Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1909-04-02

| through LnC uoOlo "
and into the lobby. The boys partly
lost track Of him in the crowd, so
anxious was the youngster to catch
a glimpse OF the face he loved.
Willie did not see his father or
sister in the lobby. Walking over
to the clerk he asked:
"Oh! Have you seen my papa?
"Who is he, boy?" he was asked,
"oh! I'm Mr.. Whitla's Willie"
he replied.
The crowd nearest the boy who
heard the words rushed In around
him. The lad was showed up against
the hotel counter and the scene
closely resembled a panic.
Across the lobby the father, eyes
red from weeping, heard the piping
voice OF his son. Frantic with JOY
at the sound he rushed through the
office corridor and in a moment was
fighting his way through the spec
tators. Plunging and squirmlng,
knocking bystanders right and left,
the trenzied parent made his way
to the bewildered boy standing
solemnly with automobile goggles in
front Of the clerks desk.
The kidnapped boy saw his father
coming He opened his lips to speak.
The words we're never spoken.
Grasping Willie in his arms, the
happy father lifted the boy into his
arms and planted a score OF kisses
on his lips.
'Its my boy, my darling Willie"
he cried.
Tears gushed from his eyes. He
pressed the child to his breast and
hugged him tightly.
Willie smiled a little. He was
glad to see his papa, but he did not
realize what all the fuss was about.
When the crowd realized that the
kidnapped child had been returned to
his parent, cheer rang out. For
three minutes the hand-clapping and
shouting continued. There were
cheers for the boy and then cheers
for the father.
Stripping off the boys cap and the
smoked glasses, Whitla revealed his
boys bare head for the first time.
He lifted the lad high above his
head, 80 that everyone might get
good view Of the now famous young
ster, who came near rlvaling the
Lost Charlie Ross" of kidnapping
fame
As soon as he could push his
way through the crowd, Whitla went
to his room on the second floor. He
carried the boy In his arms. For
several minutes he was alone in the
room with his son. Then through the
door came these words, spoken by
the father to the boys mother on the
long-dlstance telephone:
ooh, mother, | have Willie here
In my arms He Is safe. Glory to
God, mama, 1t is the happiest night
OF my ife."
There was pause The mother
was pleading for her husband to re-
turn the boy to his home at once.
81 am sorry, mother" Whitla said.
II can't get train out OF here until
s O'Clock in the morning but | will
come home as soon as possible You
can trust me with him, little mother,
can't you?"
Detective Reed next answered the
telephone. Whltla praised him for
his work, and told him OF the re-
covery OF the child.
Five minutes after the father had
entered his room fully 1000 persons
we're gathered in the Railways and
lobbies OF the hotel. Again and again
they called his name and implored
the father to bring the boy out and
let them look at him.
Whitla acquiesced. Mounting a
raised platform in the center of the
lobby, he gave every one an oppor-
tunity to see his son. Cries of
Speech" caused Whita to say a
few words, He said:
III live a thousand years can
never do enough to repay the press,
the police and the people who have
all done noble work in helping me
me- h.,ts