Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-06-12
ALLEGED SLAYERS
OF KIDNAPPED BABY
ARE HELD BY MOB
Said to Be Under Guard at
Stockton No. for Purpose
of Enforcing Confession
Naming RingIeaderS

SPRINGFIELD. Mo, June 1O.-The
alleged Keet baby kidnapers have been
taken from the sheriff by the motor
mob" and are now being held under
guard at Stockton Mo-. according to
telephone reports from that city early
today.
The report asserted it was believed
that II is not the intention of the mob
to lynch the prisoners, but to force a
confession from them If possible. that
will lead TO the arrest OF their ring
leaders.
SPRINGFIELD. Mo-, June s.-Baby
Lloyd Keet was found dead today The
child had been drowned in a we'll on
an abandoned farm at least four days
ago, according to the findings from an
autopsy, when the band of kidnapers
who took him from his home wednes-
day night OF last week began to fear
capture.
Tonight scores of Springfield men in
automobiles were hurrying in pursuit
OF the county sheriff's automobile in
which seven persons suspected of COM
pIicity in the kidnapping and murder were
being sped to the state prison at JET
ferson City. The pursuers have de-
clared their intention of taking sum-
mary vengeance.
The body of the fcurteen-months-oId
child was found shortly before noon
today by a sherifTs 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
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.
At noon they thought of the we'll. A
deputy was lowered into the opening
while others held him by his feet.
And there was found the body of Bud
die Keet, wrapped in the pink blanket
which was upon his bed the night he
was stolen. A woman's skirt, too. was
wrapped around the body and was the
only evidence left by those who threw
the baby into the water.
]. Holland Keet, the wealthy father.
was given but one opportunity to ran
som his son. Then the elements and
possibly his friends combined to defeat
the rescue. Shortly after the kidnap-
ing Mr.. Keet received an anonymous
letter directing him to proceed by au-
tomobile alone through a certain coun-
try district. the coming night. When
ne observed a lighted lantern by the
roadside. the letter directed, he was to
drive on for a mile, return and ex-
change $4,000 for the child.
But that night a tornado descended
upon the county. Roads were all but
impossible and rain fell in torrents.
Nevertheless the anxious father started
his Journey, followed by friends in 9TH
er automobiles and though he drove
until dawn he did not receive the sig
nal.
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.
This city knowing that little Lloyd
Keet had been killed. was aroused to-
night as IL has not been for many
years. AS a result authorities were
taking every precaution to prevent vio-
lence and efforts were being made to
calm the crowds that gathered every
where along the streets. discussing
nothing other than the tragedy.
Mrs Keet, the baby's mother, was on
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 any
ransom demanded and promised at
one time that he would not press the
prosecution IL the baby should be re-
turned to him. Consequently the only
reason apparent TO officials for the
murder OF the baby was that searching
parties at one time had been so close
to the kidnappers that IL became neces-
sary for them TO seek safety in flight
and had killed the little fellow.