The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-03-25
BOTH INDICTED.
k1dnaperS OfWhitla BOyCharged
With Blackmail
BY the Grand Jury Sitting at
CIeVeladd, o.
HE COUNTS THE MONEY
Father of the Child Identifies
the Recovered Bills.
AS Those He Left in the Store
for Boyle.

Cleveland, O.. March 25.-The county
grand jury has reported an Indictment
against James H. Boyle and Helen
Boyle. alias Faulkner. charging them
with blackmaiL The charge is based
on the payment of $4,000 ransom by
James P. whitla for the recovery of his
son. Willie, here last Monday.
The last doubt in the minds of the
police as to the identity of the man
held for the kidnapping of Willie Whitla
was removed today when Thomas F.
Boyle of Sharon, visited the prisoner.
He said the prisoner is his brother
James.
Thomas arrived early today and had
long visit with his brother in the pres
ence of Chief of Police Kohler. No ar
rangements were made between the
brothers to obtain an attorney for the
prisoner and prepare his defense.
The prisoners brother also saw Mrs.
Boyle but could say nothing regarding
her other than that she is the wife OF
James Boyle. He said he knew nothing
of her and that she is unknown in
Sharon.
Don't Care Who She Is.
The local police are making no ef-
forts to learn of the Woman'S past his
tory or establish her identity.
I'VE are not concerned with who the
woman is said Chief of Police Kohler.
''as she would be placed on trial in
Pennsylvania All we want to know is
whether she was implicated in the kid
naping of Willie Whitla. We have com
pared her as the nurse who cared for
Willie, have made a prima facie case
and will deliver her and Boyle to the
Pennsylvania authorities
J. P. Whitla, father of Willie, accom-
panied by Chief Grain Of Sharon. called
upon Chief Kofler today to arrange the
details for prosecuting Boyle and his
wife.
Mr. Tbi+1a said he u-o,,Id IaDd avarv
effort to this end and expressed his de-
sire to work with the officials Whitla
also checked up the $3.50 taken from
Mr.. Boyle. He identified the bills and
the wrappings as those he prepared for
the kidnapers and which he paid over
at the little east end candy store last
Monday. He returned to Sharon today.
1t was stated at police headquarters
that the prisoner would be released to
the Pennsylvania authorities as soon as
the eXtraditions papers were signed. This
may be completed today but is not ex-
pected until tomorrow.
Chief of Police Grain of Sharon will
remain here and return with Boyle and
his wife. ..-.
Chief of Police Kohler said today that
there was absolutely nothing in the re-
port that a second man was involved in
the kidnapping. Boyle and his wife are
the only ones implicated" he said.
There is no doubt about this"
Who Gets the Reward?
reward of $4,000 from the state of
Pennsylvania for the capture of the
abductors of Willie Whitla and several
thousand dollars additional from
question as to who is entitled to the
reward interests a large number of
people. When Detective Perkins of
Pittsburg, whose agency has been so
prominent in the case, was asked for
his views he said:
I believe the Cleveland police au-
thorities are entitled to the reward.
Captain Shattuck and Detective Wood
certainly made the arrests and 1 don't
care a rap where they got their in
formation. They did clever piece of
work In fact, 1 wish to compliment
and congratulate Chief Kohler and his
men on the admirable manner in
which they have handled the case"
Woman Is a Mystery.
Cleveland. March 25.-J. P. Whitla
of Sharon, Pa, father of Willie, the
did not return to Sharon with the
other members of his family Wednes-
day Mr.. Whitla declined to say that
his presence here had anything to do
with the kidnapping case. He as
serted he is in Cleveland to clear up
some private law affairs.
Charges against James H. Boyle and
the woman who claims to be his wife,
who are held in connection with the
kidnapping of Willie Whitla, are ex-
pected to be returned by the Cuyahoga
county grand jury today as result
of the story told to the jury yesterday
by Willie and other members of the
Whitla family.
Further efforts to secure a satisfac-
tory Identification of the woman in
the case will be made today. Thomas
F. Boyle of Sharon. Pa, brother of
the man under arrest here. arrived in
Cleveland today. He has asked per-
mission to see the woman detained at
the central police station and he may
be able to throw some light on her
identity.
To the Associated Press Mr.. whitla
said he and Mrs. Whitla have the
highest appreciation for the constant
activity of the police all over the
country, but especially Chief Kohler
of the Cleveland department, and his
assistants.
mo understanding as to the
prosecution has yet been reached" p"
said Mr. WhitIa. but he continued.
I've want justice administered and
since the crime was committed in
PENNSYLVANIA we believe that is the
proper place in which to bring the
criminals to trial.