The times., 1901-04-09
LIKE YOUNG CIJDAHY'S
Local Police Aiding in the Search
for Willie Mccormick.
Uncle of the Missing Boy in This
Ctty Leaves Tonight for New York
Thinks His Nephew WINS kidnnp-
pcd-Lettcrs Demanding Ransom.


The search for Willie Mccormick, ten
years old, reported missing for twelve
days from his home at High Bridge, n.
V. has extended to this city. NJ G. Nc
Cormick, a broker at the corner of Ninth
and q Streets northwest, and an uncle
of the boy, is preparing to go TO New
York to assist in the search, while In
spector Boardman, of the local police, is
in communication with Captain Titus, of
New York with Il view to finding trace
of the lost boy.
The parents and friends of the boy scout
the idea that he may have run away from
home to follow the races or other aggre-
cation, as advanced by the New York po-
lice more than a week ago. They adhere
to the theory that the boy has been kid
mapped. and bring forward many circum-
stances in support of this contention.
Several days after the boy disappeared
word was received at the local Police
Headquarters from the New York police
asking that diligent search be made for
him. His description was given and was
included in the daily bulletin of the local
department. A detective was sent to the
Renning race track to see whether the
boy had arrived there with the horses,
and other routine steps We're taken to
locate him. Shortly afterward Mr.. Nc
CormiclI, of this city, called on Inspector
Boardman to ask that the search be
prosecuted. Mr.. Mccormick went over
the matter thoroughly, and was told that
every effort would be made to find the
child. Friday last Mr.. Mccormick again
called at Headquarters but was told that
nothing had yet developed as a clue on
which the local police could work
fn ha
Corrnick is four feet six inches in height.
weighs about eighty pounds, has blue
eyes and fair hair and complexion. His
face is slightly freckled, particularly
near the nose and below the eyes. When
he left home he wore checked suit,
cap, and laced shoes.
There can be no doubt that my neph-
ew, Willie, has been kidnapped" said Mr.
NJ c.. Mccormick last night. His faith
er William Mccormick, is taking every
step possible to find the boy, while have
endeaYored to interest the local police in
the matter OF his disappearance. More
over. / shall myself go to New York to-
night or tomorrow to investigate u clue
which has Just occurred to me.
THE theory that the boy ran away is
absurd The child is but ten years old,
has never been away from home in his
life for more than a few hours has been
coddled at home by eleven sisters, besides
his parents and has not read novels or
enough, on the one hand, and not so in
Clined, on the other He attended pri-
vate Catholic school, two blocks from his
own home, for over year While not
wealthy. his parents are in comfortable
circumstances. His father for many
years was a florist at Harlem, where he
has a large acquaintance.
"A theory which / intend to sift per
souaIly. if necessary, is that the kidnap-
ping resulted from an old Grudge. Some
years ago my brother had difficulty with
n hN- inn TIp di a
the man, who has since been living in
New York, / am told. From what know
of the man, 1 believe he may know much
about the stealing of my nephew; at any
rate, | shall have him examined closely
by detectives.
on the night Of March o. about 1880
o'clock, Willie Mccormick started to
church with two sisters. After leaving
home, and when near the High Bridge
Catholic Church, the boy felt the need
of his oyercoat, and decided to return
of the church, he turned homeward, and
nobody has seen him since. All trace of
the boy was lost i'm the two blocks be-
tween the church and his home.
number of letters, bearing no sigma
lures and written in various ways. have
been received by the father of the missing
boy, offering to return him. In every in
stance reward of 800 In gold is demand
ed in the letters. The first letter re-
ceived. demanded that the money be
placed in q tin box and left in an old
boiler. at East 1S5th Street and Third Ave
nue., New York Mr.. Mccormick placed
the money as directed, and then retired.
while several detectives watched the spot
from a place Of concealment. Nobody
came to claim the reward.
Another letter was more threatening. 1t
was to the effect that the ears of the |
boy would be cut off, and mailed TO the
distracted parents. unless 5000 in gold
was left on Central Bridge. New York,
at 10 o clock at night, April l. Again the |
money Was placed and watch kept. but
no one came for the money.