Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-06-01
STOLEN BOYS FATHER
BLADIES KIND FRIENDS
Interference, He Says, Scared
OFF Abductors and Recovery
Was Baked
NIGHT VIGIL IN VAIN
Missouri Man, Near Crazed,. Now Fears
Kidnappers Will Kill or
Mutilate Baby
spR1Nnr1rrn. No. Inno 1.

SPRINGFIELD. Mo, June l.
CraEed with grief and anxiety over the
Kidnapping OF his infant son. J. II. Keet
Springfield millionaire and retired banker,
today bames friends for his failure TO re-
cover the baby from abductors last night.
Following directions, he stole away in
the height OF a raging wind and rain storm.
IN his automobile, TO meet the kdnappers
At some spot near Springfield With him
he carried the $4,000 ransom demanded by
the abductors for the safe return Of the
fourteep-month-old child,
Before leaving Keet asked his friends not
TO attempt TO follow him The letter from
the kidnappers stated that alone he must
drive down a certain country road, where,
n convinced Of his good faith. an agent Of
the kidnappers would present himself once
the money was paid Keet would be informed
where he could find his baby.
sL.s FRIENDS FOLLOWED
Fearing Keet would meet with foul play.
friends followed him almost continuously
through the night. In desperation he cir
cled, doubled back on his trail and shot
his car, at breakneck speed through tori ents
which gushed down the hisides.
But the kidnappers, fearing capture or
the double-cross, did not appear at the sug.
gested place.
Tired and worn, he returned 10 his home
this morning, a beaten. broken man.
Throughout the morning he tossed on his
bed. while Mrs Keet whose eyes have
not closed in sleep since the baby was
stolen "Wednesday night paced the floor
IN despair
Until today the mother maintained her
composure. positive that her boy would
be retufned to her before another day had
passed Since her husbands failure 70 find
the abductors she has been bordering on
collapse
Friends and relatives have been barred
from the home and the curtains are drawn.
Fearing that the kdnappers will carry out
their threat to mutilate or kill the baby II
an attempt is made 10 discover their iden-
tity, the Keets are almost desperate in their
efforts to shun attempts Of friends to offer
assistance.
Associates stated that Keet was prepar-
ing 10 take UP his search for the boy again
tonight Tho ransom money has not been
returned to the bank and police fear
Others knowing. Of the circumstances. may
pose as the real kidnappers or attack the
Iona ,trrveler... 49,.
STRANGE KIDNAPPING
Keet. who is thirty-hve years old. until
recently was vice president OF the Holland
Banking Company He resigned to devote
his time TO the management Of large
estate. valued at half million. left him
by his mother. .-r..s-.. -. 49,.
MFG Keet ls twenty e feht. years old and
one OF the leaders in Springfield society
The kidnapping Of the child took place
under mysterious circumstances.
Mr. and Mrs. Keet were attending a dance
at the Springfield Country Club. The baby
was left at home with nurse who had
been in lie employ Of the family seven
years and maid employed for two years
Another boy. four years old, was sleeping
with the kidnapped baby He was not
awakened by the abfuctors and neither Of
the other occupants OF the house noticed
any. disturbance.
The letter which Is the only clue Of the
abduction. was addressed to 'ATf. Holland
KeettS II was IN n large square brown
envelope and was mailed in the public
square about O'Clock yesterday morning
II bore no identifying mark. The contents
except that a threat was made TO mutilate
the body of the child II the ransom was
Keet t-. :.