The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1904-09-29
Pasadena Millionaire
Hires a Sleuth
as Guard.
Strange Warning Received
From Woman CARRIED
All in Black.
Assault Upon Little Ones Nurse
FrightenS Parents and Police
Are Called Upon for Aid.
Special Dispatch to The Call.

LOS ANGELES. Sept. 2s.-Though
guarded constantly night and day.
never for moment being permitted
out Of the sight of some male protec-
tor, and with an armed private detec-
tive constantly on the watch 10 see
that no harm comes to her, Chloe. the
pretty seven-year-old daughter of c.
S. Byington, one Of the wealthiest men
in Pasadena, goes about her play all
unmindful and unconscious OF the fact
that her parents have repeatedly re-
ceived warnings that the child is to
De kidnapped For several weeks this
constant vigil has been maintained and
the police OF Los Angeles and Pasa-
dena stand ready to lend aid should
the plot to steal the child be carried
out.
There are circumstances attending
the case which are more mysterious
even than the threats which have been
made. "A mysterious woman in black
has called at the Byington mansion and
warned the servants that two men are
about to steal the child and that il
they knew the warning had been de-
livered her life would De the forfeit.
Shingles bearing the single word BE
ware" have been found in various parts
of the grounds
Only a short time ago, while the
nurse was on the lawn with the child.
man concealed behind a dense hedge
threw a stone at the nurse. 1t struck
her on the arm and almost fractured
1t. Had ii struck her head she would
have been killed and the child left
unprotected long enough for the viii
lain to have carried the little one away
There is more than a suspicion that
the threatened kidnapping does not have
for its object an effort to secure blood
money from Byington. He is well able
to pay a fortune were such payment
necessary, but there seems TO be more
behind the case than money matters.
Next to his desire TO protect his
child from harm Byington's greatest
wish is to prevent the publication of
the story. Although he has told a
number of persons Of his fears for the
safety Of his child, among them the
Mayor and Chief of Police Of Pasadena,
to his next door neighbors. the child's
school teacher and others. he stated
positively this evening that If the story
is published he will deny it
Some time ago Byington related to
a close friend Of his incidents Of what
appeared to be a bold plot to kidnap
mysterious woman. dressed in black
and wearing a heavy black veil. had
called at the Byington home during
the absence Of Mr.. and Mrs. ByingtOn
and engaged Chloe's nurse maid in
earnest conversation, warning the
servant that a plot by two men was
afoot to steal Chloe Byington- BY
ington stated also that he had received
anonymous letters Of threatening
character. and had found shingles lying
on his lawn, on which had been
scrawled the word Beware"
Upon the advice of this friend Bying-
ton had a consultation with Chief OF
Police Freeman. The chief advised the
worried father that as San Pasqual
street is outside the Pasadena city
limits he could not lend the assistance
Of the department, and suggested that
a private detective be employed. This
suggestion was needed and a sleuth in
the guise OF an ordinary gardener took
up temporary residence at the Bytng-
ton home.
The blue-eyed child was closely
guarded from harm. She Is never al
lowed away from the house unless ac-
companied by her father, ner mother
or the nurse maid.
Some DAYS ago little Chloe. wearing
her play ground dress OF boomers and
blouse, was enjoying some childish
frolic in the grounds at the rear OF
her parents home. Suddenly the nurse.
who was near Dys uttered cry OF
fright and pain. Catching up Chloe
in her arms. she rushed into the house.
where to the child's alarmed mother
she exhibited a badly bruised hand A
man from the screen Of hedge had
hurled a large stone with cruel aim
and effect. Who the cowardly assail-
ant was or why the missile vas hurled
a Quick examination Of the premises
gave no clew. The matter was report
ed to the police at the time OF the
strange occurrence.
chief of Police Freeman Of Pasadena
refused to discuss the matter. but he
called Byington up and asked him
whether he desired TO make a state
ment. Byington's reply was to the eff
feet that his chief anxiety was to keep
the matter out OF the papers.
The Byington family is one OF the
hest known in Pasadena and has
wealthy relatives in various ports of
the country. Mrs. Byington is a niece
Of the late Senator Leland Stanford.
Saxony's King Grows Weaker.
DRESDEN, Sept 2s.-King George