The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1932-02-16
SPORTSMAN MAKES
THRILLING ESCAPE
FROM KIDNAP GANG
Harry H. BIagden Staggers In.
to Cleveland Home, Suf.
fering From Dope
WAS HELD SINCE THURSDAY
Prominent Eastern Society Man
Describes His Abduction
BY Three Men
WAS HELD SINCE THURSDAY

Cleveland, Feb. l6.-(R-After a
spectacular escape from kidnapers
who had kept him prisoner, his life
In danger, since last Thursday. Harry
H. Blagden, IS, wealthy eastern
sportsman, staggered early Tuesday
into the home of a friend in Cleve-
land. He was suffering from knock
out drops, rough treatment and
fatigue.
Blagden, prominent in New York
and Washington society, had been
held for ransom since last Thursday
when he was kidnapped from q COT
tage at Saranac Lake, N. Y. Rela-
tives had feared he was murdered.
He said he was brought to Cleve-
land by his kidnapers after many
hours of travelling and probably two
days Imprisonment In a windowless
room above q garage he believed was
IN Albany, N. Y. All of the time his
life was in danger and once the alb
ductors threatened to kill him.
Shortly after their arrival in
Cleveland, two Of the kidnapers,
known only as Jim" and "Zeke,"
went into a house to eat, leaving
Blagden lying in the back Of the
truck under guard of third man
called Curly"
Knocked Guard to Floor
Blagden feigned sleep, he told po-
lice later, and when Curly relaxed
his vigilance, the sportsman sum-
moned all his remaining strength and
knocked the guard to the floor with
d blow to the stomach.
Wrestling a revolver from Curly
hand, Blagden struck him with 1t
several times and then ran until
breathless. He said he had no idea
in what city he was until he in
quired Of passer-by. Then. ex-
hauSted from his narrowing expert
ences, he went to the home of his
friend, Claude ]. Peck, and sum-
moned police.
There, Blagden related how he was
kidnapped. He said he was preparing
to retire for the night in the Saranac
Lake cottage when he heard a knock
at the rear door. Answering 1t. he
was confronted by man who asked
to use the telephone.
Blagden admitted him and started
to enter another room. "Wait a min
Ute" the man said, and Blagden turn
ed to find himself looking into the
muzzle Of revolver.
Despite the cold weather, the cap
tor refused to allow his prisoner to
get an overcoat, and marched him up
q hill behind the cottage where they
were joined by another man.
Forced Into Sedan
The prisoner was forced into an ex-
pensive sedan in which driver was
They drove several hours
he said, and then stopped in wood
ed section, where sandwiches and
beer were produced.
Blagden said he ate q sandwich
and drank some Of the beer. There
must have been knockout drops in the
beer, he told the detectives, for he
[elt himself losing consciousness.
When he recovered his senses, he
Vas In q windowlesS room. Although
he believed he was In Albany, he said
he was not certain.
Then the kidnapers made him write
he letter, demanding $1,000 ransom,
which was received by his brother,
Thomas, under Utica, N. Y, post
mark.
Thomas Blagden, when the letter
vas received, took the money to Tup-
ser Lake. the rendezvous mentioned,
,ut the kidnapers had become afraid
% keep the appointment.
3lagden operates and owns a boys
amp on upper Saranac Lake, pa
ronized by the sons Of wealthy par
.nts.