davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Topeka state journal., 1909-03-24
HOW ARREST WAS MADE.
Both Suspects Attempted to Escape
From the Police.

Cleveland. March 24-The nine
thousand eight hundred and fifty dol
lars in currency. which was found on
the woman suspected of being the
Whitla kidnaper, is locked in the sta
ton safe. This was tied in $500 pack
ages with pink tape bearing the i'm
print, Lawrence. Saratoga, N Y"
When told of this fact J. P Whitla
exclaimed Immediately:
THAT is the money. The money 1
gave had the same pink tape around
the packages with the same imprint
on the tape"
well, you've got us. There'n be
- to pay in Sharon tomorrow" said
the woman to Captain Shattuck and
Detective Wood who made the arrest
This was as near to confession as
either man or woman would come, but
this is more than sufficient to the
minds of the police
An attempt of the man and woman
to escape from their captors in front
of the police station. adds to the GER
tainty of the officers that they have
the right persons.
Neither man or woman will give
names and neither can explain their
possession of the money or give an ad-
dress, though the man said that he
had lived in Cleveland for several
years. One police officer says he is
known as James Boyle. Informa-
tion which led directly to the
arrest was furnished by Billy
whitla himself. This information was
given to the family friend, Charles San
key, of Cleveland on the train bound
for Sharon and was communicated to
the police here. Billy told his friend
the names on the signs which he read
from the window where he was confined.
These were ''Thorpes hotel" San
Corse," and stone Church.
The capture was made at 1915 last
night by Detective Frank Wood and
Captain Frank Shattuck of the local
The Topeka state journal., 1909-03-24


mors indicated that the woman sus-
pect at one time had been closely as
sociated with the Whitla family and
| it was believed a story, other than one
of kidnapping, was about to become
known.
1t was said that efforts would be
made to prevent the publication of this
| story and for this reason many mem
bers of the Whitla family departed for
Cleveland Unexpectedly. The fact that
Harry Forker and his son, relatives of
Mrs Whitla were in the party was of
who were at the railroad station. The
| absence of Frank H. Buhl. the mill
lionaire member of the family was
commented upon freely.
Old Story Revived.
What actuated Mrs Whitla in going
to Cleveland cannot be stated
definitely. Many rumors were cir
culated and it is said that incidents
happening a number of years ago have
been suddenly brought up by the
abduction of the boy.
1t is alleged that a divorce suit,
which occurred some time ago, is
playing an important part in the kid
naping case at the present time and
that it is desired to conceal the details
of a scandal which has no direct bear
ing upon the abduction affair.
The informations made here this
morning were destroyed and new in
formations charging John Doe" and
MARY Doe" with abduction were sub
stituted.
It is said the names used in the
informations are being used for the
purpose of withholding as long as
possible the real identity of the wo-
man. The only explanation given for
the woman stating that "there will be
hell in Sharon when Buhl hears of
it." is that she is we'll known and for
merIy lived here Mr.. Buh1, whose
name is mentioned by the woman, is
said to have no idea why she should
make such statement. Wh1Ie 1t IS
thought strange that Willie did not
recognize the suspected woman, the
fact that he was kept in a drugged
condition is advanced as an explana-
ton.
His Brother Thinks 1t Strange.
Sharon, Pa, March 24.-Thomas F.
Boyle, a brother of James Boyle, was
seen at the Shenango house by the
Associated Press at 2:30 today. He is
employed as clerk. When informed
that his brother was the man under
arrest at Cleveland. he said:
''That is very strange. l have two
marked Denver, Colo, March 16, and
the other East st. Louis, ILL.,. March
II. The kidnapping occurred on the
morning of March IS.
my brother is sort of a wanderer
and has been at home very little in
the past two years.
Boyle is the son of the late Michael
Boyle. John Boyle, a cousin. is en-
ployed in some capacity by the city of
Cleveland and Thomas Boyle wired
him Immediately to try and see James
at the Cleveland police station.
The woman who accompanied
James Boyle to his uncle's funeral
here recently is said to have been
about 80 years old, dark and we'll
dressed. Both of them seemed we'll
supplied with money.
The Topeka state journal., 1909-03-24
BALLOONISTS SAFE.
Pasadena Party Was i'm the Air Less
Than Two Hours

Los Angeles. March 24.-After one of
the most narrowing experiences in the
history of ballooning, Captain A. E.
Mueller and his five companions who
ascended in the big Ferris racing bal
loon America, at Pasadena last Satur-
day afternoon, and become lost in the
Sierra Madre mountains, arrived on
foot at Switzer's camp. on the slopes of
Mount Wilson unharmed. The men
passed through a series of hardships.
Arriving at Switzer's camp at o'clock,
they were provided with horses and be-
gan the descent from there to Pasa-
dena over a tortuous and slippery trail.
The balloon was in the air less than
two hours 1t was carried by the strong
north wind over the mile high summit
of Mount Lowe and swept on across the
intervening peaks and canyons to the
lofty summit of Mount Gabriel Here
ballast was thrown out and the balloon
scared away toward Strawberry peak,
on the third range
Crossing this at a low altitude, the
balloon encountered a strong current of
cold air, which brought it rapidly to
earth.
A successful landing was effected on
the north side of Strawb berry peak in
what is known as Little Tejunga can
yon about . O'Clock Saturday afternoon
The distance covered was less than 10
miles in direct line. but by any possi-
The Topeka state journal., 1909-03-24
you GOT Us DEAD RIGHT.
Says Woman Held for kidnapping the
WhitIa Boy.

Cleveland, March 24.-"Oh! It's all off
now, said the woman arrested for kid
naping the Whilta boy, as she entered
the police station door. You got us
dead right. There will be hell in Sharon
when Buhl hears of this
When the woman was searched in the
police station. s9.79O in bills of $5, $40.
and $50 denominations were found Sc /
carefully on the inner side of her skirt
All but $40 of the money was done up in
$500 packages. This is the shape in
which Mr. Whitla withdrew the money
which he paid to the kidnapers in this
city. A general description of the pack
ages of money was read over a tele-
phone to Mr. Whitla at his home in
Sharon. and he said he believed it was
the same money which he had left as a
ransom for the captors of his son. Bills
and loose change to the amount of S5S so
were found in the pockets of the man
suspected when he was searched This
brought the total amount of money
which the two suspects had up to 50
S4S. 30.
At first the woman refused to talk to
the police. She is said to have been
| slightly intoxicated when arrested. and
hoping that her condition might be bet
ter later, the police locked her up for
a few hours. Shortly before daybreak
Chief Kohler escorted her into his prf-
vate office and then began a griling
examination of her. She appeared
| frightened when he threw the nurses
gown over her shoulders. she was angry
too, and attempted to pull the chiefs
The Topeka state journal., 1909-03-24
HAVE KIDNAPERS.
Continued from Page One.)


her face The woman in custody has
red spots on her cheeks and appears to
have had smallpox. She is a tall blonde
probably % years old. The man is dark
and smooth faced.
Detectives heard that a man and a
woman answering the description of
the kidnapers had been seen on the
outskirts of the city. They came to
town and bought numerous articles of
clothing, rendering s. and so bills in
payment, it was learned. Later a re
port was heard that the people had a
package in a down town store which
proved to consist of discarded cloth =
ing.
Captain Shattuck and Detective
Wood trailed the man and woman
around the business district of the city
for several hours during the afternoon.
but delayed taking them into custody.
Shortly after nightfaI the police
learned the two had gone to the east
end. The police walked up behind the
pair and Captain Shattuck took the
woman by the arm, Detective Wood
securing the man.
The couple staggered as if intoxi-
Gated, but made no protest against ac-
companying the officers. The man
would not talk. The woman chatted
with the policeman at her side and
asked to be released 1t was then she
admitted having planned the kidnap-
ing. Whitla says he has the numbers
of the currency bills handed the kid
napers. The police are comparing notes
found in the possession of the prison.
ers with the memorandum of Whitla.
The Topeka state journal., 1909-03-24

BILE foot route many times that dis
tance.
The aeronauts wondered aimlessly over
the mountains until 1:3O Sunday after
noon when they unexpectedly came to
CoIby's ranch. an isolated habitation,
far from any road and without com
munlcatlon with the outside world.
Blizzard Came Up.
In the meantime a terrific blizzard
nao swept over the mountains, and for
hours the men suffered from the cold.
Ihe meager supply of provisions which
they carried was sufficient to guaran-
tee against hunger until their arrival
at the ranch.
AT the ranch the party remained un-
til Monday afternoon when the storm
ceased. They took up the snow choked
trail across the mountains toward Pasa-
dena. The party Travelled through Mon
day night and until Tuesday afternoon
when they suddenly came upon Switz-
er'S camp, nesting in the side of the
mountain about 10 miles from Pasa-
dend by direct route. A partv of res
cuers on horseback was at Switzer's
having just returned after a 20 hours
search for the missing men. With Cap
tain Mueller in the America were L. B.
Gillian, Richard Halstead, Sydney Gray,
Harold Parker and Edward Dodschultz
all residents of Pasadena.
The balloon trip was for pleasure only
and the six passengers wore light cloth
ing. The balloon was in the air only
one hour and 40 minutes. During this
time 1T scared to an altitude of $4,000
feet. Captain Mueller summarized his
experience as follows: II saw the top
OF barren peak, hardly large enough
to hold the basket of the car. In the
center of this peak was a pine tree
which had been burned. I pulled the
valve cord and we shot downward.
When we were within 800 feet of the
mountain the appendix cord was pulled
and the balloon few open, forming a
parachute. We landed on the rock with
in 10 feet of a sheer precipice.
mo one was injured and the car was
hardly joIted. It was the most remark
able landing of a balloon 1 have ever
known ,,
The Topeka state journal., 1909-03-24
FIGHT IS OPENED.
Continued from Page one.)
Republicans Responsible.


He spoke of the rapidity with which
the bill was reported back to the
house, the time consumed being just
twelve minutes, without a moment s
discussion and without even reading
the title.'' He warned the Republi-
cans if a prolonged debate ensued and
if the business agony was continued
for weeks or even months, lit is well
to remember that the blame should
rest upon the Republican members of
the committee and not upon the Dem
ocratic mem bers.
The Payne bill. Mr.. Clark asserted,
contained divers things which should
have been omitted and omitted divers
things which it should have contained.
'tAs confesSedly it's chief purpose is to
increase the revenues" he said, ''it
would appear to have been the part of
wisdom to have made both the in
creases and the decreases in rates to
that end and that end alone"
There was, he declared no question
of free trade involved in the revision.
In the present posture of affairs he
argued every approximatel prohibitive
rate ought to be cut to a revenue ba-
sis. There were many of them in the
Dingley bill, large portion of which
he said, were retained in the Payne
bill
The rate on steel rails had been cut
in two, being reduced from S7.S4 to
1892 a ton but he predicted that the
hibitive as the higher figure.
He referred to the testimony of Mr..
Carnegie before the committee in
which he said no tariff was needed on
steel rails even from a protectionist
view point and said that on the steel
rail question he pinned his faith to the
Laird of Skibo."
AS to petroleum Mr.. Clark said the
bill contains the same old joker.
While ostensibly on the free list, he in
sisted that petroleum was given protec-
ton of from $50 to $50 per cent. If given
an opportunity to amend that schedule,
he declared. he would risk his head
that the countervailing duty on pc
troleum would go out. If, Mr. Clark
added. the Standard Oil company was
not. as he believed, the sole beneficiary
under the bill, he would not object to
the crude oil producers getting reve-
nue. tariff.
Asked by Mr. Scott of Kansas to
give his reasons for believing as he
did regarding the Standard company.
compels the crude oil producers to
take its price and the consumer of oil
to pay it's price.
81 assert without any fear what
ever" he exclaimed, "that the Stand
ard Oil company is the greatest aurora
that the sun ever looked down on
during it's 5000 years of journeying
through the heavens
would that condition be changed
by eliminating this countervailing
duty?'' inquired Mr. Scott.
Mr. Clark replied in the affirmative
explaining that if the Standard put
UP the price of refined oil too high
somebody else would ship refined oil
to the United States.
The Topeka state journal., 1909-03-24
TODAY'S MARKET REPORTS.

Chicago March 4-WHEAT-Wheatf for
May delivery advanced &c per bushel here
today on an excessive general demand
based on bullish foreign news. Other de-
liveries advanced about 1c compared with
the previous close. The market opened
strong with prices up 3sc to s4d1se, May
being at S1:163s to $1.17 and July at $1O3
to S1O4A Demand was extremely urgent
earIy in the session and prices continued
to advance until May had reached $l.lSA
and July 81 O412Q1 O45s.
PPrices declined considerably from the
top on realizing sales but rallied again
late in the day owing to renewed buying
by shorts brought out by a report that
total exports for the day would amount
strong with May up 112c at sLf75sG1- -1794
and July szc higher at $1.043s.
CORN-An official forecast OF wet
weather for the corn belt had a strength
ening effect on the corn market COM
mission houses were excessive Dldders
which caused considerable profit taking.
Prices at the start were a shade 10 t4Q9sc
higher with May at 6612c to 66s4c. Later
Nav sold at 6634 @667sc.
The high point for May was reported
at 671Ac The market closed strong with
Nav up 3sGhc at 667sc.
OATS-OatS were firm. May opened 4c
higher at 54a4c and sold off to 545sc.
: PROVISIONSProv were weak,
opening 21kc to 1212c lower than the prev
CLOSE: RYE-Cash and May, SOC
RARLEY-Cash: 631zG69c-
TIMOTHY-March, $3.50.
CLOVER-March, $500.
The Topeka state journal., 1909-03-24

police department. Acting on the in
formation conveyed by Billy's own sug-
geStiOn, the officers started the search
in the neighborhood of Prospect avenue
and East Twenty-se street. There
they located the suspects and shadowed
them. In the early evening the man
and woman appeared from house
which was being watched Immediate
ly Captain Shattuck and Detective Wood
fell in behind them, being certain that
they could not escape. and watching to
gain any further discriminating evidence
possible. On Ontario street between
Vinegar Hill and Michigan avenue. the
couple went into a saloon The officers
watched the entrance for some time, as
sured they could not escape and hoping
that the drinking might loosen their
tongues, when captured.
AT 10:15 the couple appeared again
on the sidewalk and started north on
Ontario street Captain Shattuck
walked up to them at once and asked
them where they were going. For a
moment both hesitated, but Shattuck
was in plain clothes and they did not
appear willing to talk. His police
badge broke their silence however,
and they answered that they were go
ing to the American house and then
to the depot. Shattuck and Wood told
them they had better come along and
started off toward Central station. The
man and woman were not handcuffed
and came along peaceably enough un-
I'll Iney got 10 the entrance Inc WO-
man made a break to get away. Wood
grasped her. At that moment the
man also broke away.
1.-The mans attempt to run away
was simply bluff to get me to leave
the woman for a moment said De-
tective Wood. "They thought 1 would
leave her and then she could get rid
of the money l stayed close by her
however, and Captain Shattuck was
soon able to stop the runaway. I
thought all along the woman had the
money"
The woman appears to be about 50
years old and admits, so the police say
that she has intimate knowledge of
the Whitla family and their relation
ships.
The Topeka state journal., 1909-03-24

that she is Well known. The name OF
the man is said to. be James Boyle.
Important developments concerning
the Whitla case and the woman sus-
pect under arrest are expected to oc-
cur in Cleveland this afternoon.
Departing on the 11:22 a. m. train for
the ONO city We're Mr.. and Mrs Whit
la, their children, William and Salinas
Harry F'orker and his son Henry, rela-
tives of Mrs. Whitla, and Detective
Ward of Philadelphia.
RumOr has it that the woman is per-
sonaly known to the entire Whitla
family and efforts will be made to
have prosecution stopped. All infor-
nation obtained here has been destroy
ed it is said.
Previous to his departure for C1eve-
land. Chief of Police Grain made in
formation against the woman and
James Boyle" charging them with
abduction.
Later it was decided to take School
Janitor SIoSs to Cleveland in an effort
to Identify the man suspected. Since
the day Following the abduction ru-
mors have been rife that a prominent
woman, who formerly lived in Sharon,
might be implicated in the case.
The supposition is that the case was
arranged by the woman, the man of
course stole the boy from the school,
but outside of this the woman was the
leader. 1t is said by detectives today
that the case cost Mr.. Whitla $4,000.
Says That's the Woman.
Cleveland, March 24.-Mrs. Harry
Forker, wife of a brother of Mrs. Jas.
P. Whitla of Sharon, was seen at her
home in Norwalk, Ohio, near here to-
day, and when the description of the
woman under arrest in the kidnapping
case was told to her she exclaimed:
That's the woman"
Mrs. Forker then broke down and
declined to say anything further to
explain her remark
She would not name the woman.
Mrs. Forker has been living in Nor
walk several years. She is separated
from her husband
The woman under arrest still re-
fuses to give her name, but declares
she is not a relative of the WhitIas,
as was first suspected here.
1t. is firmly believed that the arri-
val of Mr.. and Mrs. Whitla and Willie
here this afternoon will clear up the
identity of the woman.
She declared that her identity not
only will cause surprise in Sharon,
but that it will reveal a scandal in
volving prominent persons in the
Pennsylvania town.
The Topeka state journal., 1909-03-24
Kansas City Produce Market

Kansas City. March 24-WHEAT-Cash :
Market unchanged. No. , hard. Sl9dllt;
No 8, s1.O7d1.14; No. 2 red $1.25dL31; NO.
3, 81. .27d1. IS.
CORN-Market 1kc higher. No. mixed,
63Ac; No. 3, SIC; No. white, 6212c; NO =
63Hc.
OATS-Market unchanged to 1zc higher.
No ? white, 54G551zc; No. mixed, 51129
5212c.
RYE-73@77c.
HAY-Market steady: Choice timothy,
BTTTTER-Creamery 30c; firsts, sc !;
seconds. 26c: packing stock, lie.
BGGS-Extras. 191zc current Ila,I,es receipts
WHEAT-Receipts, 53 cars.
CLOSE wHEAT-May, s10S2s; July,
9615c; September. 925sc.
CORNEMay, 631sc; July, 6314c; Septem-
ber 6l5tc.
The Topeka state journal., 1909-03-24
Kansas CITY five Stock.

Kansas City. March 4.-CATTLE-Re-
ceipts 5000 including 600 southerns. Mar ca
ket sc to 10c lower Native steers, $S.VVV
$50: southern steers, $460G6.OO; southern
cows. $3O0d4.70; native cows and helfers.
$2.60@6. 20; stockers and feeders, $4.OOQS.oo;
steers. 81 S0065O; western cows, $3250o:5O.
HOGS-Receipts $1,000. Market oc to lOc
Sc 7OG6 S5; packers and butchers, $500
$50: light, Sc. .35d6.7O; pigs. S50oa5; 70
SHEEP-Receipts 5000. Market l0c low
err Muttons $5.ONG6. %; lambs, $6.OOdG. go;
range wethers. $450Q7. 10; fed ewes, $500
The Topeka state journal., 1909-03-24
Ne,v york stock Marker.

Wall St, New York. March 24.-STOCKS
The meager opening demand for stocks
today allowed prices to sag, fractional de-
cIines being shown with the exception of
q few of the more important stocks. Third
Avenue continued under severe pressure
and declined 2M within a few minutes.
Support was given to the general mar
ket when Third Avenue began to show
signs of decentralization again that stock
falling rapidly to 2512. a loss of 25s- South
ern Pacific was bid up a point and the
other active railroads and speclalties were
The Topeka state journal., 1909-03-24
New York Money Market.

New York, March 24.-MONEY-Monev
on call easy. 1szG2 per cent; ruling rate
and closing bid "a; offered at per cent.
Time loans firm but dull. 90 days. 214d21s
per cent; 90 days, 21zd2A per cent: six
months. 1884, per cent.
CLOSE: Prime mercantile paper 3izG4
per cent.
Sterling exchange firm with actual busi-
ness in bankers bills at 81. Sc. .15II4 SO - for
go day bills and at $4.SS.O5 for demand
Commercial bills, S4.S5s4 6I4. .S51s.
SILVER-Bar silver 503sc; Mexican dol
lars, 44c.
BONDS-Government bonds, steady;
railroad bonds, irregular.
The Topeka state journal., 1909-03-24
LEAVE FOR CLEVELAND.
Sharon Officers and the WhitIa Family
to See the SUSPECTS

Sharon. Pa, March 24.-For the pur-
pose of identifying and getting posses
sion of the man and woman under ar
rest at Cleveland in connection with
the WhitIa kidnapping case, CHIEF Of
Police Grain. Detective McHIer, Dis
trict Attorney Lininger and former
District Attorney Cochran started for
the Ohio city this morning.
1t is believed that identification of
the couple will promptly be established,
of the woman. 1t is thought
The Topeka state journal., 1909-03-24
Chicago Produce Market

Chicago, March 4.-BUTTER-Marlte
steady. Creameries, 221zd2919c; da1r1es,
201k02515c. -
EGGS-Market firm. Ffrsts 1s1sc; prime
firsts, 1912c. ,-
CHEESE-Marke firm. Daisies. 15$40
164c; Twins. 14s4 G15c; Young Americas
POTATOES-Mar steady. Choice to
fancy. ss@9oc; fair to good, S5qS7c;
POULTRY-Market steady; Turkeys.
17c: chickens 151zc: springs. 151zc.
VEAI-Market steady. 50 to so lb. WITS,
61hdTc; so to s5 ID. WITS, S12c; IS to 10 Id.
The Topeka state journal., 1909-03-24
Cbicapo Live Stock.

Chicago. March 24.-CATTLE-Receip
estimated at 1900. Market 1Oc Lowe lower;
Beeves 81 6OG1T. 10; Texas steers, $4.40Q5.oO;
western steers, $4O0@5. so; stockers and
feeders, So. .35@5 40; cows and heifers $500
$50; calves, S. 1907. 10. $500
HOGS-Receipts estimated at 5000. Mar
ket 1Oc lower. Light sc; ;4oa6 so; MIXED; 1f 5eds
$6.5066 80; heavy, $6;55d690 rough; $6.5o@
s.. SIS .S5d6. 2S; bulk Of sales, S. 7Oq6.S5,
SHEEP-Receipts estimated at 24OoO.
Market 1Od15c lower. Native, S3.60d6 20;
western. Sc. .6O66. 40; yearlings, S6-15d1 20;
lambs, native, $5.75@7.90; western, $500
$40. - .-.r--
DAILY MOVEMENT OF PRODUCE.
WHEAT-Receipts, 1O5, 800 bushels; ship
CoRN@Receipts 351, 500 bushels; ship
ments, 3S9 500 bushels. 20
Car lot receipts: Wheat Ga cars. with 10
o fcontract grade; corn ia cars, with ) or
contract grade; oats 116 cars.
Total receipts of wheat at Chicago, Min
neapolis and Duluth today were 264 cars.
compared with 40 cars last week and 20
cars the corresponding day year ago.