Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1900-12-26


daughters were not included in the con-
spiracy which has caused them SO much
anxiety and grief, as statement Of
the conspirators, overheard by the lad
while he was in their power, indicates
that they had been attempting for a
month to secure possession of one Of his
sisters. Mr.. Cudahy has been very reti-
cent throughout the affair. and up to
Thursday afternoon refused absolutely
to talk, either Of the kidnapping Or the
payment of the ransom and return of
his son. All information given to the
public has been through his attorney,
Melville Sears, and the statements of
the latter have been very guarded.
Letters from the Abductors.
At nine o'clock Wednesday morning
horseman rode past the Cudahy man
sion on Thirty eighth street and threw
a letter into the lawn. A servant noted
the action and, securing the letter,
found it contained the information that
Eddie Cudahy had been kidnapped, was
safe and was being held for ransom.
Three hours later Mr.. Cudahy received
through the mails second communica
tion, detailing the conditions under
which the lad would be surrendered to
his father. Among the conditions
named was one that Mr.. Cudahy should
deposit $4,000 in gold coin in place
indicated, about five miles north of the
city, on lonely road leading up the
bank of the Missouri river. Mr.. Cud-
al cd in to tot oh of
of police and his friends and discussed
plans looking to the capture of the
gang when they should make an APP
pearance at the point of rendezvous
named in the letter. The great strain
on The family, however, caused Mr..
Cudahy to abandon all idea Of captur-
ing the men into whose power was the
life of his son. and decided to at once
comply with all the demands of the ban
dts.
A Fathers Lonely Ride.
In order to do this, absolute secrecy
was necessary, and trusted messenger
was dispatched to the bank to secure
the gold. Mr.. Cudahy held himself in
readiness and shortly after supper he
entered light road buggy, and after
securing the money started out entire
ly alone for the place Of meeting the
kidnapers. To identify himself he
had attached to the dashboard of his
buggy red lantern, which was one of
the conditions of the letter. Mr.. Cud-
ahy drove north on the Sherman avenue
road to a point about five miles from
the city, where he found, near the road,
a white lantern suspended from a short
stake driven in the ground. This sig
nal he had been watching for it being
named as the place for leaving the
money. The location of the lantern was
near the river bank, but when Mr.. Cud-
ahy arrived nobody was in sight. He at
once afighted, placed the bag of gold
conveniently near the stake and, with
out waiting for developments. secured
the horses reins and returned to the
city, without hearing sound.
They Keep Their Word.
That the bandits were near the spot
and at once secured the valuable pack
age cannot be doubted for about one
o'clock Thursday morning the young
boy ran breathless up to the door of
his fathers home and rang the bell for
admission.
Offers Big Reward.
Late Thursday night Mr.. Cudahy an
nounced he would pay $4,000 reward
for the apprehension of the abductors
of his son, 5000 for one and $4,000 for
two of them.