Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1909-03-26
CHILD, RESCUED
FROM KIDNAPERS,
RETURNS HOME
BILLY" WHITLA AND REJOICING
FATHER WELCOMED BY CROWD
OF 5000.
ANXIOUS TO SEE MAN MA"
Ransom of $4,000 Was Paid to Ordi-
narily Dressed Working1nan in Out
Of the Way Grocery.
POLICE ARE KEPT OUT OF CASE.

SHARON, Pa, March 23.-"Billy"
Whitla, who was kidnapped from his
school in this city last Thursday, was
brought home this afternoon by his ia
ther, Attorney James P. Whitla, who
paid over the $4,000 ransom demanded
by the boys abductors in Cleveland last
night.
The reunion took place around the
family hearthstone in the Whitla home
and no prylng eyes were permitted to
witness the greeting of mother and son,
only the immediate relatives of the fami-
ly being present at the joyful homecom-
ing of the lad.
Accorded an ovation by the populace
of Sharon that could not have been
heartier. the little fellow and father ar
rived here at 1906 this afternoon after
an absence of 125 hours Fully 5000
persons extended the lad demonstrating
greeting. Pushing their way through
the dense crowd surrounding the rail
way station Mr.. Whitla, Billy" his I'M
Gle and detective boarded cab and
were quickly driven in the direction of
the Whitla home.
Cheering and singing the great gath
ering of enthusiastic neighbOrs and cltl-
zens followed the cab through the streets.
Business was practically at standstlll,
public schools were dismissed and jollif-
cation that will last until late tonight
was given full sway.
Crowd Dances with Joy.
Within short time the party arrived
at the Whitla residence where a second
large crowd, which had congregated
throughout the morning, was in evidence.
AS the cab and cheering throng were
clio those surrounding the Wbitt1
home shouted and danced with JOY.
When the boy and his father attempted
to alight from the cab they were in the
midst Of remarkable demonstration.
Tears were in many eyes and all Sharon
seemed mad with joy.
With difficulty the father, boy and 9th
prs of the party succeeded in eXtricatlng
themselves from the crowd and went
into the house. Here the mother, who
had been patiently waiting with happy
anticipation since last night to see her
bow. affectionately clasped her child to
her breast and for several minutes they
chung to one another and sObbed.
MY boy. My dear, dear boy, you are
hack in mothers arms Crying and
.hugging the little fellow, the mother
sh0Wered him with kisses and seemed
reluctant to leave him from her arms to
answer the calls of the multitude gath
cred in front of the house.
Pose for Photograph.
After being in the house five minutes,
Mr. and Mrs Whitla with Billy, his
nncle and aunt Mr.. and Mrs. Bull. and
his grandparents, Mr.. and Mrs. William
iWhitIa. both of them over 50 years old,
came to the front porch. The crowd
cheerer and rushed toward the house
For a moment it seemed as though some
of the people would be crushed. They
fwcre restained by the detectives, how
ever, and consented to keep still while
the family posed for a photograph. As
soon as this was over, the demonstration
broke forth again. Willie climbed to the
tnarently paying no attention to the great
crowd yelled to several school compan-
ions whom he saw in the street.