The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-04-09
LIKE YOUNG CUDAHY'S 'SCASE
Local Police Aiding in the Search
for Willie Mccormick.
Uncle of the Missing Boy in This
C.ty Leaves Tonight for New York
Thinks His Nephew Wns kidnnp-
pcd-Letters Demanding Ransom.

The search for Willie Mccormick, ten
years old, reported missing for twelve
days from his home at High Bridge, N.
| Y, has extended to this city. NJ. G. Nc
! Cormick, n broker at the corner of Ninth
| and G 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 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 were taken to
locate him. Shortly afterward Mr.. Nc
Cormick. 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 clue on
which the local police could work.
As described to the police, Willie Nc
Cormick 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 a checked suit, a
cap, and iaeed shoes.
There can be no doubt that my neph
ew, Willie, has been kidnapped" said Mr.
NJ. G. Mccormick last night. His faith
er, William Mccormick, is taking every
step possible to find the boy, while | have
endeavored TO interest the local police in
the matter of his disappearance. More
over. 1 shall myself go to New York to-
night or tomorrow to investigate q 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
contracted bad habits. because not old
enough, on the one hand, and not so in
clined, on the other. He attended a pri-
Vate Catholic school, two blocks from his
own home. for over a 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-
sonaily. If necessary, is that the kidnap-
ping resulted from an old grudge. Some
years ago my brother had a difficulty with
a man employed by him. He discharged
the man. who has since been living in
New York. j am told. From what know
of the man, / 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 q, 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
home for 1t. Leaving his sisters in sight
of the church, he turned homeward, and
nobody has seen him since. All trace of
the boy was lost in the two blocks be-
tween the church and his home
A 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 n reward Of 500 In gold is demand
ed in the letters. The first letter re-
ceived. demanded that the money be
placed in 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 500 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