New-York tribune., 1909-03-23
WILLIE WHITLA BACK;
FATHER PAYS RANSOM
IDENTITY OF KIDNAP.
PERS UNRETE4LED.
Boz. UeH Treated, Placed on
CIereIand Car-Ueets Father
IN Hotel.


school in Sharon last Thursday. returned
to his father at the HoHenden Hotel here to-
night at $50 o'clock
Mr. Nhitla admits that he paid $4,000 70 a
woman in a Cleveland candy store early this
afternoon. 1t was in currency and bills The
woman did not count the money Mr. Whttla
believes the woman was an Italian, but he re-
fuses to disclose her identity
In compliance with an agreement entered into
between the kidnapped boys father and an
agent Of the kidnappers here to-day. the boy
was placed on a streetcar on the outskirts OF
the city and started TO the hotel shortly after
S o'clock.
Two boys G. w Ramsey and Edward Ma
honey, recognized the lad on the car, and. TAX
ing him in charge. conducted him to his father,
who was in waiting according to prearranged
plan. which he had followed at the dictatlon OF
the kidnappers-
Tho how wandered about the hotel lobby un-
announced for several minutes asking belIboys
for his father before the latter knew his son
was in the big foyer. The moment the anxious
parent heard that strange boy was in the
hotel sauntering in ainIess fashion he rushed
across the lobby. grasped him in his arms and
srnothered his face with kisses
An attempt had been made 70 disguise the
lad He wore pair Of smoked glasses and
large tan cap. which was pulled down over his
ears and the father said it would have been
difficult 10 have recognized the boy IN such
garb had he passed him on the street
BOY WELL. TREATED
Willie IS in perfect health He says that hs
has been well treated. and ever since his capture
has been constantly indoors He believes he
was taken from Sharon 70 Warren. Ohio' and
thence to Newcastle, Penn 1t is his opinion
expressed in a happy schoolboy way that ne
was in AshtabuIa on Saturday night at the t'In7
his father was 10 leave his $4,000 IN FIatlron
Park.
Mr. Whft!a SAYS that he received letter to-
dav from the Eidnarpers at his home 10 Sharon
-. int y be called at q confectionery store
j., the east end Of cleveland he would be told
how 10 get back his boy unharmed and well
fed
shortly after noon he left Sharon for Clevo-
land He was unaccompanied he apprise1 MS
tr1-,alia+e family and the private detectives
in his employ of the proposed secret meetlhs'
but insisted that he make the trip alone Every
one Of them was warned that he must be al
lowed 70 go unheraIded, and that no attempt at
the capture of the kIdnappers be made Mr.
WhitIa was certain that if he spoiled the plans
of his sons captors tonight he would never
see the lad again. His experience at Ashtabula
served a warning.
About o'clock this afternoon he went 70
candy store in the East End. With him ne car
ried the $1,000. expecting that it would be de-
manded OF him there. He was met by a woman.
who detailed TO him the terms Of the kidnap-
pers. With all the eagerness Of a distracted
parent Whttla agreed 70 them instantly. Halt
an hour later he returned 70 the HoIlenden
Hotel and awaited developments
His entrance to the hotel was shrouded IN Sc
crecy- BY & previous arrangement made with
the hotel management he did not register. g.
B. Perkins. the detective who has superintendent
the search for the boy in behalf Of the father,
was in the lobby Of the hotel calmly smoking
and pretending TO be unconcerned- But the
hearts Of both parent and detectives were beat
ing anxtousIy.
ANXIOUS WAIT IN HOTEL
The agent Of the kidnappers had promised that
the boy would be started toward the hotel
shortly after nightfau AS the hour for the ap-
pearance of the chiId's return approached. Mr.
WhitIa became nervous. He disregarded the
advice Of the detectives. who had told him to
keep out Of sight of the newspaper men and the
crowds Of curious people who had learned that
he was in the city. Emerging from his room
he walked up and down the hail on the second
floor with hands cIasped across his breast
Then. unable 10 stand the suspense longer. he
went into the lobby and seated himself in
chair.
a few newspaper men walked over TO talk
to him. but he refused 20 converse.
In heavens name. men. do not say ANYTHING
10 me. 1 am on the verge Of nervous prostra-
ton he said. II expect the boy Will be back
tonight. bat I cannot state positively whether
he will he returned safe and sound Dc not ask
me TO reveal the alleged settlement That might
ruin all OF the plans
Fer more than an hour Whitla waited in the
lobby. smoking black cigars and muttering TO
himself. Perkins sat near him and pleaded with
him 10 have patience a friend approached. and
Whitla walked into a secluded corner of the
hotel and talked To him in monosyIlabIes. His
eyelids twitched nervousIy. He rubbed his hands
and silently prayed for the quick return OF the
boy.
In the mean time little Willie. feeling COM
rarativeIy safe in the hands of the kidnappers
tfor he was being treated kindly and reven at
this time does not realize what terrible danger
he was i'm, was being prepared for his return
to his father. The woman at the candy store
had done her duty She communicated with thu
captors of the boy and told them that the
father had made attempt To trap them. The
kidnaprers were satisfied Mr. Whita declines
to name the woman in charge of the confec-
tionery store. and almost dares the police 20 md
her.
HIDING PLACE A MYSTERY.
So the hoy was brought from the hiding place
where it was no one knows-to car line in
the east end of the city which would bring
him into town quickly. The kidnapper. accor1-
ing 10 Willie was cheerful enough The mys-
,ri,,,,s ono and The voungster skipped in school