Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-03-20
Police Search for Whit|a Boy
Without Result.
NO WORD FROM ABDUCTORS
Fail to Answer Fathers Offer to Pay
Ransom.
ONLY WANTS HIS CHILD BACK
Distracted Parents Willing to Pay
; Any Amount for Recovery-Sec-
ond Sharon kidnapping Case.

SHARON. Pa, March oO.-Sobbing and
crying James P. Whitla, the father of the
kidnapped boy, broke down at noon today
when no word had been received from the
abductors. and in statement to the press
said he wanted to impress on every per-
son interested in the recovery of the boy
that all he wanted was to see his child
safe back home.
He said ne was ready to pay the $4,000
ransom at any time and had authorized
agents ready to pay over the money.
The clue from Cleveland for time
buoyed Mr.. Whitla and his wife up, but
when that was dissipated their hopes were
crushed.
Later word was received from Mr.. Buhl
at Cleveland to the effect he would remain
in that city today for the purpose of being
ready to open negotiations with the kid
napers for the payment of the $4,000 and
the return of the boy. Detective G. s.
Ward of Philadelphia arrived here today.
No Word From Kidnapers.
Mr.. Whitla denied today that he has
received second letter or that he has
already paid the money demanded as
ransom. He says he is very anxious,
however. to get into communication with
the kidnapers and that they can have
the money.
Although every clue is being run down
nothing has developed to give the search
ers the slightest ray of hope, and those
working on the case are no further ad-
yanced than when they first began.
The lads father Is Of the opinion the
abductors are now safely ensconced in
some retreat and that he will soon re-
ceive word from his child.
The fact that a small army Of police
have failed to locate any tangible trace
Of the boy and his captors after they had
deserted the buggy at Warren. Ohio. has
had Oppressive effect upon the hopes of
Mr.. and Mrs Whitla, and their only de-
sire now Is to open negotiations with the
kidnapers.
Neither Mr. and Mrs. Whitla. Or Will
liam's little sister Salina, ten years old,
have slept very much since the kidnapping
occurred at $50 am Thursday morning
are apparently resigned to the fact that
the kidnapers have the upper hand in the
affair and anxiously wait some intelii-
gence from the men as to what they are
to do to get William back.
Every clue, no matter how slight, Is be-
ing run down by the boys uncle, Frank
H. Buhl. the millionaire steel manufac-
turer, and other relatives OF the family.
ever. and Mr.. Buhl, who conducted an ex-
hausttve search in Cleveland last night,
Will return to Sharon this afternoon.
Ashtabu1a Clue Run Down.
A report that the boy was in Ashta-
bula, Ohio. has been Investigated without
result The authorities at Youngstown
Ohio, are watching several persons, 1t is
reported, who might be. connected with
the kidnapping. All Information regarding
the suspects has been refused by Chief
Mcdowell.
Many officers are concentrating their
cording to great number of persons. it
Is doubted whether the abductors ever
left this city with the boy
Numerous small towns surround Sharon
any one of which offers better hiding
place than Warren and Cleveland The
men who carried the boy away are
thought to be thoroughly acquainted with
the territory in this vicinity, and never
had any intention of leaving this part of
the country after securing possession Of
the lad. 1t is also thought the abductors
will be satisfied to lie low for a number
of days before making any effort to COM
municate with Mr.. Whitla concerning the
payment of the ransom.
An opinion is held by those in charge
of the search that the sidnapers are men
of considerable intelligence. who will
eventually get the ransom of $4,000 and
return the boy.
Recalls Similar Case.
The abduction of the Whi1la boy has
served to recall an almost similar kidnap-
ing at Sharon in 1892 ten years ago, when
the son of q wealthy resident, A. Levine.
was the victim. At the time 1t was kid
naped the child was eight months old and
was in a baby carriage in charge of a
nurse.
The nurse had wheeled the carriage
along one of the avenues of the city, and
on reaching drug store left the
baby and carriage on the outside while
she entered to make purchase. During
her absence. unseen by any one. the baby
was stolen from its carriage.
Several hours later, as In tho Whitla
case. the parents of the child received a
letter informing them that the child was
all right and that ii would be restored to
and no publicity. The parents notified the
police and II was decided to pay the ran
som demanded. A spot in the outskirts
of the town was designated and two de-
tectives were detailed to watch the place
and make an arrest, after the money had
been taken from the designated place.
Abductors Kept Posted.
The kidnapers. however, seemed TO
know every movement of the police and
the parents. and an hour before the time
agreed upon for the placing of the money
a letter was received by the parents. 1t
read
You have the police watching us to
arrest us. We do not want your money
now but we have got your baby. You
will never see him again"
The kidnapers kept their word. but the
| father. who was also a friend of j. p.
Whitla. spent nearly every cent he had in
( irving To ger trace OF his child II was
: not, however. until over year later that
a peddler discovered the kidnapped child I'm
home at Punxsutawney Pa, where 1t
had been left eleven months previously by
a man and a woman. who were supposed
| 10 have been implicated In it's kidnap-
ing.
! CLEVELAND CLUE FAILS.
Man Arrested as Suspected Kidnaper