The Washington herald., 1907-08-09

When darkness put an end to the search
at Camp Good VIII last night FOR Robert
Barker. the three-year-old boy who dis
appeared on Wednesday evening at 7:so
o'clock, no tangible clue to the child's
whereabouts had been obtained, and a
feeling OF hopelessness peryaded the
camp
All day long the dense underground
and bushes on every side of Good VIII
were trodden down again and again, only
TO spring up again and cause other seek
ers TO indulge forlorn hope
All day long the treacherous streams
about Brightwood We're sounded and
dragged by many anxious helpers. and
every passerby was questioned and asked
TO keep a lookout. and every house
within miles was visited and warned
that a helpless child had wandered away
and could not be found.
Search Into the Night.
Even after night had fallen and the
vanguard Of the searchers had begun to
gather al the camp. all with the same
story Of futile Efforts, lanterns could be
seen aickering the woods and loud hal
lOes" could be heard IN all sections OF
the country, which told that some were
bent on searching until daybreak.
Ever since the disappearance OF the
child q constant search has been in
progress. At intervals some new rumor
would come 10 the leaders, and the hunt
was c-1cinued with renewed energy while
all during the day frequent additions 10
the searchers brought new hope With the
camp as a center the hunt was begun
BY making circles about the camp, be-
ginning in the grounds. aud gradually ex-
tending until the country for three miles
around was completely gone over.
Stream Dragged Hundred Times.
Not Tar from the scene OF the chiId's
disappearance, a Shiny stream makes its
way toward Rock Creek and PInev
Branch. and this was waded and dragged
hundreds Of times during the day. Piney
Branch itself. and Rock Creek were also
traversed, but no sign of the boy was
found. The thick bushes and rank grass
along the side OF the stream. and ex-
tending FAR into the woods were beaten
until most Of them were laid fiat while
seaTchers ran wild over the open fields
and the country road, until almost the
whole country was alive with the news
OF the lost boy.
II was q sad and tired party that gath
cred at the camp late last night to map
out plan Of campaign for to-day. Rev.
John Van Schaick. pastor OF the Church
OF Our Father. and a member of the
board Of charities. was hardly recogniza-
bic. so completely was he covered with
mud gathered during his frequent descents
into the swamp He had been at work
since early morning. and was a source OF
great encouragement t. his fellows.
Two Hundred Aid in Search.
Secretary Weller. OF the Associated
Charities. assisted by Mr.. Guhlian and
Miss Greene, were foremost in the party.
while an anxious crowd Of policemen had
deserted No. 10 precinct and had spent an
arduous day in the woods. The following
members Of the police department took
part in the search: Capt. Elliot. Sergt.
Murphy. officers Owens, Roach. Mc<ie.
McGregh, Reith, Howard, and shauser.
Besides these men more than 90 others.
from all parts Of the county. aided the
policemen. and scurrying through the
bushes all afternoon was q faithful white /
bulldog, the property Of officer Strauser.
which has been trained to point and will /
be kept at the camp until the child is |
located
Mother Calls on Police.
While everything possible was being
done at the camp. the local police were
busy with kilograms 10 Baltimore and ali /
the small towns In this vicinity. asking
;hat they keep lookout Tor the child.
Late last night Mrs. Barker, the mother
OF the child. trembling with anxiety. |
called at police headquarters 10 ascertain
from Lieut.. Peck the latest news Of the
little one. When told that the search had
thus far proven fruitless she broke down
for the moment, but recovered herself and [
answered tho questions of the officer.
The child. she said, was last seen by
her on Thursday. The boy for the last
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