Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-07-24
Kidnapped and Chained to
a Tree For A Week
Then Escaped.
RANSOM OF $4,000
DEMANDED BY SON
Cowboys Capture the kidnappsr and
Turn Him Over TO the Shsriff-Lou
Empey Says Hs Had Enough to Eat
But Was Trying Experience While
in captivity-Found by Forest Rang.
ers.

Idaho Falls. Idaho, July 24.-Cow-
boys late Friday night captured the
abductor OF Ernest Empey, wealthy
rancher who was kidnapped several
days ago and held for $4,000 ransom
according to a report received here
The bandit. it is stated, came down
from Sheep mountain at nightfall and
was surrounded and taken on what is
known as Cranes Flat.
Ernest A. Empey. wealthy rancher
kidnapped several days ago by bandits
ana held for $4,000 ransom, has es-
capped from his abductors. Empey was
found Friday by United States forest
rangers and is now safe at Montpelier
according TO advices reaching here.
Empey escaped late today while his
captor was asleep in hut on Sheep
mountain, FIVE miles from Empeys
ranch. where he was taken a: the point
of rifle. According to report from
Montpelier, Empey recognized his alb
ductor as man employed upon his
ranch about five years ago Empey
described his captor but was unable
10 rscall ms name.
A slightly built man five feet
four inches in height, explained his
crime by saying:
L took this means of getting money.
as l thought could do more good with
1t than those who had it,
Asked regarding the anxiety he had
caused the family Of his wealthy cap
tive, he said:
81 hadn't thought Of that"
Dean, who claims Salem, Utah as his
home, said he had a common school
education. Differing from the usual
run of bad men" whose minds have
been nourished on cheap "thrillers'
Deans reading has been chiefly the
works of Darwin. Huxley. Paine. and
Ingerson.
Continuing his story Of the kidnap-
ing Dean said that he had worked for
Empey five years ago. Early in the
summer he was in Colorado, then went
to Bailey. Idaho. He said he had
planned the kidnapping for some time.
After abducting Empey at the point
of gun at his ranch forty miles from
her. several days ago. he took his
captive to a hut on Sheep mountain
FIVE milea from the ranch. Employs
young son was sent to notify the TAM
lily that Empey would be killed unless
a ransom OF 5000 in gold was de-
posted at designated spot. The
was raised yesterday and
would have been paid had not Empey
escaped while his captor was asleep.
Dean. in recounting his exploits
said:
'.If the money had not been delivered
1 would no; have killed Empey but !
do not know when would have turned
him loose. I treated him we'll and gave
him the best of everything. I stole
food from several sheep camps, and
always gave Empey the best Of what
I had. II the money had not been de-
livered and Empey had not escaped I
probably would have written another
letter, repeating my demands"
Empey today was at the Long Valley
where he took refuge after
and sending cowboys to
search for his captor. He is in good
health and said he suffered nothing
from his weeks captivity. Although
he had very little rest.
Dean kept me fastened to a tree
with chain and paddock he said. He
gave me the best Of food and bedding
and seemed to try to take good care of
me- I thought him demented and my
captivity was more trying on that ac-
count. was exhausted after my es-
cape yesterday because had run three
miles down the mountain. / do not
care to go thru such an experience
again."
After Empey's escape a posse Of
cowboys started for the place he de-
scribed on Sheep mountain. They
found Dean at the foot Of the hill hav-
ing come down presumably in search
OF his late captive. Dean was sur
and captured. The sheriff was
notified, and went to the spot. The
sherifrs auto was halted several times
by cowboys before he could convince
the guard Of his identity and persuade
them to turn the prisoner over to him.