This is Your FBI: Kidnapping - Shotgun Hadley

This is your FBI. This is your FBI, an official broadcast from the files of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, presented as a public service by the Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States. Your FBI, you look for national security, and to the Equitable Society for Financial Security.

These two great institutions are dedicated to the protection of you, your home, and your country. Tonight, the story of a crime against the home. Kidnapping. Just as it takes a special type of criminal to become a Hitler, so it takes a special type to become a kidnapper.

Someone who refuses to face the fact that eventually all kidnappers and those who aid them will be hunted down by the FBI until they are dead or brought to justice. Such criminals aren't born, they're made.

Created by environment, by society, by circumstance. And in one case, a kidnapper was created by something else too, by his wife. Sally? Hmm? Ain't that enough for today? No. But last round was... No, Frank.

I'm tired. Then rest for a minute. And dragging me out here every day for two weeks. I'm a good enough shot. For small time hold-ups maybe. That bank job was no... You don't have to tell me about that bank job, Frank.

That was my idea. Just like everything's been my idea. Okay. It's all yours, take the gun too. Darling, darling. You know, I didn't mean it that way. You know, I planned everything just for you.

Science! I couldn't do it all myself. If you could, you would. Don't be silly. I don't know what the point of all this target practice is anyway. It's going to give you a reputation. With two stretches behind me, I've got one.

Like a hundred others. But you're going to be bigger, bigger than all of them. Bigger? Yes. What's the point of being anything if you can't be the biggest, the best, if you can't be number one?

And that's what we're going to be, Frank. Number one. You're crazy. Wait and see. Look, a couple more bank jobs we can be driving and gasoline for the rest of our lives. That's what my father must have said to my mother.

And what were they? Teddy Crooks. Now they have to live on what I hand out to them. No, darling. We're going to do it right. One real job. And then we quit. What one real job?

Never mind. Come on. When we're ready, I'll tell you. Sally. Darling. Have I ever given you a bomb, dear? Well, have I. No, but... Now empty both barrels like a good boy, and we'll call it quits for today.

Professional criminals don't work alone, they help each other. The most successful are those who get the most help, and they get it through their reputations in the crime world. Sally Hadley learned this the way most people learn things through experience.

She made her husband an expert with a sawed-off shotgun, and then she made herself his press agent. She gave him a name, Shotgun Hadley. She passed out shelves as souvenirs. She planned robberies and hold-ups, saw that he carried them out perfectly.

She built up his reputation, and then she was ready. Ready for really big game. Ready for that hot Saturday night in July when an Oklahoma millionaire named Walter Montgomery He's playing cards on the screen porch of his home with his wife and his best friend There's no point in playing with you Henry you always win you and Walter just let me win because I'm your guest right Walter

I'm sorry. What did you say Henry? Walt? I thought I heard a car stop down below you always think you hear something nobody else does How about another hand not for me neither? I'm about ready for bed. Oh, why don't you sit down and keep quiet? What are you sit on?

The shotgun works which one of his wall among gummy where do you want to know never mind which one of his Montgomery? Which one of your husband lady? Okay, I'll take both of them, but you can't shut up Come on on your feet boys. We're going for a little drive If I want to see your husband again stay away from the phone, Mrs. Montgomery I

Told you to shotgun works one hour later a blue sedan stopped at an intersection 12 miles from Oklahoma City a Man was shoved out in his empty wallets thrown after him Then the car continued on its way with Walter Montgomery blindfolded on the back seat.

Just about that time Mrs. Montgomery was putting through a long distance call. She knew kidnapping was a federal offense and following the Attorney General's advice to the public. She telephoned Mr. J. Edgar Hoover in Washington.

In less than 45 minutes special agents assigned by Mr. Hoover were on their way. They took no immediate action. But even four days later when Mrs. Montgomery received a typewritten letter, the first of a series of letters, the first of a series of ransom notes.

There was this note from my husband enclosed in the letter. Are you sure that's his handwriting, Mrs. Montgomery? Yes. He said to give them the two hundred thousand dollars. He said, and he said a high price.

Did they give you instructions how to pay? Well the letter says to watch for an ad in the paper. And then take an ad yourself. Yes. I want to not notify the police. Yes. Not to take down the serial number of the bills and have only used $20 notes.

How did you know? We haven't been reading your mail. It's just that kidnapping notes always follow the same pattern. Who do they want as the intermediary to deliver the money? Henry, Mr. Carroll. He's my husband's best friend.

Well, if they put that ad in the paper tomorrow and you answer immediately, your husband should be back first of next week. And that something happens. What do you mean? Mr. Skylar. Yes. I want to cooperate with the government.

I know kidnappers are the worst kind of criminals. But you see, I... Well, I want my husband back. Please don't do anything. Mrs. Montgomery, has no need for you to worry. The first concern of the FBI in any kidnapping case is to get the victim home safely.

We want to see your husband back here as much as you do. And we won't make one single move that will stand in the way of this coming back. Thank you. Three days later arrangements were made to have a satchel containing two hundred thousand dollars thrown from the observation platform of a speeding train at the certain spot in Oklahoma.

Although no one knew it, the serial number of every bill was taken down and listed. And nine days after he was kidnapped, Walter Montgomery came home to his wife. He hadn't had much sleep. He was very tired, but he was safe.

He was alive. He was home. As soon as he had recovered from the shock and rested, he was interviewed by the FBI. Well, Mr. Montgomery... Yes? What was the last thing you saw before being blindfolded?

Well, a lot of lights must have been some kind of plant. Well, there was a power plant there where they dropped Mr. Carroll. It could have been a power plant. All right. Now on the way to the house, did you hear anything?

Well, uh, wanted to cause pastors, but... Oh yes. We must have passed an oil field. Why? I heard the sound of the pumps. And, uh, twice, I remember smelling gas. Then you passed two oil fields.

That's right. Now how long after you passed that second field would you guess it was before you got to the house? Oh, I don't know for sure. Not long though. Fifteen minutes? No less. I think about ten say.

Good. Out of the car drive right up to the house or did they stop for anything? They stopped to open a gate. How do you know? I heard a creek. And then they drove right up to the house.

No, they drove into some kind of a building. A barn that must have been because I could smell hay. Well, then the house is probably a farmhouse. Yes. Yes. Was it close to the barn?

It was exactly twelve steps away. I counted it. Glad you did. Now tell me. Did you have to go up any steps to the house? Three. And they creaked. What happened when you got inside?

Well, they put cotton in my ears and taped it over with adhesives so I couldn't hear what they said. But every morning I could hear a rooster crow and then about, oh, less than a minute afterwards, the sound of an airplane passing over the house.

An airplane? Did you hear it every day? Yes. No. One day it didn't come. Which day? Well, I don't know. But it rained that day. That was Sunday. It's the only day it rained while you were away.

That's the only day you didn't hear the airplane. That's right. I don't know whether this is of any aid to you. At the time I knew I should try to remember everything that happened so I could be of assistance.

Mr. Montgomery, I think you've practically drawn us a map right to that farmhouse. For the FBI, anything can be a clue. The lights on a power plant, the smell of an oil field, the sound of an airplane.

Using the information gotten from Mr. Montgomery, Special Agents mapped a circle. A ring around the approximate location of the farmhouse. They went to the airlines, checked schedules, checked flights, checked what line did not run a plane on that one Sunday.

They figured over approximately what area the early moans could flight past and the ring around the farmhouse grew smaller, tighter, closer. Now the FBI agents moved into the ring looking for the farmhouse. Looking for a farmhouse with a gate wide enough for a car to pass through.

A farmhouse with a barn only 12 steps away. 12 steps away from a porch with three creaking stairs. I'm sorry. I didn't know there was anyone home.

Well, you can see I'm home can't you? Yes. What do you want? I'm representing a real estate company in Teltzer. We're looking over farms in this neighborhood with a view to buy them. You want to buy this farm?

was a long view. Well it belongs to my daughter Mrs. Hadley. Sally Hadley? Yes. You know? I've heard of her. Oh she's gonna give me the place anyways now. You want to buy it? Well looks like the right place to me but I'll have to have some of the men in my company look at over this afternoon if it's alright with you. Oh it's

fine with me you'll be here as long as I can count on seeing you later and don't worry you can count on seeing me definitely momentarily closed the federal Bureau of Investigation file of the case of shotgun Hadley we will return to this case in just a moment in pioneer days Americans look to their neighbors for

security when mrs. Brown was sick of bed neighboring wives came over to help out If her husband died, neighbors saw to it that she and her children had clothes, food, and shelter. But as the nation grew in population, as life became more complex, this neighborly security was no longer sufficient. To take its place in

the year 1859, a group of Americans founded the equitable life assurance Society of the United States. Today it has grown into a strong mutual organization organization in which each member Enjours the advantages of association with three million two hundred thousand good neighbors Who have pooled their dollars to protect each other?

The equitable management then puts these dollars to work in ways that benefit the entire nation Equitable funds encourage home ownership. They lend the farmer a helping hand They finance great industries on which our prosperity depends So is it not right and proper to speak of life insurance funds as one of democracy's greatest assets?

By serving its members, the equitable serves America. And now back to the file on shotgun Hadley kidnapper. Small things, but enough for the FBI's special agents to move swiftly on the trail of the kidnappers.

The parents of Sally Hadley were arrested in jail. Throughout the nation, the FBI sent a list of the serial numbers on the ransom money. Sent a description of the kidnapper, sent the call, find shotgun Hadley.

To the FBI, Frank Hadley was another criminal who had to be caught. To the nation, he was public enemy number one. To his wife, with whom he shared a hotel suite in St. Louis, shotgun Hadley was a frightened fool.

We don't have to get out of here. Now sit down and cool off, darling. Sally, they've got the serial numbers of this dough. Shall I mix you another drink too? They've picked up some of the bills already.

Frank, will you sit down and relax? Sure. Sit down and wait for them to clap us in jail, along with your mother and father. They're not going to put us in jail because they're not going to catch us.

They will if we don't get on the move. We'll move. But there's something we've got to do first. What? Sit down. What for? Go, that's it darling. Now you're going to write a letter. A letter?

Mm-hmm. He has a pen and paper. Just write what I tell you. Who's it to? Just write what I tell you. Dear Mr. Hoover. What? Are you going? Dear Mr. Hoover. While you and your men are knocking yourselves out.

So we will go down. No change that to wearing yourselves out. I am living on the side of the land. Go on darling. Wait a minute. What's the rest of this going to say? All it's going to say that he'll never catch you because you're too good for him.

What? You did this alone all by yourself without anyone's help. And you did. What are you trying to do, Ty and Luce around my neck? Frank, this is a confession. You got my poor mother and father in jail and I've got to get them out.

For having me confess? Look, he knows you did it anyway. This will just clear my folks and show him that you're not afraid of anyone. It'll just put me in jail instead of them. Oh, you're really afraid of your own shadow, aren't you, darling?

You listen to me. Now when I married you, I thought you were a man. I thought you were a man who could be the number one boy in this country. I thought you had guts.

What are you afraid of? You are number one. Now you've got to show them that. You've got to show them that they're the ones to be afraid. You've got to show them that you're too big to touch.

Because you are, Frank. You are. Sally, look. If we mail the letter from you... We're not going to. I'm going to send it to a friend of mine in Chicago and have her mail it from there.

When they get it, they'll see how big you are. They'll see you don't care. Yeah. Yes. And then tomorrow, we're going to buy another car and before they even have a chance to look at the bills.

They'll be on our way. Okay, okay, honey, okay. You just don't realize what a big man you've become. Now what have you written? Tim, Mr. Hoover. While you and your men are... Wait. Wait, I've got a wonderful idea.

An idea that will top the whole thing off. What now? Hoover may think the letters from some crank, but you know what you're going to do. You're going to put your fingerprints on it darling.

What? You're going to prove this is straight from shotgun headlight. From Chicago, from Dallas, from Denver, from cities all over the West come letters to the FBI. And as the letters turn up, money turns up too, ransom money.

Twenty dollar bills reported by alert citizens to the FBI. Twenty dollar bills had put the FBI closer on the trail of Frank and Sally Hadley. But Sally Hadley has got an impation. Leaving her husband in a small house near Memphis, she buys a cheap, gingham dress, a red wig, a second-hand car and with complete unconcerned drives right back to Oklahoma.

On the way she gives a lift to two hitchhikers, a man and his eight-year-old daughter. I guess your little girl is asleep, Mr. Butler. Yeah. She was awful tired. Of course she was. Well, we'll get her a good dinner as soon as we get to town.

Well, you've been so nice. I couldn't let you do anything else for us, ma'am. Don't be silly. I want to. Besides, she reminds me of my own little girl. Oh, do you have what? Yes, by my first husband.

He died for a man and Frank, that's my second husband. You won't let my little baby live with him. Oh, that's terrible. Well, he isn't a very nice man. He... Mr. Butler... Yeah? Can I trust you?

Of course. I'm in terrible trouble, and I've got to speak to somebody. I've just got to get help from someone. Man, if there's anything at all I can do... Well, maybe you won't say that when you know the truth.

I'm Sally Hadley, and my husband is shotgun Hadley. The kidnapper? Yes. Gee. I didn't know what kind of a man he was, but I married him. Well, it's a little too late for that now, isn't it?

But he's done terrible things to me too. To my little girl, to my family. Oh. Because of him, my poor mother and father in jail now, and... Mr. Butler, I just got to get them out.

But the paper's... I know, I know, but anything my father and mother did, he made them do, at the point of that shotgun of his. Will you do me favor, please? Will you just go to Oklahoma City and see my lawyer for me?

For sure. You see, I can't go because the police are looking for me, but I wanted to get a message to the FBI for me. I wanted to tell him that, if they will at least my mother and father...

I'll tell him where my husband is. I'll be glad to take your message, Mrs. Hadley. Only... Only what? Well, my little girl. Oh, don't worry about her. I'll keep her here with me. Why, she'll be as safe as my own little girl would be.

Skylar speaking. Oh, yes. No, not just yet. I'm trying to reach the Bureau in Washington. I caught her back in a few minutes. Fine. Goodbye.

Mrs. Hadley's loyal again. Pretty anxious for our answer, isn't he? Yes. Supposedly, seriously, thanks we're going to release the mother and father, Skylar. I don't know. He is Sally Hadley. There's a sweet double-crosser for you.

Ready to sell out her own husband. Now, if he's half as tough as his reputation, I don't blame him. I wonder if she was crazy enough to come back here to Oklahoma. She might be.

We know she hasn't been to a lawyer's office. I don't think we can stall him much longer. We don't have to. He's covered by now, and as soon as we find Sally Hadley's intermediary, we'll find her.

And her sharp-shooting husband. Right. Will you get Mrs. Hadley's lawyer for me, please? Sally Hadley, waiting in an auto camp outside Oklahoma City for the message from a lawyer gets frightened. And so Sally Hadley, with a little child as her protection, runs to her husband who is now in Memphis.

Meanwhile, Special Agents of the FBI located a man in Oklahoma City, a man who was Sally Hadley's intermediary, a man who was eight-year-old child is on her way to a gangster's hideout. Well, now we've got a little eight-year-old girl to worry about, Scraller.

Yes. I just hope that had to, I'm gonna guess. Hello. Scraller. You did? Or, see, when? Well, that's that. What? Where's she going? I don't know. We'd better send her the call for a woman driving with an eight-year-old girl.

A woman with a red wig? Right. She's probably going back to her husband. That's my guess too. And they'll probably try to move with them girl. And... Scholar speaking. Yes. Got it. Right. Right. That was Memphis.

Two days ago, a second-hand car dealer down there brought in a flock of those $20 bills. And a man who sells wigs brought in another. I see. And at four o'clock this afternoon, a liquor dealer brought in another.

Well, I guess I'd better phone my wife until our won't be home for dinner again. Yes, I think we'll be having dinner in Memphis. At a quarter to four, one September morning, a little girl sat on the Memphis Railroad Station.

A frightened little girl clutching a ticket that would take her back to her father. But a little girl who remembered that she had had supper in a frame house near the edge of the city.

And that she had seen a shotgun in that house. At 535, that same morning, agents of the FBI and local offices surrounded the frame house. They were armed with guns, with guns who battle against the murderous reputation of a man called shotgun Hadley.

It was just beginning to get light when two of them quietly entered the house. They stood for a moment in the dark room. To the left were two doors. Two closed doors leading to two bedrooms leading to shotgun Hadley they open the first Keep quiet Who are you federal girls investigation federal Thank God

Listen, he's in there get him He ruined my life That was Sally Hadley the woman who had planned the kidnapping the woman who later tried unsuccessfully to convince a jury that she was innocent The woman who cared no more for her husband than she did for his gun, but she had built up a tremendous reputation for him.

And now, as the FBI agents move to the door of his bedroom, they check their guns. They try to anticipate the blast of that shotgun. And then in a quick movement, they rush the door to Frank Hadley.

There was no battle, no fight, no shooting. Frank Hadley, kidnapper, Frank's shotgun Hadley, public enemy number one, stood against the wall, hands raised high his knee shaking. Don't you Jimin? Don't you? That was the beginning of the popular use of the phrase G-Men. G-Men meaning government meant meaning FBI agents. And that was the first and last time Franco Sally Hadley tried a kidnapping.

No kidnapper in this country has ever tried twice once the FBI has caught from them, because the FBI is the largest protective force in the world. You see, it doesn't consist only of a director and a Washington headquarters, a field office and special agents.

It also consists of you and all those like you. In every case, it's the cooperation of the people which enables the FBI to find the criminal, and that is the way it should be. Because the FBI, like our government, is created by the people, for the people.

It is the people. Have you ever said to yourself, no, I can't possibly buy an extra war bond? Then you find yourself thinking of someone you know in the Army or Navy, your son, and you think, what are your sacrifices compared to his?

And so somehow or other you find the money for that extra war bond. Remember the extra satisfaction you felt? Well that's how members of the Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States feel about the special campaign.

All premium dollars received from new Equitable policies written in April will be matched with an equal number of dollars by the Equitable. It will be in bind total during the 7th Warlorn-Wann Drive in May.

Remember these Warbonds will be over purchases which amounted to the largest single subscription in both the 5th and the Sing dollars. For you, your home, the incidents used in tonight's broadcast are taken from the files of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

However all names used are fictitious and in a similarity thereof to the names of persons living or dead as accidental. In tonight's cast Sally was played by Leslie Woods and Hadley by Mandel Kramer. The music was under the direction of Van Cleve.

The author was Lawrence MacArthur and your narrator was Frank Lovedjoy. This is your FBI is a Jerry Divine production. This is Carl Frank speaking for the Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States and inviting you to tune in again next week at the same time for this is your FBI.

This is the Blue Network of the American Broadcasting Company.