Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-25
Patmont Says He Knows
Owner of Car in Which
He Was Abducted.
TELLSOF MURDER PLOT
Horde of Detectives, Employed
by Various Interests, En-
gagged in Mystery.

Patuont. greatly refreshed by a sound
sleep at the home of Rev Bickell. pre-
pared to go before the grand jury to-
day and relate his story of kidnapping.
A happy surprise came TO the minis
Ter as he entered the dining room of
the Bickell home, when he beheld his
aged father and mother there. The
greeting was most affectionate, and
tears filed the eyes of those who wit
messed the meeting Mr.. and Mrs. Pat
mont reached DanvilIe from Chicago
at this morning. Patmont's wife will
arrive tonight from New Jersey.
A horde of detectives, some employ
ed By the ministerial association and
others working independently, and
three sent here by the First Church of
Christ, Detroit, are endeavoring to as
certain the identity of the big red
touring car which Patmont asserts
carried him to the lonely farm house
St Louis. Mo. May 25.-The Rev.
Louis R. Patmont's tale of how he was
kidnapped at Westville. Ill. on March
81. was kept prisoner for almost two
and gagged. in a deserted house near
Columbia, Ill. will be repeated today
before the vermilion county grand
jury. which will convene at Danyille,
Ill.
Patmont was fully identified yester-
day and much of the weird tale that
he told has been corroborated He
ss-frst- positively identified by Rev.
John L. Brandt, pastor OF the First
Christian church OF this city. Subse-
Quently he was identified by half a
dozen citizens OF Vermilion county,
among them Rev. J. F. Bickel. pastor
Of the First Christian church of Dan
vile.
The authorities OF several Illinois
counties and operatives from a detec-
tive agency are working on the case
and the officials say they have clews
that may reveal the identity OF the
hdnapers.
Last night at the First Christian
church here the Rev DIR. Brandt in
his sermon told of Patmont's well-nigh
incredible experience He illustrated
how Patmont was tied in the aban-
doned house by tying a man in the
identical manner on the pulpit before
tne members Of his congregation.
Lay Plans for Arrest.
John n. Lewman, states attorney of
Fermihon county. and H. ]. Colt, dep
uty sheriff, reached Columbia early |
yesterday morning and in conference |
Win the authorities of both Monroe |
ana St Clair counties laid plans for |
the apprehension of the men RESPONSE |
Die for Patmont's kidnapping and i'm
prisonment.
striking clew in the mysterious
case Is red automobile Officials say
"nen the case is finally solved il will
De SHOWN that the owner of this par
ucuiar car, in which, it is believed, l.
fatmont was transported from place
10 place. is the moneyed man in the
ease. Patmont says II was red auto
moolie tnat carried him to the desert
eo farmhouse near Columbia.
Inc Rev. DR.. Bickel, who went to
Cleveland, Ohio, to identify a body
supposed 10 be that of Patmont, re-
ais that he was followed by a red
automobile. DR.. Bickel says he knows
man in Vermilion county, who is
Wealthy and who was bitter against
fatmont who owns a car of the same
On Trail Of Two Men.
Deputy Sheriff Colt said he is on the
'ral OF two men who have been miss
hs from Danville since Patmont dis
ippeared. who answer the descriptions
u Patmonts captOrs.
Henry Reichenback. states attorney
y Monroe county; Sheriff J. c. Rex I
Otn' and Fred G. Rapp, mayor OF Co |
umola' aided the visiting officials all {
'@y yesterday and drove them out
the deserted farmhouse where Pat
mont was found The sticks OF wood. I
ne sunnysack. the ropes, and the
@g were all turned over to Lewman
M will be taken TO DanvilIe as evil
ence
LeTman. DR.. Bickel, and Patnont
III last night for DsnyilIe.