The Waterbury Democrat., 1934-11-20

raise huge sum of money. One source reported the money was raised and the ransom paid-but Weiss was not released.
 This led to the belief that the man had already been killed by his abductors.
 Big Bill was associated with many sporting enterprises. He IS said to be the operator of pa latial gambling house, where the late Russ Columbo lost $11,OOO in a nights play, and part owner of the night club, in front of which Mickey Duffey, a gang leader, was shot and killed several years ago.
 Weiss Kept His Wealth
 Weiss remained a mysterious figure and apparently kept his wealth after repeal put many racketeers out of business.
 Philadelphia police were only "unofficially interested" in the Weiss case as the kidnaplng had not been reported to them. Jus tice department agents, however had Weiss officially listed as kid naped and held for ransom. :.
 Because of the widespread rami- fieatoin of the alcohol ring the search for Weiss extended to Cleveland, Chicago, New York. Buffalo, Baltimore, Pittsburgh and as far west as Hot Springs, Ark.
 Justice Agents at Work
 R. George Harvey, head of the Philadelphia office of the depart ment of justice, to-day inves- tigated the reported Kidnapping of | William Weiss, we'll known figure in the citys' night life and reputed- ly held, for $100,00O ransom.
 Harvey, who spent all night witf ] his agents on the case, refused tt discuss the Kidnapping other than tt say he had been advised of the ab' | duction.
 Philadelphia police also were | reluctant to discuss the case, say ing they 'had reports only. Many persons "in the know" be- | lieved Weiss had been abducted by Robert Mais, who shot his way ou' of a jail at Richmond, Va, where he was awaiting execution for mur- der.
 The Philadelphia Record, in 3 copyrighted story, to-day published first news of the kidnapping thai supposedly occurred october 26 Members of the victims family I frantically attemp pting to raise the ransom, kept the Kidnapping secre' l until yesterday when they report ed to the department of justice. First Victim Disappeared The Record said the kidnapel first intended to abduct Max (Bot Hoo) Hoff, whom a grand jur. nbtof nf the IO. cal underworld, but Hoff disap peared before the plot could bs executed. Weiss, close aSsoci ate of Hoff. was taken instead. Federal agents in dozen state: | joined in the search. for Weiss.
 The hunt extended to Chicago Cleveland, New York, Buffalo l Baltimore and a number of othel cities east of the Mississippi river While justice department of ficials have him officially listed a. abducted and held for ransom state and municipal police have no | been called into the case as yet. 1 Weiss, according to reliable in formation, was Kidnapped from 1, front of his home in Overbrook a fashionable suburb.
 l Members of the Weiss hous heard a shout and a groan tha night, outside their dwelling. The. rushed to a window to see al automobile speeding away. Weis has been missing since.
 Ransom, between $25,000 ant $1O0,000 has been demanded fo Bills release, it was reported. l was rumored that the none. asked has been paid but that tn kidnapped man was not freed.
 Associate of HOff
 Weiss, according to underworlt sources, was a business aSsociat of Hoff and is reported to be a wealthy.
 He is called mystery man" il sporting circles. He maintainet an office in the business section and on the door is printed Gam bell Brand. Inc" and below tha "Dist Rep"
 Local police. while maintaining they were mot in" on the case, communicated with New Yorl I -