The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-08-20

sNANI
Hardy and Threatens to Lynch Hlin-Greas
Rejoicing throughout the CItS Chiid'a
story OF His strange Life In the Woods.
ALBANY, Aug. lo.-Littlo John Conway. who
was kidnapped on Monday as he played in
front OF his fathers house. was found with his
abductors to-day and was restored TO his par
ents. The boy is the youngest son OF Michael J.
Conway of 90 Colony street, a night crew do
spatcher for the New York Central Railroad 40
West Albany.
After the Conway family had brcakfastcd ate
o'clock on Monday morning Mr.. Conway went
TO his room to sleep, while the boy. as usual,
was allowed tn go on the street to play. Mrs.
Conway then busted herself with household
duties. About two hours afterward a barefoot
boy brought TO the house n note addressed to
Mr.. Conway. The note said that small John
Conway had been stolen and would be returned
only after the payment OF 81. 900 ransom. From
that time until 4 o'clock this morning no trace
Of the child was found. nor was there any clue
which would lead TO the Identification Of the
kidnappers.
The child was rescued from his captors this
morning In a dense wood near Karners. about
eight miles west Of Albany. Joseph NJ. Hardy,
the boys uncle, is accused Of being the chief
conspirator in the attempt to obtain the ransom
ut the risk Of the child's life. To the cowardice
Vi IL " . abuuSloI aiohC 10 ~ out Nhnl L6 ILtb
been restored to his parents. Hardy Is under
arrest. Henry A. Blake. or Avery. and A.
Knass. OF whom little Is known by the police,
are being hunted as Hardy's confederAtes. They
were within arms reach of the authorities. but
escaped. This description OF the two men has
been telegraphed to the police authorities
throughout the State:
THE TWO K1DNAPPERs DESCRIBED.
Henry A. Blake, or Avery; height. 5 feet 8;
weight, 1873 pounds; age. ~; complexion. ford;
hair. heavy. dark brown. generally parted in the
middle; eyes, brown; eyebrows stick straight
out; heavy sandy mustache. with gray spot I'M
der the nose false teeth on one side Of the upper
jaw, occasioning him to lisp a trife. There 10
one decaye tooth. upper jaw; high cheek bones,
nose short, wide ~nostrils, one spot on noetril,
which colors red when in drink; hngers, long
and fat, wide at the tips, stained yellow from
nicotine; clothing: black derby hat. size No. z;
sack coat, vest and pants dark, all alike; shoes
half soled. with patches on shoe just above the
counter. The tongue is worn SO as to show
brown stockings. On the second finger of the
left hand there il an initial cameo ring, either
A. r. or H"
"A. knass Knapp supposed to be the right
namei; height 5 feet IL inches; weight i66
pounds: age, $40 years; form, straight End
slim; complexion. swarthy; hair. dark brown
nearly black. worn pompadour; high foreheads
| good teeth; ears, not large; nose. medium and
well formed; eyes, gray. He wears glasses.
trimmed, but NO airing attached he usually car
ries them In q case. Thin mustache. turned up
at ends, the mustache attracts but little at
~tention. Clothing: He wears a black can. and 10
supposed to have two other hats. one straw and
one felt; sack coat, vest of gray mixed cloth.
middling light. pants OF a lighter shade; shoes,
short laced. instep high. He wore an open
faced watch. a rundown collar. and vest shows
one stud"
THE PART Played BY JOHNS UNCLE
Hardy was arrested at his home a little after
8 o'clock this morning as soon as 1t was learned
that the boy had been rescued. He was under
surveillance all last night. He will not admit
direct responsibility for the abduction OF the
boy. Only the prompt action OF the police
saved him from being lynched BY the residents
OF the north end. The citizens Of Albany never
had been wrought up TO such q pitch as BY
young Conway's abduction. Even now Hardy
is not safe, although his place OF confinement
is concealed. The cowardice Of the man was
shown at the time OF his arrest when he heard
lifelong neighbors and friends threaten TO
lynch him summarily.
The first tangible clue to the identity OF the
kidnappers was given to The police by THE Sun
correspondent. This was in the form OF o minute
description. furnished by the messenger boy. OF
the three men who requested him TO deliver the
demand for ransom 10 Mr.. Conway. Afterward
these men were compelled to press the barefoot
boy into service for the purpose. The descrip-
lions of the men tailed with those OF Hardy and
Blake. The men were Swallowed by the police
late yesterday afternoon and evening. but q PR.
vate detective In the service of an Albany daily
first brought the case to the point.
LAYING THE TRAP FOR THE -KnDNAPPERs.
This detective persuaded two Of the suspected
men TO go with him to the newspaper once.
Hardy was secured first. This was at IL o'clock
last night. After much persuasion. Hardy con-
scented to see his pal, Blake, and endeavor 70
have him return to the oflce. He then left the
Office and was not shadowed. The men had NOT
appeared at l o'clock this morning, and It waa
thought they had fed the city. After a thor
ough search, however. they were found and
both men returned to the office with Private
Detective Michael E. Reilly. They were taken
In hand by James Farrell, John +. Farrell, De-
tectiye Captain Reilly. Police Commissioners
John J. Phalen. and Property Clerk Matthew J.
Gregan. who is associated with the Police De-
partment.
As the inquisition proceeded the two sus.
pected men began to contradict each other. and
the details of their association with the affair
were decidedly inconsistent. The stupidity
whicE each was manifcsting amazed the quee-
TONERS. They gradually realized the incrim-
mating circumstances cncircling them, but
could do nothing TO relieve Their helplessness-
Hardy became SO badly frightened that he wan
dered In his answers, He soon collapsed, and 10
was thought best to allow him TO 20 homo.
There he was compelled to remain until az
rested this morning.
Hardy evidently felt that he was at the mercy
OF men who were determined TO fathom the
mystery OF the kidnapping. He gradually gave
way, although still cunning enough not TO dis
close anything which would lead TO the finding
OF the boy. He requested u private conferences
with tho Farrclls, and it was granted. Pro
viously both Hardy ana Blake disclaimed al
guilt for tho Kidnapping. but Blake said hs
thought he could get the child for IA certail
amount OF money.
When the money side OF the discussion wa
required to. after Hardy's retirement. Blake 10
came communicative and finally said:
OFFERED TO GIVE UP THE BOY FOR CASH.
II can produce the child, though | did not take
him. but ! must be paid for my trouble. He Il