The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-11-19
BANKERS SON
KIDNAPPED, BUT
MAKES ESCAPE

Hackettstown. n. j. Nov. iS--Under
threat OF being shot 10 death II ne made
an outcry. Harry Welsh, son OF Ma
thas T. Welsh a banker of this town.
was captured by kdnappers Saturday
night and carried two miles into thf
mountains There he broke away from
his captors and knowing the rough ana
wooded country better than they, sue
ceeded I'm making his way back home
This came as climax 10 repeated
threats of kidnapping which have been
made by anonymous writer's 10 three Ol
the wealthiest residents of this neigh
borhood, including Mr. Winthrop Ruther-
ford OF Allamuchy. Residents of Hack
ettstown are greatly excited over the
affair and are determined TO drive out the
4 bands of outlaws.
More than month ago Mr. Welsh.
who is cashier OF the Peoples National
bank OF Hackettstown. received letter.
unsigned and evidently I'm disguised
handwriting. IL said that the writer
would take Harry Welsh 'and hold him.
or dispose Of him. Mr. Welsh paid lit
tie attention TO the letter at first. He did
not mention it's contents TO any member
OF the family except his son. Miller. who
is bookkeeper I'm the bank, and the threat
was shown also TO n. A. Cole president
OF the bank. No demand was made for
money I'm tho letter and for that reason
Mr.. Welsh did not turn il over to the
police force or the Town.
Harry Welsh returned to Hackettstown
from Newark, where he is attending
business college, last Friday night.
AS young Welsh approached along
Grand avenue he noticed a man OF me-
dium height smooth shaven good look
ing and remarkably well dressed. coming
toward him on Washington street Meet
ing him at the corner. the stranger i'm
quired the way TO the Centenary Cole
giate Institute
II have never seen the man before"
said young Welsh last night. but taking
him To be "A gentleman. and probably
relative of one OF the students, | began
TO direct him 10 the Institute.
I'm deaf he said. leaning down with
one hand to his ear. L want you to show
me the way II it isn't too much trouble
| willingly went along with him mp
Grand avenue. intending TO point out the
college building on top of the hill. When
we drew near the next corner, more than
the ordinary city block from my home.
another man stepped from behind a tree.
THE first man might have been taken
for a millionaire and society leader, but
this fellow was dark and dirty. with a
ferocious black mustache, heavy set
jaw and large shoulders.
"One OF them took me by one arm and
the other laid his hand on my shoulder
and said: Harry we have been looking
to go out West with us. You have been
having a good, easy time all your life,
but we have lot OF work for you to do
out West. Now. come along.
II drew back from them, but the man
with the mustache pointed a pistol At
me, saying he would shoot me dead II I
did not come along without any disturb
ance.
There was not soul I'm sight and
there was nothing for me to do but obey.
They took all my money. about 81. 50. and
with one man holding me fast by each
arm we went across a vacant lot down
toward the tracks OF the Lackawanna
Crossing the railroad they set
out with me toward the mountain. three |
or four miles away. They cut across the /
country for a mile or more. / tried once |
TO wrench my hands from their grip. but 1
failed, though ! strained my arm so it
has hurt ever since.
1--WE drew up at the banks OF the Nor |
ris canal and the men headed toward
Easton until they came TO the road that /
and we began to climb hill. When we I
were i'm wood. one OF the men let go my |
arm and started toward a thick s1der- |
growthof bushes. AS he did so | Icrked |
my other arm free from tho slender fell /
low and ran I'm an opposite direction |
through the woods. / ran all the way |
back home"
Young Welsh said tho men pursued him, !
but his familiarity with the country en- I
abled him to outdistance them.
II is known that band OF men ap-
parently without occupation encamped
several months ago about three miles 3
from Hackettstown. One of them was
well dressed and appeared To be the lead
CT.