Los Angeles herald., 1906-09-16
Taken to a Squalid
Hut Near the
Sea Shore
Lad Says Men Robbed
anl Abducted
Him
Thirteen-Year-Old Son of Prominent
Contractor Relates to oPlice
Remarkable Story of His
Adve entures

Aioiiiy Id nue., the thirteen year OLD
son of H. e. La Rue, a contractor re-
siding at 1174 East Thirty-eighth street.
returned to his parents last night about
$3.50 after being absent from his home
since last Monday morning
During this time the mother has been
the boys absence, not knowing what
had become of him.
Henrys story of his mysterious alb
sence is almost sensational
The day of his disappearance his
father had sent him to the building and
loan association with $26 interest money
to be paid. n his way there the boy
S; he started to walk through the
alley between Second and Third streets
and Spring and Main. When he rea ached
point near two Mexicans who stood
by large box back of the Wilcox
building, the boy stumbled to the
ground and the money rolled from his
pocket. Seeing this, the boy says, the
two Mexicahs at once beckoned for him
to come to them. Refusing to do so.
one of the men started toward him with
the threat that if he failed to come they
came frightened and obeyed their COM
nlands.
Wanted to Kill Lad
After obtaining the money. the two
Mexicans held a cautious conversation,
evidently trying to decide what was the
best course to take in assuring their es-
cape.
The boy says he heard the larger of
the two men, who seemed to be the
a nf hn CI.,,
law, let's kill the kid and stuff him be-
hind the box" But after a few mo-
ments argument, the Mexicans told the
boy to come with them He began to
cry, and said he wanted to go home,
but they struck him in the face, and
one of them held his hand over his
mouth to prevent him from screaming.
The boy says they then boarded a car
on the Los AngeleS-P Pacific line and he
was taken with them to some beach
town, which he afterwards learned was
Port Los Angeles.
Arriving here, the men took him to
hut about half mile from the wharf,
where he was kept under constant
guard by one of the Mexicans The boy
says the men appeared to be fishermen,
as one or the other remained from the
place all day, to return at night with
nets and fish. He says they were going
to take him in their boat with them one
day, but later refused to let him go,
saying they were afraid he might es-
cape.
While imprisoned in the hut the boy
was submitted to all manner of abuse
and cruelty according to his tale, which
appears to be perfectly truthful. He
was compelled to live on almost moth
ing, and given the scraps to eat that
were left from the meals of his captors.
Tells of Cruelty
He says that one night when the men
had both become beastly drunk they
submitted him to fiendish torments, and
laughed with delight to see his suffer-
ing.
Yesterday they told him they were
going to take him with them to Mexico
in a week, and were making all prep
arations for the trip. This set the boy
to thinking more desperately of some
means of escape. He tried to signal
with clSth to some one who was pass
ing, but tlfes did not see his distress
signal, The gard saw his attempted
communication, ftNwever and kicked
him savagely growing, you will try
to 'squeal' on us, will YOU"
One of the Mexicans went this morn
ing on trip to Venice, and the lad
was left to be guarded by the younger
man. Growing neglectful Of his charge,
the guard left the hut for a moment to
go to a shed nearby.
The door was left unbolted, and the
boy made a quick run for escape. Just
as he left the house the Mexican re-
turned and started to chase him. The
boy shouted for help and with curses
the Mexican quickly fled back to his
hut.
The lad walked from Port Los Ange-
les to his home, arriving nearly ex-
hausted from his long journey.
The boy cannot give. a very graphic
description of his abdhctors, but says
one was a very large man, with gray
hair. The other was rather short and
IS iender. about 20 years of age. They
called each other by some Spanish
names which the boy cannot remember.
The father, H. Il. La Rue, last night
reporte the abduction to the local po-
lice department., who advised him about
the proper steps to take In apprehend-
ing the Mexicans. AS II was feared the
men might make their escape, La Rue
last night went TO Port Los Angeles in
company with one Of Constable De La
Monte's deputies and will make a
search for the Mexicans early this
morning.