The Worthington advance., 1879-04-17
WILLIAM MOsHER's WIDOW.

band 4 Bsrglar-Her Story Touching tlss
Belief that Her Husband Stole Charlie
,Ross-The Grim Measures Taken to Wriu0
from Her a C0nfessien.
New York Sum-
1t is generally supposed that since the
fall Of 1877, when Mosher and Douglass,
the supposed abductors Of Charlie Ross,
were killed at Bay Ridge, all search for the
abduotors ceased, and that the efforts of Mr..
Christian K. Ross were then directed to the
| finding of his child alive, to the discovery of
his remains, or to satisfy himself that his
boy was dead.
Few persons know that beyond circum-
stantial evidence and the dying declaration
of Douglass that there was little proof that
he and Mosher stole the child. while it WAS
evident that there were at least four persons
engaged in the abduction and conoealment
OF the boy. Since December, 1874, every
effort has been made to confirm the suspicion
against Mosher and Douglass, dis
cover their confederates, find out the place
where Charlie was concealed and who we're
his custodians, and to ascertain whether he is
now dead or alive. All this detective work
has been done secretly, and, it is believed,
without result. Mr.. Christian K. Ross him
self has been equal to host of detectives.
He has been aided by Chief Jones and Cap-
tain Helms, of Philadelphia, Superintendent
Walling and many New York detectives, by
retired Massachusetts, merchant, who has
devoted time and money to aid him, and by
q Philadelphia tradesman, who has been
equally generous. To these may be added
the thousands of amateur detectives that
newspaper reading produces. Dr.. Mary
Walker credits herself with having aided in
the search, and her theory that Charlie Ross
was never stolen is we'll known.
In the search for the boy the widow of
VIM. Mosher, who, with confederate, VIM.
Douglass, was shot aud killed in December,
1874, while attempting burglary in the
house of Judge Van Brunt, at Ray Ridge,
has been constantly sought after, and her
time and patience were 90 taxed by visits
from persons who wished to crafty their
curiosity, that she has constantly changed
her residence. She now lives in the Twenti-
eth ward with her little girl, her two boys
being away at school
Mrs. Mosher, who, is a tall, good-looking
matron, is now wretchedly poor. Of one of
the amateur detectives she spoke inpatient
". Under the pretense of giving her lit
tie amusement, be once took her to the
Fifth Avenue theater TO see ':Pique," ex-
pecting that she would betray guilty knowl-
edge, but she was not moved by the play,
the plot of which hinges on the abduction
of child from estranged parents, and their
reconciliation through the search for him.
She told him that she was offended at the
ruse. He had asked her to confess her hus-
bands guilt on the promise that it would
help her brother, Westerfelt, out of Moya-
mensing prison, where he was sent for al
legged completely in the abduction. He had
brought her paratfine imprint of her dead
husbands hand, purporting to have been
nodded by the spirits, and said that if she
had courage enough he would bring her q
cast of his face; but she told him that if her
dead husband walked into the room in
which they were, dragging his coffin after
h'm, it would have no meaning to her. She
had nothing to confess, and thought that
after all the trouble that her husband had
brought on her she should be allowed to
live in peace and bring up her children,
whom she loved as dearly as Mr.. Ross
loved his boy.
OF Mr.. Ross Mrs. Mosher spoke very
kindly. For him she said she had deep
respect. They met whenever Mr.. Ross chose
to call on her for information, and she told
him frankly whatever was in her power to
tell, and had concealed nothing from him.
In regard to the missing boy, Mrs. Mosher
said: "Why shouldn't he be alive? I said
that if the boy was alive and well-as have
every reason to believe he is-six weeks
after the abduction, with all the hue and cry
after him, the person who had him then
could just as we'll keep him out of sight for
six years."
About herself the wife of the dead bur
glar said: ~ was quite young girl when
met Mosher. was only Is, and wore short
dresses. am young woman yet. My
| father was gunsmith. He lives and is re-
spected. did not know of my husbands
real occupation for long time, and this I
| will say, that if had to select husband
| over again would do as did, for he was q
good husband to me, as good one as I could
wish for. He was always what is called 'n
hold, Monmouth county, N. j., and kept
cut of the way Of the authorities We
moved to Philadelphia and hired house in
Monroe street. William canvassed for q
picture dealer, and was 80 we'll liked by him
that he could have gone into business with
him. I knew nothing of the abduction, but
this do know, that on the 4th of July, 1874,
the dav that the boy was stolen, and VII.
liam sat at the window of our house in Mon
roe street and saw our children letting off
fire-crackers. was with William constant
" at this time, and we'll remember that
while stood at his side he read with appa-
rently as much interest as did placard
OH fence in Philadelphia relating to the
abduction. We moved to New York in Au-
gust, and although knew that William was
wanted by the police I did not know
that it was on suspicion that
| he was concerned in the ab-
duction. was with him all the time he was
hiding, but l did not think that his crime
was 90 serious, for he had often walked in
the streets, and he did not appear to be
afraid. Oh, what useless fellows those de-
tectives are! I stood BY one all night while
be said he would give ST. 900 to know where
my husband was; and in ;Philadelphis they
! searched the house without avail in which