The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-04-07
WILLIAM M0SHER'S WIDOW.
MANNED Ar FIFTEEN, md FINDING
HER HCSBLND 4 BUROLIR.

Her story Touching the heller TINT her Hus-
bnnd stole Charley Ross-The GrIm Meas
ures TAX to wiring from, her IA Confession.
1t Is generally supposed that since the fall
Of 1877. when Mosh'r and Douglass. the sup
posed alductors Of Charlie Ross. were killed at
Bay Ridge, all search for the abductore ceased
and that the efforts Of Mr.. Christian X. Ross
were then directed to the finding of his child
alive. to the discovery OF his remains or to sat
laying himself that his boy WIS dead
Few persons know that beyond circumstan-
tial evidence and the dying declaration OF
Douglass. there was little proof that he and
Mosher stole the child. while II was evident that
there were Mt least four persons engaged In the
abduction and concealmcnt OF the boy. Since
December 1874. every effort has been made to
confirm tho suspicion against Mosher and
Doug Ass. discover their confederntes. find out
the place where Charlie was concealed and who
| wero his custodans, and to ascertain whether
| he il now dead or alive. All this detective work
has been done secretly, and II Is believed, with
out result. Mr.. Christian X, Ross. himself, has
| been equal to n host Of detectives He has been
dSph!e' suprrinienGent WailinG, and many
| New York detectives. by a retired Massachu.
setts merchant, who has devoted time and
money to his aid, and by aPhiladclphia trades
these may bo added the thousands Of amateur
| detectives that newspaper reading produces.
| DIR. Mary Walker credits herself with having
| aided In the search and her theory that Charlie
was never stolen is well known
In tho .earcb for ,heas4 hs,gllow otrYGs,
| MOsher, VINO win n confederate. WIN. Doug
| lass, was shot and killed in December. 1874,
while attemRting a burglary in the, house OF
stnntiy sought alter and her zine e and 1 patien@e
| were so taxed by visits from persons who
wished to crafty their curiosity. that she has
| lives in the Twentieth Ward with her little girl.
her two boys being away at school
matron. is now wrrtchcdly poor. OF one
Of the amateur detectives she spoke, i'm
patiently. Under the pretcnce of giving
| her little amusement he once took
hcr to the Fifth Avenue Theatre, to see
"Pquc" expecting that sho would betray a
| guilty knowledge. but she was not moved bytho
| play. the plot Of which hinges on the abduction
Of u child from estranged parents. and their
reconciliation through the search Tor him. Sne
told him that she was offended at the ruse. lie
had asked her 10 confess her husbands quit on
the promise that II would help her brother
Westerfelt out oil Moyamensng Prison, whore he
was sent for alleged completely IN the abduction.
lie had brought her parafine imprint OF her
dead husband hand. purporting To have been
moulded by tho spirits, and said that II she had
courage enough he would bring her east Of
his face; but she told him that II her dead hus-
band walked into the room in which they were.
dragging his coffin alter him. i 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 he
allowed 10 live in peace and bring up her chill
dren whom she loved "a dearly as Mr.. Ross
| loved his boy.
or MIR. Ross Mrs: Mos9cr spoke very kindly.
For him she said she had a deep respect. They
met whenever Mr.. Ross chose 10 call on her for
information. and she told him frankly whatever
was in her power to tell and had concealed
In regard to the missing boy Mrs. Moshcr
said; Why shouldn't lac be- alive ! said that
II the boy was alive and well-as have every
reason TO believe he was-sx weeks after the
abduction. with all the hue and cry after him.
the person who hal him then could just rs we'll
keep him ont Of sight for six years"
About herself the wife Of tho dead burglar
Mosher. i was only fifteen and wore short
dresses. ANA young woman yet. My father
WIS gunsmith, He lives and is respected.
did not know Of my husbands real occupation
for a long time, but this will say. that II hao
70 selecta husband oyer again. would do rs
did. for he was a good husband 10 me, gs gooC
a one rs could wish for. He was always wha
, is called in trouble and IN 1873 broke jail a
Freehold Monmouth County. \. j.. and KEEP
out OF Tue way OF tue authorities. We moved /,
: street William canvassrd Tor "A picture deale
and was SO well liked 10y him that he could hav
r gone into business with him. knew nothini
Of the abduction. but this do know, that oil
l was stolen, l and William sat at the win
= dow OF our house Il Monroe street and saw, on
, liam constantly at this time. and well remem
; Der that while stood at his side be read wit
=, ! apparently ~ much interest as did pacar
1 on fence n Phlladclphia relating 70 the at
: ducton. We moved TO New York in August
r aud although ! knew that William was wante
| by the police. did not know that Il was on sus
1 | picion that he was concerned in the ahlucti ion
y WIS WIN Nun All Tue tlilf ne WIS III Nlulus
, | but did not think that his crime WAS serious
. for we had often walked IN the streets. and h
. did not appear 10 be afraid. on what uselcs
n fellows those detectives arel stood by one a
Z | night while he said that he would give "A thou
| sand dollars TO know whore my husband WAS
, and in Philadelphia they searched the hous
. without avail in which my husband was hiding
- ] was with him up To the night before he WA
- Killed. We stopped ut an east side hotel nen
T. Police Headguartcrs. That very night h
Y talked about the Ross ease. and said that II an
~ one should steal his child he would have tn
q scoundrel's life. His death found me in a sa
i condition. had not dollar. but manage
= 10 bury him. A month after | buried my bah
i the sixth OF tho children bore Mosher. :.
" can never be impatient or unkind TO Nj
Il Ross. but | wish ho and Mr.. Wallng woul
:. help me 70 accomplish the aim Of my lift
D, FREQ my brother. They have said that he
:, innocent. and they do not know how ycarn
o get him away and then go somewhere aud be-
. nation for Mr.. Ross. take the next train &c
y Philadelphia, and have never deceived hin
4 He has tried 20 entrap me. Tut AT last he Il,
n mtted that II was In vain, and that he believe
. me-. The last time | saw him he wanted. q
d which would help to lead him 10 his child. or
n / had heard anything ncwl
s DO | believe that the child lives VIII
e Ross Yes, sir the boy ia alive. and you
J.. soc that Mr. Ross will one day get him."
~ EJECTING 4 TENANT.