The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1901-05-11
McCORM mick BOY
WAS DROWNED.

! NeW OF May H. - he DOuV OF
12-year-old Willie Mccormick. who
disappeared from his home in Ogden
avenue, High Bridge, Six weeks
ago last Wednesday, was found to.
day floating on the surface OF Crom.
well Creek, near Jerome avenue,
by two fishermen, Robert Boyd and
lsidor Wagner. AS result of the
discovery the police and the Nc
comck family have abandoned the
idea Of foul play.
The body was in such a state
that the features were not recog-
nlzabe, but Police Everett easily
recognized the body as that of the
missing boy from the clothing, which
was the same as the boy was ac-
customed to wear when playing
around bis doorstep where the po-
lIceman frequently saw him.
lhe news was taken at once ia
the Mccormick residence in Ogden
avenue. and Miss Margaret Nc
Cormick. sister to Willie. went to
Cronwell's Creek. where she ident.
lied the body. Latter. the strick.
en- father also identified the body.
The scene when the weeping girl
recognized the body was pitiful.
Anxious. hoping that she would
not be able to identfv the body as
that Of her brother whose last ap-
pearance at his home was when he
had prepared to leave it to 20 to
the nearby church to act as ner es.
cort home. the poor girl broke down
completely. ,..
Fishermen Bovd and wagner
were sitting IN their skift when
Boyd asked What is that thing
over there, pointing 10 something
against the bank.
Looks like body answered
Wagner.
Both men pulled in the lines and
started to investigate. As thew
neared the object they saw that il
was the body of boy.
NV God exclaimed Bovd, think
il is Willie Mccormick.
That's what exclaimed Wagner Il
and the men for few seconds were
alongside and looked at ii.
Both had pictures and descript-
ions Of him. They knew him quite
well. and had done a good deal of
huuting for him.
Wagner ran to the residence of
Mr.. Mccormick and told the father
that Willie was down in the creek.
Mr.. Mccormick startee out with
one daughter, and the others re-
mained at home crying.
The policemen then examined thu
to see what the boy had.
IN one pocket was a penny which
his mother had given him the day
he went away. 1t was the only
money in his clothing. The boys
knife, a KEY and World Fair med
al were also found. On the medal
was scratched 'Stanhope.' The
Nellie, said she knew the
medal The bov had on his light
overcoat, gray knickerbocker suit.
black stockings. black laced shoes.
but the cap was not found any
where.
With the exception of gap of
about half an hour, the boy move
nents from the time he returned
rom school in the afternoon until
lis disappearance are minutely
Known bv members of the family.
After dinner Willie, who was get. "a
ing ready for church, ran down
downstairs to get his cap. and &
he members Of his family never
aw him again.
From that moment began the long
Igonv for that unhappy family.
which has known no alleviation to
his day. The next day began the
alse 'clews' and the false identi-
cation. chief Of which waA on
April ?, when came the brutal hoax
f letter, signed 'Kidnapper.
threatening to burn Willie's eyes
ut unless certain sum of monev
vas left at certain designated
pot.