New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-04
HUNTING Il KIDNAPPER.
Frenchman Leaves Manuscript Tell
ing of Slavery an africa.

The police received orders by general alarm yes
terday TO arrest Jean Michel. eccentric middle
aged Frenchman. who had disappeared from the
house NO Jones-st, in company with Samuel
Scher ten years Old son of tailor living in the
house There seemed TO be doubt that Michel
had kidnapped the boy. He had left behind him
manuscript, In which story of his life. de-
claring that ne had been kidnapped when child.
sold as a slave to Arab chief. later sent
present to the Sultan Of Morocco and freed at the
age of fifteen by request OF a missionary
Niche! occupied furnished room in the house In
Jones-st. and was allowed 10 have the tailors little
in his room much OF the time. The boys
parents say he gave the boy many presents. and
half starved himself to buy candy for the boy. On
Saturday the Frenchman left the house, leading
the boy by the hand The tailor and mis- wife be-
came alarmed yesterday when their boy had not
returned, and told the police.
1t ascertained that Michel had induced about
score OF boys TO form an association called the
Brothers OF the Red Cross" and he told stories
to them in building at Jones and West Fourth
SITS.
The Frenchman was also inclined 10 medicine
and had book which showed n number o, alleged
antidotes for accidents. headaches neuralgia dog
bite, consumption and other ailments. The cures
or remedies were ridiculous
Tho story OF his klcnapnnR which MichsI LEFT
behind him was in part as follows:
When about seven years old my mother sent me
on an errand, and 1 stopped 10 look in the win
dow OF a. toy So store os There was accosted by
my eyes the most Innocently / told her that
would rather 30 10 the theatre than have any OF
the toys. she picked me up in her arms and told
me that II would be good boy she would take
wanted. She Kissed me- and then led me away.
Upon turning a corner she met a man. who placed
me with the woman in a carriage. Then we drove
They took me on steamer. and before realized
u We were IeaVlng France, for where did not
know When / began 10 cry the man and wcrran
chloroformed me. Later they told that
bound Tor AFRICA When the steamer got to Africa
was sold TO an Arab. The Arab had other young
slaves ike me- ana one OF these. who called me
again.
After being bought by the Arab whose name was
Abdul Hamd Il was my duty 10 fan him. The
others had 70 MI up the chiefs opium pipe and keep
white slaves they were sold TO cannbals in Central
Africa
too. which Is IN western Africa Afterward while
the caravan was travelling across the Desert OF
drivers murdered many OF the women and child
had been hiding for two days was dscov-
cred Some OF .ne child slaves were sold to can
nibals. and saw body boiled in a pot I was
not sold because cannibai who had bitten ms on
the leg said was not worth eating.
Then I was taken back TO the slave market at
J1mbuctoo, where european children and young
sheik Moor who made me as a present tn the
Sultan of Morocco When had been eight years
In slavery. at the age OF fifteen through the In
tervention or a missionary / at last freed
and sent TO Alglers. Upon my return to Europe 1
heart and that my father and brothers had gone
no one knew where. Then / was adopted ~ a
captain In the French Army. who sent me 70
Sol WaAnA learned trade came to Amag5ca,