The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1901-11-17
Plot to Kidnap Gould.
Strange Story of An Old Happening By the
Author of It,



lionaires" Like the shark this
yacht was differed by men who would
not hesitate to carry out orders.
Every move was carefully discussed by
the plotters, and the day drew nigh
when the crucial step must be taken.
They assured the cooperation of a
clerk in Mr.. GoUld's employ and kept
in accurate touch with the daily move
ments and with his future appoint
ments. They had a dozen expedients
with which to induce Mr.. G0uld's pres
ence in the new club rooms, but by
accident means suggested itself which
promised absolute safety and success.
. - g
The ten grimly congratulated them
selves that night over many a basket
of wine, and the following day sold
more blocks of stock. in anticipation of
the approaching denouement Their
plan was perfect Every possible con-
tingency had been foreseen and pro-
vided against-s0 they argued.
The following afternoon a letter was
delivered at Mr.. GOulds office which
was signed with the name of one of
the leading financiers and statesmen of
New York state. 1t was, of course, a
forgery, but it was & perfect one. The
signature was apparently that of DAN
lei Drew The letter was an invitation
to spend an evening at a select social
club to which Mr.. Drew belonged It
was a new OTganiza ton, composed Of
men most of whom Mr.. Gould knew,
and he had promised 10 be Mr.. Drew's
guest at the latter's earliest cOnven-
fence,
Mr., Gould had. therefore been ex-
peetng the invitation. He was read
inc IL, hi
Byrnes was announced and admitted
III threatening and suspicious letters
ere daily examined by the detectives.
IN the hope that some Of the writer's
might be captured.
Mr. Gould turned over the usual
batch Of anonymous letters, and
watched his companion as he read
them He dropped the invitation from
Mr.. Drew on the table and stepped to
the door to talk in whispers to a bro
ker who was in charge of his interests.
inspector Byrnes picked up the letter
and read it. He was Just reading the
signature when Mr.. Gould returned to
his desk. Mr.. Byrnes handed the letter
to MIR. Gould.
I don't suppose you intended that
7 should read that letter" said the de-
tective.
''I guess there's no harm done" said
Mr.. Gould. with a smile. It's only an
invitation from Mr.. Drew"
Are you going to accept it," asked
Byrnes.
Mr.. Could answered in the afirma-
tive, and asked if there was any rea-
son why he should not do so.
There is a good reason" said In
spectOr Byrnes. THAT letter is not
from Mr.. Drew. Mr.. Drew is not in
the city. He went to Albany this morn
ing. There is no club house at that
address"
The great fnancier turned pale.
What does it mean % he gasped.
Some of your Wall street friends
probably wish to entertain you for an
indefinite period" said Byrnes, with a
grim smile. You had better relin-
qUish all social pleasures until this deal
is over and keep my men in sight
every moment. 1 viii visit this club
myself"
In less than half an hour the new
club rooms were in the possession Of
the police. but they found the rooms
vacant. and no member knocked for
admission. The plot had failed. but so
well laid were their plans that the
word Of warning came and circulated
among them almost instantly. They
made no attempt at flight and by no
sign on either side was the world ac-
quaintad with what had been planned
and failed. If the detectives fathOmed
the plot they took no action. AS
matter Of fact. the social and finan-
cial standing Of the men involved was
such that the public would have hest
tated to believe them guilty even
though the charges were fortified by
the strongest evidence
q @ o
If Mr. Could had gone to the address
given in the forged letter he would
have been taken from its rooms and
placed on board the yacht A spot on
the southern shore Of Cuba had been
selected as his destination, and here
the fnancier would have been held for
so long a time as suited the wishes Of
his captcTs- Every provision had been
made for his comfort. and he would
have suffered no violence at the hands
of his k dnaDers. The men who formed
the plot believed that it would have
been impossible to discover their iden-
tity. and the fact that the failure Of
the conspiracy did not reveal the prin-
cipals goes to prove that they were
right.
Such is the remarkable story as out
lined i'm the letters now in Mr.. Adams
possession. One Of the letters asserts
that seven Of the ten constructors are
living. but gives no hint of what be-
fell the young man who formed the