The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-04-18
LOOKS LIKE A KIDNAPPING
Young Irving Jones Disappears
With an Unknown Man.
The Stranger Took the Boy Away In
Buggy-Gave Promise of a POSI-
tion - The Mans Mysterious Ac-
tions-A General Lookout by Police

Mrs. Flora Jones. who conducts an un-
dertaking establishment at S16 II Street
northeast. reported to the police of the
Ninth precinct last night the mysterious
disappearance of her son, Irving Jones'
seventeen years of age, about 10 O'Clock
yesterday morning. Circumstances indi-
cate that the boy has been kidnapped
He left home at the request of strange
man, whom neither he nor his mother
had ever seen before, on the promise from
the supposed abductor of work outside
the city.
The story behind the case is interest
ing. Early yesterday young Jones. ac-
companied by four friends. all mounted
on bicycles. rode to a farm house near
Deanwood station, this side of the Dis
trict line, to purchase fowls eggs, and
provisions. They returned to the city
about 10 o'clock, and to the surprise of
Mrs Jones her son hurriedly entered the
house to ask her permission to accom-
pany well-dressed stranger on mission
Of alleged dubious import.
According to the story of the boy, when
IIe requested the permission, which his
mother does not yet understand. he was
asked by the stranger to accompany him
to a point unknown for the purpose of
silling position. his wages to be at the
rate of 81 per day. The boy explained,
moreover, that the stranger was in a
buggy outside. and his mother suggested
that she have a talk with the man before
her son left home.
Mrs. Jones accompanied her son to the
door and caught sight of the man stand
ing beside horse. AS young Jones Joined
him he asked the man to see his mother
but was told that haste was necessary,
because of an engagement which the
stranger claimed to have. Accordingly
young Jones got into the wagon, which
bore the sign National Capital Electric
Company" and was followed to the seat
by the man. Before Mrs. Jones fully
realized the situation. the horse was
has not been seen since.
The direction taken by the team was
east along II Street. leading to the belief
that the road toward Bladensburg was to
be the route of the stranger During the
day. Mrs. Jones became anxious, and by
nightfall she was alarmed at the absence
OF her son. This concern was aggravated
somewhat by caller of unknown identity.
who stopped at the house an hour after
her son departure, and told her that he
had been kidnapped.
Although worried. Mrs. Jones did not
De'1eNe the stranger, and IL was not until
late last night that she took steps to find
her SON Shortly before midnight she
went to the Ninth precinct station, and
made report of the whole affair. A gen.
eral alarm was then sent out to the yari-
Gus precincts. and search was begun.
As described to the police by Mrs. Jones'
the stranger with whom the boy went
away is about forty-five years of age,
mustache, and was well dressed. He
wore dark clothes and slouch hat. The
team was apparently a new one. A bay
horse was attached to a buggy the run
ming gear of which was red There was
no top to the vehicle, and it contained
but one seat
When seen at her home last night Mrs
Jones said she did not understand the
case at all. She said that her boy was
handsome. with dark brown curly hair
He wore a blue cap and grey trousers
She said he had been selected from among
several youths by the unknown man. She
had no time to talk with the stranger
nor did she give the matter any serious
thought until some time after her son had
left. 1t then occurred to her that the offer
OF the man was unusual, and her anxiety
increased because of the visit of the sec
ond stranger
las night came on" said Mrs Jones. .'I
became worried as Irving never remains
away from home after or O'Clock He
has no bad habits, does not drink chew
or smoke, and does not keep company with
bad boys. For about year my son has
assisted me in conducting the undertaking
establishment. He has. however been
anxious to obtain other employment. and
to this / attribute his desire to accompany
the strange man."
Charles F.. Floyd, a friend of the family.
called at the house last night and, ac-
eording to his statement 1t had developed
that no such corporation as the National
Capital Electric Company" has offices In
this city. Mr.. Floyd said that young
Jones had undoubtedly been kidnapped.
He could see no other explanation for the
mystery, he said.