“When you come to a lantern that is lighted by the side of the road, place your money by the lantern and immediately turn your horse around and return home. You will know our lantern, for it will have two ribbons, black and white, tied on the handle. You must place a red lantern on your buggy where it can be plainly seen, so we will know you a mile away.
“This letter and every part of it must be returned with the money, and any attempt at capture will be the saddest thing you ever done. Caution! For Here Lies Danger.
“If you remember, some twenty years ago Charley Ross was kidnapped in New York City, and twenty thousand dollars ransom asked. Old man Ross was willing to give up the money, but Byrnes[8] the great detective, with others, persuaded the old man not to give up the money, assuring him that the thieves would be captured. Ross died of a broken heart, sorry that he allowed the detectives to dictate to him.
[8] Mr. Crowe had his criminal history somewhat vaguely in mind.
“This letter must not be seen by any one but you. If the police or some stranger knew its contents, they might attempt to capture us, although entirely against your wish; or some one might use a lantern and represent us, thus the wrong party would secure the money, and this would be as fatal to you as if you refused to give up the money. So you see the danger if you let the letter be seen.
“Mr. Cudahy, you are up against it, and there is only one way out. Give up the coin. Money we want, and money we will get. If you don’t give it up, the next man will, for he will see that we mean business, and you can lead your boy around blind the rest of your days, and all you will have is the damn copper’s sympathy.
“Do the right thing by us, and we will do the same by you. If you refuse you will soon see the saddest sight you ever seen.
“Wednesday, December 19th. This night or never. Follow these instructions, or harm will befall you or yours.”
There was no signature. I have quoted the letter exactly, with the lapses in grammar and spelling preserved. It was written in pencil on five separate pieces of cheap note paper and in a small, but firm, masculine hand. It was read to the chief police authorities soon after its receipt. Just why they felt compelled to announce that it had come, and to invent the absurd draft they issued, remains for every man’s own intuitions.
In this case, as in other abduction affairs, the police advised the father not to comply with the demand of the criminals, but to rely upon their efforts. No doubt their sense of duty to the public is as much responsible for this invariable position as any confidence in their own powers. An officer must feel, after all, that he cannot counsel bargaining with dangerous criminals, and that to pay them is only to encourage other kidnappers and further kidnappings.