The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-01-11

Every policeman on duty in Washing
ton and a corps OF detectives from the
Central Office worked last night in an
effort 10 find Portman MCGEE. fourteen
years old, who !s believed 10 have been
kidnapped and detained in this city by
his captOrs.
The boy has been missing from his
home. at Piney Branch road and Bright
wood avenue. since Saturday morning.
when he started 70 work Relatives did
not fear for his safety until late yester-
day afternoon. when three special de-
livery letters were received by his
mother.
Notified Police.
The boys father, Samuel McGee.
boarded a car and rode 20 police head
quarters. where he notified the police Of
the mysterious circumstances surround
Ing the boys disappearance. He turned
the letters over 10 the police. who re-
fuse 20 divulge their contents I IS
known that two Of the letters were
written by P0rtman and the third by
person unknown TO the boys relatives.
The letters written by the boy were
addressed in his own handwriting 20 his
mother. The writing was shaky and
the words badly written Portman is
known 10 be a good penman. and for
THIS reason Il IS thought he wrote the
letters under pressure and probably
against his Will
In the first letter Portman wrote y
am all right, mother. Do not be alarmed
viii probably be home late tonight
Mrs. MCGEE was somewhat relieved when
she received the letter. but half an hour
later she received the second missive,
written ~ her sons handwriting. which
caused her alarm. The boy wrote Il
will not be hom. tonight. but do not
worry. Everything viii be- All right
cannot tell YOU where I an or what am
doing. Gocd-by until you hear from me
again"
Third Letter Received
Mrs. McGee showed the letters TO her
husband. and asked him TO notify the
police. MCGEE declined. saying he
thought the boy would be found or would
return home in a few DAYS
About : O'Clock a messenger boy
brought the third letter 10 the McGee
home. This letter was written i8 a
strange handwriting. Its author is sp-
parentIy HIiterate. as the writing is poor
and many Of the words misspelled. The
writer says Your son Will not be home
for some days. but do not get scared He
Will show up al right Do not get fright
ened and tell the police. for he viii re-
turn home soon
Immediately after the receipt Of the
third letter McCzee came 70 Washington
End informed the police Messenger boys
who carried the letter from the sender
70 the MCGEE home had not been located
at a late hour. II IS thought these lads
can tell from where the letters were
sent and in this way give the detectives
a cIew.
All of the letters were sent from a
point in this city. it is thought. although
the police will neither affirm or deny
this. The reticence OF police officials is
regarded as an indication Of the serious
ness OF the boys disappearance
Nearly Frustrated.
Mrs McGee is nearly pTostrated a. her
home Is a result Of the worry she has
experienced. McGee said last night 20
reporter for The Washington Herald: Il
believe the police will find the boy. 1t IS
q mysterious affair and I am afraid pub
Hcity viii interfere with work Of the po-
lice.
"Portman was a messenger boy and
worked for a local publication. distribut-
ing the sheets on his bicycle. He was paid
Friday night and when he returned home
left the money in bureau drawer in his
room He arose early Saturday morning
and left for work That is the last time
he was seen by relatives
He did not put in an appearance at
the Office where ne is employed. and in
vestigation by myself showed he has not
been seen by any Of his companions I
have visited a number Of friends. where
l thought he might have gone. but he
has not been seen
When We received the mysterious let
ters, We realized the boy was not staying
away OF his own accord. He had no rea-
son to leave home. even for a few days.
have no enemies who would detain the
boy to injure ne. and 7 believe Portman
was well liked. II he is held captive, it
is not for money. IS 1 am not rich and
am not connected with wealthy persons.
I have q number Of theories concern
ing the boys disappearance. but do
not care 10 state these. as It might make
his recovery more difficult