HELD FOR RANSOM

Hokitika Guardian, 14 August 1933, Page 7

HELD FOR RANSOM

KINDNESS OF KIDNAPPERS MILLIONAIRE’S EXPERIENCE NEW YORK, July 30. Liberated after payment of ransom stated to be “somewhat less than £20,000,” Mr. William Hamm, junr., an American multi-milionaire brewer, ef Saint Paul, told a remarkable story, in the course of which lie referred to the courteous treatment he received at the hands of his kidnappers. “On leaving my o ffiee at lunch time,” declared Mr Hamm, when dealing with the day of the kidnapping, “I was greeted pleasantly by two men who, after stopping to shake hands with me, hustled me into a car and pulled a white hood oyer my head. “When he had driven about 30 mileg outside Saint Paul we met another car, and 1 was forced to sign four notea authorising the payment of ransom. “After dark my hood was removed and I was taken to a farmhouse, which seemed to me to be in Nortlim Minnesota. I was placed in a second-floor room with boarded windows.

“The kidnappers were very nice to ™e. I had onfy to call for anything I needed. They served me very well indeed, and told me to order anything I wanted, I had good, simple meals during my incarceration—nothing elaborate, but adequate. •“I was able to get all the rest I wanted, and they never threatened to tie me up. I had money, but no attempt was made to take it from me, I believe there were five or six men involved altogether. They kept me informed about the progress of the ransom negotiations, . and subsequently they announced they had good news for me.

“The ransom was paid, but I was not told what gum was agreed upon. They drove me after dark to Wyoming, Minnesota, where I was liberated. As they let me out of the car, one of them said, ‘lf there is anything we can do t 0 help you, Mr Hamm, at any time, just let ug know.’ They were extremely kind. In. accordance with instructions .the ransom money,was tossed from one of Mr Hamm’s brewery .cars on the road between Pine City and Rush City, Minnesqta.