The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1909-03-31
MYSTERY OF MRS.
JAMES H. BOYLE
UNSOLVED
Woman Kidnaper's Name Was
Not McDermOtt.
WHO WAS STRANGE VISITOR?
Man Called on Her at Sharon Jail and
Disappeared Without Leaving His
Name

Mercer, Pa, March 31-Mrs. Jas.
II. Boyle will not be taken to Sharon
for hearing on the charge of kidnap-
ing little Willie Whitla. Attorney
Cochran, counsel for p Whitla, vii.
lies father arrived here shortly after
noon from Sharon and stated II had
been arranged 10 have the woman
sign a legal paper stating that she de-
sired TO waive a hearing without 60
ing TO Sharon
Mr. Cochran said every effort would
be made 20 obtain a conviction in the
woman's case. but if it failed she
would be turned over TO the Cleveland
COhiol authorities, she having been
indicted in that city on a charge of
hlackmail. He further asserted that
there was no intention of eliminating
the woman from the case aud detec
tives will continue at work up to the
time Of trial searching for evidence
against her.
The woman is as much a mystery
now as al any time since she was ar
rested he declared Absolutely
nothing has been learned concerning
her identity Detectives have found
that she is not connected with the
McDermott family Of Chicago. nor
does the family know her"
In some circles il is believed the
prosecution lis holding back the pro.
ceedings against Mrs. Boyle until her
identity is established and that there
is a move on foot TO keep her out OF
Sharon.
With regard to the man who myster.
ously visited Mrs Boyle Mr.. Cochran
said he had no idea who the man was
He might possibly be a brother. but
he was sure his name Is not McDer-
mott 1t is likely. Mr.. Cochran said.
that the man was friend of both
Boyle and the woman On the other
hand. Sheriff Chess thinks that the
man might have been an accomplice
in the kidnapping.
Strong efforts were made to con-
ceal the fact that the stranger called
on Mrs. Boyle. The visit Was care.
fully planned and was made when al
the authorities and newspaper men
were enroute TO Sharon for the hear
ing OF the woman's husband James II.
Boyle. Mrs. Chess, wife Of the Mer-
Ger county sheriff, admitted the man
after Attorney Stranahan, Boyle's
counsel, told her that he was Mrs.
Boyle's brother
In talking TO Mrs. Chess. wife of the
sherifi. the man said he was banker
She describes him as man 40 years
of age, and worn and haggard. The
stranger did not register at the Mer-
Ger hotel His coming. his going and
his motive for the visit are shrouded
IN mystery. EX-Judge Miller of coun-
sci for Boyle admitted that the man
was at his office in the morning and
represented himself as brother of
the prisoner Attorney Stranahan re.
fuses 10 discuss the case.
Boyle is a changed man. 1t can al
most be said that he is. happy.
Il am feeling better now than at
any time since | was arrested" he
| said yesterday afternoon.
Father Mahoney OF the Catholic
church, three miles from here is TAX
ing an active interest in Mrs. Boyle
and has made arrangements to visit
her in jail
The Whitla family has left on a triI
to Atlantic City and other Eastern cit
les. Before going away Mr.. Whitla
turned % threatening letters over &c
the United States postal authorities
All were mailed at railroad postofIices
and will be hard to trace.
one letter states that unless Mr.
Whitla uses every effort to free the
prisoners his home will be dynamited
A second letter demands that $4,000 be
deposited at some point in Ohio which
money it is stated, will be used to de
fend the Boyles.
The people living in the rural dis
tricts are Directing to the expense:
incurred In bringing the Boyles from
Cleveland to Mercer. They object t
paying for the use of a private Full
man car and when the bill is present
ed to the county commissioners dele
gates will be present from MI tn.
rural districts to protest against IL
payment
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