The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1904-10-24
KIDNAPPED BOY MURDERED.
FOUR-YEAR-OLDL LAD STOLEN BY
GYPSIES AND KILLED.
Body or Michael Maycrski Found by Hunters
in an Abandoned Farmhouse Near
PhGnixvilie, Pa.-was Deooyed From
His Homo on Friday by Gypsies.

PHGNIxvILLs, Pa, Oct. 23.-In deserted
farmhouse within short distance OF the
old home Of Gov. Pennypacker and the
present residence OF Senator Knox, the
body OF four-year-old Michael Mayerski
was found to-day by party Of men hunting
rabbits. The lad was missed from his
home here last Friday evening, and
according to the story told by a playmate,
he had been kidnapped by band OF gypsies
who passed through the town.
When found, the boys skull had been
crushed and his throat cut Five members
OF one gypsy camp have been arrested,
but the members of another band, who
were here on.the day the boy disappeared,
have vanished. The excitement is so
great that the authorities have sworn in
eighteen special deputies to prevent any
attempt at lynching the gypses under
arrest.
The Mayerskis live in part OF the city
made up'of about 1000 Hungarians and Slavs.
Superstition Is rife in the settlement and on
all sides the men and women are shouting
that their children are not safe and that
something must be done.
As the gypsies now under arrest were
brought into town they we're surrounded
by a thousand men and women who Kept
shouting:
Lynch then!" Burn the murierers!'
The prisoners protest their innocence.
At the first alarm OF the kidnapping Coun-
Gilman f. c. Miers started in pursuit OF the
band in his automobile, but he found that
the camp had left the highway and cut
through the woods where he could not
follow In his machine.
The position of the boys body when
found showed that he had attempted to
make some sort Of defence against his
oaptors. The police do not think the boy
was killed in the house where his body
was found. II is their theory that shortly
after he was seized he broke away from
his captors and began to scream. Be-
lieving that his cries would bring aid, the
gypsies, according to the detectives, Killed
the boy and carried his body to the place
where it was found.
In one hand Michael had stone tightly
clutched His head was crushed in two
places where he had evidently been struck
with heavy club Finding that this had
not caused death, the murderers had jabbed
a dull knife In his throat three times and
had turned it around in the wound The
Coroner's physician believes that the child
was killed either late Friday night or early
Saturday morning.
The family is poor. but In their anxiety
for the safety OF their child Mr.. and MFs.
Mayerski had raised cas- which they had
aaled the police 10 offer - . reward for
the return OF the boy. The kidnapping
took place on Friday afternoon. Michael
was playing at the corner OF State and
Washington streets when two covered
wagons containing gypsies rolled by
George Wahl, a sixteen-year-old boy, was
PLAYING in the street short distance away
and he saw one of the gypsies leave the
wagon and speak with Michael as II asking
him to take ride.
The boy tried to climb into one OF the
wagons and the man aided him. Wahl
thought nothing more than that the gypsies
were giving the child ride until he heard
that Michael had not returned. Then
he told his story to the police. The dis
covery to-day Of the boys body was made
by Thomas Jones and John and Penrose
Clark, all living here. They had entered
a closely wooded territory on Old Lead
Mine farm, when they started rabbit
from cover. They gave chase and the
rabbit led them to the old farmhouse,
where it sought refuge.
Throwing open the door Of the house,
the men entered In poking about
they discovered the body Of the boy lying
In an open fireplace. Near the fireplace
was a heavy club, covered with hair and
dried blood. No trace Of a knife was
found. The men ran to town and notified
Chief OF Police Carter. who, with Deputy
Coroner Howell, at once went to the spot.
Tia old housa hes not been occupied
for thirty wears and L. surrounded with such
a wild growth OF weeds and brush as to
almost hide it from view. The property
On which the house stands is rented by a
farmer who. with several employees. has
been husking corn about the place for
two days and discussing the kidnapping.
As first step the police raided band OF
gypeies encamped at Williams Corners.
Although the police doubt II this is the band
that committed the murder, 1t Is neverthe-
less hoped that the prisoners will be able
to tell Of the other band.
This camp was in charge Of Henry Wells
who gives himself the title OF King Of the
Pennsylvania Contingent Of Gypsies.' The
other prisoners gave their names as Henry
and Robert Wells, Michael and Barney
Dou gherty, Samuel Rigler and George VOL
verton, the latter. 1t is said, being the son
Of a we'll known citizen Of Pennsylvania
Two O ged women and pretty girl, known
as Maggie Dougherty, were left in the camp
guarded by two Of the special deputies that
had been hastily sworn in.
When the prisoners were brought In q
great crowd gathered They were thickest
| }ust In front OF the station house. In the
throng there were fully as many women
| as men, and the women were the loudest
| In their outories and threats against the
| prisoners The gypsies were oowed, and
cried aloud their innocence. They begged
| the officers to protect them.
The mob Is still threatening tonight
Posses are securing the country for the