Charles Ross Kidnapping
The
Abduction | John
Henry Seadlund | Previous
Criminal Activity
John
Henry Seadlund, characterized as a cold-blooded and
ruthless kidnapper and murderer, as well as a lone
bank bandit, counted off the last twenty-four hours
of his life on July 13, 1938, at Chicago, Illinois.
On the early morning of July 14, 1938, Seadlund was
executed in the electric chair for the abduction
and murder of Charles Sherman Ross. The date of his
electrocution was exactly thirteen days prior to
the day upon which he would have celebrated his twenty-eighth
birthday, as John Henry Seadlund was born on July
27, 1910. Thus, the law's fullest penalty was exacted
and the final chapter of Seadlund's life was written
in criminal history. This was the price he paid for
his involvement in the kidnapping and murder of Charles
Sherman Ross.
On
October 19, 1937, when it was evident that the victim
of this crime was not to be returned by his abductors,
the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), United
States Department of Justice, began to unravel the
carefully woven web surrounding the crime committed
by Seadlund. Every available resource at the command
of the FBI was thrown into action to assist in the
solution of the crime, which, according to Seadlund's
own statement, he deemed "a perfect crime."
For
almost four months each clue was looked at to identify
and locate the individual responsible for the crime.
The wide ramifications of the investigative activities
of the FBI reached beyond the territorial limits
of the continental United States. Thus was conducted
one of the most widespread and intensive manhunts
ever engaged in by the FBI, utilizing the most modern
means of scientific crime detection. The pursuit
of the FBI was maintained until Seadlund was located
and apprehended as the result of a carefully planned
trap set into operation by Special Agents under the
direct personal supervision of Mr. John Edgar Hoover,
Director of the FBI, at the Santa Anita Race Track
near Los Angeles, California, on January 14, 1938.
The
resolution of this kidnapping revealed that there
is no honor among criminals in their associations
with their own kind. The death chamber in the Wisconsin
woods contained not only the body of Charles Sherman
Ross, but also that of James Atwood Gray, one of
the abductors of the aged Mr. Ross, who was apparently
killed to avoid splitting the $50,000 ransom. It
is the picture of a man without a single loyalty
except that of the fulfillment of his own individual
desires. It appears that Seadlund believed that by
destroying the only living witnesses of this crime,
he would destroy every link by which his detection
might be possible. However, his uncontrollable desire
to gamble at the race track resulted in his detection,
location, and apprehension.
TOP OF PAGE
The
Abduction
It
was on the evening of Saturday, September 25, 1937,
Charles Sherman Ross drove his big sedan down North
Avenue towards Chicago, Illinois. On the seat beside
him was his former secretary and lifetime friend,
Miss Florence Freihage. The gray-haired, seventy-two
year old retired President of the George S. Carrington
Greeting Card Manufacturing Company of Chicago, Illinois,
headed for Grand Avenue just south of the Chicago
suburb of Franklin Park. "The car behind has
been following us for some time and displaying unusually
bright lights," Ross stated. His voice indicated
that he was noticeably alarmed. "I don't like
the looks of this. I'll cut over to the side and
let him pass." Mr. Ross swung his car over to
the side of the road, and the other car veered sharply
in front, blocking it from going forward.
Seadlund
promptly jumped out with a revolver in his hand and,
after quickly walking over to the Ross car, he tried
to open the door beside the driver's seat but it
was locked. Seadlund tapped the revolver against
the glass of the door of the car and threatened to
shoot Mr. Ross if he did not immediately open the
door. Mr. Ross complied and, after being quickly
searched, was forced into the abductor's car that
was being driven by James Atwood Gray. Seadlund explained
in a commanding voice, "This is a kidnapping," and
curtly said, "My boss told me to bring you along."
Miss
Freihage protested, explaining that Mr. Ross had
a weak heart and other ailments. Miss Freihage observed
that Seadlund's hair was curly and his face pointed
and that he seemed youthful and nervous. After Seadlund
looked Miss Freihage over suspiciously, he said in
a barking voice, "What are you, his daughter
or his sweetheart?" She replied, "No, I
am just a friend." Seadlund pressed the gun
into Ms. Freihage's shoulder and asked her, "How
much can he give us a half a million a
quarter of a million?" She replied that she
did not know and pleaded with Seadlund not to take
Mr. Ross away and offered him the money she had with
her. Seadlund took $85 from her purse and ordered
her to lie on the floor of the Ross automobile while
he and Gray drove off in the kidnap car with Mr.
Ross. Before departing, Seadlund warned: "Don't
call the police after we have gone or we'll kill
him."
Miss
Freihage complied with the demands of Seadlund, cringing
with fear on the front seat of the Ross automobile,
until she heard the kidnapper's car race away into
the darkness of the night. Then, looking up cautiously,
she observed the red rear light of the kidnapper's
car moving in the darkness and she attempted to follow
it. The kidnap car outdistanced her and she stopped
at the first available telephone to call the police.
Thus began what for almost four months was the Ross
kidnapping mystery.
With
Mr. Ross carefully guarded and safely out of the
reach of any alarm which might have been circulated
for them, the kidnappers proceeded into Wisconsin
and across into Minnesota, whereby late Sunday they
reached the hideout near Emily, Minnesota. There
in the woods was a cold, dark dugout that had been
skillfully prepared by Seadlund and Gray in order
to further their criminal enterprises. John Henry
Seadlund immediately set into motion the negotiations
for the payment of the ransom by dictating a letter
for Mr. Ross to write. However, Mr. Ross refused
to ask for more than $5,000 ransom. Seadlund took
the letter, studied it, and, seeing where he could
change it to $50, 000, did so. He then took the ransom
letter south and mailed it, thereafter moving into
Chicago, Illinois.
The
first ransom extortion letter was received on September
30, 1937. It was transmitted to Mr. Harvey S. Brackett,
a former business associate of Mr. Ross at Green
Bay, Wisconsin, through the United States Mails in
violation of the Federal Extortion Statute and read
as follows:
"Dear
Dick
I am held for ransom.
I have stated I am worth $100,000.00
including the G.S. Carrington Co. stock
held in escrow by First National Bank
try and raise $50,000.00 |
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Yours
Charles
S. Ross |
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"Contact
Harvey S. Brackett. Say nothing to
anyone except Harvey. All communications
will be addressed to Williams Bay"
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It
is apparent from the above letter that it was intended
to be mailed to Mrs. Charles S. Ross as "Dick" was
the affectionate term with which Mr. Ross greeted
his wife. However, in order to keep the ransom negotiations
secret, it was forwarded by Seadlund with the following
letter addressed to Mr. Harvey S. Brackett.
"Dear
Harvey S. Brackett
Have
payment ready on instant notice,
to be delivered by employee of Harley
Davidson Co. on motorcycle. road
to be designated later Rider to drop
bag on highway at signal a
shot, or repeated flashes of light.
Rider to then continue forward for
300 yards and turn off Road on left
side. To continue farther would be
fatal. Money to be contained in small
leather bag of following denomination.
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20%
payment value
in $5.00
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50%
$10.00 |
30%
in $20.00 |
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All
money to be non consecutive and unmarked
and of authentic origin. When ready
insert following add in Chicago
Tribune used cars for sale dept.
Dodge. Good cond. No
defect. (amount)
(over)
amount
ready
(example $500.00 for $50,000.00)
$25.00 for $2,500.00)
Name
of Rider
and address
Harvey
you are to hire a motorcycle rider
from Harley
Davidson Co. and get name and address Say nothing to anyone
except Dick. |
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Your
friend
Charles S. Ross |
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for
Abie"
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This
letter was postmarked September 29, 1937, at Savanna,
Illinois, and was in the handwriting of Mr. Ross.
An advertisement was placed in the indicated Chicago
newspaper in conformity with the instructions of
the kidnapper.
Seadlund,
upon being assured of the compliance with his demands
for the payment of the ransom, returned to the hideout
near Emily, Minnesota, where he took photographs
of Ross holding in front of him an October 2, 1937,
late edition of a Chicago, Illinois, newspaper. He
did this to show the well-being of Mr. Ross as of
that date, thus establishing the authenticity of
the ransom negotiations. Seadlund then returned to
Chicago, Illinois, where he purchased a typewriter
and set in motion what he believed to be an ingenious
scheme for the payment of the ransom demanded. He
prepared three additional ransom extortion communications.
The
second ransom extortion letter was postmarked at
Chicago, Illinois, on October 2, 1937, addressed
to Mr. Olden C. Armitage, a lodge associate of Mr.
Ross, and read as follows:
"Mr.
Armitage:
Please
keep this confidential YOU are
Chas. s. Ross' last hope His own choice
as middleman. Somehow contact Mrs.
Ross using A third person or some other
devious means At any cost dont let
the feds. suspect your part.
Raise the
$50,000 asked without using her name if possible
She to sighn notes for that amount her accounts are
watched. ALL money to be bank-run, nonconsecutive,
unmarked, and of authentic origin. I,ooo-20s 2000
each of Ios and 5s, place in small locked zipper
bag.
Call Canel
3542 to obtain man to deliver payment on motorcycle.
must dress in white, no sidecar, equipe for 500mi
trip no danger if directions followed. hold ready
at your office instant notice.
CONCLUSIVE
PROOF OF ROSS' wellbeing will be tendered before
payment. locate secrete photodeveloper.
Run this
ad. when note received.
-R-
used autos. for sale dept. exam. and tribune Auburn
33-good cond.no defects, (amount raised- thus $500.meaning
$50,000 or $250 for $25,000) add only name and address
of man hired to ride cycle.
Expect no
contact before Wed.This note nullifies all previous
attempts at contract if it fails no others will be
attempted.
Non
genuine without this signature
ALBIE not
brady"
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This
note ignored the prior letter and made a similar
demand for ransom, the placing of an advertisement
in a Chicago paper and a motorcycle rider to deliver
the ransom. Canal 3542 was determined to be the telephone
number of a motorcycle agency in Chicago, Illinois,
and thus it designated another motorcycle agency
as a place to obtain the rider and indicated proof
of Ross' well-being, apparently to be furnished by
a picture. Enclosed with this ransom letter was a
small piece of paper apparently cut from the front
of an envelope on which appeared the wording, "Mrs.
Ross, 2912 Commonwealth Ave., Chicago, Ill." in
the handwriting of Charles S. Ross himself. An advertisement
was placed in the designated Chicago newspaper in
conformity with the instructions of the kidnapper.
The
third ransom extortion letter, postmarked October
6, 1937, from Chicago, Illinois, was again addressed
to Mr. Elton C. Armitage and read as follows:
"ARMITAGE:
PROOF AT
230 SO.WABASH. RECEIPT NO. IO437. LEFT
BY ELSON C ARMITAGE 6300 W HUNT. ROSS
VERY INCENCED OVER DELAYS CAUSED BY PIED
PIPERS' AND THEIR RAT' HUNTS.
THREATENS REPERCUSIONS. ELABORATE PLAN
OF COLLECTION PRAC. COMPLETE. BOUND
TO FAIL IF SUSPISION AROUSDED_ONLY_ONE
CONTACT WILL BE TRIED. BEND PIC. OF
RIVER IF COP IN VIC. RIDER OK'
DRESSWARMLEY? AT SIGNAL, A SHOT, DROP
BAG ON RAOD CONTINUE 300yds and SHOVE
CYCLE OVER LEFT BANK WALK IN SAM E DIRECTION UNTIL ACCOSTED DONT HOLD HANDS
UP OR TRY GOING THRU. ROSS DELIVERED SOON AS MONEY EXCHANGED.24...48
HRS. MAP OF ROUTE AND TIME OF START
SENT SOON AS FULL AMOUNT READY DONT
PUT UNDER TIME LOCK AS REVERE'
TO START ½ HR AFTER MESSAGE
RECEIVED. ONE BY LAND AND TWO_IN_SEA'
IF DOUBLECROSSED.
ALBIE
(NOT BRADY)"
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This
letter indicated that proof of the victim's well-being
could be obtained at 230 South Wabash Street. It
was discovered that this was an address of a camera
company and receipt #10437 was for films left in
the name of Elton C. Armitage. Ten
films were obtained from this company which had been
developed and showed eight poses of Mr. Ross holding
in front of him the October 2, 1937, football edition
of a Chicago newspaper apparently taken in the daylight
in a thicket containing birch trees. Mr. Ross was
dressed in the same clothes which he wore when he
was kidnaped. This letter indicated that Mr. Ross
would be held from twenty-four to forty-eight hours
in order to exchange the ransom money of $50,000
demanded. Enclosed with this letter was Mr. Ross'
membership card for a commercial association dated
January 9, 1902, on the back of which appeared the
signature of Mr. Ross. Also enclosed was the automobile
registration card of 1937 for Mr. Ross. In compliance
with the instructions of the kidnapper, an advertisement
was placed in the designated Chicago newspaper.
The
fourth ransom extortion letter was received on October
8, 1937, postmarked at Chicago, Illinois, October
7, 1937, addressed to Mr. Elton C. Armitage, and
read as follows:
"EVERYTHING
SET. LETS GO.
CONTACT MAN TO LEAVE TOWNS AT TIME FOLLOWING EACH POINT.
START OAK PARK ON HIGH. NO. 20 AT 6:00pm FRI.ROCKFORD 8.45)-
FREEPORT 9.40)-JUNCTION WITH HIGH. NO.80II.09)-SAVANNA II.59)-FULTON
12.30 am)-CORDOVA I.I0)-EAST MOLINE I.45)- GENESEO 2.I0)-SHEFFEILD
2.59 PRINCETON 3.25)-LA SALLE 4.05- OTTAWA 6.OOam JOLIET 7.05)-TAKE
HIGH.66 TO CHI.
TRAVEL 50 mph GAS AS OFTEN AS SCHEDULE PERMITS EAT OTTAWA. TIE
BAG SO CAN BE RELEASED INSTANTLY ON SIGNAL FLASHING OF LIGHTS
OR SHOT DONT GO FURTHER THAN 300 YDS from SIGNAL WITHOUT DITCHING
CYCLE CONTINUE AT WALK IN SAME DIRECTION ON HIGH. WILL HAVE REPORTS
ON PROGRESS DONT TAG OTHER VEACLES IF POSSIBLE. KNOW YOU BY WHITE
CLOTHING. ROSS WONT SHOW IF THIS CONTACT FAILS ON YOUR END. IF
NEW DIRECTIONS GIVEN SOMEWHERE ON ROUTE ??? FOLLOW IF SIGHNED
ALBIE.
INABILITY
TO RAISE QUITE TOTAL AMOUNT MIGHT BE OVERLOOKED IF
ACCOMPAIED BY ADDEQATE EXPLANATIONS. THE RUNAROUND
OR A SUSPISCIOUS CAR OR TRUCK WONT.
ALBIE ((((NOT
BRADY))))
PS
ROSS
OPINES AS HOW THERES TOO MUCH VITAMIN
G INTHIS MESS
WE
AGREE
DICK:
BE HOME SUN MORN HIDE THE SILVERWARE
UNTIL ASSOCIATIONS WEAR OFF."
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This
letter gave detailed information of fourteen places
covering the distance of approximately 395 miles
over which the motorcycle rider should travel leaving
Oak Park, Illinois, at six P.M., October 8, 1937. "Vitamin
G" in this letter, according to Seadlund, referred
to Special Agents of the FBI.
The
last three ransom extortion letters received in the
Ross kidnapping case were all typewritten by John
Henry Seadlund.
The
pay-off was arranged by the Ross family in strict
accordance with the instructions of the kidnappers.
The motorcycle rider left Oak Park, Illinois, at
6 p.m., October 8, 1937, and arrived at a point about
six miles east of Rockford, Illinois, on Highway
#20, at 7:50 p.m., where he was contacted by Seadlund,
who drove in behind him on the highway and flashed
the lights of his automobile. This was the designated
signal for the motorcycle rider to pay the $50,000
ransom and the kidnappers' instructions were immediately
complied with. The money was thrown off the side
of the road and then the motorcycle rider ditched
the motorcycle about 300 yards from this location,
proceeding on foot pursuant to the instructions of
the kidnappers. Seadlund picked up the ransom money
and thereafter returned over a circuitous route,
to the hideout at Emily, Minnesota, arriving there
sometime on October 9, 1937. The ransom money at
this point was divided, $30,000 being Seadlund's
share, while James Atwood Gray received the remaining
$20,000.
On
the night of October 9, 1937, Seadlund, together
with Gray, left in Seadlund's automobile, together
with Mr. Charles S. Ross, to the hideout approximately
17 miles northwest of Spooner, Wisconsin. They arrived
at the hideout at 7 a.m., October 10, 1937. At this
point Seadlund claims he believed Gray was about
to attack him and they struggled and all three, Seadlund,
Gray and Ross, fell into the pit. In falling, according
to Seadlund, he shot Gray while Ross was knocked
out by the fall. Believing Gray could not recover,
Seadlund emptied his gun into Gray's body, killing
him. Then not being able to revive Mr. Ross, and
to make certain he was dead, Seadlund shot him through
the head. The body of Gray was already in the pit
and Ross' body was also placed therein. Seadlund
closed the trap door and covered the pit over with
dirt and brush. This occurred about 3 p.m., on October
10, 1937. At about 5 p.m., October 10, 1937, Seadlund
then proceeded in the automobile, and a short distance
north of Walker, Minnesota, to the east of Highway
371, he buried the typewriter box, which had previously
contained the typewriter used in writing the last
three ransom letters, in which Seadlund had concealed
$32,645, all of which he believed was ransom money.
Thereafter, he proceeded to Omaha, Nebraska, and
other points in the Midwest, then to Spokane, Washington.
At Spokane, on November 2, 1937, he disposed of the
automobile used in the kidnapping, and picked up
another sedan which was later recovered in his possession
at Los Angeles, California, January 14, 1938. He
thereafter proceeded east to various points, including
Chicago; New York; Philadelphia; Washington, D.C.;
Miami; Tropical Park, Miami, Florida; New Orleans;
and Fairgrounds Race Track, New Orleans; Denver;
Pecos, Texas; and then to Los Angeles, arriving there
January 10, 1938. During these trips he passed various
bills of the ransom money in order to exchange this
money.
Chronicle
The
investigation radiated from Chicago,
where the kidnapping occurred, and
the following chronicle of events reflects
the wide geographical ramifications
of the case...
- September
25, 1937: Charles Sherman Ross kidnapped
by John Henry Seadlund and James
Atwood Gray at Franklin Park, Cook
County, Illinois.
- September
26, 1937: Abductors arrived at the
first hide-out near Emily, Minnesota.
- September
28, 1937: Seadland returned to Chicago
where he began to negotiate for the
payment of $50,000 in ransom. The
kidnapper mailed four ransom letters
in and around Chicago.
- October
8, 1937: $50,000 paid to Seadlund
outside of Rockford, Illinois, according
to instructions. Seadlund then returned
to the first hide-out where Gray
kept watch over the victim.
- October
10, 1937: Kidnappers and victim arrived
at the second hide-out northwest
of Spooner, Wisconsin. At about 3:00
p.m. Seadlund killed his partner
Gray and Ross the victim. He then
threw both bodies into a pit and
covered them over with dirt and brush.
- October
17, 1937: Seadlund arrived near Walker,
Minnesota, on highway 371 where he
buried a portable typewriter box
containing $32,625.00 of the ransom
money.
- October
20, 1937: Seadlund arrived in Denver,
Colorado, where he purchased a wire-haired
terrier dog which he used as a companion
in his future travels.
- October
30, 1937: Seadlund arrived in Spokane,
Washington, where he disposed of
the Ford car used in the kidnapping
and bought an Oldsmobile car returning
to Chicago, Illinois.
- December
1, 1937: Seadlund arrived in New
York City, where he stated that about
$7,000 of the ransom money was stolen
from his automobile.
- December
16, 1937: Seadlund arrived in Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania.
- December
24, 1937: Seadlund arrived in Miami,
Florida.
- January
2, 1938: Seadlund arrived in New
Orleans, Louisiana.
- January
8, 1938: Seadlund arrived in Pecos,
Texas, on his way to Los Angeles,
California.
- January
10, 1938: Seadlund arrived in Los
Angeles, California. He spent the
next four days at a local race track
where he was apprehended by FBI Agents.
- January
17, 1938: Seadlund was transported
to St. Paul, Minnesota, and on January
19, 1938, Seadlund pointed out the
ransom cache at Walker, Minnesota.
The next day he was transported by
automobile to Spooner, Wisconsin,
where he pointed out the death chamber.
- March
19, 1938: Seadlund was sentenced
to death (Seadlund had plead guilty
and the jury recommended death by
electrocution).
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On
October 18, 1937, Mrs. Ross released a message to
the kidnappers for the return of her husband, warning
that if they did not return him, "All law enforcement
officers would make vigorous efforts to locate and
punish those responsible." The next day, no
word having been received from the kidnappers, the
ransom lists prepared by the FBI, containing the
serial numbers of the bills comprising the $50,000
ransom were forwarded to all available sources throughout
the entire nation with the request that everyone
be on the lookout for any of the bills bearing serial
numbers contained in the ransom list.
Shortly
thereafter the ransom money was identified in scattered
sections of the United States. Each identification
was carefully and meticulously investigated by the
FBI in order to trace the source and to determine
the modus operandi employed in changing this ransom
money. In this way the trail of the kidnapper was
followed step by step as the ransom bills were being
turned in by public-spirited citizens to whom the
FBI had supplied lists of the serial numbers of the
bills in the $50,000 ransom package given to Seadlund
on the evening of October 8, 1937.
In
the early part of January 1938, upon the disclosure
that ransom bills were being identified at the Federal
Reserve Bank, the Bank of America at Los Angeles,
California, Mr. John Edger Hoover, Director of the
FBI, immediately made plans to go to Los Angeles,
California, so that he might personally direct the
investigation. This ransom money was traced to the
Santa Anita race track near Los Angeles, California.
Mr. Hoover ordered a trap to be set at the Santa
Anita race track and, with the cooperation of the
track officials, Special Agents of the FBI were placed
behind betting wickets as "change carriers," ready
to check each suspected bill against the ransom list.
Other Special Agents of the FBI waited nearby and
watched for the prearranged signal to close in on
everyone identified as passing a Ross ransom bill.
The
checking of the serial numbers was not an easy task,
because of the speed with which bets were being made.
The difficulty is best reflected in that at the Santa
Anita track there were five hundred pari-mutual ticket
sellers and five hundred cashiers on the day this
surveillance was placed in effect. There was from
$400,000 to a million dollars daily passing through
the pari-mutual windows at this race track. The Agents
of the FBI made the best of the situation, keeping
a patient watch for the betters who would try to
pass a ransom bill on the counter. The vigil proved
worthwhile when on January 14, 1938, a man walked
up to the betting window, requested a ticket on a
certain horse in the third race, and produced in
payment a bill which, on quick inspection by an Agent
of the FBI, proved to be a part of the ransom money
paid in vain for the safe return of Mr. Ross. At
a prearranged signal, Special Agents of the FBI closed
in on the man, who was in fact Seadlund, without
causing any commotion and rushed him to the Los Angeles,
California, Office of the FBI.
The
sum of $14,512.18 was found in this man's possession,
part of which was on his person, in his automobile,
and at his hotel room in Los Angeles, California.
Of this money $5,620 was found to be the Ross ransom
money. This $14,521.18 recovered included $18.80
obtained on winning tickets held by Seadlund in connection
with the races. The individual who gave his name
as "Peter Ander," but whose real name was
John Henry Seadlund, a former logger in the Pacific
Northwest, was not overcome by the sudden turn of
events or by the mass of damaging evidence against
him, but coolly and calmly denied his guilt of the
Ross abduction to Mr. Hoover. He claimed he had obtained
the money from known bank robber acquaintances, at
a large reduction, indicating that he knew the money
he had in his possession was the fruits of crime.
He
denied any participation whatsoever in the Charles
S. Ross kidnapping case until he was questioned at
length by Mr. Hoover, and then John Henry Seadlund
made a complete confession which consisted of a twenty-eight
page signed statement in which were included his
amazing life of crime, his admission of his participation
in the Charles S. Ross kidnapping , as well as the
killing of Mr. Ross and his own accomplice, James
Atwood Gray.
Subsequent
to the complete confession on January 17, 1938, Seadlund
was flown to Minnesota where FBI Agents planned a
trip into the snow-covered lands of north woods,
where Seadlund admitted he had secretly buried the
two murdered men, as well as a typewriter case full
of ransom money.
This
was a hunt, not for the living, as in other manhunts,
but for the dead, bullet-ridden bodies hidden in
the woods by John Henry Seadlund. In this search,
FBI Special Agents dug up a $32,645 ransom cache,
found a kidnapper's underground hideout, and a dugout
which contained the bodies of Charles S. Ross and
Seadlund's accomplice, James Atwood Gray. Seadlund
would point to the markers by which they would know
the way -- a road sign pierced by bullet holes and
other trail markers. When the group could continue
no farther by car because of snow, they proceeded
over the fields and through the woods on foot. In
a clump of trees, near a deserted stretch of railroad
track, Seadlund pointed to a small pile of snow.
When this was brushed away there was found a typewriter
case packed with $32,645 of the Ross ransom money.
This recovery brought the total obtained from Seadlund
to $47,766.18, including a $600 automobile.
Kidnapper's
underground hideout, which contained the
bodies of Charles S. Ross and James Atwood
Gray.
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Typewriter
case packed with $32,645 of the Ross ransom
money.
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The
group then moved onward towards Emily, Minnesota,
through the woods and snow until Seadlund pointed
to a snow-covered pile of brush and said, "the
first hide-out." The Special Agents pulled
aside the tree branches and exposed a dugout lined
with
wood in which Seadlund and Gray had kept Mr. Ross
for nearly two weeks immediately following his
abduction. Seadlund said that he and Gray had transferred
Mr.
Ross to the second dugout near Spooner, Wisconsin,
where he had left Mr. Ross and Gray with bullets
in their bodies. Horses and sleds were hired for
the remainder of the expedition, for Seadlund warned
that the trail led for miles through heavy snow
drifts and through troughs and wooded territory.
The party
set out early in the morning of January 20, 1938.
In
the underground "death chamber" partly
concealed by the snow and brush the Agents saw proof
of Seadlund's amazing confession. The nude body of
Gray lay face downward on the floor of the cave.
The body of Mr. Ross lay nearby. It was here that
Seadlund suddenly made a desperate break for freedom
after identifying the bodies. He stepped back toward
the Agents to whom he was chained, and brought his
handcuffs down over the Agent's head, and the pair
fell in the snow. Seadlund swung his shackles, knocking
his captor to the ground. He was quickly subdued
and promptly apologized.
On
January 20, 1938, Seadlund was returned to St. Paul,
Minnesota, and on January 22, 1938, was removed from
St. Paul, Minnesota, to Chicago, Illinois. On January 24th
he was arraigned before a United States Commissioner
at Chicago, Illinois, charged in complaint with having
kidnaped Charles S. Ross, and then transporting him
from Franklin Park, Illinois, to the vicinity of
Emily, Minnesota. He was also charged with having
collected $50,000 ransom six miles east of Rockford,
Illinois, on October 8, 1937, and thereafter transporting,
on or about October 9th or 10th, 1937, the victim
Charles S. Ross from the vicinity of Emily, Minnesota,
to a point northwest of Spooner, Wisconsin, where,
on or about October 10, 1937, he, Seadlund, killed
Charles S. Ross and his partner, James Atwood Gray.
Seadlund stood silent and a plea of not guilty was
entered for him. He was held without bail.
On
February 1, 1938, an indictment was returned against
John Henry Seadlund by the Federal Grand Jury sitting
in Chicago, Illinois, for violation of the Federal
Kidnapping Statute based upon the complaint mentioned
previously. On February 2, 1938, Seadlund was brought
before the United States District Judge when Counsel
was appointed to represent Seadlund as an indigent
prisoner.
John
Henry Seadlund on February 28, 1938, entered a plea
of guilty in the United States District Court to
the above indictment and on March 16, 1938, was found
guilty by a Jury with recommendation of the death
penalty. The United States District Judge at Chicago,
Illinois, on March 19, 1938, remanded John Henry
Seadlund to the custody of the United States Marshal
to be electrocuted on April 19, 1938. When sentence
was imposed, the defense immediately advised the
United States District Court of their intention to
appeal the case to the United States Circuit Court.
On June 16, 1938, this court confirmed the decision
of the United States District Court and pursuant
to a mandate of the United States Circuit Court of
Appeals, dated July 7, 1938, the Trial Court set
the date of Seadlund's execution for July 14, 1938,
when he was electrocuted at Chicago, Illinois.
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John
Henry Seadlund
John
Henry Seadlund was born on July 27, 1910, at Fenco,
Wisconsin, and his family moved to Ironton, Minnesota,
when he was an infant. His father, Paul Seadlund,
died on March 23, 1933, and prior to his death was
a master mechanic in various iron mines in the vicinity
of Ironton, Minnesota.
Seadlund
was interested in outdoor life, and obtained his
first gun, a .22 rifle, when he was ten years of
age, and often went into the woods with other boys
to hunt. As he grew older he became interested in
buying a larger rifle. Seadlund would often go into
the Minnesota woods near Ironton and remain for several
days on hunting trips. After he turned fourteen there
was very seldom a season passed that he did not kill
at least one deer. He was apparently fond of hunting
ducks, and on his hunting expeditions would kill
as many as forty ducks, although the law limited
the possession of ducks for one hunter to eight.
He would never bring more than the legal limit of
eight ducks home, but would hide the remainder in
the alley and distribute them among the neighbors.
As
a boy he was interested in mechanics and spent hours
of his time fooling with motors and various mechanical
airplanes and reading books and articles on aviation.
As a student in high school he made average grades
and never appeared to take his high school work seriously,
but seemed to be more interested in reading outside
literature. He never took a great interest in high
school sports, but was known for ice hockey, and
played this game with a local team. He was good enough
at hockey that he was offered an opportunity to play
on a professional team, and also was invited by the
coaches from teachers' colleges in the vicinity of
Ironton, Minnesota, to attend school and play on
the hockey team of the school.
He
graduated from the local grade school in Ironton,
Minnesota, and graduated from the Crosby-Ironton
High School, in 1928. Following his graduation, he
went to work in the iron mines, working particularly
in the blacksmith shops and machine shops under the
supervision of his father. He appeared to be content
with this type of work, and worked regularly until
July 1929, when, because of the Depression, he was
laid off and the mines were practically closed. In
July 1929, he left home, and worked various jobs
in Chicago, Illinois.
Seadlund
remained at home from September 25, 1930, until May
30, 1934, and tried unsuccessfully to secure employment
in the iron mines, which at that time were practically
shut down. Unable to find employment there, he secured
parttime employment at a filling station in Ironton,
Minnesota, and for a few months prior to May 30,
1934, acted as a delivery boy for a grocery store
in Ironton, Minnesota.
John
Henry Seadlund's father died as the result of an
accident March 23, 1933. He was found dead of monoxide
poisoning in the family car.
Shortly
after this, Seadlund came into contact with Tommy
Carroll, a gangster, who was a member of the Dillinger
gang, and was subsequently killed at Waterloo, Iowa,
on June 7, 1934. Carroll was hiding in the woods
and met Seadlund one day while Seadlund was hunting.
Carroll convinced Seadlund to help him by bringing
him food, and the two struck up an acquaintanceship.
What Tommy Carroll told Seadlund is not known, but
Seadlund was thrilled by his contact with Carroll,
who, to him, was a "big shot" gangster.
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Previous
Criminal Activity
On
July 18, 1934, Seadlund robbed the Van Restaurant
in Brainerd, Minnesota, walking away with $48. He
was identified, arrested, and confined in the Crow
Wing County jail at Brainerd, Minnesota, but escaped
July 28, 1934, before he was brought to trial. He
did not return to his home, but traveled to various
parts of the country. When questioned by Director
Hoover regarding the restaurant robbery, he claimed
to have returned to this restaurant and eaten a meal
there for the thrill of it, well knowing he was wanted,
and had been positively identified.
On
March 1, 1935, Seadlund stole an automobile in Memphis,
Tennessee, and transported it to Tuscaloosa, Alabama,
in violation of the National Motor Vehicle Theft
Act, for which offense he was indicted on June 14,
1935, at Birmingham, Alabama under the name of Clarence
Johnson. Thus John Henry Seadlund, like other notorious
gangsters, such as John Dillinger, was first sought
by the FBI for the violation of the National Motor
Vehicle Theft Act.
In
1936, Seadlund became more active and daring. On
May 22, 1936, he robbed the State Bank of Centuria
at Milltown, Wisconsin, while armed, and obtained
$1,039. He said that while he was hitchhiking near
Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, he was picked up by a girl,
whose name will not be given, and that he traveled
as far as Bismarck, North Dakota, with her, but became
disgusted as she was engaged in prostitution. Seadlund
left her and stole her car, using it when he robbed
the First National Bank at Eagle River, Wisconsin,
on June 15, 1936, where he obtained $1,737. He wrecked
the car in making his getaway, and was forced to
abandon it and go into the woods on foot. FBI Special
Agents recovered valuable identifying evidence as
a result of a search of this abandoned car and under
scientific analysis by experts of the technical laboratory
of the FBI, were able to identify Seadlund as being
in possession of this getaway car, and from the modus
operandi employed in this bank robbery were able
to show that he was the perpetrator of other bank
robberies.
Seadlund
was in the woods for about a week, evading apprehension
and suffering greatly from hunger. He advised Mr.
Hoover that he broke into a cabin and stole a .22
rifle with which he killed a rabbit and ate some
of it raw since he did not have any matches with
which to build a fire to cook it.
After
having robbed the two banks, Seadlund then went to
Spokane, Washington, bought a truck and went into
the timber business. At one time he had as many as
ten men working for him, he claims not one of them
was his friend. His nature did not draw others to
him. Restlessness such seized him, and he left Washington
in August, 1936, and proceeded back to Wisconsin.
On August 25, 1936, Seadlund robbed the Peoples State
Bank at Colfax, Wisconsin, obtaining $2,408. Again
he returned to the state of Washington and lived
and worked near Lake Trout. Seadlund felt he had
a reputation there and had established himself under
the name of Peter Anders, and it was a long distance
from the Territory in which he had operated as a
bank robber.
He
again came East and robbed the First National Bank
at Shakoppe, Minnesota, and secured $4,700, on January
25, 1937. Again he scurried back to Spokane, Washington,
with the loot.
In
June of 1937, Seadlund again started back East with
the intention of robbing the bank at Bloomer, Wisconsin.
Someplace near Superior, Montana, he picked up a
hitchhiker named James Atwood Gray, a young man who
was about twenty years old. He asked to ride in the
back seat of the car so he could sleep, and found
a gun between the seat and the upholstery. As Seadlund
had done to the girl who befriended him, so Gray
attempted to do to Seadlund. He held Seadlund up
and took his money, and was about to take Seadlund's
car when Seadlund surprised him and knocked him out.
Again, Seadlund did the unexpected, and instead of
leaving the boy, he forced him to drive the car,
and after a few days, the two decided to work together.
Seadlund
and Gray, while at Rhinelander, Wisconsin, planning
the robbery of a bank at Minocqua, Wisconsin, obtained
information concerning six or seven women who were
traveling by truck and who were carrying a box which
was supposed to contain valuable jewelry. The two
held this truck up and obtained a box which they
thought held the jewelry, and took one woman from
this truck as a hostage and released her after traveling
four or five miles south of Rhinelander. When Seadlund
and Gray opened this box, they were surprised it
contained candy.
While
at Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, on September 2, 1937,
a cafe owner was pointed out to them as saving approximately
$100,000 worth of "hot" jewelry. Seadlund
and Gray followed him and his wife out on the road
and held them up with a gun. The woman was seized
as a victim. She was held until September 4, 1937,
and released after they had failed to collect the
ransom from her husband. This kidnapping was an interstate
matter, and the FBI had no jurisdiction.
Seadlund
and Gray then planned to kidnap a prominent merchant
of Decatur, Illinois, and while Gray waited in the
car, Seadlund went to his home with the intention
of kidnapping him. However, when Seadlund learned
that he was absent from the city this plan was given
up. Seadlund told Mr. Hoover that he considered kidnapping
Jerome H. "Dizzy" Dean, the baseball player,
but abandoned this plan when he realized the ramifications
which would be involved in forcing Dean's ball club
to pay a ransom.
John
Henry Seadlund's final criminal act was the kidnapping
of Charles Sherman Ross on September 26, 1937, and
the subsequent killing of Mr. Ross and Mr. James
Atwood Gray. For these offenses, Seadlund was electrocuted
in Chicago, Illinois, on July 14, 1938, and he was
laid to rest on July 17, 1938, in the Klondike Cemetary,
two miles south of Ironton, Minnesota, beside the
grave of his father.
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