The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-07-31
TWO ARE HELD
AS KIDNAPERS
OF O'CONNELL
Arrests Made Less Than "a
Hours After Release of
Young Victim.
SECRECY IS PRESERVED
Ransom Paid to Obtain
Freedom of Relative of
Political Bosses.
BY PAUL III. KING
United Press stan Correspondent

ALBANY, N. Y. July 3l.-Two
meE we're arrested early today less
than twenty-four hours after John
j. OConnell Jr. heir to the ON
nipotent political empire of the
OConnell brothers. was released by
his abductors following payment OF
$4,000 ransom
Authorities let 1t be known they
expected TO break the case" quickly
with the arrest of six men.
The men were not identified as
authorities subjected them TO inter-
rogation. District Attorney John T.
Delaney preserving the intense Sc
crecy he inaugurated with the re-
turn Of young O'Connell. refused to
say If they we're suspected OF be-
ing actually members of the kidnap-
ing gang.
O'Connell, little the worse for his
twenty-five days in captivity. was at
the mountain camp of his uncle,
Daniel OConnell. where re was re-
turned early Sunday morning He
had told his story only TO members
of his family and to authorities. De-
laney issued strict orders that he
was not to talk TO outsiders.
Six Arrests Expected
A host of detectives concentrated
on the hunt for the kidnapers. De-
laney was confident that solution
would be quick and certain. pre-
dieting he would send six men to
the penitentiary for fifty years"
Governor Herbert H. Lehman
prepared message for the special
session of the legislature now in
session, demanding increased penal
ties for convicted kidnapers.
The only information concerning
young O'Connell's adventure was in
a brief statement issued by his
uncle. Daniel. The youth was well
treated by his captors, given an
abundance of good food. and was
not kept bound or blindfolded all OF
the time.
He was attacked from behind in
front of his home early July 7 and
knocked unconscious. When he
awoke he was in an apartment
which he thought was in New York
City.
Differ on Reports
A statement was circulated among
newspaper men that he had been re-
leased on East 220th street. of the
Bronx, New York city. Other re-
ports said he had been held in Al
bany and released here.
Observers pointed out that some
thing other than a blow would be
necessary to keep O'Connell uncon-
scious during trip from Albany to
New York.
O'Connells release was effected
through Nanny Strewell, we'll
known in Albany sporting circles,
who was one of the many inter-
mediaries named by the OConnells
at the request of the kidnapers.
Daniels turned the ransom money
over to Strewell Friday and Friday
night Strewell delivered the $4,000
in five, ten and 500 bills, all care
fully marked with serial numbers
recorded. TO the kidnapers.
Early Saturday. came word that
the kidnapers would kill their victim
and drop his body on your door
step if they were not given the
opportunity to exchange the marked
money for money that couldn't be
identified.
Receive Fresh Money
The ransom was then delivered to
a Manhattan bank. 1t was said, and
an hour later the kidnapers re-
ceived fresh money. It was not
known If by some ruse authorities
managed TO mark the second batch.
The kidnapers originally demands
ed S250,000 ransom.
After Walter MCGEE was sem
fenced to hang for the KIDNAPPING OF
Miss Mary McElroy, the kidnapers
seemed especially eager to get the