Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1913-01-15
Victim Hands Over
Money as Detec-
tives Wait.
THEN OFFICERS DASH OUT
AND SEIZE THEIR MEN
Threatened Lives of Children,
It Is Said, Unless Parents
Sent Them Money.

terrorized the wealthy residents OF
Ridgewood by threatening TO torture
and kill their children were ar
rested and brought to Newark to-
day -.
One of the trio, John clauss, Il
years old, a blacksmith, of Ridgewood
road, was caught in the very act OF
receiving a bag in which he thought
he would find $500 in gold.
He is said to have confessed after
ward to United States Inspector But
Ter. who captured him, that he did
write the blackmailing letters and
did threaten to wreck horrible re-
venge on the children of his VIC
Tins.
aBut was forced into it at the
revolver point" he said, plnnging into
weird story of extenuation.
"a negro and another man entered
my shop q. week ago last Friday and
forced me to write the letters they
dictated. They told me II I didn't
collect the money and turn 1t over
to them they would kill me-
The other prisoners are August
Clauss, so years old, father of John,
and Harry Tillotson, brother-in-
law.
John Walthery. of Paramas road,
was the first to receive a demand for
money. Then Raefael Montufar, who
owns the. Villa Montufar. in Ridge
wood road, received a letter signed
with the dreaded blackhand symbol
of death Dire threats were made
against his children if he failed to
take s., 500 to the junction of Paranas
and Ridgewood roads early today
The terrified Montufar turned the
letter over to the authorities and was
| thoroughly coached in the part he
was to play. with Butler and Detec-
tive Bsauvelt. of Bergen county he
crouclied at the bottom of his auto
mobile Montiifar had his chauffeur
drive to the appointed place.
AS he climbed from the machine
dark figure slipped from the shadows
of the wood and approached.
As soon as Montufar had handed
the man the bag the officers leaped
from the auto and closed in upon
him.
Take Father and Brother Law.
They made him prisoner and then
caught his father and Tillotson, lurk-
ing near by
John clauss. according to Butler,
confessed to having written the
blackmailing letters, but he told
weird story lin extenuation.
"A negro and white man came
to me and forced me at the point of
revolver to do this he said. "They
dictated the letter and told me they'd
kill me if didn't turn the money
got over to them.'
The trio are charged with attempt
ing to blackmail Montufar. who is the
wealthy owner of Villa NJ -ntufar,
and John Walthery. of Paramas road.
They were held in $1,000 bail each.
Clauss is said to have confessed to
County Prosecutor Wendell Wright,
at Hackensack, and later to Commits
sioner Stockton, that he had written
all of the letters, which were direct
ed to Rafael Montufar, of Villa Mon
tufar, near Ridgewood, and John
Walthery, of Paramas road. Ridge
wood, seven miles east of Hacken-
sack. The boy attempted TO absolve
the others from completely.
AUGUST OiduSSs " years Oius AdthSl
of John, and Harry Tillotson. who is
40 years old, were the other prisoners.
Both denied completely in the affair.
The father. when asked by Com
missioner Stockton whether guilty or
not. said no: then, turning TO his son,
added: but l guess John can tell
you all about it,
eyes, that's right" the boy said,
unfiinchingly II wrote them let
ters"
"Ar of them?" asked the commits
sioner.
Yes he replied shortly. With fiery
red haid, face and hands black with
CRIME as though he had just come
from machine shop. the slender
youth stood fumbling with soiled
cap and paying more attention to his
companions than the questioning
official. and none at all the men who
had captured him. Seemingly he was
not affected by his predicament and
displayed no more unseasiness than
an unkempt person might be expected |
to show in unusual surroundings
In Picturesque Attire.
All were roughly clad. The fathers |
stubby beard was turning gray and, |
like the boy. his face and hands were |
coated with greasy black He and |
-Tillotson wore on their feet high felt |
boots with rubber arcties. Tillotson |
was the larger of the three. a siX-
footer He maintained a stoical si-
lence. but gave the impression that |
he was ready to exert himself at the |
first opportunity.
For several weeks letters. in scrawly
misspelled style, have been arriving /
at the Montufar and Walthery homes.
The first to Mr.. Montufar. dated jan
uary 4, demanded $1,000 or his house
would be blown up. No attention WAS
paid to this. and on January 5 am
other was received saying that unless
s., 900 was left at designated spot
his young daughter would be stolen,
The last letter received was mailed at
Passaic on January II. and declared
that the payment Of $500 vas Fll L
that could prevent the entire Montu-
far family from being killed.