The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-08-20
The KIDNAPPED BOY FOUND.
Prompt Action Prevents Another Charlty
Ross Case.
HE WAS STOLEN BY HIS UNCLS.
The Story Of the Rescue Is Very Exciting
and the Plot to Secure the Boy Wss
the Clever Work Of News
paper Men.

| ALBANY, y. Y. August 19.-Five-year-
| old John Conway. who has been at the
mercy Of kidnappers since Monday morn
ing. was returned to his parents shortly
after o'clock to-day through the ef-
forts OF private detectives and reporters
in the employ OF the Argus.
The child was abducted by his uncle
Joseph Hardy and II. d. Blake Hardy
has been placed under arrest, but Blake
escaped from hts captors and IS being
pursued by a squad OF police.
Early this morning the clue was secured
that relative OF Mr. Conway had some
connection with the Kidnapping, and an
investigation OF the character ana rep
utation OF Hardy strengthened the belet
that il the conway child WAS TO be re
stored it would be through information
given by his relative.
CHAIN OF EVIDENCE.
Slowly but surely chain Of evidence
was made against him, and early this
morning il was believed that Blake was
his companion I'm the crime.
Blake was found and taken TO The Ar
gus Office with Hardy. al o'clock this
knowing where the child was. but was
deeply offended, and apparently indignant
at such a charge.
lie was pressed closely. nd nfver
given AN opportunity TO cOncoct a story
by which he could throw his accusers on
the track. 10 was seen that threats would
not bring about the desired results, and
persuasion was brought 10 bear on him.
lie was offered a big ransom 10 tell any
thing he knew about the kidnapping, and
finally it was made 50 large that he con-
tessed the kidnapping, and said he would
take a party 10 where the child was.
FATE OF CHARLEY ROSS.
II 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 supposed fate
Of Charley Ross.
When the quarry became hot Blake
urged that as the boy would betray them
they had better rid themselves OF him
Hardy was trliic timid. and asked for
guothtr day. IL was finally agreed that
at late hour last night they would take
the boy from an old schOOl-hOuse where
they had locked him up. and would either
drown him cr drop hlm from a railway
train.
1ne finger OF suspicion pointed 10 the
men, ana careful watch set on their
ers gave them no opportunity. When an
Associated Press reporter yesterday ask
ed Mr.. Conway as 10 relatives being mixed
mp ln the affair Hardy left the house and
met Blake az hotel.
a MAD THRONG.
When the police arrested Hardy this
morning they took him To the Third pre-
cinct station but. at the request of the
chief of police. brought him 10 headquar-
ters When the wagon was ready the
squad OF police had great difficulty I'm
forcing their way 20 Il. and the mob Inn
pedcd the passage of the horses and
threatened To- pull Hardy 10 pieces
An extra squad Of police was required
TO preserve order The story Of the re-
covcry Of the boy is an exciting one
those In charge Of the affair spending
three hours in dense woods, ana fearing
each moment pistol ball. When Blake
was induced 90 show the place where the
boy was clever scheme was arranged
CLEVER PLAN