Perth Amboy evening news. [volume] (Perth Amboy, N.J.) 1903-1959, 1909-03-25
SENSATION IN
WHITLA CASE
Stolen Boy Confronts His
Abductors at Cleveland
Recognizes Them at Once.
INDICT FOR BLACKMAIL


Cleveland, March 25:-Steps were
taken today for the immediate extradi-
tion of John Boyle and Helen Falkner,
the suspects held for kidnapping Billy
Whitla.
grand jury will return an indictment of
blackmail today to be held over the
suspects in case of miscarriage of any
kind at Sharon. Should they get life
terms at Sharon no action will be taken
on the local indictments.
The woman g outspoken recognition
of Billy at the police station is consid-
cred practically confession. Janitor
Sloss, like Billy, recognized Boyle as
soon as he saw him.
Marie Diemar, the woman who last
night committed suicide after being
examined by the police in the case, was
only wanted as a witness as she had
been seen in conversation with the pair
Efforts to establish the connection Of
relatives of the Whitlas with the case
have utterly failed.
Willie said the man, who gave the
name of James II. Boyle, was the one
who took him from school and carried
him through tortuous route to Cleve-
land, then to Ashtabula, back to this
city and placed him in the house in
the east end, where he was held until
the money was paid. Willie also de-
clared that the woman was the one
who cared for him at the house where
he was detained and who acted the
part of a nurse.
The woman, who is accredited with
being the wife of Boyle, declared soon
after her arrest that Der Identification
would cause sensation In Sharon,
where she has lived
When the identification was complet-
ed Mr.. Whitla would say nothing re-
garding the woman. He said he knew
Boyle slightly.
Immediately after Willie Whitls had
seen the man and woman at the cen
trail police station they were taken to
the county courthouse, and there ap-
peared before the grand jury. They
were examined for the purpose Of aid
ing the jury in its attempt to find an
indictment against the two prisoners.
The charge under the laws Of Ohio
against the man and woman if an in
dictment was found will be blackmail.
This is based upon the payment of
the $4,000 ransom paid by Whitla.
AS the prisoners have not waived
extradition, they will be held here for
two or three days until the necessary
papers for their removal TO Sharon can
be arranged between the governors of
Ohio and Pennsylvania.
A woman known as Mary Diener,
who, the police say, may have been an
associate Of the kidnapers or was Inn
plicated In the plot committed suicide
by drinking morphine while standing
in front Of drug store in the east
end, not far from the house in which
Willie Whitla was de4ained. She died
in an ambulance while being taken to
a hospital.
There was something of row be-
tween Chief Of Police Kohler and Mr..
Whitla regarding the Identification
proceedings Mr.. Whitla wanted the
prisoners brought to his hotel, while
the police desired Wnlia whitla to be
brought TO police headquarters to
make the necessary identifications
there The dispute was finally settled,
and Mr.. WhltIa's party went to the
chiefs Office Boyle appeared to be
very nervous when the boy was
brought In. The boy was asked IL he
had ever seen the man before.
Sure said Willie. why, that is
the man I left Sharon with. He took
me to Cleveland, then to Ashtabula
and back to Cleveland"
Boyle smiled sarcsstically and eyed
his accusers defantly. When Boyle
was taken back to his cell the woman
was brought In.
She was defiant and stared at Whitla
and the other members of the party. |
When she saw Willie the woman
smiled.
Willie walked up to her and, extend-
Ing his hand, said, How do you dor
Hello, Willie" the woman replied
as she placed her hand upon his head
and caressed him for an instant
The boy then stepped back to his
father and was asked several ques-
tions by the chief Of police.
Yes, know her." be said. "She
was the nurse. who took care of me in
She told me was sick
and In hospital. l saw her a whole
lot, as she was with me most all of