The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1903-02-20
FATHER GETS BACk. SON
SENSATIONAL FINALE TO
KIDNAPPING CASE.
William Martin Seizes Child at
Kelso and Flies with Mob
at His Heels.

The sensational kidnapping Of the lit
tie year old son OF william Martin by
Mrs. Martin. last week. had fitting
climax In the sensational manner In
which the father regained custody Of
his child. Yesterday Mr.. Martin re-
turned TO the city with the boy. after
one Of the most exciting experiences
that father ever went through for
| child.
On last Thursday evening Mrs Mar
tin carried Of the child from the apart
nents OF her husband on Commercial
street between Twelfth and Fourteenth
The woman had left her husband some
weeks previously to visit friends at
Kelso Wash, but she failed to return.
and her husband learned that 1t was
her purpose to remain permanently
away. Mrs. Martin returned unex-
pectedly, secured the boy. placed him in
hack and hurried with him to the
eastern portion OF the city. where
mother and son boarded a waiting
launch. Mr.. Martins efforts at the
time to overtakc the runaway mother
were unavailing.
However. the father was not content
TO let matters rest, and ever since the
kidnapping he had been making quiet
inquiries as to the whereabouts OF the
woman who had stolen his child. He
finally located her at Kelso. where she
was living under the name OF Mrs. B
Logan. The launch on which she
made her sensational getaway from
Astoria had taken her to Kalama, from
which town she proceeded to Kelso. a
few miles north on the line Of the Nor
thern Pacific. On Tuesday Mr.. Martin
appeared at Kelso, and on wednes-
day morning he found his boy. who was
playing In the yard Of his new home.
The father jumped over the fence on
seeing the child, and, taking II in his
arms. started down the railroad track
Mrs. Martin witnessed the coup that
her husband had executed and at once
she set up a cry for assistance. -sir
Martin soon found himself inSthe un-
comfortable position of a fugitive. with
crowd OF men, women. boys and dogs
on his trail. However, he continued
the flight. and It seemed for time that
he would outstrip his pursuers.
Among those who had Joined In the
pursuit were the town marshal. a depu-
ty sheriff and two other men. who un-
fortunately had the good Judgment to
enlist the services Of a handcar. On
this car they started after the father.
and were not long in overtaking him.
When within hailing distance the mar
shal commanded Mr.. Martin to stop
and surrender himself into the custody
OF the law. The officer was about to
bring his gun into play when Mr.. Mar
tin covered the four men. He ex-
plained calmly that the child belonged
to him; that he had done nothing
wrong, AMI that any effort on the part
Of the men to arrest his flight would be
resisted. He told his little story In
manner which carried the conviction
that he meant exactly what he said,
and those who know BILLY" Martin
will agree that the officers and their
companions displayed excellent judg-
ment when they acted on the sugges-
tion that the father should not be mo-
Tested, Instead OF mixing matters
with him. they started back for town,
and Martin continued happily on his
way. The crowd which had followed
kept at respectful distance.
Mr.. Martin reached the Cowlitz river
in safety, and came across two wood
men, A. d. Chamberlain and Simon
cuthware. He related to them the
incidents Of the previous hours and Of
fered to pay them handsomely If they
would take him 70 Astoria. Mfr. Martin
did not purpose to run the risk of a
trip on the river boat, and SO the wood
men took him in a small boat down the
Columbia to this city. They arrived at
noon yesterday after journey of go
miles, and the father has since been
busy receiving the congratulations of
his friends. ~
Mr., Martin will now institute divorce
proceedings against Mrs, Martin. He
will ask custody Of the child. and pend
ing settlement of the case win see to 1t
that the little fellow does not fall into
the care of his mother.
Altogether the episode was the most
exciting of the kind that was ever en-
acted in this part Of the country. Mrs.
Martin is due to make the next move.
but 1t is not at all probable that Mr..
Martin will allow himself to be caught
mapping.