The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1909-03-25
Willie In Perfect Health.

street
Willie In Perfect Health.
Willie is in perfect health He says
that he has been we'll treated, and ever
since his capture has been constantly
indoors. He believes he was taken
from Sharon to Warren and thence to
New Castle, Pa. 1t is his opinion, ex-
pressed in happy schoolboy way, that
he was in Ashtabula on Saturday night
at the time his father was to leave his
$4,000 in Flatiron park
Mr.. Whitla said that he received
letter Monday from the kidnappers at
his home in Sharon, saying that II he
called at a confectionery store in the
east end of Cleveland he would be
told how to secure his boy, unframed
and well fed"
Shortly afterwards he left Sharon
for Cleveland. He was unaccompanied.
He went to a candy store in the east
end. With him he carried the $4,000,
expecting that it would be demanded
of him there. He was met by woman,
who detailed to him the terms of the
kidnappers. With all the eagerness of
a distracted parent Whitla agreed to
them Immediately. Half an hour later
he returned to the Hollenden hotel and
awaited developments.
He admitted that he had paid $10,-
900 to the woman in the candy store.
The woman did not count the money.
Mr.. Whitla believes the woman was
foil l,,rt hn 70
her identity.
AS the hour for the child's return
approached Whitla became nervous.
He rubbed his hands and silently
prayed for the quick return of his boy
Laughed and Tested With Kidnapper.
In the meantime little Willie, the
kidnapped boy, feeling comparatively
safe in the hands of his kidnappers,
for he was being treated kindly, was
being prepared for return to his father.
The woman at the candy store had
done her duty. She communicated
with the captors of the boy and told
them that the father had made no at
tempt to trap them. The kidnappers
were satisfied. So the boy was brought
from his hiding place The kidnapper,
according to Willie, was cheerful
enough. The mysterious one and the
youngster skipped in schoolboy fashion
toward the trolley line, testing in the
meantime.
With all arrangements made and his
tracks apparently well covered, the
kidnapper took the boys right hand in
his brawny left and they continued
briskly along toward the car line. The
lad skipped gaily enough with his
companion. the promise of seeing his
Dad" and Ma" urging him forward.
They chatted with each other. Willie
says the man told him that il anybody
asked him who took him TO the car
line to tell them it was "Mr. Jones"
Just tell them your name is Jones.
too, if you want to- said the kdnap-
per.
Presently car came into view and
the mysterious Mr. Jones drew the boy
closer to him.
We'll. Willie, you are going down
town now and you will see your papa
pretty soon" ne said.
This delighted Willie. He swung
onto the car quickly. according to the
conductor Mr. Jones" paid the boys
fare and then got off the car and dis
appeared after waving friendly
adieu This farewell salute TO his lit
tie captive was continued until the
latter on the car had disappeared in
the inky darkness Of the night.
Edward Mahoney and G.. ". Ram
sey, seventeen-year-old boys. recog-
nszed Willie on the car and took him
to the hotel He skipped through the
doors ahead of them and into the
Lobby.
Willie didn't see his father. mother
or sister in the lobby. Walking over
& he clerk, he asked: Have You seen
= papa?"
Who is he, boy2" he was asked.
oh. I'm Mr.. Whitla's Willie" he re-
piled.
The crowd nearest the boy who
heard the words rushed In around him
The lad was showed up against the no
tel counter and the scene closely re-
sembled a panic.
Across the lobby the father, his eyes
red from weeping. heard the piping
voice of lis son. Frantic with JOY at
the sound, he rushed through the Office
corridor and in a moment was fighting
his way through the spectators. Plung-
Ing and squirming. knocking bystand-
ers right and left, the frenzied parent
made his way to the bewiidered boy
In kn:ckerbockers standing solemnly
with automobile goggles IN front Of
the clerks desk
The kidnapped boy saw bis parent
coming. He opened his lips TO SPEAK.