The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-05-03
MAY BE- WILLIE MCCORMICK
A Mysterious Stranger in the vi
cinity of Glen Echo.
The Roy Seen by Two Citizens-Ap-
piled to G. Il. Wade for Food But
Fled When Questioned-The Police
TO Make "a Thorough investigation.

Two residents of Glen Echo believe they
saw the kidnapped Willie Mccormick yes
terday afternoon. and reports as varied
as they were numerous were started as
to the whereabouts of the boy. The news
reached the police shortly after o'clock,
and Detectives FlatheI was sent out in
haste to investigate. The detective spent
two hours in a vain search for a clue.
and returned to the city to report that
nothing of Willie Mccormick could be
learned at Glen Echo. Detective O'Con-
nell, of New York. who has been in this
city for two weeks past, looking into ev-
cry phase of the kidnapping case, was
acquainted with the report from Glen
Echo. but last night he said he placed no
dependence in it.
1t appears that man named Baker
telep!Ioned to headquarters yesterday
from Cabin John Bridge that he had seen
a strange boy lettering about the electric
railway station at Glen Echo, who re-
sembled the description given of Willie
Mccormick Mr.. Baker said he did not
stop to talk with the boy, but fastened
to send word 20 the police. so that an
investigation might be made. As soon as
possible after the receipt of the message.
Detective Flather went out from the city
He saw a number of people, and learned
much about the strange youth. who had
already apparently taken his departure.
The detective obtained a good description
of the boy, and this tallies closely, it is
said. with that of Willie Mccormick.
From G. E. Wade, a weli-to-do farmer,
living between Glen Echo and Cabin John
Bridge, much was ascertained about the
mysterious youth whose vagaries have
started so many wild rumors. 1t seems
that about noon the boy appeared at the
rear door of the home of Mr. Wade and
asked that he be given something to eat
Mr.. Wade took the boy into his house and
fed him, after which the lad left without
telling anything about his home or
friends Shortly afterward it occurred to
Mr. Wade that the youth might be the
missing Mccormick boy. and ne started
out to search for him. No trace, however,
Of the boy could be found although sew
eral persons had seen him during the aft
ernoon.
The boy was poorly dressed and pre-
sented most woebegone appearance.
He said he wanted to get to Washington.
and IT is thought he may have boarded
car for this city. The police were notified
in the various precincts last night to look
out for boy answering his description.
Detective o'Connell. of the New York
leave the city today for New York, but
says he viii delay his departure should
anything develop tending toward clue
TO the Kidnapped boy. While he is slow
10 believe that the boy was at Glen Echo
yesterday, he IS anxious to hunt down
every clue. and accordingly may go out
20 Glen Echo this morning. While in this
city O'Connen has investigated every
clue. including that Of the slip of paper,
which was turned over to the police by
Nj. kets kemethy. the photographer at
il09 Pennsylvania Avenue northwest.
II is believed the slip OF paper is gen.
uine, because positively identified by
members OF the Mccormick family in
New York. but all hope of tracing il back
to the time when young Mccormick dis
appeared, the 9th of March, has appa-
rentiy been abandoned.
The band of gypsies to which the Michel
girls belong has left this section of the
country. but steps to keep the tribe in
view for some time 10 come have been
taken ii IS said, by the New York au-
thOrfties.
N G. Mccormick uncle of the missing
boy. was told last night of the reported
pre- sence Of his nephew at Glen Echo. He
said the matter would certainly be looked
into, but did not express confidence in
the rumor. Mr. Mccormick said his offer
Of a reward for the return of the boy
stands. The other rewards. he said, are
yet to be had if the boy is returned to
his parents. Mr.. Mccormick said his
brother, the father of the missing boy
was i'll, suffering from nervous excite
ment