Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1900-07-02
ArrENprs Ar cHILp.srEALING.

I, is evident that Salt Lake city Is
Just now pestered by the presence OF a
crank. or some person or persons bent
on gaining possession Of a young child'
not an infant, nor one old enough 20 pe
very obstreperous when carried away
by force Several attempts at kid
mapping have been made during the
last two weeks, all Of them, fortunately
proving failures The most recent case
occurred on Sunday evening, partcu-
lars OF which will be found in the ap-
propriate column.
That none Of these efforts have been
successful is not due to any lack OF
boidness or determination on the part
OF the would-be kldnapper He appears
however, to be somewhat Of q novice
az the business. and It Is marvellous that
he has not been seized. while In the act
Of carrying of the little girls who have
come into his clutches.
The police have been furnished with
a description Of the chlld-stealer and
some angry people are boiling over with
denunciatlons OF the officers for not ar
resting the criminal. That Is perhaps
very natural IN che height OF their in
dlgnation, but It IS much easier 70 find
fault than 10 catch the culprlt, We be-
leve the police Will do all that Is In
their power to protect the public and
arrest yloiators Of the law. They ought
not 70 be expected TO accomplish linz
possibilities, or TO be In several places
at the same time. The force Is small
compared with the population and the
size Of the city. and due allowances
must be made IN view Of that fact. Al
the same time we endorse the opinion
that the utmost possible vigilance
should be exercised by the officers In
this matter
The people In the southwestern part
OF town are very much aroused over
the two attempts that have been made
In that district 10 carry of child.
They vow vengeance against the kid
napper. II he should be caught IN an
other attempt, II is not unlikely that
the coroner instead Of the constable
Will be called upon TO act A child
thief Is regarded as fend unfit 10 80
at large, and summary vengeance will
probably overtake the villain II cap.
tured.
Parents will do well TO caution their
little girls about accepting candy or
other presents from strangers. and
scTaping acquaintance with them Some
older girls need cautioning on this mat.
ter quite as much as the younger ju-
veniles The familiarity which some
indulge In Is offensive 70 wen.bred be.
holders. and a trine more reserve with
new or chance acquaintance would
be more indicative OF ordinary good
manners.
The community is becoming alarmed
on these kidnapping attempts. and II
will not be safe for the crank or thief
to pursue them further in these parts.
People In outlying districts had better
also be on the lookout, and when
another instance occurs, the capture
Of the villain should be the first con.
sideratlon; the welfare Of the child viii
be attended to all right after he has
been secured. Meanwhile, let the po-
lice have all the information on the
subject possible 10 be given. with an
accurate description Of the individual
or individuals who have been seen en-
gagged IN the criminal business. Let
the child-stealer be captured at any
cost.