1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:10,900 On June 27, 1874, two men rode their horse and carriage past 529 East Washington Lane 2 00:00:10,900 --> 00:00:15,480 in the Germantown area of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 3 00:00:15,480 --> 00:00:21,040 It was here that they happened upon Charlie and Walter Ross playing in their front yard 4 00:00:21,040 --> 00:00:23,400 by the road. 5 00:00:23,400 --> 00:00:26,200 Charlie was four, Walter was six. 6 00:00:26,200 --> 00:00:31,880 Naturally, the passerbys talked to the children and offered them each a piece of candy and 7 00:00:31,880 --> 00:00:33,240 went on their way. 8 00:00:33,240 --> 00:00:38,720 But this kind gesture only set the scene for the men's true intentions that would soon 9 00:00:38,720 --> 00:00:41,880 be discovered in just a few days. 10 00:00:41,880 --> 00:00:48,400 Charlie and Walter felt that they hit the jackpot and excitedly went inside the house 11 00:00:48,400 --> 00:00:54,120 to show their father, Christian, what they had just gotten from two seemingly nice men 12 00:00:54,120 --> 00:00:58,320 who were passing by. 13 00:00:58,320 --> 00:01:03,040 When Christian asked where they had gotten this candy, the boy said a man gave it to 14 00:01:03,040 --> 00:01:04,040 them. 15 00:01:04,040 --> 00:01:09,320 Christian drilled the boys pretty heavily about the men in the carriage, but soon brushed 16 00:01:09,320 --> 00:01:15,320 it off as two gentlemen simply making a kind gesture as they passed through the neighborhood 17 00:01:15,320 --> 00:01:18,040 and gave the incident no further thought. 18 00:01:18,040 --> 00:01:23,640 Let this be a sign that you should always teach your children, grandchildren, or anyone 19 00:01:23,640 --> 00:01:27,600 under your care to never take candy from strangers. 20 00:01:27,600 --> 00:01:33,360 Because this is the story of what would be the very first ransom case ever documented 21 00:01:33,360 --> 00:01:35,240 in American history. 22 00:01:35,240 --> 00:01:37,360 This is Dine to Be Found. 23 00:01:37,360 --> 00:01:39,160 Welcome to The Dash. 24 00:01:39,160 --> 00:01:42,960 Hi everyone, this is Deb from Dine to Be Found. 25 00:01:42,960 --> 00:01:47,440 Before we get started, I just wanted to say that episodes contain disturbing discussions 26 00:01:47,440 --> 00:01:52,400 on harmful acts and crimes against animals and or humankind. 27 00:01:52,400 --> 00:01:56,920 Discussions are not intended for young or sensitive audiences due to the content nature 28 00:01:56,920 --> 00:01:58,440 of this podcast. 29 00:01:58,440 --> 00:02:14,320 Listener discretion is strongly advised. 30 00:02:14,320 --> 00:02:20,800 Hi everyone, this is Deb, your host from the True Crime podcast, Dine to Be Found. 31 00:02:20,800 --> 00:02:27,560 Welcome to The Dash where I'll bring to you bonus episodes either by myself or with fellow 32 00:02:27,560 --> 00:02:28,560 podcasters. 33 00:02:28,560 --> 00:02:30,880 Today's your lucky day, you get me. 34 00:02:30,880 --> 00:02:36,520 If you'd rather hear less of me and more collabs with other True Crime podcasters, click on 35 00:02:36,520 --> 00:02:40,240 the links in my show notes to find the best way to get in touch. 36 00:02:40,240 --> 00:02:45,080 If you're a True Crime podcaster or work in the True Crime industry, leave me your email 37 00:02:45,080 --> 00:02:49,720 and I'll send you more information on how to get onto my episodes list. 38 00:02:49,720 --> 00:02:54,120 Let's be honest folks, the more podcasters who collab, the less you have to listen to 39 00:02:54,120 --> 00:02:56,880 just me if you like what you hear. 40 00:02:56,880 --> 00:03:02,360 Be sure to follow, listen, rate, review, and consider buying us a coffee by clicking on 41 00:03:02,360 --> 00:03:04,520 the links in the show notes. 42 00:03:04,520 --> 00:03:11,240 Now let's get onto today's episode where I'll be talking about Charlie and Walter Ross, 43 00:03:11,240 --> 00:03:16,640 two little boys who were abducted right from their front yard at their family's home in 44 00:03:16,640 --> 00:03:18,280 broad daylight. 45 00:03:18,280 --> 00:03:23,800 And let me start by saying that Walter made out okay here, unfortunately, Charlie did 46 00:03:23,800 --> 00:03:27,200 not, or at least not that we know. 47 00:03:27,200 --> 00:03:32,280 I had mentioned at the beginning of today's Dash episode that these two men had ridden 48 00:03:32,280 --> 00:03:34,720 by Charlie and Walter Ross's home. 49 00:03:34,720 --> 00:03:41,960 On June 27th, 1874, they gave Charlie and Walter each a piece of candy. 50 00:03:41,960 --> 00:03:47,600 Five days later, on July 1st, which was just a few days before the National Independence 51 00:03:47,600 --> 00:03:53,400 Day holiday, these men rode by the Ross mansion again and stopped to talk to Charlie and 52 00:03:53,400 --> 00:03:56,360 Walter as the boys played out front as usual. 53 00:03:56,360 --> 00:04:01,440 What they had been doing for the past several days was scoping out the neighborhood to assess 54 00:04:01,440 --> 00:04:06,880 people's social status and this neighborhood where the Ross family lived would have been 55 00:04:06,880 --> 00:04:10,480 considered an upscale neighborhood during the time. 56 00:04:10,480 --> 00:04:16,280 The two men continued these ride-bys of the Ross mansion, carefully observing how Charlie 57 00:04:16,280 --> 00:04:22,200 and Walter Ross would play outside in front of their home every day and if there were 58 00:04:22,200 --> 00:04:27,680 any grown-ups around, any time they encountered the boys, they would stop and chat and then 59 00:04:27,680 --> 00:04:30,320 just be on their way. 60 00:04:30,320 --> 00:04:36,880 On July 1st, 1874, however, the men stopped to talk to the boys again and this time they 61 00:04:36,880 --> 00:04:43,160 offered to buy Charlie and Walter firecrackers for the 4th of July holiday. 62 00:04:43,160 --> 00:04:48,760 So of course, Charlie and Walter hopped on board of the buggy with the men and off they 63 00:04:48,760 --> 00:04:49,760 rode. 64 00:04:49,760 --> 00:04:54,920 The men drove into town, pulled up to a cigar store that had fireworks displayed in the 65 00:04:54,920 --> 00:05:01,680 window and gave Walter 25 cents to go inside to buy the firecrackers while Charlie waited 66 00:05:01,680 --> 00:05:04,240 outside in the wagon with the two men. 67 00:05:04,240 --> 00:05:08,600 While Walter was inside the store, the men rode off with Charlie. 68 00:05:08,600 --> 00:05:14,560 The men who kidnapped Charlie and Walter Ross presumed that their father Christian was well 69 00:05:14,560 --> 00:05:15,720 off. 70 00:05:15,720 --> 00:05:22,280 After all, Christian was a dry goods merchant, he was a husband and father of seven children. 71 00:05:22,280 --> 00:05:29,240 Christian had lived in a well-to-do area of town and these factors are likely why these 72 00:05:29,240 --> 00:05:34,200 two men chose Charlie and Walter as their kidnapping victims. 73 00:05:34,200 --> 00:05:39,480 As I mentioned, the day that Charlie disappeared, Christian had returned home from work that 74 00:05:39,480 --> 00:05:44,280 afternoon and presumed the boys were outside playing at someone's house. 75 00:05:44,280 --> 00:05:50,320 His wife was out of town due to illness and was visiting one of their older children. 76 00:05:50,320 --> 00:05:54,920 Christian was left in charge of Charlie and Walter for the next couple of weeks until his 77 00:05:54,920 --> 00:05:57,040 wife could send for them. 78 00:05:57,040 --> 00:06:02,480 Christian went about looking for the boys when they didn't return home for tea. 79 00:06:02,480 --> 00:06:07,960 He asked his neighbors if they had seen Charlie and Walter and one of these neighbors told 80 00:06:07,960 --> 00:06:14,080 Christian that he saw them jump into a buggy with two men so of course Christian immediately 81 00:06:14,080 --> 00:06:16,560 began searching for his children. 82 00:06:16,560 --> 00:06:22,280 Several hours later, Christian located Walter at the local police station but Charlie was 83 00:06:22,280 --> 00:06:25,200 not with him. 84 00:06:25,200 --> 00:06:31,640 Walter had been found in the Kensington area of Philadelphia which is around five miles 85 00:06:31,640 --> 00:06:37,240 or eight kilometers southeast of the Germantown area where the Ross family lived. 86 00:06:37,240 --> 00:06:41,000 Walter was able to give a pretty fair description of the two men. 87 00:06:41,000 --> 00:06:46,520 The man who had given him candy a few days earlier was described as having a reddish 88 00:06:46,520 --> 00:06:49,160 mustache and he wore glasses. 89 00:06:49,160 --> 00:06:51,080 The second man was older. 90 00:06:51,080 --> 00:06:57,800 He also wore glasses but had a funny looking nose that reminded him of, in Walter's terms, 91 00:06:57,800 --> 00:07:02,360 a monkey. 92 00:07:02,360 --> 00:07:08,680 Christian immediately placed an ad in the newspaper which offered a $300 US dollar or 93 00:07:08,680 --> 00:07:13,560 $248 pound reward for Charlie's safe return. 94 00:07:13,560 --> 00:07:18,800 The first ransom note Christian received on July 5th was shortened to the point. 95 00:07:18,800 --> 00:07:23,440 The author of this letter had terrible spelling and grammar folks. 96 00:07:23,440 --> 00:07:29,880 I tried to read it for this episode but I will definitely put the note in our show notes 97 00:07:29,880 --> 00:07:32,920 because I can't even get through reading. 98 00:07:32,920 --> 00:07:35,360 The grammar is so atrocious. 99 00:07:35,360 --> 00:07:45,320 Now the second letter came on July 6th that demanded $20,000 or $16,591 for the safe return 100 00:07:45,320 --> 00:07:47,080 of Charlie Ross. 101 00:07:47,080 --> 00:07:52,000 The letter read, quote, you will see your child dead or alive. 102 00:07:52,000 --> 00:07:54,640 If we get your money, you get him alive. 103 00:07:54,640 --> 00:07:57,920 If no money, you get him dead, unquote. 104 00:07:57,920 --> 00:08:04,760 The next ransom note arrived on July 7th stating that the kidnappers were ready to negotiate. 105 00:08:04,760 --> 00:08:09,600 This letter instructed Christian to correspond through the Philadelphia ledger regarding 106 00:08:09,600 --> 00:08:14,280 any further negotiations. 107 00:08:14,280 --> 00:08:20,240 What the kidnappers did not know was that Christian Ross had suffered quite a loss from 108 00:08:20,240 --> 00:08:26,800 the 1873 stock market crash and was doing his best to even keep a float. 109 00:08:26,800 --> 00:08:32,120 He barely had enough funds to even post those personal ads in the newspaper. 110 00:08:32,120 --> 00:08:39,280 Christian had indeed reported Charlie's kidnapping to the police and they advised him not to negotiate 111 00:08:39,280 --> 00:08:47,040 because this would encourage others after Charlie to kidnap for ransom and no child in the community 112 00:08:47,040 --> 00:08:48,760 would be safe. 113 00:08:48,760 --> 00:08:54,560 Leading their advice, Christian's personal ads turned to vague compliance where at one 114 00:08:54,560 --> 00:09:00,720 point under the direction of the police, Christian went so far as to say that he would not participate 115 00:09:00,720 --> 00:09:03,120 in paying Charlie's ransom. 116 00:09:03,120 --> 00:09:11,680 By July 22nd, 1874, the mayor of Philadelphia offered up a $20,000 reward for the arrest 117 00:09:11,680 --> 00:09:13,480 of these kidnappers. 118 00:09:13,480 --> 00:09:18,160 Christian spent the next several days trying to negotiate with the kidnappers through those 119 00:09:18,160 --> 00:09:24,080 personal ads while police canvassed the area. 120 00:09:24,080 --> 00:09:31,360 According to the Yale Review, they staked out railway depots, public areas, stone quarries, 121 00:09:31,360 --> 00:09:33,120 and abandoned factories. 122 00:09:33,120 --> 00:09:39,600 The police even raided gypsy camps, brothels, and simply went door to door to no avail. 123 00:09:39,600 --> 00:09:45,960 At some point, Christian did attempt to pay ransom and even arranged for a meeting, but 124 00:09:45,960 --> 00:09:51,720 stated that he would not hand over any money unless he had proof of life. 125 00:09:51,720 --> 00:09:56,600 There were also accounts that the kidnappers were not pleased with how the negotiations 126 00:09:56,600 --> 00:10:02,320 were going and refused to make the exchange between Charlie and the ransom money, but 127 00:10:02,320 --> 00:10:08,720 in contrast when they did secure a drop off point, the two men were so broke they couldn't 128 00:10:08,720 --> 00:10:12,440 even travel to make the exchange. 129 00:10:12,440 --> 00:10:18,200 As the nationwide search for Charlie Ross continued, thousands of posters were printed 130 00:10:18,200 --> 00:10:24,200 and distributed across the United States in the hopes to locate the four-year-old boy. 131 00:10:24,200 --> 00:10:27,040 After seeing these headlines in the news, P.T. 132 00:10:27,040 --> 00:10:33,720 Barnum, famous for the Barnum and Bailey Circus, sent Christian a telegram stating that he 133 00:10:33,720 --> 00:10:38,880 would pay the ransom on Christian's behalf if that would help get Charlie back. 134 00:10:38,880 --> 00:10:44,720 Barnum paid Christian's way to meet him where he lived so that they could strategize Charlie's 135 00:10:44,720 --> 00:10:46,320 safe return. 136 00:10:46,320 --> 00:10:53,160 Barnum offered another $10,000 to advertise in newspapers across the country if Charlie 137 00:10:53,160 --> 00:10:56,800 were to join the circus upon his return. 138 00:10:56,800 --> 00:11:03,240 Christian politely declined this offer, but did negotiate repayment to Barnum in good faith 139 00:11:03,240 --> 00:11:05,200 for his generosity. 140 00:11:05,200 --> 00:11:11,400 And soon after those missing flyers were distributed across the United States, a tip came in that 141 00:11:11,400 --> 00:11:14,920 provided two possible names of the kidnappers. 142 00:11:14,920 --> 00:11:22,040 William Mosher, a boat builder by trade, and a fugitive on the run, and Joseph Douglas 143 00:11:22,040 --> 00:11:23,840 an ex-convict. 144 00:11:23,840 --> 00:11:28,920 Through their investigations, authorities were able to link Mosher's handwriting to 145 00:11:28,920 --> 00:11:31,720 the ransom letters sent to Christian Ross. 146 00:11:31,720 --> 00:11:38,320 Again, you all, the spelling is absolutely terrible and the grammar is just as bad. 147 00:11:38,320 --> 00:11:44,640 Police began following leads and seemed to be in hot pursuit of the duo's trail. 148 00:11:44,640 --> 00:11:51,480 Only every time that they felt that they got close, the trail turned cold on their whereabouts. 149 00:11:51,480 --> 00:11:56,400 As it turns out, one of the volunteers who participated in the manhunt for those two 150 00:11:56,400 --> 00:12:02,640 suspects turned out to be an ex-cop and brother-in-law to William Mosher. 151 00:12:02,640 --> 00:12:08,080 Obviously, he was tipping Mosher and Douglas off that the police were closing in, which 152 00:12:08,080 --> 00:12:13,600 provided Mosher and Douglas the ability to keep authorities at bay. 153 00:12:13,600 --> 00:12:20,920 Mosher's brother-in-law later pled guilty to interference in Charlie's kidnapping case. 154 00:12:20,920 --> 00:12:26,320 Kidnapping was not the only list of activities Mosher and Douglas involved themselves with. 155 00:12:26,320 --> 00:12:36,280 On December 14, 1874, both men burglarized a summer home that was closed up for the winter 156 00:12:36,280 --> 00:12:38,760 in Long Island, New York. 157 00:12:38,760 --> 00:12:44,360 This house belonged to a local judge and his brother just happened to live next door. 158 00:12:44,360 --> 00:12:49,640 The judge had an alarm system installed at his summer home, which was wired to go off 159 00:12:49,640 --> 00:12:56,360 at his brother's house, on December 14, that alarm went off. 160 00:12:56,360 --> 00:13:02,760 The judge's brother, his son, and two other neighbors armed themselves before going over 161 00:13:02,760 --> 00:13:05,120 to the empty house to investigate. 162 00:13:05,120 --> 00:13:12,320 When they arrived, they discovered two men inside burglarizing the dark house by candlelight. 163 00:13:12,320 --> 00:13:17,240 The four dugutters entered the house and a shootout ensued. 164 00:13:17,240 --> 00:13:21,720 Mosher was immediately killed and Douglas was mortally wounded. 165 00:13:21,720 --> 00:13:27,400 As he lay dying, Douglas confessed to being Charlie Ross's kidnapper, along with William 166 00:13:27,400 --> 00:13:28,400 Mosher. 167 00:13:28,400 --> 00:13:35,520 He was asked where Charlie was, but could not say because only Mosher had that information. 168 00:13:35,520 --> 00:13:42,240 Of course, Mosher was already dead and Charlie's whereabouts died along with him. 169 00:13:42,240 --> 00:13:46,260 Walter Ross was later brought to the morgue to identify Douglas. 170 00:13:46,260 --> 00:13:52,920 He positively IDed Douglas based on that funny nose he had described to his dad months earlier 171 00:13:52,920 --> 00:13:55,200 when the boys were first taken. 172 00:13:55,200 --> 00:13:59,880 As it turned out, Douglas had a nose deformity due to skin cancer. 173 00:13:59,880 --> 00:14:02,280 So let's talk about the aftermath here. 174 00:14:02,280 --> 00:14:09,160 Christian spent the rest of his life and $60,000 over the years looking for his son Charlie. 175 00:14:09,160 --> 00:14:14,440 He wrote a bestselling book accounting the events of Charlie's abduction, which I placed 176 00:14:14,440 --> 00:14:19,880 a link into the show notes and you all I could not believe that I found this little 177 00:14:19,880 --> 00:14:20,880 gem. 178 00:14:20,880 --> 00:14:25,240 To this day, Charlie's whereabouts have never been discovered. 179 00:14:25,240 --> 00:14:31,400 Christian Ross died in 1897 without ever knowing what happened to his son. 180 00:14:31,400 --> 00:14:36,200 And although I didn't really mention very much on Charlie's mother, I did read that 181 00:14:36,200 --> 00:14:38,880 she died in 1912. 182 00:14:38,880 --> 00:14:42,880 Charlie's brother, Walter, died in 1943. 183 00:14:42,880 --> 00:14:48,920 The Ross mansion was torn down in 1926 and a church was built in its place where it 184 00:14:48,920 --> 00:14:51,000 still stands today. 185 00:14:51,000 --> 00:14:58,880 On February 25th, 1875, the state of Pennsylvania passed strict laws for kidnapping. 186 00:14:58,880 --> 00:15:00,880 And that's it you all. 187 00:15:00,880 --> 00:15:06,280 That is the story of Charlie Ross, America's first ransom case. 188 00:15:06,280 --> 00:15:12,480 So if you have any feedback that you want to write in, be sure to let me know what you 189 00:15:12,480 --> 00:15:14,360 think of this episode. 190 00:15:14,360 --> 00:15:19,360 And don't forget to send me your email if you are a true crime podcaster or true crime 191 00:15:19,360 --> 00:15:22,880 professional who wants to be highlighted on the dash. 192 00:15:22,880 --> 00:15:28,080 Click on the links in our show notes to find out more about our podcast and check back 193 00:15:28,080 --> 00:15:31,640 Thursday when I get together with my family members. 194 00:15:31,640 --> 00:15:34,320 Until next time, I'll talk to you soon. 195 00:15:34,320 --> 00:15:39,720 Thanks for listening to Dying to be Found true crime podcast in our Dash mini series. 196 00:15:39,720 --> 00:15:45,120 Every week, we'll bring you a variety of true crime episodes, a little dash of hope plus 197 00:15:45,120 --> 00:15:48,680 special bonus episodes with some really cool guests. 198 00:15:48,680 --> 00:15:53,280 Before we go, we'd love for you to share this podcast with your friends and give us a five 199 00:15:53,280 --> 00:15:54,640 star review. 200 00:15:54,640 --> 00:16:01,480 Follow us on TikTok, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest at Dying to be Found or visit 201 00:16:01,480 --> 00:16:04,480 our website at Dying to be Found dot com. 202 00:16:04,480 --> 00:16:06,800 Spell just like you see in our logo. 203 00:16:06,800 --> 00:16:11,200 Better yet, click on our link tree account found in the show notes where you'll find 204 00:16:11,200 --> 00:16:13,640 all the information in one place. 205 00:16:13,640 --> 00:16:19,280 Be sure to dash in every Wednesday for our mini episodes plus every Thursday when I get 206 00:16:19,280 --> 00:16:21,640 together with some of my family members. 207 00:16:21,640 --> 00:16:39,600 Thanks again everyone and we'll talk to you soon.