Evening star., 1901-05-03
Unsuccessful Hunt for the Missing
Mccormick Lad.
LETTER ADDRESSED TO EVENING STAR
Writer Claims to Be Able to Pro-
duce the Boy.
THE RUMORS FLOA It

lin, who offered the $40, coo reward for the
boy, who is supposed to be in the custody
of kidnapers. AS heretofore published in
The Star the priest was besieged by for
tune tellers and cranks of every descrip-
tion. Men who claim they have detective
ability, we'll some who thought for.
tune might favor them, called on the priest
with suggestions while others wrote let
ters. The uncle has had a somewhat SINH
lar experience. He has received fully one
hundred letters, many Of them having been
destroyed.
Two letters to which he attached some
Importance were signed "a. f. c. They
were turned over to Detective Horne, who
has been making quiet investigation to
ascertain the identity of the writer of
them. This morning a third letter, sent by
the same person, was received through the
post office at the office Of The Star. The
letter, which Is self-explanatory, is as fol-
lows:
''WAsHINGTON, D. c., May 2, 1901.
"Washinton Star:
'Sir-In regard to the case of the miss
ing boy, Willie Mccormick. allow me to
say that the dictator of this letter has
written twice before to nj. A. Mccormick
1O1 9th street northwest in the last let
ter which was printed our terms where
stated also the facts that we would not
write to him again we also said that he
would receive proof of our ability to pro-
duce the kid this proof which consisted of
two pieces of paper containing Sister name
a piece of the boys Trousers and one other
Trinket our Messenger paid certain parties
to deliver to Mr.. Mccormick he becoming
scared hired others who failed him now
these questions what did the photographer
do with the Cloth the envelope and the
other piece of paper?
Id What does he hope to gain by can
say to him remember the c. r. case in
Philadelphia many years ago. now further
or not other things may influence us but
VIII say If he is ever returned it will be
when the reward is paid terms stated in
printed letter to Mr.. Mccormick that he
through Personal in N. Y World is writing
inclosed find sample paper which first
letter was written including signature as
found on both letters Investigate this an
may receive the second paper containing
the identified writing.
"Respt.
"a. E.. c.
Per
JENNIE LA MONT"
This letter was inclosed in pink-tinted
envelope 35s by As inches in dimensions
the address on the outside being CITY Edi-
tor. Washington Star. Local"
The sample Of paper referred to as being
enclosed is an oblong piece Of linen paper
bearing the words, Yours, A. E. c." In
the signature to the communication the
another word. The postmark is Washing
ton, D. c., May =, 9pm.
The Name n Familiar One.
While the postmark on the letter does
not show exactly where it was mailed, it
Is believed it was deposited at the city post
Office or somewhere in the business part
of the city. The name Jennie La Mont is
familiar to the police, because a woman
of that name once resided in the dsreputa-
BILE section of the city. She removed from
here, however, and it is known she was
living in New York a few months ago
The first of the two letters from "A. E.
CT received by Mr.. Mccormick was deliv-
cred to him at the Hoffman House in New
York, while the second one was received
in this city. In the first one the writer in
quired about the financial ability of Mr..
Mccormick to pay the reward offered, $5,-
900, and also asked if he was really willing
to pay the amount.
The second letter was in response to a
personal in New York paper and stipu-
lated that the money was to be In $40, $50
and 500 bills. The writer further stipulated
that he was to be given sixty hours in
which to return the boy, as he wanted to
make certain that the money was not
marked With neither letter was there a
piece OF the boys trousers or anything to
convince the recipient of the letter that
the writer could produce the boy. The
writer of the letters also failed to state
Where the money should be sent or where
nd
close the bargain.
The Glen Echo Boy.
The boy who was reported to have been
seen about Glen Echo recently was not
found yesterday afternoon by Detective
Flather, who was sent to Maryland by
Inspector Boardman to make an investiga-
tion. The detective went to Glen Echo
and called at the houses of a number of
residents, but was unable to gather from
them any information that caused him to
think the Mccormick boy had ever been
in that section. 1t is not unusual thing
for strange boys to be seen about that
section, and frequently they stop at houses
and ask for food. Several boys have been
given Handouts there lately. and one
of the residents had an idea that one
neatly dressed boy was the missing one.
There are few gypsies within short
distance of Glen Echo but they are not
of the same class as those who were across
the river lately and who were driven from
Virginia.
Another Sure Tip.
Another supposed clue "sure tip as
the detectives were told, was received last
night at headquarters. The man who gave
the information made anxious inquiry con-
cerning the amount of reward offered. Then
Policeman Burrows was sent to find the
neatly dressed boy who was reported to
be Willie Mccormick, and who was seen
SpeHulHS money. he 1OunO Two boys In
stead of one, and both were neatly dressed,
although the officer could see no resem-
blance between either of them and the pic
ture Of the Mccormick boy that was re-
ceived here from the New York authorities
Are your parents living?" the officer
asked one of the boys.
Are they living?' the boy retorted Il
should say SO. We have two fathers and
two Mothers
"Hows that?" the officer inquired
My parents are divorced, was his re-
ply, 'and both are married.
Another Willie Mccormick turned I'D in
Virginia yesterday, according to report
made to an Alexandria county constable
The officer was told that mysterious
strange boy had been hanging about the
woods not far from Arlington, reading
cheap literature and smoking cigarettes.
After short search the boy in question
was found, and he proved to be the son of
man in this city, who had simply been
enjoying himself in the woods during the
good weather of the past few days The
local detectives are satisfied that nothing
in the Mccormick case will develop here
unless the missing boy should come this
way later.
Reward Holds Good.
In conversation with a Star reporter this