The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1874-07-27
ABDUCTION OF A CHILD.
A Ransom q $40, 1000 A.l.,a.

to ride. No one save the children and
the men was near OF the time. For
several days previous these same two
men had approached the boys in differ.
emit ways, and having, during these con.
yersations, given them candies, toys,
etc, the little ones expected them be-
fore they arrived on the day mentioned
above, and so readily consented to get
into the carriage. After having driven
for some distance the Oldest one OF the
two little ones was asked TO get out OF
the carriage and buy few packages Of
arecrackers. Boylike, he most will.
ingly complied. No sooner had he dis.
appeared in the store than the two men
dashed the horse and made away with
the little four.year-old, whose name is
Charlie Brewster Ross.
The father, after searching every.
where in the neighborhood, went to the
police office. The police made the most
sCrutini2ing search everywhere. They
continued their operations increasingly
day and night, and were determined to
leave no stone unturned that would 10.
store the lost one and punish its perse.
cutors. All in vain. They labored to
no purpose for three days and for three
nights. There was no clew. After this
the following advertisement appeared
in oil the newspapers:
1890 Reward will be paid to the
person returning TO No. 8 North sixth
street, n small boy, four years old, hay.
ing long, curly, haxen hair, hazel eyes,
clear, light skin and round face ;
dressed in trown linen suit with short
skirt, broad brimmed straw hat and
laced shoes. The child was lost from
Germantown on Wednesday afternoon
lst inst, between four and FIVE
o'clock"
This advertisement, too, met with no
response, and on Monday, July 0, an.
other was inserted in the Ledger. The
next morning, in the personal column
Of this same journal, appeared the fol.
lowing:-
Ross-we are ready to negotiate. 3"
On the same day, the father, Mr..
Ross, received an anonymous letter
through the Post.office, in which II was
stated that little Charlie would be 70.
turned for $40, 900. II also went on to
say that the boy was in good hands ;
that the treatment given him was care.
full that II had cost tho parties great
deal Of money TO get him; and that they
could not think OF returning him for
less than $4,000.
The father returned the following
answer through the ledger personals:
Ross will come to terms TO the
extent Of his ability" In
Another anonymous letter at once
was received by Mr.. Ross, stating that
the parties who held the child would
not part with it for smaller sum than
the one already named. Now, mark
how fathers love rises supreme above
everything He had not in his posses.
sion the amount necessary TO regain his
dear one but he answered the villains
thorough the personals, thus:-
"Ross is willing have not got It ;
am doing my best TO raise"
Thus the matter stands. Detectives
have watched the Ledger building and
Post-ofice, day aud night but so care.
fully do the kidnappers work that no
clew whatever seems 10 have been OBJ.
tanned to their identity or their where.
abouts. The child has now been absent
many days, and II is doubtful whether,
during this time, any OF the members
Of the household to which IL belonged
have had IN hour OF unbroken rest.
The circumstances Of the case are some.
what remarkable throughout.
For five days previous to July 1.-the
day upon which the child was stolen
these same men were seen around the
neighborhood, and each day approached
the two children and conversed with
them. It is presumed that they would
have made of with tho youngest, little
Charlie Ross, several days before the
LIST inst, but each time there CHANGED
to be some ono passing along the lane.
During q conversation with the father
/ asked him II he had any enemies, who
owed him grudge, and who would be
likely 70 take revenge in such q rare
way. The father replied that no was
unaware that there was any one in the
world who entertained any bitterness
against him. The name OF the father
is Mr.. Christian K. Ross, OF the firm OF
Ross, Shot & 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 blackmailers.
1t is hoped that he will not be obliged
TO do so, but that II will be the kidnup.
pers who will DO obliged to pay the
penalty worthy OF their inhumanity.
Your correspondent has gained IN
idea OF the nature Of the letters which
the kidnappers have sent to the discon.
ISOLATE father. More fendish, cruel or
inhuman epistles human hand never
penned. One OF them reads similar to
this:
1--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, its blood be on your own head"
Another letter reads to this effect:
"Any attempt 10 ascertain the child's
hiding.place will result in It's entire an.
Inhalation. We will turn the child
up on our own terms"
Meaning that in case the money is
not forthcoming they will kill the in.
FAINT.
No one can read the letters without
feeling his blood boil. Four letters in
all have been received, and eacl OF them
is cool and cruel.
1--WE know our business" says one
Of the letters, "and We are gsing to
fight it out"