Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1904-07-08

OF Palmer j. Morton, john M. Rock.
well, Andrus Carmody, z. J. Kent,
Simon Pence, Hiram Haven, Sidney
Hammond and L. Sylvester Vincent.
The kidnapping of these distinguished
fnanciers is the most sensational
crime in history. On the evening of
May 1, seven of these men were lured
on board the steam yacht Shark
owned by Walter B. Hestor, the famous
amateur newspaper correspondent.
Hestor planned the crime and exc
cuted it with the cunning OF maniac.
He invited Messrs. Morton, Kent,
Rockwell, Carmody, Haven and Pence
to join him at dinner on board the
Shark at which time an important
business matter was to be discussed.
Mr.. Sidney Hammond was invited as
legal counsel for Mr.. Hestor. L. Syl-
vester Vincent was present to discuss
another business matter with Mr.
Carmody. Once out in the Atlantic
Hestor refused to return his guests
to New York. He permitted them to
send ashore the letters which were
received by their relations, and then
steamed south. He landed them on
the coast of Mexico-on the sixth
day-at a point south of Vera Cruz,
on spot which he stated was an is
land. Here Hestor had fitted up a
| bungalow on the edge of lake, con-
nected by a narrow inlet to the Gulf
of Mexico. That night Hestor sailed
away in the Shark
.By indefatigable effort, the New
York Record traced this crime to
Walter B. Hestor. Its detective
force, under the charge of John Ste
vens, located the bungalow. Special
credit is due to Bernard Seymour, the
famous detective reporter of Chicago,
who. by skill and strategy, which will
be explained later, found the con-
tractor who built the bungalow-Col.
John Mcintyre. of Havana. On Tues
day, May 16, Miss Helen Carmody,
| the beautiful and accomplished
daughter of Andrus Carmody, placed
the steam yacht which bears her
name at the disposal of the Record,
and in company with her aunt, Mrs.
Isabel White, sailed for Havana. Will
| liam Chalmers, managing editor of
| the Record, was in charge of the ex-
| petition. At Havana, Bernard Sey-
mour, John Stevens and Col. McIn-
| tyre were taken on board and the
| yacht proceeded to Vera Cruz. In the
| meantime the marooned men had not
been idle. They had constructed a
] seaworthy boat and were out in the
gulf, about 80 miles northeast of
| Vera Cruz, where they were picked up
by the ''Helen Carmody" and taken
to Vera Cruz. They are in splendid
health, and their sufferings have
| been mental rather than physical.
They will leave tonight on the yacht
| for New Orleans, and from thence to
| New York by special train. The fol-
| lowing signed statement is forwarded
by request of the rescued men:
Ito All Whom 1t May Concern:
| We desire to announce our safe return
! to civilization, in good health and spirits.
| We are mindful OF the mercies of an all
| wise Providence, who has watched over
| and brought us through many perils and
| difficulties. We take this opportunity to
| publicly acknowledge our thanks for the
| splendid services rendered in our behalf
| by the New York Record. to whose ex-
| ecutive ability and foresight is due our
| rescue from the dangers of the sea, and
| our safe return to shore. Our gratitude
| is especially due to William Chalmers,
| Bernard Seymour and John Stevens. In
| our opinion. this forced detention was
| the act of an irresponsible individual and
| not conspiracy for any rational pur-
| pose. Signed)
| ANDRUS CARMODY,
| PALMER J. MORTON,
| JOHN M ROCKWELL.
| HIRAM HAVEN,
SIMON PENCE,
r. J. KENT.
| SIDNEY HAMMOND
L. SYLVESTER VINCENT
| Vera Cruz, May "a -
Late that memorable Wednesday
night, the staunch steam yacht
Helen Carmody" left the lights of
Vera Cruz twinkling in the distance,
and started on her 900 mile journey
to New Orleans. All were fatigued
from the excitement and toll of the
day, and it was late on Thursday
morning when they met again around
| the breakfast table in the spacious
| dining cabin. It was a merry and a
contented party. There were Il
around the board-just enough to es-
cape the fatal 13-but Bernard Sey-
mour, being superstitious, counted
three times before he was satisfied
Miss Helen Carmody presided as
hostess. Never did she look more
charming.
Simon Pence came in for much
raillery about his gold idols and
images. There were many inquiries
about Socks" the monkey.
There is no chance for you and
Vincent to escape that freight bill
now" said Mr.. Kent. Here are
your idols on Mr.. Carmody's yacht
He can impose an extra charge if he
| chooses"
mo, will be LIBERAL" said Mr.
Carmody. when we get to New
York we will appraise their value
and Mar. Pence can draw his check
for one-third of it. Then he and Vim.
cent can make an equitable division
and / will do the same