The New York herald., 1874-07-13
KIDN ppm G.
.HeartlesS Abduction
of a Child.
A RANSOM OF $4,000 ASKED.
No. Clew to the Identity OF Whereabouts
Of the BIackmailers.

Of the BlackmailerS.
| PHILADELPHIA, July IL, 1874.
OnA JmyN1, as two little boys were playing in
| Wasitngtod lane at Germantown, two men ap-
! preached sMem In o carriage and invited them cut
to ride. No one save the children and the men
| was near ~ the time. For several days previous
! these saHre two men had approached the boys in
[ different wayx and heving, during these cOnver-
| sations given them candles, toys, &c. the little
ones expected them before they arrived the day
mentioned above and so readily consented 70 get
| into the carriage. After having driven Tor some
distance the Oldest one OF the two little ones was
| asked to get out OF the carriage and buy a few
packages Of ffecraeEeIs. BoyIike, he most will
in by complies. No sooner had he disappeared in
the store rhan'the two men lashed the horse and
made away with the little fOar-year r-oid, whose
| name Is
CHARLIE BREWSTER ROSS,
| and who has never since been seen by those who
| knew him.
The father, after searching everywhere ia the
neighbornood, came to the police ofhce where
upon his arrival your correspondent iearned the
above. The police under the direction OF Captain
Helms, made the most scrutinizng search every
where They continued their operstions unceas-
Lngiy day and night, and were determined to leave
one and punish its prosecutors. All in vatn They
aDored to no purpose for three days aud for three
nights. Thess was no clew. After this, the follow
ing advertisement appeared in all the newspa-
pers:-
&o0O REWARD wILI. BE PAID TO THE PER-
Snail BOY ~ ,oar years Old HAVING long curry assen
h1as IL e s s % ns snort S Sus ps rssd ss
brmmed straw hat AND laced shoes The child lost
betw sen ioup and hSe % ocioeR '''"00" '''' 'A'N
This advertisement, too. met with no response
and onM0Dday, July 6, another was inserted in the
FloIc LEDGER The next morning, in the personal
columan OF this same journal, appeared the fol.
lOwlng:--
Ross-~E DS READY TO NEGOTIATE
On tho sama, day tine father, MT. Ross, rsceived
an anonymous letter through the Post Office, in
which 1t stated tnas litse Charlie would be re-
turned for $4,000. 1t also went say that the
boy was in good hands shat the treatment given
him was careful; that 1t had cost the parties
great deal Of money to get him, and that they
could not think Of returning him lor less than
$4,000
The father returned the following answer through
the Ledger personals:
poss WILL COME TO TERMS TO THE EXTENT OF
lO mis- ability.
Another anonymous letter at cnce was recsived
by Mr. Ross, stating that the parties who held the
child would not part with 1t for q smaller sum
than the one already named. Now, mark how q
father's love rises supreme above everything He
had not in nispossession the amount necessary to
regain his dear one; but he answered the Villains
through the personals thuss-
| ID oSS IS WILLING: HAVE NOT GOT IT. AN DOING
| ~ my best to raise it.
| Thus the matter stands. Detectives have
| watched the ledger Building and the Post Oifice
| day and night; but so carefully do the Kidnappers
| work that no clew whatever seems TO have been
| obtained to their identity or their whereabouts.
The child now been absent twelve days, and 1t
,s doubtful whether, during this time, any Of the
members OF the household to which it belonged
! have had an hour OF unDroken rest.
| THE CIRCUMSTANCES THE CASE
| are somewhat remarkable throughout Fcnfve
days previous TO July 1.-The day upon which
| the Child ssDlen-these same men
were seen around the neighborhood and
each day approached the two children
! and conversed with them.. 1t Is presumed
| that they would have made or with the youngest
| little Charlie Ross, several days before the 1ss
| inst, but at each time there ehanced to besoms
one passing along the lane. DURING q conversation
with the father asked him whether he had any
| enemies, who owed him grudge, and who would
| be likely to take revenge In such rare waI. The
father replied that he was unaware that tn sxe
| any one in the world who entertained any bitter
ness against him. The name OF the father Is Mr..
| Christian K. Ross, Of the f:m OF Ross Shott &
Co.. wholesale dry goods dealers on Market street.
| The house was unfortunate during the panic, and
hence Mr. Ross Is unable to pay at once the sum
demanded by the plackmallers.. 1t Is hoped that
he will be obliged to do but that 1t will be the
kidnappers who will be obliged to pay the penalty
| worthy of their inhumanity.
| THE LIrTRRs OF THE BLAcKMAILvas.
| IL P. M.-Snce writing the above your cor
| respondent has gained more direct idea Of the
| nature Of the letters which the kidnappers- have
sent to tba discOnsolate father. More nendsn.
| cruel or tnhuman episles human hand never
| penned. One Of them reads similar to this:-
We know you are not worth much money, but
we are aware that you have rich friends OF whom
you can borrow. Ii you love money better than
! your child It's blood be on. your own mead.
| Another letter reads tG this effect
ANY attempt to ascertain the child's, hiding
place VIII result IN It's entire annihilatio1 We will
turn the child up" on our own terms.
Meaning that in case the money is not forth
coming they Will kill the infant
No one can read the letters without feeling his
blood boil. Faur letters in all have been received.
| ana each of them Is cool and cruel.
1--WE know our business" says one OF the letters,
sand We are. going TO fight it out"
AN BXILE'S RETURN.