Hauptmann's Ladder: A Step-by-Step Analysis of the Lindbergh Kidnapping

Chapter 6: "Cemetery John"

“Cemetery John” on the evening of march 12, 1932, Joseph perrone was driving his cab east on Knox place in the Bronx, just after dropping off a fare at 3440 Gates place. When he reached the corner of Knox place and Gun hill road, he saw a man running toward him, trying to catch his attention. The man was wearing a brown overcoat and brown felt hat. he had blue eyes, light brown hair, and a full face.1 perrone stopped his cab and opened the passenger window as the man attempted to open the door. The man pointed to a white envelope and asked, “do you know vare decatur avenue iss?” perrone replied, “yes, i do.” “do you know vare 2974 iss?” the man asked. “yes, i know where that number is,” perrone answered. The unknown man continued, “dat iss near 201st street, issn’t it?” “That’s just about where it is,” perrone said. “how much vood the clock do dere?” the man asked. “about fifty cents,” perrone replied.2 The man handed the envelope and a dollar bill to perrone. The envelope was addressed to dr. Condon and bore his decatur street address. as perrone examined the letter, the man walked to the rear of the car and appeared to write down the license plate number. Before perrone could get out of the car, the man walked off into the night. perrone drove back to his hack stand at moshola parkway and Jerome avenue. There he met John o’Brien, a fellow cab driver. he showed him the envelope and told him of the man who stopped him. o’Brien recognized Condon’s name. “That is dr. Condon, the man that is offering $1,000 in the kidnapping case!” o’Brien exclaimed.3 perrone decided at that point to deliver the letter. he drove to decatur street and found the right house. he rang the bell and dr. Condon answered the door. “Well, what is it, young man?” Condon demanded.| 49 || 6 | | 50 | hauptmann’s ladder “i have a letter for dr. Condon,” perrone volunteered.4 Condon invited perrone into the house. milton Gaglio examined perrone’s identification while Breckinridge listened to perrone retell his encounter with the writer of the note. Condon ripped open the envelope. inside was a folded one-page letter. Condon quickly read it: mr. Condon We trust you, but we will note come in your haus it is too danger. even you cane note know if police or secret servise is watching you follow this instrunction. take a car and drive to the last supway stattion from Jerome ave line. 100 feet from the east station on the left seide is a empty frank further stand with a big open porch around, you will find a notise in senter of the porch underneath a stone. this notise will tell you were to find him. Joseph perrone, the cab driver who delivered a ransom note to John Condon. “Cemetery John” | 51 | This is the letter delivered to John Condon by cab driver Joseph perrone. it is the first ransom note not addressed to Colonel lindbergh that has the “singnature.” act accordingly. after ¾ of a houer be on the plase. bring the mony with you.5 on the lower right corner of the note was the now familiar “singnature” symbol. There was no question about its authenticity. There was a question, though, as to what to do next because the men were guilty of false advertising. The money would not be ready for several days. They briefly discussed the matter and decided that they must follow the kidnapper ’s instructions. Condon would follow the directions and ask for more time to get the money. al reich offered to drive and the two men left in his Ford. | 52 | hauptmann’s ladder The night was cold and quiet as the men drove down Jerome avenue. al reich expressed concern to his friend that he might be walking into an ambush. Condon bragged that he would use his fists if provoked. if he was afraid, his ego would never allow him to admit it. The car slowed when the last subway station came into view. The frankfurter stand was on the west side of the street, deserted and falling apart. its front porch was sagging and deteriorating. The kidnapper had chosen an isolated location. Condon walked to the porch and saw a large stone...