New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-07-20
Held
For $4,000
By Abductors
Sharon, Pa, Book Dealer
Writes Father, Get Me
Away From These Eel
lows; Pay What They Ask
kidnapers Threaten Life
Family Refuse Ransom, But
Offer 1000 Reward for
Arrest of Sons Captors
Special Dispatch to The Tribune

| SHARON, Pa, July 19.-Thomas r,
Randolph, aged thirty three years, book
dealer, disappeared last night and
according to letters received this morn
ing by his father, E. " Randolph. is
being held for $4,000 ransom. Police
have telephoned to every point within
a radius of several hundred miles seek
ing information concerning Randolph.
who is supposed to have been abducted
in his automobile. but nothing has
developed that would throw any light
| on the case
Two letters were received bv the
elder Randolph, one from his son, in
which the father is implored "for
Gods sake get me away from these
fellows; pay whatever they demand"
and another from the kidnapers. The
latter IN their letter set forth the con-
ditions to be observed by the father
and relatives of Randolph if his life is
to be spared.
They are ordered to keep the matter
secret and to go to Pittsburgh on the
9:45 train and ask Henry Buhl, the
Pittsburgh millionaire, to pay the ran
som money.
They demand that the $4,000 be paid
them in bills not over $5O-$10,OOO to
be in $40 bills and the balance in $50
bills.
Father Disregards Warning
No attempt will be made by Ran.
dolph's father or other relatives to
comply with any of the supposed kid
M e%1
Pittsburgh at the time designated and
instead of keeping the letters q
secret the father at once communicated
with the police
The elder Randolph later in the day
offered reward of $4,000 for the safe
return of his son and the arrest of his
abductors. He said he would not pay a
cent to the kidnapers.
Henry Buhl, Of Boggs & Buhl, Pitts
burgh, had received no intimation of
the kidnapping until advised by Pitts
one had come to see him in connection
with the reported kidnapping and he
was unable to say what action he
would take until he was fully in
formed concerning all particulars of
the case. Mr.. Bull said he is a cousin
of e. V. Randolph, father of the ab-
Quoted man. The younger Randolph,
Mr.. Buhl said, he knew only slightly.
The kidnapped man was last seen
about 9 o'clock last night at Trouts
Corners, crossroad hamlet three miles
east of Sharon. by Augusta Moronsky,
who was sitting on the front porch of
her home. She told the police she
recognized Randolph in his automobile
driving toward Sharon. The car was
recently purchased following the sale
of his news agency. In that sale he is
said to have received between $4,000
and $4,000.
Telephones to Wife
Randolph left his home at o'clock
last night. He kissed his three young
sons goodby and then rode to the book
store with his father. Between that
time and 8 o'clock he was seen, but no
one has been found who saw him after
9 p. m.
After he left home last night he tele-
phoned his wife, telling her he was
waiting for telephone message from
Youngstown. He was not heard from
again, and it is presumed he received
message summoning him to Youngs-
town at once.
The letter written by Randolph to
his father was in the sons handwriting,
and was received by special delivery
this morning. The son's letter and the
letter from the kidnapers had been
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