The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1917-06-10
KEET BABY DEAD
IN WELL;;7 MEN
CHASED BY MOB
Kidnappers, Fearing Cap
ture, Drowned Child on
Abandoned Farm.
IN PERIL OF LYNCHING
Angry Springfield, Mo-. Citi-
zens Take Prisoners Away
From Sheriff.

sPRINGFIELD, Mo-. June Baby Lloyd
keet was found dead to-day. The child
had been drowned In a we'll on an aban-
cording to the findings from an autopsy.
when the band of kidnappers who took
him from his home Wednesday night
OF last week began to fear capture.
Immediately scores OF Springfield men
in automobiles started in pursuit of
the county Sheriff's automobile In which
seven persons suspected in the kidnap-
ping and murder were being sped 10 the
state prison at Jefferson City.
message was received at the Repub-
Hcan office late tonight that the seven
prisoners had been taken from the
sheriff at Caplinger's Mill, two miles
east Of Stockton, and were on their way
TO Springfield Not less than $4,000
people are on the square awaiting word
from the posse.
Only meagre details were received
1t was said that farmers had burned a
bridge over which the Sheriff would
have had to take his party and that he
abandoned the motor cars. taking his
prisoners into the brush.
Persons on the streets here are carry
ing ropes and waiting the return of the
prisoners. which is expected between
midnight and / o'clock. All saloons
have been closed by the Mayor and a
company of the Second Missouri Regi-
ment is under arms, prepared for trouble
The body of the 14-months-old child
was found shortly before noon to-day
by sherifrs posse which had gone to
haunted house, long since aban-
doned In the Ozark Mountains eight
miles southwest of here. In some way
not yet explained the sheriff was told
last night that trace Of the child could
be found on the farm. Straightway he
left Springfield with deputies and the
long search began before midnight.
womsn's skirt Is Clue.
deputy was lowered into the opening
while others held him by his feet And
there was found the body Of "Buddie''
keet, wrapped in the pink blanket
which was upon his bed the night he
was stolen a woman's skirt, too. of
black silk substance was wrapped
around the body and was the only evil
dence left by those who Threw the baby
into the water.
given but one opportunity 10 ransom his
son. Then the elements and possibly his
friends combined to defeat the rescue.
Shortly after the kidnapping Mr.. Keet
received an anonymous letter directing
him to proceed by automobile alone
through a certain coUntry district the
coming night. When he observed a
lighted lantern by the roadside, the let
ter directed, he was to drive on for a
mile, return and exchange $4,000 for
the child.
Bu1 that night a tornado descended
upon the county. Roads were all but
impassable and rain fell In torrents
Nevertheless. the anxious father started
mis- journey, followed by friends In other
automobiles. and though he drove until
dawn he did not receive the signal.
seven Suspects Arrested.
From day to day the search for Lloyd
grew more minute. The county author
tiles bent every energy in this effort to
catch the kidnappers and to save the
child Arrests were made and seven
persons are held charged with conspir-
acy to kidnap other persons. but not one
was definitely charged with taking
"Buddie" Keet. To-day Federal agents
Joined in the search. though just what
led them to aid in unravelling the mys-
terry has not been learned.
This city, knowing that little Lloyd
Keet had been killed, was aroused to-
night as It has not been for many years
As result, authorities were taking
every precaution to prevent violence ant
efforts were being made to calm tht
crowds that gathered everywhere along
the streets, discussing nothing other thar
the tragedy. No secret was made OF the
crowds feeling and threats of lynchine
were heard openly.
Mother On Verge Of Collapse.
Mrs. Keet. the babys mother, was or
the verge of a complete breakdown to-
night. physicians attending her said
The father too was grief stricken. Mr.
Keet repeatedly had offered to pay an,
ransom demanded and promised at one
time that he would not press the prose
cution II the baby should be returned tt
him. Consequently the only reason ap
parent to officials for the murder OF thu
baby was that searching parties at ont
time had been SO close to the kidnapper'
that 1t became necessary for them Il
seek safety in flight and had killed thu
little fellow.