The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-03-24
BOY LOCKED IN
H0VEL like !. DOG. J. {
:Danvillc Lad in Hands Of Alleged
Kidnapper Since Last
Monday.
TWO MEALS IN WHOLE WEEK
Nearly Falnislled and i'll Dazed
Condition, Police. Take Him
From James Cllildress,
=. \
Especial 10 Tho Times-Dlspa,ch.l

DANVILLE. VA March 23,--AfterS a
since last Monday morning. little.
Clarence Jarrett. ne-year-old son of
Mr.. and Mrs. p. T. Jarrett, of this city,
was discovered by the police to-day in
the possession of anes childre IS. q
young white man, who was arrested
and placed in jail. where he is awaiting
trial on lne charge OF kidnapping.
E The boy started away from home
Monday morning al about 5 o'clock. as
usual, for school, which is only a few
blocks from his home. At dinner hour
he did not return home. and his parents
became anxious as to his whereabouts.
Inquiry at the school developed the%fact
that the boy had not reported there.
When MI ght arrived and the boy was
still absent, a general alarm was sent
sout. The police secured the city. ana
there was absolutely no clue as to
where the boy was. No one appeared
to have seen the lad except several per-
sons who saw him walking in the di-
rection of the schoolhouse with a
bundle Of books under, his arm.
a few days later it developed that
young Jarrett had been seen In COM
rany with a stranger. This furnished
the police clew, and at noon to-day
+ Officer Prescott was SURPRISED to run
across Chldress walking along Union,
81 side street, leading the little boy
by the hand. No trouble was expo
rienced In effecting his arrest.
About to Leave City.
Childress, t is alleged, had received
intlmation that the police were on his
trail and had taken the little victim
from the place of hiding, and was
planning to leave the city with him
to-day for West Virginia. It was by
the merest accident that Officer Pres
cott ran into childress. and had he
been an hour later both the kidnapper
ana his victim would probably have
been speeding on train leaving the
CITY. The futher Of the hoy was,
notified of the capture and the son
broke into tears at the sight OF his
parent, who is an honest and re-
sxected citizen. The boy appearsi
dazed and half-starved, and in his
sad condition he can tell little OF his
experience. 1t seems to the police that
young Jarrett was lured away from
school last Monday by Childress un-
der false promises and carried to,
tho home OF the alleged kldnappel
on the outskirts of the city.
Childress lives In hut with his
laEed grandmother ss II was TO tnls
place that he Is charged with carrying
his little victim and keeping him q
prisoner since last Monday. When
childress left the house the boy was
guarded, 1t Is alleged, by his grand
mother. and at night was locked ur
like a dog in an clubhouse.
Pointed Pistol at Him.
| Young Jarrett declared that sevcra
times he cried und said he wanted tt
| go back home, but that Childress
pointed a pistol at him and threatened
to shoot him II he made any attemp
| to escape. The boy said that he has
had hut two meals since last Monday
and these must have bcen scanty one.
from the way ha alto when carried
home in an almost PROSTATE condi
tion. No motive for the crime /.
! known. except that Childrcss. 1t i
alleged, intended leaving tho city an,
wanted the youth as a companion. N,
warrant has been issued against Mrs
Chldress, grandmother OF tho accused
and what part she plays Is not known
I II ID