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"
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.
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
Man in suit, tie, and hat, squatting in hole dug near Montecito Drive, holding string in one hand, pointing with the other toward open box weighted down with rock, reading One Pound Edgemont Butter Crackers
Luella Pearl Hammer, in jacket and hat, holding handkerchief, hand to face, seated, in carpeted room, with two men standing near bookcase and doorway in background
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. A former student was found guilty of the crime.
Kidnapping victim Mary B. Skeele, wearing coat, face obscured by blindfold, outside door of the bungalow house of Luella Pearl Hammer where she had been held, with son Franklin B. Skeele behind her holding her elbows, Detective Joe Taylor at left, and 2 or 3 other men visible through doorway inside house, with dirt backyard, trash, tree, and potted plants foreground and background
This photograph, cropped, appears with the article, "Skeele Kidnapers Linked to Pasadena Girl Plot, U.S.C. Dean’s Wife Abducted Only After Attempt on Daughter of Trustee Failed, Clews Hint. The daring plot to kidnap Mrs. Mary B. Skeele … probably was undertaken only after a similar attempt had been made to carry off … Miss Isabel Smith, 29-year-old daughter of Rev. and Mrs. Merle N. Smith … Dr. Smith is … a member of the University of Southern California Board of Trustees …," Los Angeles Times, February 8, 1933