Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-03-25

D''''
Whitia, who has caused his parents great
anxiety and the police Of the entire
country worry since he vas kidnapped
from school in sharon. Pa. last Thurs
day, was returned to his father at the
Eollenden Hotel here tonight at s:%
O'Clock. lii compliance with an agree
,nent entered into between the boys
father and an agent OF the kidnappers
here to-day the boy was placed on a
street car on the outskirts Of the city
and started TO the hotel shortly after
eight O'Clock. TWO boys. G. W. Ramsey
mud Edward Mahoney. recognized the lad
On the car and taking him in charge
conducted him to IT'S father. who was
IN waiting according TO A prearransed
plan which he had followed at the dc
tation OF the kidnappers. Tho boy wan
dcred about the hotel lobby ~nnnnounc-
ed for several minutes. asking bell BOYS
for his father before the latter knew
MS son was IN the big foyer. The mo-
ment Mr.. Whitla heard that a strange
boy was in the hotel sauntern9 about
IN aimiess fashion. he rushed across the
lobby. Erasped him In his arms and
snothered his face with kisses.
LAD WAS DISGUISED.
An attempt had been made to disguise
the lad. He wore a pair Of smoked
glasses and a large tan cap which was
pulled down over his ears and his father
said It would have been din1cult to have
recognized the boy IN such a garb had
he passed him on the street.
Willie is in good health. He says that
nc had been we'll treated and ever since
his capture has been constantly indoors.
He believes he was taken from Sharon
70 Warren and thence to Newcastle. Pa.
1t Is his opinion expressed in a happy
school boy way that he was IN Ash
tabula on Saturday night vt the time
his father was to leave his $4,000 in
Flat Iron Park.
Mr.. Whitla refused TO say whether he
Rad paid the ransom or not. He said
that he received q letter to-day from
the kidnappers At his home In Sharon
saying that II he called At a confec-
tionery store in the east end Of Clevs-
land he would be told how to secure his
hoy unframed and well fed"
FATHER MET A K~IDNAPPER.
Shortly after noon he left Sharon
for Cleveland. He was u~naccorpan-
led. His Immediate family and the
private detectives he a In his ern-
ploy had been appraised by him Of the
proposed secret meeting but he IN
sisted that hs must make tho trip
alone unheralded and that no attempt
OF the capture OF the k%idnappers must
be made then. MI. wh!tla was Ger
tain that IL he spoiled the plans o,
4 1850 t. -.-..l
never see ,he Lad again. His exper-
fence At A~Yntabula served a. . warn
Ing.
About two o'clock this afternoon he
went to a candy store IN tho East
End. With him ne carried tho 10000
expecting that 1t would be demanded
OF him there. He was met by 4 wo-
man who detailed to him tho terms
OF tho k~idnappers. With distracted
eagerness Whitla agreed TO them
Immediately. Detectives In his en-
ploy say that he paid the money but
in this point the father declines TO
commit himself. Half an hour later
he returned to the Hollendcn Hotel
and awaited developments.
WAITING AT THE HOTEL.
HIS entrance to the hotel was sur
rounded with secrecy. By q previous ar
rangement made with the hotel manage
ment he did not register. Detective q. b.
Perkins, who has superintended the
search for tho boy in Mr.. WhitiA's behalf
was in the lobby of the hotel calmly
smoking and pretending 20 be %unconcern-
ed. But the hearts Of both he parent and
the detectives were beating anxiously.
The agent OF the kidnarpers promised
that the boy would be started toward the
hotel shortly after nightfall.
As til, hour for the appearance Of the
Guilds return approached. Mr.. Whitla be-
came nervous He disregarded the advice
OF the detectives who had told him ia
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 no walked up
and down the hall on the second noor
with his and clasped across his breast.
Then unable TO stand the suspense longer
he went into the lobby and seated him.
self In a chair.
WAS NEARLY DISTRACTED.
A few newspaper men walked over 10
talk to him but he refused TO converse.
I'm heavens name men do not say
anything 10 me. ! nm on the verge Of
nervous prostratlon." he said. IT expect
the boy will be back tonight but 7 ran
not state positively whether he will be
returned safe and sound. DO not ask me
10 reveal the alleged settlement. That
might ruin al! OF the plans"
For more than All hour Whitla waited