Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-12-19
Think Alma Dead.

VIC VII COHIiuQc TIE Iluul 81 lOuS DIS
there is any hope for finding her. But
people in the kidnapping business don't
have much money when they take child
and they want to get it quickly as
they can. Public indignation has been
stirred up here and it would have result
ed In her return had she been in Louis
Vile. We have had every home in the
city searched carefully; we have searched
the homes of the rich and poor alike and
especially the alleyway and suburban
homes. Our men are now working in the
suburbs and will continue there for sew
eral days. There is. of course, hope
and chance that she is alive, but even
TIE very rest of us are beginning to wag
our heads while we go on with the
Gov. Wilson have all offered bountiful
rewards. If Alma was alive the $1,000
oner.d would nave brought her home.
The kidnapers. if there were any. would
gladly have given her over for that
dn, unit AID tie cou'd east, have m I'd,
it twice the sum had they but asked it,
May Be Victim of "Ripper."
The Kellner family believes that Alma
has been the victim Of Jack the Rip
per-" and some Of them say they do not
think she is alive now. They say that If
this is true she will be abandoned by her
keeper within the next few days. and that
when he comes for another vistim the
police will have their chance to captu e
him. One of the family today recounted
manner in which the child could have
been tempted away from the walks of
herself ard her playmates. and To- have
been taken to the ''Ripper's'' haunts.
Like al children, she had a ruling fond
hess for candy and sweetmeats. That
some -Ons could have taken her to any
part of tie city by promising to buy can
dy for her, and then coud have stolen
her away is his theory. He says that he
thinks the search now being made for
the child in the outlying sections of the
city ought To bring some tidings of her at
least.
Her father said today that unless some
thing is heard of their daughter within
the next few hours ne fears his wife
will lose her mind. She has not been out
of bed now for almost a week and the
physician who has been attending her
almost constantly for fifteen days says
that she has been Gelirious for practically
the entire week. Mr.. Kellner made eight
trips today TO tha Office of Chief of De-
tectves Carney, and each time was re-
ceived with the same announcement, that
so far nothing had been learned OF HIS
daughters whereabouts.
Mother May Go Insane.
I'm almost afraid to go home" he
told Chief c rney after his last trip this
evening. "You can't understand What il
means to my WIFE and to myself. Sac
lies there In semi-cOnscious condition
crying for Alma. We have done every
thing we could to make it easy for her
but the doctor tells me that unless we
find our Chi d within the next few days
my wife will go into mysteries and may
never come out from their effect
Chief Carney told him that his men
are searching everywhere for the girl.
but that no tangible news has been
heard of her. The family. it Is said.
has received scores of letters from
takers who tell them to leave money
at certain places and that their daugh-
ter will be returned to them. Many IF
police and have been found to be un-
true. Some OF the places named In the
letters have never listed. An add-
tional reward Of $4,000 will be offered
unless the child is returned to her home
by Sunday evening. This will be r.
rected to her kidnapers. who will be
told that they have just to return the
child and that the money Will be turned
over to them and no questions asked
1t is believed that If she is alive this
scheme will bring her back to her
parents.
Asks $50, 900 Reward.
Anonymous letters. written. say the pc
live by cranks began coming today Il
! the relatives of Alma kellner. One com
munication addressed to Frank Fehr
millionaire brewer and uncle of the miss
, ing child. demanded that $4,000 be lef
IN house on Preston street. Upon In
vestigation this lette was declared
| as an example of all the Kelner mail O.
| this character.