The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-02-16
"Hurricane" Branch and
His BIoodhounds
Among Them.
IN DARKEST MYSTERY
If the Vanished Boy Has Been Kid
mapped for What Purpose is He
Held? II He is Dead Where is
the Little Body? All the County
Aroused. The Mother Frustrated,
The Father Despondent.
Especial to News and observer.

Especial to News and Observer.)
Elizabeth City, N. c., Feb. 15.-
Senator S. NJ. Beasley and young
Hurricane" Branch, of Suffolk, ar
rived here last night over the Suffolk
and Carolina road, bringing blood
hound with them. They left on q
special train, which happened to be
here last night about nine o'clock,
with party of the officials of the
Norfolk and Southern on board, for
SnovIden Station, from which they
travelled by carriage to Poplar
Branch, and this morning commenced
the seach for Kenneth, the eight
year-old son of Mr.. Beasley, who has
been strangely missing since Monday
at twelve o'clock.
Acting on telegraphic adviceS sent
him TO Raleigh, the Senator left i'm
mcdiately fer Suffolk on the Sea-
board train and there engaged the
services of young Branch when they
arrived here Mr. Beasley, who Is a
man OF jovial disposition, seemed
much broken and appeared to be
taking the matter very hard. He
said that he knew nothing, save
what was made known to him in the
telegram. He said that he hoped
with the assistance he had procured
soon to clear up the mystery and to
find his son safe and we'll. He talk
ed despondcntly. however. and said
that he dreaded something he knew
not what.
The combined efforts OF the people
of Poplar Branch and the surround
ing country, who have formed
searching parties and arc systemati-
fcally searching the whole country
side. have entirely faIod 10 find III
missing boy, and theory after the
ory is traced out and nothing results
the mystery deepens. If he was
Kidnapped. who are his abductors
and for what reason is he being held
If he has met with foul play arnd is
now dead, where is his body con-
cealed. These are the questions be-
ing asked many times
Every foe I ground in the vicinity
of the school house has been searched
over. inc hires have been made of all
the people; iii fact every resources
has been exhausted but with no re-
suit With the assistance of the dog
which WAS trained by the famous
hurricane Branch, the hope is that
the mystery VIII soon be cleared up,
either the boy found safe and unhurt
or his body. The strange case is
causing much interest here and the
residents of Currituck are in q state
of intense excitement.
The following special was received
from Poplar Branch at 2:05 this af-
tcrnoon: Senator Beasley's boy dis
appcared at noon MONDAY. The alarm
was given at 1:30. About thirty men
responded and went into the woods
with Professor Jennings. The snow
was falling fas: and the crowd soon
increased TO seventy-five men. which
hunted nearly all night Yesterday
Mr.. BeaS!ey, at Raleigh, and son,
Moran. were telegraphed. One hun
dred and twenty-five men were al
ready searching the swamp.
At 1:30 p. m. Hurricane" Branch
and bloodhound We're telegraphed for.
Senator Beaslcy. Mr.. Branch and dog
arrived at 3:15 this morning. At S:3G
this morning the bloodhoundS was put
in the woods and trailcd the boy to the
edge of the swamp and returned. Over
two hundred men now have gone into
the search again. Mrs. Beasiey is al
most prostrated with grief. The COM
munity is wrapped in sorrow"