Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1877-05-28
BARNUm AND CHARLEY Ross.
The Great Snowman let's himself
About Fsnding tho Boy.

AAAU 0ICON GUOW man EGta nNhUAENH
About FsRding tho Boy.
Springfield Republican,
The negotiations between P. 7. Bar
nun, the Snowman, and Christian X.
Ross, the father of the kidnapped Char
ley, by which the former is TO offer
SIC, 600 for the return of the child, and
the latter to agree not to attempt any
prosecution of those bringing him back,
we're finished at a conference in this city
yesterday. aud the formal offer is now
made. The idea first occurred to Mr..
Barnum when he was in PHILADELPHIA
two years ago, but he decided not to
couatenance auy c~ondoning of the Of
Tense, Lately, however, the idea has
been growing upon him that the persons
who have had the child in custody since
the death Of the original abductors must
find him a burden on their hands which
they would be glad to get rid of for mo-
ney, if they could be sure they would es-
cape exposure. These parties being
only accessories after the deed, there
would be little or no moral harm in Civ
ing them their safety for the return of
the child. Mr., Barnum, being an emf.
nent man and having no connection with
the Ross family, could best negotiate
with those holding the child, and thus re-
lleve She parental anguish hat has been
so strained for the last three years, while
helping to keep himself before the pub
lie. Accordingly be telegraphed his Of
fer to Mr., Ross, and requested that gen
tleman to visit him at Bridgeport, and
the two men met there for the first time
on the llth of this month. Mr.. Barnum's
proposition then was that be should offer
the reward as proposed, and, if the boy
was secured, some arrangement should
be made for exhibiting him, by which
Mr.. Ross should have a large share CT
the profits, and thus perhaps restore his
estate of $50. 900, which he has spent in
the search, Mr.. Ross made no answer
at the time, but returned to Philadelphia
TO consult with his wife aud her brothers,
who are quite wealthy. and met Mr.. Bar.
nun at the Haynes House Yesterday to
accept the offer, with the condition that
if the boy is found, it shall be discretion.
airy with the family to reimburse Mr..
Barnum or arrange for the child's exhi.
bition, but in no case is any other ex.
hibitor to have the privilege, and these
terms we're readily accepted by Mr..
Barnum,
Mr.. Ross and his family dislike the
publicity the affair has given them, but
feel that their honor and affections are
TOO deeply involved for them to drop the
search. Mr.. Barnnm induced him 10
visit the circus yesterday afternoon, but
RETAINED from asking leave to introduce
him to the public, as he knew the request
would be in vain. Following is the for.
nal announcement of Mr.. Barnum's
offer:
l will pay $1,000 in cash for the de-
livery to me alive OF the kidnapped child,
Charley Ross, or for information that
will lead to his recovery. ! most solemn
ly and sacredly pledge my word Of honor
and my reputation ss an upright business
NAN not 10 attempt for myself to diseoy.
er the identity OF the persons negotiating
with me in this matter, nor to convey to
any other person any hints or clues BY
which any accusation or even suspicion
shall be directed agains. them. The Dc
rents Of the chile unite with me in this
pledge, and agree, il their darling child
is by this means restored to them, to
abandon ell attempts to punish any per-
son connected with his abduction or con
cealment; they agree never to appear
against such parties, and with myself will
use every endeavor to shield them from
exposure. For the last three years these
parents have suffered more than death,
and now that Mosher aud Douglass, the
real abductors, are dead, it is hoped the
persons who have the child in custody
will be willing TO accept this reward and
Immunity. The reward shall be paid in
current money as soon as the child is
identified by its parents, AS an addi-
tional security to the persons bringing
hin. a reasonable time shall elapse be-
tween his delivery AMI the public an
nouncement Of the fact, that the parties
delivering him shall have every oppor-
tunity to avoid discovery.
P. I. BARYUM, Bridgeport, Conn.
l sanction the above arrangement for
myself and wife. CHRISTIAN X. Ross.
Springfield, May Is.