The age-herald., 1897-08-20
A FIVE YEAR OLD CHILD
X Relative of the YOunSSter Leader
 Of the Gang.
HOW THE MISSING WAS FOUND
Newspaper Men Figure largely in the Recoy- ery-Great Excitement in Albany When the Lad Was Brought Back
 His Uncle in !aiI.

Albany N. r., Aug. 19.-Flve- year-old John Conway who has betn all the mercy of kidnapparg since Monday morning, was returned to his parents shortly after 8 o'clock 1oday through the efforts of priv ate detectives and reporters in the employ of the Kempton Argus. The child was abducted by his uncle, Joseph Hardy, and H. G. Blake. Hardy has been placed un- der arrest, but Blake escaped from his captors and is being pursued by a squad of police.
 Ear1y yesterday morning clue was se- cured that relative of Mrs. Conway had some connection with the Kidnapping and an investigation of the character and reputation of Hardy strengthened the be- lief Ithat if the child was to be restored it WOuDI DS tlilOuSn given by this relative. Slowly but surely a chafa of evidence was made against him and early this morning it was believed that Blake was his companion in crime. Blake was found and taken to the Argus office with Hardy at o'clock this morning. He was directly accused of knowing where the child was, but was d.eply affected and highly offended at such suggestion He was pressed closely and was given mo opportunity to fix scheme by which he could throw his captors off Ghe track These tad ics had the desired results and persuasion was brought to btar upon him. He was offered big ransom to tell any timing he knew about the Kidnapping, and finally it was made so tempting that he confessed and said he would sake the party to where the child was.
 If the story which it Is alleged Hardy told the police behind closed doors is true. the Conway boy narrowly escaped the supposed fate of Charley Ross When the quarry became hot Blake urged that as the boy would betray them they had better dispose of him. Hardy was a trifle timid and waited another day It was decided that the nz zxt day they would take the boy from the old school diouse wllsre they had locked flin up and would drown him or drop him from railway train.
 The finger of suspicion pointed to the men and the careful watch kept upon them by the police and reporters gave them no opportunity. Hardy evidently kept Blake informed of the game for when the Associated Press correspond mt yesterday interviewed Mir Conway as to his idea of relatives being mixed up in the case Hardy left the house andi met Blake at an hotsl. Blake then disappear- ed and was not found until o'clock this morning. Meantime he had, it is be- lieved. visited the boy.
 When the police arrested Hardy this norrdng they took him to the third pre- cinct station house, but on request from the chief of police brought him to head quarters. When the wagon was ready the squad of police mad great difficulty in forcing their way to 1t and the mob impefied the passage of the horses and threatened to pull Har5y to pieces. An extra squad of police was required to preserve order
 The story of the recovery of the boy an exciting one those in charge of the .ffair spending thne hours in dense woods nd fearlng each moment a pissol bullet. When Blake was induced to show the place where the boy was a clever schame vas arranged. A police clerk named Gragon put on old clothes and drove ..he wagon as a hide man. Detective Reilly gas his assistant and Police commis=i9p.- sr Phelan and John Farrell. of the Ar