The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1897-07-07

Christian K. Ross. who hss for ears
held the office OF Master Warden ci
the Board OF Port Wardens O. Ger
mantown, Pa, and who was known
all over the world as the father Of
Charley Ross. tie year OLD by,
whose mysterious abduction from his
fathers residence July l, 1874, caused
such a profound sensa ion, died re-
Gently at his hone in Gernsnsown.
Mr.. Ross was born November 8,
5S25, in Middletown, Pa His father,
Joseph Ross, kept a small grocery
store there. His mother, who was
Miss Katharine hunkle> OF Harrisburg
died in Germantown, only few
months ago at the age OF Sc years.
Christian was Il years old when he
left the parental roof and caue to
Philsdelphia to strike out for himself.
He was employed in smstl capacity
by the firm of jackson & Co, who
were at the time engaged in the dry
goods commission business. His ear
nest application and marked ability
secured him stesdy promotion, ana
before he became Of sge he was taken
inio the fru.
Shortly after this Mr. Jackson died
ard Mr.. Ross succeeded him, the drn
recognizing under the name OF Ross,
Schott & Co. The qusr!ers OF the new
company were at 5Q4 Market stree.
MIR. Ross amassed q considerable f0r
tune. almost all OF which he lost dur.
iog the panic OF 1875 and IN tae vain
search for his stolen boy.
On July d, 1852, De ma,red Sarah
Ann Lewis. CT Brook6eld. Mass. Six
children were born to chem-three
girls and three boys. He was appoint
ed Master Warden by Governor Hart
ranft in June OF 1878, aud has been
reappointe6 ny all the succeeding
governors. His reappointnent from
Governor Hastings was received only
last week. He was the first master
warden that ever held oHce under
both Republican and Democratic ad-
ministrations He was the sole pro-
prietor of the Pennsylvania Cruci5le
Works, at Sixth and Master streets.
During his mary wears OF service -
the Board of Port Wardens his strict
integrity, his genial disposition anc
his Christian character, saddened but
beautifed by the weight Of his crest
sorrow, endeared him to the hearts Of
all his ASST ciates, and the news OF his
death was received with genuine sor-
row end regret. 4 meeting Of the
board has been called for 2:SG c'clcck
this afternoon, when resolutions will
be adopted.
Mr.. Ross was Methodist By faith,
and previous TO 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 Germsntown he
became identified with the First Meth
odist Chu1ch, 43 Haines Street, and
was q prominent member there until
his death.
One of the most sensational crimes
ever committed in this country was
the SEDUCTION of Charley Ross, on
July /, 1874. The story Of the crime
has been told and retold in every por-
rion of the civilized world and It lives
today SIS one Of the celebrated roman
ces of criminal history.
Charley was 4 gears old. He was
beautiful child, idol:zsd 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 light wagon. The sane men
had passed along on three Or four
days preceding and given Charley
candy. On the day of the abduction
the little fellow had asked them for
ride, and he ard his brother eas erly
followed them to the top OF the lilto
gain ful6llmens Of 8 promise Of the
desired ride and more candy, and
some fireworks. At the top Of the hill
Charley and Walter were tsken inlo
the vehicle and piled with candy
while the two men drove rapidly 10
ward Kensington.
At Palmer and Richmond stress
Walter was given quarter and direc-
ted to get fireworks IN cigar store.
The boy obeyed, and returned 10 find
the wagon, the men and his curly
haired brother gone. His tears brought
a crowd and in this crowd was 4. G.
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 full description OF the abdact
ors. TIE story was corroboratsd, re-
port was made to Sergeant Buchanan,
of the Central Station, snd general
alarm was sent out to the police. 4
reward Of $500 was offered for me re
turn of the boy, and advertisements
were sent to ali newspapers II this
part of the country. Mrs. R2ss was
Ill at Atlantic City, and the aeHs CT
her loss was kept from her for some
days.
On July the first clue to the mys-
terry surrounding the child's dissp
pearance cane in the form Of s badly
written, miSspelled letter to Mr.. Ross,
stating that the little fellow would not
be returned without ice payment OF a
large ransom and that he would be
killed if any proceedings should be
taken tending 10 the arrest OF the klG-
nappers. Two days later apotber let
ter was received demanding $50, 600 as
he price of tie boy return. This
money was promptly raised by re!a,
lives ard friends Of tie stricken f&ni,
ly, but the police stepped IN and pre-
vailed upon Mr.. Ross 10 allow them
10 take charge Of tie case, promising g
10 hnd the boy and bring his aSduct
ors to justice. Mayor S,okley offered
a reward Of $50, eco for the recovery
of the cn!ld and the arrest OF the men
who had stolen him, and the lsrge
amount OF the reward attracted world
wide attention and set Thousands Of
of detectives, professional! and sma-
tuer, 10 working on ali sorts OF sup
Oose0 anu some Of them ahsI; rG