The Dark Side of the FBI: The Charles Ross Kidnapping

speaker1

Welcome to 'The Dark Side of the FBI,' the podcast where we dive deep into the most intriguing and chilling cases in FBI history. I'm your host, [Name], and today we're joined by the incredibly insightful [Name], an investigative journalist with a passion for true crime. Today, we're going to explore the harrowing story of the Charles Ross kidnapping and the relentless pursuit of justice by the FBI. So, grab your headphones and get ready for a wild ride!

speaker2

Thanks for having me, [Name]! I'm really excited to be here. The Charles Ross kidnapping is one of those cases that just keeps you on the edge of your seat. It's a story of greed, desperation, and the relentless pursuit of justice. Where do you want to start?

speaker1

Let's start with the abduction itself. On a dark evening in September 1937, Charles S. Ross, a wealthy businessman, was driving towards Chicago when he was pulled over and kidnapped at gunpoint. Can you paint a vivid picture of that night for our listeners?

speaker2

Absolutely. It was a Saturday evening, September 25, 1937, and Charles Sherman Ross, the 72-year-old president of a greeting card company, was driving down North Avenue with his former secretary and friend, Miss Florence Freihage. They were heading towards Grand Avenue when a car pulled up behind them, displaying unusually bright lights. Ross, sensing something was wrong, tried to let the car pass, but it veered sharply in front of his car, blocking their way. Suddenly, a man jumped out with a revolver and forced Ross into the other car. The entire scene was terrifying, and Miss Freihage was left in shock, trying to follow the kidnappers but eventually losing them in the darkness. It's a chilling start to an even more chilling story.

speaker1

That's a powerful introduction, and it sets the tone for the rest of the story. Now, let's talk about the ransom letters. The kidnappers, John Henry Seadlund and James Atwood Gray, demanded a staggering $50,000 in ransom. They sent a series of letters to Ross's family and associates, detailing how the money should be delivered. Can you walk us through the ransom negotiations and the methods they used?

speaker2

Sure. The first ransom letter was sent on September 30, 1937, and it was a desperate plea from Ross himself, asking his associates to raise $50,000. Seadlund had forced Ross to write the letter, but he altered it to demand the higher amount. The letters were filled with specific instructions, including the use of a motorcycle to deliver the money and detailed routes to follow. They even provided proof of Ross's well-being by sending photos of him holding a recent newspaper. It was a meticulously planned operation, and the family was in a state of panic, trying to comply with every demand.

speaker1

The ransom was eventually paid, but the story takes a dark turn. Can you tell us about the murders of Charles Ross and James Atwood Gray? How did Seadlund handle the situation after receiving the ransom money?

speaker2

It's a tragic and brutal part of the story. On October 9, 1937, Seadlund and Gray, along with Ross, drove to a hideout in Wisconsin. The next day, a dispute broke out between Seadlund and Gray, and in the ensuing struggle, they both fell into a pit. Seadlund, believing Gray was about to attack him, shot Gray multiple times. Ross, who had been knocked unconscious in the fall, was then shot in the head. Seadlund buried their bodies in the pit and covered it with dirt and brush. It's a gruesome end to what had been a carefully planned kidnapping.

speaker1

The murders are indeed grim, but the story doesn't end there. Seadlund had to get rid of the ransom money. How did the FBI track the money, and what methods did they use to trace it back to Seadlund?

speaker2

The FBI's investigation was nothing short of remarkable. They circulated lists of the serial numbers of the ransom bills to banks, law enforcement agencies, and even the public. When some of the bills started turning up in Los Angeles, the FBI set up a trap at the Santa Anita Race Track. Agents posed as cashiers and meticulously checked every bill that was used to place bets. On January 14, 1938, one of the agents identified a bill from the ransom money, and Seadlund was immediately arrested. It was a brilliant operation that brought the case to a critical turning point.

speaker1

And the capture of Seadlund was just the beginning. Can you walk us through his confession and the FBI's subsequent actions? How did they uncover the bodies of Ross and Gray?

speaker2

Seadlund initially denied everything, but after being questioned by Director Hoover, he broke down and confessed to the kidnapping and murders. He led the FBI agents to the hideouts in Minnesota and Wisconsin, where they found the bodies of Ross and Gray. The agents also recovered a significant portion of the ransom money, buried in a typewriter case. It was a harrowing journey, and the evidence was overwhelming. Seadlund was eventually sentenced to death and executed on July 14, 1938.

speaker1

Seadlund's background is just as fascinating as the case itself. He had a history of criminal activities, from bank robberies to petty theft. Can you tell us more about his life before the Ross kidnapping and what drove him to such extreme measures?

speaker2

Seadlund was born in 1910 in a small town in Wisconsin. He grew up with a love for the outdoors and mechanics, but he struggled to find steady work. After his father's death, he became involved with a gangster named Tommy Carroll, who introduced him to the criminal underworld. Seadlund's criminal activities escalated over the years, and by the time he met James Atwood Gray in 1937, he was a seasoned bank robber. The Ross kidnapping was a culmination of his criminal life, driven by desperation and a desire for a big score. It's a tragic story of a man who lost his way and paid a terrible price for his actions.

speaker1

The FBI's role in this case was pivotal. How did the investigation and the capture of Seadlund impact the FBI and law enforcement as a whole? What lessons were learned from this case?

speaker2

The Charles Ross kidnapping was a turning point for the FBI. It demonstrated the agency's ability to coordinate a nationwide manhunt and use advanced forensic techniques to solve a complex case. The use of serial numbers to track ransom money and the strategic setup at the race track were groundbreaking. The case also highlighted the importance of public cooperation and the need for robust communication between different law enforcement agencies. It set a new standard for how such cases would be handled in the future.

speaker1

It's a story that resonates even today. The Charles Ross kidnapping is a stark reminder of the darkness that can lurk in human nature and the relentless pursuit of justice that the FBI embodies. Thanks, [Name], for joining us today and sharing this incredible story with our listeners. If you have any questions or want to dive deeper into this case, be sure to check out our website and follow us on social media. Until next time, stay safe and keep exploring the dark side of the FBI!

speaker2

Thanks for having me, [Name]! It was a pleasure to share this story, and I can't wait to join you again for another thrilling episode. Goodnight, everyone!