Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1909-03-19
chiId's Hat Found in Buggy.

Hundreds of kilograms and telephone
messages have been sent to the police
of various cities asking their assistance
in the search for the boy and his alb
ductors.
The first fruit of these came tonight,
when Chief of Police Grain of this city
received word that the vehicle in
which the lad was taken away had
been recovered at Warren, Ohio with
the child's hat on the buggy seat. All
the zeal of the police and detectives is
now being centered in the region about
Warren, and those in charge of the
chase think that the kidnaper has but
a slender chance. To the boldness and
openness of the abductor is attributed
his success in getting the child out Of
Sharon without Steiting serious sus-
picion.
Stranger Drove Up to SchooIhouse.
Attorney and Mrs. Whitla are among
the towns leading residents. The for
mer is a brother-in-law of, Frank II.
Buhl, the multimilionaire steel man.
At $50 o'clock this morning a stranger
drove up to the East Ward school
house, where young Whitla is pupil,
and told the janitor, Wesley Sloss, the
lad was wanted at once at his fathers
Office. Sloss conveyed the message to
Mrs. Anna Lewis, the boys teacher
who dismissed the child AS she was
helping him put on his overcoat, she
remarked, half jokingly:
I hope that man does not kidnap
Willie"
The man in the buggy had a dark
complexion, dark hair and stubby
mustache. He was stockily built. He
spoke excellent English and was evil
IDENTIFY American born.
When Sloss appeared with the boy,
the stranger smiled and helped him up
to the seat beside him. He then drove
off in the direction of Mr. Whitla's Of
fice. Several persons tonight say a
confederate Joined the kidnapper be-
fore he left town.
Soy Failed to Appear for Dinner.
Little was thought Of the incident,
and there was no belief that crime
had been committed until the lad fail
ed to appear for his. MONDAY meal Be-
coming worried, Mrs Whitia began
search.
Father, Who Was Out Of Town, Noti-
At the school she learned of what
had occurred there three hours before
Terrified, she conferred with j. A Nc
Laughrey, friend Of the family. The
latter telephoned to Mr.. Whitla who
had gone to New Wilmington on busi-
ness. Mr.. Whltla hastily directed what
steps should be taken Immediately TO
recover his son, and late this afternoon
arrived in person.
kidnappers Send Letter.
At 1 o'clock letter directed to the
mother was delivered at the house by
mail carrier. Mrs. Whitla at once
recognized the handwriting on the en-
velope as that of her son. Opening it.
she found the following communication
written in a strange hand:
we have your boy and will return
him for 10000 Will see your adver-
tisement in the papers. Insert in In
dianapolis News, Cleveland Press, Pitts
burg Dispatch, Youngstown Vindicator
"'A-A win do as requested J. P.
W. Dead boys are not desirable"
The penmanship and spelling of the
note indicated it had been written by
man of fair education. Mr.. Whitla
decided to comply with the conditions
of the letter and sent for publication
to each of the newspapers specified the
note il directed him to insert
Suspect Arrested at Warren, Ohio.
Warren, O., March ia man said
to answer the description of the one
wanted at Sharon, Pa. on a charge
of kidnapping the Whitla boy, was ar
rested here tonight. The janitor of
the Sharon school will arrive here
tomorrow to see If he can identify
him.