Access to this collection is generously supported by Arcadia funds. Photograph of a man walking through a playground at the Gettle family's Beverly Hills residence. A jungle gym, swing set, slide bikes are set within the confines of a concrete or stucco covered wall topped with iron finials. William F. Gettle, Beverly Hills millionaire, was kidnapped from the grounds of his Arcadia ranch home during a housewarming party on the eve of May 9th. The kidnapping attracted a great deal of attention in the community, with Mrs. Gettle even addressing the kidnappers through the pages of the Los Angeles Times. The kidnappers demanded a $60,000 ransom for the return of Gettle, which Mrs. Gettle agreed to pay. However, before the ransom was paid, two detectives of the LAPD, Chester Burris and H.P. Gearhardt, broke the case after installing a dictaphone in the home of a bank robbery suspect. Information from the dictaphone led them to a La Crescenta home where Gettle was held. He was returned, unharmed, to his family on the eve of May 14th. This photograph appears with the article, "Definite Contact Made with Gettle Kidnappers: Attorney Says He's Ready to Pay $75,000 Ransom This Week; Police Set Dead Line," Los Angeles Times, 13 May 1934: 1. Text from newspaper caption, in part: Gettle Children's Playground Guarded. Above is a picture of the playground at the home of William F. Gettle, kidnapped Beverly Hills millionaire, built for the use of the four Gettle children. A corps of guards is now on duty protecting them as they play. Text from negative sleeve: Gettle, William F. Kidnap Case
Type
image
Format
b&w nitrate negative
Identifier
uclamss_1429_10362 ark:/21198/zz002hb9tj
Subject
Kidnappings--California Playgrounds--California--Beverly Hills Gettle, William F., 1887-1941
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