Jasper County Democrat, Volume 6, Number 20, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 August 1903 — WOMAN IS ABDUCTED. [ARTICLE]

WOMAN IS ABDUCTED.

WIFE OF WEALTHY lOWA FARMER KIDNAPED. Kaaeont, of 950,000 Is Demanded— Victim Is Imprisoned la Cellar of Deserted Hosts, bnt Menaces to Escapo— Made Ineaae l»jr fright. A most daring kidnaping took place near Sunbury, lowa, late Sunday night, when Mrs. John Hilsrow, the wife of a wealth farmer living near Bennett, lowa, was abducted, imprisoned in the cellar of a deserted farm house and a ransom of $50,000 demanded for her release. Sunday evening an unknowu stranger called at the home and told Mr. and Mrs. Hihirow that their son, living at Walcott, lowa, where he has been work-' ing on a farm, was very sick and that they were wanted at the bedside at once. They immediately drove off with the stranger. When they arrived within two miles of the village of Sunbury, lowa, ■even miles from Bennett, the husband wae thrown out of the buggy and told that he should bring $50,000 to a secluded spot near Bennett. He was also told that if he told any of the officers be would be killed. The man then drove on with Mrs. Hilsrow for several miles until they had arrived opposite a corner school house. Here the kidnaper tied his horse and dragged the woman through a corn field to a deserted house, where she was imprisoned in the cellar. The min then left and haa not yet been found. Some time during the night Mrs. Hilsrow escaped and was found in the morning in the farm yard of Henry Rueeer, a farmer near Sunbury, insane and very ill. She was recognised by the wife of Mr. Rueser, and the news of her discovery was at once telephoned to the Bennett police. The case was thee investigated, and after considerable difficulty, ao great was the old man’s fear of the kidnaper, the facts were brought out. Mr. Hilsrow offered the police SI,OOO reward for the capture of the men, and the sheriff immediately collected a posse and started pursuit. Late in the afternoon a grip with men’s clothing was found near the house ind a little later a cane was found in the road. The cane was recognised as belonging to another well-known farmer named John Lee. When confronted with this ‘ evidence he stated that the cane had been stolen from him several ago. He is not suspected of the crime. Mrs. Hilsrow lias been under the care of a doctor, and at times her life is despaired of. At no time has her mind been clear, and until she is revived an accurate description of the man will not be secured, as Mr. Hilsrow did not see the man in the light.