Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-05-11
Attorneys for Kidnapers of Lit
tie Willie Whitla Plead for
Lenieney, But Judge Infliets
Full Penalty in Each Case.
HELEN BOYLE TRIES
TO COMMIT SUICIDE
BY TAKING POISON
Woman Has Previously Declared
That Rather Than Submit to Term
In Penitentiary She Will Commit
Suicide at First Opportunity.

MERCER. Pa, May IO.-Before the ex-
piration OF another day. IL their expect
ed discrimination to commit suicide Is not
successful, James Boyle and his wife,
eoned of KIDNAPPING Willie Whitla from
his home in Sharon in March. viii have
begun long terms in the Western peni-
tertiary, at Pittsburg Boyle will go to
the institution on a life sentence Mrs,
Boyle is under sentence Of imprison-
nent for 8 years. BY good behavior she
can cut this down to fifteen years.
That death is preferable TO imprison-
ment in Mrs. BoyIe's opinion was indi-
Gated by a reported attempt to take her
own life last light by swallowing NOR
pbins ALLEGED to have been obtained from
a fellow prisoner. This morning the
sheriff found a razor secreted in BOyIe's
clothing.
Became Hysterical
The severity OF the sentences, each OF
which was the maximum penalty allowed
by law. not only proved a surprise to
the community which expected more len
iency. but Frustrated both the abductOrs-
Both were~sO overcome that il was ne
cessary 10 carry them from the court
room and into their cells.
J. p Whitla, father OF the kidnapped
boy. and Frank H. Bull were present in
court when sentence was pronounced
Boyle did not create the scene IA court
he had thrmx1zanM. and did not utter a word
prior 70 his sentence. His counsel, how
ever. rnaae plea for both Boyle and his
wife. asking lenianGy in both cases. He
stated that until a recent period. tho
extreme penalty for KIDNAPPING in this
state was ten years, and in view of the
fact that the hoy had been treated with
every consideration. and that all care
had been taken not 10 iniict unnecessary
mental anguish upon the parents. he felt
leniency might be asked for.
Both Prisoners Collapse = :.
Both Boyle and hts wife collapsed COM
pIetsiy upon hearing their sentences pro-
nounced- When they were started back
to the jail from the courtroom. Boyle
managed TO walk with assistance down
the steps. but upon reaching the front
door he became limp and unable to stand.
He was lifted into the old-fashioned ON
nibus in which the prisoners have been
transported between the court house and
the jail When he was placed upon the |
seat inside the vehicle, he was left for
q moment unsupported. and fell nearly |
out of it before he was caught He had |
TO be carried to his cell
Mrs. Boyle was in even worse condition. |
She was unable 20 walk down the steps
from the court house TO the street. and
was carried BY Sheriff Chess ana Chief OF |
Police LivermOre down three fights OF |
stairs She was lifted into the omnibus.
and when the Jail was reached, she was
again lifted out by these officers and |
carried to her cell, where she wept vio-
lently. !
Who Is the Unknown?
Notwithstanding the fact that Jimmie
Boyle, as his vile afectionately calls
him. was not permitted an opportunity in /
court 10 disclose the name OF the person /
who he alleges planned the abduction of |
Willie Whitia, for which he and his wife /
have been convicted. he declares the name /
and all the details OF the case will be /
made public very soon
Boyle Is said to have retained a Pitts
burg lawyer Of high standing TO take
charge OF his case as soon as he and
his wife reach the western pentiteutiaryi
there.
District Attorney Lininger. who visited /
Boyle and his wife in the Jail yesterday /
In an effort TO get information regarding
the alleged third person implicated in the
Whitla kidnapping. paid them another Wis
II today without obtaining any additional !
information Both prisoners refusG TO 4
talk to the officials.
Reprimand by Judge /
After Judge Miller, OF counsel for the
Boyles. had completed his plea for Ienien-
g. Judge Williams. the presiding juage
asked Boyle II he. had anything to say.
Boyle merely said Il have not" and !,
shook his head. Judge Williams then
said:
Mr.. Boyle the crime OF child stealing
in ancient times was punishable by death. II
In Pennsylvania the law Is more Ienient."
he said II had been stated by the attor- /
neys:
You took good care Of your prize pack 4
age You had TO treat him well TO get Il
what money was demanded II
Since your arrest we have investigated Il
your record We find you have been con-
victd in the Mercer county courts pre-
viousiy to your arrest for kidnapping. You
have been charged with larceny. receiv-
ing stolen goods assault and battery,
escape from jail and many other crimes. i
Ali these have had their influence with
this court in making us come to the de-
cirion that we have reached that your
punishment shall be the maximum sent
ence. imprisonment for life" f.
Both PRISONERS Reply 4,
After the sentence had been Imposed 4
on Boyle. he arose and said TO the court: