The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1883-07-05
A "LONG-LOST !" SON.
The Cruel Deception Practiced
on a Wealthy Farmer Of
Glen City, Pa.
Ills Confidence Abused by q Young Man
Claiming To BE His Way.
ward Child.

lGlen City Pal Telegram to Chicago Times.l
Elmer Snyder Ii wealthy farmer who
ives short distance outside Of this village
He is widower, lives in big house. and
stands high In the community. Mrs Snyder
died five years ago from grief because her
con ran away. Two weeks ago young man
appeared in town and claimed to be the
long-lo,t son. The netghbors circu ated
stories Of fast life in Chicago. and were
suspicious, but the farmer believed in him.
l. st Wednesday q handsome, elegantly
dressed woman unaecoiapanied, drove up
- the village inn, and secured accOmmoda-
tiOnG for few days, saying she was from
Philadelphia and desired quiet room.
While walking on the street she met
suddenly became intimate, and
until Thursday night he was constanty
In her society. He introduced her to few
young ladies as Mrs Dickerson. Of Philadel-
delpha, 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. Bursting
open the door, they saw the old man lying
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
and lifting him to his feet they admins
tcre restoratives When he had sufficiently
recovered, the old man said: ~Ihat
young man was not my son. l have been
cruelty deceived and robped," 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 the lioor Last night, continued the
farmer" the yonng man and / remained up
till about O'clock talking about the West
ern States. At last he started to talk about
my real estate. money, bonds, etc. but
never suspected anything and shortly after
l went to Led. How long I slept don't
know, but was roughly awakened by gag
being forced into my mouth, and before
could help myself was bound and gagged.
As soon a. the light was turned mp l recog-
nizcd the face Of the young man whom
thought my son and the stylish woman who
hal stopped at the tavern. The young man
laughed quietly, and, taking up
my trousers, took the key out
of the pocket and deliberately
examined the contents The money they
put in q valise the women carried, while the
papers were tossed about as YOU see them.
! After they had taken everything, the
young man came up to me and laughingly
said; Good by, papa. III pay your respects
wants to hear from YOU They then went
out, locking the door after them" This
morning detective from Chicago arrived,
locking for two individuals whose descrip-
tion tllIies exactly With that of the farmers 3
bogus son and the fashy women who put
/ up ut that tavern. Going to see Mr.. Snyder.
the detective saw that the young man was
not his son, but an old Chicago thief and
confidence man, and known among his as
sociates in crime as Fly Bill, and who went
under the aliases Of John Peters Harry Rut-
ledge, etc The woman. he said, was o
noted courtesan rom Chicago, who Is
wanted there for a number of crimes The
loss to the farmer is nearly $500 The
booty consisted OF "a, 800 In greenbacks and
the rest in Government bonds. The num-
bers Of the bonds have been given to the
authorities, and heavy reward will be Of
tered for the arrest of the thieves watch
was kept a. all the railroad stations. but 1t
is thought that the pair are already out Of
the country.