The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-08-19
ALBANY BOY
STOLEN AWAY.
The Fivs-Ysar-0ld Boy of M. J.
Conway Kidnapped.
HELD FOR A RANSOM OF $1,000
LETTER ADDRESSED TO THE
FATHER ASKING FOR THE
MONEY - ANOTHER CHARLIE
ROSS CASE-ALL ATTEMPTS TO
LOCATE THE ABDUCTORS HAVE
so FAR PROVED FRUITLESS.

Albany, n. ", Aug. 10-The whole city
of Albany is wild with excitement over
the kidnapping of little year. old son of
NJ. j. Conway. Searching parties are out
all over the woods surrounding Albany,
the police are securing the country side
and messages have heen wired and tele-
phoned in every direction from town,
asking that u watch be kept for the boy
and his abductors.
The case is shrouded in deepest mys-
terry. The abduction was worked so
smoothly and quietly that the ruse to
catch the kidnappers after they had made
their offer to return the boy for $4,000
was absolutely inc Elective although it
was carefully arranged and apparently
laid along the lines given by the kidnap-
appeared from home, wo1e black knicker-
bcckers with pink stripe. blue waist
whito straw hat with black band, black
stockings and black button shoes. He has
blue eyes ard light hair cut short.
He was playing in front of his fathers
house Mt No. 80 Colinie street, in West
Albany, yesterday morning 1t was a
bright, pleasant day and the mother had
opened the gate so that Johnnie might
have the run of the little side street
Her household duties carried her back
and forth through the house, and occa-
sionally she would glance out to see tt at
the boy had come to no harm. AT last
she had finished with the work in the
front part of the house and went up
stairs to change her clothing and get
ready for the mid day meal.
She was gone about an hour, during
which time she glanced out the fir mt
window once Oh twice and saw the boy
playing in the street, couple. of houses
above the Conway residence. She came
down stairs to the kitchen and did not
go to the front door of the house again
for half an hour. Then she stepped out
on the porch and locked around for John
ME. He was nowhere in sight. She went
back in to the house and tried to keen
calm.
Not fifteen minutes later the front door
bell rang. Mrs. Conway went to the
door. Standing on the front step was a
bare-footed, tousle- haired.la lad of about 10
years, with very crafty look in his face
and queer way of passing his hand over
his forehead. He held II letter in his
hand.
"Give this to Mr.. Conway" he said
The envelope was dirty and the writing
poor.
"Have you seen my Johnnie?" the W.
man asked.
ANhNs o'tiu CHG Qllb-DGSTlI1Itt YOUTH.
and then he turned and half ran down
the yard and out on the street
The woman could not wait until her
husband came home. She had an indefi-
nable fear that the letter contained some
news of the boy She was not mistaken
Here is what the letter said
"August 16.
"Mr. Conway-Your little boy John
has been Kidnapped. When YOU receive
this word he will be safe distance from
home and where ne could not be found In
hundred years. Your boy will be re-
turned to you on payment of three thou
sand dollars, provided you pay the money
today and strictly abide by the following
directions:
Put the money in package and send
it by man you can trust to the lane go.
ing up the hill on. the Troy road west of
the toll gate. just off the road in this
lane there is tree with big Trunk.
Have your man put the package on the
south side OF the tree and at once come
away and come back to your home.
I'VE want the money left at this spot
at exactly S:15 o'clock tonight Be sure
that no one is with the man that you
send and that no one follows him. You
will never look on your little boy again if
you say word of this to anyone outside
of your family or the man you send with
the money
"lf you take any steps to bring it to
the attention of the police you will never
see your child again, for if anyone knows
OF it we will not take the risk of return
ing him, but will leave him to his fate.
IF you obey our instructions in every
respect you will receiv. word " thin two
hours after the money has been left
where you can go and get your boy, safe
and sound. We have been after this for
long time. We know our business We
can beat all the police in America We
are after the money. Do what you are
told, and no harm will come to your lit
tie boy; but If you fail to do what we tell
you, you will never look on your chilu
again, as sure rs there lis God in
Heaven. We know you have the money
In the bank The bank closes at 2 O'Clock
and NE must have 1t to night So get it
in time. Don't tell them why you draw
it out. You can say you are buying
property, if you wish, but this must be
between you and me, if you would see
your little boy back again alive. Remem-
be" the case of Charlie Ross in Philadel-
phia. His father did not know enough
to do as he was told. He gave up to the
police, and as a consequence spent five
times the amount of ransom asked, and
then he never saw the boy to the day of
his death; so take warning.
Don't you dare to go to anyone. Send
the money by trusty man to the place,
say, mt $40 tonight. Be sure that there
s no danger of anyone else going there.
Then, with n two hours after the pack