Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1909-03-21
millionaire Uncle Aband0ns
Search in Cleveland
at Present
Ransom Will Be Paid for Boys
Return and No Cues.
tionS Asked

Sharon, Pa, March 20. - The
search for William Whftla, the g.
year-old son of Attorney James p.
Whitla of this city, who was kid
naped Thursday, center about War
rem, Ohio, tonight, near which place
the boy was reported seen two nights
ago. The many police officers and de-
tectives, assisted by squad of the
Pennsylvania state constabulary, be-
sodes the friends of the bereaved
family, are also thoroughly explor-
ing every spot around Buffalo.
Frank H. Buhl, the millionaire un-
Gle of the missing boy, returned from
Cleveland today. He said that his
visit had been futile, and that all
rumors emanating from the Forest
City had proved incorrect. Mr.. Bull
said that he had an idea that the boy
would be found near Youngstown.
Ohio.
A long conference was held this at
ternoon in Mr.. Whitla's Office, in
which Detective j. F. Ward OF Phil
adelphia, Martin Grain, cvhief Of po-
lice of this city, and others taking
a prominent part in the search for
sMr. -. Whitla's son.. participated.
;shortly afterSthe conference several
sofacers left for parts unknown on y
mission about which they would say
nothing. It was intimated that a
definite clew had been obtained as
to the whereabouts Of the boy.
Mr.. Whitla has heard nothing from
the advertisements he inserted in the
various papers as specified in the
letter received from the kidnapers.
However, the failure of the abduct-
ors to send any answer to the re-
ply to their letter, it is said, is not
causing and additional worry on the
score of injury to the boy or OF more
ransom being demanded. Judge B.
NJ. Wilkins of Trumbull county,
Ohio, today granted to twenty-three
members Of the Pennsylvania state
police authority to search every
house in Warren and Trumbun coun-
ty for the boy.
The parents Of the missing lad are
almost distracted with grief.
Not Found in Cleveland.
Cleveland, Ohio, March 20.-Con-
vinced that his nephey was not in
Cleveland Frank H. Bull, the mill
lionaire uncle of Willie Whitla, re-
turned to the home of the boys par
ents in Sharon, Pa, today.
Before leaving he asked the police
to follow every clew which gave
promise of locating the boy, and left
private detectives here to aid in the
search.
Buhl held telephone conversa-
tion with James P. Whitla, father of
the missing boy. before he left the
city. The father was respondent and
tearfully told Mr. Buhl that he was
confident the kidnapers had the boy
in hiding in some other place than
Cleveland.
Reports from Sandusky and Ashta-
bula of boy answering the descrip-
ton of Willie were wired to Mr..
Buhl during the day. He placed de-
tectives at work Investigating both
reports, although he had little con-
fidence in either.
Father in Despair.
Sharon, Pa, March 20.-James S.
Whitla, father of s-year-old William
Whitla, who was kidnapped from
school here Thursday, stated tonight
hat there were no new developments
n the search for his child. Frank
4. .Buhl, the millionaire uncle Of the
missing boy, returned, today from
Cleveland, where he went last night X
o investigate several reports that
he boy and his abductors had been 81
in that city and said that
he reports were untrue. Mr.. Buh1
Itated also that the investigation Of
,ther clews IN Cleveland had proved 1.
utile. @ q. .5:$ S5s. ID Il