Fayetteville Democrat, Fayetteville, AR - Oct. 30, 1920 Wealthy Arkansas-Oklahoma Planter Held in St. Louis and Forced To Pay Kidnappers $25,000 Check; Is Well Known In Fort Smith By United Press St. Louis, Mo., Oct. 30 -- Joseph Alexander, aged 40, who said he owned an 8,000 acre ranch at Fort Smith, Ark., and Mrs. Margaret O. Taber of St. Louis, today told the police that they had been kidnapped, bound, tortured and forcibly fed for five days in a house in the country, where they were forced to sign a check for $25,000. Alexander appeared at 3 a. m. today at Sheriff Bopp's home, barefoot and partially dressed. Bopp notified the police and Mrs. Taber was brought to police headquarters. Alexander was abducted when he arrived in this city Monday by five men in an automobile. He said that Mrs. Taber was an old family friend and that she was brought to the house blindfolded and was gagged after Alexander had arrived there. She said the men told her that Alexander was sick and that they came for her and took her in an automobile to the house where she was made a prisoner. The men first demanded $100,000, but when Alexander insisted he did not have that much money, he was finally allowed to sign a check for $25,000. Mrs. Taber was then forced to deposit it in a bank here where it was held for collection. Alexander escaped this morning and the men fled, taking Mrs. Taber to her home in her night clothes. Fort Smith, Oct. 30 -- Joe Alexander, who with Mrs. Taber was abducted and forced to sign a check for $25,000 by a group of men who are still at large, is said to be one of the richest men in St. Louis and probably in Missouri. He is reported to be worth more than $1,000,000, most of which is in his plantation in Oklahoma, just across the Arkansas river opposite Fort Smith. He also has a large holdings in Arkansas. He is said to be one of the most progressive and scientific farmers in Oklahoma and has been given the title of "potato king" because of having the largest acreage and shipping of potatoes in Oklahoma. During the last three years he has devoted his plantation to the growing of cotton. He also owns large Southern rice fields. His plantation, which will almost be in the city of Fort Smith when the new free bridge is completed, has more than 1,000 acres in cultivation, and has more than 100 tenant farmers. Only recently he gave Fort Smith an airplane landing station, giving up a big slice of his alfalfa fields for this purpose. He also gave the city a baseball field just inside the Oklahoma line. He is a bachelor and about 45 years of age. Alexander was in St. Louis last week to see a young woman there and returned to Fort Smith a week ago Thursday. He said that when he reached Fort Smith he received a telegram signed "Mrs. Taber" which asked him to come to St. Louis at once, as she was in serious trouble. Mrs. Taber denies sending the message. The police are searching for a young woman who is believed to be in a hospital here. Volume 26, Number 295