Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-09-29
4 Girl Held For Ransom.
A RAscALLY ATTEMPT TO ExToRr MoNE

boldest outrage ever committed in this city
an abduction and attempt to extort money
occurred here on Tuesday. The details were !
not made public until to-day. young man, !
quite well dressed, called at a music school,
over which a well-known teacher presides. on
Tuesday afternoon, and asked to see Miss |
Emily X Davis. girl III years of age, the
daughter of Townsend Davis, of the firm of
Smith. Davis & Clark insurance agents. |
When the girl appeared, the stranger inform
ed her that her father had just met with an
accident which would probably result fatally
a building had fallen on him and he had been
terribly crushed. The daughter. of course,
was overcome by this startling information,
and asked the messenger where her mother
was. He replied that she had inst gone down
in a carriage with her youngest son. The
young lady inquired why her mother did not
call for her. The smooth-tongued stranger
replied that he did not know that he was
clerk in her fathers employ and had been
sent to bring her down.
Suspecting nothing wrong, Miss Davis at
once started with the man. accompanied by
her cousin. They got upon Main street
car bound down. The stranger, in order to
get rid of the lad, suggested that he had bet
ter 60 for DIR. Boardman. and the youth did
so. On reaching point in front of the store
of William Woltge, in Main street, near
South Division. the man suddenly exclaimed
There they are now. They are carrying
the body up stairs" They then left the ear,
and the stranger escorted the girl up stairs to
back room in the third story, No. | ! of the
Phelps Block. He ushercd her into the
room. when he quickly locked the door on
the inside. Seeing that she had been de-
ceived. the girl began to scream. The ras-
cal gave the astonished and terrified girl to
understand that he intended to do her no
HARM and requested her not to be afraid,
The girl naturally became very much fright
cned at her situation, screamed loudly, and
cried Murder! J" but no one came To the res
cue, and the villain tried hard TO pacity her.
! He did not attempt to do her any bodily
harm. and asked her not to be afraid. Tie
then said to her that he was the son of rich
parents. who knew her father well; that he
was in bad circumstances. and must raise
$500 ut once or he would be ruined lie then
proposed to the girl 10 write letter to her
| father. which he would dictate. asking for
the amount named and when he received it
| he would release her. She was so weak from
the intense excitement she had undergone
that at first she could not write, but after
time. seeing that her captor was determined,
she wrote. at his dictation. a letter to her
father, of which the following is a copy:
DEAR PAPA ask YOU to give this man $500 for
unless he raises this within week he Is ruined
He pledges you his word and honor that II shall be
returned to you in GO days For this loan he has no
security to offer except myself whom he has III safe
keeping, He must have this sum immediately WIN
In week. So long think YOU intend tn pay this
sum, just so long she shall be kindly .eat WITH but at
| the first indication
After writing this much the girl again
pleaded and begged so hard to be released that
the man became alarmed. and finally let her
go. after exactng promise that she would
not tell any one of her adventure. but would
still do all in her power to obtain the $500 for
him. She was in captivity altogether about
half an hour. and on being r, leased returned
at once to her parents residence and told the
whole story, in substance as related above.
Mr.. Davis took prompt measures to bring the
rascal to justice. He placed the matter in
the hands of q detective agency. with in
structons to use every effort to effect the ar
rest. Last night about II o'clock the detec-
! tives succeeded in arrestng the man mt the
Mansion House. He was taken to No. 3 Po-
lice Station and locked up for the night. He
gave his name as Charles +. Schuyler, his
age as % year, his occupation As that of
telegraph operator. and his residence rs Lit
| tie Falls. n. Y. Subsequent investigations
showed that he had rented Room No. II in
| the Phelps block on Sept. lG, and that he
had been in the employ of the Western
Union Telegraph Company while here as an
extra, and worked in that capacity yesterday
The prisoner this morning, fully admitted
the abduction of the girl and the attempt at
black mail. When asked as to his motive
he said that he must have been crazy. He
wanted the money badly, and thought his
plan would be good one to raise it. On Il
careful search of his person, several papers
were found, on some OF which were memo
randa of the names and residences of promi-
nent citizens; also, the situation of two or
three private schools for young ladies. On
these lists were the names of parents in Del
aware and Franklin streets, with the names
of their younger children, memoranda of the
schools they attended, &c., showing that the
scamp had laid his plans well. and had traps
for many innocent victims. There was also
found among his papers, remarkable letter,
of which the following is copy:
BUFFALO. September.
DEAR SIR: most respectfully ask of you, as an
esteemed friend. to loan me $1,000. Unless raise
this sum within a week am ruined man fnan
cialy. pledge you my word and homo, that ii shall
be returned to you, with interest in 60 days. For
hs loan have no security to of,r except your son
Willie, whom have in safe keeping and who shall
paid and that within "a week. So long as Think YOU
intend to place this SUN at my disposal just long
shall Willie be kindly dealt with, but at the first in
dicaiion Of treachery publicity of any character
he shall suffer physical torture and eventually die
On the other hand, II you place the required in
my hands, Willie shall be returned TO his home, and
your loan paid. with interest. in 60 days The sum
TO b. paid, must be In currency. Bills larger than
$50 will not be received A trusty agent win be sent
TO your house for the money. Upon Its receipt viii
lie will be sent home soon as he can be got there. II
YOU disagree with these conditions rnd make this
matter public in any way, or employ any detective,
YOU will feel sure of the watery grave your will
Immediately receive. In answer to this ! will receive
one letter through the post office. Remember that
reachery Is death. Govern Yourself accordingly II
is 5000 or ruin with me. II. Is. MERCHANT
Care Post Office, Buffalo.
"Do not forget that upon your silence depends
vour sons life. Shall expect letter from YOU i'm.
medately"
When asked about the above letter, the
prisoner stated that he intended to get posses
sion, if possible, of the youngest son of the
same gentleman whose daughter he finally
abducted. and then use him to raise S. 600
Schuyler was brought before the Police
Court this morning, and arragned on the
charge Of abduction. He plead not guilty.
After the examination of witnesses. Justice
King held him for higher court The JUS
tice, in making known his decision to hold
the prisoner for trial said IL only wish