New-York tribune., 1909-03-21
FUTILE HUNT FOR BOY
MYSTERY SHROUDS CASE.
Father AnaIosJSly WGiting for Word
from Kidna ppers.

ehs-or Penn March 2o-Jarnes P WhItIa
80. father Of eight-year- Willie whitla. who
,.ss kidnapped from the Second Ward school
hare on Thursday morning. stated tonight that
.,s-a ware no Developments IN the search for
his child
The case had developed into a seeming impen-
.trable mystery.
Frank H. Buhi. the millionaire uncle ~ the
,tssinE boy. returned late to-day from Cleve-
.svaraI reports that the boy and his abductors
+s6 been captured IN that city. and said that
tho reports were untrue. Mr.. Buhl said the boy
-assr1hled the missing lad somewhat but was
not his nephew Mr.. Bull stated also that the
,-ves+igation Of other clews enanating in CIeve-
land had proved futile.
The police and a squad OF thirty members
~ The state consta buary. which arrived here
with their mounts this afternoon. are securing
the country about here. in the hope Of obtain
ing evidence that will lead TO the capture Of the
rerpetrators OF the crime
A member Of the constabulary who has been
shout sharon for the last two days assisting in
the search for the kidnapped boy and who has
been shadowing q woman from Youngstown.
ohio. called upon Martin Chain. Chief of Police,
tonight for aid in arTesting the woman.
robbine and crying, Nj WhitIa broke down
today and in 4 statement said he wanted 20
impress on every person interested in the recov-
s-v Of the boy that all he wanted to his
Child safe back hons. He said he was ready
n pav the $4,000 ransom at any time. and
hsd authorized agents TO pay over the money.
The clew from Cleveland for a time buoyed Mr.
EhitIa and his wife UP. but when that was dis
sipafed their hopes were crushed
40 SECOND LETTER RECEIVED
Mr.. whitia denied to-day that he has received
money demanded as ransom. He reiterated sew
.-sl times. however that he is very anxious
10 get into communication with the kidnappers.
ard that they can have the money.
Sharon IS the Mecca Of private detectives from
all parts Of the country. brought by newspaper
rewards ard the prospect of being well paid
for anv information they may succeed in un-
eerthinE-
Il is reported that squad Of constabulary.
numbering tTenty-three men. will make thor
oueh search covering the territory between this
CITY and Buffalo. It is rumored that important
DEVELOPMENTS are expected 10 occur in the East.
nrohsbly Buffalo. but the reason for this surmise
is not known
A conference was held in the office of Mr.
v-hitla this afternoon between Mr.. whitla and
Martin Grain Chief Of Police A squad OF police
was stationed outside the Office to prevent inter
ference.
Reports that men with boys had been seen in
various cities have been received in numbers.
but investigation has produced no results Chi
caKo Ashtabule snd Youngstown. Ohio. and
Firrshrrx and Philadelphia all promised devel-
oprrents IN the last tventy-four hours. but to
night the case seems as much mystery as at
first
Nam officers are concentrating their efforts
fr the vicinity of this city. Many doubt whether
the abdr1c-ors ever left this citv with the boy.
Still others think the abductors will be satisfied
n Law low here or in some nearby town for a
number n dsvs before making any effort 10
communicate with Mr.. Whitla concerning the
payment % the ransom An opinion is held by
those in charge Of the search that the kidnap-
re7s are men Of considerable intelligence, who
will eventually get the ransom Of $4,000 and re
turn the boy.
Neither Mr. and Mrs whitla or Willies little
sister Salina. ten years old. have slept much
sinc= the Kidnapping occurred at $50 o'clock
Thursday morning
Mr Whitla received news to-day that boy
answering the description OF his son. was seen
entering Ashtabula. Ohio. Thursday afternoon
According 70 the story. John Bakeley. con-
ductor Of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern
Railroad noticed the boy and a man whose
appearance talies with that Of the hdnapper s
getting on the train AT Warren. Ohio The boy
several sea Is In 1TCEt OF Ie man anu VIZ
questioned as to where he was gong, seemed
afraid to answer and looked back at the man
VINO got on AZ Warren. The man and the ooN
left the train at Ashta hula- the man asking no"
r. r=ac7 Ashtabula HaTbor by trolley
Judge 2 VI. wilkins. of Trumbul county
Chic granted permission 70 the Pennsy!Tanla
s-ate police to-day TO search every mouse IN
Tr7lrnhull County for the boy
SIMILAR CASE RECALLED.
TIE abduction of the Whitla boy has served
20 recall almost 2 similar kidnapping at Sharon
n Isss ten years ago. when the son Of 2 wealthy
resident A Levine. was the victim Al the
time he was kidnapped, the child was eight
months old and in baby carriage IN
chsrg- n nurse. The nurse had wheeled the
osrrisra along one Of the avenues Of the city