The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1910-09-05
KIDNAPPING MAY
COST LIFE Of
STANFORD BOY
University Freshman, Branded
on Wild Auto Ride, Is in
Grip of DeIirium
-Rrain Fever Feared as Result
of Hardship Endured en-
Four Day Trip
Especial Dispatch 10 The Call

Especial Dispoich 10 The Cali
OTANFORD UNIV SITY,
~ Sept. 4-Tossing and raving in
the grip of delirium, Paul Foote,
the freshman student who returned
here last night after an absence OF
four days with a story of having
been kidnapped, robbed and branded
by five mysterious men. IS lying in
private ward OF the Peninsula hos
pital in Palo Alto. He IS attended
by a nurse and kept under the con-
stant scrutiny of several physicians.
According to the latest bulletin
from the p year old lads bedside,
he Is subject 10 fits Of uncomfortable
delirium, and though some hope OF an
early recovery Is held out, II is feared
that the youth may sink into brain
fever.
His condition Is critical. and the
physicians say their only hope OF
saving the patient lies in leading him
into restful sleep. No one except
those engaged in his care Is allowed
20 even approach the room in which
the patient IS lying.
Foote arrived at Palo Alto last
night from Sacramento and went i'm
mediately TO his boarding house at
220 Emerson street He came on the
1915 train. but his friends expected
him and were waiting to give him
their aid. To their surprise the youth
seemed strong and cheerful, despite the
hardships he said he had gone through.
For two hours he told Of his adven-
lures, and then. as he became more and
more excited in telling and retelling
them, he was persuaded by his two
chums here. Charles Christensen and
George Perry, 10 go to bed.
DeIirium in Night
During the night he was attacked |
by the delirium in which he is stiu
raving. Those in the house were
aroused by his cries.
Vow that you have got my money, |
let me go"' he cried again and again.
AS Christensen placed his hand on
Foote's arm to quiet him, the delirious
youth sprang out Of bed and sank to
the floor.
Don't brand me~ he begged re-
peatedly. "Oh. please don't brand mer
After a time he became quiet and
dropped of TO sleep. but in the early
morning when Christensen entered his
room again he found Foote lying in a
dazed stupor. He 5eemed not TO recog-
nize those about him.
You know Chris, don't your Chris |
tenson asked him
yes, know Chris" Foote answered
stupidity. 7 know Chris. But you are
not Chris. / don't know you"
Taken to Hospital
The student recovered his reason |
shortly after o'clock, however, but
could not eat any breakfast, and after |
- consultation with the university au-
thorities it was decided to have him
removed TO the hospital at once. He
was taken there about o'clock, and
while on the way he again sank into |
stupor from which it was impossible |
10 arouse him.
Chief of Police Noble of Paio Alto |
has combined with Prof A. B. Clark. |
chairman Of the student affairs com
nittee Of the university, in an en-
deavor TO clear up the mystery sur
rounding the identity Of the five men |
Foote swears took him on the four /
day trip that ended near Brighton. a /
small town five miles from Sacramento. |
D
route alleged by Foote to have been |
taken by his captors in their auto |
mcxfle, and TO find also the rude hut
iu q e hills in which the student saws
he was imprisoned.
Or. J. c. Branner chief of the geoI-
ogy department of the university and
vice president in charge during the
absence Of President David Starr Jor
dan in Europe. has ordered the student
affairs committee to make an investi
cation, but viii not discuss the oc-
currence in any way. Professor Clark
is equally reticent.
Il can say nothing at all about this
until ] confer with my fellow members
of the committee" Clark said today.
Students Deny Hazing
Among the student body general
impression prevails that Foote is tell
ing the truth, however improbable his
story seems. but the students believe
that the youth was mistaken by his
oaptors for some one else. They think
some rough characters concocted plot
TO kidnap and rob some rich PaIo
Allan and perhaps hold him for ransom
in the lonely hut to which Foote was
taken When, after the mistake was
discovered, the hve men had gone so far
with their plan, the students think,
they Were at a loss to know what to do
y ith their captive. and finally. TO make
it appear the work OF students. branded
the numerals on his arm.
II is pointed out that no student bent
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