Episode 83: Wild Goose Chase
The owner of a famous cursed jewel goes on a wild goose chase to save a kidnapped baby, but will she become another victim?
For 6 weeks, plenty of speculation and false leads are pursued in the effort to find the Lindbergh baby. Hope Diamond owner Evalyn Walsh McLean travels to multiple locations until realizing she too might be in danger if she goes any further. Meanwhile, Lindbergh pursues his own chances for recovery to failed results.
Other people and subjects include: Gaston Means, Charles Lindbergh, Charles Lindbergh, Jr., Lindbergh kidnapping, Colonel Henry Skillman Breckenridge, Norman Schwarzkopf, Father Hurney, Al Capone, Morris “Mickey” Rosner, Robert Thayer, Salvatore “Salvy” Spitale, Irving Bitz, John
F. Condon – Jafsie, “Cemetery John,” John Hughes Curtis, Reverend Dobson Peacock, Admiral Guy Burrage, Norfolk Bootlegger “Sam”, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, “Fred Short,” Nurse Betty Gow, Elsie Whateley, Henry “Red” Johnson, Violette Sharpe, Laura Vitray, ransom, kidnapping gang, cyber sleuths, Elise Lam, Cecil Hotel, Netflix, Gabby Petito, Brian Laundrie, Boston Marathon bomber, Websleuths.com, homeless lottery winner Abraham Lee Shakespeare, Dorice “Dee Dee” Moore, ransom notes, gold certificates
Archival Music provided by Past Perfect Vintage Music, www.pastperfect.com.
Extra Notes / Call to Action:
Ye Olde Crime podcast by Lindsay Valenty and Madison Stangl
https://www.yeoldecrimepodcast.com/
Share, like, subscribe
Publish Date: April 16, 2023
Length: 24:43
Opening Music: My Heart Belongs to Daddy by Billy Cotton, Album The Great British Dance Bands
Section 1 Music: Moonlight Cocktail by Hutch for Love by Freddy Gardner, Album Tea Dance 1920s, 30s, 40s Vintage Tea Party
Section 2 Music: Temptation Rag by Harry Roy, Album The Great British Dance Bands
Section 3 Music: I Double Dare You by Jack Harris & His Orchestra, Albums More Sophistication & Hits of the 30s
End Music: My Heart Belongs to Daddy by Billy Cotton, Album The Great British Dance Bands
AS THE MONEY BURNS
Podcast by Nicki Woodard
Episode 083 – Wild Goose Chase
00:00
[Music – My Heart Belongs to Daddy by Billy Cotton, Album The Great British Dance Bands]
AS THE MONEY BURNS is an original podcast by Nicki Woodard. Based on historical research, this is a deep exploration into what happened to a set of actual heirs and heiresses to some of America’s most famous fortunes when the Great Depression hits.
Each episode has three primary sections. Section 1 is a narrative story. Section 2 goes deeper into the historical facts. Section 3 focuses on contemporary, emotional, and personal connections.
00:30
Story Recap
The Lindbergh baby kidnapping is the crime of the century, and Evalyn Walsh McLean is determined to help solve it.
Now back to AS THE MONEY BURNS
Title
00:45
Wild Goose Chase
[Music Fade Out]
Episode Tag
The owner of a famous cursed jewel goes on a wild goose chase to save a kidnapped baby, but will she become another victim?
01:00
[Music – Moonlight Cocktail by Hutch for Love by Freddy Gardner, Album Tea Dance 1920s, 30s, 40s Vintage Tea Party]
Section 1 – Story
[Music Fade Out]
01:18
Day 1, 2, 3, 9, 12, 17, 20,… and counting…
The world still doesn’t know the answer to the most pressing question…
Where is Charles Lindbergh, Jr.? The toddler was kidnapped from his bedroom on March 1st, 1932. A ransom note was left behind.
Speculations, leads, the press, everyone is riveted. Even Al Capone has offered his help.
01:49
From her house at Fairview outside Washington, D.C., Evalyn Walsh McLean waits by the phone waiting for more information. She caresses her priceless Hope Diamond. Each night ending in disappointment only to be revitalized with hope at sunrise. Days after the kidnapping, she hands $100k (that’s $2.18 million in 2023) to Gaston Means, a former FBI agent with ties to the underworld who has offered to serve as a liaison for the Lindberghs.
02:21
The anxiety of the nation is at a high. Multiple kidnappings have spread out and are a rising threat. Formerly a crime very few needed to fear, the elite have had to ramp up security measures.
Teen heiresses Doris Duke and Barbara Hutton not only have governess chaperones but now bodyguards travel with them everywhere. Kind of a damper on young ladies hoping to find love and romance.
02:45
By the end of March 1932, Evalyn meets up with Gaston once again. She gives him an additional $4k for expenses (about $88k in 2023). They agree to meet soon down near her house in Aiken, South Carolina. There she will receive the baby.
More waiting, more agony… Could they be watching her? Could she become a target too?
A doctor friend gives her a special fountain pen filled with poison instead of ink. A small innocuous looking device in case anyone tries to force her to write something against her will.
Each night, Evalyn struggles to sleep. During a violent dream, she thrashes about until jolting awake. Drenched in sweat, she tries to calm herself, confused and muddled.
A wind howls outside and thrashes a window shutter. She jumps again grabbing the special fountain pen from her bedstand. She clutches it with her life. If anyone was coming for her, she could stab them, injecting the poison like a cobra’s fang.
A distant railroad whistle shocks her back into focus. What mess has she gotten herself into? How far will this venture take her to the edge?
04:01
Gaston finally reaches out again and informs Evalyn that the criminals would be willing to deal with her in El Paso, Texas. Evalyn packs her bags and makes the arrangement to travel with her nurse and a maid. She checks into the hotel under the name of “Mrs. Lane.”
Evalyn makes sure to always remain in sight of her female companions. The hair on her neck standing on end. Always alert, always concerned. Likely, the kidnappers would deliver the baby then quickly escape capture crossing the border into Mexico.
After another consultation, Evalyn nods in agreement to the plan. Gaston disappears for a few hours. The evening buzzes from the sound of locusts, or could it be rattlesnake tails… The sounds of looming unknown danger. Thinking to herself, she begins to grow suspicious of Gaston.
04:59
When he returns. There is no baby, instead he says now the kidnappers would turn the baby over in Mexico.
Evalyn’s stomach tightens almost causing her to fall over. She steels herself. Her skin feels flush. If she goes into Mexico, she might never come back.
After Gaston leaves, Evalyn hurriedly leaves for Washington, D.C. She leaves behind her nurse on the off chance the baby does appear. However Evalyn knows she herself is in mortal danger.
Back in D.C., she recruits the Roman Catholic priest Father Hurney to demand Gaston repay her money. Hurney was earlier part of the plan to be the actual recipient of the baby.
Meanwhile Charles Lindbergh in his own efforts has two other failed recovery attempts.
More days go by, more headlines, more false leads,… A baby’s life on the line.
Will the agony ever end? Or is better to hold onto hope? A limbo dance with hell.
06:17
[Music – Temptation Rag by Harry Roy, Album The Great British Dance Bands]
Section 2 – History & Historiography
[Music Fade Out]
06:33
In retelling this angle of the Lindbergh kidnapping, I find myself wondering about so many questions. Of course, I have read and heard about the Lindbergh kidnapping in the past, but I must admit I am nowhere near any sort of even amateur expert. It is only in retreading the story now that I am learning most of the details which I am pointing out. I only knew the highlights of the case and even those didn’t stick precisely in my head.
06:59
The Lindbergh home in Hopewell, New Jersey, quickly became a command post and dormitory. Several close confidantes and those aiding in the investigation would stay there and consult on facts.
Meanwhile ransom notes continue to arrive to the Lindberghs and several of their associates. While Evalyn Walsh McLean chases the leads by Gaston Means, Charles Lindbergh is embroiled in several of his own.
The madness continues as everyone keeps chiming in. Plenty of intermediaries, go-betweens, and the subsequent wild goose chases… Lindbergh pushes away law enforcement aid in several of the solo independent recovery attempts while also manning his own flying expeditions over suspected areas. The worried and again pregnant Anne Lindbergh finds herself thoroughly depressed and defeated amidst the chaos.
07:50
It’s a convoluted overlapping timeline of events. Rarely if ever told in a straightforward fashion. Various retellings might mention these adjoining recovery attempts or failures, but like other stories I am telling when told in large traditional fashion these smaller ones get further pared down or even overlooked depending on the angle of the retelling.
There is a lot of overlap and quite a bit of confusion amongst the sources, so I am not sure how to vet their accuracy as has proven problematic for previous less serious subject matters. Some of the books are even skeptical of the crime and have alternate theories. However those are great in that they help highlight these other side tales as proof for their skepticism. Hence I am going to try to stick more with individuals than dates. But what I am explaining all happens within a 6 week time period just after the kidnapping on March 1st, 1932. These are just the larger situations, as there is a flood of speculation and attempts coming from everywhere.
08:58
First up underground associate Morris “Mickey” Rosner is contacted to aide in the investigation. Rosner is under prosecution for a different charge when his lawyer Robert Thayer asks about Rosner’s previous offer for information to aid in any kidnapping as a way to help with any plea deals. Thayer himself has marital ties to the Standard Oil fortune via his wife and her mother. Quickly, Rosner receives $2500 to use in payoffs to informants. Rosner assists in getting Lindbergh connected to two other mobsters.
09:32
March 6th, 1932, Lindbergh releases a press announcement that known criminal gangster kingpin Salvatore “Salvy” Spitale and his lieutenant Irving Bitz are designated underground liaisons. Since the announcement, Spitale receives 100s of leads and thinks one might be very productive. He will check it out after settling another matter.
A week later Spitale and Bitz will be hauled into New York courts on a Prohibition related charge. As well, Spitale ups the security around his own two children who are also now receiving kidnapping threats – 3 letters, though likely cranks, safety becomes a primary concern.
10:16
On March 6th, 1932, a new ransom letter arrives at the Lindbergh home. It is postmarked on March 4th from Brooklyn. The new ransom amount requested is for $70k (or $1.5 million in 2023), up from the initial $50k (or roughly $1 million in 2023).
A third ransom note also postmarked from Brooklyn is sent to Wall Street lawyer and former military Colonel Henry Skillman Breckinridge. Breckinridge is essentially Lindbergh’s right hand in much of his home-based operations relating to this crime. This 3rd note indicates that John Condon should be the intermediary for the kidnappers.
10:58
On March 8th, 1932, well known Bronx personality, American football coach, and retired teacher-principal 72 year old John Francis Condon offers in a local newspaper Bronx Home News an additional $1k on top of the Lindbergh reward if kidnappers confess or turn the child over to a priest. Immediately by the next day, he receives 20 letters about the crime at his home. Three are suspected to might actually be from the kidnappers. The grammar and spelling are horrible. Condon even receives a few phone calls with the supposed kidnapper – who has a thick German or Scandinavian accent.
11:38
Condon heads over to consult with Lindbergh and is even allowed to stay in the baby’s nursery. With Lindbergh’s approval, Condon takes a few items from the room including wooden animal toys to help identify the child.
Lindbergh and Condon agree to use the codename “Jafsie,” a play on Condon’s initials J.F.C. This will be used in coded messages sent to the kidnappers via another local newspaper New York American.
One such note March 11th, 1932 —
“I accept. Money is Ready. Jafsie”
That night responding to another message and directions, Condon goes to the Woodlawn Cemetery and meets with a figure referred as “Cemetery John” who between harsh hacking coughs agrees to get more proof of association to the baby.
12:29
All the while, others speculate. From his Cook County Jail cell, Al Capone proposes the theory that it had to be mob related because otherwise the kidnappers would have been caught by now. He still offers to help and is willing to pay a $200k bond (that’s $4.4 million in 2023) if he is temporarily released to interview his contacts.
12:53
Police focus on trying to locate Henry “Red” Johnson an associate of the Scottish Nurse Betty Gow. Johnson is considered a suspect as he drove Gow to Hopewell the day of the kidnapping. He works on boats and is not in the area for questioning further adding to suspicions. Another Lindbergh servant Violette Sharpe is also under heavy interrogation as her whereabouts were unknown during the kidnapping.
13:17
Meanwhile newspapers go over and over the facts of the crime. Even the Royal Canadian Mounted Police launched a 3 hour search of a houseboat following a “valuable trail.” One reported theory claims a mysterious “Fred Short” as a handwriting suspect. There is a hint that the kidnapping plot had been hatched over a year ago from Vancouver.
13:39
On March 12th, 1932, a man flags down a taxicab driver Joseph Perrone and gives him a note to be delivered to Condon with more instructions.
In both March 13th, 1932 in Bronx Home News and March 14th, 1932 in New York American, Condon promptly releases the message –-
“Money is ready. No cops. No secret service no press. I come alone like last time.”
14:09
On March 16th, 1932, Condon receives in the mail a baby’s Dr. Denton No. 2 sleeping suit along with a seventh ransom note. Lindbergh confirms that the clothing item belongs to his son.
April 1st, 1932, Condon receives a letter saying it is time for the ransom to be delivered.
That same day on a walk to feed guards on the Lindbergh Hopewell estate, Nurse Betty Gow and another servant Elsie Whateley find among the gravel one of the metal thumb guards Charles Lindbergh, Jr. had been wearing the night of his kidnapping. The despair of that discovery further heats up efforts.
14:49
On April 2nd, 1932, an unknown taxicab driver shows up serving as an intermediary and delivers to Condon another note for a meeting that night.
Lindbergh dresses in disguise as a hunter and joins the party but does not directly meet Cemetery John.
At this next meeting with Cemetery John, Condon states only $50k has been raised, and “John” said it was acceptable then hands over a note informing him the child is with 2 innocent women.
15:18
Condon then hands over the ransom, placed in a custom wood box with some gold certificates – in hopes of identifying them later. Also the regular bills are not marked but the serial numbers had been written down. Only 1000s of bills and busy bank tellers are unable to process and check while handling regular customer demands. Many bills are found in circulation even as far as Chicago and Minneapolis, but still no traceable links as hoped. The gold certificates more distinct and soon to be out circulation are the biggest chance at capture.
15:56
Upon Condon’s return, Lindbergh rips opens the note ignoring the wait 6 hours order – the baby is in a boat called Nelly off the Massachusetts coast. Lindbergh launches a search by ground, sea, and air with no luck.
16:11
By now, a third intermediary becomes the primary hope for recovery.
Back in March 24th, 1932, Lindbergh begins potential negotiations with Commodore John Hughes Curtis, a boat builder in Norfolk, Virginia. For 3 weeks, Curtis offers to help with two other noted citizens – Reverend Mr. H. Dobson *Peacock and Admiral Guy Burrage. Admiral Burrage had been in command of the U.S. warship that brought Lindbergh and his plane the Spirit of St. Louis back to America after his historic 1927 flight.
16:47
Upon first news of the crime, Curtis is informed by a local Norfolk bootlegger “Sam” that the kidnappers might be holding the baby on a boat in nearby Cape May, New Jersey. Curtis describes the ransom notes along with other details. Curtis also leaks the information that the kidnapping plot originated within the Lindbergh household among the servants along with details on the house. This latter bit of information makes Lindbergh more agitated and suspicious about his own personal staff.
On April 18th, 1932, in a conference with Lindbergh and New Jersey police superintendent Norman Schwarzkopf, John Hughes Curtis relays a meeting with his confidante Sam, the actual Cemetery John, and 4 others of various nationalities in the kidnapping gang.
Curtis negotiates a ransom of $100k. Another potential rabbit hole…
17:42
One reporter for Hearst’s New York Journal Laura Vitray follows the case closely especially the Condon Jafsie announcements then the John Hughes Curtis – Sam rumors. Convinced of a conspiracy, she writes her own book with theories on the crime and prophesizes the child’s return alive if they follow her recommendations. She publishes her book The Great Lindbergh Hullabaloo on April 12th, 1932.
18:12
Among all these attempts, the Lindberghs themselves pay two different ransoms with no results. Extortion at its finest.
As the story gets more convoluted and entwined, the only thing that really matters is that there is hope that the baby is still alive. It could only be a matter of time and with the right negotiations that the child will be returned.
A deep insecure hope…
18:43
[Music – I Double Dare You by Jack Harris & His Orchestra, Albums More Sophistication & Hits of the 30s]
Section 3 – Contemporary & Personal Relevance
[Music Fade Out]
19:03
True crime is one of the most popular genres – in books, documentaries, websites, podcasts, and whatever new media will come in the future. Many, especially women, are riveted by tales of crime. But there is a special attraction for those unsolved.
The internet has opened up more possibilities for cyber sleuths to review potential clues and try to outguess law enforcement efforts. While many are well meaning, they are often wrong and can actually impede an investigation.
19:37
Worse they can spawn off more complicated campaigns, in accusing the innocent. Tarnishing a person’s reputation with no apology or correction afterwards. One more recent example is the 2013 tale of a missing Canadian tourist of Hong Kong descent Elisa Lam at the Cecil Hotel in Los Angeles. She is found days later naked in the water tank on the hotel’s roof. The mysteriousness of her death and the last security camera footage of her alive in an elevator spark many imaginations spawning horror films, songs, and music videos.
In 2021, Netflix features the story in the documentary Crime Scene: The Vanishing at the Cecil Hotel. The story takes a bizarre twist as cyber sleuths obsess over the elevator footage of Lam and come up with fantastical theories on her disappearance and unhappy with the results from the actual investigation which had the more simple explanation of a psychotic break after under medicating her bipolar disorder, accidental drowning, and hypothermia.
20:43
Later in August 2021, another recent case caught attention when Instagrammer Gabby Petito went missing during a trip with her boyfriend and fiancée Brian Laundrie. Her body was discovered in September 2021, and viral attention focused on the case while trying to track down the then missing Laundrie. Laundrie’s remains would be found in October 2021 and with him a notebook in which he confesses to her murder and his suicidal plans.
21:12
Sometimes groups form in discussing and trying to solve crimes. One group via Reddit went into overdrive trying to identify the 2013 Boston Marathon bomber, accusing several innocent individuals while devolving into an online witch-hunt.
21:29
Websleuths.com is one online community where members work with law enforcement in helping solve crimes. With over 185,000, members, there are strict guidelines forbidding rumors but helping collect concrete evidence. Such as where a shirt might have been made, bank records, and other items that might aid in solving a case. The biggest win was solving the 2009 death of former homeless guy turned lottery winner Abraham Lee Shakespeare who was killed by his business manager Dorice “Dee Dee” Moore, who was also a member of the online club to deflect suspicion. Another member found Dee Dee’s bank records which lead to her arrest.
22:10
Without a doubt, crimes will always exist, and with that there will always be those more willing to jump into action and try to solve them.
Only too bad such aide isn’t so readily available when it comes to crimes of the heart. For those, our heirs and heiresses need more preventive means of protection.
22:30
Curious to find another true crime podcast, then you might want to check out Ye Olde Crime podcast by Lindsay Valenty and Madison Stangl. They cover tales from yesteryear pre-1900. And it is not always murder. Here’s their trailer —
22:46
Do you love true crime but are looking for something different? Do you like learning about cases so off the wall they can’t possibly be true? Do you love history but want to hear what they didn’t teach you in school? Do you like laughing awkwardly about cases that are bizarre and a little strange?
Then we have the podcast for you. Join me, Lindsay, and me, Madison for Ye Olde Crime. Where we discuss the funny, strange, and obscure crimes of yesteryear. Listen every Wednesday wherever you get your podcasts. And we will see next time with another tale as old as crime.
23:31
Recent episodes include Pirate Queen Grace of Malley, the Dahomey Amazons, and the Pendle Witches with a dangerous family feud among other interesting tales…
Links available in the notes section and transcript.
https://www.yeoldecrimepodcast.com/
If you enjoy As The Money Burns, then please share, like, & subscribe.
Hook
23:54
[Music – My Heart Belongs to Daddy by Billy Cotton, Album The Great British Dance Bands]
Next when we return to AS THE MONEY BURNS…
A large public spectacle features an heiress at its center, but all that attention comes with other warnings.
Until then…
Credits
24:12
AS THE MONEY BURNS is an original podcast written, produced, and voiced by Nicki Woodard, based on historical research. Archival music has been provided by Past Perfect Vintage Music, check out their website at www.pastperfect.com.
Please come visit us at As The Money Burns via Goodpods, Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram. Transcripts, timeline, episode guide, and character bios are available at asthemoneyburns.com.
24:43
THE END.