Global InformationKidnapping of Howard Woolverton information
Howard Woolverton | |
|---|---|
| Born | September 26, 1880[1] South Bend, Indiana |
| Died | January 27, 1960 South Bend, Indiana |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation(s) | manufacturer, banker |
| Known for | kidnap victim |
The kidnapping of Howard Woolverton, which began in South Bend, Indiana, the evening of January 26, 1932, and concluded when Woolverton returned to his home unharmed about 24 hours later,[2] received extensive contemporary newspaper coverage,[3] impacted the way the press covered kidnapping in the following weeks, and played a leading role in passage of the Federal Kidnapping Act later that year.[4]
FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover attributed the crime to George "Machine Gun" Kelly, Kelly's wife Kathryn Kelly, and Edward Doll.[5]
At the time of the kidnapping, Woolverton was secretary and treasurer of the Malleable Steel Range Manufacturing Company, based in South Bend, Indiana.[6] The firm, founded by his father, Jacob Woolverton,[7] lives on as Southbend, a division of the Middleby Corporation.
- ^ "Howard Woolverton Business Leader, Dies" The South Bend Tribune, January 28, 1960, p. 1.
- ^ "Woolverton Freed, Denies Ransoming." The New York Times January 28, 1932, p. 44.
- ^ see for example "Manufacturer Kidnapped" Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, p.1
- ^ "Woolverton Case Revives Kidnaping Bill in Congress." South Bend Tribune, January 28, 1932, p. 1.
- ^ Persons in Hiding. J. Edgar Hoover. 1938. pp. 152-153; 292-293.
- ^ "Hunt Woolverton 'Spotter'". South Bend Tribune. January 27, 1932. p. 1.
- ^ "Stove Firm has 250 Employees." South Bend Tribune,. August 16, 1936. p. 8.