The Butte inter mountain., 1902-09-23
DARING klDNAPERS CARRY OFF
TWO IN A HACK IN THE VERY
HEART OF BUTTE.
WEALTHY CHINAMAN MADE
VICTIM OF CONSPlRATORS
Chin Quon, Richest Member Of Race in
Montana, Returns Home to Find His
Dear Ones Stolen and Note Slipped
Under His Door Tells Motive OF the
AHair-Poce on the Scent.

One Of the most daring abductions ever
recorded in the Rocky Mountain region.
and crime unequaled in the annals of
Silver Bow county for cunningness Of
plan and boldness of execution, was perpe-
trated last night at 9 80 o'clock in the
very heart OF Butte when two white men
with a woman companion, kidnapped the
wife and daughter of Chin Quon, a rich
chinese merchant whose place of business
is at No. FL West Galena street.
The crime is second to the great
Cudahy kidnapping case only in two re-
spects: the paSties concerned are not so
prominent and the ransom money de-
manded is not so large.
Chin Quon is conceded to be the richest
member Of his race in the state OF Mon
tana. His fortune is estimated at from
$4,000 to 100000. He is manager Of
the firm Of Chin Quon & Co., of 81 and %
West Galena street. store with a big
sign in front bearing these words: "Chin
Quon Co., Dealers in Drugs and Cen
eral Merchandise"
Quon has lived in Montana for years.
Several years ago he made trip back to
the old country and on his return brought
with him Sou Noy. his wife, and Lang Gin,
a small girl adopted by them. The three
have lived in perfect happiness in the rear
of the little store ON West Galena street.
Two Men and Woman.
Last night shortly after o'clock a
hack rounded into West Galena street from
Main and the driver pulled up near the
middle of the block, hitching the horses
to telegraph pole. moment later two
men alighted from the hack and one gave
low whistle, which was answered from
the alley that runs through Chinatown.
few minutes passed and woman
came from out of the dark alley and
joined the men. The three held whis-
pered consultation and then the men took
their station i'll shadow on the side Of
the street opposite Chin Quon's store,
while the woman walked slowly back and
forth in front OF the store on the other
side.
J. +. Elkton, laborer returning from
work, noticed the actions OF the men and
woman and growing suspicious paused be-
hind an ash barrel near the corner to
watch proceedings.
According to Elkton, the woman waited
until she saw Chin Quon come out of
his store and cross the street to talk with
neighbor. At that time she gave n
signal to the two men i'm the shadow of
the arc light and they crossed over. The
woman then slipped into the store, which
also serves the purpose of a residence.
and by some means induced the Chinese
woman and little girl to approach the
door. Scarcely had they reached the
threshold when the two men In waiting
seized them, and hastily muffling their
cries for help in the large blankets they
carried, bore the struggling captves off
to the hack.
But with all their care the cries of
the women aroused the entire Chinese vii
lagc, and Mongolians rushed frantically
about the streets calling for help. A few
of the boldest, headed by Chin Quon, sur
rounded the hack and were about to at
tempt rescue when an ugly revolver
in the hands of one of the kidnapers
frightened them away.
In the confusion that followed, the
hack was driven rapidly out West Ga,ens
street, where it disappeared in the dark
ness.
Must Put Up $4,000.
The motive of the kidnapers was made
plain this morning when a little note,
scribbled in lead pencil, was found tucked
under Chin Quon's door. 1t contained
these Words
IF you want them and are willing to
pay $4,000 for their return, make a white
chalk mark on your door with red ring
around it."
Chin Quon is at loss what to do. He
has an idea that his wife and adopted
child have been taken to Helena, but
others think differently OF the matter and
assert that the kidnapers are still in the
city. The case was reported to the police,
but Detective Jerry Murphy and Chief of
Police Reynolds are attending the Boze-
man convention. 1t would seem the kid
napers picked this time to do their work.
While Chin Quon has not offered re-
ward, it is understood he will give $500