90 Years Ago: A Sensational Kidnapping of a Weyerhaeuser

This May 24 marks 90 years since eight-year-old George Weyerhaeuser, of the renowned Midwest and Pacific Northwest forest-products clan, was kidnapped off a Tacoma street.

That 1935 event, like the famous Lindbergh child’s disappearance and murder three years before, caused a sensation in the local and international press. Afterwards, George rarely spoke of his boyhood adventure, but a brief yet detailed account was published in Charles E. Twining’s 1985 book: Phil Weyerhaeuser, Lumberman, published by the University of Washington Press.

Here’s the story. Harmon Waley and William Dainard served time together in the Idaho State Penitentiary. In April 1935, they (along with Waley’s wife, Margaret) were casing banks in southeast Washington state with the object of getting rich quick. When Margaret read about the “billionaire” J.P. Weyerhaeuser, grandfather of young George, the idea of a kidnapping sounded less risky, and a plan was set in motion that would require only one week to execute.

Despite Weyerhaeuser family wealth and social position, its members lived normal, casual lives. Several relatives, including George’s father, Phil, were also known to be shy. The sudden public spotlight on the proposed kidnapping of George would therefore be a heart-rending experience in many ways.

When the plan was underway, $200,000 in ransom was to be delivered within five days. The police and F.B.I. were of course notified. Phil found himself following a trail of confusing notes in tin cans; taking terse phone calls at Seattle’s Ambassador Hotel, where he registered under the name of James Paul Jones at the kidnappers’ direction; and driving through Seattle’s South End in the dead of night.

Finally, Phil dropped a suitcase full of “unmarked bills” at a location off Pacific Highway in south Seattle. The suitcase and his car, which he left with the motor running per the kidnappers’ instructions, disappeared into the night. Phil was found by a family relative wandering Pacific Highway about midnight.

On Saturday morning, June 1, young George arrived at his home in grand style aboard a taxi. Apparently he was not mistreated, and later reports suggested that he had become quite friendly with his captors.

Within one week Margaret Waley passed a marked $5 ransom bill at store in Salt Lake City.  The eagle-eyed clerk, incredibly, checked the serial numbers and called police. Harmon Waley was then apprehended and led police to $90,000 of the ransom. Margaret was sentenced to 20 years in jail, while her husband got 60.

Co-kidnapper William Dainard, alias William Mahan, was caught a year later in San Francisco. Dainard’s confession prevented members of the Weyerhaeuser family from having to experience another lengthy and emotional trial.