
t h e f a l s e " n e w s s t o r y " t h a t n o t o n l y d i d h a r m t o t h e
i n v e s t i g a t i o n , b u t a c t u a l l y h a m p e r e d i t . Am o n g t h e s e
f r a u d u l e n t s t o r i e s - i n w h i c h i t m u s t b e s a i d t h a t
m a n y o f t h e n e w s p a p e r s p l a y e d n o p a r t - t h e s u p -
1
5
0 T RUES T ORYOFT H EL INDBERGH KIDNAPPING
p o s e d a s s u r a n c e s r e c e i v e d b y t h e L i n d b e r g h s , d i r e c t l y
f r o m t h e k i d n a p p e r s , w e r e t h e m o s t u n f a i r a n d u n -
j u s t i f i a b l e .
It w a s n o t i n f r e q u e n t f o r n e w s p a p e r s , i n s e v e r a l
c i t i e s , t o b r o a d c a s t " Ba b y S a f e , An n e H e a r s " a c r o s s
t h e i r f r o n t p a g e s . T h e n , u p o n c l o s e r e a d i n g , i t d e -
v e l o p e d t h a t a r u m o r h a d b e e n s p r e a d t h a t s o m e o n e
h a d t e l e p h o n e d M r s . L i n d b e r g h o n a p r i v a t e w i r e
a n d h a d a s s u r e d h e r t h a t t h e b a b y w a s s a f e .
T h e s e s t o r i e s , w r i t t e n a n d p u b l i s h e d f o r s h e e r s e n -
s a t i o n a l p r o m o t i o n , w e r e n e v e r b a c k e d u p w i t h f a c t s
a n d d i d n o m o r e t h a n s t i r t h e p u b l i c a n d i n f o r m i t
f a l s e l y . M a n y o f t h e y a r n s w e r e d e l i b e r a t e h o a x e s
a n d " p i p e s
. "
S p u r r e d o n b y t h e p u b l i c i t y a t t a c h i n g t o t h e L i n d -
b e r g h c a s e , c r a n k s s e n t t h r e a t e n i n g l e t t e r s t o m a n y
n o t a b l e s t h r o u g h o u t t h e c o u n t r y . It b e c a m e , a l m o s t ,
a f a d .
M r s
. Al i c e Ro o s e v e l t L o n g w o r t h , w i d o w o f f o r -
m e r S p e a k e r L o n g w o r t h , o f t h e H o u s e o f Re p r e -
s e n t a t i v e s , r e c e i v e d
a
n o t e , a b o u t a w e e k a f t e r t h e
L i n d b e r g h a b d u c t i o n , d e m a n d i n g $ 1 , 5 0 0 . T h r e e
w e e k s l a t e r , a n o t h e r n o t e c a m e t o h e r h o m e i n Wa s h -
i n g t o n , D . C.
Fa i l u r e t o p a y , s h e w a s t o l d , w o u l d
m e a n t h a t s h e w o u l d h a v e t o " s u f f e r t h e c o n s e -
q u e n c e s . "
T h e n a t u r e o f t h e " c o n s e q u e n c e s " w a s
n o t m a d e d e a r . M r s
. L o n g w o r t h h a s o n e d a u g h t e r ,
Pa u l i n a , f i v e y e a r s o l d , b u t t h e c h i l d w a s n o t m e n -
t i o n e d i n t h e l e t t e r s
.
CARNIVAL OFT H ECRANKS

1 5 1
S i r Wi l l m o t L e w i s , Wa s h i n g t o n c o r r e s p o n d e n t o f
t h e L o n d o n T i m e s , r e c e i v e d s i m i l a r n o t e s
. T h e s e c -
o n d o n e w a s a d d r e s s e d o n l y t o M r s
. L e w i s . It d e -
m a n d e d $ 1 , 5 0 0 , a l s o
. T h e L e w i s e s h a v e a f o u r -
y e a r - o l d s o n .
Be n L y o n , t h e m o t i o n p i c t u r e s t a r , w h o w a s a l s o
a t Wa s h i n g t o n , w a s t h e r e c i p i e n t o f a t h r e a t e n i n g
n o t e t h a t d e m a n d e d $ 5 0 0 .
Al l o f t h e l e t t e r s w e r e t u r n e d o v e r t o t h e Wa s h -
i n g t o n Po l i c e De p a r t m e n t
. T h e w r i t e r s a p p a r e n t l y
m a d e n o e f f o r t t o c a r r y o u t t h e i r t h r e a t s , h o w e v e r
.
T h e L i n d b e r g h a f f a i r w a s t h u s a c a r n i v a l f o r a l l
o f t h e c r a c k p o t s , t h e " n u t s " a n d t h e " b u g s " w h o u n -
f o r t u n a t e l y f i n d t h e i r p l a c e s i n s o c i e t y w i t h o u t o b t r u -
s i o n a n d d o n o t m a k e n u i s a n c e s o f t h e m s e l v e s u n t i l
s u c h a n i n c i d e n t a s t h i s o n e c o m e s a l o n g .
As o n e o b s e r v e r p u t i t
:
" Yo u c a n ' t l e g i s l a t e n i t w i t s o u t o f e x i s t e n c e
. Yo u
c a n ' t p u t t h e m i n j a i l
. Yo u c a n ' t e v e n h u r t t h e i r
f e e l i n g s
. Al l y o u c a n d o i s i g n o r e t h e m
. An d t h e n
t h e y ' l l e i t h e r w r i t e y o u l e t t e r s , o r w r i t e l e t t e r s t o t h e
e d i t o r o f y o u r l o c a l n e w s p a p e r , d e n o u n c i n g y o u
. "
T h e c r a n k s c e r t a i n l y h a d a p i c n i c w h e n b a b y L i n d -
b e r g h w a s k i d n a p p e d
. T h e i r a c t i o n s w i l l s t a n d f o r
g e n e r a t i o n s a s a m o n u m e n t a l p r o o f o f
h o w d e p r a v e d
a n d i n d e c e n t s o m e o f t h e s o - c a l l e d c i v i l i z e d r a c e
c a n b e
.
An e x a m p l e o f t h e t y p i c a l c r a n k l e t t e r w a s m a i l e d
1 5 2 T RUES T ORYOFT H EL INDBERGH KIDNAPPING
t o M r s . L i n d b e r g h f r o m Ne w Yo r k , t h e d a y a f t e r
t h e k i d n a p p i n g .
It r e a d :
" Yo u r e a d t h i s l e t t e r a n d k e e p y o u r m o u t h s h u t .
Do n ' t o p e n y o u r t r a p t o a l i v i n g s o u l . If y o u d o , i t
w i l l b e y o u r l a s t t a l e .
" Yo u r f a t h e r h a s p l e n t y o f m o n e y , s o d o a s y o u
a r e i n s t r u c t e d a n d n o h a r m w i l l c o m e t o y o u .
" Re m e m b e r t h e f a t e o f t h e S m i t h g i r l ( Fr a n c e s
S t
. J o h n S m i t h , c o l l e g e g i r l , w h o s e b o d y w a s l a t e r
f o u n d i n a Co n n e c t i c u t r i v e r a n d w h o w a s s a i d b y
a u t h o r i t i e s t o h a v e b e e n a s u i c i d e !) w h o r e c e i v e d a
s i m i l a r l e t t e r a n d d i d c o n t r a r y t o o u r i n s t r u c t i o n s b y
m a k i n g i t k n o w n t o h e r f a t h e r a n d t w o f r i e n d s . S h e
w a s d r o p p e d o u t o f t h e p i c t u r e .
" S o w i l l y o u , i f y o u t e l l a n y o n e . We w a n t $ 5 0 , 0 0 0
.
Wi l l f o r w a r d i n s t r u c t i o n s . Do n o t s e t a t r a p . Pr i c e
w i l l b e h i g h a n d p e n a l t y s e v e r e . "
T h a t p a r t i c u l a r m i s s i v e d i d n ' t p e r p l e x p o l i c e a s
m u c h
a s i t s s e n d e r h a d t h o u g h t . H i s m e m o r y w a s
a p p a r e n t l y b a d
. T h e p o l i c e h a d a b e t t e r r e c o l l e c t i o n
t h i s t i m e .
It s e e m s t h a t , i n 1 9 2 9 , w h e n a r a n s o m - k i d n a p p i n g
l e t t e r w a s s e n t t o M i s s Co n s t a n c e M o r r o w , s i s t e r o f
An n e M o r r o w L i n d b e r g h , d e m a n d i n g $ 5 0 , 0 0 0 a s
t h e p r i c e f o r f r e e d o m , i t s c o n t e n t s w e r e v e r y s i m i l a r
t o t h e L i n d b e r g h b a b y t h r e a t n o t e .
T h e n o t e t o M i s s M o r r o w , i n 1 9 2 9 , b e g a n " Yo u
r e a d t h i s a n d k e e p y o u r m o u t h c l o s e d . Do n ' t o p e n
At L i n d y J r ' s Fi r s t Bi r t h d a y
CARNIVAL OFT H ECRANKS

1 5 3
y o u r t r a p t o a l i v i n g s o u l , o r i t
w i l l b e y o u r l a s t t a l k . "
It r a m b l e d o n , i n ' t h e s a m e v e i n .
Po s t a l a u t h o r i t i e s t r a c k e d d o w n t h e s e n d e r o f t h e
o r i g i n a l l e t t e r , f i n d i n g a m a n i n M a s s a c h u s e t t s w h o
h a d b e e n e m p l o y e d s o m e t i m e e a r l i e r a s a g o v e r n -
m e n t d e c o d e r . T h e f e l l o w w a s n o t e v e n a r r e s t e d , a t
t h a t t i m e , f o r h e w a s c o n s i d e r e d h a r m l e s s .
It w a s d e e m e d e s t a b l i s h e d t h a t t h e s a m e m a n h a d
w r i t t e n t h e L i n d b e r g h c r a n k l e t t e r , b u t i t w a s c o n -
s i d e r e d n e c e s s a r y t o c h e c k u p
o n t h e f a c t s , b e c a u s e ,
a l t h o u g h h a r m l e s s i n 1 9 2 9 , t h e m a n m i g h t h a v e
k n o w n s o m e t h i n g a b o u t t h e k i d n a p p i n g i n 1 9 3 2
.
L a s t r e p o r t s w e r e t h a t h e s t i l l t o o k a s m u c h d e l i g h t
i n a n n o y i n g f o l k s w i t h h i s p o i s o n o u s , t h r e a t e n i n g
l e t t e r s , b u t w a s j u s t a s h a r m l e s s a n d h o p e l e s s a s
e v e r .
Ki d n a p n o t e s s w a m p e d p o l i c e . -
T e l e p h o n e w i r e s
b u r n e d w h i l e t h e n e a r - i n s a n e s t a g e d a n o r g y
. Ev e n
t h e w i r e l e s s f e l t t h e e f f e c t o f t h e " n u t " m e s s a g e s
.
S e r g e a n t Re i l l y , Ne w Yo r k S t a t e Po l i c e , i n f o r m e d
Ca p t . J . J . L a m b , o f t h e J e r s e y S t a t e Po l i c e , t h a t h e
h a d b e e n i n f o r m e d o f a m y s t e r y w i r e l e s s m e s s a g e
c a u g h t b y Ch i e f Ra d i o Op e r a t o r Wi l l i a m Ga r r e t t o f
t h e Am e r i c a n Ai r w a y s , a t t h e Al b a n y , N
. Y. , a i r p o r t .
T h e w i r e l e s s m e s s a g e , w h i c h w a s p r e c e d e d a n d f o l -
l o w e d b y p e c u l i a r s i g n a l s , r e a d , i n M o r s e c o d e :
" L i n d b e r g h b a b y s a f e . Ac k n o w l e d g e v i a N. B . C. "
T h e w i r e l e s s m e s s a g e m a y h a v e b e e n s e n t f r o m
Ne w J e r s e y , Ga r r e t t s a i d
. Ga r r e t t , b y t h e w a y , h a s
1 5 4 T RUES T ORYOFT H EL INDBERGH KIDNAPPING
a n e x c e l l e n t r e p u t a t i o n a s a n o p e r a t o r . Af t e r i t c a m e
o v e r t h e e t h e r , t h e s e n d e r c e a s e d o p e r a t i n g , s o t h e r e
w a s n o w a y o f t r a c i n g t h e s o u r c e o f t h e m e s s a g e . It
w a s u n d o u b t e d l y j u s t a n o t h e r c r a n k w i t h a p e r v e r t e d
s e n s e o f h u m o r .
T h e Ne w Yo r k Po l i c e - a s w e l l a s t h e p o l i c e o f
o t h e r c o m m u n i t i e s - h a d m o r e t h a n t h e i r s h a r e o f
q u a c k s a n d f o o l s . On e c a l l c a m e f r o m a w o m a n , w h o
r e f u s e d c o
i d e n t i f y h e r s e l f . S h e t e l e p h o n e d , f o u r
d a y s a f t e r t h e a b d u c t i o n , t h a t s h e k n e w t h a t t h e L i n d -
b e r g h c h i l d w a s b e i n g b r o u g h t t o Al b a n y . Ne w
Yo r k ' s t e l e t y p e s y s t e m s p e d t h e m e s s a g e t o e v e r y
p r e c i n c t i n t h e c i t y a n d t h e m e s s a g e w a s r e l a y e d t o
Al b a n y . T h e r u m o r w a s t h a t t h e k i d n a p p e r s h a d
d y e d t h e c h i l d ' s h a i r b l a c k t o a v o i d d e t e c t i o n . Po -
l i c e f e l t t h a t , h o w e v e r , e v e n t h o u g h t h e k i d n a p p e r s
h a d l o n g s i n c e f o u n d a h i d i n g p l a c e , n o d e w s h o u l d
g o u n c h e c k e d . T h e s e r e p o r t s c a u s e d s o m e e x c i t e m e n t
a n d h a r d w o r k , b u t u n i v e r s a l l y c a m e t o n o t h i n g .
T h e r e w e r e s o m a n y l e t t e r s a n d t e l e p h o n e c a l l s
t r a c e d t o t h e i r o r i g i n , t h a t n o c o u n t c a n e v e r b e m a d e .
In a l l c a s e s , t h e p e r s o n s w e r e f o u n d t o h a v e k n o w n
n o t h i n g w h a t e v e r a b o u t t h e c a s e . It w a s j u s t a y e a r n -
i n g t o b e i n t h e l i m e l i g h t t h a t g e n e r a l l y p r o m p t e d
t h e m t o d o s u c h s i l l y t h i n g s . On s o m e o c c a s i o n s ,
t h e y w e r e o b v i o u s l y p e r s o n s w h o n e e d e d m e d i c a l a t -
t e n t i o n , o r t h e s e r v i c e s o f a p s y c h o a n a l y s t
.
Cr a n k s !
Cr a n k s ! Cr a n k s !
Ne v e r w a s t h e w o r l d s o f u l l o f t h e m !
CH APT ERIX
ENT ERGANGL AND!
.
On c e t h e L i n d b e r g h b a b y ' s a b d u c t i o n h a d b e e n a n -
n o u n c e d , t h e r e w e r e f e w s e n s a t i o n s t h a t c o u l d s h o c k
t h e n a t i o n .
Ye t , i n a c a s e c h o c k f u l l o f s e n s a t i o n s ,
i t i s d o u b t f u l i f a n y t h i n g a p p r o a c h e d , o r t o t h i s d a y
a p p r o a c h e s , t h e e n l i s t m e n t o f t h e a i d o f t h e u n d e r -
w o r l d i n t h e s e a r c h f o r l i t t l e Ch a r l e s Au g u s t u s , J r .
In t h e h a l l s o f Co n g r e s s , i n t h e c h u r c h e s o f t h e
n a t i o n , i n t h e s c h o o l s , t h e f o r u m s - e v e r y w h e r e t h e
e n t r a n c e o f t h e u n d e r w o r l d i n t o t h e L i n d b e r g h c a s e
p r o v o k e d d i s c u s s i o n t h a t o f t e n b e c a m e a c r i m o n i o u s .
Wh e n t h e p r e s e n c e o f u n d e r w o r l d n e g o t i a t o r s
r e a c h e d t h e p o i n t w h e r e Ar t h u r Br i s b a n e , n o t e d a n d
s e d a t e e d i t o r i a l w r i t e r , i n t e r v i e w e d " S c a r f a c e " Al
Ca p o n e , i n
t h e l a t t e r ' s c e l l i n j a i l , t h e v e r y h e i g h t o f
i n c r e d i b l e o c c u r r e n c e s h a d b e e n r e a c h e d . Ev e n e a r -
l i e r , t h e p o w e r o f t h e g a n g s t e r h a d b e e n f e l t , b u t
Br i s b a n e ' s f a m o u s i n t e r v i e w a c c e n t u a t e d t h e p a r t
t h a t g a n g l a n d p l a y s i n t h e n a t i o n ' s a f f a i r .
It m u s t b e r e m e m b e r e d t h a t L i n d y h i m s e l f w a s n o
m e r e p o l i t i c a l c h a r a c t e r . H e w a s n o m e r e i n d u s t r i a l
1 5 5
1 5 6 T RUES T ORYOFT H EL INDBERGH KIDNAPPING
m a g n a t e .
No r w a s h e m e r e l y a s p e c i a l i s t - a s c i e n -
t i s t , a d o c t o r , o r a l a w y e r . H e w a s , i n d u b i t a b l y , t h e
i n t e r n a t i o n a l i d o l , t h e e p i t o m e o f y o u t h f u l p e r f e c -
t i o n , t h e y o u t h a f t e r w h o m o t h e r y o u t h s f a s h i o n e d
t h e i r a s p i r a t i o n s
. H e w a s t h e p e r s o n i f i c a t i o n o f c h a r -
a c t e r , o f t r u t h , o f u p r i g h t e o u s n e s s .
L i n d y w a s a s f a r r e m o v e d f r o m g a n g l a n d - o r h a d
b e e n , i n h i s a c h i e v e m e n t s - a s t h e m o s t d i s t a n t s t a r
f r o m t h i s e a r t h . In f a c t , n o t h i n g i n t h e p u b l i c m i n d
c o u l d p o s s i b l y h a v e l i n k e d L i n d y , u n d e r a n y c i r c u m -
s t a n c e s w h a t e v e r , w i t h t h e d i s r e p u t a b l e c h a r a c t e r s o f
t h e u n d e r w o r l d .
It w a s n o t s o m u c h t h a t t h e g a n g s t e r s w i t h w h o m
L i n d y d e a l t w e r e o f t h e m s e l v e s q u e s t i o n a b l e c h a r -
a c t e r s . On t h e c o n t r a r y , a c c o r d i n g t o t h e i r l i g h t s ,
t h e y w e r e " h o n e s t m e n . " An d t h e a n t i - p r o h i b i t i o n -
i s t s w e n t s o f a r a s t o c h a r a c t e r i z e t h e m m e r e l y a s
p r o d u c t s o f a n a g e . It w a s t h e d i s t a n c e i n a s p i r a t i o n ,
i n s o c i a l l i f e , i n n o b l e a c h i e v e m e n t t h a t s e p a r a t e d
L i n d y f r o m t h e s e u n d e r w o r l d a i d e s b y
a
b o t t o m l e s s
c h a s m o f i n f i n i t e b r e a d t h
.
Bu t L i n d y d i d h a v e t o c a l l i n t h e f e l l o w s w h o l i v e
o u t s i d e t h e l a w . Wh e t h e r i t w a s w i s e o r n o t , w i l l
a l w a y s b e a s u b j e c t o f d e b a t e . T h e r e i s m u c h o n
b o t h s i d e s .
An i n s i d e r a t t h e t i m e e x p r e s s e d t h e o p i n i o n t h a t ,
i n a l l p r o b a b i l i t y , n o g r o u p o f k i d n a p p e r s w o u l d d e a l
t h r o u g h t h e u n d e r w o r l d e m i s s a r i e s a p p o i n t e d b y Co l -
o n e l L i n d b e r g h . H e e x p l a i n e d t h a t t h e k i d n a p p e r s
ENT ERGANGL AND!

1 5 7
w o u l d f e a r t w o t h i n g s , i f o b l i g e d t o d e a l w i t h k n o w n
r a c k e t e e r s : f i r s t l y , t h a t t h e r a c k e t e e r s m i g h t u n e x p e c t -
e d l y t u r n o n t h e m , k i l l t h e m a n d t a k e t h e b a b y e i t h e r
f o r t h e m s e l v e s o r f o r t h e p o l i c e ; s e c o n d l y , t h a t t h e ,
r a c k e t e e r s w o u l d d e m a n d a b i g " c u t , " o r p o r t i o n o f
t h e r a n s o m .
It i s e v i d e n t t h a t t h e k i d n a p p e r s w o u l d h a v e b e e n
u n l i k e l y t o w a l k i n t o a p o l i c e h e a d q u a r t e r s a n d d e a l
t h r o u g h p o l i c e - t h a t w o u l d m e a n p r o s e c u t i o n . T h u s ,
t h e c h a n n e l o p e n e d i n g o o d f a i t h b y Co l o n e l L i n d -
b e r g h , n a m e l y t h r o u g h t h e u n d e r w o r l d , h a d i t s d a n -
g e r s e v e n f o r t h e k i d n a p p e r s .
Wi t h t h e s e t w o c h a n n e l s b a r r e d , t h e k i d n a p p e r s
n a t u r a l l y w o u l d h a v e t o d e p e n d u p o n d i s i n t e r e s t e d
e m i s s a r i e s f r o m t h e o u t s i d e . S u c h m e n m u s t b e o f
k n o w n i n t e g r i t y , i n o r d e r t h a t t h e k i d n a p p e r s m i g h t
b e a s s u r e d o f a s q u a r e d e a l - a n d b y t h e s a m e t o k e n ,
t h e i r v e r y h o n e s t y m i g h t m a k e t h e k i d n a p p e r s f e e l
t h a t t h e m e n w o u l d t u r n t h e m o v e r t o p o l i c e .
T h e s h o c k c a m e , o f f i c i a l l y , o n S u n d a y , M a r c h 6 ,
1 9 3 2
. Fo r i t w a s o n t h a t d a t e t h a t t h e f a m o u s L i n d -
b e r g h No t e w a s p u b l i s h e d .
It r e a d :
" If t h e k i d n a p p e r s o f o u r c h i l d a r e u n w i l l i n g t o
d e a l d i r e c t l y , w e f u l l y a u t h o r i z e ' S a l v y ' S p i t a l e a n d
Ir v i n g Bi t z t o a c t a s o u r g o - b e t w e e n s . We w i l l a l s o
f o l l o w a n y o t h e r m e t h o d s u g g e s t e d b y t h e k i d n a p -
p e r s t h a t w e c a n b e s u r e w i l l b r i n g t h e r e t u r n o f o u r
c h i l d . "
1
5 8
T RUES T ORYOFT H EL INDBERGH KIDNAPPING
T h e n o t e w a s s i g n e d " Ch a r l e s A. L i n d b e r g h a n d
An n e L i n d b e r g h . "
L i t t l e d i d t h e w o r l d d r e a m t h a t t h e d a y w o u l d
c o m e , a s i t a c t u a l l y d i d , w h e n " S a l v y " S p i t a l e , o v e r -
l o r d o f t h e u n d e r w o r l d , w o u l d b e a b l e t o t e l l e a g e r
n e w s p a p e r r e p o r t e r s , a f t e r a v i s i t t o t h e L i n d b e r g h
r e s i d e n c e , t h a t h e h a d b e e n " t r e a t e d j u s t a s i f w e
w e r e s o c i e t y f o l k s . "
Im m e d i a t e l y u p o n p u b l i c a t i o n o f t h e n o t e , t h e
w i s e a c r e s p o i n t e d t o t h e p h r a s e " a n y o t h e r m e t h o d
. "
It w a s g e n e r a l l y b e l i e v e d t h a t t h e k i d n a p p e r s h a d
m a n a g e d -t o c o m m u n i c a t e w i t h t h e t r a n s - At l a n t i c f l y e r
a n d h a d d e m a n d e d a n u n d e r w o r l d c h a r a c t e r a s c h i e f
n e g o t i a t o r .
T h u s , i t w a s a r g u e d " a n y o t h e r m e t h o d " m e a n t
t h a t t h e L i n d b e r g h s w e r e w i l l i n g t o u s e g a n g s t e r g o -
b e t w e e n s , o r " a n y o t h e r " m e a n s o f d e a l i n g f o r t h e
r e t u r n o f t h e c h i l d . It w a s t h i s f a c t t h a t l a t e r g a v e
c r e d e n c e t o c o n s t a n t r e p o r t s t h a t t h e b a b y h a d b e e n
r e t u r n e d a n d t h a t t h e f a c t w a s b e i n g k e p t s e c r e t u n t i l
t h e k i d n a p p e r s c o u l d e s c a p e , b y b o a t o r a i r p l a n e , t o
s o m e f o r e i g n n a t i o n . T h e r e p o r t o f a n a g r e e m e n t o f
t h i s s o r t - e v e n g o i n g s o f a r a s t o d e s c r i b e d e t a i l s -
w a s , c o m m o n f o r w e e k s . It w a s p o i n t e d o u t , a s n e g o -
t i a t i o n s t h r o u g h . S p i t a l e p r o c e e d e d , t h a t a l a w y e r h a d
b e e n a p p o i n t e d t o d e a l i n s u c h a w a y t h a t t h e r a n s o m
m o n e y c o u l d h a v e b e e n s e n t a b r o a d f o r t h e k i d n a p -
p e r s t o s e c u r e a f t e r t h e y h a d m a d e g o o d t h e i r e s c a p e
.
T h e m o r e p o p u l a r t h e o r y w a s t h a t t h e a p p o i n t m e n t
ENT ERGANGL AND!

1 5 9
o f S p i t a l e w a s a " t h r u s t i n t h e d a r k . " It w a s p o i n t e d
o u t t h a t , h a d t h e a b d u c t i o n b e e n c o m m i t t e d b y
s k i l l e d , o r g a n i z e d c r i m i n a l s , t h e y w o u l d n o t d e a l w i t h
t h e r e p u t a b l e c i t i z e n s , n o r w i t h t h e a u t h o r i t i e s , f o r
t h e y w o u l d n a t u r a l l y h a v e f e a r e d a r r e s t a n d p r o s -
e c u t i o n . T h r o u g h a k n o w n c h a r a c t e r o f t h e u n d e r -
w o r l d , i t w a s t h o u g h t t h a t s u c h o r g a n i z e d c r i m i n a l s
m i g h t d e a l
.
Wh i l e m u c h i s k n o w n o f S p i t a l e a n d Bi t z , t h e u n -
d e n i a b l e f a c t i s t h a t t h e y h a v e b e e n a b o v e t h e a v e r -
a g e i n i n t e l l i g e n c e , f o r t h e y h a v e n e v e r m a d e k n o w n
i n d e t a i l t h e m e t h o d o f t h e i r l i v e l i h o o d w h i c h , o f
c o u r s e w o u l d h a v e b e e n a n i m p o s s i b l e p r o c e d u r e i n
a n y e v e n t . Wh a t w a s d e f i n i t e l y k n o w n o f S p i t a l e ,
p a r t i c u l a r l y , w a s t h a t , i n h i s o w n w a y a n d a c c o r d i n g
t o h i s o w n s t a n d a r d s , h e w a s a " s q u a r e s h o o t e r " w h o
w o u l d s t a n d b y h i s w o r d a n d w h o - c o u l d b e t r u s t e d
.
T h e t w o m e n w e r e k n o w n t o h a v e b e e n f r i e n d s o f
J a c k ( L e g s ) Di a m o n d , b o o t l e g g e r a n d g a n g s t e r w h o
w a s m u r d e r e d i n Al b a n y s o m e t i m e b e f o r e t h e L i n d -
b e r g h k i d n a p p i n g .
T h a t t h e y w e r e n o t f r i e n d l y w i t h Di a m o n d a t t h e
t i m e o f h i s d e a t h , w a s a l s o k n o w n , f o r t h e r e p o r t w a s
c o m m o n t h a t Di a m o n d h a d " d o u b l e c r o s s e d " t h e m
i n b o o t l e g g i n g d e a l s . Wh e r e Di a m o n d w a s t r u s t e d
b y n o o n e , S p i t a l e w a s b e l i e v e d i n b y e v e r y o n e w i t h
w h o m h e d e a l t i n t h e p a r t i c u l a r s t r a t a t h a t h e h a d
c h o s e n f o r h i s s o m e w h a t p r e c a r i o u s , t h o u g h l u c r a -
t i v e , l i v e l i h o o d .
1 6 0 T RUE S T ORYOFT H EL INDBERGH KIDNAPPING
T h e r e w a s m u c h t o b u o y u p h o p e i n t h e a p p o i n t -
m e n t o f S p i t a l e a s a g o - b e t w e e n . Bi t z w a s l o o k e d
, u p o n m e r e l y a s a l i e u t e n a n t o f t h e g a n g c h i e f . S p i -
t a l e w a s a m a n o f c o n s i d e r a b l e r e p u t a t i o n a n d s t o r i e s
c o n c e r n i n g h i s h u m a n a n d h u m o r o u s c h a r a c t e r p l a c e d
h i m i n b o l d r e l i e f .
Pe r h a p s t h e m o s t c h a r a c t e r i s t i c y a r n o n S p i t a l e
h a s t o d o w i t h h i s p u r c h a s e o f a $ 4, 0 0 0 a u t o m o b i l e
.
Af t e r t h e c a r h a d b e e n d e l i v e r e d , s o t h e s t o r y g o e s ,
S p i t a l e f o u n d t h a t h e h a d b e e n " s t u c k , " t h a t t h e
m o t o r w a s d e f e c t i v e a n d t h a t t h e c a r w a s v i r t u a l l y
u s e l e s s . H e t r i e d t o n e g o t i a t e w i t h t h e c o n c e r n t h a t
s o l d h i m t h e c a r , i n v a i n .
T h e n , i t i s r e l a t e d , S p i t a l e g a v e u p h o p e o f r e g a i n -
i n g a n y p a r t o f t h e l o s t m o n e y . H e d r o v e a w a y f r o m
t h e a u t o m o b i l e a g e n c y d i s g u s t e d a n d w a s g o n e f o r
s o m e t i m e . Wh e n h e r e t u r n e d , h i s c a r w a s d e c o -
r a t e d - o f a l l t h i n g s - w i t h n u m e r o u s l e m o n s , s t r u n g
f r o m m u d g u a r d t o m u d g u a r d . T h e c a r w a s t h e n
p a r k e d o u t s i d e t h e a u t o a g e n c y ' s s t o r e , f o r p a s s e r s b y
t o n o t e . L a t e r , i t w a s r e t r i e v e d , b u t t h e e m b a r r a s s -
m e n t t o t h e a g e n c y w a s r e p o r t e d a s s l i g h t l y m o r e t h a n
c o n s i d e r a b l e .
S p i t a l e , t h e n , w a s r e l i a b l e , h u m a n a n d g i f t e d w i t h
a w h i m s i c a l s e n s e o f h u m o r
.
S t r a n g e f e l l o w ! H e
l i v e d o n Ce n t r a l Pa r k We s t , i n Ne w Yo r k Ci t y , i n
a s u m p t u o u s l y f u r n i s h e d h o m e w h e r e - h e s u p p o r t e d
h i s w i f e a n d t w o c h i l d r e n i n l u x u r y .
" Wh e n Iw a s f i r s t a p p r o a c h e d b y a r e p r e s e n t a t i v e
ENT ERGANGL AND!

1 6 1
o f t h e L i n d b e r g h s , " S p i t a l e s a i d , " Is a i d Id i d n o t
l i k e t o h a v e m y n a m e d r a g g e d i n t o s u c h a d e l i c a t e
s i t u a t i o n , b u t t h a t i f Ic o u l d h e l p i n a n y w a y t o a i d
t h e L i n d b e r g h s t o g e t b a c k t h e i r c h i l d , Iw o u l d b e
o n l y t o o g l a d t o d o s o , a n d w o u l d t a k e a n y s a c r i f i c e
u p o n m y s e l f t h a t w o u l d a i d t o w a r d t h a t e n d .
" Ia s k w h o e v e r h a s t h e c h i l d t o c o m m u n i c a t e w i t h
m e a t t h e e a r l i e s t o p p o r t u n i t y , e i t h e r t h r o u g h a r e p -
r e s e n t a t i v e o f t h e L i n d b e r g h s o r t h r o u g h t h e L i n d -
b e r g h s p e r s o n a l l y . "
An d t h e n S p i t a l e u n b u r d e n e d w h a t h e c a l l e d t h e
r e a l r e a s o n f o r h i s p r e s e n c e i n t h e c a s e :
" No t h i n g i n t h e w o r l d w o u l d h a v e b r o u g h t m e
i n t o t h i s v e r y d e l i c a t e s i t u a t i o n i f Id i d n o t k n o w w h a t
i t i s t o b e a f a t h e r - h a v i n g t w o t c h i l d r e n o f m y o w n -
a n d i f Id i d n o t k n o w t h a t t h e m i s s i n g c h i l d i s n o t
o n l y t h e c h i l d o f t h e L i n d b e r g h s , b u t t h e c h i l d o f
Am e r i c a .
" It o l d t h e r e p r e s e n t a t i v e o f t h e L i n d b e r g h s t h a t
Iw a s
c o n c e r n e d o n l y w i t h o n e t h i n g - t o r e c o v e r t h e
c h i l d , a l i v e a n d i n g o o d h e a l t h .
" M y o n l y t h o u g h t i s t h a t , a s a m a n o f m y w o r d ,
m y p r o m i s e t h a t Iw i l l p l a y b a l l w i t h t h e k i d n a p p e r s
a s s u r e s t h e m o f a s q u a r e d e a l . "
S t i r r i n g w o r d s , t h o s e ! S t r a n g e w o r d s f r o m a s o -
c a l l e d t h u g !
T h e k n o w i n g p e r s o n s s h o o k t h e i r h e a d s d u b i o u s l y .
S p i t a l e , t h e y f e l t , h a d o v e r s t e p p e d h i s b o u n d s . H e
h a d m a d e a m i s t a k e . T h o s e " i n t h e k n o w " a g r e e d
1 6 2 T RUES T ORYOFT H EL INDBERGH KIDNAPPING
t h a t S p i t a l e w a s r i s k i n g h i s l i f e a n d h i s s o u r c e o f i n -
c o m e . H e h a d b e e n l u r e d , t h e y b e l i e v e d , b y t h e
c h a n c e t o b e o f s e r v i c e a s f e w m e n i n h i s t o r y h a d
b e e n a s a v i o r b e f o r e . ' No t t h e s p o t l i g h t , b u t t h e c l o a k
o f s a n c t i t y , i t w a s c o n c e d e d , h a d a t t r a c t e d S p i t a l e .
T h e c i r c u m s t a n c e s u n d e r w h i c h t h e m a n b e c a m e a n
a c t o r i n t h e d r a m a w e r e , i n d e e d , u n i q u e .
Fu r t h e r t h a n t h i s , i t w a s k n o w n t h a t S p i t a l e , a
q u i c k t h i n k e r , h a d a l w a y s m a d e i t a r u l e t o a v o i d
t h e l i m e l i g h t . Pu b l i c i t y w a s b a d f o r h i s " b u s i n e s s , "
w h a t e v e r t h a t w a s . H e k n e w i t a n d h e h a d n e v e r
c o u r t e d f a m e . It w a s o n l y a m a t t e r o f t i m e b e f o r e
t h e p r e d i c t i o n s o f t h e " i n s i d e r s " b e g a n t o c o m e
t r u e - n a m e l y , t h a t S p i t a l e w o u l d b e t h e b u t t o f
a b u s e , t h a t h e w o u l d b e l o o k e d u p o n a s a p e r s o n i f i c a -
t i o n o f t h e u n d e r w o r l d a n d f l a y e d a c c o r d i n g l y , b e -
c a u s e s o f i n e a m a n a s L i n d b e r g h h a d b e e n f o r c e d t o
c a l l u p o n h i m
.
Wh a t e v e r S p i t a l e w a s , o r b y t h i s t i m e i s , n o b o d y
c a n d e n y t h a t h e w a s i n w h a t h e c a l l e d " a v e r y d e l i -
c a t e s i t u a t i o n , " p e r h a p s m o r e d e l i c a t e t h a n e v e n h e
r e a l i z e d .
T w o i m p o r t a n t d e v e l o p m e n t s t h e n g a v e p r o m i s e
t h a t S p i t a l e m i g h t s u c c e e d w h e r e o t h e r s h a d f a i l e d .
Fi r s t , a n n o u n c e m e n t w a s m a d e b y Go v e r n o r M o o r e ,
o f Ne w J e r s e y , t h a t p o l i c e h a d c e a s e d o p e n i n g t h e
L i n d b e r g h s ' m a i l a n d t h a t t h e k i d n a p p e r s c o u l d n o w
w r i t e d i r e c t l y t o L i n d y o r An n e , w i t h o u t f e a r o f i n -
ENT ERGANGL AND!

1 6 3
t e r c e p t i o n o r d e t e c t i o n b y p o l i c e . Wi t h S p i t a l e o n
t h e j o b r e a d y t o r e s p o n d t o l e t t e r s i n p e r s o n , i t w a s
b e l i e v e d t h a t o n l y a f e w d a y ' s r e m a i n e d b e f o r e t h e
m y s t e r y w o u l d b e s o l v e d .
Ad d e d t o t h i s w a s t h e p r e s e n c e o f Co l o n e l H e n r y
Br e c k i n r i d g e , l e g a l a d v i s e r t o t h e Co l o n e l . Am a n
o f d i g n i t y , o f h i g h r e p u t a t i o n a n d k n o w n i n t e l l e c t u a l
c a p a c i t i e s , i t w a s p r e t t y g e n e r a l l y c o n c e d e d t h a t h i s
o p e r a t i o n s w i t h S p i t a l e m u s t h a v e b e e n p r o d u c t i v e o f
p r o m i s e , o r h e w o u l d n e v e r h a v e b e e n a p a r t y t o s u c h
a m o d e o f p r o c e d u r e
.
Co l o n e l Br e c k i n r i d g e ' s m y s t e r i o u s m i s s i o n s t o a n d
f r o m t h e L i n d b e r g h r e s i d e n c e b e g a n a l m o s t s i m u l -
t a n e o u s l y w i t h t h e a d v e n t o f t h e u n d e r w o r l d t h r o u g h
S p i t a l e , i n t h e c a s e .
M e a n w h i l e , t w o m o r e u n d e r w o r l d f i g u r e s b r o k e
u p o n t h e h o r i z o n w i t h s t a r t l i n g i m p a c t . T h e y w e r e
" S c a r f a c e " Al Ca p o n e , m o s t n o t o r i o u s o f a l l Am e r i -
c a n g a n g l e a d e r s , a n d M o r r i s Ro s n e r , a f i g u r e l e s s
k n o w n t o t h e p u b l i c .
Ca p o n e w a s s e n s a t i o n e n o u g h , b u t a f t e r a l l , h e
w a s i n j a i l i n Ch i c a g o . Ro s n e r , o n t h e o t h e r h a n d ,
p l u n g e d i n t o t h e s e a r c h w i t h s u c h a f l u r r y o f a c t i v -
i t y t h a t r u m o r s b e g a n t o s p r e a d t h a t h e h a d a n i n -
s i d e t r a c k
.
By t h e t i m e Ro s n e r g o t i n t o t h e c a s e , w h i c h w a s
m o r e t h a n a w e e k a f t e r t h e k i d n a p p i n g , n o l e s s a
p e r s o n t h a n Co l o n e l H . No r m a n S c h w a r z k o p f , S u p -
e r i n t e n d e n t o f Ne w J e r s e y S t a t e Po l i c e , c o n c e d e d
1
6 4 T RUES T ORYOFT H EL INDBERGH KIDNAPPING
t h a t t h e L i n d b e r g h p e r s o n a l i n q u i r y a n d t h e o f f i c i a l
p r o b e h a d b e e n s e p a r a t e d . H e c o m m e n t e d t h a t , r e -
g a r d l e s s o f w h a t Co l o n e l L i n d b e r g h m a y h a v e d o n e
p r i v a t e l y , t h e c o n s t i t u t e d a u t h o r i t i e s w e r e p r o c e e d -
i n g a c c o r d i n g t o l a w . T h e s t a t e m e n t w a s c o n s i d e r e d
d o u b l e - e d g e d . It m i g h t h a v e m e a n t t h a t t h e k i d n a p -
p e r s c o u l d e x p e c t n o i m m u n i t y i f p o l i c e l a i d h a n d s
u p o n t h e m . An d i t m i g h t h a v e m e a n t t h a t , i f t h e
a b d u c t o r s d e a l t w i t h Co l o n e l L i n d b e r g h , t h e y c o u l d
g e t t h e i r r a n s o m a n d e s c a p e , t h e p o l i c e w i n k i n g a n
e y e . T h e l a t t e r w a s p u r e l y a t h e o r y , h o w e v e r , b u t
n o t a t o o f a n t a s t i c o n e i n a t h o r o u g h l y f a n t a s t i c c a s e .
In a n y e v e n t , t h e s p o t w a s r i p e f o r Ro s n e r a s w e l l
a s S p i t a l e a n d Bi t z . Ro s n e r w a s c h a r a c t e r i z e d a s
h a v i n g " t h e c o n f i d e n c e o f h i g h g o v e r n m e n t o f f i c i a l s
a n d i m p o r t a n t u n d e r w o r l d f i g u r e s
a s w e l l . " It w a s
g e n e r a l l y k n o w n t h a t h e f r e q u e n t l y m a d e h i s h e a d -
q u a r t e r s a t t h e L i n d b e r g h h o m e .
Du r i n g t h e e x c i t i n g a n d s e c r e t t r i p s o f t h e t r i o ,
S p i t a l e a n d Bi t z s u d d e n l y a p p e a r e d i n Br o o k l y n Fe d -
e r a l Co u r t t o a n s w e r a n o l d c h a r g e o f c o n s p i r a c y t o
s m u g g l e b o o z e a s h o r e a t Ge r r i t z e n Be a c h , L o n g
Is l a n d , t h e s u m m e r b e f o r e . T h e y w e r e e x o n e r a t e d ,
a s w e r e o t h e r s t r i e d w i t h t h e m , i n t w o d a y s . Ab r a -
h a m Ke s s e l m a n , t h e i r l a w y e r , a n n o u n c e d d u r i n g t h e
t r i a l t h a t t h e p a i r w o u l d s p e e d t o De t r o i t a s s o o n a s
t h e c o u r t h e a r i n g w a s c o n c l u d e d , o n a c l e w i n t h a t
c i t y .
T h e p r e s e n c e o f Is a i a h L e e b o v e , a n a t t o r n e y f o r
ENT ERGANGL AND!

1 6 5
S p i t a l e , i n Cl a r e , M i c h i g a n , s e e m e d t o b e a r o u t
- t h a t
s t o r y .
Bu t w h e n , o n M a r c h 1 2 , S p i t a l e a n d Bi t z
w e r e a c q u i t t e d o f t h e l i q u o r c h a r g e , t h e y v a n i s h e d o n
u n k n o w n m i s s i o n s i n a n d a r o u n d Ne w Yo r k
. M y s -
t e r y - - a n d m y s t e r y - a n d m y s t e r y !
Ev e n m o r e i n e x p l i c a b l e w a s Ro s n e r ' s n o w f a m o u s
a s s u r a n c e o n t h e d a y o f S p i t a l e ' s a c q u i t t a l , t h a t t h e
L i n d b e r g h b a b y w a s s a f e
. T h e s t a t e m e n t w a s a
s h o c k , f o r r e p u t e d u n d e r w o r l d c h a r a c t e r s w e r e n o t
b e l i e v e d t o b e s e n s a t i o n - s e e k e r s , m a k i n g w i l d s t a t e -
m e n t s , s i m p l y f o r p u b l i c i t y
.
Ro s n e r w a s q u o t e d i n a c o p y r i g h t e d i n t e r v i e w w i t h
t h e As s o c i a t e d Pr e s s , a s h a v i n g " d e f i n i t e k n o w l e d g e
t h a t t h e l o s t c h i l d ' s s a f e r e t u r n w a s o n l y a m a t t e r o f
t i m e
. "
Co l o n e l Br e c k i n r i d g e p r o m p t l y c a m e b a c k w i t h t h e
d e c l a r a t i o n t h a t Ro s n e r ' s s t a t e m e n t , i f h e m a d e i t , w a s
" n o t a u t h o r i z e d
. " T h e c o n t r a d i c t o r y s t a t e m e n t s w e r e
n o t c l e a r e d u p .
Co l o n e l S c h w a r z k o p f w e n t e v e n f u r t h e r i n a d e -
n i a l o f t h e Ro s n e r r e p o r t
. H e q u o t e d t h e L i n d -
b e r g h s a s s a y i n g t h a t t h e y h a d n o k n o w l e d g e o f a n y
" f a m i l y " t h a t Ro s n e r w a s s u p p o s e d t o h a v e m e n -
t i o n e d a s h a v i n g t a k e n t h e b a b y .
S p i t a l e c o v e r e d h i s t r a c k s . Re p o r t s f l e w a b o u t h i m
.
H i s
$ 3 0 , 0 0 0 t a p e s t r y , h u n g i n h i s p a l a t i a l a p a r t -
m e n t , w a s d e s c r i b e d i n d e t a i l b y t h e g o s s i p m o n g e r s .
Bu t h i s a c t i v i t i e s w e r e k e p t s e c r e t a n d h i s s t a t e m e n t s
w e r e g u a r d e d .
1 6 6 T RUES T ORYOFT H EL INDBERGH KIDNAPPING
Ro s n e r , o n t h e o t h e r h a n d , p r o f e s s i n g r e l u c t a n c e t o
t a l k n e v e r t h e l e s s d i d c o m m i t h i m s e l f a n d a p p a r e n t l y
e m b a r r a s s e d o t h e r i n v e s t i g a t o r s
. Wh e t h e r h i s a c t i o n
w a s p a r t o f a p l a n t o s e n d m e s s a g e s t o t h e k i d n a p p e r s
c o u l d o n l y b e c o n j e c t u r e d
. At a n y r a t e , w o r d w e n t
o u t t h a t Ro s n e r h a d t h e o f f i c i a l a p p r o v a l o f Un i t e d
S t a t e s S e n a t o r El m e r T h o m a s , o f Ok l a h o m a , w h o
h a d r e c o m m e n d e d h i m a s l i k e l y t o b e o f v a l u e t o
t h e L i n d b e r g h s .
Re p o r t s h a d i t t h a t t h e s o c i a l l y p r o m i n e n t Co n -
g r e s s w o m a n , Ru t h Pr a t t , o f Ne w Yo r k , h a d a l s o e x -
p r e s s e d c o n f i d e n c e i n Ro s n e r ' s a b i l i t y t o d e a l w i t h
t h e u n d e r w o r l d .
Al l t h i s , o f c o u r s e , w a s b a s e d u p o n t h e p o p u l a r
n o t i o n t h a t a g a n g o f o r g a n i z e d k i d n a p p e r s h a d d o n e
t h e j o b .
Al Ca p o n e , i t s e e m e d , s h a r e d t h i s v i e w p o i n t . In
h i s i n t e r v i e w w i t h Ar t h u r Br i s b a n e , w h i c h d r e w n a -
t i o n w i d e c o m m e n t , b o t h f o r a n d a g a i n s t t h e i n c i d e n t ,
Ca p o n e s a i d , " T h e r e i s n ' t a m o b t h a t w o u l d n ' t
t r u s t m e t o p a y t h a t m o n e y , i f t h e r e l a t i o n s o f
t h e k i d n a p p e d c h i l d w a n t e d m e t o p a y i t . T h e r e
i s n ' t a n y b o d y t h a t w o u l d t h i n k Iw o u l d t e l l w h e r e I
g o t t h e c h i l d , o r h o w Ig o t i t , o r w h o h a d i t . "
An s w e r i n g Br i s b a n e ' s q u e s t i o n , Ca p o n e c o m m e n t e d ,
" Ca n If i n d i t ?
H o w d o Ik n o w ? "
T h e n a t u r e o f Ca p o n e ' s b a r g a i n w a s b a s e d u p o n
h i s v o l u n t e e r i n g t o a c t
a s i n t e r m e d i a r y f o r t h e L i n d -
b e r g h s
. H e o f f e r e d t o b e
a c c o m p a n i e d
b y T h o m a s
ENT ERGANGL AND!

1
6 7
Ca l l a g h a n , t r u s t e d h e a d o f t h e Un i t e d S t a t e s S e c r e t
S e r v i c e Gu a r d , a s e v i d e n c e o f h i s g o o d f a i t h . An d t o
t o p i t o f f , Ca p o n e w a s w i l l i n g t o s e n d h i s y o u n g
b r o t h e r t o j a i l , i n h i s p l a c e , u n t i l . h e h i m s e l f r e t u r n e d .
" Id o n ' t w a n t a n y f a v o r s i f Ia m a b l e t o d o a n y -
t h i n g f o r t h a t b a b y , " h e a d d e d .
T h e i m p r e s s i o n o f g a n g l a n d ' s p a r t i n t h e s e a r c h
w a s a t o n e m o m e n t r i d i c u l o u s , a t a n o t h e r , p r o m i s -
i n g . Du e t o t h e l a c k o f a n y o f f i c i a l - s u p e r v i s i o n , i t
w a s n a t u r a l t h a t t h e p a r t p l a y e d b y g a n g l e a d e r s i n
a n y n e g o t i a t i o n s n o t o n l y c o u l d n o t b e k n o w n , b u t
n e v e r w i l l b e k n o w n .
At m i d n i g h t o n M a r c h 7 , f o r i n s t a n c e , a m y s t e r i o u s
c a l l e r c a m e t o t h e L i n d b e r g h h o m e . T h a t m a n w a s
d e s c r i b e d a s t h e " g o - b e t w e e n f o r t h e k i d n a p p e r s
. " A
" b r e a k " w a s e x p e c t e d i n t h e c a s e i n t w e n t y - f o u r h o u r s .
T h e m a n , s a i d t o b e a l a w y e r r e p r e s e n t i n g t h e k i d -
n a p p e r s , t e l e p h o n e d Co l o n e l L i n d b e r g h f r o m t h e
" S t u y v e s a n t e x c h a n g e " i n Ne w Yo r k Ci t y . T h e Co l -
o n e l h a d a p e r s o n a l c a r m e e t t h e m a n a t t h e Pr i n c e -
t o n s t a t i o n o f t h e Pe n n s y l v a n i a r a i l r o a d . S e c r e c y e n -
s h r o u d e d t h e w h o l e a f f a i r . Co l o n e l Br e c k i n r i d g e , a s
L i n d b e r g h ' s c o u n s e l , w a s t o m a k e t h e r a n s o m m o n e y
a v a i l a b l e . T h e c o n f e r r i n g p a r t i e s m e t .
T h e m a n
l e f t . An d e x a c t l y n o t h i n g c a m e o f i t .
Wh i l e " S c a r f a c e " Al Ca p o n e w a s c r y i n g f r o m h i s
j a i l i n Ch i c a g o f o r a c h a n c e t o g e t f r e e t o s e a r c h f o r
t h e c h i l d , a n d w h i l e h e w a s r e a d y t o p o s t a s h i g h a s
$ 5 0 0 , 0 0 0 g u a r a n t y o f h i s f a i t h , a w i d e l y k n o w n k i d -
1 6 8 T RUES T ORYOFT H EL INDBERGH KIDNAPPING
n a p e x p e r t a s s e r t e d t h a t Ca p o n h a d " e n g i n e e r e d t h e
a b d u c t i o n f r o m h i s c e l l i n t h e Co o k Co u n t y J a i l , Ch i -
c a g o
. " Au t h o r i t y f o r t h e c h a r g e w a s L i e u t e n a n t Wi l -
l i a m Cu s a c k , o f t h e Ch i c a g o p o l i c e d e p a r t m e n t
. H e
i n s i s t e d t h a t Ca p o n e w a n t e d f r e e d o m f r o m h i s 1 1 - y e a r
j a i l t e r m f o r f e d e r a l i n c o m e t a x e v a s i o n a n d t h a t t h e
r e t u r n o f t h e b a b y w a s Ca p o n e ' s i d e a o f a b a r g a i n
.
Au t h o r i t i e s a t H o p e w e l l i g n o r e d t h i s v i e w .
Ne v e r t h e l e s s , a f t e r Ar t h u r Br i s b a n e h a d i n t e r -
v i e w e d Ca p o n e , M a x S i l v e r m a n , Ne w a r k b o n d s m a n ,
a n n o u n c e d t h a t h e h a d t w o h u n d r e d $ 1 , 0 0 0 b i l l s i n
h i s p o c k e t a n d w a s r e a d y t o h o p t h e n e x t a i r p l a n e t o
Ch i c a g o , t o p u t ' u p c a s h b a i l f o r Ca p o n e , i f t h e a u -
t h o r i t i e s w o u l d a l l o w h i m t o g o f r e e t o h u n t f o r t h e
m i s s i n g b a b y .
In t e r e s t i n Ca p o n e a s a f a c t o r i n t h e r e t u r n o f t h e
b a b y n a t u r a l l y c e n t e r e d a l s o o n t h e a c t i v i t i e s o f Bi t z
a n d S p i t a l e . It w a s g e n e r a l l y s p r e a d i n t h e u n d e r -
w o r l d t h a t t h e s e t w o h a d a t t h e i r c o m m a n d , a t i n -
s t a n t a n e o u s n o t i c e , $ 2 5 0 , 0 0 0 i n c a s h . T h e Ne w Yo r k
Da i l y M i r r o r a s s e r t e d t h a t t h e q u a r t e r o f a m i l l i o n
d o l l a r s r e s t e d i n a v a u l t i n J
. Pi e r p o n t M o r g a n ' s
Wa l l S t r e e t b a n k .
T h i s l e d t o t h e b e l i e f t h a t t h e i n f a m o u s " Pu r p l e
Ga n g " o f De t r o i t , w h i c h p o l i c e t h e r e s a i d h a d b e e n
d e s t r o y e d , h e l d t h e c h i l d
. T h e p u r s u i t o f t h e r e m -
n a n t s o f t h e " Pu r p l e Ga n g " o c c u p i e d c o n s i d e r a b l e
t i m e o f t h e p o l i c e o f s e v e r a l c i t i e s f o r f i v e w e e k s , b u t
t h e _ c h a s e w a s q u i t e f r u i t l e s s .
ENT ERGANGL AND!

1 6 9
T h u s t h e p a r a d o x p u z z l e d a n a t i o n - i n f a c t , t h e
w o r l d . On t h e o n e h a n d w e r e t h e L i n d b e r g h a n d
M o r r o w f a m i l i e s , t h e v e r y e s s e n c e o f h i g h Am e r i c a n
i d e a l s
.
On
t h e o t h e r , t h e p o t e n t a t e s o f t h e s h a d y
w o r l d w h e r e m e n l i v e w i t h g u n s a n d c r i m e
. Wh e t h e r
t h e s e g a n g l e a d e r s , b o o t l e g g e r s , a n d c r i m i n a l s w e r e
r e a l l y s y m p a t h e t i c w i t h t h e L i n d b e r g h s , a s t h e m a n
i n t h e s t r e e t w a s , w i l l n e v e r b e k n o w n . If w e m a y
j u d g e t h e m b y w h a t t h e y s a i d , t h e L i n d b e r g h k i d -
n a p p i n g w a s t o t h e m a s h o r r i b l e a c r i m e a s e v e r w a s
c o m m i t t e d - a n d , i n a d d i t i o n , u n p a r d o n a b l e , e v e n i n
a c r i m i n a l !
T h e Ca p o n e - Br i s b a n e i n t e r v i e w w a s j u s t a n i n c i -
d e n t , s o f a r a s w o r k w a s c o n c e r n e d i n t h e s e a r c h , b u t a
s i g n i f i c a n t i n c i d e n t , i n d e e d . Fi r s t l y , t h e n e c e s s i t y f o r
c o n s u l t i n g t h e k n o w n l a w v i o l a t o r s t o s o l v e t h e m o s t
h e i n o u s o f m o d e r n c r i m e s , h a d b e e n o p e n l y c o n c e d e d
b y p e r s o n s i n h i g h s t a t i o n s o f Am e r i c a n l i f e . S e c -
o n d l y , t h e a t t i t u d e o f t h e c r i m i n a l s i d e w a s p u b l i c i z e d
a n d i n d i c a t e d t h a t , i f t h e a b d u c t o r s s h o u l d p r o v e t o
b e u n d e r w o r l d c h a r a c t e r s , t h e y w o u l d b e u t t e r o u t -
c a s t s e v e n a m o n g t h e d e n i z e n s o f t h e u n d e r w o r l d
.
T r u l y t h e L i n d b e r g h k i d n a p p i n g w a s t h e m o s t
d a s t a r d l y o f c r i m e s , f o r e v e n t h e g a n g l e a d e r s s h u d -
d e r e d a t i t s b r a z e n n e s s a n d i t s c r u e l t y a n d i t s a b s o -
l u t e l y
u n b e l i e v a b l e a u d a c i t y
.
Ap e c u l i a r c o n f l i c t o f i n t e r e s t s c a m e w h e n Co l o n e l
S c h w a r z k o p f i s s u e d h i s c o m m u n i q u e p r o m i s i n g i m -
1
7 0 T RUES T ORYOFT H EL INDBERGH KIDNAPPING
m u n i t y t o i n f o r m l e r s .
On M a r c h 1 2 - a m i g h t y a c -
t i v e d a y i n t h e s e a r c h a n d a s i g n i f i c a n t o n e , t o o -
h e f o r m a l l y s t a t e d t h a t c i r c u l a r s b r o a d c a s t t h r o u g h -
o u t t h e p o l i c e h e a d q u a r t e r s o f t h e n a t i o n , p r o m i s e d
t h a t t h e p o l i c e w o u l d b e w i l l i n g t o f o r g e t t h e s o u r c e
f r o m w h i c h i n f o r m a t i o n m i g h t c o m e l e a d i n g t o d i s -
c o v e r y o f t h e c h i l d ' s w h e r e a b o u t s
. T h e p o l i c e p r o -
n u n c i a m e n t o s t a t e d t h a t s e c r e c y w o u l d b e p l e d g e d t o
i n f o r m e r s i n t h e c a s e .
No t w i t h s t a n d i n g t h i s b i d t o a n y p o s s i b l e u n d e r -
w o r l d c h a r a c t e r s w h o m i g h t h a v e b e e n t e m p t e d , f o r
a n y r e a s o n , t o p r o v i d e a t i p , Co l o n e l S c h w a r z k o p f
e m p h a t i c a l l y d e n i e d a n y d e s i r e t o c o n n e c t w i t h t h e
u n d e r w o r l d , o n c e m o r e m a k i n g c l e a r t h a t L i n d y ' s
g a n g s t e r e m i s s a r i e s w e r e L i n d y ' s b u s i n e s s , b u t h a d
n o c o n n e c t i o n w i t h t h e o f f i c i a l i n q u i r y
.
" T h e i d e n t i t y o f a l l p e o p l e d i s c l o s i n g i n f o r m a t i o n
' l e a d i n g t o t h e r e c o v e r y o f t h e b a b y w i l l b e t r e a t e d
i n c o n f i d e n c e , " h e s a i d
. " We s h a l l a d h e r e s t r i c t l y t o
t h i s g u a r a n t e e o f c o n f i d e n c e . "
T h e n t h e h i g h p o l i c e o f f i c i a l c o m m e n t e d t h a t t h e
c o n s t i t u t e d l a w e n f o r c e m e n t a g e n c y o f Ne w J e r s e y
h a d n o t s o u g h t t h e a i d o f a n y u n d e r w o r l d f i g u r e s n o r
h a d i t a g r e e d t o e x t e n d i m m u n i t y t o t h o s e a c t u a l l y
g u i l t y o f t h e c r i m e .
Aw e e k l a t e r , t h e Co l o n e l f o u n d i t n e c e s s a r y t o
e x p l a i n
" Wh i l e w e h a v e b e e n c r e d i t e d t h r o u g h t h e p r e s s
ENT ERGANGL AND!

1 7 1
w i t h a p p e a l i n g t o t h e u n d e r w o r l d f o r h e l p , t h e r e i s
a b s o l u t e l y n o c o n n e c t i o n d i r e c t l y o r i n d i r e c t l y b e -
t w e e n t h e u n d e r w o r l d a n d t h e p o l i c e o f f i c i a l s i n
c h a r g e o f t h e i n v e s t i g a t i o n . T h e r e f o r e , i f a n y i n -
f o r m a t i o n h a s b e e n o b t a i n e d f r o m t h e u n d e r w o r l d
w i t h r e f e r e n c e t o t h i s i n v e s t i g a t i o n , i t h a s n e v e r b e e n
m a d e k n o w n t o t h i s d e p a r t m e n t . "
Ne v e r t h e l e s s , t h e u n d e r w o r l d a n d t h e c o n s t i t u t e d
a u t h o r i t i e s w o r k e d s i d e b y s i d e , w i t h t h e s a m e o b -
j e c t i v e i n m i n d , d e s p i t e a p p a r e n t l y d i f f e r e n t m e t h o d s .
T h e r e w a s u n d o u b t e d l y c o n f l i c t b e t w e e n t h e t w o
f o r c e s .
T h e m o s t f o r c i b l e i n d i c a t i o n o f t h i s i n t e r n a l s t r i f e
c a m e i n t h e p l e a i s s u e d b y H e r b e r t C . Wi l d e y , M o r -
r i s t o w n Ch i e f o f Po l i c e a n d p r e s i d e n t o f t h e Ne w
J e r s e y S t a t e As s o c i a t i o n o f Po l i c e Ch i e f s . H e c a l l e d
u p o n m e m b e r s h i p o f t h e o r g a n i z a t i o n t o m a k e a c o n -
c e r t e d s e a r c h a n d c o n c e n t r a t e t h e i r e n e r g i e s , f i f t e e n
d a y s a f t e r t h e a b d u c t i o n .
H i s s t a t e m e n t w a s p e r t i n e n t i n t h i s r e s p e c t
: t h a t i t
d e n o u n c e d t h e u n d e r w o r l d c o n n e c t i o n s w i t h t h e c a s e .
H a d t h e s t a t e m e n t c o m e f r o m t h o s e n o t a c t i v e l y e n -
g a g e d i n t h e s e a r c h , i t w o u l d h a v e b e e n m e r e l y a n
e x p r e s s i o n o f o p i n i o n , b u t f r o m a p o l i c e o f f i c e r , i t
w a s f u l l o f m e a n i n g .
Wi l d e y s a i d :
" If t h e c i t i z e n s o f t h i s n a t i o n a r e d e p e n d i n g o n t h e
h a b i t u e s o f t h e s o - c a l l e d u n d e r w o r l d , t o r e c o v e r t h e
1 7
2 T RUES T ORYOFT H EL INDBERGH KIDNAPPING
l o v e d o n e s - w h o h a v e b e e n r u t h l e s s l y t a k e n f r o m t h e i r
h o m e s , i t i s t i m e t h a t f a c t b e m a d e k n o w n s o t h a t
t h e s t a t e a n d m u n i c i p a l g o v e r n i n g b o d i e s m a y d i s -
p e n s e w i t h t h e i r p o l i c e d e p a r t m e n t s a n d d i c k e r w i t h
t h e l a w b r e a k e r a t s o m u c h a c a s e , t h e r e b y s a v i n g t h e
t a x p a y e r c o n s i d e r a b l e m o n e y . "
T h e o b v i o u s s a r c a s m f a i l e d t o e l i c i t a n y r e s p o n s e
f r o m S p i t a l e , o r Bi t z , o r Ro s n e r , o r a n y o t h e r g a n g -
l a n d c h i e f r e p r e s e n t i n g t h e L i n d b e r g h s .
In f a c t , o n t h e s a m e d a y , a s p o k e s m a n o f u n i m -
p e a c h a b l e i n t e g r i t y s a i d t h a t b o t h t h e p o l i c e a n d t h e
s p e c i a l e m i s s a r i e s o f t h e L i n d b e r g h s w e r e u p a g a i n s t
a s t o n e w a l l , a n d a b l a n k w a l l , a t t h a t . T h e L i n d -
b e r g h s , h e s a i d , h a d n o t b e e n i n c o n t a c t w i t h t h e k i d -
n a p p e r s a t a n y t i m e .
Wh a t e v e r t h e v i e w p o i n t o f t h e w o r l d a t l a r g e , i t
w a s u n q u e s t i o n a b l e a f t e r t h r e e w e e k s h a d e l a p s e d
s i n c e t h e k i d n a p p i n g , t h a t t h e r e w a s a s l i t t l e h o p e i n
t h e u n d e r w o r l d g o - b e t w e e n s a s i n t h e p o l i c e .
In f a c t , e x a c t l y a f o r t n i g h t a f t e r t h e h a r r o w i n g
d i s c o v e r y o f t h e b a b y ' s d i s a p p e a r a n c e , a s e m i - o f f i c i a l
s t a t e m e n t s a i d t h a t t h e L i n d b e r g h b o a r d o f s t r a t e g y
b e l i e v e d t h a t t h e b e s t , i f o n l y , h o p e o f g e t t i n g b a c k
t h e b a b y " l i e s i n p r i v a t e n e g o t i a t i o n s w i t h t h e k i d -
n a p p e r s . " T h e n , i t w a s a d m i t t e d , S p i t a l e , Bi t z a n d
Ro s n e r h a d p r o d u c e d n o t h i n g
.
S u c h s t a t e m e n t s a s t h e s e g a v e s u p p o r t t o t h e u n -
a u t h e n t i c a t e d r u m o r s t h a t a n a g r e e m e n t h a d b e e n
ENT ERGANGL AND!

1 7 3
r e a c h e d b u t t h a t e v e r y t h i n g w a s b e i n g k e p t q u i e t
w h i l e t h e k i d n a p p e r s w e r e b e i n g g i v e n t i m e t o m a k e
t h e i r g e t a w a y . It i s h i g h l y p r o b a b l e t h a t t h i s r u m o r
l e d p o l i c e , e a r l y i n t h e c h a s e , t o p u t a f o o l p r o o f g u a r d
o n s t e a m s h i p s o f a l l d e s c r i p t i o n s l e a v i n g t h i s c o u n t r y .
M a n y t i p s d e v e l o p e d a s a r e s u l t o f t h e s t e a m s h i p
g u a r d , b u t a l l w e r e p o i n t l e s s .
It i s a c u r i o u s f a c t t h a t l i t t l e m o r e t h a n a w e e k a f t e r
S p i t a l e c a m e u p o n t h e s c e n e , w i t h Bi t z a s h i s s h a d o w ,
h e q u i c k l y d r o p p e d o u t o f s i g h t a n d e v e n t h e n e w s -
p a p e r s p a i d l i t t l e h e e d t o h i m e x c e p t t o c o m m e n t u p o n
h i s f a i l u r e t o p r o d u c e r e s u l t s .
Du r i n g t h e w e e k w h e n h e w a s w a t c h e d b y t h e
n e w s p a p e r s , h o w e v e r , t h e p o l i c e h a v i n g a g r e e d t o
a l l o w h i m t o w o r k i n h i s o w n w a y w i t h o u t m o l e s t a -
t i o n , t h e r e w a s a m p l e e v i d e n c e t h a t S p i t a l e h a d b e e n
" o n t h e g o , " t o u r i n g u n d e r w o r l d h a u n t s . T h e n i g h t
c l u b s , w i t h t h e i r g a y e x t e r i o r s a n d t i n s e l d e c o r a t i o n s ,
w e r e k n o w n t o h a v e b e e n v i s i t e d b y S p i t a l e w h o w a s
t h o r o u g h l y f a m i l i a r , w i t h w h a t w e n t o n u n d e r n e a t h
t h e s u r f a c e . H e s p r e a d t h e w o r d t h a t h e w a s " r e a d y
t o d o b u s i n e s s . "
S p i t a l e , w h e n h e d i d t a l k a t a l l , w a s o u t s p o k e n
a n d s e e m e d t o h a v e l e s s t o h i d e , s t r a n g e t o r e l a t e ,
t h a n s o m e o f t h e p o l i c e o f f i c i a l s
. H e e m e r g e d f r o m
h i s p l a c e o f h i d i n g a n d t h e Un i t e d Pr e s s q u o t e d h i m
o f f i c i a l l y o n S t
. Pa t r i c k ' s Da y , t w o w e e k s a f t e r h e
h a d b e e n r e t a i n e d b y t h e L i n d b e r g h s , o n h i s a c t i v i t i e s
.
1 7 4
T RUES T ORYOFT H EL INDBERGH KIDNAPPING
S p i t a l e s a i d t h a t h e a n d Ir v i n g Bi t z h a d b e e n w o r k -
i n g c o n s t a n t l y o n t h e c a s e
. H e a d m i t t e d t h a t h e h a d
a b o u t g i v e n u p h o p e o f a c c o m p l i s h i n g a n y t h i n g .
Re f e r r i n g t o t h e u n d e r w o r l d a n d t h o s e c o n n e c t i o n s
t h a t h e m i g h t b e a b l e t o m a k e , S p i t a l e c o m m e n t e d ,
" Ei t h e r t h e y h a v e n ' t g o t t h e b a b y , o r e l s e t h e y a r e i n
a s p o t w h e r e t h e y c a n ' t t a l k
. Ev e n o u r b e s t c o n -
n e c t i o n c a n b e d a m a g e d w i t h a l l t h i s h e a t a n d t h e r e ' s
n o b o d y c r a z y e n o u g h t o t a k e a c h a n c e o f g e t t i n g t h i s
r a p . "
S p i t a l e a d d e d , " M a y b e t h e y a r e i n c u s t o d y r i g h t
n o w , " b u t h e d e c l i n e d t o a m p l i f y t h e s t a t e m e n t .
Be l i e v i n g t h a t t h e k i d n a p p i n g w a s a n " i n s i d e
j o b , " S p i t a l e a d m i t t e d t h a t h e h a d n o t h i n g u p o n
w h i c h t o b a s e h i s t h e o r y , e x c e p t h i s o w n d e d u c t i o n s
.
" S o m e b o d y i n s i d e t h e L i n d b e r g h h o u s e , w h e t h e r
h e k n e w i t o r n o t , w a s d o i n g a l o t o f t i p p i n g o f f , "
S p i t a l e s a i d .
" No a m a t e u r c o u l d h a v e d o n e i t w i t h o u t p o o l r o o m
l u c k .
If a r e a l m o b d i d i t , t h e b a b y i s a l i v e a n d w e l l
a n d y o u c a n b e t o n t h a t
. Do n ' t t h i n k t h e y ' d s p a r e
a t h i n g i n g e t t i n g t h e b e s t c a r e f o r h i m
. "
H e s e t t l e d t h e r e p o r t s o f h i s g o i n g t o De t r o i t b y
s t a t i n g t h a t h e h a d n o c l e w s t h e r e a n d d i d n o t k n o w
a n y o n e t h e r e . H e c o n s i d e r e d r u n n i n g a r o u n d t h e
c o u n t r y a s " r i d i c u l o u s . "
Pe r h a p s i t w a s n o t w i t h o u t s o m e s a g a c i t y t h a t h e
o b s e r v e d :
ENT ERGANGL AND!

1 7 5
" Un t i l t h e p u b l i c i t y d i e s d o w n , Id o n ' t l o o k f o r a
b r e a k
a s
f a r a s t h e u n d e r w o r l d i s c o n c e r n e d . T h e
f a c t t h a t a l l t h e c o p s i n t h e c o u n t r y h a v e n ' t t u r n e d
t h e b a b y u p
i s p r e t t y g o o d p r o o f n o c r a n k o r a m a t e u r
s t o l e h i m . "
T h a t w a s S p i t a l e !Ou t s p o k e n , o b v i o u s l y s t r a i g h t -
f r o m - t h e - s h o u l d e r - a n d y e t a k i n g o f t h e u n d e r -
w o r l d !
CH APT ERX
KIDNAPEPIDEM IC!
Wh i l e t h e L i n d b e r g h k i d n a p p i n g e c l i p s e d i n i m -
p o r t a n c e a l l o t h e r s u c h c r i m e s , t h e f a c t i s t h a t t h e r e
h a d b e e n a s t e a d y g r o w i n g o f s u c h c r i m e s w i t h t h e
L i n d b e r g h a f f a i r a s s o m e t h i n g o f a c l i m a x .
T w o t h o u s a n d p e r s o n s t h r o u g h o u t t h e Un i t e d
S t a t e s h a d b e e n k i d n a p p e d i n t w o y e a r s b e f o r e t h e
L i n d b e r g h d r a m a .
In f a c t , o n We d n e s d a y , M a r c h 2 , l e s s t h a n t w e n t y -
f o u r h o u r s a f t e r t h e L i n d b e r g h k i d n a p p i n g , a b o y
w a s s n a t c h e d f r o m h i s p a r e n t s a t Ni l e s , Oh i o !
An d , i t d e v e l o p e d s o m e t i m e l a t e r , a t t e m p t e d a b -
d u c t i o n s h a d b e e n r e p o r t e d i n t h e v i c i n i t y o f t h e
L i n d b e r g h h o m e , a t H o p e w e l l , Ne w J e r s e y , p r i o r t o
t h e d i s a p p e a r a n c e o f t h e f a m o u s " e a g l e t . "
Bu t a s i f t h i s w e r e n o t q u i t e e n o u g h , a l o n g c a m e
a w o u l d - b e k i d n a p p e r o n t h e e a r l y m o r n i n g o f S a t -
u r d a y , M a r c h 2 0 , u s i n g t h e i d e n t i c a l m e t h o d s o f t h e
L i n d b e r g h a b d u c t o r s - l a d d e r a n d a l l !
T h a t t i m e ,
t h e v i c t i m w o u l d h a v e b e e n , i f t h e k i d n a p p i n g h a d
b e e n s u c c e s s f u l , Di a n a J o h n s o n , b a b y d a u g h t e r o f
1 7 6
KIDNAPEPIDEM IC!

1 7 7
J . S e w a r d J o h n s o n , w e a l t h y v i c e - p r e s i d e n t o f J o h n -
s o n & J o h n s o n , m a n u f a c t u r e r s o f s u r g i c a l s u p p l i e s , a t
Ne w Br u n s w i c k , Ne w J e r s e y .
T h i s o r g y o f k i d n a p p i n g s s t i r r e d t h e n a t i o n
. T h e
e p i d e m i c f r i g h t e n e d m o t h e r s , e v e r y w h e r e
. Ev e n
a d u l t s w e r e n o t s a f e . Ga n g s i n t h e M i d d l e We s t
w e r e k n o w n t o b e s p e c i a l i z i n g i n k i d n a p p i n g s , t h o u g h
t h e v i c t i m s w e r e g e n e r a l l y s a i d t o b e b o o t l e g g e r s a n d
o t h e r p e r s o n s w h o s e f a m i l i e s m i g h t b e a b l e t o p a y
r a n s o m s , b u t w h o w o u l d n o t d a r e c a l l i n p o l i c e b e -
c a u s e t h e k i d n a p p e d p e r s o n h a d b e e n e n g a g e d i n
s h a d y t r a n s a c t i o n s
.
T h e a t t e m p t t o k i d n a p t h e J o h n s o n c h i l d w a s a
s e n s a t i o n o f t h e f i r s t o r d e r .
( T h i s J o h n s o n f a m i l y
w a s n o t i n a n y w a y r e l a t e d t o " Re d " J o h n s o n , t h e
f r i e n d o f Be t t y Go w , L i n d b e r g h n u r s e
. )
T h e J o h n s o n h o m e , c a l l e d " M e r r y w o l d , " o n Ri v e r
Ro a d , n e a r H i g h l a n d Pa r k , Ne w J e r s e y , i s o n l y
t w e n t y m i l e s f r o m t h e L i n d b e r g h h o m e s t e a d
. T h e
J o h n s o n f a m i l y i s w e a l t h y .
J o h n s o n ' s o w n s t o r y o f w h a t o c c u r r e d i s ,
p e r h a p s ,
t h e c l e a r e s t t o l d .
" T h i s t h i n g h a p p e n e d a b o u t t h r e e o ' c l o c k i n t h e
m o r n i n g , " J o h n s o n s a i d . " We h a v e a s u i t e o f r o o m s
o n t h e s e c o n d f l o o r w h i c h i s u s e d a s a n u r s e r y
.
We
h a v e f o u r c h i l d r e n , M a r y L e e , f i v e a n d a h a l f y e a r s
o l d , El a i n e , f o u r ; S e w a r d , t h r e e
; a n d Di a n a w h o i s
n o t q u i t e t w o m o n t h s o l d .
" In t h e r o o m t h e p r o w l e r t r i e d t o e n t e r , o u r
1 7 8 T RUES T ORYOFT H EL INDBERGH KIDNAPPING
t r a i n e d n u r s e , Al b e r t i n e Fi l i a t r a u l t , w a s s l e e p i n g o n a
c o t c l o s e b e s i d e t h e b a s s i n e t w h e r e t h e b a b y , Di a n a ,
w a s a s l e e p .
T h e w i n d o w w a s o p e n , b u t i t w a s p r o -
t e c t e d b y a s c r e e n .
We h a d t h e s c r e e n p l a c e d t h e r e
a f t e r a b u r g l a r y i n o u r h o u s e s e v e r a l w e e k s e a r l i e r .
We a l s o h a d h i r e d a n i g h t w a t c h m a n , a f t e r t h a t a f f a i r ,
a n d p u t s o m e s p e c i a l t e l e p h o n e l i n e s i n t o t h e h o u s e
.
" T h e n u r s e w a s a w a k e n e d b y s o m e o n e w o r k i n g
a t t h e l a t c h o n t h e s c r e e n
. H e h a d a l r e a d y c u t t h r o u g h
t h e s c r e e n , b u t w a s t r y i n g t o g e t t h e l a t c h o p e n
. M i s s
Fi l i a t r a u l t p i c k e d u p a t e l e p h o n e b e s i d e h e r a n d
c a l l e d t o J o h n S h e a , t h e n i g h t w a t c h m a n
.
" T h e m a n o n t h e l a d d e r , w h o h a d b e e n t r y i n g t o
g e t i n t o t h e r o o m , u n d o u b t e d l y h e a r d t h e n u r s e , f o r
h e s t o p p e d w o r k i n g a m i n u t e
. T h e n h e s t a r t e d w o r k -
i n g a t t h e l a t c h a g a i n , b u t m e a n w h i l e , S h e a g o t o u t o f
t h e h o u s e a n d t h e f e l l o w h e a r d h i m c o m i n g .
" S h e a h a d a s h o t g u n . As h e c a m e a r o u n d o n e
c o r n e r o f t h e h o u s e , t h e m a r a u d e r j u m p e d a l l t h e
w a y d o w n f r o m t h e t o p o f t h e l a d d e r , a b o u t f i f t e e n
f e e t .
" S h e a f i r e d a t h i m , b u t a p p a r e n t l y d i d n ' t d o h i m
a n y h a r m . T h e f e l l o w p u l l e d a p i s t o l a n d s h o t b a c k .
S h e a c h a s e d h i m a r o u n d a c o r n e r o f t h e h o u s e , b u t
h e d i s a p p e a r e d . "
T h e l a d d e r t h a t w a s f o u n d a g a i n s t t h e b u i l d i n g ,
u n l i k e t h e o n e i n t h e L i n d b e r g h c a s e , b e l o n g e d o n
t h e e s t a t e .
In q u i r y b y Ch i e f o f Po l i c e , Ge o r g e S m i t h , o f
KIDNAPEPIDEM IC!

1 7 9
H i g h l a n d Pa r k , r e v e a l e d t h a t t h e s c r e e n i n t h e n u r s -
e r y h a d b e e n c u t a n d e v e r y i n d i c a t i o n p o i n t e d t o a n
a t t e m p t e d k i d n a p p i n g .
Ab o u t a n h o u r a n d a h a l f a f t e r t h i s i n c i d e n t , Ch i e f
o f Po l i c e Co r n e l i u s J . M c Ca r t h y , o f S o u t h Pl a i n f i e l d ,
n e a r b y , w h o h a d b e e n a w a k e n e d f r o m b e d , w a s d r i v -
i n g a l o n g H a m i l t o n Bo u l e v a r d i n t h a t s e c t i o n , a c -
c o m p a n i e d b y An d r e w J
. Ph i l l i p s , a n a s s i s t a n t . T h e y
s p i e d a s t r a n g e r , w a l k i n g a l o n g t h e t h o r o u g h f a r e a n d
t h e t w o f o l l o w e d h i m i n t o a r e s t a u r a n t . T h e r e , t h e y
a c c o s t e d t h e m a n w h o i s s a i d t o h a v e a t t e m p t e d t o
d r a w a r e v o l v e r . H e w a s a r r e s t e d a n d g a v e h i s n a m e
a s Ge o r g e M a l d e n , o f Ne w Yo r k . H e w a s a b i g
f e l l o w - o v e r s i x f e e t t a l l , w i t h l a r g e h a n d s a n d
a
v i g o r o u s , h a r d b o d y . H e w a s 3 6 y e a r s o l d a n d s a i d
h i s o c c u p a t i o n w a s t h a t o f a n i r o n w o r k e r . H e h a d
$ 2 5 i n c a s h i n h i s p o c k e t s w h e n a p p r e h e n d e d a n d t h e
p i s t o l p o l i c e r e p o r t e d t h e y h a d f o u n d o n h i m , h a d
f o u r l o a d e d c h a m b e r s - a n d o n e t h a t h a d a p p a r e n t l y
b e e n f i r e d w i t h i n t w e n t y - f o u r h o u r s b e f o r e h i s a r r e s t . ,
H e w a s h e l d p e n d i n g i n v e s t i g a t i o n .
Po l i c e t h e n m a d e e f f o r t s t o c o n n e c t M a l d e n w i t h
a n u m b e r o f b u r g l a r i e s i n t h a t s e c t i o n , i n c l u d i n g t h e
h o l d - u p o f J o h n s o n , s o m e w e e k s e a r l i e r , b u t M a l d e n
d e n i e d a l l o f t h e c h a r g e s .
Wa t c h m a n S h e a , w h e n c o n f r o n t e d w i t h M a l d e n ,
s a i d t h a t t h e l a t t e r w a s d r e s s e d l i k e t h e m a n w h o m h e
h a d c h a s e d f r o m t h e J o h n s o n e s t a t e . Co l o n e l H . No r -
m a n S c h w a r z k o p f , t o w h o m a l l o f t h e d a t a i n t h e
1 8 0 T RUES T ORYOFT H EL INDBERGH KIDNAPPING
J o h n s o n c a s e w a s s e n t , a n n o u n c e d t h a t h e s a w n o c o n -
n e c t i o n b e t w e e n i t a n d t h e L i n d b e r g h a f f a i r .
At a b o u t t h e s a m e t i m e t h a t t h e J o h n s o n a t t e m p t e d
k i d n a p p i n g w a s a t t r a c t i n g a t t e n t i o n , a r e v e l a t i o n c a m e
f r o m Gu s t a v e L o c k w o o d , a n i n s p e c t o r o f t h e M o t o r
Ve h i c l e Bu r e a u o f Ne w J e r s e y , w h o h a d b e e n a s -
s i g n e d t o t h e v i c i n i t y t o t r a c k d o w n a u t o m o b i l e
t h i e v e s . T h e r e h a d b e e n a t h e o r y t h a t a u t o t h i e v e s
m i g h t , i n s o m e w a y , h a v e b e e n c o n n e c t e d w i t h t h e
L i n d b e r g h c a s e , a n d e v e r y a n g l e w a s b e i n g c h e c k e d .
Af t e r c o n s i d e r a b l e i n v e s t i g a t i o n , L o c k w o o d m a n -
a g e d t o t r i c k S a m Cu c c h i a r a , a H o p e w e l l b a r b e r , i n t o
l e a d i n g h i m t o t h e f a r m o f Ca s p a r Ol i v e r , a t Ro c k y
H i l l Ro a d , Bl a w e n b u r g , a t i n y h a m l e t s c a r c e l y a m i l e
f r o m L i n d b e r g h ' s h o m e
. Ol i v e r a n d Cu c c h i a r a , h e l d
b y p o l i c e o n c h a r g e s o f b e i n g i m p l i c a t e d i n h a n d l i n g
s t o l e n a u t o m o b i l e s , i n v o l v e d " Bl a c k S a m " M o r g a n ,
a Ne g r o , o f S t o u t s b u r g , n e a r H o p e w e l l , w h o w a s a l s o
h e l d b y p o l i c e .
Bu t i t w a s a t t h a t t i m e t h a t L o c k w o o d m a d e a
s t a t e m e n t t h a t a n a t t e m p t e d k i d n a p p i n g s i m i l a r t o
t h e L i n d b e r g h o n e , h a d b e e n r e p o r t e d i n t h e n e i g h -
b o r h o o d b e f o r e l i t t l e " L i n d y , " J u n i o r , h a d b e e n
t a k e n .
" No t h i n g h a s b e e n s a i d a n d n o t h i n g h a s b e e n
d o n e a b o u t t h e a t t a c k m a d e b y k i d n a p p e r s o n a
w e a l t h y f a m i l y l i v i n g c l o s e t o t h e L i n d b e r g h h o m e
o n l y s i x w e e k s a g o , " In s p e c t o r L o c k w o o d s a i d .
" T h e b u t l e r i n t h a t i n s t a n c e , h e a r d a n o i s e a n d
KIDNAP EPIDEM IC!

1 8
1
d i s c o v e r e d a m a n i n t h e n u r s e r y
. T h e m a n l e a p e d
o u t o f a w i n d o w a n d e s c a p e d . "
L o c k w o o d r e v e a l e d e v e n a n o t h e r a t t e m p t .
" Ev e n m o r e s t a r t l i n g , " h e s a i d " w a s t h e e x p e r i e n c e
o f a n o t h e r w e a l t h y f a m i l y l i v i n g b e t w e e n H o p e w e l l
a n d Pr i n c e t o n s e v e r a l w e e k s a g o
. M e m b e r s o f t h e
f a m i l y h e a r d a n o i s e u p s t a i r s w h i l e t h e y w e r e a t , s u p -
p e r . T h e y r a n u p t h e s t a i r s a n d f o u n d a m a n w i t h
t h e i r c h i l d s t r u g g l i n g i n h i s a r m s . T h e k i d n a p p e r
d r o p p e d t h e c h i l d a n d f l e d , b u t w e o b t a i n e d t h e l i -
c e n s e n u m b e r o f h i s c a r - y e t n o t h i n g w a s d o n e a b o u t
i t . "
Be v i s L o n g s t r e t h , p r e s i d e n t o f t h e T h e o k o l Co r p -
o r a t i o n o f T r e n t o n , w h o s e h o m e i s s e v e n m i l e s f r o m
t h a t o f t h e L i n d b e r g h s , i d e n t i f i e d h i m s e l f a n d h i s
-
f a m i l y a s o n e o f t h e n e a r - v i c t i m s o f t h e r a i d s d e -
s c r i b e d b y L o c k w o o d .
T w i c e d u r i n g J a n u a r y o f 1 9 3 2 , L o n g s t r e t h s a i d ,
d i s t i n c t a t t e m p t s w e r e m a d e t o e n t e r h i s h o m e . H e
p u t t h e m d o w n a s " s t u p i d f e l l o w s w h o w e r e t r y i n g t o
b r e a k i n . " Bu t t h r e e w e e k s a f t e r t h e k i d n a p p i n g o f
Ba b y L i n d b e r g h , L o n g s t r e t h c a m e t o t h e c o n c l u s i o n
t h a t t h e m o t i v e o f t h e m a r a u d e r s a b o u t h i s h o m e w a s
k i d n a p p i n g .
T h e r e a r e f o u r c h i l d r e n i n t h e L o n g s t r e t h f a m -
i l y - t w o b o y s , t w e l v e a n d f o u r t e e n y e a r s o l d a n d
t w o g i r l s , f o u r a n d e i g h t .
On e n i g h t , d u r i n g t h e t h i r d w e e k o f J a n u a r y , Wi l -
l i a m Gr a y , t h e b u t l e r o f t h e L o n g s t r e t h h o u s e , h e a r d
1 8 2 T RUES T ORYOFT H EL INDBERGH KIDNAPPING
a d i s t u r b a n c e o u t - d o o r s
. H e f l a s h e d o n t h e p o r c h
l i g h t s a n d s a w t w o m e n o u t s i d e a p p a r e n t l y t r y i n g t o
q u i e t t h e Ge r m a n p o l i c e d o g a n d t e r r i e r t h a t t h e
L o n g s t r e t h s h a d b e e n k e e p i n g i n k e n n e l s n e a r b y . T h e
m e n f l e d .
Bu t t w o n i g h t s l a t e r , a t a b o u t t w o o ' c l o c k i n t h e
m o r n i n g , Gr a y w a s s u d d e n l y a w a k e n e d b y a n o i s e
t h a t s o u n d e d a s i f a b u c k e t h a d b e e n k i c k e d o v e r o n
t h e v e r a n d a . T h e b u t l e r r a n i n t o t h e r o o m o f Cy r u s ,
o l d e s t o f t h e L o n g s t r e t h b o y s , a n d s e i z e d a s h o t g u n .
T h e n h e s t o p p e d a t L o n g s t r e t h ' s r o o m , a w a k e n e d t h e
m a s t e r o f t h e h o u s e , a n d q u i c k l y i n f o r m e d h i m t h a t
s o m e o n e w a s t r y i n g t o g e t i n a t t h e d o o r .
Gr a y a n d L o n g s t r e t h , w h o i s s i x f e e t t a l l a n d a m a n
w e l l a b l e t o t a k e c a r e o f h i m s e l f , f l e w d o w n t h e
s t a i r s a n d f o u n d a m a n w o r k i n g a t t h e Fr e n c h d o o r .
Cy r u s , t h e s o n , f l a s h e d o n h i s r o o m l i g h t s u p s t a i r s
.
In a n i n s t a n t , a n a u t o m o b i l e h o r n s o u n d e d n e a r t h e
h o u s e . It w a s a w a r n i n g a n d t h e m a n a t t h e d o o r
h e a r d i t . H e r a n o f f , j u s t a s t h e p u r s u i n g m e n
r e a c h e d t h e d o o r .
L o n g s t r e t h a n d t h e b u t l e r l o o k e d a l l o v e r t h e
p l a c e f o r c l e w s . Do w n i n t h e c e l l a r , t h e y f o u n d
t r u n k s o v e r t u r n e d a n d c o n c l u d e d t h a t , w h e n t h e
m a n f o u n d t h a t h e c o u l d n o t g a i n a c c e s s t o t h e h o u s e
t h r o u g h t h e c e l l a r , h e h a d d e c i d e d t o t r y t h e f r o n t
d o o r .
T h e w e a l t h y m a n u f a c t u r e r - h i s c o n c e r n p r o d u c e d
KIDNAPEPIDEM IC!

1 8 3
s y n t h e t i c
r u b b e r - f i n a l l y g u a r d e d h i s e s t a t e w i t h
f o u r d o g s a n d a n u m b e r o f w a t c h m e n .
It w a s n o t u n t i l t h e L o n g s t r e t h i n c i d e n t b e c a m e
k n o w n g e n e r a l l y t h a t t h e r e a s o n w h y Co l o n e l L i n d -
b e r g h h a d n e v e r e m p l o y e d a n i g h t w a t c h m a n , w a s e x -
p l a i n e d .
In t h e f a m o u s f l y e r ' s w o r d s , a s r e c o u n t e d l a t e r b y
a r e l i a b l e p e r s o n , t h e r e a s o n w a s :
" Id o n ' t w a n t p e o p l e t o t h i n k i t w o u l d b e n e c e s s a r y
f o r m e t o g u a r d m y p l a c e
. Ih o p e t h e p e o p l e a r o u n d
h e r e w i l l c o n s i d e r m e j u s t a n e i g h b o r . "
T h e Co l o n e l ' s i n a b i l i t y t o c o n c e i v e t h a t a n y o n e
w o u l d d e l i b e r a t e l y s e e k t o i n j u r e h i m , c o s t h i m m u c h ,
i n d e e d ! Wh a t a d i f f e r e n c e i t w o u l d h a v e m a d e , h a d
h e , f o r i n s t a n c e , r e t a i n e d t h e w a t c h m a n w h o w a s e m -
p l o y e d w h e n t h e L i n d b e r g h h o u s e w a s b e i n g c o n -
s t r u c t e d !At t h a t t i m e , s o u v e n i r c o l l e c t o r s s w a r m e d
a b o u t t h e p l a c e . Aw a t c h m a n w a s n e e d e d t o p r e -
v e n t t h e m f r o m w a l k i n g o f f w i t h p i e c e s o f l u m b e r .
T h e y h a d t o b e s a t i s f i e d w i t h b i t s o f s t o n e , p a r t o f
w h i c h h a d g o n e i n t o t h e h o u s e . Bu t w h e n t h e j o b
w a s d o n e , t h e Co l o n e l f e l t t h a t a w a t c h m a n w o u l d
h a v e b e e n a n o f f e n s e t o h i s n e i g h b o r s .
Fr o m t h e s e i n c i d e n t s , i t w o u l d s e e m t h a t n o t o n l y
a k i d n a p e p i d e m i c , b u t a k i d n a p s c a r e , o f n a t i o n a l
p r o p o r t i o n s , h a d d e v e l o p e d .
An d e v e n t h e s e w e r e n o t a l l .
T h e r e w a s t h e c a s e o f J i m m y d e j u t e , s o n o f
J a m e s d e j u t e , w e a l t h y c o n t r a c t o r , o f Ni l e s , Oh i o .
1 8 4 T RUES T ORYOFT H EL INDBERGH KIDNAPPING
J i m m y w a s a b d u c t e d w h i l e o n h i s w a y t o s c h o o l o n
We d n e s d a y m o r n i n g , M a r c h 2 , t h e m o r n i n g a f t e r
t h e k i d n a p p i n g o f t h e L i n d b e r g h b a b y
. J i m m y w a s
1 2 y e a r s o l d .
T h e f a t h e r ' s f i r s t m o v e w a s t o o f f e r $ 1 , 0 0 0 r a n -
s o m f o r t h e r e t u r n o f h i s s o n
. T h e p r i n c i p a l t h e o r y
h e l d b y p o l i c e w a s t h a t v e n g e a n c e h a d p r o m p t e d t h e
c r i m e
. T h e p a r e n t s d i d n o t r e c e i v e a l e t t e r , o r a n o t e
o f a n y k i n d , f r o m t h e k i d n a p p e r s
.
On l y o n e c l e w w a s h e l d
. M r s . H . L . Wo o d w a r d ,
w i f e o f t h e r e c t o r o f S t
. L u k e ' s Ep i s c o p a l Ch u r c h i n
Ni l e s , h a p p e n e d t o s e e t h e k i d n a p p i n g .
S h e a r r i v e d
t o o l a t e t o p r e v e n t i t .
Bu t s h e d e s c r i b e d t h e k i d n a p -
p e r s ' c a r i n d e t a i l
. An d s h e d e s c r i b e d t h e k i d n a p p e r s .
Fr a n t i c e f f o r t s b y p o l i c e d i s c l o s e d e x a c t l y n o t h i n g
.
On e d a y f o l l o w e d a n o t h e r
. In t h e h e a t o f t h e e x -
c i t e m e n t o f t h e L i n d b e r g h c a s e , t h e d e J u t e k i d n a p -
p i n g w a s s o m e w h a t d w a r f e d
. Bu t i t p l a y e d a n u n d e r -
t o n e , n e v e r t h e l e s s .
No e f f o r t s w e r e m a d e t o r e a c h
d e J u t e r e g a r d i n g r a n s o m .
T h e p o l i c e w e r e i n d i n e d
t o g i v e u p h o p e , t h o u g h t h e f a t h e r a n d m o t h e r r e -
m a i n e d o p t i m i s t i c .
It w a s n o t u n t i l f o u r d a y s a f t e r t h e c h i l d h a d v a n -
i s h e d t h a t a c l e w c a m e .
Am y s t e r i o u s t e l e p h o n e c a l l
c a m e t o t h e o f f i c e o f Co u n t y De t e c t i v e W
. J . H a r -
r i s o n .
" Go t o S c o t t y ' s p l a c e a n d y o u w i l l f i n d t h a t d e J u t e
k i d f r o m Ni l e s , " t h e v o i c e s a i d .
T h e n t h e r e w a s a
d i c k . T h a t w a s a l l
.
KIDNAPEPIDEM IC!

1 8
5
H a r r i s o n c a l l e d M a h o n i n g Co u n t y o f f i c e r s , a s w e l l
a s t h o s e f r o m T r u m b u l l Co u n t y
. Af e d e r a l o f f i c i a l
a c c o m p a n i e d t h e m
.
T h e s e a r c h e r s k n e w " S c o t t y ' s p l a c e " a s a o n c e n o -
t o r i o u s g a m b l i n g h o u s e o n t h e d e s e r t e d Yo u n g s t o w n -
H u b b a r d r o a d
. T h e p l a c e h a d b e e n c l o s e d f o r s e v e r a l
w e e k s a n d w a s a l s o k n o w n a s t h e " H i l l s i d e Cl u b . " It
s t o o d b e h i n d t h e r o a d w a y , i n t h e r e a r o f a g a s o l i n e
f i l l i n g s t a t i o n a n d b a r b e c u e s t a n d
.
Co m p l e t e l y s u r r o u n d i n g t h e b u i l d i n g , t o m a k e i m -
p o s s i b l e a n y a t t e m p t e d e s c a p e , t h e m e n r u s h e d u p t o
t h e d o o r
. T h e y k i c k e d i t t h r o u g h . In s i d e , t h e p l a c e
s e e m e d e m p t y
. S m o k e , h o w e v e r , h a d b e e n s e e n c o m -
i n g f r o m t h e c h i m n e y
. T h e s e a r c h e r s f o u n d a s t o v e ,
w i t h a s m a l l f i r e i n i t
. T h e r e w e r e r u g s a b o u t t h e
b a r n - l i k e r o o m , b u t n o f u r n i t u r e
. An o l d m a t t r e s s
a n d t w o p i l l o w s l a y i n a c o r n e r
. Ne a r b y w a s a r i f l e
a n d a p i s t o l , w i t h a p a r t l y e a t e n l o a f o f b r e a d
.
H a r r i s o n s a w a b o o k o n t h e f l o o r
. H e p i c k e d i t u p .
It w a s a S t r a y e r - Up t o n a r i t h m e t i c , u s e d i n t h e m i d d l e
g r a d e i n t h e l o c a l s c h o o l
. On t h e f l y l e a f o f t h e b o o k
h a d b e e n w r i t t e n , " J a m e s d e j u t e , 3 3 7 Ro b b i n s a v e -
n u e , Ni l e s , Oh i o , g r a d e 5 A, L i n c o l n S c h o o l . "
" J i m m i e !" s h o u t e d H a r r i s o n .
" Ye s s i r , y e s s i r , h e r e Ia m , " a n a n s w e r c a m e , f r o m
b e h i n d a w a l l o f t h e r o o m .
T h e w a l l s a p p e a r e d t o b e q u i t e t h i c k
. H a r r i s o n
a n d S h e r i f f Ri s h e r , o f T r u m b u l l Co u n t y , k i c k e d t h e
w a l l i n
. It p r o v e d t o b e a f a l s e o n e , m a d e o f p l a s t e r
1 8 6
T RUES T ORYOFT H EL INDBERGH KIDNAPPING
b o a r d , a p p a r e n t l y b u i l t i n t o m a k e h i d i n g p o s s i b l e
.
Wi t h i n a f e w m i n u t e s , t h e f a k e w a l l w a s
r i p p e d
a w a y
a n d -
T h e r e w a s J i m m y d e J u t e !
Be s i d e J i m m y w e r e t w o m e n , o n e o f w h o m h a d a
g u n i n h i s h a n d , b u t h e w a s d i s a r m e d
. T h e m e n w e r e
J o h n De m a r c o , 3 0 , a n d Do w e l H a r g r a v e s , 2 7 , b o t h
o f Yo u n g s t o w n , t h o u g h H a r g r a v e s c a m e o r i g i n a l l y
f r o m Ph i l a d e l p h i a .
T h e y w e r e d e s c r i b e d l a t e r b y
p o l i c e a s h a b i t u e s o f p o o l r o o m s a n d s p e a k e a s i e s i n
Yo u n g s t o w n , b o t h h a v i n g q u e s t i o n a b l e c h a r a c t e r s
.
T h e t w o m e n w e r e p l a c e d u n d e r a r r e s t , c h a r g e d
w i t h t h e k i d n a p p i n g
. T h e c h i l d w a s r u s h e d h o m e t o
h i s p a r e n t s w h o w e r e s o o v e r j o y e d t h a t t h e y w e p t
.
T h e b o y e x p l a i n e d t h a t h e h a d b e e n t a k e n d i r e c t l y
f r o m t h e s c e n e o f t h e k i d n a p p i n g t o t h e h i d e a w a y
.
H e h a d b e e n t h e r e e v e r s i n c e
. T h e m e n h a d f e d
h i m p r i n c i p a l l y o n s o f t b o i l e d e g g s
. It h a d b e e n
c o l d , b u t t h e b o y h a d b e e n w a r m l y c l a d , p a r t i c u l a r l y
w i t h h i s " L i n d b e r g h h e l m e t , " a h e a v y h e a d g e a r
.
T h e b o y s a i d h e h a d n ' t l i k e d b e i n g k e p t i n t h e
" d a r k c l o s e t , " t h o u g h h e s a i d h i s c a p t o r s h a d n ' t e x -
a c t l y b e e n c r u e l t o h i m . T h e y h a d o f t e n m e n t i o n e d
t h e " r a n s o m ; ' h e s a i d , b u t h a d n ' t t h r e a t e n e d t o k i l l
h i m i f h i s f a t h e r f a i l e d t o p a y i t
. Al t h o u g h t h e m e n
a r e s a i d t o h a v e a d m i t t e d t h a t t h e i r s o l e m o t i v e w a s
a d e s i r e t o g e t s o m e m o n e y , t h e y h a d n o t y e t a s k e d
f o r i t w h e n a p p r e h e n d e d
.
T h e d e J u t e k i d n a p p i n g d e v e l o p e d a n a n g l e w h i c h
KIDNAPEPIDEM IC!

1 8 7
w a s n o t e d b y a l l o b s e r v e r s o f s u c h t h i n g s . It t a u g h t
t h e l e s s o n t h a t e v e n m y s t e r i o u s a c t i o n s o f p e r s o n s i n -
v o l v e d i n k i d n a p p i n g , a f t e r t h e a c t u a l a b d u c t i o n , d o
n o t a l w a y s a r o u s e s u s p i c i o n s o f p e r s o n s n e a r b y . In
f r o n t o f t h e H i l l s i d e Cl u b , ' w h e r e t h e t w o m e n h a d
b e e n k e e p i n g t h e b o y , w a s t h e g a s o l i n e f i l l i n g s t a t i o n
.
An d a t t e n d i n g t o t h e w a n t s o f p a s s i n g m o t o r i s t s a t
t h e s t a t i o n w e r e M r
. a n d M r s . J o e Ga r w o o d , o p e r a -
t o r s o f t h e " h o t d o g " s t a n d a n d g a s s t a t i o n
. T h e
c o u p l e w e r e a s s u r p r i s e d a s a n y o n e w h e n t h e b o y w a s
f o u n d t h e r e .
M r s
. Ga r w o o d e x p l a i n e d w h y .
T h e b o y h a d b e e n k i d n a p p e d i n a t a n c o u p e . " I
h a d s e e n t h e c o u p e d r i v e i n t o t h e g a s s t a t i o n s e v e r a l
t i m e s , b u t Ij u s t d i d n ' t s u s p e c t a n y t h i n g . Di d n ' t c o n -
n e c t i t w i t h t h e k i d n a p p i n g , " M r s . Ga r w o o d
e x -
p l a i n e d .
Re m i n d e d o f t h e r o a d h o u s e a n d t h e f a c t t h a t s h e
m u s t h a v e s e e n s o m e o n e g o i n g i n o r o u t , h e r e x -
p l a n a t i o n w a s a g o o d o n e , i f a d i s a p p o i n t i n g o n e .
" T h e r e h a d b e e n a w a t c h m a n a t t h e p l a c e e v e r
s i n c e i t d o s e d , " s h e s a i d
. " We t h o u g h t t h a t t h e
w a t c h m a n w a s h a v i n g v i s i t o r s . H e h a d h a d v i s i t o r s
m a n y t i m e s
. Wh e n a n y b o d y c a m e , w e f i g u r e d t h e y
w e r e j u s t k e e p i n g h i m c o m p a n y . Be s i d e s , w e h a d s u s -
p e c t e d t h a t a s t i l l w a s b e i n g o p e r a t e d i n t h e b u i l d i n g
a n d w e t h o u g h t i t b e s t n o t t o g e t i n t r o u b l e a n d t o
m i n d o u r o w n b u s i n e s s . "
Pr o s e c u t o r B. H
. Bi r e l l , o f Wa r r e n Co u n t y , Oh i o ,
1 8 8 T RUES T ORYOFT H EL INDBERGH KIDNAPPING
t o o k t h e c a s e t o t h e Gr a n d j u r y a n d b o t h H a r g r a v e s
a n d De m a r c o w e r e i n d i c t e d
.
Wh i l s t J i m m y w e n t
a b o u t h i s b u s i n e s s , e n j o y i n g l i f e , p o l i c e h u n t e d f o r a
t h i r d m a n b e l i e v e d t o h a v e b e e n i n o n t h e k i d n a p p i n g .
T h a t m a n , i t w a s b e l i e v e d , h a d b e e n f r i g h t e n e d b y
t h e " r u m p u s " t h a t w a s r a i s e d b y t h e a b d u c t i o n , p a r -
t i c u l a r l y w i t h t h e L i n d b e r g h a f f a i r s t a r t l i n g t h e n a -
t i o n . T h a t , i t w a s t h o u g h t b y p o l i c e , a c c o u n t e d f o r
h i s t e l e p h o n e " s q u e a l " a n d t h e h o p e t h a t h e c o u l d
e s c a p e .
On M a r c h 1 6 , f i n i s w a s w r i t t e n o n t h e d e j u t e
k i d n a p p i n g . Do w e l H a r g r a v e s w a s s e n t e n c e d t o l i f e
i m p r i s o n m e n t b e f o r e j u d g e L y n n B . Gr i f f i t h i n c o m -
m o n p l e a s c o u r t , a f t e r a t r i a l .
J u d g e Gr i f f i t h s a i d , i n s e n t e n c i n g t h e m a n ,
" Ki d n a p p i n g s t r i k e s a b l o w a t t h e t e n d e r e s t a n d
m o s t s a c r e d a f f e c t i o n s o f h u m a n b l o o d a n d i s u s u -
a l l y r e s o r t e d t o f o r r e v e n g e o r e x t o r t i o n .
" By t h e J e w i s h a n d c i v i l l a w , k i d n a p p i n g w a s p u n -
i s h a b l e w i t h d e a t h , a n d b y t h e c o m m o n l a w , w i t h
f i n e , i m p r i s o n m e n t a n d p i l l o r y . Ki d n a p p i n g i s a n
o f f e n s e t h a t i s b e c o m i n g a l l t o o p r e v a l e n t i n i t s a p -
p e a r a n c e s t h r o u g h o u t o u r l a n d i n r e c e n t m o n t h s . "
T h e j u d g e r e f u s e d t o s h o w c l e m e n c y t o H a r g r a v e s
a n d w h e n De m a r c o w e n t o n t r i a l , i t w a s n o t e x p e c t e d
t h a t h e w o u l d " b e a t t h e r a p . " Ne i t h e r m a n w o u l d
t e l l w h o t h e s u p p o s e d t h i r d a c c o m p l i c e i n t h e k i d -
n a p p i n g w a s .
De m a r c o p l e a d e d g u i l t y t o t h e c h a r g e , s o m e d a y s
KIDNAPEPIDEM IC!

1 8 9
l a t e r , a n d w a s s e n t e n c e d b y j u d g e Gr i f f i t h t o o n e t o
t w e n t y y e a r s i n t h e Oh i o Pe n i t e n t i a r y .
H o w t h e j u d g e h a d s o u n d e d t h e k e y n o t e o f s u f f e r -
i n g w a s w e l l e x e m p l i f i e d b y t h e m e s s a g e t h a t c a m e t o
M r s . An n e L i n d b e r g h f r o m M r s . Er n e s t F
. W. Al e x -
a n d e r s o n , o f S c h e n e c t a d y , Ne w Yo r k .
" S h e m u s t n o t d e s p a i r , " M r s
. Al e x a n d e r s o n s a i d o f
M r s . L i n d b e r g h . " S h e m u s t n o t g i v e u p h o p e o f
g e t t i n g h e r b a b y b a c k . "
M r s . Al e x a n d e r s o n ' s b o y , Ve r n e r , w a s k i d n a p p e d
i n 1 9 2 3 , w h e n h e w a s s i x y e a r s o l d . H e w a s h e l d
b y t h e k i d n a p p e r s f o r s i x d a y s a n d f o u n d a t a f i s h i n g
c a m p o n In d i a n Ri v e r , i n Ne w Yo r k S t a t e
. Bo t h
a b d u c t o r s w e r e a r r e s t e d l a t e r a n d s e n t e n c e d t o p r i s o n .
T h u s , w h i l s t n a t i o n s f a c e p r o b l e m s u n p r e c e d e n t e d
i n a l l h i s t o r y , w h i l s t m e n s t a r v e o r r o l l i n w e a l t h ,
w h i l s t w a r s a r e f o u g h t , w h i l s t c i v i l i z a t i o n f a c e s n e w
e r a s a n d n e w m e t h o d s o f l i v i n g , k i d n a p p i n g c r e e p s i n
t o c h i l l t h e h e a r t s o f m e n . T h e e p i d e m i c w a s e v i -
d e n t . L a w s c o u l d n o t c u r b i t
. Po l i c e c o u l d n o t a l -
w a y s a p p r e h e n d t h e k i d n a p p e r s . An d t h e g r e a t e s t
c r i m e o f a l l , t h e k i d n a p p i n g o f t h e L i n d b e r g h c h i l d ,
w a s w r i t t e n i n t o t h e p a g e s o f h i s t o r y f o r e v e r a n d
e v e r !
CH APT ERXI
T H E $ 5 0 , 0 0 0 RANS OM PAID!
No t h i n g c o u l d b e m o r e c h a r a c t e r i s t i c o f a t y p i c a l
m y s t e r y s t o r y t h a n t h a t t h e g u i l t y p e r s o n s h o u l d b e
t h e o n e l e a s t s u s p e c t e d o f a n y p a r t i n t h e c r i m e . By
t h e s a m e t o k e n , n o t h i n g c o u l d b e m o r e c o m m o n p l a c e
i n t h e u s u a l m y s t e r y s t o r y f o r m u l a t h a n t h a t a n i n -
d i v i d u a l w h o h a s b e e n h i d d e n i n o b s c u r i t y s h o u l d
s u d d e n l y d r a g f o r t h e v i d e n c e u n s e e n b y s o - c a l l e d
e x p e r t s , o r a d v a n c e a p o s s i b l e s o l u t i o n u n d r e a m e d o f
b y t h e c l o s e s t o b s e r v e r s
.
In t h e l a t t e r r e s p e c t , t h e L i n d b e r g h d r a m a , i n r e a l
l i f e , i s , m a r k e d b y a c h a p t e r w i t h o u t p r e c e d e n t i n t h e
h i s t o r y o f s u c h e v e n t s . No m a n c o u l d h a v e b e e n
m o r e u n l i k e l y t o h o l d t h e k e y t o t h e L i n d b e r g h k i d -
n a p p i n g t h a n Dr . J o h n F . Co n d o n , 7 2 - y e a r - o l d
f o r m e r s c h o o l p r i n c i p a l .
Wh e n t h e f a m o u s " J a f s i e " o f t h e n e w s p a p e r a d -
v e r t i s e m e n t s w a s r e v e a l e d a s Dr . Co n d o n , t h e e f f e c t
w a s u n q u e s t i o n a b l y a s u r p r i s e t o e v e r y o n e e x c e p t i n g
t h o s e v e r y f e w g e n u i n e " i n s i d e r s " i n t h e c a s e . T h e r e
w e r e m a n y r e a s o n s w h y n o b o d y m i g h t h a v e e x p e c t e d
1 9 0
T H E $ 5 0 , 0 0 0
RANS OM PAID!

1 9 1
t h a t Dr . Co n d o n w o u l d b e t h e p e r s o n w h o c o u l d
b r i n g t o Co l o n e l L i n d b e r g h s u c h c o n v i n c i n g e v i d e n c e
a s t o p r o m p t t h e a v i a t o r t o p a y $ 5 0 , 0 0 0 i n c a s h a s
r a n s o m f o r h i s b a b y s o n . Pe r h a p s t h e b e s t r e a s o n i s
t h a t Dr . Co n d o n h a d n e v e r b e e n i d e n t i f i e d w i t h a n y -
t h i n g t h a t w o u l d i n d i c a t e t h a t a d e s p e r a t e k i d n a p p i n g
g a n g w o u l d w i s h t o e m p l o y h i m a s i t s i n t e r m e d i a r y -
a n d f u r t h e r , h i s p o s i t i o n o f e m i n e n c e w a s p u r e l y l o -
c a l
. Wi t h i n t h e c o n f i n e s o f Br o n x Co u n t y , i n Ne w
Yo r k Ci t y , Dr . Co n d o n w a s k n o w n a s a k i n d l y , l o v -
a b l e e d u c a t o r w i t h a g r e a t i n t e r e s t i n c h i l d r e n , a d e -
v o t e e o f a m a t e u r s p o r t s , b u t a m a n u n l i k e l y t o b e
h a u l e d i n t o t h e s p o t l i g h t b y a n y c r i m i n a l g a n g .
It w a s n o t u n t i l Ap r i l 1 0 t h a t Dr . Co n d o n ' s p a r t
i n t h e n e g o t i a t i o n s b e c a m e p u b l i c k n o w l e d g e , y e t h e
h a d r e c e i v e d h i s f i r s t n o t e f r o m t h e m e n w h o L i n d -
b e r g h b e l i e v e d t o b e t h e k i d n a p p e r s , o n M a r c h 9 ,
f u l l y a m o n t h e a r l i e r .
Du r i n g t h a t t i m e , Dr . Co n d o n h a d m a n a g e d t o
v i s i t L i n d b e r g h a t t h e l a t t e r ' s H o p e w e l l e s t a t e a n d
t h e a v i a t o r h a d c o m e t o Dr
. Co n d o n ' s De c a t u r a v e -
n u e h o m e i n T h e Br o n x - a l l w i t h o u t d e t e c t i o n b y
c o u n t l e s s o b s e r v e r s . Wh i l e , f o r i n s t a n c e , t h e d e t e n -
t i o n o f " Re d " J o h n s o n w a s o c c u p y i n g t h e p u b l i c
m i n d , Dr . Co n d o n w a s p l a y i n g h i s d i f f i c u l t g a m e
q u i e t l y , p a t i e n t l y a n d w i s e l y
. T h e s m o k e s c r e e n o f
p u b l i c i t y b e h i n d w h i c h Dr
. Co n d o n , L i n d y a n d h i s
a d v i s e r , . Co l o n e l Br e c k i n r i d g e , c a r r i e d o n t h e i r n e -
g o t i a t i o n s , w a s s w e p t a w a y o n l y b y a s e r i e s o f i n e x -
1 9
2 T RUES T ORYOFT H EL INDBERGH KIDNAPPING
p l i c a b l e c i r c u m s t a n c e s . An d t h e r e b y h a n g s t h e m o s t
d r a m a t i c c h a p t e r o f t h e w h o l e a f f a i r .
Dr . Co n d o n ' s f i r s t a p p e a r a n c e i n t h e L i n d b e r g h
c a s e w a s a p u b l i c a n d , i n d e e d , a s o m e w h a t i n a u s p i c i o u s
o n e . Aw e e k a f t e r t h e k i d n a p p i n g , h e o f f e r e d t o p a y
$ 1 , 0 0 0 o f h i s s a v i n g s a s r a n s o m , i n a d d i t i o n t o a n y
t h a t m i g h t h a v e b e e n o f f e r e d b y Co l o n e l L i n d b e r g h .
T h e o f f e r w a s p u b l i s h e d i n T h e Br o n x H o m e Ne w s ,
a s e c t i o n a l n e w s p a p e r i n Ne w Yo r k Ci t y , o n M a r c h
8
. M a n y s u c h o f f e r s h a d b e e n m a d e b y p e r s o n s
t h r o u g h o u t t h e c o u n t r y
.
T h e r e w a s n o t h i n g a b o u t
t h e , p r o p o s a l o f Dr . Co n d o n t h a t m i g h t h a v e b e e n
c o n s i d e r e d s i g n i f i c a n t .
It w a s o n l y a m a t t e r o f h o u r s b e f o r e Dr
. Co n d o n
h e a r d f r o m t h e k i d n a p e r s . T h e v e r y n e x t d a y , h e
r e c e i v e d a l e t t e r f r o m t h e m . It d e m a n d e d $ 5 0 , 0 0 0 i n
r a n s o m a n d s p e c i f i e d t h a t t h e m o n e y m u s t b e p a c k e d
i n a b o x m e a s u r i n g f o u r t e e n i n c h e s , b y s e v e n i n c h e s
b y s i x i n c h e s .
T h e d e m a n d c l e a r l y s t a t e d t h a t t h e
r a n s o m m u s t b e p a i d i n f i v e , t e n a n d t w e n t y d o l l a r
b i l l s
. Dr
. Co n d o n , o f c o u r s e , w a s i n f o r m e d t h a t h e
m u s t s e c u r e a u t h o r i z a t i o n f r o m Co l o n e l L i n d b e r g h
t o a c t a s i n t e r m e d i a r y .
In s i d e t h e e n v e l o p e , w i t h Dr . Co n d o n ' s l e t t e r , w a s
a n o t h e r a d d r e s s e d t o Co l o n e l L i n d b e r g h . Af t e r a
t e l e p h o n e t a l k w i t h t h e Co l o n e l , Dr . Co n d o n w a s
c o n v i n c e d t h a t t h e c o m m u n i c a t i o n s w e r e a u t h e n t i c ,
f o r t h e y c o n t a i n e d u n m i s t a k a b l e s y m b o l s t h a t r e l a t e d
t h e m t o t h e o r i g i n a l r a n s o m n o t e l e f t b y t h e a b d u c t o r s
T H E $ 5 0 , 0 0 0 RANS OM PAID!

1 9 3
o n M a r c h 1 , i n t h e n u r s e r y o f t h e L i n d b e r g h h o m e
a t H o p e w e l l . T h e s e c i r c u l a r s y m b o l s , w i t h c e r t a i n
i d e n t i f i c a t i o n m a r k s , b o r e t h e f i r s t a n d u n q u e s t i o n a b l e
e v i d e n c e t h a t t h e k i d n a p p e r s w e r e n o t m e r e i m p o s -
t o r s . T h e y i m p r e s s e d Co l o n e l L i n d b e r g h i m m e d i -
a t e l y .
It w a s t h e n i g h t o f M a r c h 9 t h a t Dr . Co n d o n
r e c e i v e d w o r d b y t e l e p h o n e t h a t h e w a s t o m a k e a
h u r r i e d t r i p t o H o p e w e l l t o c o n s u l t w i t h t h e f a m o u s
f l y e r .
De s p i t e o b s t r u c t i o n b y s t a t e p o l i c e , Dr . Co n d o n
m a d e h i s w a y t o t h e L i n d b e r g h r e s i d e n c e . In t h e
f u r o r e a t t h e t i m e , w i t h t h o u s a n d s o f c l e w s c l a i m i n g
a t t e n t i o n o f a u t h o r i t i e s a n d t h e p r e s s , Dr . Co n d o n
m a n a g e d c o m p l e t e l y t o e l u d e d e t e c t i o n o f r e p o r t e r s .
Dr
. Co n d o n , Co l o n e l Br e c k i n r i d g e a n d L i n d y
t a l k e d o v e r d e t a i l s u n t i l n e a r l y d a y b r e a k . Ab e d i n
Ba b y L i n d b e r g h ' s n u r s e r y w a s p r e p a r e d b y Co l o n e l
L i n d b e r g h h i m s e l f , f o r t h e e d u c a t o r - i n t e r m e d i a r y . It
i s r e l a t e d h o w Dr
. Co n d o n , m o r e t h a n e v e r s y m -
p a t h e t i c w i t h t h e s t r i c k e n p a r e n t s w h e n h e r e a l i z e d
t h a t h e w a s a b o u t t o s n a t c h a f e w m o m e n t s s l e e p i n
t h e b a b y ' s o w n n u r s e r y , k n e l t d o w n b e s i d e t h e e m p t y
c r i b i n w h i c h t h e c h i l d h a d s o o f t e n s l e p t , a n d v o w e d
t h a t h e w o u l d r i s k a l l f o r t h e i n f a n t ' s r e t u r n .
In t h e m o r n i n g , a f t e r a b r i e f n a p , Dr . Co n d o n m e t
M r s . L i n d b e r g h a n d s o u g h t b r a v e l y t o b u o y u p h e r
s p i r i t s .
" L o o k a t t h e Co l o n e l !" Dr
.
Co n d o n
s a i d
. " Id o
1 9 4 T RUES T ORYOFT H EL INDBERGH KIDNAPPING
b e l i e v e h e ' s j e a l o u s o f m e - a n d a n o l d f e l l o w , a t
t h a t !"
An n e L i n d b e r g h s m i l e d a t t h e s a l l y , f o r s h e e v i -
d e n t l y a d m i r e d t h e Do c t o r ' s c o n f i d e n t e x p e c t a t i o n
t h a t h e c o u l d b r i n g b a c k h e r m u c h - s o u g h t b a b y .
On t h e a f t e r n o o n o f M a r c h 1 0 , Dr
. Co n d o n m a n -
a g e d t o g e t a w a y f r o m t h e c l o s e l y w a t c h e d L i n d b e r g h
h o m e , r e t u r n i n g t o T h e Br o n x . It w a s w h i l e t h e
Co n d o n - L i n d b e r g h p l a n f o r c o n t a c t i n g w i t h t h e k i d -
n a p p e r s w a s u n f o l d i n g a t t h e l a t t e r ' s h o m e t h a t a
h i t h e r t o u n k n o w n p a r t i c i p a n t e n t e r e d t h e L i n d b e r g h
m y s t e r y d r a m a . H e w a s J o h n H u g h e s Cu r t i s , No r -
f o l k , Vi r g i n i a , s h i p b u i l d e r , w h o h a d b e e n a p p r o a c h e d
b y a m a n w h o a l s o c a l l e d h i m s e l f a n e m i s s a r y o f t h e
k i d n a p g a n g
. H e a s k e d t h e s h i p b u i l d e r t o s e r v e a s
a n i n t e r m e d i a r y i n d e a l i n g f o r t h e r e t u r n o f t h e
c h i l d .
Cu r t i s , w h o w a s u n k n o w n t o t h e L i n d b e r g h s , b e g a n
a s e r i e s o f f u t i l e l o n g - d i s t a n c e t e l e p h o n e c a l l s , i n a n
e f f o r t t o s e c u r e a u t h o r i z a t i o n f r o m Co l o n e l L i n d -
b e r g h . H o w h e f i n a l l y e f f e c t e d c o n t a c t w i t h t h e f l y e r ,
w i l l b e r e l a t e d e l s e w h e r e . Wh y o b s t a c l e s f a c e d t h e
e f f o r t s o f Cu r t i s a n d h i s a s s o c i a t e s , h o w e v e r , c a n b e
r e a d i l y u n d e r s t o o d , f o r Co l o n e l L i n d b e r g h a l r e a d y
f e l t c o n f i d e n t t h a t h e h a d e s t a b l i s h e d g e n u i n e c o n -
t a c t .
Wh e n Dr . Co n d o n r e t u r n e d h o m e h e h a d w i t h
h i m a l e t t e r w r i t t e n b y L i n d b e r g h , a p p o i n t i n g h i m
o f f i c i a l g o - b e t w e e n . T h e n o t e s p e c i f i e d t h a t t h e
T H E $ 5 0 , 0 0 0 RANS OM PAID!

1 9 5
m o n e y w a s a v a i l a b l e i n
t h e Fo r d h a m Br a n c h o f t h e
Co r n Ex c h a n g e Ba n k , i n T h e Br o n x .
As t o h i s n e x t s t e p , Dr . Co n d o n w a s i n s o m e d o u b t
.
H i s m i s s i o n w a s a d a n g e r o u s o n e . H i s p o s i t i o n r e -
q u i r e d u t m o s t s e c r e c y . H e k n e w t h a t h e m u s t i n -
f o r m t h e k i d n a p p e r s t h a t h e h a d b e e n a p p o i n t e d e m i s -
s a r y b y L i n d b e r g h , a n d t h a t t h e r a n s o m m o n e y w a s
a v a i l a b l e . Wh e r e t o t u r n ?
H e h a d , f o r m a n y y e a r s ,
b e e n f r i e n d l y w i t h t h e e d i t o r s o f t h e Br o n x H o m e
Ne w s
. H e f e l t t h a t h e c o u l d t r u s t t h e m - t h a t t h e y
w o u l d n o t b e t r a y h i m f o r t h e i r p e r s o n a l a d v a n c e -
m e n t u n d e r t h e g u i s e o f j o u r n a l i s t i c e n t e r p r i s e .
It w a s i n t h e Br o n x H o m e Ne w s , t h e r e f o r e , t h a t
Dr . Co n d o n i n s e r t e d t h e f i r s t o f h i s f a m o u s
( J a f s i e "
a d v e r t i s e m e n t s , o n M a r c h 1 1 .
It a n n o u n c e d :
" M ONEYIS READY. J AFS IE. "
T h a t v e r y n i g h t , a t e l e p h o n e c a l l w a r n e d h i m t o b e
o n t h e w a t c h o u t f o r a m e s s a g e t h e n e x t e v e n i n g ,
M a r c h 1 2
.
H e w a s t o l d t o b e p r e p a r e d t o f o l l o w
i n s t r u c t i o n s .
T r u e t o t h e i r p r o m i s e , t h e k i d n a p g a n g

d i d g e t
w o r d t o h i m .
At a x i c a b c h a u f f e u r d r o v e u p t o t h e
m o d e s t Co n d o n r e s i d e n c e , a p r i v a t e h o u s e o n a q u i e t
s t r e e t f a c e d b y f r a m e h o m e s .
Dr
. Co n d o n w a s h a n d e d a n e n v e l o p e b y t h e c h a u f -
f e u r w h o i m m e d i a t e l y d e p a r t e d .
In s i d e t h e h o u s e ,
t h e Do c t o r o p e n e d t h e l e t t e r a n d r e a d i t t o t h o s e w h o
1
9 6
T RUES T ORYOFT H EL INDBERGH KIDNAPPING
h a d a s s e m b l e d t o a i d h i m . T h e y w e r e Co l o n e l Br e c k -
i n r i d g e , M a x Ro s e n h a i n , a r e s t a u r a t e u r , a n d Al
Re i c h , a f o r m e r p r o f e s s i o n a l b o x e r .
T h e r e a d i n g o f t h e n o t e w a s a n e x c i t i n g m o m e n t
.
It r e p r e s e n t e d t h e f i r s t c o n c r e t e m o v e t o w a r d n e g o -
t i a t i o n s f o r p a y m e n t o f t h e r a n s o m . T h e l e t t e r w a s
s i m p l e i n i t s i n s t r u c t i o n s . It o r d e r e d Dr . Co n d o n t o
p r o c e e d a t o n c e t o a d e s e r t e d r e f r e s h m e n t s t a n d n o t
f a r f r o m t h e l a s t s t a t i o n o n t h e J e r o m e a v e n u e s u b -
w a y l i n e i n T h e Br o n x - a d j a c e n t t o Wo o d l a w n
Ce m e t e r y
. T h e Do c t o r w a s g i v e n f o r t y - f i v e m i n u t e s
i n w h i c h t o m a k e t h e j o u r n e y .
Dr . Co n d o n r e a l i z e d t h a t h e s h o u l d h a v e m a d e
t h e t r i p a l o n e . Bu t h e c o u l d n o t d r i v e a n a u t o m o b i l e .
Re i c h , w h o s e r v e d a s b o d y g u a r d a s w e l l a s f r i e n d ,
v o l u n t e e r e d t o d r i v e t h e Do c t o r t o t h e p l a c e . S i n c e
i t h a d t o b e a c c o m p l i s h e d i n f o r t y - f i v e m i n u t e s t h e
e d u c a t o r r e a l i z e d t h a t t h i s w a s t h e s i m p l e s t a n d b e s t
w a y t o b e t h e r e o n t i m e . It w a s 8 : 3 0 o ' c l o c k a n d
t h e n e i g h b o r h o o d t o w h i c h t h e y w e r e g o i n g w a s , a t
t h a t h o u r , d e s o l a t e a n d i n k y - b l a c k .
T h e t w o s e t o u t . In a c c o r d a n c e w i t h h i s i n s t r u c -
t i o n s Dr . Co n d o n f o u n d a n o t e u n d e r a s t o n e i n
f r o n t o f t h e r e f r e s h m e n t s t a n d . T h e n o t e b o r e t h e
t e l l - t a l e c i r c u l a r s y m b o l s a s s u r i n g a u t h e n t i c i t y . It d i -
r e c t e d t h e Do c t o r t o h a s t e n t o s t i l l a n o t h e r p o i n t ,
f a r t h e r n o r t h , a t w h a t i s k n o w n a s 2 3 3 r d s t r e e t a n d
J e r o m e a v e n u e .
Re i c h s p e d u p J e r o m e a v e n u e t o t h e m e e t i n g p l a c e ,
T H E $ 5 0 , 0 0 0 RANS OM PAID!

1 9 7
p a r k i n g h i s c a r s o m e d i s t a n c e f r o m t h e s p o t d e s i g -
n a t e d i n t h e o r d e r s o f t h e g a n g . Dr . Co n d o n a l i g h t e d
a n d l e f t Re i c h i n t h e c a r , w h i c h h a d b e e n p a r k e d i n
a n i s o l a t e d , d a r k s p o t , a l o n g s i d e t h e Wo o d l a w n Ce m -
e t e r y w a l l s
.
Af t e r p a c i n g u p a n d d o w n f o r s e v e r a l m i n u t e s , h e
b e g a n t o d o u b t i f h e w o u l d s u c c e e d i n m a k i n g c o n -
t a c t w i t h t h e m y s t e r i o u s g a n g r e p r e s e n t a t i v e . - H e
l o o k e d b a c k . Re i c h
w a s s t i l l t h e r e . T h e Do c t o r f e l t
t h a t , p e r h a p s , Re i c h ' s p r e s e n c e w a s d i s c o n c e r t i n g t o
t h e k i d n a p p e r s . H e h a d a l m o s t a b a n d o n e d h o p e w h e n
h e o b s e r v e d a r u s t l i n g i n t h e d a r k n e s s o f t h e c e m -
e t e r y . Aw h i t e h a n d k e r c h i e f s e e m e d t o b e w a v i n g .
T h i s , a p p a r e n t l y , w a s t h e k i d n a p p e r ' s i n v i t a t i o n t o
Dr . Co n d o n t o e n t e r t h e g r a v e y a r d . T h e v e n e r a b l e
p r o f e s s o r , u n a f r a i d , w a l k e d t h r o u g h t h e g a t e , i n t o t h e
c e m e t e r y , w i t h a r m s e x t e n d e d , h i s p a l m s u p r a i s e d , t o
i n d i c a t e h e d i d n o t c a r r y a n y w e a p o n s
.
" T h a t m a n i n t h e a u t o m o b i l e , d o w n t h e s t r e e t , i s
a p e r s o n a l , t r u s t e d f r i e n d , " s a i d Dr . Co n d o n . " Yo u
n e e d n o t f e a r h i m . Ic a n n o t d r i v e a n a u t o . H e
h a d t o t a k e m e i f Iw a s t o g e t h e r e o n t i m e . "
T h e k i d n a p p e r s e e m e d s a t i s f i e d . It l o o k e d a s i f
t h e y m i g h t g e t d o w n t o b u s i n e s s , w h e n a s u d d e n
n o i s e n e a r b y f r i g h t e n e d t h e s t r a n g e r . Dr . Co n d o n
t u r n e d a n d s a w a c e m e t e r y g u a r d , i n u n i f o r m , a p -
p r o a c h i n g t h e m . T h e m y s t e r i o u s s t r a n g e r v a n i s h e d ,
v a u l t i n g o v e r t h e 8 - f o o t c e m e t e r y f e n c e w i t h t h e e a s e
o f s o m e g i a n t c a t . Dr . Co n d o n r e t u r n e d t o t h e s t r e e t
1 9 8
T RUES T ORYOFT H EL INDBERGH KIDNAPPING
s i d e w a l k a n d w a i t e d p a t i e n t l y w h i l e t h e g u a r d p a s s e d
o n . T h e m a n a p p e a r e d a g a i n . Dr . Co n d o n s u g -
g e s t e d t h a t t h e y r e t i r e , f o r p r i v a c y , t o a n o l d d e -
s e r t e d s h a c k i n Va n Co u r t l a n d t p a r k , s o m e d i s t a n c e
a w a y .
De s p i t e t h e c o l d , t h e t w o m e n c o n v e r s e d f o r a n
h o u r a n d a q u a r t e r . T h e s t r a n g e r w a s c l o t h e d i n a
t h i n o v e r c o a t a n d o b v i o u s l y c h i l l e d b y t h e c o l d a i r .
Dr
. Co n d o n p r e s e n t e d p r o o f s o f h i s a u t h o r i z a t i o n t o
d e a l f o r t h e b a b y ' s r e t u r n . T h e s t r a n g e r p l e d g e d t o
p r o v i d e u n q u e s t i o n e d p r o o f t h a t h i s g r o u p p o s s e s s e d
t h e c h i l d . T h e b a b y , t h e u n k n o w n m a n i n d i c a t e d ,
w a s " o n a b o a t s o m e w h e r e . "
Be f o r e t h e y p a r t e d , t h e k i d n a p p e r ' s e m i s s a r y d i -
r e c t e d Dr . Co n d o n t o i n s e r t a n e w a d v e r t i s e m e n t i n
t h e n e w s p a p e r s . T h e n e w a n n o u n c e m e n t w a s t o b e
p r o o f t o t h e k i d n a p - g a n g t h a t t h e s p o k e s m a n h a d
a c t u a l l y m e t Dr . Co n d o n .
T h a t w a s w h y t h e f o l l o w i n g a d v e r t i s e m e n t a p -
p e a r e d i n T h e H o m e Ne w s o n S u n d a y , M a r c h 1 3
:
" BABYAL IVEANDWEL L . M ONEY
Is READY. CAL L ANDS EEUS .
S AFS IE . "
T h e r e w a s t h e n n o d o u b t t h a t " J a f s i e " w a s Dr
.
J o h n F . Co n d o n , f o r t h e g a n g , b y r e a d i n g t h e n e w s -
p a p e r , c o u l d s e e t h e i r o w n a d v e r t i s e m e n t , i n s e r t e d b y
t h e Do c t o r , w i t h h i s a d o p t e d n i c k n a m e , f a s h i o n e d
a f t e r h i s o w n i n i t i a l s , a t t a c h e d t o i t .
T h e g a n g w a s
T H E
$ 5 0 , 0 0 0
RANS OM PAID!

1 9 9
t h u s a s s u r e d t h a t t h e c o n t a c t m a n h a d t a l k e d w i t h
Co n d o n .
At t h a t j u n c t u r e , w i t h Co l o n e l L i n d b e r g h i n c o n -
s t a n t t o u c h b y t e l e p h o n e , Dr . Co n d o n t o o k t h e l o c a l
n e w s p a p e r e d i t o r s i n t o c o n f i d e n c e a n d t h e y w e r e
a w a r e o f t h e d e t a i l s o f t h e t r a n s a c t i o n s w i t h o u t p u b -
l i s h i n g a w o r d , u n t i l M o n d a y , Ap r i l 1 1 , w h e n o t h e r
d e v e l o p m e n t s f o r c e d t h e s i t u a t i o n i n t o t h e l i m e l i g h t .
T h e c o p y r i g h t e d a r t i c l e s i n T h e Br o n x H o m e Ne w s ,
d e s c r i b i n g t h e Do c t o r ' s n e g o t i a t i o n s w e r e a c c e p t e d
a s
t h e o n l y g e n u i n e d e t a i l e d p r e s e n t a t i o n o f t h e f a c t s .
T w o o f t h e Ne w Yo r k t a b l o i d n e w s p a p e r s c a m e o u t
w i t h f a n t a s t i c y a r n s , b a s e d u p o n f r a g m e n t a r y k n o w l -
e d g e o f Dr . Co n d o n ' s p a r t i c i p a t i o n i n t h e c a s e , b u t
i t w a s n o t u n t i l T h e Br o n x H o m e Ne w s p u b l i s h e d t h e
f a c t s t h a t t h e t r u t h w a s k n o w n .
T h e s u c c e e d i n g - d a y s w e r e t r y i n g o n e s f o r a l l c o n -
c e r n e d . T h o u s a n d s o f d e w s w e r e b e i n g t r a c k e d d o w n
a n d , a s i s s h o w n e l s e w h e r e i n t h i s v o l u m e , t h e w o r l d -
w i d e i n t e r e s t w a s c e n t e r i n g u p o n i n c i d e n t a f t e r i n c i -
d e n t , b u t n e v e r o n t h i s o n e .
Dr . Co n d o n , i n a d d i t i o n t o t h e H o m e Ne w s a d -
v e r t i s e m e n t s , w a s i n s e r t i n g i d e n t i c a l a n n o u n c e m e n t s
i n t h e Ne w Yo r k Am e r i c a n , a
H e a r s t n e w s p a p e r
.
Wh e n h e f a i l e d t o h e a r f r o m t h e k i d n a p p e r s , h e
r e a l i z e d t h a t h e m u s t m a k e s o m e a s s u r a n c e s t o t h e m .
T h a t i s w h y t h e f o l l o w i n g c r y p t i c a d v e r t i s e m e n t w a s
p u b l i s h e d . ( It s m e a n i n g c a n n o w b e b e t t e r u n d e r -
2 0 0 T RUES T ORYOFT H EL INDBERGH
. XDNAPPING
s t o o d , f o r a t t h e t i m e , i t s e e m e d v a g u e a n
i n s o m e
q u a r t e r s , f r a u d u l e n t . )
T h e a d v e r t i s e m e n t a p p e a r e d
i n t h e t w o n e w s p a p e r s
o n M o n d a y , M a r c h 1 4 :
" M ONEYIS READY . N O COPS . N O
S ECRET S ERVICE. NO PRES S . ICOM E
AL ONE L IKE' T H E L AS T
T IM E.
PL EAS ECAL L J AFS IE
. "
T h e r e w a s n o r e s p o n s e f o r a f e w d a y s . T h e n , t h e r e
c a m e i n t h e m a i l , a " t o k e n " t h a t h a d b e e n p r o m i s e d
b y t h e k i d n a p - m e s s e n g e r . It w a s o f f e r e d a s p r o o f
t h a t t h e g a n g a c t u a l l y h e l d t h e i n f a n t .
Wi t h t h e
t o k e n c a m e a n o t e s t a t i n g t h a t t h e $ 5 0 , 0 0 0 m u s t b e
p a i d b e f o r e t h e b a b y c o u l d b e d e l i v e r e d . An d t h e n ,
w i t h i n e i g h t h o u r s , i t w a s s a i d , t h e i n f a n t w o u l d b e
r e t u r n e d . T h e l e t t e r d i r e c t e d t h a t a n a d v e r t i s e m e n t
b e p l a c e d i n t h e n e w s p a p e r s s t a t i n g , " Ia c c e p t . M o n e y
i s r e a d y
. " T h i s w a s t o b e d o n e , o f c o u r s e , i f Co l o n e l
L i n d b e r g h r e a l l y d i d a c c e p t .
Bu t Dr . Co n d o n w a n t e d t h e b a b y w h e n h e h a n d e d
o v e r t h e m o n e y . T h a t w a s w h y , o n We d n e s d a y ,
M a r c h 1 6 , t h e a d v e r t i s e m e n t r e a d a s t h e k i d n a p p e r s
h a d d i r e c t e d , w i t h a s i g n i f i c a n t a d d i t i o n :
" IACCEPT . M ONEYIS READY
. YOU
KNOWT H EYWON' T L ET M EDEL IVER
WIT H OUT GET T INGT H EPACKAGE
.
PL EAS EM AKEIT S OM ES ORT OFA
C. O . D
.
T RANS ACT ION. COM B. YOU
KNOWYOUCANT RUS T J AFS IE. "
On T h u r s d a y , L i n d y h i m s e l f s p e d f r o m H o p e w e l l
t o . t h e Co n d o n h o m e , w h e r e h e s t u d i e d t h e t o k e n a n d
T H E $ 5 0 , 0 0 0 RANS OM PAID!

2 0 1
i n s t a n t l y a n n o u n c e d i t t o b e g e n u i n e . H e l a t e r t o o k
i t h o m e t o An n e w h o , w i t h Be t t y Go w , i d e n t i f i e d i t a s
p r o o f t h a t t h e p e r s o n s a s k i n g r a n s o m a c t u a l l y h e l d
t h e c h i l d .
As e r i e s o f v e r y d i s c o n c e r t i n g e v e n t s t h e n f o l -
l o w e d , a l l
o f t h e m i n d i c a t i n g t h a t , i f a c t i o n w e r e n o t
t a k e n q u i c k l y , t h e n e g o t i a t i o n s w o u l d b e c o m e p u b l i c
k n o w l e d g e a n d t h e p u b l i c i t y w o u l d p u t a n e n d t o a l l
p r o g r e s s . An e w s p a p e r r e p o r t e r , n o t f r o m T h e H o m e
Ne w s , b e g a n h a u n t i n g Dr . Co n d o n ' s h o m e . T h e
Do c t o r , a t a l l , r o b u s t m a n w i t h r u d d y f e a t u r e s a n d
a w h i t e m u s t a c h e , w a s o b l i g e d t o d o n h i s w i f e ' s c l o t h -
i n g , a s a d i s g u i s e , i n o r d e r t o e l u d e t h i s r e p o r t e r . H i s
a r m h e l d b y Re i c h , Dr . Co n d o n w a l k e d h a l t i n g l y
f r o m h i s h o m e t o a w a i t i n g a u t o m o b i l e , a v e i l p u l l e d
d o w n o v e r h i s f a c e , i n a n e f f o r t t o d e c e i v e a n y p o s s i b l e
w a t c h e r s a s t o h i s r e a l a c t i o n s .
T h e n e e d f o r a c t i o n s p u r r e d t h i s a d v e r t i s e m e n t , o n
Fr i d a y , M a r c h 1 8 :
" I ACCEPT . M ONEY
IS READY,
J OH N
.
YOUR PACKAGE IS DE-
L IVEREDANDIS O . K. DIRECT M E . "
T h e u s e o f t h e n a m e " J o h n " w a s i n s p i r e d b y t h e
f a c t t h a t t h e Do c t o r h a d b e e n t o l d b y h i s i n t e r v i e w e r
i n t h e l o n e l y s h a n t y o n t h e f i r s t n i g h t , t h a t " J o h n "
w a s h i s n a m e . T h e " a d " w a s a d i r e c t a p p e a l t o
" J o h n . "
2 0 2 T RUES T ORYOFT H EL INDBERGH KIDNAPPING
No t h i n g c a m e i n r e s p o n s e t o t h a t p l e a , s o Dr . Co n -
d o n e , o n S u n d a y , M a r c h 2 0 , w r o t e :
" INFORM M EH OWICANGET IM -
PORT ANT L ET T ERT OYOU. URGENT .
J AFS IE. "
On t h e a f t e r n o o n b e f o r e t h a t a d v e r t i s e m e n t
a p -
p e a r e d , Dr
. Co n d o n w a s i n a s m a l l s t o r e t h a t h e
m a i n t a i n e d n e a r h i s h o m e . H e h a d b e e n o p e r a t i n g
a b a z a a r f o r c h a r i t a b l e p u r p o s e s . Aw o m a n h a d e n -
t e r e d t h e p l a c e , l o o k e d a t a v i o l i n a n d t h e n h a d
b l u r t e d o u t :
" No t h i n g c a n b e d o n e u n t i l t h e e x c i t e m e n t i s o v e r .
T h e r e i s t o o m u c h p u b l i c i t y . M e e t m e a t t h e d e p o t
a t T u c k a h o e o n We d n e s d a y a t f i v e o ' c l o c k . "
Al e t t e r c a m e f r o m t h e k i d n a p p e r s o n M o n d a y
m o r n i n g , t w o d a y s a f t e r t h i s c o n v e r s a t i o n , i n s i s t i n g
t h a t t h e o r i g i n a l o r d e r s b e c a r r i e d o u t . Dr
. Co n d o n
h a d t r i e d t o e v a d e t h e s e o r d e r s b y f i n d i n g s o m e w a y
t o g e t
t h e c h i l d w h e n h e p a i d t h e m o n e y . T h e k i d -
n a p p e r s s e e m e d i m p a t i e n t w i t h s u c h p l e a s .
' T h a t w a s t h e r e a s o n f o r t h e a d v e r t i s e m e n t o n
M o n d a y , M a r c h 2 1 , w h i c h r a n f o r s e v e r a l d a y s a n d
r e a d :
" T H ANKS . T H AT L IT T L EPACKAGE
YOUS ENT M EWAS IM M EDIAT EL Y
DEL IVERED AND ACCEPT ED AS
REAL ART ICL E . S EEM YPOS IT ION.
OVERFIFT YYEARS INBUS INES S
ANDCANIPAYWIT H OUT S EEING
T H EGOODS ? COM M ONS ENS EM AKES
M ET RUS T YOU.
PL EAS EUNDER-
S T ANDM YPOS IT ION
. J AFS IE. "
T H E $ 5 0 , 0 0 0 RANS OM PAID!

2 0 3
T w o d a y s l a t e r , Dr . Co n d o n k e p t h i s a p p o i n t m e n t
w i t h t h e " v i o l i n c u s t o m e r " o f t h e S a t u r d a y b e f o r e .
Al Re i c h d r o v e h i m i n a n a u t o t o t h e Ne w Yo r k
Ce n t r a l r a i l r o a d d e p o t a t T u c k a h o e , w h i c h i s a s u b -
u r b a n v i l l a g e . T h e m y s t e r i o u s w o m a n w a s w a i t i n g
f o r t h e Do c t o r . Bu t a l l s h e s a i d w a s :
" Ke e p a d v e r t i s i n g u n t i l y o u h e a r m o r e . Yo u w i l l
g e t a m e s s a g e l a t e r . "
S h e w a l k e d a w a y a n d Dr . Co n d o n w a s l e f t w i t h o u t
a n y e n c o u r a g i n g n e w s . T h e k i d n a p p e r s e v i d e n t l y
k n e w t h a t t h e y h a d n o t o n l y t h e Do c t o r , b u t L i n d -
b e r g h a s w e l l , a t t h e i r m e r c y . T h e y w e r e a p p a r e n t l y
d i c t a t i n g t e r m s , n o t l i s t e n i n g t o t e r m s f r o m t h e i r
v i c t i m s .
Wh i l e t h e " J a f s i e " n e g o t i a t i o n s w e r e i n t h i s s t a t e ,
a n u n u s u a l d e v e l o p m e n t i n t h e c a s e s e r v e d t o d i s -
t r a c t p u b l i c n o t i c e f r o m a n y p o s s i b l e " l e a k " a s t o
Dr . Co n d o n ' s e f f o r t s . Ye t t h i s s a m e d e v e l o p m e n t -
t h a t f r o m No r f o l k , Vi r g i n i a , c o m p l i c a t e d m a t t e r s e x -
c e e d i n g l y .
Ac i r c u m s t a n t i a l s t o r y c a m e f r o m No r f o l k t o t h e
e f f e c t t h a t t h e L i n d b e r g h b a b y w a s k n o w n t o b e h e l d
a b o a r d a b o a t i n Ch e s a p e a k e Ba y . T h e b a b y ' s d e -
l i v e r y w a s e v e n s c h e d u l e d f o r Fr i d a y , M a r c h 2 5 .
T h r e e m e n w e r e a n n o u n c e d a s n e g o t i a t o r s . T h e y
w e r e J o h n H u g h e s Cu r t i s , t h e s h i p b u i l d e r , t h e Re v
.
Dr . H a r o l d Do b s o n Pe a c o c k , r e c t o r o f Ch r i s t Ep i s -
c o p a l Ch u r c h o f No r f o l k , a n d Re a r Ad m i r a l Gu y
H a m i l t o n Bu r r a g e , Un i t e d S t a t e s Na v y , r e t i r e d .
2 0 4
T RUES T ORYOFT H EL INDBERGH KIDNAPPING
T h e m e n w e r e o f t h e h i g h e s t c a l i b r e . T h e i r s t o r y
w a s c o n v i n c i n g .
Ac c o r d i n g t o Dr . Pe a c o c k , t h e k i d n a p p e r s w e r e
r e a d y t o r e t u r n t h e c h i l d . T h e m i n i s t e r a d d e d t h a t
h e w a s p o s i t i v e t h a t t h e m e n w i t h w h o m Cu r t i s h a d
b e e n i n c o n t a c t a c t u a l l y w e r e t h e k i d n a p p e r s . T h e
s h i p b u i l d e r a s s e r t e d t h a t h e h a d f i r s t h e a r d f r o m
t h e g a n g o n M a r c h 9 a n d t h a t h e h a d t r i e d , i n v a i n ,
t o r e a c h Co l o n e l L i n d b e r g h . H e s a i d h e h a d c a l l e d
i n Dr . Pe a c o c k a n d Ad m i r a l Bu r r a g e b e c a u s e h e c o u l d
n o t c o m m u n i c a t e w i t h L i n d y h i m s e l f a n d h e k n e w
t h a t t h e s e t w o m e n w e r e f r i e n d s o f t h e L i n d b e r g h s
a n d M o r r o w s . Bu r r a g e h a d a c c o m p a n i e d L i n d y w h e n
t h e a v i a t o r r e t u r n e d f r o m h i s t r i u m p h a n t Eu r o p e a n
f l i g h t i n J u n e , 1 9 2 7 . T h e Ad m i r a l w a s i n c h a r g e o f
t h e U. S . c r u i s e r , M e m p h i s , w h i c h b o r e L i n d y b a c k
t o t h i s c o u n t r y . Dr . Pe a c o c k h a d b e e n d e a n o f t h e
Ep i s c o p a l Ca t h e d r a l i n M e x i c o Ci t y , w h e n Dw i g h t
W. M o r r o w w a s Am b a s s a d o r , h e n c e w a s k n o w n t o
t h e M o r r o w f a m i l y a s w e l l a s t o L i n d y .
It i s s m a l l w o n d e r t h a t , s i n c e t h e s e t h r e e m e n
c o m p l a i n e d o f t h e i r i n a b i l i t y t o " g e t i n t o u c h w i t h "
L i n d b e r g h , t h e p u b l i c c o u l d n o t u n d e r s t a n d t h e i r
c l a i m s
. Ev e n Co l o n e l H . No r m a n S c h w a r z k o p f ,
h e a d o f t h e J e r s e y S t a t e Po l i c e , d i s c o u n t e d t h e i r e f -
f o r t s w i t h n u m e r o u s c o m m e n t s , m o s t o f t h e m d e c l a r -
i n g t h a t t h e No r f o l k i n f o r m a t i o n " h a s n o ' s p e c i f i c
s i g n i f i c a n c e i n t h i s i n v e s t i g a t i o n . "
L i n d y , o p e r a t i n g t h r o u g h " J a f s i e " a n d b e l i e v i n g
T H E $ 5 0 , 0 0 0 RANS OM PAID!

2 0 5
t h a t h e h a d a l r e a d y e s t a b l i s h e d c o n t a c t w i t h t h e k i d -
n a p p e r s , u n d o u b t e d l y h a d l i t t l e t i m e , t o l i s t e n t o t h e
No r f o l k m e n w h o w e r e s u r e t h a t t h e y , t o o , h a d a
l i n e t o t h e a b d u c t o r s .
Cu r t i s h a d a n i n t e r v i e w w i t h L i n d b e r g h a n d p r e -
s e n t e d h i s f a c t s , r e t u r n i n g t o No r f o l k w i t h e v i d e n t
o p t i m i s m . M e a n w h i l e , t h e a v i a t o r w a s c o n f e r r i n g
w i t h Co l o n e l Br e c k i n r i d g e , M o r r i s Ro s n e r , a n a p -
p o i n t e d i n t e r m e d i a r y , a n d o t h e r s . T h e w o r l d d e d u c e d
t h a t t h e c o n f e r e n c e s w e r e b r o u g h t a b o u t b y t h e No r -
f o l k i n c i d e n t s , b u t t h o s e d e v e l o p m e n t s w e r e o n l y s e c -
o n d a r y a n d t h e i m m e d i a t e c o n c e r n w a s " " J a f s i e " a n d
h i s w o r k t o g e t t h e b a b y b a c k .
T h e t w o b r a n c h e s o f t h e n e g o t i a t i o n s c r e a t e d a n
u n i q u e s i t u a t i o n . On t h e o n e h a n d , w e r e r e p o r t s
f r o m No r f o l k o f n e w c o n t a c t s w i t h t h e k i d n a p p e r s ,
f o l l o w e d b y m y s t e r i o u s t r i p s b y Cu r t i s a n d h i s a s s o -
c i a t e s . T h e r e w e r e a l s o c o n t i n u e d c o m p l a i n t s o f i n -
a b i l i t y t o t a l k t o Co l o n e l L i n d b e r g h a b o u t t h e i r w o r k ,
w i t h n o n - c o m m i t a l s t a t e m e n t s c o n c e r n i n g t h e f l y e r ' s
a t t i t u d e . Al l o f t h i s w a s m a d e p u b l i c .
M e a n w h i l e , u n d e r c o v e r , t h e J a f s i e n e g o t i a t i o n s
w e r e r a p i d l y r e a c h i n g a c r i s i s .
No t h i n g h a d b e e n h e a r d f r o m t h e k i d n a p p e r s a n d
Dr . Co n d o n w a s t h e r e f o r e p r o m p t e d , o n S a t u r d a y ,
M a r c h 2 6 , t o i n s e r t t h i s a d v e r t i s e m e n t
:
" M ONEY IS READY. FURNIS H
S IM PL E CODEFORUS T O US E . I N
PAPER. J AF8 IEI"
2 0 6 T RUES T ORYOFT H EL INDBERGH KIDNAPPING
T h e a d v e r t i s e m e n t w a s p u b l i s h e d f o r a c o u p l e o f
d a y s a n d w h i l e i t w a s r u n n i n g , a n o t e c a m e t o t h e
Do c t o r f r o m t h e k i d n a p p e r s
. It c l e a r l y a s s e r t e d t h a t
t h e r e w o u l d b e n o " s i m p l e c o d e s " o r
" C. O . D. t r a n s -
a c t i o n s
. " It i n t i m a t e d t h a t i f t h e p a y m e n t w e r e n o t
m a d e b e f o r e Ap r i l 8 , t h e r a n s o m w o u l d b e $ 1 0 0 , 0 0 0
a n d n o t $ 5 0 , 0 0 0
.
T h e Br o n x e d u c a t o r r e a l i z e d t h a t h e c o u l d n o t w i n
a n y o f h i s p o i n t s s o , o n T h u r s d a y , M a r c h 3 1 , h e a n -
n o u n c e d i n h i s a d v e r t i s e m e n t :
" I ACCEPT . M ONEY
IS
READY
.
J AFS IE. "
L i n d b e r g h m a d e a h u r r i e d t r i p f r o m H o p e w e l l t o
t h e Do c t o r ' s h o m e , a g a i n e v a d i n g a l l w a t c h e r s , a n d
o n c e m o r e h a n d e d t o t h e a g e d i n t e r m e d i a r y a n o t e o f
a u t h o r i z a t i o n a s a g o - b e t w e e n
. L i n d b e r g h , Co l o n e l
Br e c k i n r i d g e a n d Dr
. Co n d o n w a i t e d p a t i e n t l y , a f t e r
t h i s a d v e r t i s e m e n t h a d b e e n p u b l i s h e d
.
T h e t e n s i t y o f t h e d r a m a w a s h e i g h t e n e d b y t h e
a r r i v a l o f a l e t t e r a t 1 0
: 3 0 o ' c l o c k i n t h e m o r n i n g o n
Fr i d a y , Ap r i l 1 , w h e n Dr
. Co n d o n r e c e i v e d i n s t r u c -
t i o n s t o i n s e r t t h e a d v e r t i s e m e n t , w h i c h h e d i d o n
Ap r i l 2 , r e a d i n g :
" YES . EVERYT H INGO. K. J AFS IE . "
T h a t a d v e r t i s e m e n t , t h o u g h i t w a s n o t r e a l i z e d b y
t h e p u b l i c a t t h e t i m e , w a s t h e c r u c i a l p o i n t i n t h e
w h o l e m a t t e r .
' T H E
$ 5 0 , 0 0 0 RANS OM PAID!

2 0 7
It m e a n t t h a t Dr . Co n d o n w a s p r e p a r e d t o a c c e p t
t h e g a n g ' s t e r m s ; t h a t h e w o u l d a g r e e n o t t o t r y t o
t r a p t h e m w h e n t h e r a n s o m w a s p a i d ; a n d t h a t h e
h a d t h e c a s h r e a d y t o h a n d o v e r
.
T h e n o t e f r o m
t h e k i d n a p p e r s b o r e a d e a r w a r n i n g t h a t i f t h e y w e r e
d e c e i v e d , t h e r e s u l t m i g h t b e d i s a s t r o u s .
L i n d b e r g h h i m s e l f , n o w e a g e r t o s e e h i s c h i l d o n c e
m o r e , a n d c e r t a i n t h a t t h e t e r r i b l e a g o n y w a s a b o u t
t o e n d , w o r k e d f e v e r i s h l y t o b r i n g t h e n e g o t i a t i o n s
t o a c l o s e . H e h i m s e l f p u t t h e c a s h i n t h e s p e c i a l l y
b u i l t b o x , i n a d o w n t o w n , Ne w Yo r k , s a f e w h e r e i t
c o u l d b e h a d a t a n y t i m e f o r i m m e d i a t e d e l i v e r y ,
w i t h o u t a r o u s i n g s u s p i c i o n .
On S a t u r d a y , Ap r i l 2 , t h e h i s t o r i c d a t e i n t h e u n -
d e r t a k i n g , Co l o n e l Br e c k i n r i d g e r e m a i n e d a t Dr .
Co n d o n ' s s i d e , a t t h e l a t t e r ' s h o m e , a w a i t i n g t h e b i g
b r e a k . In t h e a f t e r n o o n , L i n d y c a m e h i m s e l f , b e a r -
i n g t h e b o x a n d t h e m o n e y . T h e t r i o w e r e n e r v o u s ,
a n x i o u s a n d h o p e f u l . Ev e r y m i n u t e s e e m e d e t e r n a l -
l y l o n g
. T h e y w a i t e d - a n d w a i t e d - a n d -
S h a r p a t 7
: 45 o ' c l o c k , w h e n n i g h t f a l l w a s a l r e a d y
u p o n t h e m , t h e d o o r b e l l r a n g a n d Dr
. Co n d o n w a s
h a n d e d a n o t e b y a t a x i c a b d r i v e r w h o h u r r i e d a w a y
.
T h e n o t e w a s b r i e f a n d p o i n t e d . It s a i d t h a t Dr
.
Co n d o n w a s t o g o t o a p l a c e c a l l e d " Be r g e n ' s Fl o w e r
Nu r s e r y , " a t 3 2 2 5 Ea s t T r e m o n t a v e n u e , i n t h e e a s t -
e r l y s e c t i o n o f T h e Br o n x . On l y a h a l f h o u r w a s
g i v e n i n w h i c h t h e l o n g T r i p m u s t b e m a d e
.
T h e n o t e a d d e d t h a t t h e r e w a s a t a b l e i n f r o n t o f
2
0
8 T RUES T ORYOFT H EL INDBERGH KIDNAPPING
t h e f l o w e r e s t a b l i s h m e n t a n d t h a t u n d e r t h e t a b l e w a s
a s t o n e . Un d e r t h a t s t o n e w a s - a n o t h e r n o t e !
L i n d y ' s e x c i t e m e n t w a s o b v i o u s , d e s p i t e h i s n o r -
m a l l y c o o l b e a r i n g . H i s b a b y s o n w o u l d b e b a c k !H e
d o n n e d h i s c o a t , a s d i d Dr . Co n d o n , a n d t h e t w o o f
t h e m d r o v e o f f i n a l i g h t c o u p e . Be t w e e n t h e m w a s
t h e b o x c o n t a i n i n g $ 5 0 , 0 0 0 i n c a s h . T h e y h a d t o
h u r r y , f o r t h e g a n g h a d a r r a n g e d t h a t t h e y w o u l d
h a v e n o t i m e t o s p a r e t o s e t a t r a p .
Wh e n t h e y r e a c h e d t h e f l o w e r n u r s e r y , t h e y f o u n d
t h a t i t w a s a l m o s t d i r e c t l y o p p o s i t e a n e n t r a n c e t o S t .
Ra y m o n d ' s Ce m e t e r y . T h e k i d n a p p e r s e v i d e n t l y
k n e w t h e t e r r a i n . T h e y h a d s e l e c t e d Wo o d l a w n
Ce m e t e r y t h e f i r s t t i m e - a n d n o w S t . Ra y m o n d ' s -
b o t h o f t h e m d e s e r t e d p l a c e s .
L i n d y w a s a n x i o u s t o b e w i t h Dr . Co n d o n . H e d i d
n o t w a n t t h e v e t e r a n e d u c a t o r t o f a c e t h e r i s k a l o n e
.
Bu t t h e Do c t o r k n e w t h a t s u c c e s s d e p e n d e d u p o n
c a r r y i n g o u t t h e k i d n a p p e r s ' o r d e r s a n d L i n d y w a s
f o r c e d t o s i t i n t h e a u t o , k e e n l y a w a r e t h a t t h e k i d -
n a p p e r s m i g h t h a v e b e e n w i t h i n a s t o n e * t h r o w o f
h i m . Dr . Co n d o n f o u n d t h e n o t e , a s d i r e c t e d , u n d e r
t h e s t o n e . H e a n d L i n d y r e a d i t
.
It d i r e c t e d h i m
t o w a l k d o w n t h e s t r e e t t o a n o t h e r t h o r o u g h f a r e
k n o w n a s Wh i t t e m o r e a v e n u e .
Dr . , Co n d o n l e f t t h e b o x o f m o n e y w i t h t h e Co l -
o n e l a n d p r o c e e d e d d o w n t h e s t r e e t a l o n e . It w a s
d a r k a n d e e r i e . T h e r e w e r e n o p a s s i n g c a r s .
No t x
T H E $ 5 0 , 0 0 0 RANS OM PAID!

2 0 9
s o u l w a s i n s i g h t . T h e d a n k g l o o m o f t h e c e m e t e r y
s e e m e d t o r e a c h o u t a n d e n v e l o p e h i m .
As h e a p p r o a c h e d t h e c o r n e r o f Wh i t t e m o r e a v e -
n u e , a m a n a n d w o m a n s u d d e n l y a p p r o a c h e d t h e
Do c t o r . T h e w o m a n s a i d , " T h i s i s Wh i t t e m o r e a v e -
n u e , " a n d t h e c o u p l e p a s s e d o n . Dr . Co n d o n o b -
s e r v e d t h a t Wh i t t e m o r e a v e n u e r u n s t h r o u g h a p a r t
o f t h e c e m e t e r y
. H e s a w a t a g l a n c e t h a t , d u e t o
a h i g h w a l l , h e a v y b u s h e s a n d t r e e s , a n d t h e t o m b -
s t o n e s i n t h e c e m e t e r y , i t w o u l d b e s i m p l e f o r t h e
g a n g t o b e i n h i d i n g w i t h o u t f e a r o f d e t e c t i o n
. T h e y
c o u l d s e e h i m b u t h e c o u l d n o t s e e t h e m
.
T h e p r o f e s s o r w a l k e d a l o n g t h e t h o r o u g h f a r e . H e
h a l t e d a m o m e n t . H e t u r n e d . Av o i c e , s o m e d i s -
t a n c e a w a y , c a l l e d t o h i m . H e c o u l d s e e n o o n e , b u t
r e t r a c e d h i s s t e p s d o w n t h e s t r e e t .
" Wh e r e a r e y o u ? " t h e Do c t o r a s k e d , a s h e a p -
p r o a c h e d a n e v e r g r e e n s h r u b a t t h e e n d o f t h e c e m -
e t e r y w a l l , a s p o t f r o m w h i c h t h e v o i c e h a d s e e m e d
t o c o m e .
" H e r e Ia m , !" s a i d a m a n a n d t h e d o c t o r s a w t h e
f e l l o w e m e r g e f r o m b e h i n d t h e s h r u b . T h e y w e r e
s e p a r a t e d b y t h e p l a n t .
" H a v e y o u g o t t h e m o n e y ? " t h e s t r a n g e r a s k e d .
" Ye s , " w a s t h e i m m e d i a t e r e s p o n s e , " b u t In e e d
a r e c e i p t t o p r o v e t o Co l o n e l L i n d b e r g h t h a t Ih a v e
p a i d i t . "
" Wa i t h e r e , t h e n , " s a i d t h e m a n . " Iw i l l g e t t h e
r e c e i p t . It w i l l b e d i r e c t i o n s t o w h e r e t h e b a b y i s t o
b e f o u n d . "
2 1 0 T RUES T ORYOFT H EL INDBERGH KIDNAPPING
Dr . Co n d o n s a w t h e m a n h u r r y a w a y , h i s f o r m b e -
i n g h i d d e n b y t h e t o m b s t o n e s .
T h e Do c t o r c o u l d
n o t t e l l w h e t h e r t h e m a n h a d h i d d e n t h e n o t e o r
h a d g o t t e n i t f r o m s o m e b o d y w a i t i n g b e h i n d o n e o f
t h e s t o n e s .
Re t u r n i n g , t h e s t r a n g e r s h o w e d a n e n v e l o p e t o Dr
.
Co n d o n
.
" Ge t t h e m o n e y , " h e s a i d " a n d Iw i l l g i v e y o u t h i s
r e c e i p t . "
Dr
. Co n d o n s p e d b a c k t o Co l o n e l L i n d b e r g h , w h o
w a s l e s s t h a n a c i t y b l o c k a w a y , t h o u g h t h e k i d n a p -
p e r s p r e s u m a b l y w e r e u n a w a r e o f i t . T h e f l y e r h a n d -
e d o v e r t h e b o x . T h e Do c t o r r e t u r n e d .
T h e m a n w a s w a i t i n g .
T h e Do c t o r p r e s e n t e d
t h e b o x a n d t h e m a n g a v e h i m t h e e n v e l o p e i n r e -
t u r n . At t h e s a m e t i m e t h e e d u c a t o r a s k e d f o r f a i r
p l a y . H e e x p l a i n e d t h a t a l l h e w a n t e d w a s t h e b a b y
.
Bu t h e d i d n o t m e n t i o n t h e f a c t t h a t , i n t h e b o x , h e
h a d p l a c e d a n o t h e r n o t e , a l s o p l e a d i n g f o r a s q u a r e
d e a l .
Ru n n i n g b a c k t o Co l o n e l L i n d b e r g h , w h o s e t a u t
n e r v e s w e r e b y t h i s t i m e a t b r e a k i n g p o i n t , Dr
. Co n -
d o n h a n d e d h i m t h e n o t e .
It w a s o p e n e d i n a n i n -
s t a n t .
It d i r e c t e d L i n d y t o g o t o Ga y h e a d , a p o i n t
a t t h e s o u t h e r l y e n d o f M a r t h a ' s Vi n e y a r d , a n i s l a n d
o f f t h e l o w e r M a s s a c h u s e t t s c o a s t
. T h e c h i l d , s a i d t h e
n o t e , w a s a b o a r d
a v e s s e l n a m e d " S a l l y , " a 2 8 - f o o t
THE
$ 5 0 , 0 0 0 RANSOMPAID!

2 1 1
b o a t . Tw o h o u r s m u s t p a s s , t h e n o t e a d d e d , b e f o r e
t h e s e a r c h e r s w e r e t o s t a r t f o r t h e p l a c e . An d t h e y
w e r e in f o r m e d t h a t t h e t w o w o m e n gu a r d in gt h e
c h il d o n t h e b o a t w e r e in n o c e n t o f a n yc o n n e c t io n w it h
t h e c r im e a n d u n a w a r e t h a t t h e c h il d w a s t h e k id -
n a p p e d L in d b e r gh b a b y .
L in d yc o u l d s c a r c e l yc o n t a in h im s e l f . He s p e d
b a c k t o Dr . C o n d o n ' s h o m e . Th e ym e t C o l o n e l
B r e c k in r id ge , Al Re ic h a n d El m e r L . Ir e y, c h ie f o f
t h e In t e r n a l Re v e n u e B u r e a u ' s in t e l l ige n c e u n it . Th e
t w o h o u r s w e r e s p e n t in r a p id - f ir e c o n v e r s a t io n . B y
t e l e p h o n e , t h e C o l o n e l c h a r t e r e d a Sik o r s k ya m p h ib -
ia n s e a p l a n e f r o m Ha r t f o r d . He w a s a n x io u s t o ge t
go in g
. F in a l l y, a t t h r e e o ' c l o c k in t h e m o r n in go f
Su n d a y, Ap r il 3 , t h e p a r t ys e t o u t in L in d y' s c a r f o r
B r id ge p o r t , C o n n e c t ic u t , w h e r e t h e yh a d m a d e a n a p -
p o in t m e n t t o m e e t t h e s p e c ia l a ir p l a n e . Th e ym a d e
t h e t r ip f r o m Th e B r o n x in t w o h o u r s , a r r iv in gj u s t
b e f o r e d a yl igh t . Th e gl is t e n in gs c a r l e t p l a n e s w o o p e d
d o w n t o t h e w a t e r s a d j a c e n t t o t h e a ir p o r t s h o r t l y
a f t e r s u n r is e . C o l o n e l L in d b e r gh e a ge r l ygo t in t o
t h e , p l a n e , f o l l o w e d b yIr e y, C o l o n e l B r e c k in r id ge
a n d Dr . C o n d o n .
Sh o o t in ga c r o s s t h e w a t e r s o f Ma r t h a ' s V in e ya r d ,
t h e p l a n e d id n o t m is s a s o l it a r yb o a t w it h o u t c a r e -
f u l o b s e r v a t io n . L in d y, a t t h e c o n t r o l s , f o u n d t im e
t o p e e r h o p e f u l l ya t e a c h v e s s e l , o n t h e w a t c h o u t f o r
t h e o n e n a m e d b yt h e k id n a p p e r s
. Al l m o r n in g, t h e
2 1 2
TRUESTORYOF THEL INDB ERGH KIDNAPPING
f o u r m e n f l e w a b o u t t h e n e igh b o r h o o d s p e c if ie d in
t h e k id n a p p e r s ' n o t e . Th e r e w a s n o t r a c e o f t h e
b o a t . Th e f l yin ga c e h e l d h o p e . He c o u l d n o t b e -
l ie v e , a t f ir s t , t h a t t h e k id n a p p e r s h a d s w in d l e d h im .
He h a d l iv e d u p t o e v e r yp r o m is e . Wh yh a d n o t
t h e yl iv e d u p t o t h e ir s ?
Sh o r t l ya f t e r n o o n , L in d yb r o u gh t t h e a m p h ib ia n
t o e a r t h n e a r C u t t yh u n k , a v il l a ge in t h e n e igh b o r -
h o o d , w h e r e l u n c h w a s h a d . Af e w q u e s t io n s w e r e
a s k e d o f p e r s o n s n e a r b ya n d o n c e m o r e t h e p l a n e
t o o k o f f . Th e a f t e r n o o n w a s s p e n t in t h e s a m e s o r t
o f s e a r c h in g, w it h n o t h in gt o r e w a r d L in d ya n d h is
a id e s . L a t e in t h e a f t e r n o o n , t h e t r ip w a s a b a n d o n e d
a n d t h e f o u r m e n r e t u r n e d t o t o w n .
Ne w s o f t h e s e a r c h , m e a n w h il e h a d s p r e a d a n d
r u m o r s w e r e t h a t C u r t is , t h e No r f o l k s h ip b u il d e r ,
w a s w it h L in d b e r gh . It w a s ge n e r a l l yb e l ie v e d t h a t
t h e s e a r c h h a d s o m e t h in gt o d o w it h t h e d e v e l o p -
m e n t s in No r f o l k , f o r Dr . C o n d o n h a d n o t ye t a p -
p e a r e d in t h e d r a m a
a s a p u b l ic f igu r e .
Un d a u n t e d , L in d yr e n e w e d h is s e a r c h t h e f o l l o w -
in gd a y, t h is t im e b e in ga c c o m p a n ie d o n l yb yC o l o n e l
B r e c k in r id ge
. Th e yf l e w f r o m Ne w a r k Air p o r t e a r l y
in t h e d a ya n d s p e n t a l m o s t t h e w h o l e d a yf l yin go v e r
t h e Ma r t h a ' s V in e ya r d r e gio n . Th e ir s e a r c h , o f
c o u r s e , w a s v a in
.
. In t h e s u c c e e d in gd a ys , L in d b e r gh f e l t t h a t t h e
k id n a p p e r s m igh t n o t h a v e " d o u b l e - c r o s s e d " h im ,
THE $ 5 0 , 0 0 0 RANSOMPAID!

2 1
3
t h o u gh o n We d n e s d a y, Ap r il 6 , J a f s ie ' s p l e a d in ga d -
v e r t is e m e n t w a s f ir s t p u b l is h e d . It r e a d :
" WHAT IS WRONG? HAV E
YOU
C ROSSEDME? PL EASEB ETTERDI-
REC TIONS
. J AF SIE. "
Nu m e r o u s r e p o r t s f r o m Ho p e w e l l , d u r in gt h e l a t -
t e r d a ys o f t h e s e n e go t ia t io n s , l e d t o t h e ge n e r a l b e -
l ie f t h a t t h e b a b yw a s a b o u t t o b e r e t u r n e d , t h o u gh
it w a s t h o u gh t t h a t t h e d e v e l o p m e n t w o u l d c o m e
f r o m No r f o l k . Wh e n a b r u s h f ir e n e a r t h e L in d -
b e r gr e s id e n c e t h r e a t e n e d t h e h o m e s t e a d , L in d yh im -
s e l f c a m e o u t t o h e l p e x t in gu is h it . His m a n n e r , o b -
s e r v e r s n o t e d , w a s c h e e r f u l .
Ou t s id e r s d id n o t k n o w
t h a t h e s t il l h o p e d t h a t t h e s w in d l e r s w o u l d r e t u r n
t h e b a b yt o h im .
Op t im is m w a s in c r e a s e d o n Ap r il 6 , w h e n C u r t is , in
No r f o l k , a f t e r - o n e o f h is m a n ym ys t e r io u s d e p a r -
t u r e s , a n n o u n c e d t h a t t h e " b a b y is
s a f e a n d w e l l . " He
s a id h e h a d m e t t h e a ge n t o f t h e c r im in a l s f o r t h e
t h ir d t im e s in c e Ma r c h 9 a n d w a s c o n f id e n t t h a t t h e
d e a l w o u l d s o o n b e c o n s u m m a t e d . Th e f o l l o w in g
d a y, Ad m ir a l B u r r a ge a n n o u n c e d t h a t L in d yh a d
a s k e d h im a n d h is a s s o c ia t e s t o " k e e p o n t r yin g
. "
Th r o u gh a l l t h e s e d e a l in gs , t h e a n gu is h o f An n e
a n d L in d yc a n b e r e a d il yim a gin e d . Th e yh a d
f o n d l ye x p e c t e d t h a t l it t l e C h a r l e s Au gu s t u s , J r . ,
w o u l d s o o n b e b a c k in h is c r ib
' a n d t h e h o r r ib l e in -
c id e n t w o u l d h a v e b e e n c l o s e d
. Wh e n t h e k id n a p -
p e r s d id n o t d e l iv e r t h e c h il d ' a f t e r r e c e iv in gt h e r a n -
2 1
4
TRUESTORYOF THEL INDB ERGHKIDNAPPING
s o m , L in d yf e l t t h a t s o m e t h in gm a yh a v e go n e a m is s .
Th a t w a s w h yh e w a it e d u n t il l a t e Sa t u r d a yn igh t ,
Ap r il 1 0 , b e f o r e h e f o r m a l l ya d m it t e d t h a t h e h a d
p a id o v e r t h e h u ge r a n s o m w it h o u t r e s u l t s .
Th e s e r ia l n u m b e r s o f t h e f iv e , t e n a n d t w e n t y
d o l l a r b il l s ,
t o t a l l in g $ 5 0 , 0 0 0 , w e r e b r o a d c a s t
t h r o u gh o u t t h e n a t io n a n d a l m o s t im m e d ia t e l y, b il l s
w e r e f o u n d b e a r in gt h e n u m b e r s , in d ic a t in gt h a t t h e
ga n gh a d d is t r ib u t e d s o m e o f t h e m o n e yb e t w e e n t h e
d a t e o f r e c e iv in git a n d t h e d a yw h e n L in d yf in a l l y
m a d e p u b l ic t h e f a c t t h a t h e h a d b e e n " d o u b l e
c r o s s e d . "
Th e n e w s o f t h e p a ym e n t o f t h e m o n e yb r o k e u p
h o p e o f r e - e s t a b l is h in gc o n t a c t a t o n c e , w it h t h e k id -
n a p p e r s . Ho r d e s o f c u r io u s p e r s o n s s u r r o u n d e d t h e
C o n d o n h o m e in Th e B r o n x . Ev e r ym o v e m e n t o f
t h e Do c t o r w a s w a t c h e d a n d t h e c o n s t a n t v is it s o f
C o l o n e l B r e c k in r id ge t o h is h o m e s e r v e d t o h e igh t e n
t h e a t t r a c t io n o f n e w s p a p e r r e p o r t e r s a n d o t h e r s .
So
m u c h w e r e t h e yh a u n t e d b yp u r s u e r s t h a t L in d y, o n
Th u r s d a y, Ap r il 1 4, is s u e d a f o r m a l p l e a , in w h ic h
An n e j o in e d h im , a s k in gf o r s e c r e c y . Th e yp o in t e d
o u t t h a t n o c o n t a c t s c o u l d b e m a d e o r k e p t , w it h t h e
a b d u c t o r s , s o l o n g
a s t h e yw e r e h a r a s s e d in t h e ir
e v e r ym o v e m e n t .
Wit h t h e b u r s t in go f t h e " J a f s ie " b u b b l e , a t l e a s t
t e m p o r a r il y, h o p e s w u n gb a c k t o t h e No r f o l k in t e r -
m e d ia r ie s .
On F r id a y, Ap r il 1 5 , C u r t is a n n o u n c e d
t h a t h e h a d t a l k e d w it h L in d yf o u r t im e s w it h in a
THE $ 5 0 , 0 0 0 RANSOMPAID!

2
1 5
f e w d a ys a n d a s s u r e d h im a ga in , t h a t t h e b a b yw a s
" s a f e a n d w e l l . "
To t h is , Ad m ir a l B u r r a ge a d d e d t h e s t a t e m e n t t h a t
C u r t is h a d r e - e s t a b l is h e d h is c o n v e r s a t io n s w it h t h e
k id n a p p e r s a n d t h a t n e go t ia t io n s w e r e r a p id l yp r o -
gr e s s in g .
B u t t h e a t t it u d e o f t h e L in d b e r gh b o a r d o f s t r a t -
e gyw a s e p it o m iz e d o n Sa t u r d a y, Ap r il 1 7 , f if t e e n
d a ys a f t e r t h e r a n s o m s w in d l e , w h e n C o l o n e l B r e c k -
in r id ge f l a t l ya n n o u n c e d t h a t " Dr . C o n d o n a l o n e h a s
b e e n a b l e t o e s t a b l is h d ir e c t c o n t a c t w it h t h e k id n a p -
p e r s
. " He j o in e d t h e L in d b e r gh s in t h e ir p l e a f o r
p r iv a c yin o r d e r t h a t n e go t ia t io n s m igh t b e r e n e w e d
a n d c a r r ie d f o r w a r d .
Th e No r f o l k m e n , in t h e f a c e o f t h is , r e m a in e d
" h o p e f u l , " a s t h e yd e s c r ib e d it , a n d s a id t h e yw e r e
r e s o r t in gt o a p o l ic yo f " w a t c h f u l w a it in g . "
It w a s n a t u r a l , f r o m s u c h a c o n f u s in gs e r ie s o f
d e v e l o p m e n t s , t h a t n o t r a in e d o b s e r v e r s c o u l d a gr e e
o n t h e m e a n in g, if a n y, o f t h e " J a f s ie " d e a l o n t h e
o n e h a n d a n d t h e No r f o l k n e go t ia t io n s o n t h e o t h e r .
Ev e n in a u t h o r it a t iv e c ir c l e s , o p in io n s d if f e r e d .
On e v ie w h e l d t h a t o n e o f t h e o r igin a l k id n a p
ga n gh a d b r o k e n w it h h is f e l l o w - c o n s p ir a t o r s a n d ,
w it h t h e s e c r e t s ym b o l a n d " t o k e n " h a d m a n a ge d t o
s w in d l e L in d y .
An o t h e r v ie w h e l d t h a t t h e k id n a p ga n gh a d d e -
c id e d t o d e a l t h r o u gh t w o c h a n n e l s a n d c o l l e c t r a n -
s o m in b o t h .
2 1 6
TRUESTORYOF THEL INDB ERGHKIDNAPPING
Th e o r ie s , ~ t h o u gh in t e r e s t in g, w e r e s o o f t e n u p s e t
in t h e L in d b e r gh c a s e t h a t t h e yw e r e a l w a yh a z -
a r d o u s .
F o r in s t a n c e , it is n o w k n o w n t h a t a t l e a s t o n e
h o a x w a s s u c c e s s f u l l yp l a ye d b ya n e w s p a p e r m a n w h o
s e c u r e d n o t o n l y
a v e r b a t im a c c o u n t o f t h e t e x t o f
t h e r a n s o m n o t e , b u t a l s o a f e l l d e s c r ip t io n ' o f t h e
s e c r e t s ym b o l s o f t h e k id n a p p e r s . Wit h in t w e n t y- f o u r
h o u r s a f t e r t h e k id n a p p in g, t h is n e w s p a p e r m a n t e l e -
p h o n e d f r o m C h ic a go a n d ga v e t h e im p r e s s io n t h a t h e
w a s t h e h e a d o f t h e p o l ic e d e p a r t m e n t o f t h a t c it y .
Ac c o r d in gt o t h is v e r s io n , a Ne w J e r s e yo f f ic ia l , e x -
c it e d b yt h e c a s e a n d n o t w a r yo f in t r igu e , w il l in gl y
d e s c r ib e d t h e r a n s o m n o t e t o t h e " c h ie f o f p o l ic e o f
C h ic a go . " He b e l ie v e d t h e m a n f r o m C h ic a go w h e n
t h e l a t t e r s a id t h a t h e w a s s e a r c h in gf o r t h e c r im in a l s
a n d t h a t t h e t e x t o f t h e n o t e w o u l d a id h im .
Se v e r a l s u c h " l e a k s " w e r e r e p o r t e d , s o t h a t m e r e
p o s s e s s io n o f t h e s o - c a l l e d s e c r e t s ym b o l s w a s n o t
gu a r a n t e e o f t h e id e n t it yo f t h e k id n a p p e r s , t h o u gh
L in d yh e l d t h e m s e c r e t .
De n ia l s a s t o t h e n a t u r e o f t h e " t o k e n " t h a t c o n -
v in c e d L in d yh e w a s d e a l in gw it h t h e k id n a p p e r s
t h r o u gh Dr . C o n d o n , w e r e f r e q u e n t , t h o u gh it w a s
l e a r n e d in q u a r t e r s c l o s e t o Dr
. C o n d o n t h a t t h e
s l e e p in gj a c k e t w o r n b yB a b yL in d b e r gh w a s t h e
" t o k e n . " Ex p e r t s in s is t e d t h a t ' t h e o n l yp o s s ib l e
" t o k e n " c o u l d b e a p a c k a ge o f u n d e v e l o p e d p h o t o -
gr a p h ic f il m s , t h a t c o u l d n o t b e t a m p e r e d w it h , s h o w -
" Ne w e s t , C u t e s t . . . .
THE$ 5 O, 0 0 0 , ' RANSOMPAID!

2 1 7
in gt h e b a b yin a h a l f d o z e n d if f e r e n t n a t u r a l p o s e s .
Th e " p a c k a ge " t h a t Dr . C o n d o n o c c a s io n a l l yr e f e r r e d
t o in h is a d v e r t is e m e n t s , ga v e r is e t o t h e n o t io n t h a t
t h e f il m s h a d b e e n u s e d a n d n o t t h e s l e e p in gga r -
m e n t .
As f o r t h e r a n s o m - s e e k e r s w h o o p e r a t e d t h r o u gh
Dr . C o n d o n , t h e q u e s t io n t h a t o f t e n a r o s e w a s h o w
t h e yh a d c o m e t o c h o o s e h im . It w a s p o in t e d o u t t h a t
s o c l e v e r a ga n gw o u l d h a v e d e t e r m in e d u p o n t h e
m o d e o f c o l l e c t in gr a n s o m b e f o r e c o m m it t in gt h e
c r im e . He n c e , it w a s a r gu e d , Dr . C o n d o n p r o b a b l y
w a s n o t d e c id e d u p o n m e r e l yb e c a u s e h e h a d o f f e r e d
t o a c t a s in t e r m e d ia r y.
Th e Do c t o r h im s e l f e x p r e s s e d t h e o p in io n t h a t a
f o r m e r p u p il o f h is , in t h e B r o n x s c h o o l s w h e r e h e
h a d b e e n t e a c h e r a n d p r in c ip a l f o r m o r e t h a n 45
ye a r s , m a yh a v e b e e n r e s p o n s ib l e f o r t h e s e l e c t io n o f
h im s e l f a s in t e r m e d ia r y
.
Th e Do c t o r n e v e r f o r a m o m e n t d o u b t e d t h a t h e
w a s d e a l in gw it h t h e r e a l k id n a p p e r s a n d t h a t t h e y
r e a l l yin t e n d e d t o r e t u r n t h e c h il d . He h a d m e t o n e
o f t h e ga n gin p e r s o n a n d k n e w t h e m a n . Wh o c a n
s a yw h yt h e Do c t o r h a d s u c h c o n f id e n c e t h a t t h e a b -
d u c t o r s w o u l d l iv e u p t o t h e ir w o r d ?
C HAPTERXII
HIDDENEYESONL INDY )
SWEAL TH
F r o m p o v e r t yt o r ic h e s !
Th o u gh C h a r l e s Au gu s t u s L in d b e r gh w a s a p o o r
yo u n gm a n t h e d a y h e t o o k o f f f r o m Ro o s e v e l t F ie l d
o n w h a t e v e n v e t e r a n f l ie r s r e ga r d e d a s
a s u ic id e e x -
p e d it io n , h is w e a l t h t o d a yis e s t im a t e d a s b e t w e e n
t w o a n d t h r e e m il l io n d o l l a r s .
Th e v e r ym o m e n t t h a t h e s t e p p e d o u t o f t h e Sp ir it
o f St . L o u is a f t e r h is e p o c h a l l a n d in ga t L e B o u r ge t
a n d c a l m l yin q u ir e d w h e r e h e w a s , h e a c q u ir e d
$ 2 5 , 0 0 0 . F o r t h a t w a s t h e s u m h e r e c e iv e d a s t h e
Or t e igp r iz e .
In a d d it io n t o t h is h is b o o k " We "
b r o u gh t in it ia l r o ya l t ie s o f $ 1 0 0 , 0 0 0 f r o m w h ic h
r o ya l t ie s a r e s t il l c o m in gin .
His t o u r o f t h e Un it e d St a t e s f o r Da n ie l Gu gge n -
h e im n e t t e d h im a n u n d is c l o s e d s u m .
His ye a r l y
s a l a r ya s t e c h n ic a l a d v is e r o f t h e Pa n - Am e r ic a n Air -
w a ys a n d t h e Tr a n s - c o n t in e n t a l a n d We s t e r n Air ,
In c . , is s a id t o b e $ 5 0 , 0 0 0 . He is a l s o a f f il ia t e d w it h
t h e De p a r t m e n t o f C o m m e r c e Ae r o n a u t ic a l Div is io n
a n d t h e Na t io n a l Ad v is o r yC o m m it t e e o n Ae r o n a u t ic s .
2 1 8
HIDDENEYESONL INDY' SWEAL TH

2 1 9
An o t h e r s o u r c e o f in c o m e w a s t h e s yn d ic a t io n o f
n e w s p a p e r a r t ic l e s . Al l o f t h is f o r t u n e w a s b u il t o n
t h e f a m e w h ic h a c c r u e d t o h im a f t e r h is s o l o f l igh t
t o Pa r is
.
Is it a n yw o n d e r t h a t it w a s h is c h il d t h e k id n a p -
p e r s d e c id e d t o s t e a l ? He r e w a s a c h il d w h o s e f a t h e r
h a d a c c u m u l a t e d a f o r t u n e o f m il l io n s in a b o u t f iv e
ye a r s . He r e w a s a b a b yw h o s e p a r e n t s w o u l d u n -
d o u b t e d l yb e w il l in gt o s a c r if ic e a l l o f t h o s e m il l io n s ,
e v e r yp e n n yt h e yc o u l d p o s s ib l ys c r a p e t o ge t h e r , if
o n l yt h e ir b a b yw a s r e t u r n e d t o t h e m u n h a r m e d .
He r e w a s a b a b yw h o w a s w o r t h a k in g' s r a n s o m .
An d , in a d d it io n t o C o l o n e l L in d b e r gh ' s p e r s o n a l
w e a l t h , t h e r e w a s a l s o t h e e s t im a t e d e s t a t e o f
$ 1 9 , 0 0 0 , 0 0 0 w h ic h Dw igh t W . Mo r r o w h a d l e f t t o
h is w id o w . Tr u e , t h e r e h a d b e e n n o p r o v is io n in it
f o r t h e a v ia t o r a n d h is w if e , n o r w a s t h e b a b ya
d ir e c t b e n e f ic ia r y, b u t k id n a p p e r s w o u l d u n d o u b t e d l y
a r gu e t h a t t h e m o n e yw o u l d b e a t t h e d is p o s a l o f t h e
L in d b e r gh s s h o u l d a n yt h in gh a p p e n t o t h e ir c h il d .
B e s id e s , h a d n ' t Dw igh t Mo r r o w , in h is w il l e x -
p r e s s e d " e v e r yc o n f id e n c e " t h a t Mr s . Mo r r o w w o u l d
m a k e p r o v is io n f o r h e r c h il d r e n ? Ak id n a p p e r o r
gr o u p o f k id n a p p e r s w o u l d u n q u e s t io n a b l ya r gu e t h a t
t h e m o n e yw o u l d s o m e d a yb e d iv e r t e d t o t h e L in d -
b e r gh s - a t l e a s t , a gr e a t p a r t o f it . It w a s k n o w n
t h a t Mr s . Mo r r o w a n d t h e L in d b e r gh s w e r e f r ie n d l y,
t h a t t h e a ir m a n a n d h is w if e a n d c h il d l iv e d a t t h e
Mo r r o w r e s id e n c e in En gl e w o o d m o s t o f t h e t im e
2 2 0 TRUESTORYOF THEL INDB ERGHKIDNAPPING
a n d o n l y s p e n t w e e k - e n d s a t t h e ir n e w l y- b u il t
$ 5 0 , 0 0 0 h o m e a t Ho p e w e l l .
Th is t yp ic a l " Ea gl e ' s Ne s t " s t o o d o n t h e s e c o n d
h igh e s t e m in e n c e in t h e St a t e a n d w a s a l m o s t c o m -
p l e t e l yc u t o f f f r o m t h e r e s t o f t h e w o r l d . Kid n a p -
p e r s w o u l d c o n s id e r it a n id e a l s p o t f o r t h e ir n e -
f a r io u s w o r k
. An a r r o w r o a d , s t e e p , r o c k ya n d
s o m e t ie s m u d d y, w o u n d u p f r o m t h e c o u n t r yb e l o w .
Th e s it e w a s s e l e c t e d f r o m t h e a ir b yt h e yo u t h f u l
C o l o n e l a n d h is w if e . Wh e n t h e h o m e w a s u n d e r
c o n s t r u c t io n t h e f l ye r w a s h e a r d t o r e m a r k
:
" We f l e w o v e r a gr e a t d e a l o f c o u n t r yb e f o r e w e
f in a l l ys e l e c t e d t h e s it e . "
Th e e s t a t e is 48m il e s f r o m Ne w Yo r k C it ya n d
1 3 m il e s f r o m Tr e n t o n , N
. J
. It is w it h in t e n m il e s
o f t h e a ir - b e a c o n e d a ir m a il p a s s e n ge r r o u t e b e t w e e n
Ne w Yo r k a n d Wa s h in gt o n , a n d t h e " f r o n t ya r d " is
a p r iv a t e l a n d in gf ie l d .
Th a t w a s o n e o f t h e p r e c io u s r e s u l t s o f t h e gl o r io u s
f l yin gv e n t u r e o f f iv e ye a r s b e f o r e - a p r iv a t e l a n d -
in gf ie l d . He r e t h e w if e o f t h e " L o n e Ea gl e " c o u l d
s it a t h e r f r o n t w in d o w a n d s e e h e r h u s b a n d s w o o p
gr a c e f u l l yd o w n f r o m t h e s k ya f t e r a t r ip a w a y
f r o m t h e ir c o m f o r t a b l e f ir e s id e . An d h e r e , t h e
go l d e n c u r l e d e a gl e t , f r o m h is n u r s e r yo n t h e s e c o n d
f l o o r , c o u l d a l s o w a v e j o yo u s l yt o h is d a d d y .
" Sl im " L in d b e r gh h a d r is k e d m u c h t o o b t a in t h e
p r iv a c yh e s o m u c h d e s ir e d - t o c r e a t e a n a t m o s p h e r e
w h e r e h is s o n c o u l d gr o w u p " l ik e a n yo t h e r - n o r m a l
HIDDENEYESONL INDY' SWEAL TH

2 2 1
b o y. "
In s t e a d o f d e t e c t iv e s , h e o b t a in e d s e r v a n t s h e
w a s s u r e h e c o u l d t r u s t , a n d t w o p e t d o gs .
B u t h e h a d n o t t a k e n in t o c o n s id e r a t io n t h e c u n n in g
o f t h e s l in k in gk id n a p p e r s w h o p l a n n e d t h e c r im e
w it h s u c h d e a d l ya c c u r a c y .
F if t yt h o u s a n d d o l l a r s w a s t h e s u m a s k e d b yt h e
k id n a p p e r s a s t h e r a n s o m o f L in d y' s s o n . Th r o u gh -
o u t n e go t ia t io n s , h o w e v e r , it w a s ge n e r a l l yb e l ie v e d
t h a t L in d ym igh t h a v e t o s p e n d a m il l io n d o l l a r s
.
Th e k id n a p p e r s k n e w t h e a v ia t o r h a d t h e m o n e y
.
Th e yh a d t a k e n e x t r a o r d in a r yp r e c a u t io n s t o l e a v e n o
c l e w s b e h in d a n d t h e yh a d s u c c e e d e d
. Wh a t w a s
t h e r e t o k e e p t h e m f r o m e x a c t in gt h e h u ge s u m ?
C a p t a in J o h n J . L a m b , o f t h e Ne w J e r s e ySt a t e
Po l ic e , w h o ,
w a s t h r o u gh o u t a n a c t iv e f igu r e in t h e
d r a m a , in d ic a t e d h o w m u c h t h e L in d b e r gh s m igh t b e
e x p e c t e d t o p a y
. As k e d , t h r e e d a ys a f t e r t h e a b d u c -
t io n a b o u t t h e r e p o r t e d $ 5 0 , 0 0 0 r a n s o m d e m a n d in
t h e o r igin a l n o t e l e f t b yt h e a b d u c t o r s , C a p t a in L a m b
s a id , " Ia m s u r e t h a t C o l o n e l L in d b e r gh w il l p a y
m u c h m o r e t h a n t h a t a m o u n t . "
To m e r c e n a r yk id n a p p e r s , L in d ym u s t t h e r e f o r e
h a v e s e e m e d a n e a s yv ic t im f r o m w h o m t o e x t r a c t a
l a r ge s u m o f m o n e y .
C HAPTERXIII
B ONANZAATHOPEWEL L
Ho p e w e l l , Ne w J e r s e y, is a s m a l l v il l a ge in t h e
So u r l a n d Mo u n t a in s
. On l yt h o s e w h o h a v e l iv e d in ,
o r v is it e d f o r s o m e p e r io d o f t im e , a t yp ic a l Am e r i-
c a n v il l a ge c a n v is u a l iz e w h a t Ho p e w e l l is l ik e
.
Sm a l l , o n e - s t o r y" t a x p a ye r s " f o r t h e f e w s t o r e s
.
F r a m e d w e l l in gs h e r e a n d t h e r e
. St r e e t s c a r e l e s s l y
p a v e d , if p a v e d a t a l l .
Sc a t t e r e d h o m e s t e a d s .
Sp a r s e l ys e t t l e d r e gio n s o u t l yin g
. An d t h e n w h a t
t h e c it yd w e l l e r k n o w s a s d e s o l a t io n - n o h o m e s f o r
m il e s
.
Ho p e w e l l h a d l iv e d a q u ie t , u n o b t r u s iv e e x is t e n c e .
It s f o l k w e r e c o u n t r yf o l k , m in d in gt h e ir o w n b u s i-
n e s s . It h a d it s o w n l if e , it s o w n w a ys , a n d it s o w n
id e a s .
Pic t u r e t h e n , t h e a d v e n t o f m o r e t h a n 2 , 5 0 0
h u n gr y, e x c it e d , n o is y, t a l k a t iv e n e w s p a p e r r e p o r t e r s ,
w r it e r s , p h o t o gr a p h e r s , d e t e c t iv e s , p o l ic e
o f f ic e r s ,
c e l e b r it ie s , a n d a s s o r t e d h a n ge r s - o n
.
Ho p e w e l l w a s j a r r e d a s n o Am e r ic a n t o w n h a d
e v e r b e e n b e f o r e . F r o m a n o b s c u r e , c o m m o n p l a c e
2 2 2
B ONANZAATHOPEWEL L

2 2 3
v il l a ge , it h a d b e c o m e t h e v e r it a b l e w o r l d c e n t e r o f
c u r io s it y.
Mo s t o f t h o s e w h o h a d c o m e t o t o w n o n t h e L in d -
b e r gh c a s e h a d c o m e t o s t a y, a t l e a s t u n t il t h e m ys -
t e r yw a s s o l v e d .
Na t u r a l l y, Ho p e w e l l ' s f a c il it ie s
w e r e l im it e d . Te l e p h o n e s w e r e p r e c io u s
. F o o d w a s ,
a t f ir s t , h a r d t o ge t
. Ho t e l r o o m s w e r e a r a r it ya n d
it w a s n o t u n c o m m o n f o r a h a l f d o z e n n e w s p a p e r
r e p o r t e r s t o s h a r e a s in gl e r o o m , s l e e p in gin s h if t s
.
It w a s in e v it a b l e t h a t Ho p e w e l l w o u l d b e s t a r t l e d
o u t o f it s u s u a l , q u ie t l if e
. Th e r e c o u l d n o t p o s s ib l y
h a v e b e e n r o o m f o r t h e h o r d e s o f r e p o r t e r s a n d
p o l ic e a t t h e L in d b e r gh h o u s e , e v e n if e f f o r t s h a d
b e e n m a d e t o p u t t h e m t h e r e a n d e v e n if t h e ir p r e s -
e n c e w o u l d n o t h a v e in t e r f e r e d w it h t h e in v e s t iga t io n
a n d p u r s u it .
Wh il e t h e w o r l d w a s s t ir r e d , a s n e v e r b e f o r e , im -
m e d ia t e l ya f t e r t h e n e w s h a d s t r e a k e d f r o m l a n d t o
l a n d , t h e L in d b e r gh h o m e b e c a m e a n o b j e c t o f p il -
gr im a ge
. Wh il e t h e v is it o r s u n d o u b t e d l yw e r e , in
m a n yin s t a n c e s , a t t r a c t e d o u t o f a f e e l in go f s ym -
p a t h y, t h o u s a n d s o f t h e m w e r e t h r il l - s e e k e r s w h o
c o u l d n o t k e e p a w a yf r o m t h e n e igh b o r h o o d
.
Th e gr o w in gc o n ge s t io n o f a u t o m o b il e s f il l e d
w it h s e n s a t io n - h u n t e r s f in a l l ya r o u s e d t h e p r e s s , a s
w e l l
a s a u t h o r it ie s , w it h t h e r e s u l t t h a t , o n l yf o u r
d a ys a f t e r t h e a b d u c t io n , t h e Ne w Yo r k Ev e n in g
J o u r n a l p u b l is h e d a v iv id , s h a r p a n d ye t s ym p a t h e t ic
a p p e a l .
2
2 4 TRUESTORYOF THEL INDB ERGHKIDNAPPING
" Au t o s , s t a ya w a yf r o m Ho p e w e l l !" r e a d a h e a d -
l in e o n t h e f ir s t p a ge o f t h e n e w s p a p e r . An d t h e
a p p e a l c o n t in u e d :
" Giv e t h e L in d b e r gh f a m il ya n d t h e a u t h o r it ie s a
c h a n c e .
" Th e r e is n o t h in gyo u c a n s e e b ygo in gt o Ho p e -
w e l l .
" Yo u c a n d o n o t h in ge x c e p t ge t in t o a t r a f f ic j a m
a n d h a v e a r o t t e n Su n d a y. Po l ic e l in e s w o n ' t l e t
yo u ge t w it h in t w o m il e s o f t h e L in d b e r gh h o m e .
" B ygo in g, yo u a d d t o t h e c o n f u s io n .
" Yo u c o m p l ic a t e - a s it u a t io n a l r e a d yt a n gl e d a l m o s t
b e yo n d h o p e b yt h e m o r b id l yc u r io u s a n d b ys o u -
v e n ir h u n t e r s .
" Mo t o r is t s , s t a ya w a yf r o m Ho p e w e l l .
" Do n ' t m a k e a c ir c u s o u t o f a t r a ge d y . "
Th e a p p e a l s t r u c k h o m e t o c o u n t l e s s t h o u s a n d s ,
b u t t h e r e w e r e , n e v e r t h e l e s s , - a n d it m a yb e s a id
t o t h e d is c r e d it o f m a n yo t h e r w is e go o d Am e r i-
c a n s - p e r s o n s w h o j a m m e d t h e h igh w a ys a r o u n d
Ho p e w e l l f o r w e e k s - a n d w h o t h e r e b yo b s t r u c t e d
p o l ic e a n d t h e s e a r c h .
B e f o r e t h e c yc l o n e o f o u t s id e r s h it Ho p e w e l l , t h e
t a il e n d o f t h e t w is t e r s t r u c k t h e L in d b e r gh h o m e -
s t e a d .
Th e f ir s t b a t c h o f r e p o r t e r s a n d p h o t o gr a p h e r s b e -
ga n s t r a ggl in gin t o t h e 5 5 0 - a c r e L in d b e r gh e s t a t e
e a r l yin t h e m o r n in go n Ma r c h 2 , o n l ya f e w h o u r s
a f t e r t h e a b d u c t io n .
B ONANZAATHOPEWEL L

2 2
5
Q u a r t e r s f o r t h e gr o u p w e r e p r e p a r e d in t h e L in d -
b e r gh ga r a ge a n d t e l e p h o n e l in e s m e n b e ga n s t r in gin g
w ir e s a c r o s s t h e m o u n t a in s id e . Th e v is it o r s ' w e r e
c o l d f r o m t h e ir l o n g t r e k t o t h e L in d b e r gh h o u s e .
An d t h e yw e r e h u n gr y
.
C o l o n e l He n r yB r e c k in r id ge , s c h o l a r l yl e ga l
a d -
v is e r t o t h e C o l o n e l , s u p e r v is e d t h e s e r v in go f c o f f e e
t o t h e t h r o n g . Ol iv e r Wh e a t l e y, t h e b u t l e r , a n d h is
w if e , s a w t o it t h a t e v e r yo n e r e c e iv e d a h o t d r in k t o
w a r d
o f f a s e v e r e c o l d f r o m t h e c h il l ya ir .
L in d yh im s e l f w a s c h a s in gc l e w s a n d Mr s . L in d -
b e r gh , k n o w n t h e n t o f a c e t h e b ir t h o f a n o t h e r b a b e ,
w a s n o t p h ys ic a l l ya b l e t o b e o f a s s is t a n c e
. No t e v e n
t h e e m e r ge n c yp h o n e s e r v ic e w a s a d e q u a t e . Th e r e -
p o r t e r s ' d e m a n d s f o r t e l e p h o n e c o n n e c t io n s in t e r -
f e r e d w it h p o l ic e c a l l s .
As t h e d a ya n d n igh t w o r e o n , Wh e a t l e y, w h o h a d
b e e n in t h e L in d b e r gh e m p l o ys in c e t h e yl e a s e d t h e ir
f ir s t h o m e a t Mo n t r o s e , b e f o r e m o v in gt o Ho p e w e l l ,
m a d e s a n d w ic h e s a n d l it e r a l l yga l l o n s o f c o f f e e
. C o l -
o n e l B r e c k in r id ge p r o v e d a c o u r t e o u s a s s is t a n t in t h e
e m e r ge n c y .
Wh e n s u p p l ie s w e r e u s e d u p , Wh e a t l e yh u s t l e d t o
t o w n , l a id in a s t o c k o f t h in gs f o r s a n d w ic h e s a n d
ga l l o n s o f m il k , - a n d r e n e w e d h is t a s k o f p r o v id in g
f o o d f o r t h e s u n d r yv is it o r s .
Th a t f ir s t d a yw a s a n e x c it in go n e f o r t h o s e a t t h e
L in d b e r gh e s t a t e
. Ma j o r Th o m a s L a n p h ie r , h e a d
2 2 6 TRUESTORYOF THEL INDB ERGHKIDNAPPING
o f a n a v ia t io n c o n c e r n , p r o v id e d t h r il l s f o r t h e r e -
p o r t e r s .
L a n p h ie r w a s a f r ie n d o f L in d ya n d , w it h Se r -
ge a n t Ha r r yC a m p b e l l , a n d a t r o o p e r , p il o t e d a p l a n e
a r o u n d t h e v ic in it yo f t h e L in d b e r gh e s t a t e , s e a r c h -
in gf o r p o s s ib l e c l e w s . He s w e p t l o w in h is p l a n e ,
s c o u t in ga c r o s s t h e m o u n t a in t o p s a t b r e a k n e c k s p e e d .
F in a l l y, h e d r o p p e d t h e p l a n e l o w a n d t h e n t h r e w a
w r it t e n m e s s a ge t o t h e a s s e m b l e d gr o u p . As c r a m b l e
b e t w e e n r e p o r t e r s a n d s t a t e t r o o p e r s f o r p o s s e s s io n o f
t h e m e s s a ge e n d e d w it h t h e t r o o p e r s a s v ic t o r s . Th e
m e s s a ge d e s c r ib e d a n o l d p a r k e d a u t o s e e n s o m e d is -
t a n c e a w a y. Ah u r r ie d t r ip t o t h e s c e n e d is c l o s e d a
b r o k e n d o w n c a r t h a t c o u l d n o t p o s s ib l yh a v e h a d a n y
c o n n e c t io n w it h t h e a f f a ir .
Th is in c id e n t s e r v e d o n l yf u r t h e r t o in d ic a t e t h a t
t h e h o r d e o f v is it o r s c o u l d n o t r e m a in l o n go n t h e
L in d b e r gh e s t a t e . C o n s e q u e n t l y, t h e r e w a s n o s u r p r is e
w h e n C o l o n e l L in d b e r gh a s k e d a l l r e p o r t e r s t o l e a v e ,
m a k in ga r r a n ge m e n t s f o r n e w s r e l e a s e s t h r o u gh a n
e l a b o r a t e s ys t e m a t Tr e n t o n . Wh e n t h e r e p o r t e r s d e -
p a r t e d f o r Ho p e w e l l , j o in in go t h e r s a l r e a d yt h e r e ,
a n d w h e n it b e c a m e a p p a r e n t t o t h o s e a r r iv in gf r o m
Ne w Yo r k , Ph il a d e l p h ia , a n d e l s e w h e r e , t h a t n o t h in g
c o u l d b e ga in e d b ya v is it t o t h e e s t a t e , Ho p e w e l l
c a m e in t o it s o w n . It w a s j a m m e d t o t h e h il t . Oc -
c a s io n a l f o r a ys w e r e m a d e f r o m Ho p e w e l l t o t h e
L in d b e r gh h o u s e , b u t n o t m a n yo f t h e m a n d f e w t h a t
' e r e f r u it f u l .
B ONANZAATHOPEWEL L

2 2 7
To Pa u l Ge b h a r t , p r o p r ie t o r o f a t yp ic a l v il l a ge
s o f t d r in k , t o b a c c o a n d f o o d s h o p , t h e L in d b e r gh k id -
n a p p in gm u s t a l w a ys h a v e a d o u b l e t h r il l
. He e n -
c o u n t e r e d m o r e b u s in e s s w h e n t h e f u l l s w e e p o f r e -
p o r t e r s a r r iv e d t h a n e v e r in t h e h is t o r yo f t h e v il l a ge
.
Ge b h a r t w a s a w a k e n e d a t 1 : 3 0 o ' c l o c k o n t h e m o r n in g
o f Ma r c h 2 , a f e w h o u r s a f t e r t h e k id n a p p in g . Th e
f ir s t gr o u p o f r e p o r t e r s ya n k e d h im o u t o f b e d t o
ga in a c c e s s t o h is t e l e p h o n e b o o t h , t h e o n l yo n e in
t o w n , a n d t o b u yc iga r e t t e s a n d c o f f e e .
Wh e n Ge b h a r t h a d c l o s e d h is s h o p t h a t n igh t , w it h
t h e c u s t o m a r yr e c e ip t s f o r t h e d a y, h e m igh t h a v e
c o u n t e d $ 3 0 in t h e t il l
. B u t t h e n e x t a f t e r n o o n , h e
w a s d o in gs u c h a b u s in e s s t h a t h e e v e n c a s h e d m o n e y
o r d e r s f o r $ 1 0 0 a t a t im e
. He w a s s o l d o u t . He go t
m o r e s t o c k a n d m o r e h e l p a n d h is p l a c e s o o n b e c a m e
a h a v e n f o r t ir e d , w o r n r e p o r t e r s , m o v ie c a m e r a m e n
a n d o t h e r s
.
" Ge b h a r t ' s , " it w a s s a id , h a d b e c o m e a s w e l l - k n o w n
t o t h e r e p o r t e r s a s " L in d b e r gh s . "
Ex t r a t e l e p h o n e s w e r e in s t a l l e d in t h e p l a c e , t h e
r o o m s w e r e f il l e d w it h r e p o r t e r s , a n d t h e j a m h a d
a l l t h e e a r m a r k s o f a n o l d - f a s h io n e d go l d r u s h
. Th e
v il l a ge m e r c h a n t o r d e r e d s t u f f f r o m Tr e n t o n a n d a s
f a s t a s f o o d a n d s m o k e s a n d o t h e r s u p p l ie s c o u l d
c o m e , t h e yw e r e c o n s u m e d b yt h e in c o m in gm o b . A
s t o u t f e l l o w w it h a s a n d yc o l o r e d h e a d o f h a ir , Ge b
h a r t w a s l e t h a r gic t h r o u gh o u t , s o m e w h a t s u r p r is e d ,
a n d ye t a go o d b u s in e s s m a n .
2 2 8 TRUESTORYOF THEL INDB ERGHKIDNAPPING
Th e t o w n s f o l k w e r e n o t
a s b a c k w a r d a s m igh t
h a v e b e e n s u s p e c t e d .
L ik e t h e ir c it yb r o t h e r s , t h e y
k n e w t h a t d e m a n d c r e a t e s p r ic e
. Th e r e s u l t w a s a
t il t in go f t h e c o s t o f t a x ic a b f a r e s , f o o d a n d l o d gin g
.
Ha m a n d e ggs , n o r m a l l yc o s t in gt h ir yc e n t s a d is h ,
w e n t t o s e v e n t y- f iv e c e n t s
. Ro o m s in w h a t e v e r h o s -
t e l r ie s t h e r e w e r e , c o s t $ 5 p e r d a y .
Ap p l e - j a c k , n o r -
m a l l ya q u a r t e r a d r in k , w a s b o o s t e d t o a h a l f d o l -
l a r a d r in k
. Th e n e w s p a p e r m e n a n d w o m e n w e r e
s p e n d in gt h e n e w s p a p e r s ' m o n e y, s o w h yw o r r y?
Th e yd id n ' t , a n d p a id t h e b il l s a f f a b l ye n o u gh
.
Th e b o o m in gt o w n w a s f u r t h e r c r o w d e d w it h c u -
r io u s m o t o r is t s f r o m a f a r , m a n yo f w h o m s t a ye d f o r
h o u r s a t a t im e in Ho p e w e l l , h e l d b ya f a s c in a t io n
t h e yc o u l d n o t e x p l a in
.
No t a l l t h e Ho p e w e l l r e s id e n t s w e r e h a p p ya t t h e
in t r u s io n
. On e u n f o r t u n a t e n e w s p a p e r p h o t o gr a p h e r
s t o p p e d a t a f a r m h o u s e a b o u t t w o m il e s f r o m t h e
L in d b e r gh h o m e , t o in q u ir e t h e w a y
. He h a d c o m e
f r o m Ne w Yo r k in a t a x ic a b .
Th e f a r m e r , a l r e a d y
a n n o ye d b yin q u is it iv e p e r s o n s a l l n igh t , w a s a w a k -
e n e d in t h e e a r l yh o u r s o f t h e m o r n in gb yt h e c a m -
e r a m a n .
Wh e n t h e f a r m e r o p e n e d t h e d o o r , h e
p o in t e d a s h o t gu n a t t h e n e w s p a p e r p h o t o gr a p h e r ,
w h o q u a k e d a p l e n t y .
B e h in d t h e f a r m e r , w a s h is
w if e , w it h a n a x e in h e r h a n d , a n d a t h r e a t e n in g
gr im a c e o n h e r f a c e
. Th e p h o t o gr a p h e r m a n a ge d t o
gu l p o u t h is in q u ir y, b u t t h e f a r m e r h a d s c a r e d h im
a n d h e s w if t l yd e c a m p e d .
B ONANZAATHOPEWEL L

2 2 9
Ge b h a r t ' s p l a c e b e c a m e m o r e im p o r t a n t a s t im e
w o r e o n , f o r t h e Go v e r n o r ' s o f f ic ia l s t a t e m e n t s w e r e
is s u e d f r o m Tr e n t o n t o Ge b h a r t ' s , b yt e l e p h o n e , f o r
t h e n e w s p a p e r r e p r e s e n t a t iv e s a s s e m b l e d t h e r e . It w a s
a s t r a n ge m ix t u r e o f p a t h o s a n d h u m o r . Th e r a d io ,
o n e m in u t e ; m igh t b e b o o m in gf o r t h a j a z z m e l o d y.
In a n in s t a n t it m igh t b e t u r n e d o f f , w h il e s o m e r e } -
p o r t e r , o n
. t h e t e l e p h o n e , m igh t b e t a k in g , d o w n t h e
l a t e s t gr im n e w s o f t h e s e a r c h .
V a r io u s p r o p o s a l s w e r e m a d e c o n c e r n in gt h e h a n -
d l in go f t h e n e w s o f t h e L in d b e r gh c a s e . On e n e w s -
p a p e r p r o p o s e d a " m o r a t o r iu m , " o f f e r in gt o w it h -
d r a w !it s r e p o r t o r ia l a n d p h o t o gr a p h ic s t a f f f r o m
Ho p e w e l l a n d v ic in it y, if t h e o t h e r n e w s p a p e r s w o u l d
a gr e e t o d o l ik e w is e . An u m b e r o f n e w s p a p e r s j o in e d
in t h is p l a n , t o a id t h e L in d b e r gh s b ygiv in gt h e m a
c h a n c e t o d e a l w it h t h e k id n a n n e r s
. B u t t h e p r o p o s a l
n e v e r c a m e t o a n yt h in g .
Dis s a t is f a c t io n w it h t h e s ys t e m o f h a n d l in gn e w s
w h ic h , a s t h e d a ys w o r e o n , p r o h ib it e d a n yd ir e c t c o n -
t a c t w it h L in d yo r h is w if e , w a s e x p r e s s e d b ym a n y
n e w s p a p e r s . On e o f t h e m p r o p o s e d t o C o l o n e l
Sc h w a r z k o p f t h a t s p e c ia l l yd e s ign a t e d gr o u p s o f
n e w s p a p e r m e n d a il yin t e r v ie w t h e f a m o u s a v ia t o r in
p e r s o n .
Th e p l a n w a s v e t o e d , t h o u gh it m igh t h a v e d o n e
m u c h t o b r in go u t t h e n e c e s s a r yf a c t s
. a n d a v o id c o n -
f u s io n .
Ra d io m a d e it s b igb id f o r n e w s a c t iv it yt h r o u gh o u t
2 3 0
TRUESTORYOF THEL INDB ERGHKIDNAPPING
t h e k id n a p p in g . Th e Na t io n a l B r o a d c a s t in gC o
. , a n d
t h e C o l u m b ia B r o a d c a s t in gC o
. , m a in t a in e d s t a f f s a t
b o t h Ho p e w e l l a n d Tr e n t o n , in Ne w J e r s e y, a n d t h e
d is p a t c h e s t h a t w e r e s e n t o u t c o v e r e d t h e w o r l d
.
C r it ic is m w a s l e v e l l e d , in s o m e q u a r t e r s , a t t h e r a d io
a n n o u n c e m e n t s w h ic h w e r e f r e q u e n t l yc a l l e d m is -
l e a d in g .
It w a s p o in t e d o u t t h a t , o n c e a n e r r o n e o u s
s t a t e m e n t h a d b e e n m a d e b yr a d io , a c o r r e c t io n w o u l d
n o t n e c e s s a r il yb e h e a r d b yt h e p e r s o n s w h o l is t e n e d
in o n t h e o r igin a l in c o r r e c t a n n o u n c e m e n t
.
On e o f t h e m o s t s u c c in c t s t a t e m e n t s in b e h a l f o f
t h e n e w s p a p e r s w a s m a d e b yAm s t e r Sp ir o , C it yEd it o r
o f t h e Ne w Yo r k Ev e n in gj o u r n a l , w h o h a d a n -
n o u n c e d t h a t h is n e w s p a p e r h a d a c o p yo f t h e o r igin a l
r a n s o m n o t e b u t , o u t o f c o n s id e r a t io n f o r t h e L in d -
b e r gh s , h a d r e f r a in e d f r o m p u b l is h in gt h e n o t e
.
Sp ir o s a id :
" We h a v e w ir e d C o l o n e l Sc h w a r z k o p f , a s k in gt h a t
in f o r m a t io n b e giv e n o u t b yt h e L in d b e r gh f a m il y
t o c o m m it t e e s f o r t h e m o r n in ga n d e v e n in gn e w s -
p a p e r s , a s s t a t e m e n t s giv e n o u t b yt h e s t a t e p o l ic e
a r e m e a ge r a n d e v a s iv e .
" In m a k in gt h is r e q u e s t , w e p o in t e d o u t t h a t w e
a r e d o in ge v e r yt h in gp o s s ib l e t o a id C o l o n e l L in d -
b e r gh a n d w it h h is in t e r e s t s in m in d h a v e w it h h e l d
p u b l ic a t io n o f t h e t e x t o f t h e o r igin a l r a n s o m n o t e
l e f t b yt h e k id n a p p e r s .
" Th is n o t e in o u r o p in io n c o n t a in s m a t t e r t h a t
w o u l d b e h a r m f u l t o C o l o n e l L in d b e r gh ' s c a u s e . We
B ONANZAATHOPEWEL L

2 3 1
f e e l t h a t a m o r e s a t is f a c t o r ys ys t e m o f giv in go u t in -
f o r m a t io n t o t h e p r e s s w o u l d b e in t h e b e s t in t e r e s t s
o f t h e c a s e .
" Pu b l ic it yt o a c e r t a in e x t e n t c a n h e l p in s o l v in g
t h e m ys t e r y . "
Sp ir o ' s p r o p o s a l w a s s ign if ic a n t b e c a u s e t h e n e w s -
p a p e r s h a d r u n in t o s o m e a b u s e a s h in d e r in gt h e
s e a r c h . Th a t t h e n e w s p a p e r s w e r e b a l k e d in a n y
e a r n e s t d e s ir e t o b e h e l p f u l w a s d e m o n s t r a t e d b yt h e
e d it o r ' s s t a t e m e n t .
Ot h e r n e w s p a p e r e x e c u t iv e s a t t e m p t e d t o s t r a igh t -
e n o u t t h e d if f ic u l t ie s w it h o u t s u c c e s s . C o n s id e r in g
t h e w id e s p r e a d c o n f l ic t s in s t o r ie s r e l e a s e d f r o m s u p -
p o s e d l ya u t h o r it a t iv e s o u r c e s , it is n o t s u r p r is in gt h a t
m a n ye r r o r s d id c r o p u p in t h e n e w s p a p e r s . Al l o f
t h e m w e r e u n d o u b t e d l ya im in ga t a c c u r a c y, a n d
w o u l d h a v e giv e n t h e p u b l ic m o r e v a l u a b l e s e r v ic e
h a d t h e w a yb e e n c l e a r e d f o r t h e m a s Sp ir o p r o p o s e d .
Ho p e w e l l , t h e s m a l l t o w n t h a t h a d a l w a ys go n e
it s w a ya s c o u n t l e s s s m a l l t o w n s t h r o u gh o u t t h e n a -
t io n , w a s t h u s j a r r e d b e yo n d it s w il d e s t e x p e c t a t io n s .
It is s m a l l w o n d e r t h a t t h e n e w s p a p e r s a n d p h o t o -
gr a p h ic s yn d ic a t e s t h a t s p r e a d t h e n e w s a c r o s s t h e
n a t io n , f l o u n d e r e d a t t im e s . On t h e w h o l e , t h e j o b
t h e yd id w a s a c r e d it a b l e o n e f r o m t h e j o u r n a l is t ic
s t a n d p o in t .
So a c u t e w e r e t h e n e w s s yn d ic a t e s t h a t o n e n e w s -
p h o t o gr a p h ic s e r v ic e k e p t a n a ir p l a n e c h a r t e r e d b e -
t w e e n Ho p e w e l l , a n d t h e Ne w a r k Air p o r t . In t h e
2 3 2 TRUESTORYOF THEL INDB ERGHKIDNAPPING
e v e n t t h a t t h e b a b yw a s r e t u r n e d , it w a s f e l t t h a t
t h e p ic t u r e s o f t h e c h il d c o u l d b e s h o t o u t o f Ho p e -
w e l l t o t h e m e t r o p o l it a n p r e s s in a m a t t e r o f m in u t e s .
Th e n a t io n m a yt a l k a b o u t t h e L in d b e r gh k id n a p -
p in gf o r a c e n t u r y . Ho p e w e l l , Ne w J e r s e y, w il l l iv e
w it h t h e e v e n t f o r e v e r . B e f o r e t h e k id n a p p in g, t h e
t o w n o f Ho p e w e l l b o a s t e d h is t o r ic b a c k gr o u n d , n o t -
a b l yt h e f a c t t h a t Ge o r ge Wa s h in gt o n h a d b e e n t h e r e .
Af t e r w a r d - w e l l , Ge o r ge Wa s h in gt o n h a d b e e n
t h e r e - b u t s o h a d t h e in t e r e s t o f t h e e n t ir e w o r l d .
To t h o s e u n c o m m u n ic a t iv e f o l k w h o d w e l l in t h e
So u r l a n d h il l s o u t s id e t h e v il l a ge o f Ho p e w e l l , h o w -
e v e r , t h e t r a gic d r a m a e n a c t e d in t h e L in d b e r gh h o m e -
s t e a d w a s n o t u n u s u a l . F o r t h is gr o u p o f e e r ie h il l s
o n t h e Me r c e r - Hu n t e r d o n c o u n t yl in e is t h e s c e n e o f
w e ir d l e ge n d
. St r a n ge t h in gs a r e s a id t o h a p p e n in
t h is l a n d , o f m o u n t a in f o l k . No t h in gis u n e x p e c t e d
o r s u r p r is in g. An d m a n ys t r a n ge r t a l e s a r e t o l d t h a n
t h a t o f t h e L in d b e r gh k id n a p p in g .
Wh e n t h e w in d m o a n s in t h e t r e e s - t h e s a m e w in d
t h a t c o v e r e d t h e ge t a w a yo f t h e L in d b e r gh k id n a p -
p e r s - w h e n t h is w in d h o w l s d is m a l l y, C h a r l e ySu t -
p h in w h o h a s s e e n m a n yt h in gs h a p p e n in t h e 7 0
ye a r s - o f h is e x is t e n c e , s o m e t im e s f o r ge t s t h e n a t iv e
r e t ic e n c e o f m o u n t a in f o l k a n d t e l l s t a l e s o f t h e
s t r a n ge d o in gs t h a t h e v o w s t a k e p l a c e in t h e So u r -
l a n d h il l s
. Th e r e ' s t h e s t o r y, f o r in s t a n c e , o f h is o w n
b r o t h e r , Ik e , n o w d e a d , w h o o n c e c l a im e d t h a t h e
s a w t h e gh o s t o f " t h e h e a d l e s s o n e , " a m a n w it h o u t
His So n Kid n a p p e d .
B ONANZAATHOPEWEL L

2
3
3
a h e a d d r iv in gh is h o r s e a n d b u ggyo v e r a r u t t e d
m o u n t a in t r a il t h r o u gh t h e w o o d e d h il l s .
Th a t ' s Ik e ' s s t o r y . B u t C h a r l e y, t o o , h a s s e e n t h e
s p ir it s o f d e a d f o l k s w a n d e r in gin t h e n igh t
. Th e r e ' s
t h e gh o s t o f Kn it t in gB e t t yw h o m C h a r l e yh a s s e e n
t ir e l e s s l yk n it t in ga w a ya t w h a t - n o o n e k n o w s - f o r
s h e a l w a ys v a n is h e d w h e n o n e c a m e t o o c l o s e t o h e r .
It w a s St o c k , t h e b u t c h e r , w h o k il l e d h e r , s o t h e s t o r y
go e s , t h u s m a k in ga gh o s t o f h e r
.
Of t e n in t h e s t il l o f t h e n igh t , t h e m o u n t a in f o l k
c l a im t h e yc a n h e a r h e r f r e n z ie d s c r e a m s a ga in a s
h e r l o v e r ' s f in ge r s c l o s e o n h e r s p e c t r a l t h r o a t . Ma n y
ye a r s a go t h is h a p p e n e d , b u t t h e s h a d o w s o f t h e p a ir
a r e s t il l n o t a t r e s t . Th a t l a s t t r a gic s c e n e is r e - e n a c t e d
o f t e n , d o w n t o t h e l a s t d e s p a ir in gc r yo f t h e d yin g
w o m a n . So t h e l e ge n d go e s !
Af t e r t h e L in d b e r gh k id n a p p in gt h e m o u n t a in
f o l k p o in t e d o u t t h a t t h e h a u n t w h e r e t h e gh o s t o f
Kn it t in gB e t t yw a s a c c u s t o m e d t o m e e t h e r l o v e r
w r a it h o n c o l d w in t e r n igh t s is n o w p a r t o f L in d -
b e r gh ' s b a c k ya r d . An d l ik e B e t t y, t h o s e w h o p a s s
a w a yin t h is c o u n t r yr e t u r n t o t h e So u r l a n d . Mo u n -
t a in s l o o k in gf o r t h e ir f r ie n d s a t t h e l o n e l yw in d -
s w e p t c o r n e r s w h ic h t h e s p e c t e r s h a v e m a d e t h e ir
o w n .
An o t h e r t a l e o f t h e s t r a n ge d o in gs in t h is So u r -
l a n d s is t o l d b ys e v e n t y- ye a r - o l d C h a r l e y . Th is
o n e is a b o u t t h e w o o d c h o p p e r w h o d a r e d t o t o u c h o n e
o f t h e s e s p e c t r a l w o m e n . Sh e r e s e n t e d t h e c o n t a c t
2 3 4 TRUESTORYOF THEL INDB ERGHKIDNAPPING
a n d s o c l e a r l yd id h e r h a n d s w e e p a c r o s s h is c h e e k
t h a t h e c a r r ie d t h e im p r in t o f h e r f u r yt o t h e
. d a yo f
h is d e a t h .
It w a s in t h is . c o u n t r yo f t h e a p p l e j a c k d is t il l e r s
t h a t Sa m C r u s e a n d Do r yC r u s e , Ne gr o b r o t h e r s ,
w e r e s h o t t o d e a t h in Pr in c e t o n B a s in in 1 87 3
. B u t
l ik e o t h e r s o f t h e s e p e o p l e w h o p a s s a w a yin v io l e n c e ,
t h e t w o a r e s u p p o s e d t o r e t u r n t o e a r t h o n c e r t a in
n igh t s , a c c o r d in gt o C h a r l e y, a n d f o l l o w t h e l iv in g
a l o n gt h e l o n e l yr o a d s .
High in t h e d e s o l a t e r e a c h e s o f t h e s e h il l s , t h e
w r a it h o f Pe t e Nix o n is s a id t o f l o a t t o t h e w e ir d
m u s ic o f h is v io l in , s e a r c h in g- s e a r c h in g- f o r t h e
h e a d o f B e n Pe t e r s o n , w h ic h w a s s u p p o s e d t o h a v e
b e e n r e m o v e d w it h a s h o t gu n in 1 87 7 .
Th e s e p e o p l e a l s o t e l l t h e s t o r yo f t h e l a t e Re v .
Ge o r ge A . Ea t o n w h o w a s r id in go n e n igh t o n t h e
Ril e yv il l e - Ho p e w e l l r o a d , r e t u r n in gh o m e f r o m t h e
d e a t h b e d o f a m e m b e r o f h is c o n gr e ga t io n . He s u d -
d e n l ym e t t h e gh o s t o f a m a n o n a gh o s t l yw h it e
h o r s e . He r e c o gn iz e d t h e m a n a s t h e p e r s o n w h o h a d
j u s t d ie d .
Th e w r a it h d e m a n d e d :
" Me e t m e t o n igh t in t h e d a r k w o o d s . "
" No , Ic a n n o t , " r e p l ie d t h e m in is t e r .
" Th e n h o l d o u t yo u r h a n d , " d e m a n d e d t h e d e a d .
Th e m in is t e r o b e ye d a n d t h e w r a it h t o u c h e d it .
F r o m t h a t t im e u n t il h is d e a t h t h e Re v . Ea t o n ' s
a r m w a s u s e l e s s , t h e s t o r y- t e l l e r s s a y
.
B ONANZAATHOPEWEL L

2
3
5
Su c h is t h e c o u n t r yw h e r e t h e f e a r l e s s C o l o n e l -
t h e L o n e Ea gl e - b u il t a n e s t f o r h is m a t e a n d t h e ir
t in ye a gl e t
. Su c h is t h e b a c k gr o u n d o f t h e f o l k w h o
d w e l l in t h e So u r l a n d Mo u n t a in s .
C HAPTERXIV
AWORL DAROUSED!
C o n s t e r n a t io n !An ge r !So r r o w !De s p a ir !C u r io s -
it y! . Pit y!
Th e w h o l e ga m u t o f h u m a n e m o t io n gr ip p e d t h e
n a t io n w h e n n e w s p a p e r s f l a s h e d t h e r e p o r t t h a t a
c r u e l , u n k n o w n h a n d h a d s n a t c h e d C h a r l e s Au gu s t u s
L in d b e r gh , J r . , f r o m h is b a b yc r ib a n d l e f t h is b e -
l o v e d p a r e n t s b e w il d e r e d a n d h o r r o r - s t r ic k e n .
Th e r e a c t io n w a s f e l t t h r o u gh o u t t h e c o u n t r y, f r o m
Wa l l St r e e t t o t h e h u m b l e s t h o m e in t h e f a r t h e r m o s t
h in t e r l a n d s - f r o m s c h o o l c a m p u s t o f a c t o r y- f r o m
t h e m a n s io n s o f t h e r ic h t o t h e h o v e l s o f t h e p o o r .
Mo t h e r s , f u l l ya w a r e o f t h e t o r t u r e w h ic h An n e
Mo r r o w L in d b e r gh w a s s u f f e r in g, m a d e v o w s a n d
t h r e a t s t h a t b o d e d il l f o r t h e k id n a p p e r s w h e n a n d
if t h e ys h o u l d b e c a p t u r e d .
F r o m Sp r in gf ie l d , Oh io , Mr s
. Op h a J a c k s o n ,
s h o w e d w h a t s h e t h o u gh t o f t h e o u t r a ge o u s c r im e b y
w a s t in gn o t im e in w ir in gGo v e r n o r A . Ha r r yMo o r e
o f Ne w J e r s e yt h a t s h e w a s w il l in gt o p a y$ 1 0 0 a
2 3 6
AWORL DAROUSED!

2 3 7
l a s h f o r t h e p r iv il e ge o f w h ip p in gt h e a b d u c t o r s o f
t h e L in d b e r gh b a b yw h e n t h e yw e r e c a u gh t .
B u t t h a t w a s n o t a l l
. Th is w o m a n w a s n o t c o n -
t e n t m e r e l yt o l is t e n t o t h e w h in e s o f t h e gu il t ya t
h e r h a n d s . So in d ign a n t w a s s h e a t t h e a b d u c t o r s
t h a t t o h e r t h e p l e a s u r e o f s e e in gC o l o n e l L in d b e r gh
h im s e l f a d m in is t e r 2 0 m o r e s t r ip e s t o t h e k id n a p p e r s
w a s w o r t h a n a d d it io n a l $ 2 , 0 0 0 a t t h e r a t e o f $ 1 0 0
a l a s h - a n d t h a t w a s t h e o f f e r s h e m a d e .
On t h e o t h e r h a n d Wa l l St r e e t , w h ic h is o f t e n
s a id t o h a v e n o h e a r t , f o r go t m o n e y, s t o c k s a n d b o n d s ,
a n d t h e d e p r e s s io n , a n d d is c l o s e d a v e in o f s e n t im e n -
t a l it yn e v e r b e f o r e s u s p e c t e d . So c u r io u s a n d e a ge r
w e r e t h e yf o r n e w s o f t h e k id n a p p in gt h a t Wa l l
St r e e t r e p o r t e r s f o r m e t r o p o l it a n n e w s p a p e r s , w e r e
f o r c e d t o l e a r n t h e l a t e s t d e v e l o p m e n t s in t h e c a s e
b e f o r e s e t t in go u t o n t h e ir d a il yr o u n d s .
In s t e a d o f t h e u s u a l , " An yt h in gn e w o n t h e
m a r k e t ? " w h ic h o r d in a r il ygr e e t e d t h e f in a n c ia l r e -
p o r t e r , it w a s n o w , " Ha s t h e L in d b e r gh b a b yb e e n
f o u n d ? " B a n k p r e s id e n t s n o w r e q u e s t e d t h a t t h e r e -
p o r t e r s b e p r e p a r e d t o t e l e p h o n e t h e ir o f f ic e s f o r t h e
l a t e s t n e w s . An d t h o u gh o c c a s io n a l b r o k e r s f e l t it
b e n e a t h t h e ir d ign it yt o m a k e p e r s o n a l t e l e p h o n e c a l l s
t o t h e n e w s p a p e r o f f ic e s , t h e s e m e n n e v e r t h e l e s s
l e a r n e d t h e v e r yl a t e s t t h r o u gh t h e s u p p o s e d c u r io s -
it yo f t h e ir s e c r e t a r ie s w h o d id t h e c a l l in gf o r t h e m .
Sp e c u l a t o r s , ga t h e r e d a r o u n d t h e s t o c k t ic k e r t o
w a t c h t h e j u m p in gq u o t a t io n s . o n t h e t a p e , f o r go t
2 3 8 TRUESTORYOF THEL INDB ERGHKIDNAPPING
t h e ir m is s io n s a n d d is c u s s e d t h e c r im e in s t e a d . In
t h e e x c l u s iv e d u b s t h e L in d b e r gh b a b y' s k id n a p p in g
b e c a m e t h e e x c l u s iv e t o p ic o f c o n v e r s a t io n . Ap r o p o s
o f t h is a p r o m in e n t b r o k e r s a id :
" Ia t t e n d e d a m e e t in ga t a d u b l a s t n igh t t o d is -
c u s s in f o r m a l l ya n e w d e a l
. Wh a t d o yo u t h in k ?
We d is c u s s e d t h e L in d b e r gh c a s e t h r o u gh o u t t h e
e v e n in ga n d w e n t h o m e w it h o u t h a v in gt h o u gh t
a b o u t t h e d e a l . Im a gin e a b u n c h o f b r o k e r s s p e n d -
in ga n e n t ir e e v e n in gt a l k in ga b o u t a b a b y? "
Sim u l t a n e o u s l yw e a l t h yNe w Yo r k e r s b e ga n s e r -
io u s l yt o d is c u s s t h e p o s s ib il it yo f o b t a in in gin s u r a n c e
a ga in s t t h e k id n a p p in go f t h e ir c h il d r e n a n d t h e p a y-
m e n t o f l a r ge r a n s o m s . Th e a b d u c t io n o f t h e L in d -
b e r gh b a b yh a d s e t t h e m t o t h in k in g . So m e t h in gh a d
t o b e d o n e , t h e yd e c id e d , t o p r o t e c t t h e m s e l v e s
a ga in s t t h e gr o w in gr h e n a c e w h ic h h a d r e s u l t e d in a
c r im e , t h e m a gn it u d e o f w h ic h t o t h e m w a s b r e a t h -
t a k in g .
So f a r a s c o u l d b e l e a r n e d n o s u c h p o l ic yh a d e v e r
b e e n w r it t e n . B u t t h e m a t t e r w a s b e in gd is c u s s e d in
in s u r a n c e c ir c l e s a n d it w a s c o n s id e r e d p r o b a b l e t h a t
p o l ic ie s o f t h is k in d , if a p p l ie d f o r , w o u l d b e u n d e r -
w r it t e n .
Al r e a d yw e a l t h yp a r e n t s h a d p r o t e c t e d t h e m s e l v e s
a ga in s t t u it io n l o s s e s in c u r r e d w h e n t h e ir c h il d r e n
w e r e c o m p e l l e d t o s t a ya w a yf r o m e x p e n s iv e p r iv a t e
s c h o o l s f o r il l n e s s o r o t h e r r e a s o n s . An in s u r a n c e
b r o k e r , Al e x G
. W . De w a r o f 3 7 0 L e x in gt o n Av e . ,
AWORL DAROUSED!

2
3
9
u n d e r w r o t e s u c h in s u r a n c e . B u t it w a s
d if f ic u l t t o f ix
a p r e m iu m o n t h e k id n a p p in gp o l ic ie s , h e p o in t e d o u t .
At h is o f f ic e it w a s r e v e a l e d t h a t a k id n a p p o l ic y
w o u l d n e c e s s a r il yh a v e a l im it e d a p p e a l b e c a u s e it
w o u l d b e w a n t e d o n l yb yv e r yw e a l t h yp a r e n t s w h o s e
c h il d r e n m igh t b e c o m e t a r ge t s f o r k id n a p p e r s . Th e
c l a u s e , h o w e v e r , m igh t b e w r it t e n in t o o t h e r c h il d in -
s u r a n c e p o l ic ie s , it w a s s u gge s t e d .
On e in s u r a n c e o f f ic e p o in t e d o u t t h a t L l o yd ' s o f
L o n d o n m igh t w r it e s u c h a p o l ic yo n d e m a n d .
Th e f e a r o f m o t h e r s in Ne w Yo r k C it yt h a t t h e ir
c h il d r e n m igh t b e t h e n e x t s c h e d u l e d f o r k id n a p p in g
w a s s e e n in t h e s u d d e n e m p l o ym e n t o f s o m e o f
C o l u m b ia Un iv e r s it y' s m o s t p o w e r f u l a t h l e t e s t o a c t
a s b o d ygu a r d s f o r t h e ir c h il d r e n . Me m b e r s o f t h e
C o l u m b ia f o o t b a l l t e a m s e r v e d in t h a t c a p a c it y .
Th o u gh t h e L in d b e r gh k id n a p p in gin f l u e n c e in t h is
p r o t e c t iv e m e a s u r e w a s d e n ie d a n d t h e r e a s o n w a s
giv e n t h a t t h e s t r o n gb o ys a c t e d a s " m a s c u l in e in -
f l u e n c e , " t h e r e p o r t p e r s is t e d .
" Ma n yp a r e n t s l ik e t h e id e a o f h a v in gyo u n gm e n
a s a s s o c ia t e s f o r t h e ir s o n s , " it w a s e x p l a in e d . " Th e y
w a n t t h e m t o h a v e m o r e m a s c u l in e in f l u e n c e . At t h e
n u r s e r ya ge t h e s e b o ys h a v e go v e r n e s s e s a n d l a t e r
t h e ir s c h o o l t e a c h e r s u s u a l l ya r e a l l w o m e n . Al s o
t h e ir f a t h e r s a r e s o b u s yw it h b u s in e s s a n d p r o f e s -
s io n a l l if e t h a t t h e yd o n ' t c o u n t m u c h .
" Th e r e f o r e , t h e s t u d e n t s a r e in d e m a n d a s c o m -
p a n io n s a n d m e n t o r s
. Th e ym a yp a s s t h r e e h o u r s
2 4 0 TRUESTORYOF THEL INDB ERGHKIDNAPPING
d a il yw it h t h e b o ys in t h e ir c a r e , c a l l in gf o r t h e m a t
s c h o o l , r o m p in gw it h t h e m in t h e p a r k a n d h e l p in g
t h e m w it h t h e ir l e s s o n s a t h o m e . B u t t h e ya r e n o t
in t e n d e d a s p r o t e c t io n a ga in s t k id n a p p in g
. "
In s p it e o f t h is d e n ia l , h o w e v e r , f r o m t h e St u d e n t
Em p l o ym e n t B u r e a u , t h e s t r o n ge s t m e n o n t h e l a s t
s e a s o n ' s f o o t b a l l t e a m c o n t in u e d t o b e e m p l o ye d a s
( (
m a s c u l in e in f l u e n c e . "
F r o m Mr s . C l a r a Sa v a ge L it t l e d a l e , e d it o r o f t h e
Pa r e n t s ' Ma ga z in e , c a m e s e v e r a l c o n c r e t e s u gge s t io n s
f o r p a r e n t s w h o w e r e f e a r f u l t h a t t h e ir c h il d r e n
m igh t b e k id n a p p e d .
" Te a c h yo u n gc h il d r e n t o r e p l yc o r r e c t l yt o t h e
f o l l o w in gq u e s t io n s , " s h e s a id .
" Wh a t is yo u r n a m e ? Wh e r e d o yo u l iv e ?
( St r e e t , n u m b e r , t o w n a n d s t a t e ) .
" Te a c h c h il d r e n o f f iv e o r s o yo u r t e l e p h o n e n u m -
b e r . Ha v e t h e m r e h e a r s e , u s in ga t o yp h o n e , c a l l in g
c e n t r a l a n d a s k in gf o r yo u r h o m e n u m b e r , t h e n
c a r r yin go n c o n v e r s a t io n
.
" Te a c h yo u r c h il d r e n n e v e r t o go t o w a l k o r t o
r id e w it h a n yo n e b e f o r e a s k in gyo u if t h e ym a y .
" Ne v e r t e a c h c h il d r e n t o f e a r p o l ic e m e n , b u t r a t h e r
t o l o o k t o t h e m a s f r ie n d s in a n ye m e r ge n c y
. "
In f a r o f f V ie n n a , Mm e . L u d w igHo r v a t h , h e r s e l f
t h e m o t h e r o f t e n c h il d r e n , w a s r e p o r t e d b yt h e
B u d a p e s t p r e s s in a c o p yr igh t e d s t o r yin t h e Ne w
Yo r k Ev e n in gPo s t , t o h a v e p a w n e d h e r w e d d in g
r in gt o p a yf o r a m a s s t o b e s a id in o n e o f t h e gr e a t
AWORL DAROUSED!

2 41
c h u r c h e s o f t h e Hu n ga r ia n c a p it o l f o r t h e s a f e r e t u r n
o f t h e L in d b e r gh b a b yt o it s p a r e n t s .
He r w e d d in gr in gw a s t h e l a s t p ie c e o f j e w e l r y
s h e o w n e d b u t s o c o n c e r n e d w a s s h e w h e n s h e l e a r n e d
o f t h e k id n a p p in gt h a t s h e im m e d ia t e l yh a d a m a s s
s a id f o r t h e b a b yL in d y' s p a r e n t s . In a d d it io n t o
t h is t h e go o d w o m a n a n d h e r h u s b a n d p r a ye d e v e r y
n igh t f o r t h e s a f e r e t u r n o f t h e L in d b e r gh b a b y .
An a s t o n is h in ge x a m p l e o f t h e m a n n e r in w h ic h
t h e L in d b e r gh c a s e gr ip p e d t h e w o r l d w a s r e l a t e d in
a d is p a t c h f r o m Ol m u t z , C z e c h o Sl o v a k ia , o n Ma r c h
2 5
. Tw o t h o u s a n d m e n a n d w o m e n j a m m e d t h e r a il -
r o a d s t a t io n o f t h a t p l a c e , d e m a n d in gt h e a r r e s t o f
a m a n c a r r yin ga t w o - ye a r - o l d c h il d . Po l ic e m a d e
t h e ir w a yt o h im w it h d if f ic u l t y .
Th e r e w a s f e a r t h a t
t h e m a n m igh t h a v e b e e n d e a l t w it h s e v e r e l yb yt h e
c r o w d
. In q u ir yr e v e a l e d t h a t t h e m o b h a d b e e n l e d t o
b e l ie v e t h a t t h e m a n h e l d t h e k id n a p p e d L in d b e r gh
b a b yin h is a r m s
. Th e p o o r f e l l o w p r o v e d t h a t h e
w a s a h igh s c h o o l t e a c h e r in Pr a gu e a n d t h e c h il d
h is o w n !
C HAPTERXV
C EL EB RITIES
Wh e n C h a r l e s Au gu s t u s L in d b e r gh , J r
. , f ir s t s a w
t h e l igh t o f d a y, o n J u n e 2 2 , 1 9 3 0 , w h ic h w a s t h e
t w e n t y- f o u r t h b ir t h d a yo f h is m o t h e r , An n e Mo r r o w
L in d b e r gh , t h e b ir t h w a s a n e v e n t o f w o r l d - w id e
im p o r t a n c e .
F r o m e v e r yc o r n e r o f t h e c iv il iz e d
w o r l d c o n gr a t u l a t io n s p o u r e d in t o t h e Mo r r o w h o m e
a t En gl e w o o d , w h e r e t h e s t o r k b r o u gh t t h e w o r l d ' s
m o s t f a m o u s b a b e .
Th e yo u t h f u l d a d d yo f t h e
e a gl e t w a s h im s e l f a w o r l d - w id e f igu r e
. B u t f a m o u s
in a w a yn o t c o m p a r a b l e t o t h e f a m e o f s t a t e s m e n ,
o f in t e r n a t io n a l f in a n c ie r s , o f p h il a n t h r o p is t s .
His
w a s a n id e a l f a m e , a f a m e b u il t u p o n b r a v e r y,
u p o n l a c k o f o s t e n t a t io n , u p o n m o d e s t y, u p o n s e l f -
s a c r if ic e , in s h o r t , u p o n e v e r yv ir t u e t h a t m a n h a s
h e l d d e a r t h r o u gh t h e a ge s
.
Is it , t h e n , s u r p r is in g, t h a t w h e n t h e l it t l e e a gl e t
w a s s t o l e n , t h e w o r l d ' s gr e a t e s t a r r a yo f p e r s o n a ge s
s h o u l d f in d t h e m s e l v e s , in o n e f o r m o r a n o t h e r , in
t h e w h ir l p o o l o f e v e n t s ?
Pe r h a p s n o m a n o f f a m e
w a s u n t o u c h e d b yt h e e p is o d e
. Su f f ic e it t o s a yt h a t
2 42
C EL EB RITIES !

2
4 3
t h e s w if t l ym o v in g, in t e r n a t io n a l d r a m a , a t t r a c t e d t o
t h e l im e l igh t t h e v e r yc r e a m o f t h e w o r l d ' s r e n o w n
.
Pr e s id e n t He r b e r t Ho o v e r c o n f e r r e d w it h At -
t o r n e yGe n e r a l Mit c h e l a b o u t t h e c a s e l e s s t h a n
t w e n t y- f o u r h o u r s a f t e r t h e k id n a p p in g . Wh e n t h e
Un it e d St a t e s C a b in e t m e t , t h e s u b j e c t o f c o n v e r s a -
t io n w a s n o t t h e n a t io n ' s a f f a ir s - a n d t h e n a t io n ' s
a f f a ir s w e r e a t t h e m o m e n t a s c r it ic a l a s t h a t o f a n y
n a t io n in h is t o r y- b u t t h e k id n a p p in go f B a b yL in d -
b e r gh . An d r igh t l ys o y! F o r B a b yL in d b e r gh r e p -
r e s e n t e d a n
id e a l - a p r in c ip l e f o r w h ic h m e n s t r iv e
a n d t h u s . a n in t e r e s t f a r b e yo n d t h e d a y' s e v e n t s in
im p o r t a n c e .
F r o m Pa r is , f r o m L o n d o n , f r o m B e r l in , f r o m e v e n
w a r - t o r n Sh a n gh a i- f r o m t h e f u r t h e s t r e a c h e s w ir e
d is p a t c h e s c a m e t o t h e . . gr e a t Am e r ic a n c it ie s e it h e r . o f
p a r t ic ip a t io n " in t h e s e a r c h , o r r e gr e t a n d s o r r o w a t
t h e u n t o w a r d in c id e n t .
It is n o t in a n ys e n s e a n e x a gge r a t io n t o s a yt h a t ,
w it h o u t e x c e p t io n , t h e L in d b e r gh k id n a p p in ge c l ip s e d
in it s a b il it yt o s t r ik e a t t h e h e a r t s o f m e n , a l l c r im e s ,
a l l e v e n t s , e v e r yw h e r e , a n d a t a l l t im e s
.
It is a c u r io u s , b u t a n im m e n s e l yim p o r t a n t f a c t
t h a t a t t h e v e r yt im e w h e n
: l it t l e C h a r l e s Au gu s t u s ,
J r
. , w a s s n a t c h e d f r o m h is c r ib a t Ho p e w e l l , Ne w
J e r s e y, t h e r e w a s p e n d in ga t Wa s h in gt o n , D . C . ,
p r o p o s a l s t o c r e a t e a l a w t h a t w o u l d h a v e m a d e k id -
n a p p in ga F e d e r a l c r im e . Up t o t h e n , k id n a p p in g
w a s p u n is h a b l e b yt h e s e v e r a l s t a t e s o f t h e - Un io n .
2 44
TRUESTORYOF THEL INDB ERGHKIDNAPPING
In e igh t s t a t e s , k id n a p p in gw a s p u n is h a b l e b yd e a t h .
Th e s t a t e s w e r e Al a b a m a , De l a w a r e , Il l in o is , Ke n -
t u c k y, Mis s o u r i, Ne b r a s k a , Te x a s a n d V ir gin ia
. In
Mo n t a n a , k id n a p p in gw a s p u n is h a b l e b ya ye a r in
j a il w it h n o m in im u m s e t
.
Sh o r t l yb e f o r e t h e s t ir r in gL in d b e r gh e p is o d e , a
t h r e a t h a d b e e n m a d e t o k id n a p Ge n e r a l C h a r l e s G
.
Da w e s , h e a d o f t h e $ 2 , 0 0 0 , 0 0 0 , 0 0 0 Re c o n s t r u c t io n
F in a n c e C o r p o r a t io n
. Ge n e r a l Da w e s h im s e l f h a d
b e e n in c l in e d t o s c o f f a t t h e t h r e a t , b u t n o t s o w it h
o t h e r f a m o u s Am e r ic a n s
.
Th is a n d o t h e r c r it ic a l
e v e n t s p r o m p t e d t h e in t r o d u c t io n in t h e Un it e d
St a t e s Se n a t e o f a b il l b ySe n a t o r Pa t t e r s o n , o f Mis s -
o u r i, m a k in gk id n a p p in ga F e d e r a l o f f e n s e , p u n is h -
a b l e b yt h e Un it e d St a t e s o f Am e r ic a
.
Re p r e s e n t a t iv e J o h n J
. C o c h r a n , a l s o o f Mis s o u r i,
h a d in t r o d u c e d t h e c o m p a n io n b il l in t h e Ho u s e o f
Re p r e s e n t a t iv e s .
Th e Se n a t e J u d ic ia r yC o m m it t e e ,
b e f o r e w h ic h t h e Pa t t e r s o n b il l h a d c o m e a n d w h ic h
h a d h e l d h e a r in gs o n t h e s u b j e c t , h a d a p p r o v e d t h e
b il l .
Of c o u r s e t h e L in d b e r gh k id n a p p in gp u t t o a n e n d
a l l a t t e m p t s , a t l e a s t f o r t h e t im e b e in g, t o p a s s l e gis -
l a t io n im p o s in gh e a v ie r p e n a l t ie s o n k id n a p p e r s
. It
w a s f e l t t h a t t h e L in d b e r gh a b d u c t o r s , s c a r e d o f f b y
s t r in ge n t n e w l a w s , w o u l d n e v e r h a v e m a d e a n ya t -
t e m p t w h a t e v e r t o r e t u r n t h e c h il d , if s u c h l e gis l a -
t io n w e r e p u t in t o e f f e c t .
C o l o n e l Is h a m Ra n d o l p h , o f C h ic a go , h e a d o f t h e
C EL EB RITIES

2 45
" Se c r e t Six " a n d
a
n o t e d e x p e r t o n t h e s u b j e c t , h a d ,
h o w e v e r , t r a v e l l e d t o Wa s h in gt o n t o u r ge p a s s a ge o f
t h e Pa t t e r s o n m e a s u r e j u s t b e f o r e t h e L in d b e r gh
b a b yw a s t a k e n . F o r m e r C o n gr e s s m a n C l e v e l a n d A
.
Ne w t o n , o f St . L o u is , j o in e d h im a t t h e Se n a t e J u -
d ic ia r yc o m m it t e e h e a r in gs , in s u p p o r t o f t h e b il l .
Ne w t o n p o in t e d o u t t h a t k id n a p p in gs h a d b e e n gr o w -
in gin n u m b e r
. He ga v e t h e r e c o r d s o f s o m e o f t h e
s t a t e s f o r t h e p r io r ye a r . He r e a r e s o m e f igu r e s t h a t
in d ic a t e t h e gr o w t h o f k id n a p p in ga n d , in a s e n s e ,
t h e h a n d w r it in gw a s o n t h e w a l l , w h e n t h e Mo s t
F a m o u s B a b yin t h e Wo r l d , w a s s t o l e n :
C a l if o r n ia h a d 2 5 k id n a p p in gs ; In d ia n a , 2 0 ; Il l -
in o is 49 ; Ka n s a s 8 ; Mic h iga n 2 6 ; Ok l a h o m a 9 ; Wis -
c o n s in 8 ; Ne b r a s k a 6
; Ma s s a c h u s e t t s 1 5 , a n d Ne w
J e r s e y1 0 .
Th e p r o p o s a l o f Se n a t o r Pa t t e r s o n c a m e t o a n
a b r u p t p o s t p o n e m e n t , a f t e r Ma r c h 1 , t h a t f a t a l d a y
.
B u t t h e " c r im e o f t h e a ge s " h a d im p r e s s e d u p o n
e v e r ym in d t h e r e a l t h r e a t o f k id n a p p in g .
It w a s
r e l a t e d h o w Mr s . Ho o v e r , v a c a t io n in go n t h e b o a t
" Se q u o ia , " a t Gr e e n C o v e r Sp r in gs , F l o r id a , s e n t a
s e c r e t s e r v ic e m a n a s h o r e t o ge t n e w s a n d k e e p h e r
p o s t e d o n t h e p r o gr e s s o f e v e n t s
.
Pr a ye r s f o r t h e s a f e t yo f t h e m is s in gc h il d w e r e
u n iv e r s a l l yo f f e r e d t h r o u gh o u t t h e n a t io n
. In d iv id u a l
c r e e d s w e r e c a s t a s id e .
Dif f e r e n c e o f o p in io n a b o u t
r e l igio n m e a n t n o t h in g
. Ro m a n C a t h o l ic s , Pr o t e s -
2 46 TRUESTORYOF THEL INDB ERGHKIDNAPPING
t a n t s , J e w s , a gn o s t ic s , h e r e t ic s , b e l ie v e r s in C o n f u -
c io u s - a l l r e l igio n s p r a ye d f o r t h e s a f e t yo f t h e b a b e .
Sc a r c e l ya h o u s e o f w o r s h ip in t h e l a n d d id n o t
r a is e it s v o ic e in p r a ye r . Th e c l e r gym e n o f t h e n a -
t io n , t o u c h e d b yt h e k id n a p p in g, m a d e it t h e s u b j e c t
o f s e r m o n s .
B is h o p Wil l ia m T. Ma n n in g, o f t h e Ep is c o p a l
C h u r c h , a s k e d t h a t p r a ye r s b e s a id in a l l o f t h e
c h u r c h e s o f h is f a it h in t h e n a t io n . Pa t r ic k C a r d in a l
Ha ye s , o f t h e Ro m a n C a t h o l ic f a it h , in Ne w Yo r k
C it y, o f f e r e d p r a ye r s a l s o . Dr . Sa m u e l Sc h u l m a n ,
Ra b b io f Te m p l e Em a n u - El , in Ne w Yo r k C it y,
j o in e d in t h e p r a ye r f u l p l e a , f o r r e t u r n o f t h e c h il d .
Th e n a t io n ' s m o s t w id e l yk n o w n c l e r gym e n m a d e
r a d io b r o a d c a s t a p p e a l s , a s w e l l . Th e Re v e r e n d
F a t h e r C h a r l e s E. C o u gh l in , o f t h e Sh r in e o f t h e
L it t l e F l o w e r , a t De t r o it , Mic h iga n , s p o k e o n a n a -
t io n a l h o o k - u p in w h ic h h e u r ge d t h a t t h e k id n a p p e r s
b r in gt h e b a b yt o s o m e Ro m a n C a t h o l ic s a n c t u a r y .
Min is t e r s o f o t h e r f a it h s o f f e r e d s im il a r s u gge s t io n s ,
in t h e b e l ie f t h a t , if t h e k id n a p p e r s w e r e J e w o r Ge n -
t il e , t h e yw o u l d h e e d t h e u r ge n t p l e a s o f m in is t e r s
o f t h e ir f a it h s .
Af e w o f t h e f a m e d c l e r gym e n w h o j o in e d in t h e s e
p l e a s w e r e Dr . Na t h a n St e r n , Ra b b io f t h e We s t En d
Ta b e r n a c l e , Ne w Yo r k , Dr . C h r is t ia n F . Re is n e r ,
p a s t o r o f t h e f a m o u s B r o a d w a yMe t h o d is t - Ep is c o p a l
Te m p l e , Dr . Ha r r yEm e r s o n F o s d ic k , Dr . A. Ed w in
C EL EB RITIES!

2 4 7
Ke igw in , Dr . , Da n ie l L
. Po l in g, Re v . J o s e p h A. Da l y,
o f Mo u n t St
. V in c e n t C o l l e ge , Dr . He n r yHo w a r d ,
Mo n s ign e u r Mic h a e l J
. L a v e l l e , Dr . . Ra l p h So c k -
m a n , Dr . S. Pa r k e s C a d m a n , h e a d o f t h e
F e d e r a l
C o u n c il o f C h u r c h e s o f C h r is t in Am e r ic a , Mo s t Re v -
e r e n d J o h n J
. Du n n , B is h o p Au x il ia r yo f t h e Ro m a n
C a t h o l ic Dio c e s e o f Ne w Yo r k , Dr . Al e x a n d e r
L yo n s , Ra b b io f t h e Eigh t h Av e
. Te m p l e o f B r o o k -
l yn , Ne w Yo r k , a n d c o u n t l e s s o t h e r s
:
Ac u r io u s s id e l igh t o n t h e in t e r n a t io n a l a s p e c t o f
t h e k id n a p p in gw a s t h e r e c e ip t , b yDr
. Te h yiHs ie h ,
m a n a ge r o f t h e C h in e s e Tr a d e B u r e a u a t Pr o v id e n c e ,
Rh o d e
Is l a n d , o f a m e s s a ge f r o m t h e C h a n gc h o w
Me r c h a n t s Gu il d o f Pe ip in g, C h in a
. Th e , m e s s a ge
c a m e w it h in t w e n t y- f o u r h o u r s o f t h e k id n a p p in g, , t h e
n e w s h a v in gc ir c l e d t h e w o r l d
in m u c h l e s s t im e , a n d
t h e m e r c h a n t s o f t h e : Or ie n t e x p r e s s e d t h e ir s ym p a t h y
f o r t h e L in d b e r gh s
in s u c h a t im e o f s t r e s s .
Ac r o s s t h e p a ge s o f
t h e n e w s p a p e r s o f t h e c o u n -
t r y, t h e n a m e s o f f a m o u s m e n w e r e s t r e w n ,
a l l o f
t h e m a c t o r s in t h e gr e a t d r a m a , a n d a l l
o f t h e m a id -
in gin t h e s e a r c h . Ma yo r J a m e s J
. Wa l k e r , o f Ne w
Yo r k
. Ma yo r C e r m a k , o f C h ic a go
. Go v e r n o r A.
Ha r r yMo o r e , o f Ne w J e r s e y
. Go v e r n o r F r a n k l in
Ro o s e v e l t , o f Ne w Yo r k
.
Go v e r n o r Mo o r e o f f e r e d a $ 2 5 , 0 0 0 r e w a r d f o r
c a p t u r e o f t h e k id n a p p e r s
. Al p h o n s e C a p o n e , j a il e d
2 4 8 TRUESTORYOF THEL INDB ERGHKIDNAPPING
r a c k e t e e r , o f f e r e d $ 1 0 , 0 0 0
. Th e s e a n d o t h e r o f f e r s
w e r e w it h d r a w n a t C o l o n e l L in d b e r gh ' s r e q u e s t , f o r
h e f e a r e d t h e yw o u l d m a k e t h e p o s it io n o f h is c h il d
e v e n m o r e d a n ge r o u s , t h e k id n a p p e r s u n d o u b t e d l y
b e in gf r igh t e n e d e n o u gh b yt h e h o t p u r s u it
.
Wil l ia m Wh it l a , Sh a r o n , Pe n n s yl v a n ia , l a w ye r ,
w h o h a d b e e n k id n a p p e d w h e n h e w a s 8ye a r s o l d ,
a n d f o r w h o m a $ 1 0 , 0 0 0 r a n s o m h a d b e e n p a id , d e -
p l o r e d t h e c r im e . B o t h o f h is k id n a p p e r s w e r e c a p -
t u r e d . On e d ie d in j a il a n d t h e o t h e r h a d b e e n p a -
r o l e d a n d w a s s t il l a l iv e in C h ic a go
.
Ne v e r b e f o r e h a d s u c h e x c it e m e n t s t r u c k t h e n a -
t io n - n o t e v e n in t im e o f w a r .
Wh e n Go v e r n o r
Mo o r e c a l l e d a c o n f e r e n c e o f l a w e n f o r c e m e n t a ge n -
c ie s t o m a p o u t a p l a n o f a c t io n , r e p r e s e n t a t iv e s c a m e
f r o m a l l c it ie s e a s t o f t h e Mis s is s ip p iRiv e r - a n d
t h e yc a m e w it h in a r e l a t iv e l yf e w h o u r s
. St a t e s At -
t o r n e yJ o h n A . Sw a n s o n , o f C h ic a go , a n d h is c h ie f
in v e s t iga t o r , Pa t C r o w e , c a m e t o Tr e n t o n , Ne w J e r -
s e y o v e r n igh t
. Ma yo r J a m e s Ha gu e , o f J e r s e yC it y,
w a s t h e r e
. So w a s Po l ic e C h ie f J o s e p h Gu r k , o f St .
L o u is . Po l ic e C o m m is s io n e r Ed w a r d P
. Mu l r o o n e y,
o f Ne w Yo r k C it y . C o m m is s io n e r Au s t in Ro c h e , o f
B u f f a l o , Ne w Yo r k
. J . Ed ga r Ho o v e r , o f t h e Un it e d
St a t e s De p a r t m e n t o f J u s t ic e .
C a l l t h e r o l l o f Am e r ic a ' s p o l ic e h e a d s a n d
yo u
w il l f in d t h a t t h e yw e r e in t h e v e r yt h ic k o f it
.
Wit h in t w o d a ys , m o r e t h a n 1 , 1 0 0 p e r s o n s h a d
C EL EB RITIES!

2
4
9
b e e n q u e s t io n e d b yp o l ic e in c o n n e c t io n w it h t h e k id -
n a p p in g .
On a s in gl e d a y, Ma r c h 5 , 3 , 3 3 1 p e r s o n s c a l l e d t h e
Ne w Yo r k Tim e s o n t h e t e l e p h o n e a n d a s k e d t h a t
n e w s p a p e r f o r t h e l a t e s t d e v e l o p m e n t s in t h e c h a s e . .
Th e Na t io n a l B r o a d c a s t in gC o m p a n yga v e f r e e r e in
t o r a d io m e s s a ge s , a s d id o t h e r s t a t io n s a n d c h a in s .
Pr e s id e n t Wil l ia m Gr e e n o f t h e Am e r ic a n F e d -
e r a t io n o f L a b o r a s k e d t h e t r a d e u n io n s o f t h e c o u n -
t r yt gh e l p in t h e s e a r c h !
An in t e r n a t io n a l m a d h o u s e ? In d e e d !
Wa r d e n L e w is E. L a w e s , o f Sin gSin gPr is o n ,
n o t e d c r im in o l o gis t a n d r a t e d o n e o f t h e w o r l d ' s
f o r e m o s t e x p e r t s , o f f e r e d t o s e r v e a s a go - b e t w e e n
if t h e k id n a p p e r s f e l t t h a t t h e yw o u l d r a t h e r t r u s t
h im in n e go t ia t io n s . Du d l e yF ie l d Ma l o n e , f a m o u s
l a w ye r , d id l ik e w is e , a s d id m a n ya n o t h e r c e l e b r it y .
B e r n a r r Ma c f a d d e n , f a m o u s
. m a ga z in e a n d n e w s -
p a p e r p u b l is h e r , o f f e r e d t o p r o v id e m o n e y, t o d o a l l
o f t h e w o r k , a n d t o - t r a v e l a n yd is t a n c e u n d e r a n y
c o n d it io n s , gu a r a n t e e in gf r e e d o m t o t h e k id n a p p e r s ,
if t h e yw o u l d giv e u p t h e L in d b e r gh b a b y . Ma c f a d -
d e n w a s r e a d yt o h a v e $ 5 0 , 0 0 0 t o giv e t h e k id n a p p e r s
a s
. r a n s o m - a n d n o q u e s t io n s a s k e d .
Wo r l d - w id e p a n d e m o n iu m ?
Ir v in S . C o b b , f a m o u s h u m o r is t , w a s s c h e d u l e d t o
a d d r e s s a gr o u p o f b r o k e r s a n d t r a d e r s o f t h e c o m -
m o d it ye x c h a n ge s o f Ne w Yo r k C it y, a t a d in n e r a t
2 5 0
TRUESTORYOF THEL INDB ERGHKIDNAPPING
t h e Ho t e l Wa l d o r f - As t o r ia , Ne w Yo r k . He q u it .
He c o u l d n o t b e f u n n y .
" Ho w c o u l d I? " h e a s k e d . " Ho w c o u l d Ib e
f u n n yw it h s u c h a n o m in o u s t h r e a t o v e r o u r h e a d s ? "
Aw o r l d a s t ir ?
B yMa r c h 9 , e igh t d a ys a f t e r t h e k id n a p p in g,
2 , 5 0 0 p h o n e c a l l s h a d b e e n m a d e t o t h e L in d b e r gh
h o m e , o f w h ic h 40 0 h a d b e e n a n s w e r e d b yt h e C o l -
o n e l h im s e l f ! Th e Ho p e w e l l t e l e p h o n e e x c h a n ge ,
n o r m a l l yw it h f o u r o p e r a t o r s , p u t in t h ir t e e n m o r e
a n d p l e n t yo f a d d it io n a l w ir e s .
Ma yo r J a m e s M . C u r l e y, o f B o s t o n , o n Ma r c h 1 0 ,
w a s t h e s o u r c e o f a r e p o r t t h a t t h e b a b yh a d b e e n r e -
t u r n e d t o t h e L in d b e r gh s f o u r d a ys p r e v io u s l y, o n
Su n d a y, Ma r c h 6 , a n d t h a t t h e f a c t w a s b e in gw it h -
h e l d u n t il t h e k id n a p p e r s c o u l d m a k e go o d t h e ir e s -
c a p e u n d e r a c o n f id e n t ia l a gr e e m e n t . Th a t s t a t e m e n t
a l o n e s t ir r e d t h e n a t io n . It w a s d e n ie d . Th e m o s t
s a t is f yin gin f o r m a t io n t h a t c o u l d b e h a d w a s t h a t
s o m e o n e h a d m is in f o r m e d C u r l e y .
An a t io n a l m e l o d r a m a ?
El yC u l b e r t s o n , w o r l d f a m o u s b r id ge e x p e r t , a n -
n o u n c e d t h a t s o m e c r a n k s h a d w r it t e n h im a l e t t e r
t h r e a t e n in gt o k id n a p h is t w o c h il d r e n , F if i, t h r e e
ye a r s o l d a n d B r u c e , t w o , in a Ne w Yo r k h o t e l . Mr s .
C u l b e r t s o n e m p l o ye d a gu a r d t o m in d t h e b a b ie s
t h e r e a f t e r :
B ign a m e s ? F a m o u s p e o p l e ?
C EL EB RITIES!

2
5 1
Th o m a s W . L a m o n t , m e m b e r o f ' t h e f ir m o f J . P .
Mo r ga n &C o . , a n d n o l e s s !He h a d o n c e e m p l o ye d
" Re d " J o h n s o n , t h e f r ie n d o f B e t t yGo w , t h e L in d -
b e r gh b a b y' s n u r s e !
Ne w s ?
Th e w o r l d s e iz e d u p o n it , gu l p e d it d o w n h u n -
gr il y, a n d d e m a n d e d m o r e !
C HAPTERXV I
OTHERB AB YV IC TIMS
F r o m t im e o u t o f m in d , t h e s t o r ie s o f k id n a p p in gs
h a v e s t ir r e d m a n k in d
. Ro b e r t L o u is St e v e n s o n ' s
f a m o u s n o v e l , " Kid n a p p e d , " is m e r e l yo n e o f t h e
l o n gs t r in go f s u c h s t o r ie s . Ya r n s o f m e n s h a n g-
h a ie d a b o a r d v e s s e l s , in t h e o l d e n d a ys o f t h e s e a ,
h a v e gr ip p e d t h e im a gin a t io n s o f m e n t h r o u gh t h e
a ge s .
Th e f a s c in a t io n o f k id n a p p in gs t o r ie s l ie s , p e r h a p s ,
in t h e u n k n o w n - t h e a b s e n c e o f a h u m a n b e in gf r o m
h is o r h e r u s u a l e n v ir o n m e n t , t h e l a c k o f a n yt r a c e
o f t h e b e l o v e d o n e . Ma n is a t t r a c t e d b yt h e u n -
k n o w n , w h ic h e x p l a in s t h e f a s c in a t io n o f k id n a p p in g
s t o r ie s . Al w a ys , t h e in t e r e s t s e e m s t o c e n t e r u p o n
t h e q u e s t io n s " Wh a t h a p p e n e d ? " a n d " Is h e s t il l
a l iv e ? " Th e e l e m e n t o f s u s p e n s e is a v it a l o n e .
Ad d t o t h is , t h e u n d e n ia b l e f a c t t h a t t h e L in d b e r gh
b a b yw a s , in t r u t h , " t h e m o s t f a m o u s b a b yin t h e
w o r l d , " a n d yo u c a n b e gin t o c o m p r e h e n d w h a t t h e
k id n a p p in gm e a n t .
Kid n a p p e r s a r e n o t a l w a ys m a l ic io u s p e r s o n s ,
2 5 2
OTHERB AB YV IC TIMS

2 5 3
t h o u gh t h e ir a c t s c a u s e in v a r ia b l e h o r r o r t o t h e c l o s e
r e l a t iv e s o f t h e v ic t im . Ma n ya w o m a n h a s
. s t o l e n a n
in f a n t f o r n o o t h e r r e a s o n t h a n t h a t , d e n ie d a c h il d
h e r s e l f , s h e is d e t e r m in e d b yt h e m o t h e r in s t in c t t o
t a k e o n e , a n yh o w , f r o m s o m e b o d ye l s e
.
On t h e o t h e r h a n d , t h e m o s t f r e q u e n t r e a s o n f o r
k id n a p p in gis r a n s o m
. An d t h a t is t h e v e r yr e a s o n
w h yk id n a p p in gis a s s o c ia t e d w it h s u f f e r in g . So m e -
o n e m u s t b e gr ie v e d a n d p a in e d w h e n a k id n a p p in g
t a k e s p l a c e , e l s e t h e a b d u c t o r s w o u l d b e u n a b l e t o
s q u e e z e , m o n e yf r o m t h e m
. In t h e L in d b e r gh c a s e ,
t h is w a s n o t o n l ya c h ie v e d , b u t a c h ie v e d in s u c h a
s e n s e t h a t t h e w h o l e n a t io n , t h e w h o l e w o r l d , w o u l d
gl a d l yh a v e v o l u n t e e r e d t o p a ya n yp r ic e f o r t h e
r e t u r n o f t h e s t o l e n in f a n t
.
It is a c u r io u s f a c t t h a t s ym p a t h yn e v e r go e s t o
a
k id n a p p e r
. Ev e n m u r d e r e r s h a v e b e e n k n o w n t o w in
p u b l ic s ym p a t h y
. Ro b b e r s h a v e b e e n k n o w n t o d e m -
o n s t r a t e e x t e n u a t in gc ir c u m s t a n c e s
. B u t a k id n a p p e r
r e m a in s , in t h e m in d a n d h e a r t o f t h e a v e r a ge p e r -
s o n , a v e n ge f u l f ie n d , a b l a c k gu a r d a n d a n u n s p e a k -
a b l e w r e t c h .
Th e r e is n o d o u b t w h a t e v e r t h a t , h a d s o m e p e r s o n
b e e n s e iz e d e a r l yin t h e L in d b e r gh c a s e , a s t h e k id -
n a p p e r o f t h e c h il d s u c h a p e r s o n m igh t h a v e s u f -
f e r e d a t t h e h a n d s o f h is c a p t o r s if h e w e r e n o t p r o -
t e c t e d b yt h e a u t h o r it ie s f o r f o r m a l t r ia l in a c o u r t
o f l a w .
Sin c e k id n a p p in gh a s r e m a in e d t h e m o s t h a t e d o f
2 5 4, TRUESTORYOF THEL INDB ERGHKIDNAPPING
a l l c r im e s , it is a n o t e w o r t h yf a c t t h a t t h e L in d b e r gh
c a s e " t o p s t h e m
a l l . "
Al r e a d yt h e f a m o u s b a b y' s
k id n a p p in gh a s b e e n c h a r a c t e r iz e d t h e " c r im e o f a l l
a ge s . "
Agl im p s e in t o t h e k id n a p p in gs o f t h e p a s t w il l
r e v e a l t h e ir v a r yin go u t c o m e s a n d m o t iv e s . Th e
L in d b e r gh c a s e , s t a n d in go u t a b o v e t h e m a l l in im -
p o r t a n c e a n d b r a z e n d a r in g, r e c a l l s t h e l o n gl is t o f
s u f f e r in g' in d iv id u a l s a n d f a m il ie s w h o h a v e k n o w n
a n gu is h a t t h e h a n d s o f k id n a p p e r s .
Un t il B a b yL in d b e r gh w a s s t o l e n f r o m h is n u r s e r y
c r ib , t h e k id n a p p in go f C h a r l ie Ro s s w a s t h e c e l e -
b r a t e d c r im e in t h is ge n r e . Th is Ph il a d e l p h ia yo u n g-
s t e r w a s p l a yin go n t h e l a w n in f r o n t o f h is h o m e
o n J u l y1 , 1 87 4, w h e n t w o m e n d r o v e b yin a w a go n .
He c l im b e d in w it h t h e m a n d w a s n e v e r h e a r d f r o m
a ga in .
Wa l t e r Ro s s , J r . , w h o w a s s ix , w e n t w it h C h a r l ie ,
b u t a f e w b l o c k s a w a yf r o m t h e h o m e t h e t w o m e n
ga v e h im m o n e yf o r c a n d ya n d p u t h im d o w n in
t h e r o a d .
Tw e n t yl e t t e r s a s k in gr a n s o m w e r e s u b -
s e q u e n t l yr e c e iv e d .
C h a r l ie Ro s s w a s f o u r a t t h e t im e o f h is d is a p -
p e a r a n c e
. Ye a r s l a t e r a m a n n a m e d Wil l ia m Mo s h e r
w a s s h o t a n d k il l e d d u r in ga n a t t e m p t e d b u r gl a r yo n
L o n gIs l a n d . Wa l t e r Ro s s id e n t if ie d t h e b o d ya s
t h a t o f o n e o f t h e k id n a p p e r s . J o s e p h Do u gl a s , s h o t
a t t h e s a m e t im e c o n f e s s e d t h a t h e h a d h e l p e d
Mo s h e r in t h e a b d u c t io n , b u t d ie d a f e w
h o u r s l a t e r
OTHERB AB YV IC TIMS

2 5 5
w it h o u t d is c l o s in gw h a t h a d h a p p e n e d
t o t h e yo u n g-
s t e r t h e yl e d f r o m h o m e .
Th e t h ir d m o s t s e n s a t io n a l k id n a p p in gc a s e w a s
t h a t o f Ed w a r d C u d a h y, s o n o f t h e f a m o u s C h ic a go
m il l io n a ir e f a m il y . Ed w a r d w a s
1 5 ye a r s o l d a n d
w e l l m a t u r e d f o r h is a ge w h e n Pa t C r o w e , We s t e r n
b r a v e , a n d a n a c c o m p l ic e , s e iz e d h im h a l f a b l o c k
f r o m h is h o m e in Om a h a , Ne b r a s k a , o n De c e m b e r
1 8, 1 9 0 0 .
Th e n e x t m o r n in gt h e b o y' s p a r e n t s f o u n d
a n o t e t ie d t o a s t ic k in t h e ir f r o n t ya r d d e m a n d in ga
r a n s o m o f $ 2 5 , 0 0 0 o r t h e k id n a p p e r s w o u l d b l in d
t h e ir s o n b yp u t t in ga c id in h is e ye s
. In s t r u c t io n s
w e r e giv e n o n w h e r e a n d h o w t h e m o n e yw a s t o b e
d e l iv e r e d .
Th e in s t r u c t io n s w e r e f o l l o w e d c a r e f u l l yb u t o n l y
a f t e r t h e p o l ic e h a d f a il e d t o l o c a t e t h e m is s in gb o y
.
Tw o h o u r s a n d a h a l f a f t e r t h e m o n e yw a s in t h e
h a n d s o f C r o w e a n d h is a c c o m p l ic e , t h e m is s in gyo u t h
s t u m b l e d u p t h e w a l k o f h is h o m e , s a f e a n d s o u n d
.
Ed w a r d w a s a b l e t o l o c a t e t h e v a c a n t h o u s e in
w h ic h h e h a d b e e n h e l d b u t C r o w e h a d r u n o u t o f
t o w n im m e d ia t e l ya f t e r t h e b o yw a s l e t f r e e
. It
w a s n ' t u n t il 1 9 0 4
t h a t t h e k id n a p p e r w a s a r r e s t e d in
B u t t e , Mo n t a n a a f t e r t r a v e l l in gt h r p u gh o u t t h e c o u n -
t r y, o p e n in gl yb o a s t in go f t h e k id n a p p in g, a n d
p l a c e d o n t r ia l
. Th e r e h e o f f e r e d e v id e n c e t o s h o w
t h a t , a f t e r t h e k id n a p p in g, h e h a d b e e n w il l in gt o r e -
t u r n $ 2 1 , 0 0 0 o f t h e $ 2 5 , 0 0 0
w h ic h h e h a d r e c e iv e d
b u t t h a t C u d a h yh a d r e f u s e d h is o f f e r
.
2 5 6
TRUESTORYOF THEL INDB ERGHKIDNAPPING
Th e j u r yd e b a t e d f o r 1 7 h o u r s a n d f o u n d Pa t
C r o w e n o t gu il t y .
Wh e n t h e v e r d ic t w a s r e a d t h e
c o u r t r o o m b u r s t in t o a c h e e r
. C r o w e w a l k e d o u t a
f r e e m a n , c h e e r e d o n t h e s t r e e t s .
Po l ic e h a d t o c l e a r
a w a yf o r h i
*
m . Ev e n t u a l l yh e w r o t e a b o o k a b o u t
it a l l a n d l iv e d t o s e n d c o n gr a t u l a t io n s t o Ed w a r d o n
h is m a r r ia ge a n d l a t e r w h e n Ed w a r d b e c a m e p r e s i-
d e n t o f t h e C u d a h yPa c k in gC o . He l iv e s t o d a ya s
d o e s h is v ic t im
. B u t w h e n l a s t h e a r d f r o m , C r o w e
w a s a v a gr a n t in t h e B o w e r yo f Ne w Yo r k C it y
.
Ne w s p a p e r p u b l ic it yp r o v e d in s t r u m e n t a l in t h e
s o l u t io n o f t w o c e l e b r a t e d Am e r ic a n k id n a p p in gs , t h e
Ma r io n C l a r k a n d t h e B il l yWh it l a c a s e s
. B a b y
C l a r k v a n is h e d f r o m C e n t r a l Pa r k in Ma y, 1 89 9 -
s t o l e n b yh e r o w n n u r s e , B e l l e An d e r s o n .
He r d is a p -
p e a r a n c e c a u s e d a n a t io n - w id e s e a r c h f o r 1 1 d a ys
.
Th e n u r s e m a id a n d a c o u p l e k n o w n a s Mr
. a n d Mr s .
Ge o r ge B e a u r e ga r d B a r r o w w e r e a r r e s t e d w h e n l it t l e
Ma r io n w a s f o u n d h id d e n in a c o t t a ge in t h e Ra m a p o
Mo u n t a in s , 1 9 m il e s f r o m Ha v e r s t r a w , N
. Y.
B e l l e An d e r s o n , b e t r a yin gh e r t r u s t , h a d t u r n e d
t h e c h il d o v e r t o t h e B a r r o w s , w h o a t o n e t im e h a d
b e f r ie n d e d h e r .
B a r r o w w a s f o u n d t o b e a m a n o f
s t r a n ge m e n t a l q u ir k s w h o h a d e x p l a in e d t o t h e
n u r s e m a id t h a t m a k in gm o n e yb yk id n a p p in gw a s a
s im p l e m a t t e r .
B il l yWh it l a , 8, w a s k id n a p p e d Ma r c h 1 8, 1 9 0 9 ,
b ya m a n w it h a h o r s e a n d b u ggyw h o in t e r c e p t e d
h im o n h is w a yt o s c h o o l in Sh a r o n , Pa
. Ra n s o m
OTHERB AB YV IC TIMS

2 5 7
o f $ 1 0 , 0 0 0 w a s d e m a n d e d a n d p a id b yh is f a t h e r ,
J a m e s P. Wh it l a , a w e a l t h ya t t o r n e y .
Wit h in f iv e d a ys t h e k id n a p p e r s w e r e a r r e s t e d w it h
$ 9 , 848o f t h e m o n e yin t h e ir p o s s e s s io n . Se t f r e e b y
h is c a p t o r s , B il l yh a d w a l k e d in t o t h e Ho l l e n d e n
Ho u s e , C l e v e l a n d , w h e r e h is f a t h e r w a it e d f o r h im ,
a f t e r t h e $ 1 0 , 0 0 0 h a d b e e n l e f t a s d ir e c t e d in a
C l e v e l a n d c a n d ys t o r e .
On Ma y1 1 , 1 9 0 9 , J a m e s F . B o yl e a n d h is w if e ,
He l e n , w e r e c o n v ic t e d a n d s e n t e n c e d a s t h e k id n a p -
p e r s . B o yl e , w h o h a d a p r e v io u s p o l ic e r e c o r d , w a s
giv e n l if e im p r is o n m e n t . His w if e , t h e d a u gh t e r o f
a r e t ir e d C h ic a go f ir e m a n , w a s s e n t e n c e d t o 2 5 ye a r s
a n d a $ 5 , 0 0 0 f in e . AC l e v e l a n d s a l o o n k e e p e r w o n
p a r t o f t h e m o n e yb yin f o r m in gt h e a u t h o r it ie s t h e
B o yl e s h a d b e e n in h is c a f e . An o t h e r p o r t io n w e n t
t o a C l e v e l a n d b e l l b o y .
Th e m a t e r n a l in s t in c t - t h a t s u b l im e im p u l s e t h a t
giv e s a w o m a n t h e c o u r a ge t o l iv e a n d d ie f o r h e r
c h il d r e n ye t w h ic h m a yd r iv e a w o m a n t o s t e a l a n -
o t h e r ' s b a b yf o r h e r o w n - r e s u l t e d in t h e k id n a p p in g
o f s e v e n w e e k s o l d C a r m e n Sie r r a o f 5 1 0 W. 1 2 5 t h
St . , Ne w Yo r k . Th e c h il d w a s s t o l e n f r o m h e r b a b y
c a r r ia ge w h il e t h e m o t h e r , Mr s . Aga r Sie r r a , w a s in
a d e p a r t m e n t s t o r e p u r c h a s in ga t o y . F o r t e n d a ys
t h e h u e a n d c r yt h a t w a s r a is e d l e d t h e p o l ic e a n d d e -
t e c t iv e s t h r o u gh e v e r yh o u s e in t h e s e c t io n w h e r e t h e
b a b yw a s k id n a p p e d a s w e l l a s o t h e r p a r t s o f t h e
c it y.
2 5
8
TRUESTORYOF THEL INDB ERGHKIDNAPPING
An d t h e n , t h r o u gh d e s c r ip t io n s p r in t e d in e v e r y
n e w s p a p e r in Ne w Yo r k C it y, t h e k id n a p p e r w a s a p -
p r e h e n d e d a n d s e n t t o p r is o n . Th e d e s c r ip t io n s o f
t h e c h il d h a d s t r e s s e d t h e f a c t t h a t s h e h a d a
" w e b b e d " r igh t f o o t , Ayo u n ggir l in a f u r n is h e d
r o o m h o u s e in B r o o k l yn h a d n o t ic e d t h a t a w o m a n in
t h e h o u s e c a r r ie d a c h il d w h o s e r igh t f o o t h a d t h a t
d is t in gu is h in gm a r k . Sh e in f o r m e d t h e p o l ic e a n d a
r a id f o l l o w e d .
Wh it e a n d s h a k e n , t h e k id n a p p e r , Mr s . B e t t y
Mo o r e , a Ha w a iia n d a n c e r o f 2 2 , w a s t a k e n t o c o u r t
w h e r e s h e w a s q u e s t io n e d . Th e r e s h e t o l d a p a t h e t ic
t a l e o f f r u s t r a t e d m o t h e r l o v e .
" Is t o l e h e r b e c a u s e s h e l o o k e d s o m u c h l ik e m y
o w n d a r l in gb a b y, Agn e s , w h o d ie d f o u r ye a r s a go , "
s h e s o b b e d
. " Yo u s e e , Ic a n n e v e r h a v e a n o t h e r b a b y .
Th e d o c t o r s t o l d m e s o a f t e r m yb a b yd ie d . Iw a n t e d
o n e
a l l m yo w n , a t in yo n e t h a t w o u l d l e a r n t o k n o w
m e o n l ya s it s m o t h e r . Th a t ' s w h yIt o o k l it t l e
C a r m e n
. "
Wh e r e f r u s t r a t e d m o t h e r - l o v e is c o n c e r n e d , t h e
v ic t im m a yc o m e f r o m a r ic h o r p o o r f a m il y
. Kid -
n a p p in gf o r r a n s o m , o n t h e o t h e r h a n d , ge n e r a l l y
s t r ik e s t h e w e a l t h y . He r e is s u c h a c a s e :
Wh e n 1 3 ye a r - o l d Ad o l p h u s B u s c h Or t h w e in , h e ir
t o t h e B u s c h b r e w e r ym il l io n s , r o d e o u t o f t h e d r iv e -
w a yo f h is h o m e in St . L o u is o n De c e m b e r 3 1 , 1 9 3 0
t o a t t e n d a Ne w Ye a r ' s Ev e p a r t ya t h is gr a n d f a t h e r ' s
h o m e a t Gr a n t ' s F a r m , l it t l e d id h e d r e a m t h a t h e
OTHERB AB YV IC TIMS

2
5 9
w a s t o b e c o m e o n e o f t h o s e e x c it in gl yin t e r e s t in gp e r -
s o n s , a k id n a p p e d b o y .
B u t t h a t w a s o n e t im e w h e n t h e Ne w Ye a r p a s s e d
u n n o t ic e d b yt h e B u s c h f a m il y . Ne a r L in d b e r gh
B o u l e v a r d , w h ic h b o r d e r e d t h e e s t a t e o n o n e s id e , a
Ne gr o s t e p p e d o u t o f t h e t r e e s , j u m p e d o n t h e r u n -
n in gb o a r d o f t h e c a r in w h ic h o n l yAd o l p h u s a n d
t h e - c h a u f f e u r w e r e r id in ga n d l e v e l e d a r e v o l v e r
. He
f o r c e d t h e c h a u f f e u r t o a l igh t a n d r o b b e d h im o f
$ 4. 5 0 . Th e n h e t o o k t h e w h e e l h im s e l f a n d d r o v e
o f f w it h t h e f r igh t e n e d b o ys t il l in t h e b a c k s e a t . Th e
c h a u f f e u r r a c e d b a c k t o t h e h o m e a n d s p r e a d t h e
a l a r m .
Po l ic e w e r e im m e d ia t e l yn o t if ie d a n d p u t o n t h e
t r a il o f t h e Ne gr o . Th e f a t h e r o f f e r e d t o a n yp e r -
s o n f u r n is h in gin f o r m a t io n l e a d in gt o t h e r e t u r n o f
t h e b o ya ge n e r o u s r e w a r d w it h n o q u e s t io n s a s k e d .
It w a s n ' t u n t il l a t e in t h e a f t e r n o o n o f t h e n e x t d a y
t h a t a Ne gr o ' s v o ic e o n t h e t e l e p h o n e a s k e d f o r t h e
f a t h e r o f t h e b o y .
Th e m ys t e r io u s c a l l e r a d m it t e d t h a t h is o w n s o n
h a d k id n a p p e d Or t h w e in ' s s o n . B u t if Or t h w e in
w o u l d p r o m is e n o t t o p r o s e c u t e t h e k id n a p p e r , t h e
m a n o n t h e t e l e p h o n e s a id t h a t h e w o u l d s e e t h a t
Or t h w e in ' s s o n w a s r e t u r n e d s a f e a n d s o u n d
.
Am e e t in gb e t w e e n t h e t w o f a t h e r s w a s a r r a n ge d .
Th e Ne gr o f a t h e r e x p l a in e d t h a t h e w a s n ' t s u r e
t h a t t h e b o yw a s n o t h a r m e d b u t d e c l a r e d h e w o u l d
k il l h is s o n if Ad o l p h u s B u s c h Or t h w e in w a s d e a d .
2 6 0 TRUESTORYOF THEL INDB ERGHKIDNAPPING
Th e yp a r t e d b u t s h o r t l yt h e r e a f t e r t h e f a m il yo f t h e
m is s in gb o yr e c e iv e d t e l e p h o n e d in s t r u c t io n s t o go t o
a c e r t a in s p o t - t h r e e m il e s f r o m t h e e s t a t e . Ne e d l e s s
t o s a yt h e yr a c e d a n d t h e r e , s t a n d in gb e s id e t h e r o a d
w a it in gf o r t h e m t o c o m e , w a s t h e ir s o n , n o n e t h e
w o r s e f o r h is e x p e r ie n c e
.
Th e f a m il y, t r u e t o it s p r o m is e s , k e p t a l l in f o r m a -
t io n f r o m t h e p o l ic e a n d t h e p u b l ic . L a t e r it w a s
l e a r n e d t h a t C h a r l e s Ab e r n a t h y, 2 8, t h e Ne gr o k id -
n a p p e r , h a d b e e n o u t o f w o r k f o r s ix m o n t h s w it h
s e v e n c h il d r e n t o f e e d . He h a d k id n a p p e d t h e b o y
a n d s e c r e t e d h im in h is o w n h o m e . His f a t h e r h a d
gu e s s e d , s o m e h o w , t h a t it w a s h is o w n s o n w h o h a d
c o m m it t e d t h e c r im e w h e n h e r e a d a b o u t it in t h e
n e w s p a p e r s .
Th e s a m e b u r n in gq u e s t io n t h a t t o r t u r e d t h e h e a r t s
o f An n e a n d C h a r l e s L in d b e r gh o n c e b r o u gh t a n
a go n yo f s u f f e r in gin t o t h e l iv e s o f Mr
. a n d Mr s .
Ra im o n d e V o n Ma l u s k i, a Ne w Yo r k C it yj a n it o r
a n d h is w if e .
At h o u s a n d t im e s t h e yh a v e a s k e d t h e m s e l v e s , " Is
m y s o n d e a d o r a l iv e ? " s in c e t h a t e v e n in go f Ma r c h
2 9 , 1 9 2 5 , w h e n t h e ir 3 - ye a r - o l d s o n , Ra im o n d e , J r
. ,
w a s k id n a p p e d f r o m in f r o n t o f t h e ir v e r yd o o r s t e p
a t 6 0 0 W . 1 7 9 t h St r e e t , Ne w Yo r k C it y .
On t h a t e v e n in gt h e b o y, h e a r in gt h e m u s ic o f a
Sa l v a t io n Ar m yb a n d in f r o n t o f h is h o m e , w a l k e d
f o r t h j o yo u s l yw it h t h e p e r m is s io n o f h is m o t h e r ,
Mr s . Al ic e V o n Ma l u s k i, w h o c a u t io n e d h im t o w a it
OTHERB AB YV IC TIMS

2 6 1
t h e r e u n t il s h e c a m e f o r h im .
Th a t w a s t h e l a s t
t h e m o t h e r s a w o f h e r c h il d . Wh e n s h e w e n t in
s e a r c h o f h im h e w a s n o w h e r e t o b e f o u n d .
Tw o d a ys l a t e r Mr s . Ma r yJ o n e s , 41 , o f 6 1 Th ir d
Av e n u e , w a s a r r e s t e d a n d q u e s t io n e d . Su s p ic io n
p o in t e d t o h e r w h e n it w a s l e a r n e d t h a t V o n Ma l u s -
k i' s a s s is t a n t a s s u p e r in t e n d e n t o f t h e a p a r t m e n t w a s
Ha r o l d J o n e s , a yo u t h o f t w e n t ya n d t h e w o m a n ' s
h u s b a n d .
It s o o n d e v e l o p e d t h a t t h e yo u n gm a n w a s Mr s .
J o n e s ' t h ir d h u s b a n d , t h a t h e h a d l iv e d w it h h e r
f o r o n l ya s h o r t t im e a n d t h a t w h e n h e c a m e t o l iv e
w it h t h e V o n Ma l u s k is s h e h a d b e gge d h im t o r e t u r n
t o h e r a n d h a d b e c o m e in c e n s e d w h e n h e r e f u s e d .
Sh e h a d t h r e a t e n e d t o " p l a ya t r ic k " o n t h e V o n
Ma l u s k is if h e p e r s is t e d in h is r e f u s a l .
L a t e r it w a s l e a r n e d t h a t s h e h a d o f f e r e d t h r e e
d e r e l ic t s t h e s u m o f $ 1 0 0 t o k il l V o n Ma l u s k i, t h e
f a t h e r , b u t t h e yh a d r e f u s e d . Wit n e s s e s c a m e f o r -
w a r d w h o s w o r e t h e yh a d s e e n h e r w it h a t h r e e - ye a r -
. o l d b o yw h o m s h e h a d p ic k e d u p a s h e f o l l o w e d t h e
Sa l v a t io n Ar m yb a n d d o w n t h e s t r e e t .
Ta x i d r iv e r s
w e r e f o u n d w h o d e c l a r e d t h a t t h e yh a d d r iv e n Mr s .
J o n e s a n d t h e l it t l e b o yt o d if f e r e n t s t r e e t s o n t h a t
f a t e f u l e v e n in g .
Th e r e s u l t w a s t h a t t h e w o m a n w a s s e n t e n c e d t o
f r o m 2 5 t o 40 ye a r s in p r is o n f o r k id n a p p in gt h e c h il d ,
b u t s h e p r o t e s t e d h e r in n o c e n c e a n d t h e c h il d w a s
n e v e r f o u n d .
2 62 TRUESTORYOF THEL INDB ERGHKIDNAPPING
Af a m o u s c a s e in w h ic h t h e r a d io p l a ye d a n im -
p o r t a n t p a r t in f in d in ga k id n a p p e d b o yw a s t h a t o f
V e r n e r Al e x a n d e r s o n , s ix - ye a r - o l d s o n o f Dr . E.
F.
W
. Al e x a n d e r s o n , a p r o m in e n t Ge n e r a l El e c t r ic
C o m p a n yr e s e a r c h e n gin e e r a n d c o n s u l t in ge n gin e e r
f o r t h e Ra d io C o r p o r a t io n o f Am e r ic a .
At m id - a f t e r n o o n o n t h e l a s t d a yo f Ma r c h , 1 9 2 3 ,
e l e v e n - ye a r - o l d Ed it h Al e x a n d e r s o n , w h o h a d b e e n
p l a yin gw it h h e r b l o n d e b r o t h e r , a p p e a r e d a t t h e d o o r
o f h e r h o m e w it h t h e e x c it in gn e w s t h a t t w o m e n
h a d k id n a p p e d V e r n e r .
Th e yh a d t a k e n h im a w a y
in t h e ir a u t o m o b il e a f t e r p r o m is in g h im s o m e
" b u n n ie s . "
Ne w s o f t h e k id n a p p in gt h r e w Sc h e n e c t a d y, t h e
b o y' s h o m e t o w n , in t o a s t a t e o f h igh e x c it e m e n t
.
Th e Ge n e r a l El e c t r ic ' s r a d io s t a t io n , WGY, b r o a d -
c a s t f r e q u e n t d e s c r ip t io n s o f t h e b o y . Th e n a n Al -
b a n yn e w s p a p e r r e p o r t e r , J e r o m e L
. Sm it h , t r a c e d
t h e l ic e n s e p l a t e o f a d u s t ya u t o m o b il e t h a t a ga r a ge
m a n h a d s e e n in t h e Al e x a n d e r s o n n e igh b o r h o o d .
Th r o u gh d e v io u s c h a n n e l s h e d is c o v e r e d t h a t t h e m a n
w h o h a d d r iv e n it w a s Ha r r yC
. F a ir b a n k s w h o s e
p ic t u r e Ed it h Al e x a n d e r s o n . id e n t if ie d a s t h e m a n
w h o o f f e r e d " b u n n ie s " t o h e r b r o t h e r
.
F iv e d a ys w e n t b ya n d t h e r a d io s t a t io n c o n t in u e d
t o b r o a d c a s t n e w s o f t h e k id n a p p in ga n d a d e s c r ip t io n
o f t h e m is s in gb o y
.
F a r u p n o r t h , a t a c o t t a ge o n
t h e In d ia n Riv e r , a f is h e r m a n h a d b e e n l is t e n in gt o
h is n e w r a d io .
An a n n o u n c e r w a s d e s c r ib in gt h e
OTHERB AB YV IC TIMS

2 6
3
m is s in gb o y . Th e f is h e r m a n p ic k e d u p a p a p e r a n d
s a w t h e p ic t u r e s o f t h e c h il d a n d F a ir b a n k s . Th e
f a c e s s e e m e d f a m il ia r .
Ne a r b yw a s a c o t t a ge h e h a d r e n t e d a f e w d a ys
b e f o r e t o t w o m e n , a w o m a n a n d a s m a l l b o y . ` Th e n
h e r e m e m b e r e d ! Th e c h il d ' s f a c e in t h e p a p e r w a s
t h e f a c e o f t h e b o ya n d t h e m a n ' s w a s t h a t o f o n e
o f t h e t w o s t r a n ge r s . Th e f is h e r m a n ga v e t h e a l a r m
a n d s u r e e n o u gh , it w a s V e r n e r Al e x a n d e r s o n , in
e x c e l l e n t s p ir it s , w it h t h e w o m a n w h o w a s F a ir b a n k ' s
m o t h e r - in - l a w . L a t e r F a ir b a n k s a n d St a n l e yC r a n -
d a l l , h is c o - p a r t n e r in t h e c r im e , w e r e a p p r e h e n d e d
a n d s e n t t o p r is o n . F a ir b a n k s , w h o h a d n e v e r a s k e d
f o r a r a n s o m , p r o t e s t e d t h a t t h e r e a s o n h e k id n a p p e d
t h e b o yw a s b e c a u s e h e h a d w a n t e d t o h a n d l e l iq u o r
f r o m t h e c a m p a n d if t h e r e w a s a c h il d p l a yin gt h e r e
t h e p l a c e w o u l d b e l e s s s u b j e c t t o F e d e r a l s c r u t in y,
h e s a id .
Ac u r io u s u n s o l v e d k id n a p p in gm ys t e r yis t h a t o f
s e v e n - w e e k s - o l d Ar t h u r We n t z , in f a n t s o n o f Mr .
a n d Mr s . Au gu s t We n t z , o f 7 2 5 Ho m e St r e e t , t h e
B r o n x , Ne w Yo r k C it y, o n t h e s u l t r ySu m m e r a f t e r -
n o o n . o f J u l y1 3 , 1 9 1 9 . Th e m o t h e r h a d l e f t t h e
t in yb a b yin h is c a r r ia ge in f r o n t o f a d e p a r t m e n t
s t o r e a t 1 5 0 t h St r e e t a n d Th ir d Av e n u e t o p u r c h a s e
h im a n e w l it t l e d r e s s . Th r e e m in u t e s s h e w a s
go n e
. Th r e e m in u t e s d u r in gw h ic h a yo u n gb l o n d e
w o m a n o f o n l yt w e n t y, d r e s s e d s im p l yin a d a r k s u it
a n d l igh t m id d yb l o u s e , c a s u a l l yp ic k e d t h e b l u e -
2 6 4 TRUESTORYOF THEL INDB ERGHKIDNAPPING
e ye d l a u gh in gb a b yf r o m t h e c a r r ia ge a n d w a l k e d
s e r e n e l ya w a y, n e v e r t o b e s e e n a ga in
.
Aw o m a n , w h o s a w t h e a c t u a l c r im e t a k e p l a c e ,
s u p p l ie d t h e d e s c r ip t io n o f t h e k id n a p p e r , b u t t h e
m ys t e r io u s yo u n gb l o n d e w a s n e v e r l o c a t e d
. Th e n
f o l l o w e d t h e u s u a l h u n t w it h p o l ic e m e n a n d d e t e c -
t iv e s s e a r c h in gc e l l a r s a n d r u b b is h h e a p s a n d m a k in g
h o u s e - t o - h o u s e c a n v a s s e s . De a d o r a l iv e t h e b a b y
m u s t b e f o u n d , t h e yin s is t e d .
B u t e v e r yc l e w f a il e d
a n d a h a l f ye a r w e n t b yw it h o u t a n yp r o gr e s s in t h e
s e a r c h .
Th e n , w h e n t h e ge n e r a l p u b l ic h a d a l m o s t f o r -
go t t e n t h e in c id e n t , t h e m ys t e r ys e e m e d s u d d e n l y
s o l v e d w h e n Mr s . We n t z id e n t if ie d a b a b yin B e l l e v u e
Ho s p it a l a s h e r o w n a n d t o o k t h e c h il d h o m e w it h
h e r . Th e in f a n t h a d " b e e n a b a n d o n e d in Gr a n d C e n -
t r a l Te r m in a l w it h a n o t e p in n e d t o it s ga r m e n t s r e -
q u e s t in gt h a t h e b e t u r n e d o v e r t o Mis s Ne l l ie B l y,
a f a m o u s f e a t u r e w r it e r o n t h e Ne w Yo r k Ev e n in g
J o u r n a l .
Th e n f o l l o w e d a d r a m a t ic b a t t l e b e t w e e n Mr s .
We n t z a n d Mis s B l yw h ic h e n d e d in c o u r t w h e r e
Mis s B l y, w h o h a d l o c a t e d t h e r e a l m o t h e r o f t h e
c h il d t h r o u gh h e r n e w s p a p e r , . p r o d u c e d t h e w o m a n
in p e r s o n . Th e m o t h e r t o l d a p it if u l s t o r yo f p o v -
e r t ya n d w id o w h o o d a n d t h r e e s m a l l c h il d r e n
. Sh e
h a d d e c id e d t o l igh t e n h e r o w n b u r d e n in t h is m a n -
n e r , s h e s a id .
It w a s a k e e n d is a p p o in t m e n t t o Mr s . We n t z w h o
OTHERB AB YV IC TIMS

2 6 5
b e l ie v e d t h a t t h e c h il d w a s h e r s b e c a u s e o f a b ir t h -
m a r k b e l o w t h e r igh t e a r w h ic h t h e t w o c h il d r e n
h a d in c o m m o n . Th e m ys t e r yo f t h e s t r a n ge d is a p -
p e a r a n c e o f l it t l e Ar t h u r h a s n e v e r b e e n s o l v e d b u t
t h e m o t h e r , w h o s t il l r e s id e s _ in Ne w Yo r k C it y, h o p e s
t h a t s o m e d a ys h e m a yh e a r f r o m h e r m is s in gc h il d .
Th e k id n a p p in go f C h a r l e s A . L in d b e r gh , J r . , h a s
t o p p e d a l o n gl is t o f k id n a p p in gs in r e c e n t ye a r s ,
b r in gin gt h e r e a l iz a t io n t h a t a b d u c t io n f o r r a n s o m
h a s b e c o m e a n o t h e r " r a c k e t " - - a " b igm o n e yc r im e . "
C HAPTERXV II
THEWORL DV ERSUSTHEL INDB ERGHS
" L in d b e r gh B a b yKid n a p p e d !"
We r e t u r n t o t h e s e t h r e e h is t o r ic w o r d s o f o u r f ir s t
c h a p t e r a n d , in r e t r o s p e c t , c o n c l u d e t h a t t w o im m e -
d ia t e r e a c t io n s s e t in , w h e n t h o s e w o r d s w e r e f l a s h e d
a r o u n d t h e w o r l d .
F ir s t , t h e L in d b e r gh s w a n t e d t h e ir b a b yb a c k , im -
m e d ia t e l y, s a f e l ya n d a t a n yc o s t
.
Se c o n d l y, t h e w o r l d w a n t e d n e w s o f t h e h u n t , im -
m e d ia t e l y, c o m p l e t e l y, a n d a t a n yc o s t .
Th e in t e r e s t s o f t h e w o r l d a n d o f t h e L in d b e r gh s
w e r e e x a c t l yo p p o s e d f r o m t h e in s t a n t t h a t t h e C o l -
o n e l c a l l e d in p o l ic e
.
L e t u s v ie w w h a t w o u l d h a v e b e e n t h e id e a l a r -
r a n ge m e n t f o r t h e L in d b e r gh s . If e v e r yt h in gw e r e
p e r f e c t l ya r r a n ge d f o r t h e gr ie v in gp a r e n t s , t h e r e
w o u l d h a v e b e e n n o l a w im p o s in gh e a v yp e n a l t yin
k id n a p p in gs
. An d t h e r e w o u l d h a v e b e e n n o " h o t
p u r s u it
. " B o t h o f t h o s e f a c t o r s t e n d e d t o t h r o w f e a r
in t o t h e h e a r t o f t h e c u l p r it a n d in d u c e h im t o d o
a w a yw it h t h e e v id e n c e - k il l t h e c h il d .
2 6 6
THEWORL DV ERSUSTHEL INDB ERGHS 2 6 7
Ne x t , t h e r e w o u l d h a v e b e e n n o b a r r ie r s a r o u n d
t h e L in d b e r gh s . Th e ir h o m e w o u l d n o t h a v e b e e n
s u r r o u n d e d b yp o l ic e . Th e r e w o u l d h a v e b e e n n o
c u r io s it ys e e k e r s c r o w d in gt h e h igh w a ys f o r m il e s
a r o u n d Ho p e w e l l . Th e r e w o u l d h a v e b e e n n o c r a n k
l e t t e r s . An n e a n d L in d yw o u l d , in s h o r t , h a v e c o n -
t in u e d t o l iv e j u s t a s t h e yh a d l iv e d b e f o r e . ( Re m e m -
b e r , n o w , t h is is a n id e a l w o r l d t h a t w e a r e t a l k in g
a b o u t , n o t t h e r e a l o n e !)

,
In s u c h e v e n t , t h e c o w a r d l yc r im in a l s w o u l d h a v e
b e e n a b l e t o r e a c h t h e L in d b e r gh s e a s il y . Eit h e r b y
e m is s a r yo r b ym a il , t h e a b d u c t o r s w o u l d h a v e d e -
m a n d e d t h e ir r a n s o m . Wit h o r d in a r yp r e c a u t io n s
a n d c o m m o n s e n s e , t h e L in d b e r gh s w o u l d h a v e b e e n
a b l e t o n e go t ia t e f o r t h e r e t u r n o f t h e ir c h il d a n d
t h e a b d u c t o r s w o u l d h a v e e s c a p e d w it h t h e ir il l -
go t t e n ga in s .
No w it is a l l v e r yv e h e m e n t a n d im p r e s s iv e t o t a l k
a b o u t p u n is h m e n t a n d a b o u t l e s s o n s t o c r im in a l s o f
t h e f u t u r e , b u t t h o s e t h in gs d o n o t r e t u r n a m is s in g
b a b yt o it s s o r r o w in gp a r e n t s . Ma yb e t h e p a r e n t s
o f a c h il d m a yh a r b o r h a t r e d a ga in s t k id n a p p e r s , b u t
t h e ir p r im e in t e r e s t is t o ge t t h e c h il d b a c k .
Th is is n o t t o b e d e e m e d a n e f f o r t t o e x t e n u a t e
t h e c r im e , in a n ys e n s e .
Kid n a p p in gis a n h e in o u s
o f f e n s e .
It is u n p a r d o n a b l e ; it is c r u e l ; it is in -
h u m a n .
It is p e r p e t r a t e d b ys n iv e l in gc o w a r d s a n d
t h e ya r e j u s t t h e s o r t o f b a s e p e r s o n s w h o w o u l d
c o m m it m u r d e r .
2 6 8 TRUESTORYOF THEL INDB ERGHKIDNAPPING
B u t w h e n a l l is s a id a n d d o n e ( a n d m u c h w a s s a id
.
a n d d o n e d u r in gt h e L in d b e r gh a f f a ir ) t h e o b j e c t
o f a l l t h e e x c it e m e n t w a s n o t t o s a t is f yt h e m o r b id
c u r io s it yo f a l o t o f p e o p l e , n o r t o p r o v id e a m u s e -
m e n t f o r id io t s , n o r t o m a r t yr An n e a n d L in d y- b u t
t o ge t b a c k t h e b a b y .
Ev e r yb o d ym e a n t w e l l . In t e n t io n s c o u l d n e v e r
h a v e b e e n b e t t e r
. Ev e n t h e p o l ic e , o f t e n b u n gl in g
a n d ge n e r a l l yb l o c k in ga c c e s s t o t h e L in d b e r gh s , h a d
e v e r ygo o d d e s ir e t o s e r v e n o b l y. B u t a l l t h is k e p t
t h e k id n a p p e r s a w a ya n d t h e L in d b e r gh s b a r r e d f r o m
c o n t a c t w it h t h e m .
He r e ' s a s a m p l e o f go o d in t e n t io n s go n e a w r y :
Th r e e a n d a h a l f w e e k s a f t e r t h e k id n a p p in g- w h e n
o n e m igh t h a v e s u p p o s e d t h a t a u t h o r it ie s w o u l d ' b e
in t h e m o o d n o t t o t a l k t o o m u c h a b o u t t h e c h a s e ,
a n d t h u s e a s e t h e k id n a p p e r s ' m in d s a b it , t o e n c o u r -
a ge n e go t ia t io n s - t h r e e a n d a h a l f w e e k s l a t e r , C o l -
o n e l Sc h w a r z k o p f , o f t h e Ne w J e r s e ys t a t e p o l ic e ,
d e s c r ib e d f o r t h e p r e s s in s o m e d e t a il , " t h e m o s t e l a b -
o r a t e in v e s t iga t io n in p o l ic e h is t o r y . "
Th e t h o u s a n d - a n d - o n e l e a d s f o l l o w e d b yp o l ic e ,
h e e x p l a in e d , h a d b e e n r e d u c e d t o n e a t l ya n n o t a t e d
w h it e c a r d s , m o r e t h a n 1 , 5 0 0 o f w h ic h h a d b e e n f il e d
in c a b in e t s a t t h e " p o l ic e h e a d q u a r t e r s a t t h e L in d -
b e r gh h o m e . "
B u t t h a t w a s n ' t a l l t o p r o v e h o w - " e l a b o r a t e " t h e
in v e s t iga t io n w a s . C o l o n e l Sc h w a r z k o p f d e s c r ib e d t h e
l a r ge s c a l e m a p s o f t h e c o u n t r ys u r r o u n d in gt h e
THEWORL DV ERSUSTHEL INDB ERGHS 2
6 9
L in d b e r gh h o m e . Th e s e m a p s w e r e c o n s t a n t l yu s e d
b yt h e in v e s t iga t o r s . Mu l t i- c o l o r e d p in s , f l a gs a n d
b u t t o n s h a d b e e n f a s t e n e d o n t h e m a p s . Ea c h
c o l o r
a n d o b j e c t h a d a m e a n in g
: h o m e s s e a r c h e d a n d
c l e a r e d , s u s p ic io u s p l a c e s , a n d s o o n . Ro a d s w e r e
p e n c il e d t o s h o w w h e r e t h e k id n a p p e r s m a yh a v e
go n e
.
" Th e l in e s a n d p in s c h a n ge d d a il y, m u c h in t h e
m a n n e r o f t h o s e u s e d in w a r - t im e m a p s in d ic a t in g
t h e m o v e m e n t s o f t r o o p s a n d t r e n c h e s , " a n
in t e r -
v ie w e r q u o t e d Sc h w a r z k o p f .
Wit h o u t a n yin t e n t io n t o ' b e u n d u l yc r it ic a l o f
Sc h w a r z k o p f a n d c o n c e d in gt h a t h is d e s c r ip t io n d e m -
o n s t r a t e d a n a b il it yt o b e s ys t e m a t ic a n d a d e s ir e t o
d o t h e r igh t t h in g, m a yn o t t h is q u e s t io n b e a s k e d
a p p r o p r ia t e l y : w h a t w e n t
o n
in t h e m in d s o f
t h e k id -
n a p p e r s w h e n t h e yr e a d o r h e a r d o f a l l t h is ?
Pic t u r e a gr o u p o f a l m o s t in c r e d ib l e p e r s o n s s o
t w is t e d m e n t a l l yt h a t t h e yt h o u gh t t h e yc o u l d e s -
c a p e p e n a l t yf o r t h e o f f e n s e a n d c o l l e c t t h e r a n s o m .
Pic t u r e s u c h in s a n e d a r in g . Pic t u r e t h e d e l u d e d , - p o s -
s ib l yu n b a l a n c e d - l e a d e r w it h a b n o r m a l id e a s - o f h is
o w n p o w e r . Pic t u r e h im r e a d in gs u c h " n e w s . "
If h e w e r e s o m in d e d , d o yo u t h in k t h a t s u c h
s t u f f w o u l d in d u c e h im t o m a k e e f f o r t s t o " d o b u s i-
n e s s " w it h t h e L in d b e r gh s ? Do yo u t h in k t h a t s u c h
s t u f f w o u l d h a v e in d u c e d h im e v e n t o b e l ie v e t h a t t h e
w a yw a s c l e a r f o r h im t o r e t u r n t h e c h il d , a t h is
p r ic e ? .
2 7
0
TRUESTORYOF THEL INDB ERGHKIDNAPPING
Th e r e is s o m e r o o m f o r d o u b t , it m u s t b e c o n -
c e d e d , a s t o w h e t h e r s o c ie t y' s in t e r e s t s a n d t h o s e o f
t h e L in d b e r gh s w e r e t h e s a m e .
B u t e v e n t h a t w a s n o t a l l . Th e p o l ic e t h e m s e l v e s
d id n o t ge t a l o n gs o w e l l . Eit h e r o u t o f p e r s o n a l
a m b it io n s , o r e v e n b e c a u s e o f s in c e r e d if f e r e n c e s o f
o p in io n , t h e yo f t e n h in d e r e d e a c h o t h e r a n d t h e r e b y
h in d e r e d t h e e f f o r t s t o l o c a t e t h e c h il d .
It w il l b e a l o n gt im e b e f o r e t h e in t e r n a l s t r if e o f
p o l ic e a u t h o r it ie s w il l b e k n o w n p u b l ic l y, t h a t is , in
d e t a il . We k n o w n o w , t h a t in t h e f ir s t t h r e e w e e k s ,
t h e r e w a s p l e n t yo f d is s e n s io n . F r o m w h a t w e k n o w ,
w e m a yd e d u c e , j u s t a s p o l ic e m e n d o , t h a t a l l w a s
n o t w e l l a m o n gt h e " a u t h o r it ie s " Wh e n a Gr a n d
J u r yin v e s t iga t io n w a s p r o p o s e d b yEl m e r Ha h n ,
c h ie f d e t e c t iv e o f Hu n t e r d o n C o u n t y, w h e r e t h e
c r im e w a s c o m m it t e d , t h e p r o p o s a l w a s n o t r e c e iv e d
e n t h u s ia s t ic a l l y. In f a c t it w a s s h e l v e d a s e f f ic a c io u s l y
a s p o s s ib l e .
F o r t u n a t e l yf o r a l l o f u s , Ha h n w a s n o m a n t o
k e e p q u ie t w h e n h e f e l t t h a t h e h a d s o m e t h in gt o
s a y
. An d f r o m w h a t h e s a id , w e m a yw e l l c o n c l u d e
t h a t t h e a u t h o r it ie s , w h o w e r e u n d o u b t e d l ys in c e r e
in t h e ir m a j o r in t e n t , c e r t a in l yb u n gl e d t h in gs .
Ha h n a n d Sh e r if f Wil l ia m B . We a m , o f Hu n t e r -
d o n , w e r e a m o n gt h e e a r l ie s t o f f ic ia l s o n t h e s c e n e o f
t h e k id n a p p in g
.
B u t l is t e n t o p a r t o f Ha h n ' s s t o r y :
" Th e Sh e r if f a n d Ih a d t r o u b l e ge t t in gp a s t t h e
THEWORL DV ERSUSTHEL INDB ERGHS 2 7 1
s t a t e t r o o p e r s t h e f ir s t t im e w e w e n t u p t o t h e L in d -
b e r gh h o u s e . Th e t r o o p e r s w e r e n ' t go in gt o l e t u s
in . We w e r e in a n a u t o . It u r n e d t o t h e Sh e r if f
a n d Is a id , ' Igu e s s t h e Sh e r if f c a n go w h e r e h e
p l e a s e s , in h is o w n c o u n t y, ' a n d w e w e n t in d e s p it e
t h e t r o o p e r s . "
Ha h n k n e w t h e t e r r it o r y . He s h o u l d h a v e ! It
w a s h is t e r r it o r y- t h e t e r r a in h e w a s s u p p o s e d t o
c o v e r .
It w a s h is o p in io n t h a t a n in q u ir ys h o u l d h a v e
b e e n m a d e in t o t h e c o l o n iz in go f t h e So u r l a n d h il l s
b yNe w Yo r k C it ya n d o t h e r ga n gs t e r s . Th e in v a -
s io n b yga n gl a n d b e ga n in 1 9 2 5 a n d t h e r a c k e t e e r s
h a d e v e n e s t a b l is h e d a s o r t o f r e ign t h r o u gh
s l o t -
m a c h in e s a n d t h e a p p l e j a c k t r a d e .
Ha h n w o u l d h a v e f in e c o m b e d t h e h il l s f o r t h e
r e m n a n t s o f t h e s e ga n gs - m o s t o f t h e u n d e r w o r l d
r e t r e a t e d t o t h e c it yf o r t h e w in t e r - a n d h e w o u l d
n o t h a v e l e t t h e m o u t o f h is h a n d s u n t il h e w a s s a t is -
f ie d t h a t t h e yr e a l l yk n e w n o t h in ga b o u t t h e a b -
d u c t io n , h e s a id .
F r o m t h is , it m a yb e a s s u m e d t h a t t h e c o m p l a in t
o f Ha h n a l o n e is t h e o n l yb a s is f o r d o u b t in gt h e
a b il it yo f t h e o f t e n l u m b e r in g, in e f f e c t iv e a n d u n -
s c ie n t if ic m a c h in e t h a t c a l l e d it s e l f t h e " a r m o f t h e
l a w . "
Su c h is n o t t h e c a s e . In d ic a t io n s o f f a il u r e t o
a c t w h il e t h e a c t in gw a s go o d , w e r e n u m e r o u s
.
Ga m e C o m m is s io n e r Al e x a n d e r Ph yl l ip s , o f Ne w
2
7 2 TRUESTORYOF THEL INDB ERGHKIDNAPPING
J e r s e y, a t t h e b e gin n in go f t h e s e a r c h , o f f e r e d t o
d o n a t e t h e s e r v ic e s o f a ' f e w o f h is ga m e w a r d e n s ,
w h o w e r e e x p e r t in s u c h m a t t e r s , f o r a p u r s u it o f
t h e k id n a p p e r s in t h e is o l a t e d , l o n e l ym o u n t a in r e -
gio n
.
His o f f e r w a s u n h e e d e d . B u t St a t e t r o o p e r s ,
w it h n o e x p e r ie n c e in , s u c h m a t t e r s , m a d e d e s u l t o r y
f o r a ys h e r e a n d t h e r e .
Os c a r B u s h , t h e t r a p p e r a n d m o u n t a in e e r w h o
p r o b a b l yk n e w t h e t e r r it o r yb e t t e r t h a n a n ym a n
t h e r e , in d ic a t e d v e r yc l e a r l yt h a t t h e p o l ic e d id n o t d o
a go o d j o b in t h e h in t e r l a n d , w h e r e t h e k id n a p p e r s
m igh t w e l l h a v e h id d e n .
In v ie w o f t h e in f l u x o f ga n gs t e r s w it h in r e c e n t
ye a r s , in v ie w o f t h e ir k n o w l e d ge o f t h e t e r r it o r y,
a n d in v ie w o f t h e f a c t t h a t n o b o d ye x c e p t f o l k s o f
t h e c o u n t r ys id e k n e w t h e a r e a w e l l , it is
c e r t a in l y
in d is p u t a b l e t h a t t h e s e a r c h o f t h e m o u n t a in s id e s
s h o u l d h a v e b e e n q u ic k , p a in s t a k in ga n d e x p e r t .
Al t h o u gh t h e f o l l o w in gin c id e n t o f it s e l f m a yn o t
h a v e m e a n t v e r ym u c h , it s im p l ic a t io n s a r e a p p a r e n t :
Ed w a r d Ku t c h e r a , n e a r w h o s e f a r m o n Ne s h a n ic
Hil l w a s f o u n d
s o m e l u m b e r s im il a r t o t h a t u s e d
in t h e L in d b e r gh l a d d e r , t o l d a s t o r yo n Ma r c h 1 4
t h a t c l e a r l yin d ic a t e d t h e l a c k o f v igil a n c e in t h e
p o l ic e s e a r c h o f t h e m o u n t a in o u s a n d im p a s s a b l e
r e gio n s .
Im m e d ia t e l ya f t e r , t h e k id n a p p in g, t ir e t r a c k s
w e r e f o u n d o n a l it t l e - u s e d r o a d o n Ne s h a n ic Hil l .
Th e r e w a s a b r o k e n - d o w n b r id ge o n t h is r o a d , p a s s -
THEWORL DV ERSUSTHEL INDB ERGHS
2 7 3
in go v e r a s m a l l s t r e a m . Th e b r id ge h a d b e e n r e -
p a ir e d , s h o r e d u p , a p p a r e n t l yt o a l l o w a n a u t o t o
go o v e r it .
No w Ku t c h e r a , a Ne w Yo r k C it yc a r p e n t e r , h a d
b e e n in t h e h a b it o f s p e n d in gh is w e e k - e n d s a t h is
l it t l e f a r m in t h e h il l s . He d id n o t h a v e a n a u t o a n d
h e c u s t o m a r il yh ik e d t h e t h r e e m il e s f r o m t h e n e a r -
e s t r a il r o a d s t a t io n .
Ku t c h e r a w a s p o s it iv e t h a t t h e
b r id ge w a s d o w n - b r o k e n - im p a s s a b l e - a s r e c e n t l y
a s t h e Su n d a yb e f o r e t h e k id n a p p in g .
Th e p o l ic e d id n o t f in d t h a t , o f f ic ia l l y . Ev e n if it
h a d n o b e a r in go n t h e k id n a p p in g, it s u r e l yd e s e r v e d
in v e s t iga t io n m o r e t h a n d id m a n yo f t h e d e w s t h a t
w e r e p u r s u e d .
In f a c t , t w e n t y- o n e d a ys a f t e r t h e k id n a p p in g, a n
a u t o m o b il e w a s f o u n d in a b a r n n e a r Ku t c h e r a ' s f a r m .
Up t o t h a t t im e , it s p r e s e n c e in a n u n u s e d p l a c e , w a s
n o t k n o w n t o p o l ic e . In t h e c a r , w h ic h w a s a l igh t
d e l iv e r yt r u c k , p ie c e s o f l u m b e r w e r e f o u n d v e r y
s im il a r in a p p e a r a n c e t o t h a t u s e d o n t h e l a d d e r o f
t h e k id n a p p e r s , l e f t o n t h e L in d b e r gh e s t a t e . Th e
w o o d w a s d e s c r ib e d a s C a r o l in a p in e . Au t o t r a c k s
o u t s id e t h e d e s e r t e d b a r n a n d s u m m e r c o t t a ge t h a t
c o m p r is e d t h e p r o p e r t y, w e r e f r e s h l ym a d e .
J u s t a n o t h e r c l e w ? Pe r h a p s ! B u t h e r e , a t a n y
r a t e , w a s s o m e t h in gn e a r t h e L in d b e r gh e s t a t e , a n d
in t h e s p a r s e l ys e t t l e d h il l s u n t r o d b yt h e t r o o p e r s
w h o s h o u l d h a v e b e e n t h e r e w it h in t w e n t y- f o u r h o u r s
a f t e r t h e k id n a p p in g
.
2 7 4
TRUESTORYOF THEL INDB ERGHKIDNAPPING
As
St a t e Se n a t o r Em e r s o n L
. Ric h a r d s , m a j o r it y
l e a d e r o f t h e Ne w J e r s e ySe n a t e p u t it , " t h e s t a t e
p o l ic e a r e b u n gl in gt h is c a s e t h o r o u gh l y
. " Se n a t o r
Ric h a r d s d id n ' t w a n t t o e m b a r r a s s t h e p o l ic e " r igh t
n o w , " o n a c c o u n t o f t h e L in d b e r gh c a s e , b u t h e s a id
h e w o u l d a s k f o r a n o p e n in v e s t iga t io n o f p o l ic e
a c t io n s .
Th e o u t s p o k e n d e t e c t iv e , Ha h n , w h o b e l ie v e d t h a t
a n o r ga n iz e d ga n go f r a c k e t e e r s d id t h e k id n a p p in g,
h a d s t a r t e d t h in gs go in gw h e n h e c a l l e d a t t e n t io n t o
t h e w e a k n e s s o f t h e p u r s u it .
It s o o n d e v e l o p e d t h a t
El l is Pa r k e r , C a m d e n d e t e c t iv e k n o w n a s a v e r it a b l e
b l o o d - h o u n d o n s u c h c a s e s , h a d b e e n ign o r e d w h e n
h e o f f e r e d h is s e r v ic e s , e a r l yin t h e c h a s e , b u t h e w a s
in v it e d a t a l a t e r d a t e t o a id .
He t u r n e d d o w n t h a t
o f f e r , h e s a id , b e c a u s e it w a s t o o l a t e f o r h im t o a c -
c o m p l is h a n yt h in g, t h e s c e n t h a v in gb e e n l o s t
.
An d Ha h n s u m m a r iz e d it t h is w a y :
" Ib e l ie v e t h a t w h e n t h e s h o u t in gis o v e r a n d t h e
k id n a p p e r s a r e giv e n a c h a n c e t o a c t w it h s o m e d e -
gr e e o f s a f e t y, t h a t t h e b a b yw il l b e r e t u r n e d t h r o u gh
d ir e c t n e go t ia t io n w it h t h e f a m il y
. Id o n ' t t h in k
t h a t a l l t h e n o is e a n d t h e b igo r ga n iz a t io n h a s h e l p e d
m u c h . "
Th e e v id e n c e a ga in s t t h e w o r l d a n d f o r t h e L in d -
b e r gh s is o v e r w h e l m in g
. Of f e r s o f r e w a r d s , m a d e
b yw e l l - m e a n in gp e r s o n s , u n d o u b t e d l yf r igh t e n e d
a n yk id n a p p e r s a w a y . So m e p e r s o n s p r o p o s e d h a n g-
in gf o r k id n a p p e r s - a n d t h e n e w s p a p e r s p r in t e d s u c h
THEWORL DV ERSUSTHEL INDB ERGHS 2 7 5
ir a t e p r o p o s a l s . Th e r e s u l t w a s t h a t t h e k id n a p p e r s
m igh t h a v e b e e n t e m p t e d t o k il l t h e b a b y, in s u c h a
p u r s u it , a t a n yt im e .
Th e c o o l e r h e a d s p o in t e d o u t t h a t t h e p r o p e r p r o -
c e d u r e , o f c o u r s e , w a s t o o f f e r t o p a yt h e r a n s o m .
Th e n , t h e w is e w a yw a s t o m a k e it e a s yf o r t h e k id -
n a p p e r s t o d e l iv e r t h e c h il d a n d ge t t h e r a n s o m . Su c h
p r o c e d u r e w o u l d a s s u r e s a f e d e l iv e r yo f t h e b a b y .
Af t e r t h a t , a s o n e o b s e r v e r p u t it , " it c o u l d b e a c a s e
o f ' e v e r ym a n f o r h im s e l f ' . "
Th e n e w s p a p e r s , d e s p it e c o n d e m n a t io n in s o m e
s o u r c e s , w e r e n o t t o b l a m e . Th e yw e r e a n in s t r u m e n t
f o r c o n v e yin gn e w s . Th e yh a d a n e a ge r p u b l ic a n d
a d u t yt o t h a t p u b l ic . B e s id e s , b ys p r e a d in gin f o r m a -
t io n , t h e yw e r e s e r v in gt h e c a u s e , f o r m a n yk id -
n a p p in gs h a v e b e e n s o l v e d t h r o u gh n e w s p a p e r p u b -
l ic it y, a s h a v e o t h e r c r im e s .
In t h e l o n gr u n , t h e c r a n k s , t h e s igh t - s e e r s in a u t o -
m o b il e s , t h e w e l l - in t e n t io n e d , b u t a t t im e s , in e f f ic ie n t
p o l ic e , a n d o t h e r s u c h in f l u e n c e s a l l c o n t r ib u t e d t o
c o n f u s e a n d o b s t r u c t .
If , t h r o u gh t h is im p e n e t r a b l e w a l l , C o l o n e l L in d -
b e r gh d id c o n f id e n t ia l l ym a n a ge t o ge t a m e s s a ge t o
o r f r o m t h e k id n a p p e r s a f t e r t h e a b d u c t io n , it w a s
a m ir a c l e !
Did t h e w o r l d h e l p t h e L in d b e r gh s ?
Th a t q u e s t io n w il l r in go u t , w it h o u t a d e q u a t e a n -
s w e r , f o r ye a r s a n d ye a r s a n d ye a r s .
To t h e s e w r it e r s , t h e o c c u r r e n c e s f o l l o w in gt h e
k id n a p p in gr e m a in
:
Th e Wo r l d v e r s u s t h e L in d b e r gh s .