Ransom letter, demanding money for the return of kidnapping victim Mary B. Skeele, wife of Walter Skeele, the Professor of Organ and Dean of the College of Music at the University of Southern California. The ransom was paid and Mrs. Skeele was returned unharmed.
Note with partial ransom instructions, on 2 pieces of paper, mostly typewritten, partially created with cut-out words and letters, some portions obscured with tape or paper, some words struck out with crayon or pencil, pinned to wooden background, reading: -Leave 5:30. P. M. - continuing through HIGHLAND PARK a nd past SYCAMORE GROVE PARK to AVENUE #43 (forty-three); turning to the left on AVENUE 43 and going up the hill to GRIFFIN AVENUE and turning to the left on car line and following to the end of line. Here you will see the road turns to the right and starts up the winding road to the top of the hill. This is where Montecito Drive starts. Follow this road all the way up the hill. You will notice a retaining wall on the left about 8 feet high, this will follow along all the way to the top on your left hand side. Do not turn off this road. Just follow the winding road all the way. Keeping the wall on your left. Go all the way to the top following the wall all the time. When you arrive upon the hill you will see that the wall continues on for a short distance, but you follow on around the wall and and the end of it At Curve On The Right notice instruction under TILE in under Box. This is the place where you will stop your car and be sure there is no one following you or around there or anyone coming towards you You should act as if you are looking at your tires or something so as to not create suspicion or let anyone know that you are there. You see it is necessary that you are careful of this money so no one else might pick it up first. Otherwise you would be out of the money and the wife too. But you can be careful in placing it. We will try our best to get it. After placing the money then you drive on around the road to the first road turning to the right down the hill. This will take you down the other side of the hill to BROADWAY then you can turn and get back. This is a complete worded map and should be easily followed. We are depending on you to follow it in every detail and move and hope that you understand the seriousness of it all if you do not do as we direct. We have the upper hand at this time and we intend to see that you do as your told. You will be protected in every way if you do as we say and you movements will be a safeguard for your wife if you follow theses instructions. If however we notice any move or word to the contrary, well its just to BAD. AGAIN WE IMPRESS UPON YOU******BE CAREFUL*******. --------******_-------- ----------********------------ YOUR WIFE WILL NOT BE RETURNED -------,?. / IF You have the money marked or the serials taken. You have New bills instead of used ones. You have any other denominations of bills instead of $5,$I0,or $20. You have a dummy package in place of the money. You have anyone with you or around you or following you. You talk of this to anyone. You notify the POLICE or ANYONE. - --------*******------------ ---------*******--------- Your wife, will be held 24 hours to see if you have met these requirements. Remember we are watching your every move and it is very necessary that BE CAREFUL. You might make a move that would seem to you to be O.K. but at the time same it might prove fatal. Be Wise--Be Careful--Walter Fisher Skeele, If Ever There Was a Time to BE CAREFUL, It is NOW! Otherwise
This photograph appears with Los Angeles Times article, February 10, 1933, Net Tightens on Couple in Skeele Kidnap Case, Ransom Note Typewriter Found; Man Suspect Ex-Convict; Grand Jury Action Sought
Sharply curving street in sparsely populated hilly area, with hills, cliffs, and wash at left, man standing at edge of bank in center, 4 or 5 houses in background
A similar photograph appears with the article, "Net Tightens on Couple in Skeele Kidnap Case, Ransom Note Typewriter Found; Man Suspect Ex-Convict; Grand Jury Action Sought, with caption: Scenes in Sensational Drama Aftermath of Holding for Ransom Wife of S.C. Dean of Music. Blindfolded, Mrs. Skeele is taken through house and grounds of the Pasadena home by Chief of Detectives Taylor, left, and her son, Franklin Skeele," Los Angeles Times, February 10, 1933
Mary B. Skeele, in cardigan sweater, necklace, and glasses, standing near corner of house, with porch swing at right and a man and child dimly visible at left
Mary B. Skeele, wearing coat, face obscured by blindfold, in the driveway near porch of the bungalow house of Luella Pearl Hammer where she was held (623 Buckeye St.), with son Franklin B. Skeele guiding her, Detective Joe Taylor at left, and 2 other men on porch, with garage in left background and potted plants on porch wall
Mary B. Skeele, wife of Walter Skeele, the Professor of Organ and Dean of the College of Music at the University of Southern California was kidnapped in 1933. The ransom was paid and Mrs. Skeele was returned unharmed.
Franklin B. Skeele, in suit, tie, sweater, and overcoat, holding hat and paper, seated, right, with another man seated at left, in suit and tie, with door marked Private in background
This photograph appears with Los Angeles Times article, February 7, 1933, Family and Home of Kidnaped Wife of S.C. Dean, Kidnapers of Mrs. Skeele Leave Weird Note on Door
Earl H. Van Dorn, in suit and tie, holding cigarette, seated at desk or table, leaning on one elbow, with cabinet or safe at right, window at left, box of matches on table
Wood clock with four-pillar design and Roman numeral face, reading 6:03, on shelf or mantel amid papers and boxes, with painting partially visible at top
![Kidnap victim Mary B. Skeele, [Los Angeles?], 1933](https://iiif.library.ucla.edu/iiif/2/ark%3A%2F21198%2Fzz002d9gr7/full/!200,200/0/default.jpg)
