Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1902-09-22
GIRL ABDUCTED.
Miss Mabel vanHorn Had Thrilling
Experience Last Night.


known man and woman after the close
of services at the Park M. E. church.
The young lady was gagged with a
handkerchief, placed in wagon and
taken to point near Sandy Run, where
she was detained In tent until an early
hour this morning, when she was re-
leased and directed on her way to Free
land.
Miss VanHorn, with several com
panions, attended the evening services
at the Park M E. church on Main
street. As she came out of the edilice,
at the close of the sermon preached by
Rev. Swartz, she was approached by a
small boy, who notified her that lady
wished to speak to her.
Following the messenger to the east
side of the building, she was greeted
by a woman who spoke pleasantly to
her The boy ran on to join the crowd
leaving the church, and as soon as he
had disappeared the woman quickly
threw handkerchief around the young
lady's face and tied it so tightly that all
attempts to call for help were futile.
A man then appeared, and the two
hurried their victim to the road running
through the Public park, where a cover
ed wagon was In waiting Into this
they placed Miss VanHorn and the
three were driven rapidly in the direc-
tion Of Sandy Run.
When they arrived at a point which
Mabel thinks was nearly opposite the
Lshigh Valley Railroad station in that
town the vehicle halted and all went
into small tent, of the size usually
used by "gypsies."
In the tent was another man, who,
upon taking look at the prisoner, ex-
claimed: This is not the right girl;
she has light hair; Mandy said the girl
we want is black haired"
This discovery seemed to have a dis
appointing effect upon the captors OF
the girl. After some talk among them
selves she was told that she was not the
person wanted, but would be held there
until morning, when she would be sent
home.
All night long the four remained in
the tent and no opportunity was given
Miss VanHorn to escape. She was
closely watched, but in no other way
was she illtreated.
AS soon as daybreak appeared she
was notified by the woman to get ready.
After being bindfolded with the hand
kerchief she was taken by the two who
abducted her and walked along the rail-
road track. When they reached High
land station the handkerchief was re-
moved and she was told to follow the
railroad to Freeland.
She obeyed the instructions with
alarcity, and at 6. is a. In. arrived at the
NeuBurger home on Front street, where
she has been employed as domestic the
past few days. There she told her
story, after which she was taken to the
home of her parents, Mr.. and Mrs.
James VanHorn, in the Third ward.
Her father and brothers Immediately
set out to discover her abductors. They
enlisted the services OF Constable James
Welsh, and with the girl, drove to Sandy
Run. They were unable to find any
trace Of the wagon, tent or the two men
and the woman there, and Mr.. VanHorn
returned home with the girl, who was
exhausted and fatgued for the want of
sleep. The family is still searching for
the culprits, but no clues had been OBJ
tanned up to this afternoon.
Mabel says that during the past ten
days she was approached twice by an
unknown woman who warned her that
she was in danger. Once this woman
met her on North Ridge street and once
on Schwabe street, short distance
from her home. She called her by
name, she says, and cautioned her to
remain at home, especially after dark.
Her family last night thought she was
safe in the NeuBurger residence, while
the NeuBurgers believed she had gone
home after the church services were
over. For this reason no alarm over
her disappearance was raised.