New-York tribune., 1909-03-20
UNCLE HUNTS FOR BOY
CLEVELAND CLEW FAILS.
arrested Man Released -Wiling to
Pau Ransom.

Cleveland. March 1s.-Henry Ball. porter in
local restaurant was arrested at 10 o'clock to-
night IN connection with the kidnapping of eight
year-old Willie Whitla, of Sharon Penn. but was
released al midnight after detectives had failed to
find the missing boy.
According the police, Ball told them that a
friend who lived at the Hotel Benway met him
last night. The friend had boy with him. who,
he said, was the OF a Mrs. Satchel, and asked
Ball to take the child business place near the
Erie station. where the boys father would meet
him Ball received 81 for the service. but failed
to find the father. He then took the child back'to
the Hotel Benway and left him 1t was to this
hotel that the police went tonight
A definite cIew the whereabouts OF the Lad
was obtained here to-day. when George Dougherty,
clerk Of the Hotel Euclid. recognized In the pub
lished photograph OF Willie Whita the features OF
q boy who in company with a man. appeared at
the hotel last night The man told the clerk he
was awaiting the appearance OF a friend. with
whom he expected TO transact important business
Dougherty paid no immediate attention TO the
matter. but to-day informed the detectives OF his
suspicious -
manned boy arrived here tonight from Sharon and
Immediately assumed charge OF the hunt for his
nephew Accompanied by Mr.. Dougherty and a de-
tecttye he visited every hotel in the city MI
Buhe suppressed sobs as he was told at each hoOei
than nothing had been seen OF the child
Il have hope" he said. that the lad may Do
found Every clew will be traced down at my ex-
pense I believe the story that Ball tells about an
other man promising TO meet him and take the OOy
off his hands is true We have crew 70 ule lueH-
+itv OF the second man now. Detectives in my en-
pIoy I believe will locate him tomorrow Iheh
wa will be able settle TO certainty "hetheF '0
lad wa are now trailing is my nephew
IT am prepared now to pay the $4,000 Tor the re-
turn OF the child There need be no quesuonS
about who stole him or how he was stolen. me
man who returns him shall have the $4,000 IN order
harIy I
child shall be returned at any cost
Sharon Penn. March 19.-Mr Shilling, who is as
ISOLATED with Mr.. Whitla In the searcn Ior the a'
tar.s son gave out a statement tonight with a
reouest from the father that the papers use II IN
full The statement follows:
Nothing new has developed during the day, Last Last
night about o'clock the rig IN "T'cn IN F1t 1Ie ~
carried stae dds OGS 3 warren Ohio the party
left the buggy @ n6n Ii not The bugsy Contained
cap which apparently had not been WoIn, HJ IL %aS
not the cap OF young Whitla. as at hrst reported
While the police in the nearby cities ana towns s
were promptly set to work yet M: WIi% Iisb being
having the boy in custody Will at once open neso-
tiations for his speedy return
,r,a ,svvv.r and his close friends and assistants
IN the kidnapping investigation refuse 10 give OUT
for publicity the letter received from 'he Aiuap
mare II is said however, that the letter coh'dheu
o,a striking sentences in addition TO those mace
hI,c ON. alleged remark is: Our perceptioilties
are as keen yours. and we have brains 10
help us" -.
II threatened instant death TO the boy should
the letter be made public or shown to detectives
according to reports here 1t is also tntimated tnat
the letters contained something which had 10 DO
with the method in which the money was to be
paid over TO kidnappers-
philadelphia March 1s.-Following the Cudahy
Kidnapping at Omaha the Pennsylvania Legislature
passed bill, which was approved oy fo GGVe'hOI nor
stope making the punishment for Kidnapping I'M
orisonuent for the term of his or her ma tura NE
r for anv term of years. at the dfscretlon OF the
Court Any person assisting in a kidnapping may
30 n1ntshed by a fine of 5000 and imprisonment
not exceeding twenty-five years, at the discretion
of the court - = 49,, .r ~ +ba lid