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http://blog.nj.com/hunterdon/lindbergh_trial/
The Lindbergh Case: 'Cemetery John' gets $50,000
Posted by By Curtis Leeds April 01, 2007 7:05AM
Categories: Lindbergh Trial
"I accept. Money is ready."
With those words, Bronx eccentric John F. Condon - codenamed "Jafsie"¨ - told "Cemetery John" that the Lindberghs had assembled $70,000 in cash to ransom their 20-month-old son.
The message was printed in two New York City newspapers.
The Lindberghs had reason to trust that Dr. Condon's contact could arrange the return of Charles A. Lindbergh Jr. After all, notes thought to come from either "John" or his associates had used the same strange tell-tale signature as the note left in the nursery on the day of the toddler's disappearance.
It was 75 years ago - March 31, 1932 - and 30 days had passed since the crime of the century in East Amwell Township. Charles and Anne Lindbergh had thrilled the world with their exploits, including his first-ever solo crossing of the Atlantic in 1927, and their joint exploration of air routes that would be adopted by the nascent airline industry. Now the world watched and waited for news about "The Eaglet," son of the great Lindbergh, whom the press called "The Lone Eagle."
If the Lindberghs' fame had inspired those responsible for the child's disappearance, it inspired others to hatch ransom schemes.
- There was John Hughes Curtis, a Norfolk boat builder, who claimed to be in touch with a gang that had the child. He'd eventually be convicted of obstructing justice and fined $1,000.
- There was Gaston Means, a former FBI agent who worked both sides of the law. He claimed the kidnappers had let him hold the toddler. He swindled $104,000 from a Washington, D.C. socialite after convincing her he could arrange the Eaglet's return. He'd be convicted of larceny and would die in prison.
It would be Jafsie who actually paid the money that would ultimately bring the arrest of Bruno Hauptmann. But it nearly didn't happen.
The Lindbergh Case: 'Cemetery John' gets $50,000
Posted by By Curtis Leeds April 01, 2007 7:05AM
Categories: Lindbergh Trial
"I accept. Money is ready."
With those words, Bronx eccentric John F. Condon - codenamed "Jafsie"¨ - told "Cemetery John" that the Lindberghs had assembled $70,000 in cash to ransom their 20-month-old son.
The message was printed in two New York City newspapers.
The Lindberghs had reason to trust that Dr. Condon's contact could arrange the return of Charles A. Lindbergh Jr. After all, notes thought to come from either "John" or his associates had used the same strange tell-tale signature as the note left in the nursery on the day of the toddler's disappearance.
It was 75 years ago - March 31, 1932 - and 30 days had passed since the crime of the century in East Amwell Township. Charles and Anne Lindbergh had thrilled the world with their exploits, including his first-ever solo crossing of the Atlantic in 1927, and their joint exploration of air routes that would be adopted by the nascent airline industry. Now the world watched and waited for news about "The Eaglet," son of the great Lindbergh, whom the press called "The Lone Eagle."
If the Lindberghs' fame had inspired those responsible for the child's disappearance, it inspired others to hatch ransom schemes.
- There was John Hughes Curtis, a Norfolk boat builder, who claimed to be in touch with a gang that had the child. He'd eventually be convicted of obstructing justice and fined $1,000.
- There was Gaston Means, a former FBI agent who worked both sides of the law. He claimed the kidnappers had let him hold the toddler. He swindled $104,000 from a Washington, D.C. socialite after convincing her he could arrange the Eaglet's return. He'd be convicted of larceny and would die in prison.
It would be Jafsie who actually paid the money that would ultimately bring the arrest of Bruno Hauptmann. But it nearly didn't happen.