The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-03-23
Ransom Is Paid and Willie WhiHa Quickly Finds His
 Waiting Father
MIR, WHITLA REFUSES ID
 TALK ABOUT KIDNAPERS
Father of Stolen Boy Got HIm Back and Hopes to Avoid Trouble By Leaving Identity of Kid
 napers Unknown.

Cleveland. O., March 2.-Little Willie Whitla who has caused the police of the entire country endless worry since he was Kidnapped from school In Sharon last Thursday, was returned to his father at Hollenden hotel here tonight at SS0 o'clock. In compliance with an agreement entered into between the Kidnapped boys father and an agent of the kidnapers here today, the boy was placed on street car the outskirts of the city and started to the hotel shortly after 8 o'clock. Two boys, G. W Ramsey and Edward Mahoney. recognized the lad on the car and taknig him in charge, con- ducted him to his father, who was in wait ing according to a pre-arranged plan which he had followed at the dictaton of the kidnapers The boy wandered about the hotel lobby unannounced for several minutes asking bell boys for his father before the latter knew his son was in the hotel The moment the anxious parent ! heard that strange boy was in the hotel sauntering in aimless fashion, he rushed across the lobby grasped him n his arms and smothered his face with kisses An attempt had been made to disguise the
 
 and a large tan cap which was pulled down over his ears, and the father said it would have been difficult to have rec ognized the boy in such a garb had he passed him on the street. Boys Health Good
 Willie Is in perfect health He says that he has been well treated and, ever 1 since his capture, has been constantly indoors. He believes he was taken from sharon to Warren and thence to New castle, Pa. It is his opinion. expressed in happy schoolboy way that he was in Ashtabula on Saturday night at the time his father was to leave his $lo,oOo in F'latiron park.
 Whitla. senior. refused to state whether he had paid the ransom or not He said that he received a letter today from the l kidnapers at his home In sharon say ing that if he called at q confectionery store in the east end of Cleveland he would be told how to secure his boy un- harmed and well fed" Shortly after noon, he left Sharon for Cleveland He was unaccompanied His immediate fam fly and the private detectives he ap- prised of the proposed secret meeting, protested, but he insisted that he make the trip alone. Every one of them was warned that he must be allowed to go un- needed and no attempt at the capture of the kidnapers be made. Whitla is cer- tain that if he had spoiled the plans of his sons captors tonight he would never have seen the lad again. His Experience l at Ashtabula served warning. About o'clock this afternoon he went to a 1 candy store in the east end. With him he carried the $10.00O, expecting that 1t would be demanded of him there. He was met by a woman who detailed to him the terms of the kidnapers. With all tho eagerness of a distracted parent Whitla agreed to them immediately. Detectives in his employ say that he paid the money. but on this point the father declines to commit himself. Half an hour later he returned 10 the Hollenden hotel and waited developments.
 Secret Entrance. His entrance to the hotel was shroud- ed in secrecy. By previous arrange ment made with the hotel management he did not register. Detective G. B. Per- kns, who has superintended the search for the boy in behalf of the father, was in the lobby of the hotel calmly smoking and pretending to be uncon- cerned. But the hearts of both parent and detective were beating anxously. The agents of the kidnapers promised that the boy would be started toward the hotel shortly after nightfall. As the hour of the appearance of the child approached Whitla 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 hall on the second floor with hands clasped across his breast Then. unable to stand the suspehse longer he went into the lobby and seated himself in a chair.
 few newspaper men walked over to talk to him, but he refused to con- verse.
 Almost Prostrated.
 Tn heavens name. men, do not say anything to me; 1 am on the verge of nervous prostration, he said T ex- pect the boy will be back tonight. but l cannot state positively whether he will be returned safe and sound. Do not ask me to reveal the alleged settlement. That might ruin all of the plans.'
 For more than an hour Whitla waited in the lobby, smoking black cigars and mutterng to himself. Detective Per- kins sat near him and pleaded with him to have patience. A friend approached and Whitla walked into secluded cor ner of the hotel and talked to him in monosyllables. His eyelids twitched ner- vousy. He rubbed his hands and silent ly prayed for the quick return of hs boy.
 WlIie's Experience.
 In the meantime little Willie the kid naped boy, feeding comparatively safe in the hands of his kidnapers. for he being treated kindly and even at this time does not realize what terrible danger he was in. was being prepared for his return to his father The wom- an at the candy store had done her duty. She communicated with the captors of the boy and told them that the father had made no attempt to trap them The kldnapers satisfied But Whitla. Sr, declines to name the woman in oh roa of fhn Fact fnf,a sfA ox,a almost dares the police to locate her. So the boy brought from his hid ing place-where it was, no one knows ito line in the east end of the