Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1900-12-31

and dollars in gold was the price paid
by Edward A. Cudahy. the millionaire
packer, for the return of his son, Ed
ward Cudahy, Jr., who was abducted
by a gang of kidnappers Tuesday
night.
Wednesday about noon, and several
hours after a letter had been left on
the lawn of the Cudahy residence
another missive was delivered to Mr.
Cudahy at his residence. It came
through the mails, and contained q
proposition to return the boy safe and
unframed provided the sum of $4,000
was paid that night.
In the letter were full directions as
to where the money was to be left
and the assurance was given that the
missing boy would be allowed to re
turn home within a few hours of the
time, when the cash was received. A
consultation was held at once and
the matter gone over in detail.
Plans were discussed for capturing
the bandits when they should make
their appearance at the rendezvous
that had been designated, but one
after another, these plans were
dropped as being impracticable. FL
nally, impelled by the strain under
which the entire household was labor
ing, Mr.. Cudahy decided to comply
with the terms offered and ransom
his son.
A trusted messenger, sworn to Sc
crecy, was sent for the money which
was brought to the Cudahy residence.
After dinner Mr.. Cudahy had one of
his horses harnessed to a light buggy
and taking the money in it with him,
left for the designated place at which
it had been stipulated it was to be
left. In the buggy he carried a red
lantern and was quite alone. Leaving
the house he drove five miles west OF
town on the Sherman avenue road
until he came to a white lantern that
was hanging on a short stick by the
side of the road. This was the place
where he was to leave the boys ran
som. Alighting from his buggy Mr.
Cudahy deposited the sack close by
the stick bearing the white light
Then, without seeing anyone, he re
turned to his home.
Meantime, the captors of the boy
had seen the red light coming up the
road, and as soon as the buggy dis
appeared they took away the money
and prepared to keep faith with the
father.
Boy Brought Back.
The boy was bundled into hack
and set down close by his fathers
house about 1 o'clock Thursday morn
ing. Where he had been he was I'M
able to say, but as nearly as he could
estimate he had been taken about
five miles south Of South Omaha.
The cunning of the gang and their
thorough knowledge of the geogra-
ply of the city are evidenced in the
plans they laid. Close by the place
where Mr.. Cudahy was directed to leave
the ransom for his son, the river ap-
preached the road and it is supposed
the men were on the watch for the
millionaire and saw his red light from
a boat. AS soon as he had driven
away and they had satisfied them
selves that no person was lurking
near, they probably clambered UP the
bank, obtained the sack of gold, re-
turned to the boat again and escaped
without leaving any telltale foot
prints.
There is absolutely no clue to the
identity of the men. Whether young
Cudahy will be able to give the infor-
nation that will lead to their capture
is not yet known.
The boy says he was seized on the
street by two men who told him that