The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-09-01
Rancher Miller Of Mo-
reno Explains His Dis,
appearance.
kidnapped by Three Strange
Men and Made to Travel
With Them.
Given His Freedom in Placer
County and Left Pennlless in
the Mountains.

RIVERSIDE, CAL, Aug. 31.-Frank
Miller OF Moreno in this county, who dis
appeared on July last, has returned and
tells queer tale to account for his disap'
pearance and long absence.
His case has given the officers more
trouble than has any other since the or
gan1zation of the county. His sudden
return to this city yesterday afternoon but
added to the mystery.
Various theories were entertained by
MilleI's friends as to his whereabouts
and as to the cause OF his departure, but
no reliable information could be obtained
until last evening when the careworn man
told of his adventures. He had been kid
mapped by q band of robbers and taken
INTO captivity.
= Il have been greatly misrepresented by
my friends, my enemies and by the Off
GERS since my disappearance" said Mil
Ter. Il have been blamed by every body,
and have not had chance to tell MY side
Of the story. When my friends hear the
truth they will no longer blame me.
About the Sth of. July l was at my
ranch near Moreno attending my regular
duties, when I was approached by three
strangers, who, after talking for 4 short
time, asked me # l could give them work.
I could not find work for them all, but
told them had work for one man. They
were displeased at this, and said they
would not work unless they could all find
employment
AT this point one of the men drew q
So Dill from his pocket and asked me if 1
could change it. I had about S235 in my
purse, and thought that l had silver
enough TO change the bill.
''In taking The money out of my pocket
[ dropped my pocket book and four $50
gold pieces rolled out Oh the ground. The
men al once spranG upon me, took my
money and loaded me into wagon ard
started away.
Il could not call any one to my assist
ance, so I had to take my medicine. l
was taken through some strange noun
famous country for days and days. At
night we camped, but l had no chance to
escape, as they kept watch on me.
Il was forced 10 go through many hard
ships, and II l did not earn my board l
never did. The men would not talk with
me, but talked continually among them
selves.
I'VE travelled in this way for several
weeks until we came 10 an old deserted
4 mill. Here the three men left me and
4 wandered for days, not knowing where 1
was nor which way to go.
after several days of travel through
dark canyons and rough hills I came to a
small settlement, was taken into house
and given all that l cared to eat and
drink.
The man who took me in informed me
that I was in Placer County and that it
was nearly 100 miles TO Folsom. and that
if 1 wanted to strike the main line OF the
railroad l had better go there. 1t took me
about three days to walk the distance, but
finally reached my destination. 1t was
hard trip, and / became very thirsty.
After reaching Folsom l could not
take the train, as | had no money, so | set
out to walk to Sacrament This was an
other long and tiresome trip. but after a
great deal OF rough travel I made it.
There l got a little money and took the
first train for Riverside"
Miller has changed greatly since his dis
appearance, and his closest friends would
not have known him should they have
passed him on the street. His erstwhile
smooth and smiling face has changed into
one scanned by lines of care. His appear
ance indicates that he has had a rough e1-
perience, whether MS story is true one
or not