The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1897-08-19
JOHN CONWAY FOUND
Restored to His Parents
This Morning After an
Absence of Three
Days.
ABDUCTED BY HIS UNCLE
Confession Extracted by Promise
Of Ransom Reporters and
Detectives Good Work.
ABDUCTED BY HIS UNCLE

ALBANY, n. Y, Aug. 10, 1Ss7.-F1ve
vear old John Conway, who has been at
the mercy of kidnappers since Monaay
morning. was returned to his parents
shortly after nine o'clock today through
the efforts Of the private detectives anu
reporters in the employ Of the Argus.
The child was abducted by his uncle
Joseph Hardy, and a pal of his Named
H. G. Blake.
Hardy has been placed under arrest Dal
Blake escaped from his captors ana Is
being pursued by a squad of police
EARLY yesterday morning a clue was
secured that a relative of Mr.. conway
had some connection with the kienapplhg
and An investigation of the character ana
reputation of Hardy strengthened the be-
lief that if the Conway child was TO be
restored it would be through
gwen by this relative. Slowly but surely
a chain of evidence was made against
him. and early this morning it was be-
lieved that Blake was his companion IN
the crime.
Blake was found by dint of strategy,
and then taken to the ARGUS" Office with
Hardy at four O'Clock this morning He
was Indirectly accused of knowing where
the child was, but was deeply affronted
and apparently offended at such a sugges-
ton. He was pressed closely and never
given an opportunity to concoct or h8 a
scheme whereby he could throw his ac-
cusers off the track. 1t was seen that
threats would not bring about the de-
sired results and persuasion was brought
to bear on him
He was offered a big ransom to tell
anything he knew about the Kidnapping
and finally it was made so large that
he confessed the kidnapping and piloted
a party of Argus men some five miles
out in the country where he left them
and / ma short time returned with the boy
in his arms. He was given a stuffed
pocket book for his ransom and an effort
was made to arrest him. When he saw
he had been trapped he pulled a revolver,
fired four shots and broke away from
his captors, who did not pursue him, but
drove Immediately to the city with the
boy. Their advent into and triumphal
drive through the city will long be re-
membered. Driving down State street
at a few minutes before MIN wneh
thousands of people were on the streets,
the little fellow was held high in the
air and his rescuers yelled we've got
him. and an uproarious shout went
I'm. Men. women and children followed
the wagon with shouts OF 10y TO III
wav was placed in the window for the
benefit of the admiring and joyous
crowd.
Ten minutes later he was receiving the
owing embraces and fond kisses OF ms
mother, who rejoiced as If one from the
grave had been restored 70 ner. d IN 1adl
which has been in sympathetic mourning
with the parents of the boy since his
mysterious disappearance. was overcome
with joy at his return.
Blake, who will soon be brought to bay
by the police, did not openly confess tnat
he kidnapped the boy, but claimed that
he knew a party who knew where the
boy could be found. The evidence IS SO
strong against him that he will have hard
work clearing himself.
Blake is a man thirty-eight years OF
age, of slight build, an ordinary face. A
seraggy sandy m9ustaehe a Gsn;dsnt ms aS
this city and had been employed as a
bookkeeper in several places in Albany.
1t is believed that a woman was con-
nected with the kidnapping.
If the story which it is alleged Hardy
told the Chief of Police behind closed
doors this morning is true, the Conway
child narrowly escaped the fate of Charley
Ross. When the quarry became hot Blake
urge tn that 18th as the r boy t Would Desra of t biml
Hardy was a trifie timid and asked for
another day. 1t was tnallys agreed that
at a late hour last night they would take
the boy from the old schoolhouse, where
they had him locked up, and would either
drown him or drop him from q railroad
Aka&AE. - ALAASS1 Va RAN ~
the men and the careful watch set upon
their movements by the police and the
reporters gave them no opportunity.
Hardy evidently kept Blake informed of
the game, for when the Associated Press
reporter yesterday afternoon interviewed
Mr.. Conway as to his ideas of relatives
being mixed up the case, Hardy left the
house and met Blake at a hotel. Blake
then disappeared and was not found until
four O'Clock this morning. In the mean
time he had. 1t is believed, visited the
boy.
When the police arrested Hardy this
morning they took him to the Third pre-
cinct station house. but at a request from
the Chief of Police brought him to head
quarters. When the wagon was ready
the squad of police had great difficulty
In forcing their way to it and the mob
impeded the passage of the horses and
threatened to pull Hardy to pieces. An
extra squad of police was required to
preserve order.
A squad is out looking for Blake and as
the story of the intended murder spreads
the excitement becomes more intense and
is liable to end badly for the two men if