New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-01-22
MISSING CHARLIE Ross.

INTEREST IN THE ABDUCTION REVIVED.
THE STORY OF THE DEATH OF MosHER AND DOUG
LASS REToLD-MosHERs BRoTHER-IN-LAw,
wEsTERvELT, RELEASED FROM JAIL,-AN INTER-
VIEW WITH HIM-His OPINION ABOUT THE LOST
BOY.
Some time after the abduction of Charlie Ross
information reached superintendent WalIing that
two weli-known river pirates and thieves named
William Mosher and Joseph Douglass, were
more than likely TO to be the ,,.i aodg nc
them. A boat expedition up the Sound was organ
lied for the purpose of finding some cew, IL possible
to the missing boy 1t was known that the suspected
men occasionally went on maraudlng expeditions
along the shores OF the Sound, no the Hudson and
around Staten Island and Newark Bay Bay;
In the main their pilfering expeditions among
the dwellings in the vicinity OF the water. They
removed their plumber BY means OF sail-boat
Superintendent I wallng believed that Mosher was
the master spirit in the abduction of the boy and
that if close =, watch was kept o.. on
lad was hidden would be discovered.
All the low dens in this city and in BROOKLYN we're
searched but neither MosheE nor DIugias could DC
lisble to be arrested. and kept out of the way.
The summer residence of Judge Van Brunt of this
city, situated about one mile from Bay Ridge, L. l..
was broken into by burglars on the night
Of December IA, 1874 1t was unoccupied but
was connected by burglar alarm with the house of
Holmes Van Brunt, the Judges brother. In the
latter house at the time were the owner and his son.
William The latter was sent BY his father to see
what had caused the alarm. Creeping cautiously
over to the other house he soon saw that there
were thieves inside and so reported to his father
They secured the assistance Of two OF Mr.. Van
BrunHs employees. Herman Frank and William
Scott, armed themselves, and waited for the
thieves to come out. An hour passed, and as they
made no signs of leaving, William Van Brunt tried
the entrance. The thieves heard him, and ex-
tingulshing their lights fled from the house.
As the first one emerged from the
doorway, Mr.. Van Brunt ordered him to surrender.
II ahnko Nh NnnR rgtnf tun0
unframed and he returned the fire, slightly wound
ing his antagonist, who then fled. As he came near
Herman Frank the latter fired full charge OF bqcX-
shot at him. The charge took effect IN the abdo--
he fell to the ground.
Meantime, young Van Brunt had been engaged
with the other burglar. The latter had fired one
shot at the young man, and and in return had re-
ceVed terrible blow on the arm from the young
mans gun; But the weapon was broken by the
ST but THE voung 1't Van Bsant wss toe cf
for him. and with q pistol shot the desperate
through the head and he fell dead. The other thief
wound. From disconnected sentences it was learned
that his companion had been concerned III the abb
ductiOn OF Charlie Ross, and that Superintendent
Walling should be communicated with. Word
was sent to the Brooklyn Police and later to
superintendent Walllng. When the latter reached
Bay Ridge he at ONCE recognized the thief whom
young Van Brunt had shot rs MosheT. Inc other Z
was Douglass. The Superintendent was much dis
appointed that the men for whom he had been so
long in search should have died, and should have
left no clew to the missing boy He was more than
ever convinced that Mosber was the man who was
principally concerned In the abduction of the boy
Ii was regarded as certain that be must have bad
Westervelt brother-n-aw of MOsher. he was ar
rested the following April, and on October 8, 1879
was convicted aud sentenced to years Imprls-
onment and to pay fine of 81. Westervelt was re-
leased last Thursday, and yesterday came TO TINS
city, where his wife lives. He was questioned at
length concerning his share in the transaction:
do think Charlie Ross still llV1Dg I" he
Why should think he is deadin was the eau
far as known. If the people who first
had him in charge were able to keep
why couldn't they have kept him for years Just as
asyiums in Nsw-York CITY, and who would be the
and If they did they might not find HIM"
Westervet theG described at length the killing of
did you eHdeavOr to find the boyfD he was
Yes. I went with the detectives to several
places but we could not find him."
Did you have ANYTHING to do with the kidnap-
ping of Charlie Ross n
Il had nothing whatever to do with it. Because
l was MOshers brothern-law all the detectives
thought must have been concerned IN the plot TO
steal him. had upward of fifty interviews with
Walin0, and Pinkerton called on me and offered to
take me into his detective agency, but wouldn't
go. reported this to Walling, anu it caused bad
feeling between them. We were working mp every
possible Glow, anu on april IL, 1910, w allnR tOIu
me he wOnld like me to go to Philadelphia and
tell the committee of citizens what knew about
the case. 1 told him l was willing to go, and he
gave me $40 to pay my expenses. went there and
saw Christian X. Ross, the father of the boy, Cap
tans Hens and Wood. of the Police Department,
and Others. ] had long conversation with them
in the Mayors Office aud they had shorthand re-
porter. who took down hat said. ! stayed there
until IL o'clock and when | wanted to leave they
detained me.D
Westervelt then described his conviction and
prison life.
What do You propose to do nowf Will You go
10 work, or do you still think you can do anything
toward finding the boy ~
III shall first endeavOr TO go to work Ii can
find tho time will try and follow certain Glow
that has never been properly worked up. IL Mosher
and Douglass did steal the boy there must have been
q third person who took care of him. aud have my
suspicious as to who it was have no hard feelings
against M Russ because would do anything to
get possession OF child Of mine. but do blame him
for allowing innocent TO suffer all these years
after nc knew that could not throw any light on the
matter. Ii / could help him get his child would
checrfully do have thought over every posi-
BILE clew quite as much he has. Last May MUshers
widow came to me, but l could not learn any
thing from her that is not already known. l will
try every means to recover the child Just for the
satisfaction Of clearing myself, and have hopes
that before long shall be able TO discover some