Norwich bulletin., 1909-03-23
In Compliance with Agreement Between Lads
Father and Agent Of AbductOrs
BOY PLACED ABOARD STREET CAR
On Outskirts of City of Cleveland and Started 10 the Ho
Ienden Hotel where His Father was Waiting in Ac-
cordance with Prearransed Pan-Young Whitla is in
Good Health-Woman Agent Conducts Negotiations.
Note to the TroIIey conduotor.


A slip which Willie was to hand to
the conductor was put in the boys
pocket 1t read: "Send this boy to the
Hollenden hotel double quick.
With all the arrangements made and
his tracks apparently well covered up,
the kidnapper took the boys hand in
his braWny one, and they continued
The lad skipped gaily enough with his
companion. the promise of seeing his
dad" and ma" urging him forward.
They chatted with each other. Willie
says the man told him that if anybody
asked him who took him to the car
line to tell them it was Mr.. Jones'"
Just tell them that your name is
Jones, too. if you want to- said the
kidnapper.
"Ali right, Mr.. Jones'" answered
Willie.
Presently a car came into view ana
"Mr. Jones" drew the boy closer to
him.
well, Willie, you are going down
town now and you will see your papa
pretty soon," he said.
Willie Meets Two Boy Friends on the
Car.
This delighted Willie. He swung on
the car quickly, according to the con-
ductor. MIR. Jones" paid the boys
fare and then got off the car and dis
appeared after waving a friendly
adieu. This farewell salute to his re-
cent little captive was continued until
the latter on the car had disappeared
in the darkness.
The boy gazed about the car for
familiar face. He saw no one he knew
Presently Edward Mahoney, a 17-year
old boy came into the car. He sat
down in the seat with the boy Ma
honey like almost every other person
in Cleveland last night, was looking
for the kidnapped boy, so when his
eyes lighted on Willie he started a
conversation.
Whats your name?" he queried.
Jones" answered Willie, true to his
kidnapper friend.
But Mahoney was not to be fooled.
He called his friend Ramsey over
from another part Of the car and
showed him Willie. He suggested that
he might be the missing child. Then
Willie showed them his transfer slip.
saying that he should be put off at
the Hollenden hotel, and they were
convinced that they had accomplished
more than had all the detectives in the
country
The boys now willing companions
took Willie to the hotel.
"Have You Seen My Papa?"
He ran through the doors ahead of
them and into the lobby. The boys
partly lost track Of him in the crowd.
SO anxious was the young boy to catch
a glimpse of a face he loved. But
Willie did not see his father, mother.
or sister in the lobby. Walking over
to the clerk he asked: Have you seen
my papa?"
who is he, boyg" he was asked.
"Oh, I'm Mr.. Whitla's Willie" he
replied.
The crowd nearest the boy who
heard the words rushed in around him
The lad was showed up against the
hotel counter and the scene closely re-
sembled panic.
Father Recognizes the Voice.
Across the lobby the father, his eyes
red from weeping. heard the piping
voice Of his son. Frantic with JOY at
the sound. he rushed through the office
corridor and in a moment was fighting
his way through the spectators
Plunging and squlrming and jostled
by the bystanders he made his way
to the bewildered boy in knickerbock-
ers standing solemnly with automobile
goggles in front of the clerks desk.
The lad saw his father coming and
opened his lips to speak, but the words
were never spoken. Grasping Willie
in his arms, the happy father lifted the
boy into his arms and planted a score
Of kisses on his lips.
Rugged the Child Tightly to His
Breast.
ITS my boy, my darling Willie" he
cried, while tears rolled down his
cheeks He pressed the child to his
breast and hugged him tightly.
Willie smiled little. He was glad
to see his papa, but he did not realize
what all the fuss was about.
Mother Notified Over Long Distance
Phone.
AS soon as he could push his wav
through the crowd Mr.. Whitla went to
his room on the second floor. He car
ried the boy in his arms. For several
minutes he was alone in the room with
his recovered son. Then through the
door came these words, spoken BY the
father to the boys mother on the long
distance telephone:
"Oh. mother, 1 have Willie here in
my arms. He is safe. Glory to God.
mamma, it is the happiest night Of my
life"
There was a pause. The mother was
pleading for her husband to return the
boy to his home at once.
Il am sorry mother" Mr.. Whitla
said. Il can't get a train out Of here
until s o'clock in tie morning. But |
win come home as soon as possible. |
You can trust me with him, little
mother, can't you?"
Admits Paying the Ransom.
Before retiring for the night. Mr..
Whitla admitted that he had paid
$4,000 TO the woman in the candy
store. 1t was in currency and bills. |
The woman did not count the bills.
Mr.. Whitla believes the woman was
ar italian, but he refuses to disclose |
her identity.