Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-07-20
STOLEN MERCHANT
PHONES HIS WIFE.
POLICE ON TRAIL
Nearby Toll Call and $5, 900
Reward Stir Officers to
Action.
SEEN WITH KlDHAPPERs
By Associated Press to Every Evsnlns.

Sharon, Pa. July 39.v-Ghief of Pos
lice Iansdowne and his men, together
with Sergeant r. f. Gray OF the State
police, are hot on the trail OF Thomas
.. Randolph. missing Sharon business
man
spurred by the s.. 900 reward offered
by E. v. Randolph. aged father of the
missing man for the arrest and con-
yiction OF the alleged kidnap ppers, who
demanded $4,000 ransom, police at z
O'Clock this morning located Randolph
at Franklin. Pa
Randolph is alleged to have called
his wife in Sharon over the long dis
tance telephone from a pay station in
the lobby of Franklin Hotel.
Before franklin police could de-
tain Randolph at the request of the
Sharon authorities. the hotel clerk. saw
Randolph step into his sedan at the
curb and drive off.
Sharon police were in Franklin
within two hours. Then followed an
all night chase in which the authorities
covered the improved roads leading
in all directions from Franklin. Hav-
Ing definitely established in their own
minds that Randolph has been in
Franklin police were determined to
leave no stone unturned in that vi
cinity
Chief Lansdowne was reached al the
Franklin police station at o'clock
this morning. He had just returned
with Sergeant Gray of the State police
and Lieutenant Bert Rankin. from the
Pennsylvania Railroad station there
He was called to the station ininedt-
ateiy on his arrival in Franklin by the
station agent. who said that he had
an important message to impart. The
agent told Lansdowne that a man an
swerlnR the description Of Tom Ram
dofph appeared at the ticket window
abont o'clock this morning, purchas-
ed a ticket and boarded the 4.05 fas
train for Pittsburg.
The agent said ne did not note
whether the man arrived in an auto
mobile or was accompanied By any one
TO the station.
Word was Immediately teIczra phed
70 Pittsburg to watch the train for the
man. All way stations from Franklin
TO Pittsburs were also notified.
| Chief Lansdowne left Franklin soon
afterward with his men in autono-
biles. The party sped through on
City and Tftusvflle. 10 Erie Tifus-
vile police were notified by long ais-
fance to be on the lookout for the
Randolph car License and motor
numbers OF the car were given them
They were asked to watch. for the ar
rival OF the party Of Sharon authori-
ties.
Inc police said they had learned
from Randolph's wife that he was to
take boat from Erie to Cleveland
This was the extent of the information
they ascertained
Mrs. Randoiph's mother this morn
ing denied that her daughter had
spoken to Randolph on the phone.
ne Two notes. one written by the
Aidnappers and the other by Randolph
We're not released for publication nv
police until late yesterday. The notes
are the only known clue. The fNllow-
ing is the kidnapper's note:
Mr.. Randolph.
We have kidnapped your son and
demand S5o.ooo as follows. Ten thou
sand dollars in $50 bills and sac 600
n 500 bills. Nothing over $50 and
$50 Only.
We demand under the following
terms; This is TO be the greatest
secrecy. Do not in way shane or
form try to catch us. If so we will
destroy Your son and call il OF. We
know our business. Do not let the
police know it. Do not hire private
detectives or allow any one 10 do so.
We will know at once. Your move
ments viii be watched in ali ways.
We know Your relatives. Henry
Buhl, of Pittsburg, worth many mil
lions; Buhl, of Detroit, and Mrs, Frank
Buhl, of Sharon. We suggest your get
ting the money from Henry Buhl. Go
TO Pittsburg Tuesday morning at 40.
Take the chair ear and sit on the right
side all the way TO Pittsburg. Sit
near the window. Do not have the
numbers on the money reported to
Treasury 10 detect as in this way. We
will know il through our bank II YOU
dc and will cause you sorrow TO exceed
what you are now going through.
II you succeed in getting the money
Tuesday and are willing to come to
sour terms. light all lights. in your
home Tuesday night at eight o'clock to
burn all night. This will signal to US
when you are ready 10 meet US and
Re viii communicate further with
you. Remember secrecy is the only
assurance you have Of getting your
son back.
'.kIDNAPPERS..
Randolphs note follows:
Dear Father-You no doubt know
BY this time what has happened to me.
"For Gods sake get me away from
these fellows, whatever YOU do. What
ever their demand is. pay il. l have
about $4,000 in stocks. | can paw
whoever YOU get it from. Take care
of my little boys until get away from
here. if | ever do.
If detectives are put on, | am told
will be killed. For Gods sake, keen
it quiet DO not let the insurance
company know about my auto. or thes
viii get detectives oat AT once and that
viii be the end of me. They tell me
they don't want the car and viii send
their terms They are not auto
thieves. My love and best wishes to
all
Your son. Tom.
Randolph's father Is a cousin of the
Bulls mentioned in the notes
Thomas Randolph viii be thirty-slx
years old in October. He has been
married about ten years and has three
children. Thomas, Jr.. six: Frederick,
Ave. and Frank. two.
Oil City. Pa. July 2o.-P Police here
warned by Franklin authorities TO