The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-11-04

enough for any kind OF a scheme. One
or his associates told me how the plot
10 k'dnap Gould was laid.
AS you perhaps know. Mr.. Goulds
lodge In the Catskills Is fully nine miles
over the mountains from Arkyilie sta
ton on the Western and Delaware ran
road The hunting retreat OF the rail-
way magnate SIS situated among the
most inaccessible highlands Of Delaware
county. and the ride to his mountain
well imagine. II my informant tells the
truth. Well. IL appears Mr.. Gould was
not as careful as he might be on some
OF his hurried visits TO Furlough looee.
He would often run down 20 New YORK
for day and return late in the evening,
with no more protection than a pocket
pistol or a small rifle strapped across
his back. He has Travelled over these
mountains and valleys time and again
In all sorts OF weather without fear,
but he took great chances indeed.
AS near as ! can make out. IL was
the intention of this gang TO take Mr..
Gould unprepared while making his nine
miles journey TO his hunting lodge. IT
would not have been a difficult task
for them TO do. There were to be seven
men, j believe. In case OF an emergency.
On was TO accompany Mr.. Gould on the
train and be prepared 10 bring word II
the millionaire was Joined by anyone on
the way UP from New York. He was
TO alight unobserved at Arkville station
and cover the millionaires retreat. His
companions were TO lay for Mr. Gould
"A few miles from the station. After he
was taken no violence was TO be Of
fe~cd h'i-. and he was then to sign a
check for 10000. that being the amount
decided on. a larger sum, II was BE-
lieved. would excite suspicion II Mr..
Gould refused 10 give the check or wave
Identification on II, he would De gwen
h. tes.s gr1 adj "a
Superintendent Byrnes. In other WORDS,
the gang would use force with him. one
Of the members OF the gang was theh 10
BE- intrusted with the cheek. re was 10
get IL cashed and return. Mr.. Gould was
not to be released until the check was
Cashed.
WOULD TAKE TwENTY-FoUR HOURS.
"The gang had figured on the job TAX
ing about twenty-fOur hours. The dis
lance from New York Is 80 miles which
could be covered in four or five hours.
The gang was TO have horses in readi-
ness for the escape. and. 50 far as l
learned, they had the whole affair plan
ned pretty neatly. Some days before
the work was TO be done the leader Of
the gang was arrested by Secret Service
officers and taken West on an old charge
Of counterleiting in Illinois. don
know what has been done with him. Inc
other fellows apparently backed out with
the loss of the chief OF the gang. Then,
besides, he was the only one who could
get the necessary money TO make the
thing n success. Horse and trappinES
would have TO be purchased and there
would be considerable incidental eX-
penses. | am out of crime for good, ana
! think this might serve as hint Tor
Mr.. Gould to be more careful ana not
tempt daring and sklful criminals in
hard luck. When men will hold up sue
CcssfullY a passenger train a few miles
out Of Washington. you can readily see
how easy a matter 1t would be for
several men 20 seize q single borseman
in the wilds Of the Catskills on a road
that isn't traversed for weeks at "A time;
and then only by members Of the Gould
"But as TO the cashing Of the check
81 can't see as there would be any
difficulty experienced in that. sin
gle line or two from Mr.. Gould TO the
bank cashier could be secured uhder
pressure "a easily as the check"
wouldn't there be danger Of the as
appearance of the man who got the
"OnIy a man that could be trusted
implicitly, of course, would be selected
for that important task. If he skipped
with the, money, the chances are o ma
for his companions would ma nm out
and remove him.
WHY'RE MR.. GOULD WAS TO FE OBTAINED
but where was MIR. Could 10 be held
until the check was cashed ola you Iearh
that?'
"Only in general way. I understand
he was to be taken some three or iouI
miles into the mountainous region, "htie
the gangs headquarters were TO be 10
Gated, in hut or camp or course toty
were to make up as members OF hunl-
ing party, so as not to excite Suspicion
on the way to and from the Catskiils.
"Mr. Gould has a telegraph instru-
ment Ct his lodge lard ara t G01'o ralroad
stations and the New York police before
the gang could reach this city,
Not very well. the way ] understand
It, for Mr.. Gould was to be securely
would be notified Of his WHEREABOUTS
after the gang had reached their destlhdc
ton. The men would have scattered, OF
course. They figured Mr. Gould w3uin
hours. the seizure being made at night
the check cashed after the bank opened
i'm New York in the morning; me mt
senpcr returning at noon, and the gang
cettig back to New YORK or theu iuteHu-
ed destination at night
WOULD DELAY THE ALARM.
.Rut how about the alarm sent out
when Mr. Gould was found missing
"Ahi that was the great point. as
understand 1t, that the gang inquired on
No alarm would be sent out nor no pun
lie announcement made unill AT leasl
twenty-four hours had elapsed, because
of the effect Mr. Gould'S disappearance
would have on stocks The, Gould shares
would drop pretty quick "eorse
GouId's death or disappearance was re
ported. So judging from what heard of
Tho matter. the gang figured on this
fact of the Gouid's keeping silent hhuI
a search on the quiet had been maze
in the Catskills.'
MIR. George Gould only smiled when
I told him OF how the New Nork crooks
had plauued 10 kidnap him.
Il do not fear Them was all ne
would say.