Ransom note
Ethiopia
1977. William Waugh, a Canadian helicopter pilot, was captured by rebels. He sent this note to Dr Ehsan Shafa at the Smallpox eradication unit at WHO. It reads:
April 7 -77. Dr. Shafa. We are captured by the Guerillas they want $40000.00 Ethiopian dollars for my release or they will kill us. Bill Waugh ".
He was released 4 days later without payment, having vaccinated the rebel band.
Photo credit: WHO
Source: WHO, "Smallpox and Its Eradication"
