The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1909-03-26
RANSOM PAID;
BOY RETURNED.
Willie Whitla Safe With
Father at Cleveland.
Money Paid Over to Woman In
Confectionery in Outskirts
Of City.


lie Whitla who has caused the police
of the entire country endless worry
since he was kidnapped from school
In Sharon last Thursday, was return
ed to his father at the Hollenden Ho-
tel here tonight at $50 O'Clock.
In compliance with an agreement
entered into between the kidnapped
boys father and an agent OF the kidd
napers here to-day the boy was plac-
ed ON a street car ON the outskirts
of the city, and started to the hotel
shortly after 8 O'Clock.
Two boys, G. W. Ramsey and Ed
ward Mahoney. recognized the lad on
the car, and taking him In charge,
conducted him TO his father VINO was
in waiting, according TO prearrang-
ed plan, which he had followed at the
dictation OF the kidnapers.
The boy wandered about the hotel
lobby unannonnced for several minute
asking bell boys for his father before
the latter knew his son was In the
big foyer. The moment the anxious
parent heard that strange boy was
in the hotel sauntering In aimless
fashion, ne rushed across the lobby
grasped him in his arms and smoth-
cred his face with kisses.
An attempt had been made TO dis
guise the lad. He wore a pair OF
smoked glasses and a large tan cap,
which was pulled down over his ears
and the father said 1t would have been
difficult to have recognized the boy in
such a garb had he passed MIN on
the street.
Willie is in perfect health. He says
that he has been well treated and
ever since his capture has been con-
stantly indoors. He believes he was
taken from Sharon to Warren and
thence to New Castle, Pa. 1t Is his
opinion expressed in happy school
boy way. that he was in Ashtabula
on Saturday night. at the time his
father was to leave his $4,000 in Flat
Iron Park.
Before retiring for the night, Mr..
Whitla admitted that he had paid $40,
900 to the woman In the candy store.
1t was in currency and bills. The wo-
man did not count the money. Mr..
Whitla believes the woman was an
Italian, but he refuses to disclose her
identity.
Mr.. Whitla said that he received
letter to-day from the kidnapers 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 after noon he left Sharon
for Cleveland He was unaccompani-
ed. His immediate family and the
private detectives he apprised OF the
proposed secret meeting. but insisted
that ne make the trip alone. Every
one OF them was warned that he must
be allowed to go unattended and no
attempt at the capture of the kidnap-
ers be made. Whitla feels certain
that II he had spoiled the plans. of his
sons captors tonight ne would new
er have seen the had again. His ex-
perience at Ashtabula served as a
warming.
About 2 O'Clock this afternoon he
went to a candy sotre in the West
End. with MIN he carried the $4,000
expecting that 1t would be demanded
of him there. He was met by "a wo-
man who detailed TO him the terms
of the kidnapers- With all the eager
ness OF distracted parent Whitla
agreed to them Immediately. Detec-
tives in his employ say that he paid
the money. but on this point the faith
er declines to commit himself Half
an hour later he returned to the Hol-
lenden House and awaited develop
ments.
His entrance to the hotel WAS
shrouded in secrecy. by a previous
made with the hotel man
agement he did not register. De-
tective G.. B. Perkins, who has sup
erintended the search for the boy
In behalf of the father was In the lob