The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-09-10
Parents and Guardian Of
Roland Butler in Tangle
Over His Possession.
ABDUCTORS ARE ARRESTED
Mr.. and Mrs. Frank Almy. Of
This City. Ran Away With
Child While He Was on Way
From Mr.. Barrett's South
Orange Home to School.

Orange Home to School.
The kidnapping of 4-year-old Roland
Butler, while on his way this MORN
ing from the home of his guardian.
Timothy Barrett, a former AS
semblyman. of Valley street and
Hixon place. South Orange, to st.
Mary's parochial school, South Orange,
was solved at noon when 1t was found
that the abductors were the child's
mother, Mrs. Frank Almy, and her hus-
band, of Springfield avenue and
Eighteenth street. this city. Behind the
case is an interesting story of a fight
for the possession of the child.
Today Mr.. Barrett made a complaint
charging Mr.. and Mrs Almy with kid
mapping. The South Orange village po-
lice marshal sent two policemen to this
city to arrest them and take care of
the child.
The two policemen, who were
Roundsman Frank Kenny and Police
man Patrick Skeftington, first called
at the Fourth Police Precinct, this
city, and explained the case to the
sergeant. Policeman Wilson was sent
with them to the Almy apartments.
They found all the doors locked A
reporter with them was boosted up so
that he could zee through the transom
over the door, and he saw Mrs. Alrny.
The police then called upon her to
open the door. There was no response
and the bluecoats threaten to force the
door open. Then they heard Mrs. Almy
exclain.
Frank, they are going to burst the
door open.
"Weil, then, unlock it," Mr.. Almy
was heard to say. His wife did so and
the policemen entered. They showed
the warrant upon Mrs. Almy asking by
what right they had to force their
way in.
Roland was placed in the hands of
John Cullen, superintendent of the
Catholic Children's Aid and Protective
Society, this city, when an infant, Mrs.
Almy, who was then Mrs. Butler, and
her husband disagreeing. When the
baby was months old 1t was taken
from the society by Mr.. Barrett, who
Is a former Assemblyman. He has
taken care of it since. Mrs. Almy di-
vorced Butler two years ago and mar
ried Almy, who is a carpenter, a year
ago.
According to Mrs. Almy she has been
paying Mr.. Barrett SIS every two weeks
for the support of the child.
There is some doubt as to whether Mr..
Barrett had adopted the child legally. This
is for the court to decide. Meanwhile Mr..
and Mrs. Almy have the child, and say
they propose TO keep 1t.
Mrs. Mary Doyle, proprietor of a grocery
store at First and Academy streets, South
Orange, saw the child taken away this
morning. She thought 1t was a genuine
kidnapping. She saw Mrs Almy stop the
child give him five cents, and then walk
rapidly away with him. They Joined Mr..
Almy and boarded trolley car for this
city.
At olce Mrs. Doyle became suspicious
and notified Mr. Barrett, who Immediately
got on the trail of the boy In inquiring
he came in contact with Paul L. May,
South Orange business man, and the lat
ter said he had seen a man and woman on
a South Orange avenue trolley car bound
for Newark. Mr. Barrett then notified his
lawyer, Andrew S. Taylor. of this city,
who lives in South Orange.
Mr. Taylor at once telephoned Sergeant
Connel of the First Precinct, this city.
The matter was in turn reported to Cap
tain of Detectives Carroll and he ordered
tions to prevent the abductor's leaving this
city. Tuite and Horter went to the Penn
sylvania station and Ryan and Long COW
cred the Central depot. No one appeared
at either station with 4-year-old boy.
Mr. Taylor refused to discuss the matter
further than to say he represented Mr..
Barrett and that he knew the child simply
as Roland Barrett.
Mr. Barrett would not talk on the mat
- hxyo 10
Mr. Almy when seen today explained how
Mr.. Barrett had been taking care of the
child and said his wife had been In the
habit of visiting the child off and on Two
weeks ago. he said. they returned the boy
to Mr.. Barrett for a day only. When the
child was not returned Mrs. Almy visited
the Barrett home. Thursday, August %. to
see the child. She was told that the boy
was not there. Another attempt two days
later to secure the child from Mr. Bar
rett. made by Mr.. and Mrs. Almy, resulted
fruitlessly. Mr.. Barrett saying according
to Almy. that Roland was not there.
Labor Day Almy himself asked for the
child at the Barrett home, and was told
TO see Mr.. Barretts lawyer A few days
ago he consulted George L. Titus of this
city, as counsel. and he later received let
ters from Mr.. Taylor who represented Mr..
Barrett, and turned them over to his
counsel. He then decided to play "a wait
ing game, as he termed 1t, and he and
his wife kidnapped the child today.
1t is said that Mrs Almy's maiden name
was Miss Carrie Kenney, and that she
lived in Paterson. About twenty years
ago she was married to Henry M. Butler.
a brother, 1t Is said, Of Nicholas Murray
Butler, president of Columbia University.
New York. Henry M Butler at that time
lived with HIS parents, Mr. and Mrs
Henry r. Butler, ITS Hamilton avenue
Paterson. and he is at present employed
rs travelling salesman for New York
firm. located In Worth street, that city
In September 1896, Mr.. and Mrs. Butler