Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 34, Number 55, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 March 1902 — A Kidnapper’s Wild Deed. [ARTICLE]

A Kidnapper’s Wild Deed.

Last Wednesday, at Valparaiso, Jacob Reynolds was arrested on the charge of kidnapping his own 7 year old daughter, but who was the legally adopted daughter of John Clark, a wealthy merchant of Louisville, Ky. About 7or 8 years ago Reynolds eloped with the little girl’s mother, then only 15 years old, and married her in this state. After a few weeks he deserted her and she went back to her parents, the child being born after his desertion. She got a divorce and married Clark, who legally adopted the little girl. About 5 months ago, Reynolds stole the child, and was finally tracked down and arrested, as above stated, "by Dept. Sheriff Cherry, at Valparaiso. He made a vicious fight when arrested, and when at Hammond, Wednesday night, changing cars to the Monon, he declared he never would be taken to Louisville alive. When near a little station near Greencastle Reynolds asked permission of Deputy Sheriff Cherry to take the little girl into the water closet. His handcuffs were removed and he was allowed to go with her. The two entered the room and closed and locked the door behind them. Then without a moment’s delay Reynolds opened the window, threw the little girl out and leaped after her, none of the passengers having noticed the escape. The little girl was badly bruised and Reynolds received a bad cut on the arm, but otherwise the in* juries received were not serious. Finding that his prisoners did not return Cherry became anxious. He hung on the outside of the window nearest to the water closet and seeing the place empty and the window open guessed what had occurred. It was several hours later before he could return to Limedale and when he got there be could find no trace of either Reynolds or the girl. Aided by Sheriff Cooper, of Limedale, however, a number of farmers were gathered to aid in the search, and finally a clew was received. But despite the numbers Reynolds kept about thirty men dodging him among clefts in the cliffs and through the thick woods and several times very nearly made good bis escape. Reynolds is much disappointed at his capture, but says he will fight the case to the end. The little girl says she Wants to get back to her mother as she is tired of traveling.