Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-12-14
STRANGER CONFERS
WITH MRS. KELLNER
Following HaSty Conference,
Unknown Man Suddenly
Disappears.

ments are coming thick and fast in the
Alma Kellner kidnapping case.
Late this afternoon a stranger drove
up to the Kellner home in buggy and
entered the house. He had a conference
with Mrs. Kellner. mother of the kid
mapped child.
Shortly after this, Frank Fehr, mil
lionaire uncle of the girl, sent for an
automobile and left the Kellner house
in haste. He was trailed to the outskirts
of the city. Kellner, the father. is with
two detectives of the Louisville police
department, and is making mysterious
visits i'm a suburb.
The police were working on the theory
that Alma Kellner's captors left Louis
vile with the intention of taking her to
Cincinnati. The girl has been missing
since Wednesday morning.
Mayor w. o. Head took hand
IN the matter during the morning, asking
Mr.. Kellner to come to the city hall.
The mayor questioned the father closely
regarding rumors that there had been
disagreement between him and his wife
over the education of the child, Mr.. Kell-
ner being a Protestant and Mrs. Kell-
ner a Catholic. Mr.. Kellner quickly as
sured Mr.. Head that there had been no
difference Of opinion, and that he had not
objected to the child being educated In
Catholic schools.
The rnavor then announced to the news
paper men that, in his opinioni there was
no ground for the reports that family
affairs were responsible for the disap-
pearance of the child. Mr.. Kellner next
gave an hour of his time TO Chief OF
Detectives Carney, without apparently
throwing any new light on the case, ana
- all =
for the purpose, it is understood, Of ques-
tionine the mother. The police have run
Gown every rumor except that concern
ing the men in the covered wagon, who
are now supposed to be in the vicinity
of I,awrenceburg or Aurora, Ind, on
their way to Cincinnati.
The officers still puzzled, but eagerly
working on every line Of possible value,
went over every detail Of the mysterious
case with Mrs. Kellner and other mem
hers iof the family. At noon they were
sti1 AT the KelIner home in earnest con-
versation with the grief-stricken mother
The story that the girl was started for
Cincinnati is strongly borne out by evil
dence of DR.. D. G. Jones and his wire,
given to the police today, and that OF
Isadore Lepler, peddler, closeted with
the heads of the police department late
Friday.
DIR. Jones story is that while he and
his wife were driving along the Charles
ton pike. between Jacksonville and
Charleston, Ind, they met covered
wagon driven by a man near 40 years
old. He was driving very fast
He slowed up, as he approached DR..
Jones, but did not stop until the front
end of the wagon had passed DR.. Jones'
line of vision.
How do you get to Cincinnati?" the
man called to DR.. Jones after he had
driven past.
This story is borne out by that of Isa-
dore LepIer, peddler who told the police
late Friday night that he had seen the
wagon drawn by two gray horses on the
road between Charleston and New Wash
ington, Ind. The driver said he was on
his way from Nashville to Cincinnati.
While he was talking a little girl was
heard to cry in the wagon. Lepler says
she later put her head out below the cur
tains and that she resembled in every
way the description of Alma Kellner.
The silence of the abductors of the girl
is giving the police and the family great
concern. 1t looks as If there were some
hidden motive other than a money con-
sideration. 1t also makes grave doubts
creep into the minds Of the mother and
father whether or not their child is alive.
''If we received a demand for money,
we would at least be sure she still lives"
said the father today, land that demand
would be most welcome"
While no reward has been offered, 1t is
certain the kidnapers could get any sum
they would ask. Kellner will have no
trouble in getting all the money he needs
to purchase his daughters release.
Frank Fehr, millionaire head of the
Frank Fehr Brewing company, Kellner
and his stepmother, the widow of Fred
Kellner, Sr., who died a year ago. leav-
ing a big estate, were in conference for
long time late Friday and It is thought
definite arrangements were made for the
money end of the transaction, should a
demand be made.
Thinking that perhaps the kidnapers
would attempt TO make their moves
under the cover of darkness, Detective
Fitzgibbons today secured an automo-
bile and made a complete tour of the
city and its suburbs. He returned after
dark tonight with nothing new.