The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-02-08
Won DER AHE
is KIDNAPPED.
An officer From Pittsburg Gets
Hold of Him,
And Is Taking Him Back to the
Smoky City.
HE MUST GO TO JAIL
Or Indemnify His BOndsmen
Who Backed Him
In His Defense of Mark Bald
wins Damage Suit.
He MUST GO TO JAIL

st. Louis. Mo, Feb. S.-Chris Won der
Ahe, the baseball magnate, was taken
into custody here last evening by a
Pittsburg detective. The most unique
character in the sporting world was
really kidnapped and is now on his way
to the Smoky City, where his body may
be held for indefinite period on
judgment given by the courts in the suit
brought by Mark Z. Baldwin, the base
ball pitcher.
The kidnapping of Mr. Won der Abe.
for it is such, in the true meaning of
the word, will no doubt create a big
sensation. He was decOyed to the St.
Nicholas hotel by means of strategy,
where he was hustled into the carriage,
after being shown the bail piece car
ried by Detective Nicholas Bendel
The carriage was driven around aim
lessly until it was time to board a train
for the east. Then he was showed into
it and is now on his way to Pittsburg,
where he will either have to make good
the judgment Of 81, 500 rendered against
him in the Baldwin case or remain in
jail until such time as William A. MINI
lex, who was on his bond when first ar
rested on the charge preferred by
Pitcher Baldwin was made is satisfied.
PittsbuEg, Feb. S.-Detective Nicholas
Bendel who kidnapped Chris Won der
Abe, the baseball magnate in St. Louis
last evening, is expected to reach Pitts
burg with his prisoner late this even
ing.
The arrest was made at the instiga-
tiOn of w A. Nimicb. former president
of the PlttSburg baseball club, who went
on Won der Ahe'S bond, when the latter
was arrested in this city on the charge
preferred by Pitcher Mark Baldwin.
The litigation between Baldwin and
Won der Abe was commenced in 1891,
and grew out OF a dispute between the
National league and American assOcia-
tiOn. Baldwin was connected with the
Pittsburg league club and Won der Abe
was president of the St. Louis assOcia-
tiOn club.
The former went to St Joseph to Sc
cure Pitcher King, and was arrested on
a charge of conspiracy preferred by
Won der Ahe When the case was tried
brought suit against Won der Abe for
malicious prosecution, and asked $4,000
damages. Won der Abe was arrested in
PittSburg and Nimick became his sure
ty. The case was tried twice and YER
diets given both times for 81, 500. Won
der Abe appealed to the supreme court
but the lower court was sustained. AS
nothing was secured on an execution
issued against Won der Abe, the sheriff
on the ground that the defendant could
not be found in the county, and his
bOndsman, Nimick, decided to have him
brought to this city to fOrestau pro-
ceedings for recovery on the bond. If
he is surrendered by his bOndsmen in
Pittsburg and fails to pay the amount
of verdict against him, with interest
and costs, he will be placed in jail. He
will have to stay there so days before he
could apply to the court for his re-
lease under the insOlvent law. It would
then rest with the court whether or not
he would be released
Cincinnati. Feb. S-Chris Won der
Abe of baseball fame, who was kidnap-
ed in St. Louis by a Pittsburg detective
took breakfast at the Central passenger
station early today and proceeded on
his way to Pittsburg without having an
opportunity to speak to the public
through the medium of an interview.