A Discovery in the Basement
In March 2023, Philadelphia librarian Bridget Flynn searched for a family drawing when she uncovered 22 letters tied with a shoelace. At first glance, they seemed like love notes. But as her daughter Rebecca read aloud, she realized they were ransom letters from America’s first known kidnapping case.
The Disappearance of Charley Ross
On July 1, 1874, four-year-old Charley Ross and his brother Walter were taken from their yard in Germantown, Philadelphia. Walter was released, but Charley never came home. Days later, the first ransom letter arrived, demanding $20,000—equivalent to about $400,000 today. It marked the first documented ransom kidnapping in U.S. history.
A National Manhunt and Tragic Ends
Police urged Christian Ross, Charley’s father, not to pay, fearing copycat crimes. Handbills were distributed, telegraphs sent nationwide, and a $20,000 reward was offered. Suspects William Mosher and Joseph Douglas died in a botched robbery in December 1874, with Douglas confessing before his death. Charley, however, was never found.
The Letters Resurface After 149 Years
Nearly 150 years later, the original ransom letters reappeared in Flynn’s basement. Verified by experts, they were auctioned for $20,000—the same amount once demanded by the kidnappers. Today, the letters are preserved at Historic Germantown, offering researchers new insights into one of America’s most haunting mysteries.