Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1876-01-28
LITTLE CHARLEY ROSS.

LITTLE CHARLEY ROSS.
From the Malone y. W Palladium.
Seventeen months have gone by
since the nation was startled with
the news of the abduction of that
unfortunate child, Charley Ross
These months have been crowded
with startling incidents. The ro-
nance of crime, which has been
created by the attempt to Introduce
brigandage into America, has many
chapter full of interest. With an
interest at once constant and intense,
the public have followed the history of
the attempt to dispel the mystery
which has enshrouded the disappear
ance of Charles Ross on the first day
of July, 1874. But the story has
been so long in the telling, and so
many side plots have been discov-
cred, that comparatively vrey few
people are able to recall the circum-
stances of the child's abduction, or to
trace, with any accuracy, the long
succession Of attempts to rescue the
boy and punish his captors.
In response to the universal cal, at
this time, when the case of the poor
lost boy has been brought up before
us in St. Adams in so startling a
manner, we present below a brief but
comprehensive sketch of the Charley
Ross abduction case which cannot
fail to be of interest to all our read
ers.
THE ABDUCTION OF CHARLEY ROSS.
In Germantown, one of the pleasant
outlying districts Of the city of Phil
adelphia, lives Mr. Christian Il. Ross,
a man Of excellent private character,
whose name and fame has been so
prominent IN the history OF this case.
Mr.. Ross, in 1874, lived in a fine res
idence, which he still had means to
keep up, though his income had been
a short time before much diminished
by failure in business. On the first
day of July, which was Wednesday,
his two younger children-Waltcr,
aged six, and Charles Brewster, aged
four-werc playing by the roadside
near their house. when two men,
who were driving by in a buggy,
called to them. The children looked
up; they had seen the men before;
and, being in n very pleasant way in
vitcd to ride, with an earnest of good
intentions in the shape of a gift of
candy, accepted the profier of the
strangers. The children were lifted
into the buggy, and the men drove
off at great pace. y long and cir
cuitous route was taken through the
northern and northeastern suburbs,
to the more densely populated dis
trlct of Philadelphia, near the Della
ware River. Here the buggy stopped
near a confectioner's, and Walter, the
Oldest boy, was given some money
to buy some fire-crackcrs and candy,
being promised that his brother
would wait for him. The little tel-
low went into the store and made the
purchase. but coming ont of the store
found that the buggy was gone. His
brother was gone, too; and from that
hour when Walter left him at the
corner of Palmer and Richmond
streets, Kingston, Charley Ross has
not been seen by any relative or
friend. 1t was just dusk when the
little lad came back to the place
where he had left his brother. His
cries soon attracted the attention of
the passers by, and Waller was taken
home. OF course no one of those
who heard the child's cries supposed
that it was anything more than the
common case of lad who had lost
his way, and Walter was brought
home, little thinking how the news
which he brought would startle q
whole people.
THE FIRST STEPS TO RESCUE THE
CHILD.
The sad news which Walter brought
home shocked and gricved his par
ents and relatives to such degree
that several precious hours passed by
before anything practical was done
to forward the work Of rescue. The
facts in the case was scdulously kept
secret for day or two, and then the
help of the detective police was called
in. Gradually, however, the story of
the abduction became known. The
Philadelphia public became greatly
excited over the event. AL sorts of
strange and absurd stories were
bruited about. The reporters SO be-
sieged the public headquarters, and
so earnestly urged the importance of
of correct statement of the facts,
that the circumstances of the abduc-
ton was made public. On the 9th
of July Mr.. Ross offered a reward of
$500 for the child's recovery, and de-
velopmcnts in the case were anxious
lyawaited. The minutcst particulars
Of the case were presented, and the
appearance and dress of Charley
Ross described in detail. The little
fellow had long iaxen hair, which he
wore in curls; hazel eyes, clear skin,
round, plump face, aud was a we'll
formed boy, decidedly prepossessing
in appearance. 1t was not long after
the abduction, and some time before
the case was made public, that Mr..
Ross received an anonymous letter,
evidently written by the abductors,
or in their interest. This missive
stated that the child was stolen for
ransom. and would be returned if the
money asked was paid. AT first, as
if t, indicate that the captors were
English, the sum of $4,000 was asked.
In a subsequent letter the amount
was reduced to $4,000. This amount
was altogether more than Mr. Ross
could raise, IN his Strengthened finan-
cial conditions; but, nevertheless, he
continued his negotiations with the
kidnappers, inserting his communl.
cations in the personal" column OF
the PHILADELPHIA Ledger. The fact