The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1909-03-26
KIDNAPPED CHILD RECOVERED
Little Willie Whitla Restored to His
Fathers Arms-Was Found at
Cleveland

police OF the country elIules> WILLY
since he Was kidnapped from school
in Sharon, Pa, last Thursday, was
returned to his father at the Hollen-
den hotel here tonight at $50 O'Clock.
In compliance with an arrangement
entered into between the kidnapped
boys father and an agent Of the
kidnappers here today, the boy was
placed on street car on the outskirts
of the city and started to the hotel
shortly after 8 O'Clock. Two boys,
G. W. Ramsey, and Edward Mahon-
ey, recognized the lad on the car and,
taking him in charge, conducted him
] to his father, who was in waiting.
The boy wandered about the hotel
lobby unannounced for several mlnu-
tes, asking bell boys for his father,
before the latter knew his son was IN
the big foyer. The moment the anx-
ious parent heard that a strange
boy was in the hotel he rushed across
the lobby, grasped him in his arms
and smothered his face with kisses.
An attempt had been made to dis
guise the lad. He wore a pair of
smoked glasses and large tan cap,
which was pulled down over his ears,
and the father said it would have
been difficult to have recognized the
boy in such garb had he passed him
on the street.
Willie is in perfect health. He
says that he has been well treated,
and ever since his capture has been
constantly indoors. He believes that
he was taken from Sharon to Warren,
and thence to New Castle, Pa. It is
his opinion, expressed in a happy,
schoolboy way, that he was in Ash
tabuia on Saturday night, at the time
his father was to leave his $4,000 IN
Flat Iron Park.
Whitla senior refused to state
whether he had paid the ransom or
not. He said that he received letter
today from the 6dnappers at his
home in Sharon, saying that if ne
called at confectionery store in the
east end of Cleveland, he would be
told how to secure his boy unharmed,
and "well fed"
. Father Goes to Cleveland.
Shortly after noon he left Sharon
for Cleveland. He was unaccompa-
MED. His immediate family and the
private detectives he had in his en-
ploy he apprised Of the proposed Sc
cret meeting, but insisted that ne
make the trip alone. Every one OF
them was warned that he must be al
lowed to go unheralded and no at
tempt at the capture Of the hdnap-
pers now be made. Whitla was GER
tain that if he spoiled the plans of
his sons captors tonight, he would
never see the lad again. His expert
ence at Ashtabula served as a warn
ing.
About 2 o'clock this afternoon, he
went to a candy store in the East
End. With him he carried the $l0,OoO,
expecting that it would be demanded
Of him there. He was met by Wo-
man. who detailed to him the terms
of the kidnappers. With all the eag-
erness of a distracted parent Whitla
agreed to them Immediately. Detee-
tives in his employ say that he paid
the money, but on this point the faith
er declines to commit himself. Hall
an hour later he returned to the Hol-
lenden hotel and awaited develop
ments. AS he waited in the hotel
lobby and corridors Whitla was IN a
highly nervous condition. A few
newspaper men walked over to talk
to him. "In heavens name, men, do
not say anything to me. I am on the
verge Of nervous prostration," he
said. Il expect the boy will be back
tonight, but I cannot state positively
whether he will be returned safe and
sound. Do not ask me to reveal the
alleged settlement. That might ruin
all of the plans
Fer more than an hour Whitla anx-
iously awaited in the lobby, smoking
black cigars and muttering to him
self. Detective Perkins sat near him
and pleaded with him to have pat
ience. A friend approached and
Whitla walked into a secluded corner
of the hotel and talked to hlm IN
monosyllables. His eyelids twltched
nervouslv.
Willie Well Treated.
In the meantime little Willie was
being treated kindly, and even at this
4 tn