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William F. Gettle's kidnappers leave the L.A. county courthouse after being charged with the crime of extortion through the mails. May 28, 1934.

Description:
William F. Gettle's three kidnappers, Larry Kerrigan (center left, in dark hat), James F. Kirk (at Kerrigan's left) and Roy A. Williams (at Williams' left) leave the Los Angeles County court house. The trio had pled guilty to the kidnapping of William F. Gettle, wealthy Beverly Hills businessman, and received life sentences at San Quentin penitentiary. However, they were then charged with the crime of attempted extortion through the mails. If convicted of said crime, they would lose the possibility of parole. May 28, 1934.
Date:
May 28, 1934
Resource Type:
still image
Collection:
Los Angeles Daily News Negatives
William F. Gettle's kidnappers leave the L.A. county courthouse after being charged with the crime of extortion through the mails. May 28, 1934.

William F. Gettle's kidnappers leave the L.A. County courthouse after being charged with the crime of extortion through the mails. May 28, 1934.

Description:
William F. Gettle's three kidnappers, Larry Kerrigan (center left, in dark hat), James F. Kirk (at Kerrigan's left) and Roy A. Williams (at Williams' left) walk through Los Angeles after leaving the county court house, bound once again for San Quentin penitentiary. The trio had previously pled guilty to the kidnapping of William F. Gettle, wealthy Beverly Hills businessman, and received life sentences at San Quentin penitentiary. However, they were then charged with the crime of attempted extortion through the mails. If convicted of said crime, they would lose the possibility of parole. May 28, 1934.
Date:
May 28, 1934
Resource Type:
still image
Collection:
Los Angeles Daily News Negatives
William F. Gettle's kidnappers leave the L.A. County courthouse after being charged with the crime of extortion through the mails. May 28, 1934.

William F. Gettle, Beverly Hills millionaire, is reunited with his children after his kidnapping, Beverly Hills, 1934

Description:
William F. Gettle, kidnapping victim, is reunited with his four children (twins Betty and Bobby, and sons Billy and Jimmy) upon his homecoming.Gettle, Beverly Hills millionaire and businessman, was kidnapped from the grounds of his Arcadia ranch home during a party on the eve of May 9th. The kidnapping attracted a great deal of attention in the community, with Mrs. Gettle even addressing the kidnappers through the pages of the Los Angeles Times. The kidnappers demanded a $60,000 ransom for the return of Gettle, which Mrs. Gettle agreed to pay. However, before the ransom was paid, two detectives of the LAPD, Chester Burris and H.P. Gearhardt, broke the case after installing a dictaphone in the home of a bank robbery suspect. Information from the dictaphone led them to a La Crescenta home where Gettle was held. He was returned, unharmed, to his family on the eve of May 14th.
Date:
May 14, 1934
Resource Type:
still image
Collection:
Los Angeles Daily News Negatives
William F. Gettle, Beverly Hills millionaire, is reunited with his children after his kidnapping, Beverly Hills, 1934

William F. Gettle, Beverly Hills millionaire, is returned home after his kidnapping, Beverly Hills, 1934.

Description:
William F. Gettle, (center, dark glasses) is returned to his Beverly Hills home after being kidnapped and held for ransom.Gettle, businessman and millionaire, was kidnapped from the grounds of his Arcadia ranch home during a party on the eve of May 9th. The kidnapping attracted a great deal of attention in the community, with Mrs. Gettle even addressing the kidnappers through the pages of the Los Angeles Times. The kidnappers demanded a $60,000 ransom for the return of Gettle, which Mrs. Gettle agreed to pay. However, before the ransom was paid, two detectives of the LAPD, Chester Burris and H.P. Gearhardt, broke the case after installing a dictaphone in the home of a bank robbery suspect. Information from the dictaphone led them to a La Crescenta home where Gettle was held. He was returned, unharmed, to his family on the eve of May 14th.
Date:
May 14, 1934
Resource Type:
still image
Collection:
Los Angeles Daily News Negatives
William F. Gettle, Beverly Hills millionaire, is returned home after his kidnapping, Beverly Hills, 1934.

Sidney T. Graves, former L.A. County Supervisor, being transferred to San Quentin Penitentiary.

Description:
A photograph of Sidney T. Graves as he exits the Los Angeles County Jail on his way to San Quentin Penitentiary. Graves was convicted of bribery a year before, after accepting a sum of $80,000 in connection with the high San Gabriel dam project. At that time, Graves had been a county Supervisor. He was sentenced to one to fourteen years imprisonment for his crime.
Date:
March 30, 1934
Resource Type:
still image
Collection:
Los Angeles Daily News Negatives
Sidney T. Graves, former L.A. County Supervisor, being transferred to San Quentin Penitentiary.

Sidney T. Graves, former L.A. County Supervisor, being transferred to San Quentin Penitentiary.

Description:
A photograph of Sidney T. Graves, covering his face with a newspaper as he is transferred from L.A. County Jail to San Quentin Penitentiary. Graves was convicted of bribery a year before, after accepting a sum of $80,000 in connection with the high San Gabriel dam project. At that time, Graves had been a county Supervisor. He was sentenced to one to fourteen years imprisonment for his crime.
Date:
March 30, 1934
Resource Type:
still image
Collection:
Los Angeles Daily News Negatives
Sidney T. Graves, former L.A. County Supervisor, being transferred to San Quentin Penitentiary.

Sidney T. Graves, former L.A. County Supervisor, awaiting imprisonment in San Quentin.

Description:
A photograph of Sidney T. Graves as he awaited transfer from the Los Angeles County Jail to San Quentin Penitentiary. Graves was convicted of bribery a year before, after accepting a sum of $80,000 in connection with the high San Gabriel dam project. At that time, Graves had been a county Supervisor. He was sentenced to one to fourteen years imprisonment for his crime.The other men in the photo are unidentified. Graves is seated, right.
Date:
March 30, 1934
Resource Type:
still image
Collection:
Los Angeles Daily News Negatives
Sidney T. Graves, former L.A. County Supervisor, awaiting imprisonment in San Quentin.

Sidney T. Graves, former L.A. County Supervisor, awaiting imprisonment in San Quentin.

Description:
A photograph of Sidney T. Graves as he awaited transfer from the Los Angeles County Jail to San Quentin Penitentiary. Graves was convicted of bribery a year before, after accepting a sum of $80,000 in connection with the high San Gabriel dam project. At that time, Graves had been a county Supervisor. He was sentenced to one to fourteen years imprisonment for his crime.In this photograph, Graves shakes hands with Jack Cappell, the County Jail turnkey, bidding him goodbye. Cappell was a driver for the Board of Supervisors during the time Graves held office.
Date:
March 30, 1934
Resource Type:
still image
Collection:
Los Angeles Daily News Negatives
Sidney T. Graves, former L.A. County Supervisor, awaiting imprisonment in San Quentin.

Sidney T. Graves, former L.A. County Supervisor, awaiting imprisonment in San Quentin.

Description:
A photograph of Sidney T. Graves as he awaited transfer from the Los Angeles County Jail to San Quentin Penitentiary. Graves was convicted of bribery a year before, after accepting a sum of $80,000 in connection with the high San Gabriel dam project. At that time, Graves had been a county Supervisor. He was sentenced to one to fourteen years imprisonment for his crime.
Date:
March 30, 1934
Resource Type:
still image
Collection:
Los Angeles Daily News Negatives
Sidney T. Graves, former L.A. County Supervisor, awaiting imprisonment in San Quentin.

Sidney T. Graves, former L.A. County Supervisor, awaiting imprisonment in San Quentin.

Description:
A photograph of Sidney T. Graves as he awaited transfer from the Los Angeles County Jail to San Quentin Penitentiary. Graves was convicted of bribery a year before, after accepting a sum of $80,000 in connection with the high San Gabriel dam project. At that time, Graves had been a county Supervisor. He was sentenced to one to fourteen years imprisonment for his crime.The other men in the photo are unidentified. Graves is seated, right.
Date:
March 30, 1934
Resource Type:
still image
Collection:
Los Angeles Daily News Negatives
Sidney T. Graves, former L.A. County Supervisor, awaiting imprisonment in San Quentin.

Photographs of William F. Gettle, likely used in connection to his kidnapping case, circa May 9, 1934.

Description:
Photographs of businessman and millionaire William F. Gettle, likely used in relation to his kidnapping case of May 9-14, 1934. Gettle was kidnapped from the grounds of his Arcadia ranch home during a party on the eve of May 9th. The kidnapping attracted a great deal of attention in the community, with Mrs. Gettle even addressing the kidnappers through the pages of the Los Angeles Times. The kidnappers demanded a $60,000 ransom for the return of Gettle, which Mrs. Gettle agreed to pay. However, before the ransom was paid, two detectives of the LAPD, Chester Burris and H.P. Gearhardt, broke the case after installing a dictaphone in the home of a bank robbery suspect. Information from the dictaphone led them to a La Crescenta home where Gettle was held. He was returned, unharmed, to his family on the eve of May 14th.
Date:
[circa May 9, 1934]
Resource Type:
still image
Collection:
Los Angeles Daily News Negatives
Photographs of William F. Gettle, likely used in connection to his kidnapping case, circa May 9, 1934.

Newspaper clipping featuring Mata Hari, an exotic dancer, courtesan and alleged spy, Los Angeles

Description:
Newspaper clipping from the N. Y. Evening Graphic featuring a picture of Mata Hari, a Dutch exotic dancer and courtesan who was accused of being a spy for Germany during World War I. Because of this charge, she was executed in France on October 15, 1917. Review of official case documents in 1985 revealed that Mata Hari was most likely innocent. Mata Hari was the stage name for Margaretha Geertruida "Grietje" Zelle
Date:
[between 1925-1945?]
Resource Type:
still image
Collection:
Los Angeles Daily News Negatives
Newspaper clipping featuring Mata Hari, an exotic dancer, courtesan and alleged spy, Los Angeles

Louis Rude Payne, with father Lucius Payne at his side, at his inquest for the murder of his mother and brother. June 6, 1934.

Description:
Louis Payne covers his face with his hands and his hankerchief at his inquest, with father Lucius F. Payne at his side.Louis Rude Payne, 21 years of age, used a camping axe to kill his mother, Carrie L. Payne, and 15-year-old brother Robert in their Westwood mansion home. Louis R. Payne turned himself in for the killings of his mother and brother four to five days after their deaths, at a Huntington Beach police station. When he turned himself in, detectives found on his person both a letter and a telegram addressed to his father Lucius Payne, a St. Louis businessman, confessing to the crime, apologizing for his actions, and explaning that he did not know what impulse it was that drove him to the murders.Payne was convicted of the two murders, but found to be insane at the time of the crimes. He was confined to psychiatric treatment at the Mendocino State Hospital at Talmadge, in Mendocino County, CA. His father stood by him throughout his trial and conviction.
Date:
June 6, 1934
Resource Type:
still image
Collection:
Los Angeles Daily News Negatives
Louis Rude Payne, with father Lucius Payne at his side, at his inquest for the murder of his mother and brother. June 6, 1934.

Louis Rude Payne, with father Lucius Payne at his side, at his inquest for the murder of his mother and brother. June 6, 1934.

Description:
Louis Payne covers his face with his hands at his inquest for the murders of his mother and brother. He is comforted by his father, Lucius Payne.Louis Rude Payne, 21 years of age, used a camping axe to kill his mother, 45-year-old Carrie L. Payne, and 15-year-old brother Robert in their Westwood mansion home. Payne turned himself in for the killings of four to five days after their deaths, at a Huntington Beach police station. When he turned himself in, detectives found on his person both a letter and a telegram addressed to his father Lucius Payne, a St. Louis businessman, confessing to the crime, apologizing for his actions, and explaning that he did not know what impulse it was that drove him to the murders. Although he was questioned repeatedly, no motive for the murders was ever discovered, save for what Payne termed a force stronger than himself that compelled him to commit the crimes.Payne was convicted of the two murders, but found to be insane at the time of the crimes. He was confined to psychiatric treatment at the Mendocino State Hospital at Talmadge, in Mendocino County, CA. His father stood by him throughout his trial and conviction.
Date:
June 6, 1934
Resource Type:
still image
Collection:
Los Angeles Daily News Negatives
Louis Rude Payne, with father Lucius Payne at his side, at his inquest for the murder of his mother and brother. June 6, 1934.

Louis Rude Payne, with father Lucius Payne at his side, at his inquest for the murder of his mother and brother. June 6, 1934.

Description:
Louis R. Payne sits with his face in his hands at his inquest for the murder of his mother and brother. His father, Lucius F. Payne, sits at his side.Louis Rude Payne, 21 years of age, used a camping axe to kill his mother, 45-year-old Carrie L. Payne, and 15-year-old brother Robert in their Westwood mansion home. Payne turned himself in for the killings of four to five days after their deaths, at a Huntington Beach police station. When he turned himself in, detectives found on his person both a letter and a telegram addressed to his father Lucius Payne, a St. Louis businessman, confessing to the crime, apologizing for his actions, and explaning that he did not know what impulse it was that drove him to the murders. Although he was questioned repeatedly, no motive for the murders was ever discovered, save for what Payne termed a force stronger than himself that compelled him to commit the crimes.Payne was convicted of the two murders, but found to be insane at the time of the crimes. He was confined to psychiatric treatment at the Mendocino State Hospital at Talmadge, in Mendocino County, CA. His father stood by him throughout his trial and conviction.
Date:
June 6, 1934
Resource Type:
still image
Collection:
Los Angeles Daily News Negatives
Louis Rude Payne, with father Lucius Payne at his side, at his inquest for the murder of his mother and brother. June 6, 1934.

Louis Rude Payne stands with detectives Wallis and Whitehead at his inquest, June 6, 1934

Description:
Louis Payne stands with Detective Joe Whitehead and Captain of Detectives H.J. Wallis on the day of his inquest, June 6, 1934.Louis Rude Payne, 21 years of age, used a camping axe to kill his mother, Carrie L. Payne, and 15-year-old brother Robert. Louis R. Payne turned himself in for the killings of his mother and brother four to five days after their deaths. When he turned himself in, police found on his person both a letter and a telegram addressed to his father Lucius Payne, a St. Louis businessman, confessing to the crime, apologizing for his actions, and explaning that he did not know what impulse it was that drove him to the murders.Payne was convicted of the two murders, but found to be insane at the time of the crimes. He was confined to psychiatric treatment at the Mendocino State Hospital at Talmadge, in Mendocino County, CA. His father stood by him throughout his trial and conviction.
Date:
June 6, 1934
Resource Type:
still image
Collection:
Los Angeles Daily News Negatives
Louis Rude Payne stands with detectives Wallis and Whitehead at his inquest, June 6, 1934

Louis Rude Payne lies on couch, with father Lucius Payne at his side. June 5, 1934.

Description:
Louis Payne lies on a couch in the West Los Angeles police station, with his father Lucius Payne at his side.Louis Rude Payne, 21 years of age, used a camping axe to kill his mother, 45-year-old Carrie L. Payne, and 15-year-old brother Robert in their Westwood mansion home. Payne turned himself in for the killings of four to five days after their deaths, at a Huntington Beach police station. When he turned himself in, detectives found on his person both a letter and a telegram addressed to his father Lucius Payne, a St. Louis businessman, confessing to the crime, apologizing for his actions, and explaning that he did not know what impulse it was that drove him to the murders. Although he was questioned repeatedly, no motive for the murders was ever discovered, save for what Payne termed a force stronger than himself that compelled him to commit the crimes.Payne was convicted of the two murders, but found to be insane at the time of the crimes. He was confined to psychiatric treatment at the Mendocino State Hospital at Talmadge, in Mendocino County, CA. His father stood by him throughout his trial and conviction.
Date:
June 5, 1934
Resource Type:
still image
Collection:
Los Angeles Daily News Negatives
Louis Rude Payne lies on couch, with father Lucius Payne at his side. June 5, 1934.

Louis Rude Payne lies on couch, with father Lucius Payne at his side. June 5, 1934.

Description:
Louis Payne lies on a couch in the West Los Angeles police station, with his father Lucius Payne at his side.Louis Rude Payne, 21 years of age, used a camping axe to kill his mother, 45-year-old Carrie L. Payne, and 15-year-old brother Robert in their Westwood mansion home. Payne turned himself in for the killings of four to five days after their deaths, at a Huntington Beach police station. When he turned himself in, detectives found on his person both a letter and a telegram addressed to his father Lucius Payne, a St. Louis businessman, confessing to the crime, apologizing for his actions, and explaning that he did not know what impulse it was that drove him to the murders. Although he was questioned repeatedly, no motive for the murders was ever discovered, save for what Payne termed a force stronger than himself that compelled him to commit the crimes.Payne was convicted of the two murders, but found to be insane at the time of the crimes. He was confined to psychiatric treatment at the Mendocino State Hospital at Talmadge, in Mendocino County, CA. His father stood by him throughout his trial and conviction.
Date:
June 5, 1934
Resource Type:
still image
Collection:
Los Angeles Daily News Negatives
Louis Rude Payne lies on couch, with father Lucius Payne at his side. June 5, 1934.

Louis Rude Payne is comforted by his father Lucius Payne on the day of his inquest. June 6, 1934.

Description:
Louis Payne is comforted by his father, Lucius F. Payne, on the day of his inquest for the murder of his mother and brother.Louis Rude Payne, 21 years of age, used a camping axe to kill his mother, 45-year-old Carrie L. Payne, and 15-year-old brother Robert in their Westwood mansion home. Payne turned himself in for the killings of four to five days after their deaths, at a Huntington Beach police station. When he turned himself in, detectives found on his person both a letter and a telegram addressed to his father Lucius Payne, a St. Louis businessman, confessing to the crime, apologizing for his actions, and explaning that he did not know what impulse it was that drove him to the murders. Although he was questioned repeatedly, no motive for the murders was ever discovered, save for what Payne termed a force stronger than himself that compelled him to commit the crimes.Payne was convicted of the two murders, but found to be insane at the time of the crimes. He was confined to psychiatric treatment at the Mendocino State Hospital at Talmadge, in Mendocino County, CA. His father stood by him throughout his trial and conviction.
Date:
June 6, 1934
Resource Type:
still image
Collection:
Los Angeles Daily News Negatives
Louis Rude Payne is comforted by his father Lucius Payne on the day of his inquest. June 6, 1934.

Louis Payne sits with father, Lucius F. Payne, in a courtroom, Los Angeles, June-July, 1934

Description:
Louis Payne sits with his father, Lucius F. Payne, and an unidentified man after being charged for the murder of his mother and brother. Louis Rude Payne, 21 years of age, used a camping axe to kill his mother, 45-year-old Carrie L. Payne, and 15-year-old brother Robert in their Westwood mansion home.
Date:
between June and July 1934
Resource Type:
still image
Collection:
Los Angeles Daily News Negatives
Louis Payne sits with father, Lucius F. Payne, in a courtroom, Los Angeles, June-July, 1934

Kidnapping victim William F. Gettle's four children at play, after their father's safe return home. Circa May 15, 1934.

Description:
The children of kidnapping victim William F. Gettle are photographed at play, after their father's safe return. Circa May 15, 1934.William F. Gettle was kidnapped from the grounds of his Arcadia ranch home during a housewarming party on the eve of May 9th. The kidnapping attracted a great deal of attention in the community, with Mrs. Gettle even addressing the kidnappers through the pages of the Los Angeles Times. The kidnappers demanded a $60,000 ransom for the return of Gettle, which Mrs. Gettle agreed to pay. However, before the ransom was paid, two detectives of the LAPD, Chester Burris and H.P. Gearhardt, broke the case after installing a dictaphone in the home of a bank robbery suspect. Information from the dictaphone led them to a La Crescenta home where Gettle was held. He was returned, unharmed, to his family on the eve of May 14th.
Date:
[circa May 15, 1934]
Resource Type:
still image
Collection:
Los Angeles Daily News Negatives
Kidnapping victim William F. Gettle's four children at play, after their father's safe return home. Circa May 15, 1934.

Kidnapping victim William F. Gettle's four children, after their father's safe return home. Circa May 15, 1934.

Description:
The four children of kidnapping victim William F. Gettle are photographed after his safe return.William F. Gettle was kidnapped from the grounds of his Arcadia ranch home during a housewarming party on the eve of May 9th. The kidnapping attracted a great deal of attention in the community, with Mrs. Gettle even addressing the kidnappers through the pages of the Los Angeles Times. The kidnappers demanded a $60,000 ransom for the return of Gettle, which Mrs. Gettle agreed to pay. However, before the ransom was paid, two detectives of the LAPD, Chester Burris and H.P. Gearhardt, broke the case after installing a dictaphone in the home of a bank robbery suspect. Information from the dictaphone led them to a La Crescenta home where Gettle was held. He was returned, unharmed, to his family on the eve of May 14th.
Date:
[circa May 15, 1934]
Resource Type:
still image
Collection:
Los Angeles Daily News Negatives
Kidnapping victim William F. Gettle's four children, after their father's safe return home. Circa May 15, 1934.

Kidnappers of William F. Gettle plead guilty to his abduction, Los Angeles, 1934.

Description:
The kidnappers of William F. Gettle plead guilty to his abduction. From left to right standing between their lawyers, they are Roy A. Williams, Larry Kerrigan (real name Loren W. Feltus) and James F. Kirk. Gettle, wealthy Beverly Hills businessman, was kidnapped from the grounds of his Arcadia ranch home during a housewarming party on the eve of May 9th. The kidnapping attracted a great deal of attention in the community, with Mrs. Gettle even addressing the kidnappers through the pages of the Los Angeles Times. The kidnappers demanded a $60,000 ransom for the return of Gettle, which Mrs. Gettle agreed to pay. However, before the ransom was paid, two detectives of the LAPD, Chester Burris and H.P. Gearhardt, broke the case after installing a dictaphone in the home of a bank robbery suspect. Information from the dictaphone led them to a La Crescenta home where Gettle was held. He was returned, unharmed, to his family on the eve of May 14th.
Date:
May 15, 1934
Resource Type:
still image
Collection:
Los Angeles Daily News Negatives
Kidnappers of William F. Gettle plead guilty to his abduction, Los Angeles, 1934.

Jack "Diamondfield" Davis, a Nevada prospector who struck it rich after being pardoned for murder, Los Angeles, 1930s

Description:
Jack "Diamondfield" Davis, a Nevada prospector who stuck it rich after being pardoned for an Idaho murder in 1902. When he was working for a cattle company, Diamondfield was accused of the murder of two sheepherders. He was sentenced to hang, but his execution date was postponed and then changed to life inprisonment after two other men confessed to the crime. Diamondfield was pardoned by Idaho Governor Frank W. Hunt in December of 1902.
Date:
[1930s?]
Resource Type:
still image
Collection:
Los Angeles Daily News Negatives
Jack "Diamondfield" Davis, a Nevada prospector who struck it rich after being pardoned for murder, Los Angeles, 1930s

House where William F. Gettle was kept during his kidnapping, La Crescenta, 1934

Description:
The house in La Crescenta where William F. Gettle, Beverly Hills millionaire, was held during his five day kidnapping in May of 1934. Gettle was kidnapped from his ranch home in Arcadia on the night of May 9th during a housewarming party, then held in this La Crescenta house by a gang consisting of three men and two women. Police foiled their ransom plot and rescued Gettle on May 14th, following clues recorded on a dictagraph placed on the telephone conversations of a suspected bank robber.
Date:
[circa May 16, 1934]]
Resource Type:
still image
Collection:
Los Angeles Daily News Negatives
House where William F. Gettle was kept during his kidnapping, La Crescenta, 1934

Grand jury debating the case of Racine Oil Co. President Jack Allen, who is accused of violating the state gasoline tax law, Los Angeles, 1929-1930

Description:
The grand jury during a case against Racine Oil Co. President Jack Allen. Allen, along with three others originally, was accused of evading the state gasoline tax by insisting that gas had been exported out of state, when it was really sold to local retailers. The case was eventually dismissed
Date:
between December 4, 1929 and March 6, 1930
Resource Type:
still image
Collection:
Los Angeles Daily News Negatives
Grand jury debating the case of Racine Oil Co. President Jack Allen, who is accused of violating the state gasoline tax law, Los Angeles, 1929-1930

District Attorney Buron Fitts and his sister Mrs. Berthal Gregory appear with their attorneys, Los Angeles, 1934

Description:
District attorney Buron Fitts and his sister Mrs. Berthal Gregory appear with their attorneys Joseph Scott and Jerry Giesler to contend the charges of perjury brought against them by the grand jury. From left to right, standing, Buron Fitts, Joseph Scott, Mrs. Berthal Gregory, and Jerry Giesler.
Date:
[circa November 2, 1934]
Resource Type:
still image
Collection:
Los Angeles Daily News Negatives
District Attorney Buron Fitts and his sister Mrs. Berthal Gregory appear with their attorneys, Los Angeles, 1934

Beverly Hills home of William F. Gettle, kidnapping victim. May 1934.

Description:
Beverly Hills home of businessman and millionaire William F. Gettle, at 723 North Linden Drive. Gettle was kidnapped from the grounds of from his Arcadia ranch house during a party on the eve of May 9th. The kidnapping attracted a great deal of attention in the community, with Mrs. Gettle even addressing the kidnappers through the pages of the Los Angeles Times. The kidnappers demanded a $60,000 ransom for the return of Gettle, which Mrs. Gettle agreed to pay. However, before the ransom was paid, two detectives of the LAPD, Chester Burris and H.P. Gearhardt, broke the case after installing a dictaphone in the home of a bank robbery suspect. Information from the dictaphone led them to a La Crescenta home where Gettle was held. He was returned, unharmed, to his family on the eve of May 14th.
Date:
[circa May 10, 1934]
Resource Type:
still image
Collection:
Los Angeles Daily News Negatives
Beverly Hills home of William F. Gettle, kidnapping victim. May 1934.

Beverly Hills Chief of Police Charles C. Blair, District Attorney Buron Fitts, and Gettle family lawyer Ernest E. Noon, Beverly Hills, 1934

Description:
A photograph of Chief of Beverly Hills Police Charles C. Blair, District Attorney Buron Fitts, and lawyer Ernest E. Noon. The three men were involved in the search for kidnapping victim William F. Gettle and the prosecution of the kidnappers after Gettle's safe recovery.Charles C. Blair was the first Chief of Police of Beverly Hills, serving from 1927-1942. Ernest E. Noon was the attorney of the Gettle family. He was intimitely involved with the attempts to recover William F. Gettle, directing via the Los Angeles Times that the kidnappers send any ransom requests to him, as Mrs. Fleeta Gettle was ill with nervous prostration after the kidnapping of her husband and under medical supervision.Buron Fitts was the district attorney of Los Angeles from 1928-1940. Fitts was in charge of co-ordinating the police agencies in their search for Gettle and his kidnappers.
Date:
[circa May, 1934]
Resource Type:
still image
Collection:
Los Angeles Daily News Negatives
Beverly Hills Chief of Police Charles C. Blair, District Attorney Buron Fitts, and Gettle family lawyer Ernest E. Noon, Beverly Hills, 1934

Axe used in the murders of Carrie L. and Robert Payne. Circa June 4, 1934.

Description:
The axe with which Louis Rude Payne, 21 years of age, used to kill his mother, Carrie L. Payne, and 15-year-old brother Robert. Louis R. Payne turned himself in for the killings of his mother and brother four to five days after their deaths. When he turned himself in, police found on his person both a letter and a telegram addressed to his father Lucius Payne, a St. Louis businessman, confessing to the crime, apologizing for his actions, and explaning that he did not know what impulse it was that drove him to the murders.Payne was convicted of the two murders, but found to be insane at the time of the crimes. He was confined to psychiatric treatment at the Mendocino State Hospital at Talmadge, in Mendocino County, CA. His father stood by him throughout his trial and conviction.
Date:
[circa June 4, 1934
Resource Type:
still image
Collection:
Los Angeles Daily News Negatives
Axe used in the murders of Carrie L. and Robert Payne. Circa June 4, 1934.

Axe used by Louis R. Payne in the murders of Carrie L. and Robert Payne, circa June 4, 1934

Description:
Detective Joe Whitehead, Captain H.J. Wallis, and fingerprint expert M.G. Gaskell examine the axe with which Louis Rude Payne used to kill his mother and brother. Louis Rude Payne, 21 years of age, used a camping axe to kill his mother, 45-year-old Carrie L. Payne, and 15-year-old brother Robert in their Westwood mansion home. Payne turned himself in for the killings of four to five days after their deaths, at a Huntington Beach police station. When he turned himself in, detectives found on his person both a letter and a telegram addressed to his father Lucius Payne, a St. Louis businessman, confessing to the crime, apologizing for his actions, and explaning that he did not know what impulse it was that drove him to the murders. Although he was questioned repeatedly, no motive for the murders was ever discovered, save for what Payne termed a force stronger than himself that compelled him to commit the crimes.Payne was convicted of the two murders, but found to be insane at the time of the crimes. He was confined to psychiatric treatment at the Mendocino State Hospital at Talmadge, in Mendocino County, CA. His father stood by him throughout his trial and conviction.
Date:
[circa June 4, 1934]
Resource Type:
still image
Collection:
Los Angeles Daily News Negatives
Axe used by Louis R. Payne in the murders of Carrie L. and Robert Payne, circa June 4, 1934

Axe used by Louis R. Payne in the murders of Carrie L. and Robert Payne, circa June 4, 1934

Description:
Detective Joe Whitehead, Captain of detectives H.J. Wallis, and fingerprint expert M.G. Gaskell examine the axe with which Louis Rude Payne used to kill his mother and brother.Louis Rude Payne, 21 years of age, used a camping axe to kill his mother, 45-year-old Carrie L. Payne, and 15-year-old brother Robert in their Westwood mansion home. Payne turned himself in for the killings of four to five days after their deaths, at a Huntington Beach police station. When he turned himself in, detectives found on his person both a letter and a telegram addressed to his father Lucius Payne, a St. Louis businessman, confessing to the crime, apologizing for his actions, and explaning that he did not know what impulse it was that drove him to the murders. Although he was questioned repeatedly, no motive for the murders was ever discovered, save for what Payne termed a force stronger than himself that compelled him to commit the crimes.Payne was convicted of the two murders, but found to be insane at the time of the crimes. He was confined to psychiatric treatment at the Mendocino State Hospital at Talmadge, in Mendocino County, CA. His father stood by him throughout his trial and conviction.
Date:
[circa June 4, 1934]
Resource Type:
still image
Collection:
Los Angeles Daily News Negatives
Axe used by Louis R. Payne in the murders of Carrie L. and Robert Payne, circa June 4, 1934