The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-07-07

Christian K. Ross. who hes for years
held the Office of Master Warden Of
the Board Of Port Wardens Of Ger
mantowp, Pa, and who was known
all over the world as the father OF
Charley Ross. tie 4 year old boy.
whose mysterious abduction from bis
fathers residence July l., 1874, caused
such a profound s%en'a'ion, died re-
Gently at his home in Germsntown.
Mr.. Ross vas born November 6,
1923, in M%iddletown, Pa His father,
Joseph Ross, Fept a small grocery
store there. His motEe err. who was
Miss Katf ariue Kunkle, Of Harrisburg
died in Germantown, only a few
months ago at the age of sc years.
Christian was IA years old when be
left the parental roof and came 10
Philadelphia to strike out for himself.
He was employed in a small capacity
by the firm of Jackson & Co., who
were at the time engaged in the dry
goods commission business. His ear
lest application and marked ability
secured him steady promotion, and
before be became of age he was taken
into the FIRM.
Shortly after this Mr.. Jackson Died
81 MI. Ross succeeded him, the firm
recognizing under the name OF Ross,
Schott & Co. The quarters of the new
company were at 3O4 Market stree ct.
MI. Ross amassed a considerable for
tune, almost all of which he lost dur
ing the panic of 1875 and in the vain
search for his stolen boy.
On July "a, 1862, he married Sarah
Ann Lewis. of Brook6eld. Mass. Six
children were born to them-three
girls ard three boys. He was appoint
ed Master Warden by Governor Hart
ranft in June OF 1878, aud has been
reappointed ~ all the succeeding
governors. His reappointmelt from
Governor Hastings was received only
last week. He was the first msster
warden that ever held Office under
both Republican and Democratic sd-
ministrations. He vas the sole pro-
prietor of the Pennsylvania Crucible
Works, at Sixth and Master streets.
During his many wears of SCI vice in
the Board of Port Wardens his strict
integrity, bis genial disposition and
his Christian character. saddened but
beautifed by the weight of his great
sorrow, endeared him to the hearts OF
all his assc %ciates,' and the news OF his
death was received with genuine sor-
row snd regret. A meeting of the
board has been called for 2:3O o'clock
this afternoon, when resolutions will
be adopted.
Mr.. Ross was a Methodist by faith,
and previous 10 taking up his resi-
dence in Germantown he was an act.
i've member of the Trinity Church
when it was located at Eighth and
Vine streets, and was for years super.
intendent of the Sunday school there.
After his removal to Germantown he
be came identified with the First Meth
odist Church, 43 Haines Street, and
was q prominent member there until
bis death.
One of the most sensational crimes
ever committed in this country was
the abduction of Charley Ross, on
July 1, 1874. The story of the crime
has been told and setold in every por-
ton of the civilized world and it lives
today as one Of the celebrated roman
ces of criminal history.
Charley was 4 gears old. He was a
beautiful child, idol;zed by his parents
and relatives. He was playing with
his elder brother, Walter, on East
Washington lane, near his home in
Germantown, when two men drove
up in a light wagon. The same men
had passed along on three Dr. four
days preceding and given Charley
candy. On the day of the abduction
the little fellow had asked them for a
ride, and he and his brother eagerly
followed them to the top Of the hill to
gain a ful6llment of a promise of the
desired ride and more candy, and
some fireworks. At the top of the hill
Charley and Walter we're taken into
the vehicle and piled with candy
while the two men drove rapidly to
ward Kepsington.
At Palmer and Richmond stress
Walter vas given a quarter and direc-
ted to get fireworks IN a cigar store.
The boy obeyed, and returned to find
the wagon, the men and his curly
haired brother gone. His tears brought
a crowd and in this crowd was Fl. Q.
Peacock, a friend OF the family, who
took the boy TO his parents. The re-
covered child told an accurate and CO.
herent story of the abduction, and
gave a full description Of the abduct
ors. The story Was corrobofated, re-
port was made to Sergeant Buchanan,
of the Central Station, and a general
alarm was sent out to the police. A
reward of $500 was offered for the re
turn of the boy, and advertisements
were sent to all newspapers IN this
part of the country. Mrs. Ross was
i'll at Atlantic City, and the news OF
her loss was kept from her !or some
days.
On July 4 the first clue to The mys.
terry surrounding the child's disap
pearance came in the form of a badly
written, misspelled letter to Mr. Ross,
stating that the little fellow would not
be returned without the payment of q
large ransom and that he would be
killed if any pre- ctedines should be
taken tending to the arrest Of the kid,
nappers. Two days later another let
ter was received demanding $50, COO as
the price of tie boys return. This
money was promptly raised by rela
tives ard friends of tie stricken fami
ly, but the police stepped in and pre-
vailed upon Mr.. Ross 10 allow them
70 faka charna Of iha case nrnmiSirn