The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1909-03-25
PROBABLY IN CLEVELAND
FROM DAY Of KIDNAPPING.


Cleveland, March 23.-Police and de-
tectives Of this city who have been
working on the Whitla kidnapping case
now believe that the boy has beer
held in Cleveland ever since the even
ing of the day of his abduction.
The boys father expressed the
same opinion before leaving here this
morning for his home in Sharon.
"They brought him directly to Cleve-
land" said the elder Whitla. "AS
near as we can tell, they drove to
Warren. and then went to Cleveland
via Ashtabula.
"How they travelled, whether in an
auto or by railroad, we cannot learn
from Billy. He is badly confused on
this point.
"The probability is he was never
allowed to see outside when he was
travelling. This is what makes him so
confused. He does not know in what
towns he has been.
1--WE do not take seriously his state
ment that he was in a large brick
house. We think the abductors told
him this after he was in the house,
and that he believed whatever they
told him"
The police have theory that the
little boy was drugged during the trip
to Cleveland. Otherwise, they think,
his mind would have retained some
distinct impressions of the trip.
"Billy" Whitla was wide-awake and
astir by the time first rays of morning
appeared. The eight-year-eld lad had
a longing to be with his mother and
nothing could divert his mind from
that subject. The first train upon
which he could leave was scheduled
for a. m, but that did not prevent
him from arising at 5. His careworn
and exhausted father left his bed at
the same time. They were downstairs
at the Hollenden hotel for breakfast
soon after 6 o'clock.
They ordered bacon, eggs and coffee
Both ate heartily.
Though it was early. many curious
persons collected at the doors of the
Hollenden dining room and watched
the boy eat. One woman crossed the
floor and kissed Billy. God bless you,
little man." she said.
Billy sat at front table, before the
Superior avenue windows. Pedes-
trians in the street saw him eating.
A crowd collected on the sidewalk.
Two walters stepped up and pulled
aside the curtains. Billy stood up
and bowed to the crowd. The crowd
cheered.
Suddenly Billy sat down. His face
grew very red. "Everybody's staring
at me so can't eat" he said.
People began to flock into the din
ing room. The greater the crowd the
breater grew Billys embarrassment.
| He looked up gratefully when one
woman patted his shoulder. Then he
spoke suddenly to his father, as If a
new thought had ocurred to him.
Papa, do you suppose the boys at
home will remember me?" he asked
seriously.
why, of course, Billy" was the
response. "You haven't been gore SO
long as all that"
When breakfast was over Billy and
his father escaped to their ROOM From
then until they left for the Erie depot,
the city detectives questioned the boy.
At 7:45 Billy and his father came in
to the lobby to take taXicaD for the
8 a. M Erie train.
The word had gone out that the
! kidnapped boy was about to leave for
| the station. The lobby was packed
On East Sixth street a big crowd OF
men and women had packed around
| the taxicab.
There was rush for the boy as he
appeared in the lobby. Detective
Bernhard and Mr.. Whitla protected
Billy as best they could, and putting
shoulders to the crowd the two men
| forced a way to the auto.
Hold him up" shouted a man in
! the crowd,
His father seized Billy under the
arms and swung him high. The crowd
cheered Justify The journey 10 the
station was slow, because of men
jumping on and off the taxicab.