The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-08-18
KIDNAPPED FOR RANSOM.
LITTLE JOHN CONWAY OF ALBANY
STOLEN IN THE STREET.

O'Clock MONDAY hNeuinB inc 1oy "outa nc
Put Out OF the Wayne Trace Of the Chnd.
AsASY. Aug. 17.-John J, Conway, the s.
year old son OF Michael J. Conway. whit lives at
90 Coloule street, was abducted yesterday. The
police have been unable TO obtain any clue to his
rhereabouts or his abductors. Tho affair 10 q
mystery, and even now the boys parents would
he az A loss to account for his absence from homo
rad not the principals in the plot unfolded their
mans TO the boys father. and demanded q ran
,om Of 5000 and absolute secrecy under threat
to Kill both the boy and the father II these con-
si,ions we're not complied with.
The circumstances surrounding young Con-
vay's disappearance resemble closely those at
tending the kidnapping Of Charley Ross. Young
Conway's abductors appear to have been close
students OF the Ross case.
Michael J. Conway, the father. Is the night
train dispatcher at West Albany, in the employ
OF the New York Central and Hudson River
Railroad Company. Yesterday morning he 70.
turned to his home after his nights duties and
ate breakfast as usual with his family, compris-
ing his wife and three children. After breakfast
the father retired and the 5-year-old boy was
allowed to go into the street to play. He left
the house q little after s o'clock. Two hours
atterward Mrs. Conway answered a ring Of the
door bell.
A boy IL years old and poorly dressed was
standing there with U letteE Ruurebseu 10 MI.
Conway. This did not alarm her. as Mr.. Con-
way has several men under him at West Albany.
and in caseot sickness or a desire to take a few
hours of q man would send him word. This
letter appeared bulkier than those usually re-
ceived. and instead of keeping 1t until her hus-
band awoke in the afternoon Mrs. Conway took
It to his room and he read its c~ontents. This was
the first intimation the parents had of the kid.
mapping Of the child. The letter follows:
Aug. 10, 1897.
Your little boy. John. has been kidnapped.
and when you receive this word he will be a
safe distance from Albany and where he could
not be found in 100 years. Your child will be
returned to you on payment Of $1,000 provided
you pay the money tonight and strictly obey
the following directions:
Put the money in q package and send it by o
man you can trust to the lane going up the hill
New feet south of the Troy road frst toll
gate. Just of the road on this lane there is q
tree with a big trunk. Have the man put the
package on the south side of the tree and at
once come away and come back to your house.
I'VE want money left at the spot at Sis o'clock
tonight. See that no one is with the man you
send and that no one follows him, or you will
never look on your little boy again. II you say
aword OF this to any one outside Of your family
and the man you seud with the money. or If you
Iake any steps 70 OEluS IL 10 Inc attention OI inc
police you will never see your child again. for II
any one knows OF It we will not take the risk OF
L you obey, our instructions in every re.
spect you will receive word within two hours
e cam 20 'n and m sss your nai boy Se safs i sna . Wnnte {Se
h faSs S ssr 5 aisss shis sn ss. ean f Ssa 4 III ifn sh :,p pciiee M IL
America. We are After the money. and Il you
do what you arc told no harm will come 20 your
boy; Sgsit you tril 10 10 do So What "a ~ Es tel tell yopp or do
LOOK on your child again, as sure as there is a
God in heaven: We know yog have The money
Don't tel them why you draw it out; you can
say yop are buying PROPERTY II you wish, for this
mist be between you and usif you want your
Remember the case OF Charley Ross of Phila
dciphia. His father did not dc as he was told,
bEt vent 10 the police and then spent five times
n ns "sF: sas s' h is i lGlia so asy TO t hSs d h.p q Saf his 'G dss sfs
4 word 20 the wise Is enough.
FROM the bank 10 ttne. Don't open en- your eHs hiSsf 70
any one and send by a trusty man to the place
Nc: say at s:la tonight. He wants to be sure
es& letting it., ffSss1n' Within ShlS two hours y Ses
Every move you make viii be known to Us, and
II you attempt any crooked work with Us, say
Tor We viii NEE. you again when you adoa't eT;
1eGt Il Do as we tell you and all will be well
make he least crooked move you will regret it
10 the day OF your death.
II you Nhnt TO nave your little OOy Dack Saf0
and sound, keep your lips shut and do exactly
As you're told. you fail to obey every direction
you will have one child less. Yours truly,
THE CAPTAIN OF THE GANG"
The letter was written in a good clear hand
on four sheets Of composition paper. The writ
the punctuation is bad, the letter evidently was
Prepared by a person Of more than ordinary in
The news which was brought so suddenly to
Ms sds Pes 6sWsy beanie sv.t staggered And them en-;
lIshanh hiaFPna rdipp al fba arp,n ~
the letter, Immediately set out to look
Some sSF e trace S BE- The c H. So1 snv 81 II tbe y nsT.bbo for
remembering when they had seen him last. His
movements were unknown to his parents from
never had lived on the street. No one could re-
member having seen him during the day. or
he left his home early In the morning. After
vainiy trying for several hours 70 ascer.
10 Police Hesdqasrters in the afternoon and
acquainted Acting Chief Davidson with the
fsets, giving him the letter he had received in
way 70 60 to the bank, He did SO. shad?wed by
a detective, but nothing developed, Mr.. Con
aserious condition., caused by the shock. The
netxnbors had iocked TO the house when they
learned the news. Mrs. Conway was inconsOl.
At 9, but she became guieter when she learned
that the police had taken charge OF the affair.
ference with the acting Chief, and the detec-
srTn and IN, the EN-. entire fore Of police were soon
also Joined in the search, and one Of them took
along a rope. 1t would have gone hard with the
e~oductors had any OF the citizen committees
found them. Tho search was thorough, but
f%rn!tless.
Mr. Conway. on tho ADVICE OF the authorities,
followed the Instructions regarding the placing
Of ne package at the time and place indicated
IN the letter. This place was watched closely by
he detectives for several hours. but without
.Nt!! Sleep did not come to the members Of
,he family all night. They remained hopeful
tEit favorable ttdiugs would he received aboul
thclr youngest child, but none came.
tcFr!hie change mas come over the mother
WHO IS on the verge OF prUstration. The straiI
ehe Is .ahoring under has aged her perceptibly
a..l unless she receives relief through the re
tgrn ~ the boy she Is likely 10 break down com
l4Itely. The police OF AL The neigh boring cities
ana towns, as well ~ those OF this city, have re
ICED a description Of the missing boz. 1t fol
John Conyr.. . years old; wore knee pant
WIN a PINK stripe; blue waist: straw hat, witt
. Drown STRIPE; black stockings; black button
short" 80"
The boy isa remarkably bright and Interest
ing ch;Ii. The police were told tonight BY on,
man mat The ltttie boy had been seen near vii