Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-02-20
ARREST WOMAN As
K|DNAPER OF GIRL
INDIANA AUTHORITIES TRACE
LITTLE RUTH STEPHENS TO
6ARpoNE HOME NEAR EARL
WILLIE, WHERE AspUcToR HAD
TAKEN HER.

The object of search that led
across two states little Ruth Stephens
aged two and one-half years, is be-
ing detained at the La Sale county
Jail pending the arrival from Bloom
ington. Ind, of Sheriff ]. G. Brown
ing. to take the little tot and her
alleged abductor back to the Indiana
city to face charge of child steal
ing.
Little Ruth takes her lot with good
grace, and, while she is the yougest
prisoner ever locked behind the bars
at the cold forbidding county institu-
tion. she also is the sprightliest and
winsomest of all who ever entered the
Jail
The arrest last night of Miss Emma
Baxter, who claims Ruth was given
her by the mother on her death bed,
terminated long hunt conducted by
Westley Stephens, Of Bloomington, to-
find his lost daughter. Warrants re-
ceived by Sheriff Davis from the Nor
gan county, Indiana. official. instruct
ed him to sieze Miss Baxter, who
then believed to be living with her
sister, Mrs. John Butcher, of near
Earlville.
Worked Al, ,Housekeeper.
When trace of the woman was OBJ
tanned she was found working as q
housekeeper for Mr.. and Mrs. John
Bardone, wealthy farmers residing
southwest of Earlville. Deputies VIM.
Mischke and Arthur Barrett were In.
structed to make the trip to the Bar
done home and secure custody OF
Miss Baxter and her little charge.
They were brought to Ottawa and as.
signed quarters in the woman's apart.
ment of the county bastile.
Sheriff Browning, when Informed
the arrest had been made, informed
Sheriff Davis he would arrive in Ot-
tawa tonight and take the baby and
her selfelected guardian back to In
diana with him.
Miss Baxter Tells Story.
Claiming that she took little Ruth,
when she was only six months old,
and since has served as provider and
mother for her, Miss Baxter did not
doubt in her own mind that she was
within her rights when she left the
Indiana home, taking the baby with
her She has had her now for two
years and has become so attached TO
the child it would be nothing short OF
impossible for her to give her up.
Blaming Westley Stephens, the ia
ther. for her plight, MISS Baxter. VINO
is the daughter of a wealthy farmer
living near Bloomington, says she was
forced to leave home because of un-
desirable attentions pressed upon her
by Stephens. Stephens, she says,
jmportuned her to marry him. ana
she says she did not want to eSpouse
him as a husband, and for this reason
ne has become incensed at her ana
has taken the step he did for no other
purpose than getting even
At the same time, however, she
made no denials of the fact that she
was not lawfully entitled to the pos
session of Ruth. No guardianship
papers have been issued her nor dld
she 20 thru the formula of adopting
her County officials here are conll-
dent that Miss Baxter inadvertently
has placed herself in bad hole that
will necesstate lot OF explanations
to get her freed of a Kidnapping
charge.
Baby "Given" Her.
Mrs Stephens, Miss Baxter AYERS
asked her to take little Rutn' !ust pe
fore she passed away, and when the
mother gave her the babe she believed
that was all that was necessary fol
/ her TO attain possession and become
the babys second mother.
Ruth is described as being bright
eyed. nazen-haired young lady, vita
habit of winning everybody withlr
range of her. The sombre faced sher
ifs softened their features in speak
ing to her and sought to make ex
cuse for Miss Baxter, even tho they