New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-06-10
Scores Pursue Suspects
Sheriff Is Taking to
Jefferson City
Silk Skirt Around
Child Only Clew
Troops in Readiness at
Springfield for eFared
Outbreak

Springfield, Mo- June Baby Lloyd
Kcet was found dead to-day.
The child had been drowned in a
we'll on an abandoned farm at least
four days ago, according to the find
irgs from an autopsy, when the band
Of kidnappers who took him from his
home Wednesday night Of last week
began to fear capture.
Tonight scores of Springfield men in
automobiles were hurrying in pursuit
OF the county sheriF's automobile in
which seven persons suspected in the
kidnapping and murder were being
sped to the state prison at Jefferson
City. Openly the pursuers have de-
clared their intention Of taking sum
mary vengeance on the suspected per
pctrators of the crime.
Late reports were that the Sheriff
and his prisoners had passed through
Humansvlle, forty-fve miles north
west of here, the pursuers having been
shaken off and were apparently head
ing for Clinton There it was supposed
train connections would be obtained
at midnight for jefferson City.
Springfield tonight was city in
which any eventuality seemed pos
sibility. The Mayor ordered the sa-
looms closed when it became apparent
that the city had not quoted down
after the stirring events of the day.
All streetcars were ordered to remain
in the barns. and a company of the I'd
Missouri Infantry stationed here was
held at the arsenal ready TO answer any
call.
Found Near Haunted House"
The body Of the fourteen-months-
old child was found shortly before noon
to-day by a sheriff's posse which had
gone to a haunted" house, long since
abandoned, in the Ozark Mountains,
eight miles southwest of here.
In some way not yet explained the
Sheriff learned last night that trace of
the child could be found on the farm.
Straightway he left Springfield with
deputies and the long search began be-
fore midnight.
At noon they thought Of the well. A
deputy was lowered into the opening,
while others held him by his feet. And
there was found the body of "Buddie"
Keet, drapped in the pink blanket
which was upon his bed the night he
was stolen. A black silk skirt, too,
was wrapped around the body. and was
the only evidence left by those who
threw the baby into the water.
Elements Helped Defeat Rescue
J. Holland Keet, the wealthy father.
was given but one opportunity TO ran
som his son. Then the elements, and
possibly his friends, combined to de-
feat the rescue. Shortly after the kid
mapping Mr.. Keet received an anony-
nous letter directing him to proceed
by automobile alone through a certain
country district the coming night.
When he observed a lighted lantern "
the roadside, the letter directed. he
was TO drive on for a mile, return and
exchange $4,000 for the child.
But that night tornado descended
on the county. Roads were all but i'm
passable and rain fell in torrents.
Nevertheless. the anxious father start
ed his journey. followed by friends in
other automobiles. Though he drove
until dawn he did not receive the sly
nal.
The baby was stolen while his pa
rents were attending a dance at the
Country Club here The child had
been left with a nurse and an older son.
The abduction was said TO have been
committed about 10 O'Clock at night
Neighbors told later of having seen an
automobile drive by the house at high
speed. 1t was supposed TO have stopped
behind some bushes. Three men were
believed TO be the abductors, and il was
assumed they took the baby from his
crio, carrying him about 200 yards "a
-Ee car.