"Undershirt found on corpse of Lindbergh baby in comparison with clean undershirt." NJ.gov

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Bruno Richard Hauptmann mugshot. charleslindbergh.com

In September 1934, German born carpenter Bruno Richard Hauptmann patronized a New York service station, and paid with a $10 gold note. Gold notes had been discontinued in 1933 so the clerk recorded Hauptmann's license number. The bill matched one of the serial numbers of Lindbergh's ransom money, a major break in the case. Hauptmann was arrested on September 19, 1934 and officers found an additional $13,760 of the ransom money in his garage.

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Evidence

As the police and FBI looked further into Hauptmann, the evidence against him accumulated.

September 28, 1934. The New York Times

"Bruno Hauptmann's home and [garage] where ransom money found (Lindbergh baby)" January 1934. Digital Commonwealth Massachusetts Collections Online

"The Police Digging at the Foundation of the Hauptmann Garage for Further Clues After the Top of the Structure Had Collapsed Yesterday" September 28, 1934, The New York Times

"Searchers digging up the floor of the garage of Bruno Richard Hauptmann, in their hunt for ransom money, Flemington, New Jersey. An insert showing the piece of timber in which some of the money and a gun were hidden." 1934. Library of Congress

Hover for Caption

"A series of ransom notes following the kidnapping led to a meeting between Dr. John Condon...and a mysterious man named “John.” An...sketch of “John” was developed from the verbal description of Dr. Condon and proved to be very similar to Bruno Richard Hauptmann..." FBI

Caption says, "The holes in this lumber contained rolled up ransom money. The wood, with the money rolled inside, was identified as part of the framework inside Hauptmann's garage". New Jersey State Police Memorial Association

"A painstaking analysis of Hauptmann’s handwriting by the Bureau’s new crime lab showed a remarkable similarity between the lettering of the author of the ransom notes and of Hauptmann.". FBI

"Hauptmann's Dodge; three photos of $10 gold certificate (Lindbergh ransom money) on which Hauptmann's license plate number was written by gas station attendant.". New Jersey Department of State

"Chisel found outside Lindbergh residence and chisel from set belonging to Hauptmann." New Jersey Department of State

"Closet in Hauptmann residence in which address and telephone number of J. F. Condon were found written on wall" New Jersey Department of State

"Comparison of wood grain in ladder rail #16 with attic floorboard, face and end grain" New Jersey Department of State

"Hauptmann attic, Bronx - close up of ladder rail #16 in place on attic floor". New Jersey Department of State

Death

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Trial