Evening star., 1932-03-20


Charley Brewster Ross.
OF course the two cases are not just alike,
and in order to come to such conclusion,
one must take into consideration the facts of
the Ross case, which are pretty well known,
and the incidents of the Lindbergh baby abb
duction which are fast developing, but the
end of which cannot be foretold
Charley Ross when lured from his home In
Germantown, Pa. was more than four years
old He was a robust, handsome child, with
long fiaxen curls and was a bright intelligent
lad for his age, fully capable ever afterward
OF recalling his family. his home and his
playmates.
Walter Ross Charley's brother who for
while accompanied the robbers was at that
time attending school, and hence could have
identified the kidnapers if caught. Indeed,
he gave q fairly clear description Of them,
as well as of their movements when he re-
turned home. So far no eyewitness has been
discovered in the present abduction case.
With the Ross child, publicity was Stunned
for several weeks. The reverse has been the
case with the present crime. The former
course was hurtful, and prevented the case
from being solved. Only time can tell what
the present methods will result in.
All things being considered, no doubt the
Ross case will prove the most outstanding for
many years to come. With Col. and Mrs.
Lindbergh, and the present method Of broad
casting news naturally worldwide publicity
has been attained, principally because of the
fact that Col. Ijndbergh is himself an inter-
national figure, and further, because his wife
lis the daughter of the late Ambassador and
Senator Morrow.
Mr. Ross the father of the Germantown
boy on the contrary, was hardly known out
side of Philadelphia where he was engaged in
business, and still-occupying position Of
note-no case up to the present time has been
more prominently before the public than has
the kidnapping of Charley Ross. We hear
from it every now and then, and not so long
ago some one was found, believed to be he but
it proved to be only another canard. Per-
hape after all, the fame Of Col. Lindbergh
Will overshadow the kidnapping Of his child,
while Mr. Ross lacked any element to dwarf
the kidnapping of his son. 1t is acknowledged
by every one to be the outstanding crime of
It's kind in this country up to the present case,
and time alone can tell which of the two will
10 down in history as the most celebrated.
Even then, this will depend largely upon the
viewpoint of the who does the writing Of
the most" notable events.
the writer has said, publicity in the Ross
case purposely avoided for awhile and
hence we find only brief news items in the press
of that day, although the newspapers were
aware of the loss Of the boy who was the sub
ject Of the advertisements, appearing particu-
larly in the Philadelphia and New York news
papers.
Charley Ross was kidnapped from his, home on
the afternoon of July l, 1874 and yet it was
two days later before we find any mention made
Of it, Then we come across this advertisement
in the Philadelphia Ledger:
"rest on the 1st instant, a small boy, about
years of age, light complexion and light curly
hair A suitable reward will be maid on his re-
turn to E. L. Joyce, Central Station, corner of
Fifth and Chestnut streets"
On the following day. July 4, this advertise
ment appeared in the press:
$500 reward will be paid to the person re-
turning to No. North Sixth street a small boy.
years old, having long. curly, haxen hair,
hazel eyes, clear, light skin and round face,
dressed in a brown linen suit. with short skirt,
broad -brimmed straw hat and laced shoes This
child was lost from Germantown on Wednesday
afternoon Qst instant) between and S
O'Clock" ......