Evening star., 1937-01-10
MATTS0NSRE
BOY LIVES
"MabIe" Ad Indicates Once
Family Was Certain He
Was "Alive and Well"
BACKGROUND

BACKGROUND
Kidnapping of Charles Mattson.
10, on December ~ again turned
eyes OF lap enforcement agents to
Tacoma, Wash, Uhere the Weyer.
haeuser abduction occurred in
1885.
Kidnaper left note demanding
$4,000 in "old bills" Frantic et-
forts to make contact through dd-
perisements believed unsuccessful
so tar. Federal agents entered case
on basis OF "Lindberoh" law. Sape
TOR dash to Shelton area BY 20
officers Friday morning. little is
knotOt OF more recent activities as
family pleads TOR hands OF" poll
icy to insure safe return OF boy.
By the Associated Press.
TACOMA, Wash, January 9.-Kid-
naped Charles Mattson's family to-
night requested new proof" of his
abductor the boy is alive before a
$4,000 ransom demand Is met.
The sixth of a series Of "Mable-
Ann" communications between the
family and the 10-year-old boys ab-
ductor, an advertisement in the early
Sunday edition of the Seattle Times.
contained the sentence: I'm view Of
the lapse OF time, also desire new
proof my son Is alive and we'll"
known to have been inserted by an
intimate of the DR.. w. w. Mattson
family. as were the preceding ads,
the message led to the conclusion the
family once had received definite
proof the boy was alive.
Advertisement In Full.
The ad read:
"Mable-We are still waiting. All
arrangements have been carried out
in accordance with instructions con-
tanned In notes received. Be certain
to give me information so that I
may guard against imposters and hi.
jackers. and be more specific in your
instructions. In view of lapse OF
time also desire new proof my son
is alive and well-Ann."
Will ChCCPtIOll VI IllC ldSb 6CIl-
tence, the advertisement was the one
that appeared in late editions Of
the Times yesterday and today.
The preceding ad was inserted after
Federal Bureau Of Investigation
agents assigned to the kidnapping case
rushed to three different places in an
undetermined number Of automobiles
yesterday morning.
DR.. Mattson waited at his home for
additional word from the kidnaper.
Some undisclosed hitch" in negotia-
tions was believed to have prevented
his payment at . scheduled time
Thursday.
Federal Bureau of investigate
agents. though they were known to
have snowshoes and other equipment
suitable for heavy weather, remained
In their cffices. reverting to the policy
Of "non-interference," which they
temporarily abandoned early yester-
day.
Snow Falls Before Dawn.
Disinterested observers predicted q
delay in the climax Of the case when
the snow. which totaled 3 inches.
started falling shortly before dawn
today.
They pointed out the weather would
prevent any safe meeting between the
kidnaper and an Intermediary for the
family. since officers or "hi- -jackers. i"
bent on securing the ransom money
would be able to follow the trail.
That imposters or other meddlers
prevented the ransom payment Thurs
day was generally believed, though
there was no confirmation.
Travel difficulties also would make
release OF the kidnapped boy unlikely,
1t was believed. either because the
kidnaper-if he is at all humane
would fear for the childs safety in
the snow. or because his own get.
away would be made more difficult.
If Charles Is held at some back
woods hideout. as several rumors have
indicated, any attempt to collect tn.
ransom or deliver the boy to his par
ents would be very conspicuous, OBJ
servers said.
Western Washington residents, un-
used to snow in the low lands. seldom
venture out when it Is falling except
on urgent business.
Most Roads Unimproved.
The district near Shelton, Wash,
locale Of several Of the kidnap rumors,
is particularly isolated in such weather.
With the exception of three or four
main highways, all roads there are
unimproved.