The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1876-11-23
From the Philadelphia Times.
The Latest "Charlie Ross.v

OOhIOOb hOlb Ahal ~ 10
rIoATINa-A SUGGESTIVE LETTER.
SUNBURY, November 16.
A man, with boy answering the
description of Charlie Ross, is at pres
ent held at the Central Hotel, this
place. His arrest was made under the
following circumstances: AS Police
Officer Thomas Cannon was on bis
way from Oil City to Sunbury last
night on official duties, he observed
German got on the train with n
young, bright looking lad, aged about
seven years, at st. Mary's. He was
evidently no child of the Germans
and on entering into conversation
with the boy his suspicions were
aroused, and he determined to arrest
them, as from the resemblance, be
thought the boy to :be Charlie Ross.
On arriving at Williamsport he
promptly telegraphed Captain Roach,
Pennsylvania Railroad detective at
Sunbury, who met the train at about
l o'clock this morning and concluded
TO hold them. Mr.. Boss was tele-
graphed to and q telegraphic conversa-
tion was held between him and the
boy through the Western Union
operators ut Sunbury and Philadel-
phia, but the boy failing to answer
certain questions, Mr.. Ross requested
that his picture be taken and sent to
him and that the parties be watched
until he was heard from. But Captain
Roach, acting under the advice Of
several doctors, who examined the
boy, and prominent citizens here
determined to hold him and mailed
the picture. A book was found ON the
names of Harrisburg, Williansport
Hummelstown, Beaver and different
points written in 1t; also letter,
written in German, asking about the
boy, and whether the party should
keep him; and saying they would give
seven dollars week, etc. The boy
| says he came from st. Mary's where
he was kept by a woman, who kept
him in all the time; also that he had
been in New York, but was taken
from there to Wilcox Pa, and drove
in buggy at night from Wilcox to
st. Mary's. A card was found on the
boy, and he said man gave it to him
who played cards with his father at
st. Mary's. He had his hair cut
lately. He said it was done yesterday.
1t is done in bungling manner. A
Germantown street car ticket was
also found in the book, and different
addresses of houses in Philadelphia
and Hoboken, New York. If the boy
is not Charles Ross, there is some
mystery connected with the affair, as
the doctors here pronouce him no son
of the man who is with him, and his
talk shows him to be a great deal
more intelligent than the man with
him. A gentleman who was here
this evening says he lived in German
town, and often saw Charlie, and
says he believes 1t is the boy. At all
events, he will be held until Mr.. Ross
is again heard from, or both will be
taken to Philadelphia tonight.
THE MYSTERIOUS LETTER.
The following is copy of the
German letter found in the mans
possession:
Williamsville, October 81, 1s76.-7o
Best Friend. 1 have received your
letter, and seen in it that you wish
that l should take your Charles to US
again. What 1 am willing to do is
this; First. If you send me letter of
power so that might have right to
take him, for she (or you) could say
had no right to take him; also, wish
everything that you wish that 1
should fetch along. Second 1 would
like to know where you live. Third.
1 ask five dollars to fetch him, which
1 want before have him. Fourth, 1
ask even dollars per month until
Aprill. Don't be angry at me about
my writing, for you know that have
five children to keep and have moth
ing to sell this year, for had a poor
harvest. If you should agree with
my conditions then answer as soon as
possible, then will fetch him as soon
as 1 am authorized, and will treat him
as well as my own children. would
send him to school, give him his
board, do his washing and take care Of
him. YOUR SINCERE FRIEND.