Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1900-12-26
LETTER WRITTEN BY THE THUGS.

Threat to Blind the Boy with Acid Unle,s
Ransom Game.
Following is the letter the kidnaners
sent to Cudahy. 1t is dated Omaha
Dec. 10:
We have kidnapped your child and
demand $4,000 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 If you refuse we will put
acid in his eyes and blind him. then
we will Immediately kidnap another
millionaire's child that we have spot
ted and demand 100000, and we viii
get 1t, for he will see the condition of
your child and realize the fact that we
mean business and will not be monkey
ed with or captured.
Get the money all in gold five,
ten and twenty-dollar pieces; put 1t In
II white wheat sack; get in your buggy
alone on the night of Dec. 10, at I
O'Clock p. m., and drive south from
your house to Center street; turn west
on Center and drive back to Ruser's
park and follow the paved road to.
wards Fremont. When you come 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 Write, tied on the
handle. You must place red lantern
ON your buggy where it can be plainly
seen SO we will know you mile away.
This letter and every part of 1t
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 $4,000 ransom asked.
Old man Ross was willing to give up
the money, but Burns. the great de-
tective, with others, persuaded the old
man not to give up the money, assur-
Ing him that the thieves would be
captured. Ross died Of broken
heart, sorry that he allowed the de-
tectives to dictate to him.
"This letter must not be seen by
any one but you. If the police or some
stranger knew Its contents they might
attempt to capture us. although against
your wish, or some one might us a,
lantern and represent US. thus the
wrong party securing the money, and
kiis would be as fatal to you as il you
refused to give the money. So you see
the danger IL you let this letter be
seen.
'Mr. Cudahy, you are up against 1t,
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 mean business and you can
lead your boy around blind the rest
Of your days and all you will have is
the --- copper sympathy.
Do the right thing by us and we will
do the same by you. If you refuse you
win soon see the saddest sight you
ever seen. Wednesday, Dec. 10. This
night or never.
Follow these instructions and no
harm will be fall you or yours"
Most people will wonder why the
police did not frame up and attempt to
capture the kdnapers Of young Gu
daily when his father took out that
$4,000 Wednesday evening" said
Chief of Police Donahue last night.
I'VE could have done so, but 1t was
Mr.. Cudahy's wish that we do nothing
that would interfere with the safety Of
the boy. Mrs. Cudahy was nearly
broken down with nervous prostration,
and Mr.. Cudahy was little better"
He said to us, 4 first want the boy SO
he took the matter In his own hands
and went out alone with the money.
kkn4 bin that WA were Il he AerglcA