HELD FOR RANSOM

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21562, 5 August 1933, Page 3 (Supplement)

HELD FOR RANSOM

- KINDNESS OF KIDNAPPERS MILLIONAIRE'S EXPERIENCE \ Liberated after payment of ransom stated to bo " somewhat less than £20,000," Mr.' William Hamm, junr., an American multi-millionaire brewer, of Saint Paul, told a remarkable story, in the course of which he referred to the courteous treatment he received at the hands of his kidnappers. "On leaving mj r office at lunch time," declared. Mr. Hamm, when dealing with the day of tho kidnapping, " I was greeted pleasantly by two men, who, after stopping to shake hands with me, hu.stled me into a car and pulled a white hood over my head. " When he had driven about 30 miles outside Saint Paul we met another car, and I was forced to sign four notes authorising tho payment of ransom. " After dark my hood was removed and I was taken to a farmhouse, which seemed to me to be in Northern Minnesota. I was placed in a second-floor room with boarded windows. " The kidnappers were very nice to me. 1 had only to call for anything I needed. They served me very well indeed, and told me to order anything L wanted. I had good, simple meals during my incarceration —nothing elaborate, but adequate. " I was able to get all the rest 1 wanted, and they never threatened to tie me up. I had money, but no attempt was made to take it from mo. I believe there were five or six men involved altogether. They kept me informed about the progress of tho ransom negotiations, and subsequently they announced they had good news for me.

" The ransom was paid, but 1 was not told what sum 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 wo can do to help you, Mr. Hamm, at any time, just let us know.' They were extremely kind." In accordance with instructions the ransom money was tossed from cne of Mr. Hamm's brewery cars on the road between Pine City and Rush City, Minnesota.