Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-03-25

taken from Sharon to Warren, and
thence to Newcastle, Pa. 1t is his opin-
ion, expressed in a happy, schoolboy
way, that he was in Ashtabula on Sat
urday night at the time his father
was to leave his $4,000 in Flatiron
park.
Mr.. Whitla refused to state any
thing concerning the payment of the
ransom. He said that he received a
letter yesterday from the kidnapers
at his home in Sharon saying that if
he called at a confectionery store in
the East End of Cleveland he would
be told how to secure his boy I'M
harmed and "well fed
Shortly after noon he left Sharon
for Cleveland. He was unaccompanied.
His immediate family and his private
detectives he had in his employ he ap-
prised of the proposed secret meeting,
but insisted that he make the trip
alone. Every one of them was warned
that he must be allowed to go unheed-
ed and no attempt at the capture of
the kidnapers now be made. Whitla
was certain that if he spoiled the
plans of hiz sons captors last night
he would never see the lad again. His
experience in Ashtabula served as a
warning.
Payment of $4,000 Ransom.
He went to candy store In the
East End. With him he carried the
$4,000, expecting that it would be de-
manded of him there He was met by
terms of the l1idnapers. With all the
eagerness of a distracted parent
Whitla agreed to them Immediately.
Detectives in his employ say he paid
the money, but on this point the faith
er declines to commit himself He re-
turned then to the Hollenden hotel
and awaited developments.
His entrance to the hotel was
shrouded in secrecy. By previous
arrangement with the hotel manage
ment he did not register.
Detective G. B. Perkins, who had
superintendent the search for the boy
in behalf of the father, was in the
lobby of the hotel calmly smoking and
pretending to be unconcerned. But the
hearts of both parent and detective
were beating anxicusly. The agent of
the kidnapers promised that the boy
would be started toward the hotel
shortly after nightfall
AS the hour for the appearance of
the child approached, Whitla became
nervous. He disregarded the advice of
the detectives, who had told him to
keep out of sight of the newspaper
men and the crowds of curious people
who had learned that he was in the
city. Emerging from his room, he
walked up and down the hall on the
second floor, with hands clasped
across his breast. Then, unable to
stand the suspense longer he went
into the lobby and seated himself in
a chair.
Father Tortured by Doubt.
A few newspaper men walked over
to talk to him, but he refused to con-
verse.
In heavens name, men do not say
anything to me; am on the verge of
nervous prostration,' he said. Il ex-
pect the boy will be back tonight, but
cannot state positively whether he
will be returned safe and sound. Do
not ask me to reveal the alleged settle
nlent That might ruin all he plans
For more than an hour Whitla wait
ed in the lobby, smoking black cigars
and muttering to himself. Detective
Perkin sat near him and pleaded with
him to have patience. A friend APP
preached and Whitla walked into a
secluded corner of the hotel and talk
ed to him in monosyllables. His eye
lids twitched nervously He rubbed his
hands and silently prayed for the
quick return of his boy.
In the meantime little Willie, the
kidnapped bow feeling omparatively
safe in the hands of his kidnapers, for
he was being treated kindly and ever
at this time does not realize what ter
| rible danger he was in, was being pre-
pared for his return to his father.
Woman True to Promise.
The woman at the candy store had
with the captors of the boy and told
them that the father had made no at
tempt to trap them. The kidnapers
were satisfied. But Mr. Whitla de
clines to name the woman in charge
| of the confectionery store and almos
dares the police to locate her.
So the boy was brought from hi:
hiding place-where it was no one
knows-to a car line in the east enc
into town quickly. The kidnaper &C.
cording to Willie, was cheerful enough
| The mysterious one and the youngste,
skipped in schoolboy fashion TOWARD
the trolley line, testing in the mean,
| time.
A few rods from the car line thu
man stopped the boy. Pulling a pail
of smoked glasses from his pocket h,
adjusted them to the lads head will
the remarl.' you'll look better il
these The sides of the black yarl
cap were pulled carefully over thu
boys ears. A slip, which Willie was t
hand to the conductor, was put in thu
boys pocket. 1t read:
Send this boy to the Hollenden no
tel double quick
With all arrangements made ant
his tracks apparently well covered tn
kidnaper took the boys right hand il
| his left and they continued briskl,
along the car line. The lad skipped
gayly enough with his companion, tn
promise of seeing his dad and ma
urging him forward. They chatte,
with each other. Willie says the MAJ
told him that if anybody asked hin
who took him to the car line to tel
them it was "Mr. Jones'"
Caution From Captor.
Just tell them your name is Jones
too, If you want to-" said the kidnap
err