Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1909-03-23
KIDNAPPED BOY RETURNED

Little Willie Whitla, who was kid
mapped from school 10 Sharon, Pa, lss
Thursday, was returned to his father a
the Hollenden Hotel, 10 Cleveland
Ohio, last night at $50 O'Clock.
10 compliance with an ag'e1ment en-
tered into between the kidnapped boys
father aud au agent Of the kidnsppers 10
Cleveland YESTERDAY, the boy Was Placed
on a street car on the outskiits OF the
city and started to the hotel shortly
after 8 O'Clock.
Two boys recognized the lad on the
esr and taking him 10 charge conducted
him to his father, who was in waiting, ac'
cording to a prtarranged plan which he
had followed st the dictaiion of the KID
nappers.
The boy wandered about the hotsl IN.
announced tor several minutes asking
bellboys for bis father before the latter
knew his son vas in The hotel. The mo-
meut the anxious parent heard that a
strauge boy was in the hotel saunterioe
10 aimless fashion be rushed across the
lobby, erasped him 10 his arms and
smo othered his face with kisses.
An attempt had been made to disguise
the lad. He wore Tair OF smoked
glasses and large tan cap, which was
pulled down over bis ears, and the father
ssid 1t would have been difIicuIt 10 haze
recognized the boy in tuch garb had
be passed him on the street.
Willie is In perfect health. BE cay;
that he has been we'll tHa,ed, and ever
aimee his capture has been constantly in
doors. He believes he was taken from
sharon to Warren aud thence to New
castle, Pa. 1t is his opinion, expressed
10 happy schoolboY way, that he was
10 Asbtsbula on Saturday, night at the
time his fsthtr wts tn leave his $40, 00O
10 Flstiron Park.
Whitla senior refused to sac whether
be had paid the ransom or not He said
that he received a letter yesterday from
the kiduappers at his home In Sharon
saying thai IL he called at confectionery
store III the east end OF Cleveland be
would be told how to secure his boy un-
harmed end "well fed"
Shortly after noon be left Sha'on for
Cleveland. He YVES uuaccOmpanled
His immediste family and the private
detectives be had in bis employ he sp-
prised of the proposed secret meeting,
but insisted that be make the trip alone.
Every one of them was warned that be
must be allowed to go unheralded and
no attempt at the capture of the kidnap.
pers now be made.
Wbills wss certain thst II he spoiled
the plans of his sons csptors last nigh
be would pever see the lad again. His
experience at Ashlsbuls served as q warn
log.
About 2 O'Clock yesterday afternoon
be went to a candy store 10 the east end.
With him be csrried the $40, 900, ex-
peeting it would be demanded of him
there. He was met by woman who
detailed to him the terms Of the kdnsp'
pers. With all the esgerness of a dis
lracted parent Whitls agreed to them
Immediately.
Detectives In bis employ say lhst BIZ
paid the money, but on this point the
fstber declines to commit himself.
Wbitla senior declines TO name thu
woman 10 charge OF the confectionery
store aud almost dsrs the police to 10
cate her. So the boy was brought from
his hiding plsce-where 1t was no or
knows-io q car line in the east of thI
city. which would bring him into towI
quickly.