The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-09-13
BOY KIDNAPPED.
The Son Of Ferdinand Ward
Stolen and Recovered.


NEW YORK, Sept. 13.-A private dis
patch from Thompson, Conn.,. says that
Clarence Ward, son of Ferdinand Ward,
was kidnapped this morning. The boy
has been with his guardian at Thompson.
By request OF the Associated Press The
NEWS representative made inquiries at
police headquarters to ascertain II the at
tention OF the officials had been directed
TO it. 1t was learned that at an early hour
this morning MIR. Charles ii. Sheldon, OF
the firm of Sheldon a. Binney,
bankers, and Henry II. Chace, OF
Chase & Butts, bankers, were privately
notified from Thompson that the lad had
been kidnapped. MIR. Sheldon resided in
Thompson for several years and Mr..
Chase has spent his summer vacation
there. They were both acquainted with
Mr.. +. ID. Greene, who has been
the boys guardian since the death OF
Mr.. Wards first wife. They promptly
communicated with Chief Child, and De-
tective Parker was detailed to investigate
the case. II was suspected that the kid
nappers might attempt to bring their cap
tive i'm this direction for tue purpose of
taking train TO some remote destination.
Notification was sent to all the precincts
and the police authorities throughout the
State. A strict surveillance was kept at
the railroad depots.
Subsequently the bankers received adj
ditional information in regard TO the cir
cumstances Of the outrage. Mr.. Sheldon
told THE NEWS representative that the
boy Clarence was walking along in the
center of the town when two men drove
up in carriage. They seized him after
he had made brave struggle to escape
and forcing him into the carriage drove
off. The alarm was given and Mr.. Greene
quickly harnessod his team and started in
pursuit. The man who drove the carriage
was recognized as a driver for stable
keeper i'm Webster, Mass, the other being
stranger. Mr.. Green had been informed
of the Identification and proceeded in the
direction which tho kidnappers had
taken. The driver was unfamiliar with
the roads and stopped at Grosvenordale
to mako inquiries. Mr.. Greene was soon
on the right track, and succeeded in
overhauling the men in Webster. The
boy was recovered and the kidnappers were
taken into custody by the police. III the
meantime Detective Parker had state
for Webster but learned of the capture at
Pawtucket.
Later particulars are TO the effect that
the kidnapping took place shortly before
o o'clock while the lad was on his way TO
school. IL was on the main thorougfare
and nearly opposite the residence Of Mr..
Chace. The boy is 10 years OF age,
and has been under the guardianship OF
Mr.. Greene since his fathers imprison-
ment. There has been suspicion that an
attempt would be made to kidnap the
boy Come three or four months ago when
Ferdinand visited Thompson where he
formerly resided. Clarence was in his in
fancy when Mr.. Greene assumed the
guardianship, and the theory is advanced
that his father, who protested, against the
action OF the court, aud being aware OF
the fact that when he has attained his 18th
year he will be permitted to select his own
guardian, had connived to secure posses
sion of him.
Clarence is the heir TO some consider
able property, and that Is thought to be
the motive which prompted the kidnap-
ping. The promptness and per-
severance of Mr.. Greene resulted In the
capture OF the kidnappers In less than an
hour after they spirited the boy away
from Thompson, who returned home with
his guardian soon after the men had been
placed ia confinement.