The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-04-08

Though nearly forty years have elapsed,
the search for Horace Marvin recalls
forclbly to the minds of hundreds of
readers the kidnapping Of Charley Ross.
The name to-day is known in every
household in America Public interest at
the time extended not only throughout
this country, but TO Europe and South
America. and even TO the farthermost
parts of Asia. IS shown by letters re-
ceived by the father. Christian X Ross.
IN 1874 no laws were found on the books
of any State which anticipated the com
mission of such an Ofrense. nor was COM
mensurate punishment provided. After
the kidnapping Of the Ross boy, the iegis-
lamres of few States passed acts de-
hning the crime and ahixing severe penal
ties. which have now become universal.
Charley Ross was four years and two
months old when stolen from his home in
Germa ntown, a suburb OF Philadelphia,
on July 1. 1874. Despite the Ingenious
plans of experts and detectives in every
quarter. and the stimulus Of large re-
wards, the child was never recovered.
The story, rs told By his brother Walter,
six years old, was that two men driving
In a buggy had given candy 20 him and
Charley on Saturday, June q. and the
days following. june IS June 90 and
July l. On the last occasion Charley
asked them for q ride. and also whether
they would not buy hrecraclSers for him.
The men took the boys into a wagon.
promising to take them to the store Of
Aunt Susie, a fictitious name,
Enticed Away with Candy.
The children were given candy. but
after driving some distance Charley
began TO cry and asked that he be taken
home He was pacifed by being told that
he would soon be al the store On
reaching Palmer and Richmond streets. in
Philadelphia. Walter was given twenty
five cents, directed 10 a store and told
to purchase fireworks While the child
was in the store. the men drove of,
taking Charley with them.
Then began the search which. though
ending In the death Of the abductors,
Joseph Douglas and William Mosher
never revealed the whereabouts Of the
lost child.
Personals Offering a reward were placed
In the Philadelphia papers and on July
the following letter was received by
Mr.. Ross, postmarked Philadelphia
Mr. R0s, be not uneasy you son
charley bruster be all writ we Is got him
and no power on earth can deliver out
Of our hand. you viii hav 70 pay ms be-
FOR you git him from u.s. and pay Us a
big cent 10. If you put the cops hunting
for him you is only detecting yu own
end. we is got him put SO no living
power can get him from us alive If any
aproch Is maid TO his hidin place that is
the signal for his instant anlhaliti0n
II y0u regard his III put no one IN search
Of him. yu money can fetch him out aliv
an no other eXistin power. don't deceive
yuself an think the detectives can sit
him from US FOR that is the impossibel
you here from ms IN a few days"
This letter was the forerunner OF others
Of ike character. Mr.. Ross keeping up
the correspondence with the hope Of Sc
curing a successful cIew In the mean
time a reward Of $4,000 was offered for
the recovery Of the child and the arrest
Of the abductors. The regular detective
forces Of the larger cities were working
with unusual and constant zeal.
Amateur detectives who had their own
theories were pursuing them with IN
wearying ardor. but no approach what
ever had been made 20 a solution Of the