Pat Crowe and the Cudahy Kidnapping

Pat Crowe and the Cudahy Kidnapping

From Historical True Crime by Lizzie

June 8, 2026 · 26 min · Episode 176

About this episode

This episode explores the 1900 kidnapping of Eddie Cudahy Jr. and the subsequent trial of Pat Crowe.

In 1900, fifteen-year-old Eddie Cudahy Jr., the son of one of Omaha's wealthiest businessmen, was kidnapped and held for a record-breaking ransom. The crime sparked a nationwide manhunt, a five-year search for suspect Pat Crowe, and one of the most controversial trials of the era. In this episode, we examine the kidnapping, the evidence against Crowe, and why a jury ultimately found him notguilty despite widespread belief in his involvement. Source Materials Garneth Oldenkamp Peterson, The Kidnapping of Ed Cudahy: How Pat Crowe Got Away with the Crime Albert S. Ritchie, Address to the Jury by Albert S. Ritchie of Omaha, Nebraska, in the Pat Crowe Kidnapping Case (1906) The Omaha Daily Bee (1900–1906coverage of the Cudahy kidnapping and Pat Crowe trial) The Omaha World-Herald (1900–1906 coverage of the kidnapping, investigation, and trial) The New York Times , “'Pat'Crowe Acquitted; Was Accused of Kidnapping Son of Edward A. Cudahy” (February 17, 1906) T he New York Times , “Says He Is Pat Crowe; Man, Apparently Demented, in Custody of Washington Police” (August 16, 1913) The New York Times , “PatCrowe, Once Noted Outlaw, Beggar Now; Sentence Suspended, Purse Made Up in Court”…

People in this episode

Host: Lizzie

Topics covered

  • kidnapping
  • true crime
  • historical trial
  • Omaha
  • Pat Crowe
  • Eddie Cudahy Jr.

Keywords

  • Cudahy kidnapping
  • Pat Crowe
  • Omaha
  • true crime
  • historical trial
  • ransom
  • jury verdict

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Pinkerton National Detective Agency, The New York Times, The Omaha Daily Bee, The Omaha World-Herald, Library of Congress

More episodes of Historical True Crime

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Historical True Crime podcast page.