The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-12-30
Plotters Who Proposed TO Abduct
Young Jay Gould Had an
Elaborate Scheme.
HOPED TO CONFUSE PuRsuERs.
Two Automobiles, Similar in .Ap-
pearance, Chauffeurs Dressed
Alike and a Double of
Young Gould.

REPUBLIC SPECIAL.
4 New York. Dec. 29.-Police Commissioner
| Murphy to-day pronounced the plan to kid.
nap Jay Gould. the 12-year-old son OF
| George ]. Gould, as the lad with his mother
brother and sister left the Metropolitan
Opera-houee Saturday, as the boldest and
most ingenious criminal conspiracy in the
history of the New York police
AS outlined by Colonel Murphy. the plot
TO steal the child had as incidents two auto
mobiles similar In make and appearance,
TWO chaneurs. also alike in all respects. and
child double OF the Gould child in appear
ance and dress. with whom 1t was hoped to
draw pursuit while the victim was taken
to some safe place
Only for the fact that Mrs. Gould
changed her mind and. instead Of leaving
the ooera-hcuse at o'clock, as she or
dered. waited until the close Of the per-
!ormance. 1t might have succeeded. At the
time the party did come out Fortieth street
was 80 choked with carriages that the
scheme was abandoned.
Although 1t is known that the police are
making thorough search for the plotters
ana their accessories. they would not say
to-day with what success.
proper precautions have been taken to
prevent any attempt to kidnap the chill
~HSAA Va Nooi &c - NfOulu, Sdlu fOIlCe COH-
missioner Murphy to-day. Detailed infor-
nation regarding the plot is In the pos
session OF this department. The plan was
certainly ingenious and startling"
Had Elaborate Plans.
When questioned further, the Commission
er said that the precautions taken to car
~ out the scheme successfully were COM
plicated enough to tax credibility. Instead
OF trusting to the headlong flight Of 4 racing
automobile. and the suddenness of the at
tack on Mrs. Gould and her children at the
opera-hotise doors. 1t was intended that the
attempt should be made whenever the most
favorable opportunity offered itself.
Two swift automobiles were to be used
by the abductors. They were Of an identi-
cal pattern. The color and trimmings of
both vehicles We're In the same STYLE and
the chaeffeurs were dressed alike. Dissimu.
lation did not stop there. Colonel Murphy
continued. for boy about the age of young
Jay Gould was to be used to add to the con.
fusion. a.
1t was arranged that the two false ma
chiIes should meet side by side at this
entrsrce when the Gould party should
come out, the boy was to be seized and
thrown into one OF them alongside, a cap
tor. while decoy lad was to be picked up
from the sidewalk in q similar fashion.
However. the charm Of Romeo and Jr-
liet was stronger than the first intention of
Mrs. Gould IS to the departure time and
she rem aimed until the end Of the per-
Torrance. a. -
Policemen Ready to Arrest Them.
It was nearly a quarter to 6 when the
party came out, with the street then crowd
ed with carriages, and automobiles.
Through this crIsh on the pavement and
out to her vehicle Mrs. Gould and her chill
dren were conspicuously and watchfully es-
corted by Special Policeman Mallon and
Detective Sergeant Arnett. Careful de-
scriptions Of the leader in the plot whose
discussion was overheard were given the
police before 4 o'clock Saturday afternoon.
Two policemen were waiting at the opera
house. ready to, close in on him and his
comrade II they should appear when Mrs
Gould's party came out.
All the peighborhood was searched under
the guidance of the man who gave the In
formation. but their movements after leav-
ing the saloon at Eighth avenue and For
tieth street were not traced.