This article from the August 1953 edition of Cosmopolitan has everything. Intrigue, murder, danger, villains, heroes, and even a quote by J. Edgar Hoover who said,
“When a motorist is asked, ‘How about a lift, buddy?,’ the hitchhiker may be a serviceman returning to his sick wife–or he may be death in disguise.”
It was a warning to an innocent nation that there are indeed bad people who prey on kind folks wishing to lend a hand. The article cautions the reader to just say no to hitchhikers. They may be thieves or murders disguised as everyday folks.
If you’re a baby boomer like me, you likely remember that it was not uncommon to see hitchhikers on streets and highways. They would often carry a sign to tell where they needed to go. It was a friendlier world back then, but not without danger as this article illustrates. It is a fun and interesting read and is available for download below.
Mid-Century Page 
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