Coudersport, PA., Jan.12.1919......A mystery of 40 years standing that has puzzled succeeding Potter County generations may be cleared through the story told by Reuben Daniels, a carpenter. Daniels declares that John Nesbit made a deathbed confession to him that he kidnapped Henry Schall, the three-year old son of Mr. and Mrs.John Schall of Denton Hill, near Coudersport, on October 7, 1878 and turned him over to a rich New York man for $500.

   John Schall of Bradford, PA, father of the kidnapped boy, came here yesterday to hear from Daniel's own lips the story of the kidnapping as related to Daniels by Nesbit. Nesbit, it seems, 
was taken ill several years ago and thinking he was about to die told the story to Daniels. However, Nesbit later recovered and sought out Daniels and secured a renewal of  the promise that Daniels would not tell what had become of the Schall boy until after Nesbits death . It was only last week that Daniels learned by chance that Nesbit had died four years ago and thereupon he lost no time in Communicating with a friend of the Schall family and through this friend informed Mr.Schall of what he had learned.

   Henry Schall's kidnapping was impressed upon the minds of the people of the country by the 
fact that for days after the event hundreds of men searched the dense woods then existing in 
Potter county.It was believed that he might have been carried off by a wild animal. The search proved fruitless and was finally called off, but not until a suspicion had been awakened that John Nesbit knew more than he was willing to tell. Threats were made against Nesbit, but he never admitted knowledge of the boy's disappearence and no crime would ever be traced to his door. 

   According to Nesbit's alleged confession, however, he was approached early in October, 1878, by a wealthy New York man,who offered him $500 if he would sieze the Schall boy and deliver him to the man making the offer at Elkland, PA., some 60 miles away. Nesbit owed William Perkins $500 at the time, and had no means to pay the sum. He yielded to temptation and consented to the bargain. 

   The New Yorker had been one of a party of wild pigeon shooters who had come into the vicinity of the Schall home the preceding June. He was struck by the resemblance of the Schall to a child of his own who had died. He tried to persuade Mr.Schall to let him have the boy to bring up as his own son. Mr.Schall refused, and the man left . After the kidnapping Mr.Schall thought of the New York man in connection with the case. He did not know the man's name; there were no railroads within  40 miles, and Schall was poor, and he did not follow up the clue.

   Nesbit told Daniels at the time of his confession that he had since seen Henry Schall; that the latter had grown into manhood believing himself to be the son of the wealthy New Yorker, and had inheirited a fortune from his supposed father at the latter's death. The name of this man Nesbit gave to Daniels; Daniels wrote in a book. He does not recall it but believes that he will be able to find the book which has been mislaid.

   The Schalls left their Potter County home a few years ago for Bradford, PA., Mrs. Schall has since died. She believed to the very end that her son was still alive, and that some time she might hear from him. She died with her expection unsatisfied.