The New Year’s Baby Snatcher
A Seattle caller attempts to kidnap a child during a New Year’s visit, marking a disturbing escalation in his annual crime spree.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
One of the Seattle New Year callers was caught in rather a bold act, while making his rounds last Tuesday: an attempt to kidnap a baby. Not suspecting danger, the mother permitted her year-old child to sit and crawl upon the floor. The individual referred to was prepared for just such work, having a carpet sack along with him, the use intended for which soon became apparent. While the mother's attention was diverted to another quarter, the caller opened his carpet sack and put the baby inside of it, and was about to close it up when the child set up a loud screaming. The mother rushed to its rescue, and in the turmoil the gentleman escaped. What was intended to be done with the child can only be conjectured. The individual guilty of this bold attempt has made New Year calls for thirteen years in succession, and it is said that on every occasion he has nipped silverware, dishes, vases, and various other articles, but never before a baby. This man's past performances on New Year's Day have been so marked by acts of this kind as to make his failing generally known and cause a rigid watch to be set upon him at such times. He has heretofore escaped publication and punishment for these acts, but that he will always continue to escape is doubtful.
“The individual guilty of this bold attempt has made New Year calls for thirteen years in succession, and it is said that on every occasion he has nipped silverware... but never before a baby.”
New Year’s 'calling' was a formal social ritual in 19th-century Seattle that could easily be exploited by opportunists. This bizarre incident highlights how transient visitors, often treated with casual hospitality, could exploit the trust of residents in a rapidly expanding town.
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