The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1905-01-13
KIDNAPPED BY
HIS OWN UNCLE
Who Held the Boy For Ransom
From His Father
YOUTH COMES TO LIFE
WHO WAS MouRNED FOR DEAD
AND TELLS A STRANGE
SToRY-oNLY 500 WAS
WANTED BY THE
kiDNAPER.

Anderson. Ind, Jan. 12-Mourned
as one lost forever, Herman Wilson
IS years old. was returned to his par
entss Mr.. and Mrs. John r. Wilson,
Of this city, this afternoon, and upon
the story he told his father tonight
caused an affidavit to be filed asinst
he boys uncle. Bartholomew Austin,
well known farmer of Henry coun.
~ charging him with Kidnapping the
lad
Mr.. Wilson hurried to Newcastle to
file the affidavit, upon which war
rant was issued for the arrest Of Aus
tin, and Sheriff Christopher told VIII
son he would have Austin in custody
omorrow morning. Austin's wife is
sister Of John r. Wilson, but he de
clared he would have no mercy on
her husband. Wilson ass srted that
he may follow with two more aflida-
Wits against Austin. in which he
would allege that Austin attempted o.
sxtort money from Wilson as ran.
,om for his son, and also that he tes-
flied falsely before the grand jury Of
/ Henry county
Live Near Moreiand.
The Austin home is near the vii
age OF Moreland eight miles north
east Ct Newcastle, and, while his par
ents went TO the state fair on Septem-
ber 6 last, Herman Wilson was per.
nit ed to visit the Anstins. On the
following day, according to young
Wilson, his uncle who had much in
duence over him, persuaded him To
believe that he sh nh mr. return
home until his father would offer q
ransom of $500 and that he would
lthen give the boy half Of the money
The lad, not knowing what such a
proposition meant. consented to it
he said. Austin bought him a tickle
o this city, bui told him 10 leave tn
train at railway junction just out
tide or Newcastle and then to wall
TO Moreland. board another ran AMI
not TO stop-again until he was in ohit
and TO stay there.
Instead young Wilson went to the
village of Economy, where he worke'
three weeks. he said and then pro
ceeded to Richmond, meanwhile com
nunica.ing with his uncle Austin
he was told 10 adopt the name o
Charles Smith, which he did A
Richmond he was working for Georg
Amsden, horseman. who though
he boy an orphan until an acquaint
lnce Of the Wilson family discovere
he boy there yesterday and noritie
he sheriff of Madison county, VIII
eturned the lad to his parents thi
fternoon, Amsden came along an
satisfactorily explained his relation
With the boy
Austin Was Mystifed.
The boys father said he had pre-
'eeded agains Austin because whe
wilson called on him frequently il
luiriug Of tidings OF the boy Ausd
would also appear ,mystitied as to hi
absence
Wilson said that Austin finally tol
him that he thought the boy was hel
or ransom by some one. and h
hough he could get him in tire
lays for s100 Wilson then cause
Austin to appear before the Eenr
county grand jury, where it was sal
Austin denied any knowledge Of tn
10Y since he left tbs Austin home I
september.
When their boy disappeared NJ
md Mrs. Wilson were living on
: arms near Frankton. but SO dis reese
sere they that they gave up the far
I and moved to this city recently. Gri'
,ver her longlost son caused Mr.
Wilson TO rapidly break in heali
: The arrest OF Bartholomew Aus
: ill surprise Henry county. where !
: became well known as a farmer. Sc
5 rial years ago he lived near Mario
Y ind.