[Indexed as: “One of Chicago’s Horrible Mysteries – Kidnapping of Children.” The New York Times (N.Y.), Aug. 19, 1868]

On last Sunday evening, while a lad about 12 years of age (for the sake of the parents the name is suppressed.) was returning from church with his people, who reside on Halsted-street, near the South Branch bridge, ne ran ahead of the rest a considerable distance. When out of sight of his parents, a man in a light wagon called him into the road, and when the boy had come within an arm’s length of the vehicle, he was grasped by the collar of his jacket by the man and placed in the vehicle, which then rapidly proceeded on its way. They drove until daylight, when the wagon came to a halt before a double house, and subsequently transferred to the basement, where to his astonishment he found fifteen or sixteen boys of nearly his own age already congregated.

There were, besides, a colored woman and child, the former apparently serving in the capacity of servant. The moment the boy was taken into the basement a plaster over his mouth, which was only removed at meal times, and by means of the application of warm water.

The boy remained there in the condition described until Thursday morning, when, at an early hour, before daylight, he effected his escaped his escape by breaking through the window. As soon as he reached the outside he climbed the nearest tree. The noise he made by the breaking of the window awoke those in the in the house, and the most determined search was instantly instituted. Meanwhile the lad kept perfectly quiet, and while search was made afar he remained hear the house. While the search was yet going on, a freight train came in sight (the track passing near the house,) and the moment it was observed by the boy he left his perch, succeeded in reaching the train, was taken on board, and by this means reached the city. When the boy reached the train, the plaster was still on his mouth, and he was relieved from his uncomfortable situation by his rescuers. Yesterday morning Sgt. BRISCOE, of the Twelfth-street Police Station, was informed of the affair, and the Police are now engaged in ferreting out the mystery. Two officers, accompanied by the boy, left by the railroad by which the boy returned to the city, yesterday afternoon, and it is probable that ere this the parties guilty of this outrage are in the hands of the law. It is feared, however, that the premises will be found deserted. The lad, whose statement of the adventure has just been recorded, is extremely bright and intelligent, and the Police place great reliance on his story. As early as Monday morning the Police were notified of the lad’s disappearance, and the case was receiving their attention when the lost one returned. In the opinion of the Police, the fifteen or sixteen lads congregated in the house were there as subjects for doctors. This is almost too horrible to be true, and yet no other reasonable version can be readily discovered.

In London, England, at one time, a great number of boys were sacrificed in the interest of science, and in Cincinnati, a number of years ago, great excitement was occasioned from a similar cause. It is devoutly to be hoped that this mystery, when brought to light, will not realize the worst fears now entertained.