Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-10-30
BR|GAkOS STEAL GIRL
Niece of Rich Greek Tobac-
conists Is Kidnapped.
uNCLES IN PHILADELPHIA
Seized on Country Road in Balkans
and Carried OFF.
RANSOM PROBABLE OBJECT
Victim Known to Have Rich Kins-
men-Abductors Are Members
Of Turkish Band.
UNcLES IN PHILADELPHIA
ANsoM PROBABLE OBJECT

PHILADELPHIA, October 3O.-Miss
Maria Stephano. pretty eighteen-year-
old Greek girl, daughter Of Spires Steph-
ano. millionaire cigarette manufacturer Of
this city. was kidnapped by a band Of
Turkish brigands near her fathers home
In the Turkish Balkans last Monday. &C
cording to word received by relatives in
this city
Although the cable did not say that
ransom had been asked relatives fear
that large sum will be demanded be-
cause Of the knowledge in the old coun-
made in this country.
Word of the kidnapping was contained
in a brief cablegram received by the
meager details Of the KIDNAPPING and
said nothing of what was being done to
hunt down the brigands and free the
pretty young captive.
The KIDNAPPING Of the girl was con-
candy manufacturer of 1903 Market
street. He is a brother-in-law of the
Stephano brothers. and was at once
communicated with when the news Of
the unfortunate affair reached this city.
Family Is Prominent.
The Stephona brothers number four.
Stephen and Constantine. who are ciga
rette manufacturers at 1914 Walnut
street; John Stephano. priest. and Spi-
ros Stephano. John lives at Gamma the
capital OF Epirus. while Spiros. who is a
farmer. lives about half-hours ride from
the capital.
Marie is an attractive girl of eighteen
years. of pure Grecian type of beauty and
o. - 1tcIA IL 10 80 80
Europe. Her fathers estate is a large
one, and she loved to traverse the long
shady walks and hunt flowers in the deep
ravines and on the billy slopes. She
was known and loved by every Greek in
the town.
Monday she left her home for a little
excursion into the country, and as she
was nearing deserted section twelve
masked brigands jumped out from behind
a clump Of bushes and grabbed her. 1t
the twelve strong men to gag, bind and
mask the helpless slip of girl.
witness saw them carry her off, but
before the alarm could be given they had
made good their escape, leaving no tracks
behind them.
Frantic with grief. the father, assisted
by countrymen, searched every nook and
corner Of the place where his daughter
was last seen. but they could find no clue
to her kidnapers or the route which the
brtgands took with their prey.
Expect Demand for Ransom.
When seen last evening G. Vilaras said
they had received no news from the girls
father other than the cablegram announc-
ing her kidnapping and giving the brief de-
tails. He said that the cablegram did not
state whether a ransom was asked for
the girls return. but that they feared it
had been, as that would be the only rea-
son for stealing the girl.
Spiros Stephano. he said was we'll
known and liked by the Greeks of the
town and had no enemies. He was posi-
tive that neither jealousy nor revenge had
anything to do with the kidnapping.
1T Is three days now since we heard
from my brother-in-law. and, OF course
we. do not know what has transpired
since then. 1t may be that the father
himself knows nothing more. for the bril-
gands usually wait eight or ten days be-
fore they send any word.
They want to find a sure hiding place
first. Then they get trusted messenger
and communicate with the family, offering
to return the prisoner for certain
amount.
Get What They Ask.
THE brigands usually get what they
ask, for 1t is not often that they are
caught. And when the money is not paid
they kill their victims and scatter their
bodies to warn others not to defy them.
ut Is barharous, the way they cut a
body in pieces and scatter 1t in bits about
the country and In towns. For this rea-
son the people are afraid of them and are
forced to submit to their demands
That money was the cause of the kid
mapping Is the belief Of Greeks in this
city. 1t Is known in the old country that
two of the brothers have money and the
are believed to have acted on the
assumption that all the brothers should
have money. or that they would come to