Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-02-21
Officer Mitchell's Story.

Officer Mitchell OF the humane society,
who played such an important part in re-
storing the stolen child to her parents,
was found in conference with his su-
pc ior, Mr.. Dudley. Concerning his con
nection with the case, he said:
81 knew the child did not belong 80 the
Gurleys, but [ had no idea that it was
the missing Annie Redmond. I don't
like to say muoh about it though, till the
Gurleys are caught. If [ had only had
him held to the criminal court when
had him il would have saved lots OF
trouble now.''
"When did you first see the child?"
st Was Friday, Jan, Is, that received
telephone message from Englewood to
hurry down and investigate a case of
cruelty to child. The person who tele-
Dhoned was Mrs. Lena w. Wtlkie the
owner of the house on Throop street, be-
tween Seventeen and Seventy first where
the Gurleys lived. Mrs. Wilkie said that
Harvey 7. Gurley had tied his little girl
In the basement after whipping her and
left her there for hours. got out
warrant at Justice Underwood's court,
State and Thirty-ninth streets that eve
ming for Gurley's arrest on the charge
of cruelty to children under tue state
law. l gave the warrant to Underwood
to take with him and give it to Officer
Hogan of the EngIe~ood force for ser
vice. Hogan arrested Gurley early the
next morning and brough5 him
before Justice Underwood for
trial The child was not brought in to
court. Mrs. WiIkie testified that she had
heard the child's cries, and opening the
cellar door found the poor little thing
ho- Jeh
ders and bag, heavy ladder laid across
her body. Mrs. Wilkia called to her as
sistance neighbor, Mrs. Moore, and to-
gether they descended into the cellar.
Mrs. Moore cut the ehild's bonds and sent
her up stairs. Gurley pleaded that his
wife was ill and near confinement and
that it would be a terrible thing for him
to be sent TO the county Jail. Justice
Underwood took this circumstance into
consideration and fined him $50 and sus-
pended execution.
"Mr. Hogan and myself got into
buggy and drove over 10 the house to get
the child. Underwood had given US the
custody of it. 1 found Mrs. Gurley
very young womaa, somewhat to my sur
prise, and she seemed somewhat startled
when l remarked upon a woman her age
having a child 6 years old. The little
girl seemed afraid to talk. I asked her
what her name was. She said Flora Dell
Gurley.' l Immediately conceived the
idea that it was not their child. Mrs. Cur
ley said to me:
g" Il know you, Mr.. Mitchell. You used
to be 8 policeman at the Twenty second
street station
81 replied that did not remember her,
and she said she used TO live on tate
street, near Twenty first, which is not a
great ways from the RedmoDds.
"The little girl had no warm winter
clothing to wear and Gurley's mother,
who was in the house at the time, covered
the child with her own jacket. We drove
away with the child and got cape and
hood for it at the Englewood police sta
ton. 1 then brought the child down
town to the home of the friendless and
left IL there. It was registered under the
name of Flora Della Gurley.
"The actions of Gurley, his mother, and
his wife at this time confirm my belief
now that they knew the child's right home
and were possibly its abductors. They
were anxious to known where it was be-
ing taken and wanted to know if they
could regain possession of it in any way.
Mrs. Gurley told me she was the child's
mother, but l am certain they have not
been married over a year. They had nc
other children.