Mary Davis Nelles

Written By Lindsay Eldridge

CLAREMONT, ONTARIO

Dream husband, dream wedding, dream honeymoon, dream home - Mary had it all by the age of 26. But a nightmare was waiting for her just around the corner…

More information:

Mary Nelles: 

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Credits:

Special thanks to Ellen Bond, daughter of OPP Constable Ernest “Ernie” Bond who found the ransom money under the wheelbarrow. 

Research, writing, narration, sound design: Kristi Lee
Audio editing and production: We Talk of Dreams
Production assistance: Jesse Hawke
Script consulting: Carol Weinberg
Disclaimer voiced by Erik Krosby

Music credits:

Theme music by We Talk of Dreams
Blue Dot Sessions - Illa Villardo, Game Lands, So Go We, An Unknown Visitor, Uncertain Ground, Evidence Room
Kai Engel - Fryeri, Run, Delirium
Kevin McLeod Incompetech - Immersed

RESOURCES AND INFORMATION SOURCES

Feature article:

  • Swinging Bachelors’ $850,000 Kidnap caper by Thomas Conway. Startling Detective Magazine, March 1970, Vol 61 No 383

Globe & Mail historical archives, via proquest: 

  • Call to unlisted phone big clue in kidnap hunt. (1969, Sep 16). 

  • Jail and the class system. (1973, Apr 30). 

  • Judge remands 6 toronto men; no bail change. (1969, Oct 01). 

  • Kidnap trial: Feared for her life, Mary Nelles says. (1970, Feb 04). 

  • Little-known financier raised cash ransom for niece. (1969, Sep 11). 

  • LONELY COUNTRY ROADS WHERE MONEY WAS DROPPED. WOMAN WAS FOUND. (1969, Sep 11). 

  • Nelles kidnap charge: Application for $40,000 cut in bail rejected. (1969, Sep 19). 

  • Parole board and justice. (1972, Jan 15). 

  • Parole board defends release of convicts, describes Nelles kidnapping as stupid prank. (1971, Dec 17). 

  • Two suspects use front door in Nelles' case. (1969, Oct 15). 

  • 'Unusual circumstances' are cited in early parole of 2 kidnappers. (1971, Aug 17). 

  • Violating the principle of parole. (1972, Mar 13). 

  • Early parole and rising cynicism. Carrier, B. (1971, Aug 24). 

  • Expected generation gap: Stanfield faces students over wheat sales problem. DAVID CRANE Globe and Mail Reporter. (1969, Sep 11). 

  • Kidnapping of Mary Nelles may be solved on Bay Street, police say. DELAPLANTE, D. (1969, Sep 12).

  • Grant, D. Ringleader to leave prison next week: Last Nelles kidnapper to get parole 6 months before normal. (1973, Apr 26).

  • Court refuses reduction in $50,000 bail for metro policeman charged in kidnapping. JOHN SCOTT Globe and Mail Reporter. (1969, Sep 24). 

  • Judge sets bail at $50,000 each for 6 charged in Nelles kidnapping. JOHN SCOTT Globe and Mail Reporter. (1969, Sep 17).

  • Mary Nelles kidnapping: Judge Hall deciding if mistrial of Yeowart occured. JOHN SCOTT Globe and Mail Reporter. (1970, Feb 05).

  • Nelles kidnapping: Yeowart says he didn't want any ransom. JOHN SCOTT Globe and Mail Reporter. (1970, Feb 10).

  • Guards with shotguns stand over seven bundles of money. RICHARD FRASER Globe and Mail Reporter. (1969, Sep 15).

  • 6 bachelors held in Whitby jail on kidnap charges. Whelan, P. (1969, Sep 15).

  • Hunt centred in Muskoka region for clues to $200,000 kidnapping. Whelan, P. (1969, Sep 11). 

Canadian Press Archives:

Davis Family:

Other online sources:

Images courtesy of Toronto Digital Archives

Photos courtesy of Toronto Digital Archive

Lindsay Eldridge
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