The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-01-01
YOUNG busch
HEIR IS HELD
BY K|DNAPER
Extensive Police Hunt Fails
to Unearth Single CIeW
10 Whereabouts.
BIG REWARD OFFERED
Boy, 10, Is Stolen Near
st. Louis From Auto
on Way to Party.
BgDusted Press

p ~ u L14tGU Elboc
ST. LOUIS, Jan. Thirteen
vear-old .Adolphus Busch OrthWein,
scion of one of the wealthiest fam
lilies in the middle west, was kid
raped Wednesday night as he was
i1eing taken to the home Of his
grandfather, August A. Busch, for
New Years eve dinner party.
One of the most intensive police
searches in years here failed early
today to reveal a single clew as to
the whereabouts of the blonde and
strikingly handsome boy.
His father announced his offer
TO reward generously, and with
absolutely no questions asked, any
information" leading to the child's
safe return.
The boy, grandson of the presi-
dent of Anheuser- Busch, Inc, and
great grandson Of the late Adolf
phus Busch, millionaire brewer,
was kidnapped shortly before z
o'clock.
Halt Chauffeur With Gun
The Orthwein family chauffeur,
Roy Vowel, called for him at the
front door of the Orthwein mansion
in exclusive Huntleigh Village, and
Adolphus jumped in the front seat
of the limousine.
"A Negro or dark complexioned
man tried to wave me down, but I
didn't stop" Vowel told police.
"The man then climbed on a
trunk at the back of the car and
pointed a revolver at me through
the glass window. I stopped the
machine and he got up on the run
ming board and ordered me out I
got out"
The kidnaper took S. from Yo-
well. The chauffeur said the gun
man then notioned him out of the
way, but refused TO let the boy leave
the car, and drove away,
Alarm is Spread
The chauffeur ran back to the
Orthwetn mansion. Police were tele-
phoned, and county authorities inn
nlediately stationed guards on all
main highways.
Mrs. Orthwein, who was Clara
Busch before her marriage, col
lapsed and was under a physicians
care today.
The limousine later was found
abandoned, a short distance from
the Orthwein home. and police said
the kidnaper apparently transferred
with the boy to smaller car, which
he had parked on a boulevard.
The kidnaper was described by
Vowel as poorly dressed, wearing
an old tan overcoat and overalls.
Vowel was brought to st. Louis
police headquarters for questioning
bit released later.
The kidnapping took place as the
Ortllwein families and others in the
exclusive little incorporated town
Of Huntleigh Village were prepar-
ing for New Years eve festivities.
Offered Present to Kidnaper
Mrs. OrthWein and her husband
we're dressing for z dinner party
and young Adolphus, or ''Bub," as
TIC MdS h4lONI, 4loQ QISSS6Q up lOI
the party at his grandfather's. In
the afternoon he had. painted a
small match box in decorative fash
ion and carried it with him as q
present for his grandparent.
Vowel said that when the kid
naper demanded money. 'Bub" held
out the matchbox, but the man
would not take it.
The 6-year-old brother of the
kidnapped boy was asleep at the
time.
The OrthWeins live in one of the
how places of Huntleigh Village, a
stone mansion of the French cha
teau type. Adolphus is known as
a skilled horseman, despite his age,
having won several prizes at shows.
He attended the country day school
His father is vice president of
Darcy Advertising Company, men,
Der of the Racquet Club, and gradu-
ate OF Yale university,
Police Chief Joseph Clerk of st
Louis ordered the entire police force
to question all Negroes who acted
suspiciously."