The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-08-18
KIDNAPPED.
Little Boy Stolen
From Home.
Parents Nearly, Crazed
With Anxiety.
Ransom OF $4,000 Asked For
His Restoration TO Home.
Reward Offered For H Return and
More Coming.
when Last Seen on the Str CT Was Chas-
Ing Distant Trolley Car.
Ransom OF $4,000 Asked For
His Restoration TO Home.
Reward Offered For H Return and
More Coming.
WHEN Last Seen on the Str CT Was Chas-
Ing a Distant Trolley Car.

Albany n. ", Aug. is. The kidnapping
of little John Conway is likely to be as
celebrated an incident in criminal history
as the abduction of Charlie Ross. The
police are non-plussed.
The parents are almost crazod with
anxiety. Friends are searching tho ope n
country which lies about the cities OF AL
bnny AMI Troy and dispatches have been
sent by Chief Willard and his representa-
tives TO the authorities of half dozen
cities,
That the kidnapping of tho Conway
child Is the result of a plot there is 10
question. That more than one person Is
concerned seems certain. The motive, the
whereabouts and all the relative oircun-
STANCES of the theft OF the child arc
mysteries.
The Conway family, consisting of the
father, Michael j. Conway, his wife ana
thres children. William, Mary and John,
have lived in Colonie street for IL years.
They now occupy roomy, old-fashioned
house halfway down tho hill toward
broadway. Conway is in receipt OF an ex-
ceIlent salary.
John is years old, the youngest Of
family. He is a bright child. and bis
father said today that the little one not
only knew his name, so that he could tell
IL really, but also where he lived, his
home number and his fathers name.
MIRA Conway was busy on Monday
morning with her household duties, and
0t . o'clock. after dressing John, sent him
out of doors with some little friends. AT
that time he wore boad- d-brfmmed straw
hat. q dark blouse and pink and white
striped knee breeches, black stockings
Ind black buttoned shoes. This was the
last seen Of him.
Mrs. Conway did not become anxious
concerning ner little sons disappearaDce.
shortly after 10 o'clock. however. the
door pell rang, al d. going to the door, sho
met ragged little urchin with remark
ably tough manner and face. who, present
ing scaled envelope, directed To Mr.
Conway, said: "Giye 1t to de boss when
he comes "
Mira Conway thought little of the occur.
>ence st the time, and told the lad TO put
~ on the sitting room table The boy
flung it there, and then Disappeared DOWN
the street whistling.
Mr.. Conway returned home soon after
Nnd went up stairs. His wife took the
letter to him. lie opened it. and found it
, contain statement that his little boy
had been sold and could only be released
on paymont of $1,000. Directions for trans.
serYing the money were given, sand 10 con
tained threats as to what would be cone
an case orders were disobeycd.
At first MIR. Conway could not
appreciate tho fact that his lit.
tie boy had been stolen. Then
be rushed out and made hurrifcd in-
quiries in tho neighborhood. without ro-
suit Some of his friends said they had
seen John early in the morning running
down broadway toward Livingston
avenue. He was with other children ard
was following the trolley cars.
Desperate because of tho apparent hope.
lessnoss OF his search, ho went TO the
police. It. was determined that the best
thing TO To done would los tn appear To
follow the Instructions OF the kiunappers
10 every particular.
Mr. Conway hos the reputation Of being
weli-to do. 1t is believed that no has
command of nearly $40 600. The inten-
tion o. ths kidnappers was thus made evi.
dent To the police. The desire of the
authorities was TO throw tho abductors off
their gunrd.
The father went to the bank, accom-
panied at n distance by ono OF the detec-
fern of Withdrawing the money tho dotec-
nve took Il dummy package and won't by
trolley tn the place Indicated iI tire letter.
The location Of the tree. in very unfre-
qucated locality. surrounded by fields of
grain, made it convenient to cover tho
Immediate neighborhood with policemen.
Tho representative of the father took a
trolley car lack to the city. Ihe rolico
remained in hiding for nearly an hour,
but no ono was sent The kidnappefs had
evidently watched Mr. Conway in his
visit 60 the lolice, and weTe on thoii
guard.
Rewards hnvo been offered by tho
Albany newspapers, and tue amount
will be- increased tomorrow. il is believed,
substantially. Ar. Conway SAYS nn has
Tefrained from Offering any rewnrd. under
INSTRUCTIONS from the police hut unless be
soon hears from his son he viii DO so.