The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-09-09

actual abduction On the witness stand
yesterday Clarence Bellnap. cousin of
Mrs. Charlotte Bleakley and the man
who protected the child until hit over
the head with a revolver. gave full
account OF the incident. He said:
"I was in the parlor, Marian was
in the living room between the parlor
and the kitchen and Mrs. Thompson
was in the kitchen when I heard
knock at the front door. 1 went to the
door at once and strange woman
pretending to sell soap asked to see
the lady of the house. I allowed her
to enter the parlor and before 1 called
Mrs Thompson in I locked the screen
door as it would not stay shut unless
locked. Then went to the kitchen to
call Mrs. Thompson.
Just then a man came UP on the
fl ont porch who resembled Gentry. He
entered the house and made rush for
Marian who was sitting in the living
room playing on the floor at the time.
At the same time Mrs. Thompson re-
allied his intentions and she also made
a rush for Marian. Meanwhile the
strange soap agent left and l have
seen nothing of her since
ct could not realize at first what had
happened But when I saw Gentry and
Mrs. Thompson struggling for the child
/ ran up to him and told him to leave
Mrs Thompson alone. He paid no at
tention to me but kept UP MS eHorts
to grab Marian. Then l got closer TO
him and started to interfere when he
whipped a gun from his pocket and
told me to leave him alone and stay
out of The tussle-"
could do nothing at that time and
while I was engaging his attention
Mrs. Thompson grabbed the child away
from him, tore from his grasp and
started upstairs through the door when
opened into the living room. At this
movement Gentry made a lurch toward
Mrs. Thompson but she shut the door
n his face. At this movement Gentry
broke through the door and pulled MIS-.
Thompson and Marian through the OPP
ching This is where I received my
blow over the head. 1 made a jump
toward Gentry to stop his actions and
raising his big gun above his head ne
swung it at my head. l saw the gun
coming bur could not dodge 1t and FOR
sc evral moments did not know what
was going on
when I could regain my senses
rose to my feet and made for the front
door intending to head Gentry or
[ had seen him make for the back
door with Marian in his arms. 1 ran
out of the door. jumped from the porch
and around to the back yard. Here
saw another man-who / have not seen
eir.ce-runring toward the alley ahead
of Gentry They ran to the buggy,
jumped in, whipped up the horse and
were away.
Il met the man who had been hold
ing the horse-and who I think to
have been TiIlotson-and he asked me
what was the matter. told him and
he said nothing but went north in the
alley. I could not catch the buggy
SC notified the police at once and then
had my wounds dressed which, were
bleeding profusely at that time"
The action of Joseph Reed, the To
reka attorney in defending David David
in- nIicatod in the kidnapping, has at
trected considera Bile attention over the
CITY and has showered many co1npI-
ment and good word upon the head
of the veteran lawyer. Joe Reed is
r oted Tor his big heart and has helped
uany a poor man who was unlucky
enough to fall into the hands of the
police or county officers.
Reed made a pathetic speech before
the court just before adjournment in
which he succeeded in reducing the
bond Of Gregg from $4,000 to $500 Ca
regular bargain counter reductlon) and
everyone in the court room was ready
to give Reed the glad hand when he
had carried forth his purpose. Then
Mrs. Reed. the wife of the attorney
signed the bond and Gregg was free