Perth Amboy evening news., 1918-07-05
MAN HELD UNDER $1,000 BAIL
ON CHARGE OF KIDNAPPING
Also Accused of Abusing the Little
Daughter Of Mr.. and Mrs.
Lake Lenehen

-
BIZ Special Correspondent.
SOUTH AMBOY, July 5-The trial
of Frank Smith. of Belfast, Me-, who
was charged with kidnapping and
abusing the f~our-year-old daughter
of Mr.. and Mrs. Luke Lenehen. was
held Wednesday afternoon.
After the reading of the charge by
Judge Birmingham the man pleaded
not guilty.
Luke Lenehen was the first wit
ness. He said it was about 4:50
o'clock when he missed the children
and declared that he recognized the
prisoner as the man who had warn
ed a party outside Of his saloon that
somebody would be stealing that
pretty little girl some day IL more
care was not taken of her"
After getting to Second street with
both children, who Smith claimed
had followed him, 1t was stated that
he ave the young lad, James, who Is
about six years of age. six cents and
chased him home and retained the
little girl.
The Judge called the little tot up
and questioned her. Notwithstanding
the youngster being only -four years
old. she said that she knew the man
and he had given her money and
bought her candy.
DIR. Z. II. Eulner, who had made
examination of the child, testified as
to the marks of abuse on the girls
body.
Chief of Police Mcdonnell was the
next witness. He had made the ar
rest of Smith. The morning prior to
the trial he said Smith told him his
story, which, he said. would Indicate
that the man was guilty. He stated
that after he had arrested the man
on his way to the boarding house in
Parlin, Smith remarked hat he
would like to go back and get his
clothes, but the chief refused per-
mission. After the chief had explain
ed how he had caught the man, he
also testified that he found in the
mans pockets candy and other ma
terial which would indicate that his
intentions were other than that Of
kidnapping the girl.
Smith asked the recorder II he
could say a word. He testified that
the children. instead of him carrying
them away as the other witness had
stated, had followed him. He said
he tried several times to chase them
both home, but could not do 1t. He
stated that he had been away from
his home in Belfast, Me-, for about
eight months. Upon being question
ed as to the reason of this he gave
the explanation as that OF being out
mere OOklnB TOT WORK. Inc Judge
asked why he should have carried
the children but into the woods and
not keep within the city limits. He
declared that he was O stranger and
wanted to see everything. His testi-
mony did not seem to hang together
and the judge placed the man under
$4,000 bail to await the action of the
grand jury. Not having the money
for the bail he was held.
The second charge vas that of will
fully kidnapping the little girl.
Mrs. Lenehen was the first witness.
She told how she missed the child
and going in search of her found
her with this man Smith on the cor
ner of Stevens avenu and Main
street. She got the child away from
the man. and meanwhile telephoned
for police aid. Chief of Police Nc
Donnell was found, who gave chase
and arrested the man. She brought
the child home and examined her.
She also testified hat she found the
.child's Undertaking disarranged and
bruises on her body.
Michael Welsh, the proprietor OF
the saloon In First street, was next
to testify. He declared that Smith
had the child with him when he
came into his saloon that night about
6 o'clock.
Milton Hammell. who testified in
behalf OF the plaintiff. stated that he
saw the man and recognized him to
be the same one who was in the
court. He claimed that he kept in
close touch with him and followed
him until the police appeared.