The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1883-07-20
C.aadi.x /. u. wr..s Sen.

Elmer Snyder Is . wealthy farmer Of
Glen City, Columbia County. He Is
widower and lives alone with his
servants in . fine house, close
by the highway. He is . promi.
nent figure in political and social
circles. and Is deacon in the Methodist
Church here. About five years ago his
wife died. The cause of her death was
attributed to the absence Of her only
child, boy, who ran away from home
about fifteen years ago. Two weeks
ago young man presented himself to
the farmer as his long-lost son. Sim
ultaneously ugly rumors began to
spread with regard to his past life in
Chicago and other cities in the west.
The story got about that the young man
was imposing on the farmer, but he
grew in the old mans favor.
On last Wednesday . handsome, ele-
gantly dressed woman, unaccOmpanied,
drove up to the village inn and secured
accommodations for q few days, saying
she was from Philadelphia and desired
quiet room. While walking on the
street she met the lately returned farm
er's son. They suddenly became init
mate, and until Thursday night he was
constantly in her society. He intro
duced her to few young ladies as Mrs.
Dickerson, of Philadelphia, and said she
was the wife of friend of his. On
Friday morning the servants in the
Snyder household were surprised by
the non-appearance of Mr.. Snyder at
breakfast, and as he was an early riser
the fact caused much comment. After
waiting until ten o'clock they deter
mined to call him. Going to his room
they found the door locked. Bursting
open the door they saw the old man
living at full length upon the floor.
bound and gagged. The ropes that
bound him were wrapped around his
arms and legs with double twist,
while the gag was tightly wedged in his
mouth. Cutting the cords and lifting
him to his feet, they administered re-
storatives
When he had sufficiently recovered
the old man said: THAT young man
was not my son. have been cruelty
deceived and robbed" pointing to a
safe which stood in the corner of the
room. The servants saw that the
safe had been opened and the contents
scattered about on the floor. ''Last
night" continued the farmer, .'the
Young man and remained up till about
eleven o'clock, talking about the West
ern States At last he started to talk
about nv real estate, money, bonds,
ETC.. but / never suspected anything.
Shortly after / went to bed. l soon
thought l heard noise, as though a
door had been opened and shut, and !
got up and looked out of the window,
but as l couldn't see anything went
back to bed again. Isoon fell asleep. How
long 1 slept 1 don't know, but l was
roughly awakened by a gag being
forced into my mouth, and before ]
could help myself 1 was bound and
gagged. In the partial darkness saw
two figures. After they had securely
fastened me one of them went to the
bureau and cody lit the lamp.
Gas soon as the light was turned up
recognized the face of the young man
whom thought was my son and the
stylish woman who had stopped at the
tavern. The young man laughed gui-
city, and taking up my trousers took
the key of the safe out of the pocket and
deliberately proceeded to open it. The
pair then examined the contents. The
money they put in the valise which the
woman carried, while the papers were
tossed about as you see them. Aftel
they had taken everything the young
man came up to me and laughed in my
face. 'Good-by, papa, he said: III
pay your respects to your son when
get back to Chicago. He wants to heal
from you They then went out, lock
ing the door after them"
This morning detective from Chi
cago arrived in the village looking fol
two persons whose description tallie:
exactly with that of the farmers bogu:
son and the fiashy woman who put w
at the tavern. The man is thought to
be confidence man of Chicago, Fly
Bill. "-Pailadelphia Cor. N. Y. Sun.