The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-03-18
A PLOT UNCONSUMMATpO
Its Conceiver Killed While Trv,,o
to Execute 1t.
TO NDNAP A CHILD FOR RANSOM.
Prepared In Every Way 10 Carry IN,
the Plan, When He Was Shot
by Detective Ellison.
KlDNAP A CHILD FOR RANSOM,

tragic death Of q man named Walter
Hughes. a carpenter by trade, who has
recently resided In a raised cottage on
Fannin street. between Jefferson md
Pease. just across the street from J. F.
Meyers.
He recently rented this cottage and has
lived there with his wife probably since
he conceived the fearful crime. tho at
tempted accomplishment Of which resulted
in his death.
The story connected with this tragedy is
almost too horrible to be true, and how
Chief OF Police Helm unearthed the plot
will probably remain professional secret.
1t was some weeks ago that 1t came to
tho chiefs knowledge that there was be-
ing developed plot to kidnap and hold in
hostage for ransom the children of two of
Houston's wealthy citizens.
The names OF Berry w. Camp and
Frank Dunn were mentioned as the
wealthy fathers who were TO be robbed of
their children and made to pay handsome
ly for their restoration.
Messrs. Camp and Dunn were notified
of the plot to rob them Of what they cher
ishcd more than their fortunes, and the
evidence produced by Chief Helm was so
conclusive as to leave no room for doubt.
Finally, the contamination Of the plot
narrowed down to Frank Dunn az the sole
victim.
Two OF the best detectives on the police
force were detailed and for nearly two
weeks have kept nightly watch at Mr..
Dunn's beautiful residence, corner OF Bell
and Fannin. while within Mr.. aud Mrs.
Bell passed as many sleepless nights.
watching the innocent slumber Of their
little girl. whose very existence was
threatened.
For the past week MIR. Dunn has not
Invested himself of his clothing, and has
paced the floor. shotgun In hand, night
after night, despite the fact OF double
and trusty guard on the outside.
The inhuman being who had planned
this heinous crime had even gone so far as
to dig the grave into which the abducted
child should be secreted and to arrange a
repository into which the ransom of $40, 00l
should be placed.
The grave into which the little one was
to be buried alive was dug under the floor
OF the basement at the house recently
rented by Hughes on Fannin street. 1t was
covered by the floor in such way Us to
prevent its detection, and near by were
comfortable.
This house being but few blocks from
Mr.. Dunn's residence would have natur-
ally averted suspicion as being the place
where the child was secreied
The arrangements for the ransom were
located at a point several miles from the
city.
Here some tin boxes were buried, into
which Mr. Dunn was TO be directed to de-
post $40 900 for the recovery Of his child.
The place as unearthed by Chief Helm
even developed in most minute detail the
denomination OF the bills In which the
ransom was to he paid and an espoignago
over the treasure after 1t was secreted
meant the death OF the child.
| Mr.. Dunn was advised Of all these hor-
rible details and given such proof as to
convince him Of his danger.
About midnight last night the denoue'
ment came. Detectives Ellison and Proc
tor were keeping their usual vigil when
| they saw some one attempting to get into
the Dunn residence.
The figure IN the dark indicated mar
of large statue and powerful build.
Messrs. Ellison and Proctor were botf
armed with double barrel shotguns load
ed with buckshot.
| Mr.. E,llisons presence was by som'
means made known to the fiend In hnmar
form. who was prepared to do murder ah'
ne quick as a flash he fired two shots a
the officer. both OF which Just grazeu MI
head and went crashing into the wall
with this both of the officers empte'
their shotguns and the object OF their ain
fell like Drained steer upon the IRON
porch literally riddled with bullets an'
the blood from his wounds ran down 'h
gallery in streams.
About the time he was hit he called I'M
meme of Frank" He knew Mr.. DUN
n, rs6nally. having done carpenter wor'
upon his house,
In addition to the pistol with which NJ
shot at officer Ellison. Is caiioer' tner'
was found upon the person Oh inc uea'
man an immense butcher knife sharpehe'
IN tho keennoss Of a razor and po'''e
chloroform.
These were turned over to Coroner riise
who y,ewod the body and will resume III
inquest this morning
The dead man was readily recognized a
Walter Hughes. ~. 80
Arer viewing the body, the POST 10