Valentine Democrat. (Valentine, Neb.) 1900-1930, 1900-12-27
KIDNAPPED BOY BACK HOME.
Return of Young Edward Cudahy Costs
His Father $4,000.

OMAHA, Dec. 21.-Edward Cudahy,
jr., is worth his weight in gold. To
rescue him from the hands of the men
who abducted him early last Tuesday
evening and held him until he was
released early Thursday morning his
father, E. A. Cudahy, turned over a
bag Of gold weighing ninety-fve
pounds avoirdupois, or 112 pounds
troy, but little below that of the boy
himself. The amount was S25,0 00, al
Of it in gold coin.
Following is the exact letter sent
by the kidnapers to MI. Cudahy:
OMAHA, December 10Th, 1900.
Mr.. Cudahy: We have kidnapped your
child and demand SIS, 900 twenty-five
thousand dollars for his safe return.
If you give US the money, the child
will be returned as safe as when you
last saw him, but il you refuse we
will put acid in his eyes and blind him,
then we will Immediately kidnap an
other m%illionaire's child that we have
spotted and demand 500, 900 and we
will get it, for he will see the condi-
ton Of your child and realize the fact
that we mean business and will not
be monkeyed with or captured Get
the money all in gold, five, ten and
twenty dollar pieces, put it in a grip
in a white whaat sack, get in your
buggy alone on the night of December
10Th at z o'clock p. m, and drive
south from your house to Center
street; turn west or Center and drive
back to Ruser's park and follow the
paved road towards Fremont; when
you com to a lantern that is Lighted
by the side of the road place the money
by the lantern and Immediately turn
your horse around and return home.
You will know our lantern for it will
have two ribbons, black and white,
tied IN the handle; you must place a
red lantern on your buggy where 1t
can be plainly seen, so we will know
you a mile away. This letter and ev-
cry part of it must be returned with
the money and any attempt at capture
will be the saddest thing you ever
done.
If you remember some twenty. years
ago, Charley Ross was kidnapped in
New York City and 500, 200 s
asked. Old man Ross was willing to
give up the money, but Burns, the
great detective, with others, persuaded
the old man not to give up the money,
assuring him that the thieves would
be captured. Ross died Cf a broken
heart, sorry that he allowed the de-
~tectives to dictate to him.
This letter must not be e by any
n but you. If the police Or some
stranger knew it's contents they might
attempt to capture US, although en-
tirely against your wish, or some n
might use a lantern and represent US;
thus, the wrong party securing the
money and this would be as fatal to
you as if you refused to give up the
money. So you see the danger If you
let this letter be seen.
Mr.. Cudahy you are up against it
and there is only one way out. GIVE
UP THE COIN. Money we want and
money we will get.
If you don't give up, the next man
will, for he will see that we mea
business and you can lead your boy
around blind for the rest Of your days,
and all you will have is the dam cop
per sympathy. Do the right thing by
US and we will do the same by you.
If you refuse you will soon see the
saddest sight you ever seen.
Wednesday, December 10Th.
THIS NIGHT OR NEVER.
Follow these instructions and no
harm will befall you or yours.