Bisbee daily review., 1907-01-22
TRIED TO STEAL NEW MEXICO
 GIRL
Kidnaper Makes Attempt to Lure Daughter of ReStau- rant Keeper Away-Mother Says She Will Shoot.

LAS VEGAS, N. M., Jan. 21.-An attempt was made to kidnap Nina Gray, the fourteen year old daughter of Mrs. Gray, proprietress of the chile restaurant on Grand avenue, yester- day, but the man was arrested before he accomplished his purpose and be was placed in the city jail. Owing 60 the strange fact that the territory has no sattute against attempting CT threatening to kidnap, the man was fined for disorderly conduct this morn ing at his hearing before Judge Rope and was released on the payment of a fine of ten dollars.
 The man arrived in the city day before yesterday and registered at the Eldorado hotel as Ben Haddox, giving no place of residence. He began drink ing a short time after his arrival, but at no time was he intoxicated, or even under the influence ol liquor.
 Yesterday morning he went into the restaurant and told Mrs. Gray that he wanted to talk to her daughter for a few minutes. She told him that Nina was changing her clothes and that he would have to wait a short time. He insisted that he see her immediately and finally told her to send the girl to the hotel at o'clock that afternoon as he wanted to give her letter.
 At noon he told Louise Criswell, a waitress at the Merchants Cafe, that he was the father of the little girl and that he was worth a great deal of money. He said that he did not want her to reside in Las Vegas, but that he intended to put her in a convent school In California, but that Mrs Gray would not let her go. He wanted Miss Criswell to get the girl and bring her to him and another man, at the restaurant, and they would take her away and would pay her for her trou- ble. Miss Criswell immediately went to Mrs. Gray and related to her the entire conversation.
 In the afternoon Haddox went back to the chilli restaurant and was seen outside by Mrs. Gray, talking to anoth- CT strange man and she heard him say through the open transom, that he would have that child if 1t cost him every cent he had. He came in and wanted the girl again and gave his name as Johnson Jenkins, but Mrs Gray would not let him see hr. As soon as he had departed for the second time. the mother hunted uI Ben Coles and informed him of the matter and swore out warrant against the stranger for threatening abduction.
 The city marshal ran on to HaddoE alias Jenkins crossing Center street between the Lobby and Annex saloon and placed him under arrest.
 Do you know who you are taking? said Haddox.
 q think I do," the marshal an swered
 You're mistaken in your man." the prisoner said. 'T am nothing but a poor old stone mason; you'd better be careful what you do."
 Ben told him that he was going to be real careful, and placed him in the lookup. He was given a hearing this morning, but Judge Bobe discovered on looking over the laws of the trrri tory that the man had committed nc ] CTlUle. A OS" WATT ant "dS bHOi Ou' charging disorderly conduct, and int of ten dollars imposed. The prison CT pulled out a roll of bills and peeled i off the requisite amount. The pris oner acknowledged that he had beer in the penitentiary thirteen years, ac | cording to the statements of the off, cers. He said before being dismissed he was mistaken; he had never seer l the woman before, and would give th' people no more trouble.
 Mrs. Gray is indignant that there i: no punishment for man who is tryinl to steal her only daughter for somt
 sinister purpose. The child's fathe has been dead for seven years, and sht never saw the hdnaper before. Sh
 says that the man still remains il
 town. and that if he attempts to ente
 her place of business at any time, a
 either door, at night especially, sh
 will protect her daughter with re
 volver, and will shoot to kill.