From the Archives 94: Bill Cox, The Trial Of Bruno Richard Hauptmann (1935)

Bruno Richard Hauptmann (1899-1936) was convicted of the kidnapping and murder of Charles Lindbergh Jr., the infant son of Charles Lindbergh and Anne Morrow Lindbergh, which was known as "The Crime of the Century." Hauptmann was born in Germany, fought in WWI, and emigrated to the United States in 1923.On the evening of March 1, 1932, someone kidnapped 20-month-old Charles Lindbergh, Jr. from his bedroom in Highfields, New Jersey. A ransom note demanded $50,000, which was delivered by Dr. John F. Condon, but the child was not returned, and his lifeless body was discovered in the woods 4 miles from his home on May 12, 1932.Hauptmann was identified and arrested after a bank teller traced the serial number on a $10 gold certificate to the Lindbergh ransom, and it was traced to Hauptmann's car. Among other things, $14,600 of the ransom money was found in Hauptmann's garage. He was convicted, sentenced to death, and executed on April 3, 1936. However, some people have argued that Hauptmann was innocent, and that he was framed for the crime.Bill Cox (1897-1968) was a guitarist, singer, and harmonica player from Kanawha County, Kentucky. He was also known as the "Dixie Songbird," and recorded many songs, primarily for Conqueror Records. This 78rpm record, titled "The Trial of Bruno Richard Hauptmann, Part I & II" was recorded on February 26, 1935, in New York City. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.