The Washington times., 1919-12-15

hueoaHu WHO got tHe separation N"-
cree. He left Baltimore immediately
thereafter for Philadelphia, wnere ne
made his home with his wife's moth
er. Mrs. Clara Miller, and his sister
in-law, Mrs. Maud Miller.
Scores of men and women gathered
at the autopsy held in an undertake
er's shop here today by Coroner
George Stoddard to determine dea-
nttely the cause Of the death of little
"Buddie" Blake.
Meanwhile the boys mother tosses
In delirinm on a cot in the public
ward of the Atlantic City Hospital,
under police guard, charged with the
murder Of her fiye-year-old son. whom
sne claimed had been kidnapped by
Two negroes in army uniforms.
Win Quixs Mrs. Blake.
This afternoon Chief SpraSue ana
representatives OF the county prosecu-
tors office will seek to obtain from
MRS. Blake consecutive and coherent
account OF the circumstances leadisy
up to the child's death. The post.
ponement of the ordeal is to give the
woman's mind rest and a chance r,
regain its equilibrium. When in
FORMED last night that she would &c
interrogated MEs. Blake said: when
you come tomorrow you will get the
same statement from me you got )ast
night"
Even though Mrs. Blake stick, to
the KIDNAPPING story. a. this remark
indicates II her purpose, enough is
known OF her movements and attend
Ant circumstances to link her post
lively with the child's DEATH in the
view OF tho Ventnor police authori-
Was Drug Addict.
Contrary to their expressed view,
on the other hand, it is exceedingly
doubtful that a charge OF murder
"willfully and with malice afor.-
thought" in the words OF the warrant.
Will hold against her since everything
points to the conclusion that she has
been a drug addict for years and that
the tragedy OF which "Buddiev Blake
was the innocent victim was the
disease.
Whatever obsession found lodr-
ment in her tired, sick mind was
born OF drugs, in the belief of most
who have studied the case. An added
touch of pathos is given the story by
her hint in the fragmentary conver-
sation Chief Sprague held with her
on Saturday that she was Jealous OF
Buddie. believing the husband from
whom she had been separated four
years loved the lad more than he did
her. -
HE stood between u.s." she told the
chief.
Why do you say that?" he de-
manded.
Father Devoted to Child.
The woman made no answer That
she spoke truly is no longer a secret
of the Blake family, for her husbands
anection for her had been stified by
the incidents leading up to their
separation and their four years apart,
while for "Buddfe" he displayed the
more e~than ordinary devotion father
frequently feels for an afflicted child.
But Mrs. Blake's delusion that the
child's disappearance would effect
the removal of barriers between her
and her husband merely shows the
quality Of her mental action.
Body Found on Beach.
Samuel Blair found "Buddie's'' body.
He was strolling along the boardwalk
at 10 o'clock when he caught sight
of the little body tossed along the
beach by the incoming rollers. The
tide was half-flood and coming in
strong. The body was almost level
with the edge of the walk. at the foot
OF New Haven avenue, three or four
blocks south of the Ventnor City pier,
on which Mrs. Blake's handbag was
found. z
Blair pulled the body up beyond the
reach Of the breakers and notified
police headquarters. Mr. Blake,
"Buddie's" father was with the chief,
and together they hastened to the
spot, short walk. A glance was suf-
ha 60,
fears.
bruises on Boys Face.
The body was dressed as when he
had been taken from his home Friday
afternoon by the mother in his little
gray chinchilla/ I overcoat. sweater
suit, leggins, and brown shoes. His
cap was missing from his matted hair.
Examinations revealed a cut over the
forehead, a smaller one under the
nose, and a confused and blackened
eye. These marks may have been in
fiicted when he was thrown from the
pier or by striking the boardwalk
piling.
After the body had been sent to the
undertaker's office, Chief Sprague
went to the house of Kirk Loveland
here. where Mrs. Blake roomed He
round Mrs. Blake cool of mind, in
striking contrast to her state Friday
night. She readily agreed to his sug-
gestions that she should go to the
Atlantic City Hospital where she
could receive proper medical care and
nursing.
, Calm in Face Of Charge.
She had been established there be-
fore Chief Sprague/read the warrant
charging her with "Buddie's" murder
by felonious assault in causing him
to drown" There was no agitation in
her manner as she heard the charge.
With the same deadly calm she re-
ceived the news that the boys body
had been cast up by the sea. There
was no display either Of surprise or
grief. When he had finished with the
formalities she was told she would
have twentyfour hours in which to
think things over and then would be
questioned again. 1t was in response
to that announcement that she inti-
mated she would adhere to her origi
nal story.