The San Francisco call., 1909-03-23
KIDNAPPED BOY IS
RETURNED TO HOME
Little Willie WhitIa Once Again
in Fathers Arms, I'M
injured
Terms of Bandits 0beyed, but
Parent Refuses to Admit
Paying Ransom

+-LETELAND. o, March 22.-Little
1tllAe Whitls. who has caused the po-
OF the entire country endless
Werry since he was kidnapped from
school in Sharon. Pa, last Thursday.
mas returned 10 his father at the Hol-
aEaen hotel here at $50 o'clock this
evening In compliance with an
Ereement entered into by the kid
ped boys father and an agent OF the
ktonapers here today. the boy was
rsced on q streetcar on the outskirts
f rae city and started to the hotel
#a6rtly after o'clock.
Two boys. @. ". Ramsey and Edward
stakoney. recognized the clad on the
scr and. taking him IN charge. con-
eahted him 10 the hotel where his
tatEer was 10 be. The lad wandered
as0ut The hotel lobby for several min
qtes asking beubOys for his father be-
9re the latter knew his son was in
Ehe big foyer. The moment the anxious
parent heard that a strange boy was
-n the hotel he rushed across the
lobby, grasped him IN his arms and
snothered his face with kisses.
Lad DISGUISED
An attempt had been made TO dis
epise the lad He wore a pair Of
smoked glasses and large tan cap.
which was pulled down over his eyes.
sad the father said il would have
been difficult 10 have recognized the
BOY IN such garb had he passed him
Oh the street
- Willie was IN perfect health. He said
se had been well treated and ever
. s>zce his capture was constantly in
81 oors. He believes he was taken from
Sharon 10 Warren and thence 10 New
castle. Pa Il is his opinion. exhibited
ER.a happy schooiboy way. that he was
II -Ashra bula on Saturday night. at the
rne his father was 70 leave the sum
$4,000 in Flstiron park.
-.Whlrls senior refused 10 state
T-hether he had paid the ransom
e said -hat he received . letter to-
~ ftou the kidnspers at his home in
Sss3a. saying that i he called at a
nfe@uonery store in the east end Of
.s'seaEland he would be told how 10 Sc
Ee his boy unharmed and well fed"
=: s. ortly after noon lie left Sharon for
GEeEeland- He was unaccompanie
ks<s Immediate family and private
Z tefeetives he spPrised Of the proposed
81 sI meeting, but insisted that he
tsR@e the TIP alone Every one Of
tsl@gu was warned that he must be al
oHs5 20 go u1heeded and no attempt
tse capture OF the kidnapers be
s5s>
Waftls was certain that II he spoiled
plans or his sons captor tonight
1E Would never see the boy again His
N1erience - Ashtabula served as a
>UsaEllnE.
! il MET By WOMAN
E6out o'clock this afternoon he
EeUt 70 e candy store in the East End.
E1n him he carried the $4,000. ex-
re9t.ag thar il would be demanded Of
there. He was met by z woman,
N-5ru detailed TO him the terms OF the
=-5ssGapers With AL the eagerness Of
q distracted parent, Whitla agreed to
5regia. Immediately Detectives IN his
ernploE say that be paid the money.
=. Gt on this point the father declines
II commit himself Half an hour later
zeturned 10 the Hollenden hotel and
aTFsited developments.
As Willie came into the hotel he
rped ahead Of his companions and
:tsS 81 TO the clerk:
11s- have you seen my papa?
5Tho is he boy2~ he was asked.
Jl, Im Mr. Whitls's Willie" he re-
TIE crowd nearest the boy who heard
xa9. words rushed IN around him. The
-Isc. was showed Up against the hotel
..-ce.sqter and the scene closely resembied
- panic
F.. Across the lobby the father. his eyes
fed from weeping. heard the piping
-a-ozee of has son. Frantic with joy al
--f-e sound. he rushed through the Office
l-.rr.dor ana ln = moment was fghting
-hls way through the spectators. Plung-
Ing and squirming knocking bystanders
- sght and left. the frenzied parent made
E .5S way 70 the bewiidered boy standing
<oleRulv with automobile goggles in
.ron- q the clerks desk.
Che Kidnapped boy saw his parent
rs1rrinE de opened his lips 10 speak.
Ls-e words were never spoken Grasp
ing Willie, the happy father lifted the
b5y-into hs arms and planted z score OF
Kisses on his lips
.Is's my boy. my darling Willie" he
cried
Tears gushed from his eyes. He
- messed the child 10 his breast and
lugged him tightly.
Before retiring Tor the night Whitls
admitted that lie had paid SO 900 TO the
woman in the confectionery store. L
was il currency- The woman did not
count the money Whitla believes the
'r.sofnsn was ar italian, but refuses to
disclose her identity
kidnapping Death Penalty
T.. HARRISBURG. Pa. March PA bill
King kidnapping . felony punishable