In late September 1937, Charles S. Ross, president of a prosperous greeting card company, was driving towards Chicago when he was unexpectedly pulled over and abducted at gunpoint by two criminals.
The FBI swiftly launched an extensive investigation into the abduction, marking one of its largest operations at the time.
Tragically, Ross met his demise on October 10 during a scuffle between the kidnappers, resulting in his murder along with one of the criminals.
The mastermind behind the scheme, John Henry Seadlund, known for his criminal past, managed to evade authorities for a while, crisscrossing the country with the $50,000 ransom. However, his luck ran out when agents traced the serial numbers from the ransom money, leading them to Seadlund in Los Angeles. Posing as racetrack cashiers, the agents apprehended Seadlund on January 10, 1938, as he attempted to place a bet with one of the bills. He eventually confessed to the kidnappings and murders.
Seadlund’s Story
John Henry Seadlund, known for his ruthless crimes as a kidnapper, murderer, and solo bank robber, spent his final 24 hours on July 13, 1938, in Chicago, Illinois. The next morning, July 14, 1938, Seadlund faced the electric chair for the abduction and killing of Charles Sherman Ross.
Seadlund's death came exactly 13 days before what would have been his 28th birthday; he was born on July 27, 1910.
The FBI began its intensive investigation on October 19, 1937, when it became clear that Ross would not be returned by his captors. Seadlund had believed the crime to be flawless, but the FBI spared no effort in unraveling the intricacies of his plan. This investigation spanned nearly four months, with the FBI employing the most advanced methods of crime detection and extending its reach beyond U.S. borders.
The FBI's pursuit culminated in Seadlund's arrest at the Santa Anita Race Track near Los Angeles, California, on January 14, 1938, following a meticulously planned operation personally supervised by Director Hoover.
The case revealed the lack of loyalty among criminals; Seadlund likely killed his accomplice, James Atwood Gray, to prevent sharing the $50,000 ransom. Seadlund's downfall came when his urge to gamble led to his arrest, demonstrating that even the most careful criminals can be undone by their own desires.
The Abduction
On the evening of Saturday, September 25, 1937, Charles Sherman Ross was driving his large sedan down North Avenue towards Chicago, Illinois, accompanied by his former secretary and lifelong friend, Miss Florence Freihage. Ross, a 72-year-old retired president of the George S. Carrington Greeting Card Manufacturing Company, noticed a car following them closely with unusually bright lights. Growing alarmed, Ross decided to pull over to let the car pass. However, the other car abruptly blocked their path, and a man identified as Seadlund emerged, brandishing a revolver.
Seadlund approached Ross's car and attempted to open the locked door beside the driver's seat. After threatening to shoot Ross, Seadlund forced him out of his car and into the abductor's vehicle, driven by James Atwood Gray. Seadlund declared it a kidnapping, stating, "My boss told me to bring you along."
During the incident, Miss Freihage, concerned for Ross's health, protested and tried to intervene. Seadlund, noting her appearance and assuming a youthful and nervous demeanor, questioned her relationship to Ross. When she explained she was just a friend, Seadlund took money from her purse and instructed her to lie on the floor of Ross's car while they drove off with Ross.
After the kidnappers departed, Miss Freihage, complying with Seadlund's warning not to involve the police, cautiously followed the kidnappers' car until it disappeared into the night. She then stopped at the nearest telephone to alert the authorities, marking the beginning of the four-month-long Ross kidnapping investigation.
The Ransom Letters
After securely ensuring Ross was out of reach for any potential alarms, the kidnappers drove into Wisconsin and then Minnesota, reaching their hideout near Emily by late Sunday. Seadlund and Gray had prepared a cold, dark dugout in the woods for their criminal activities.
Seadlund immediately initiated negotiations for ransom by dictating a letter for Ross to write. However, Ross, refusing to ask for more than $5,000, was overruled by Seadlund, who altered the letter to demand $50,000. Seadlund then mailed the letter and proceeded to Chicago.
The first ransom letter, intended for Mrs. Charles S. Ross but forwarded to Harvey S. Brackett to maintain secrecy, was received on September 30, 1937, violating federal extortion laws.
To demonstrate Ross's well-being and authenticate the negotiations, Seadlund returned to Emily and photographed Ross holding a newspaper dated October 2, 1937. Seadlund then returned to Chicago, bought a typewriter, and crafted three more ransom letters.
The second letter, sent on October 2, 1937, was addressed to Mr. Olden C. Armitage, a lodge associate of Ross. The third, postmarked October 6, 1937, was again addressed to Elton C. Armitage, suggesting proof of well-being could be found at a specific address, which turned out to be a camera company where films of Ross were retrieved.
The fourth letter, received on October 8, 1937, detailed a route for a motorcycle rider to collect the ransom. The pay-off occurred on October 8, 1937, as instructed, with Seadlund receiving $30,000 and Gray $20,000.
The Murders
On the night of October 9, 1937, Seadlund and Gray departed in Seadlund's car with Charles S. Ross, heading to a hideout about 17 miles northwest of Spooner, Wisconsin. They reached the hideout at 7 a.m. on October 10, 1937.
Seadlund claimed that he thought Gray was about to attack him, leading to a struggle. During the scuffle, all three fell into a pit. Seadlund stated that he shot Gray as they fell, believing Gray was incapacitated. He then emptied his gun into Gray's body to ensure he was dead. Unable to revive Ross and wanting to be certain of his death, Seadlund shot him in the head. Seadlund placed both bodies in the pit, closed the trap door, and covered it with dirt and brush. This occurred around 3 p.m. on October 10, 1937.
Around 5 p.m. on the same day, Seadlund buried the typewriter box, which had contained the typewriter used for the ransom letters and $32,645, believed to be the ransom money, a short distance north of Walker, Minnesota, east of Highway 371.
Seadlund then traveled to Omaha, Nebraska, and other Midwest locations before heading to Spokane, Washington. On November 2, 1937, in Spokane, he disposed of the car used in the kidnapping and acquired another sedan, which was later found in his possession in Los Angeles on January 14, 1938. Seadlund continued his journey east, passing through Chicago, New York, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Miami, New Orleans, Denver, Pecos, Texas, and finally arriving in Los Angeles on January 10, 1938.
During his travels, Seadlund used various bills from the ransom money.
Tracking the Ransom Money
On October 18, 1937, Mrs. Ross issued a message to the kidnappers demanding the return of her husband, warning that law enforcement would vigorously pursue and punish them if he was not returned. With no response from the kidnappers the following day, the FBI circulated lists of the ransom bills' serial numbers nationwide, urging everyone to be alert for these bills.
The ransom money began to surface in various parts of the country, prompting thorough investigations by the FBI to trace its origins and how it was being circulated. Public-spirited citizens were provided with lists of the ransom bill serial numbers, leading to the gradual tracking of the kidnapper's trail.
In early January 1938, when it was discovered that ransom bills were being identified at the Federal Reserve Bank and the Bank of America in Los Angeles, Director Hoover decided to personally oversee the investigation in Los Angeles. The ransom money was ultimately traced to the Santa Anita race track near Los Angeles.
A trap was set at the race track, with FBI agents posing as change carriers behind betting wickets to check suspected bills against the ransom list. Despite the challenge of the fast-paced betting environment, agents remained vigilant for individuals attempting to pass a ransom bill.
This task was particularly daunting as the race track had 500 ticket sellers and cashiers, with hundreds of thousands of dollars being exchanged daily. Nonetheless, agents patiently monitored the situation, ready to apprehend anyone attempting to pass a ransom bill.
Capture and Confession
On January 14, 1938, the surveillance at the Santa Anita race track paid off when a man approached a betting window, bought a ticket for a horse race, and used a bill that was part of the ransom money paid for Ross. Special agents swiftly apprehended the man, who turned out to be Seadlund, and took him to the Los Angeles FBI office without incident.
In Seadlund's possession, authorities found $14,512.18, including $5,620 of the ransom money. Seadlund, using the alias "Peter Ander," remained composed despite the overwhelming evidence against him, denying his involvement in Ross's abduction when confronted by Director Hoover. He claimed he had obtained the money at a discount from known bank robbers, suggesting he knew the money was illicit.
However, after intense questioning by Director Hoover, Seadlund confessed to his role in the Ross kidnapping, as well as the murders of Ross and Gray. On January 17, 1938, Seadlund flew to Minnesota with FBI agents to locate the buried bodies and ransom money. The search led them to a snow-covered hideout near Emily, Minnesota, where Seadlund had secretly buried the bodies and the ransom money.
On January 20, 1938, the agents uncovered the bodies of Ross and Gray in a dugout near Spooner, Wisconsin, corroborating Seadlund's confession. Seadlund, in a desperate attempt to escape, attacked an agent but was quickly subdued and apologized.
Seadlund was returned to St. Paul, Minnesota, and then to Chicago, Illinois, where he was arraigned on January 24, 1938. A plea of not guilty was entered for him, and he was held without bail. An indictment was returned against him on February 1, 1938, and he pleaded guilty on February 28, 1938.
On March 16, 1938, Seadlund was found guilty by a jury with a recommendation of the death penalty. The judge remanded him to the custody of the U.S. marshal to be electrocuted on April 19, 1938. After failed appeals, Seadlund was executed on July 14, 1938, in Chicago, Illinois.
Background on Seadlund
John Henry Seadlund was born on July 27, 1910, in Fenco, Wisconsin. His family moved to Ironton, Minnesota, when he was a baby. His father, Paul Seadlund, worked as a master mechanic in various iron mines near Ironton, Minnesota, until his death on March 23, 1933.
From a young age, Seadlund showed an interest in the outdoors and hunting. He received his first gun, a .22 rifle, at the age of 10 and often went hunting in the woods with other boys. As he grew older, his hunting trips became more frequent, and he became skilled at hunting deer and ducks, often bringing home the legal limit of ducks and distributing the rest among neighbors.
Despite his interest in hunting, Seadlund also had a passion for mechanics. He spent hours tinkering with motors and reading about aviation. In high school, he made average grades and was more interested in reading literature than in sports, although he was known for his skill in ice hockey.
After graduating from Crosby-Ironton High School in 1928, Seadlund worked in the iron mines, particularly in the blacksmith and machine shops under his father's supervision. However, he was laid off in July 1929 due to the Depression and took various jobs in Chicago, Illinois.
Seadlund returned home in September 1930 and tried unsuccessfully to find work in the iron mines, which were mostly shut down. He then worked part-time at a filling station and later as a delivery boy for a grocery store in Ironton, Minnesota.
In March 1933, Seadlund's father died in a car accident. Shortly after, Seadlund met Tommy Carroll, a member of the Dillinger gang, and became involved in criminal activities. He robbed a restaurant in Brainerd, Minnesota, in July 1934, and escaped from jail before his trial.
Seadlund continued his criminal activities, including stealing cars and robbing banks, traveling to various parts of the country to evade capture. He was eventually apprehended in Los Angeles, California, in January 1938, after being identified using ransom money from the Charles Sherman Ross kidnapping case.
Seadlund confessed to his involvement in the Ross kidnapping and the murders of Ross and his accomplice, James Atwood Gray. He was convicted and sentenced to death, and was executed in Chicago, Illinois, on July 14, 1938. He was buried in the Klondike Cemetery, two miles south of Ironton, Minnesota, next to his father's grave.
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