The New York herald., 1879-09-26
A COWARDLY CRIME.
A YOUNG LADY ENTIcED FROM SCHOOL AND
HELD FOR RANsoMAHER ALLEGED ABB
DUoToR COMMITTED FOR TRIAL.

HELD FOR RANsoM-HER ALLEGED ABB
DUoToR COMMITTED FOR TRIAL.
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD.l
BUFFALO, N. Y. Sept as. 1878.
most outrageous abduction took place in this
city yesterday afternoon the young daughter Of Mr.
Townsend Davis. a prominent citizen. being the
victim. The young lady gives account of the
affair as follows:-while at school taking her music
lesson yesterday young man called upon her. and.
saying that her father had been injured said he had
been semitic take her to him. He aso she states.
represented that he was employed in her fathers
office. She accompanied him, and. taking Main
street car. they down town. On reach
ing the OF South Division street he
stopped the car at the same time saying he
had just her father carried up stairs in
the Phelps block He got off the and told her to
wait moment on the sidewalk while he ascertaned
whether her fathers condition such that she
could him. He went up stairs and returning
presently said it was all right she could see him.
The young girl went up with him and on reaching
II he opened the door. and as she says pushed
her in followed after her and locked the door, The
place totally destitute of furniture, and the girl
says she at saw she had been trapped. She be-
gan to scream for help, whereupon, she says. the
rufian put his hand over her mouth to stop her
cries. fierce struggle ensued. which ended in the
young lady falling to the floor Her captor she says
still held his hand her mouth, and promised to
take it of only condition that she would promise
not to scream any more.
ALLEGED MOTIVE.
He told her not to be afraid; he did intend to do
her any harm he destitute Of money, and,
knowing her father to be man Of means. he had
enticed her to that place and intended to keep her
there until a ransom paid for her. The sum Of
$780, he said would her free and he directed her
to write letter to her father to that effect She un
dertook to do So, but the excitement under
which she was laboring rendered it impossible and
he then. she says. produced the following letter.
which he seemedt to have prepared and his dicta-
ton she copied it,
DEAR PApA-I ask you to give this man $780, for
unless he raises this within week he Is ruined.
He pledges you his word and honor that it shall be
returned to you in sixty days For this loan he has
no security to offer except myself, whom he has in
keeping He must have this sum Immediately, within
week. SO long l think you intend to pay this
sum just long shall be kindly dealt with but at
the first indication
After having written the above the young lady
pleaded piteously to be set at liberty, and upon
taking oath never to reveal what had occurred
she states the man let her 80.
AN ARREST
Upon reaching home her father noticing that her
face was bruised and bore finger marks asked tho
cause. and succeeded in learning the particulars of
the affair. He Immediately made complaint at de-
tective agency. and Detective Watts who took tho
in hand about halfpast ten o'clock last night
succeeded in capturing the alleged abductor. He
gave his name Charles E. Schuyler, and said his
occupation that of telegraph operator in the
office of the Western Union Company. His home is
i'll Little Falls. N. Y. He locked up in Police
Station No. B. and this morning held for trial in the
Police Court, his bail being fixed at So, 600.
On careful search OF his person q number Of
papers were found. on some OF which were memo
randa OF the names and residences OF prominent
citizens; also the location of two more private
schools for young ladies'. On these lists were the
names Of parents with the of their younger
children; memoranda Of the schools they attended
and other particulars tending to show that the man
intended to entrap many victims.
SINGULAR DOCUMENT.
There also found among his papers the fol-
lowing draught Of . letter.
DEAR STR must respectfully ask of you US an es-
teomed friend to loan $4,000. Unless raise this
sum within q week am q ruined man financially.
pledge you my word and honor that 1t shall be
turned to you with interest in sixty days. For this
loan have no security to offer except your son
Willie whom have in safe keeping. and who shall
"never" return to his home unless the above sum
is paid, ana that within week. So long
think you intend to place this
sum at my disposal just so long shall
Willie be kindly dealt with but at tho
character he shall suffer ply sica torture and even
tualy die" On the other hand. il you place the
required sum in my hands Willie will be returned
to his home and your loan paid with interest in
sixty days. The sum to be paid must be in cur
rency. Bills larger than $50 will not be received.
A trusty agent will be sent to your house for the
money Upon its receipt Willie will be sent home
he can be got there. II you disagree with
these conditions and make this matter public i'll any
way, employ any detective. you will feel Of
the watery grave your son will immediately receive.
In answer to this will receive letter through
fha off tv oft .llarv
''is death. Govern yourself accordingly" 1t is
$1,000 or ruin with me. Anonymously signed,
II. u. MERCHANT,
Care Post Office Buffalo.
Do not forget that upon your silence depends
your sons life. Shall expect letter from you i'm
mediateiy.
When questioned about the above letter the pris-
stated that he intended to get possession if pos
sible of the youngest son of the same gentleman
whose daughter he finally abducted, as above de-
scribed. and then him to raise $4,000.