Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-08-01

O.
ceived strengthened his conviction that
ms was actually the man who had STOLEN
biakeiey and who knew where he was hid.
den. Before he paid over the money. how.
ever nc asked for some proof that his
oaoy sun lived 1.-THE Crank" replied that
IL was 100 dangerous to have tho chiId's
photograph taken and that all tho clothing
IL had been wearing the night Of Juno .
had been destroyed. But as proof Of tho
honesty OF his claims ho gave an Intimate
description OF tho boys room. told how
anu "here no mad obtained the ladder and
supplied other details which it seemed
could nave been In tho possession only
OF someone who had taken an active mart
in the crime.
Father and mother love could be denied
no longer. Mr. Coughlin agreed TO tho
terms and drove with friend in an auto
mobiie TO little trolley station in Swcede.
iahu- Ihero he hid under the platform.
according TO directions given by '.Tho
Crank the $4,000. which was TO brinp
Blakeley Coughln back to his pnronts.
arms. The next day the money was gone
h.
Ing more was ever heard from tho unfeel-
ING "retch VINO hid behind the name OF
Crank"
mat even n hardened criminal would
wrench the hearts OF n grief.stricken father
and mother in this cruel way seems a,most
incredible. Tho episode adds tho crown.
Ing touch Of pathos to what was already
tragedy without parallel in heartlessness.
considered it the only thing to do"
said Mr. Coughlin. after he realized how
he had been duped.
How could ! help believe him when
no told me just how the ladder was placed
with one foot propped against the flower.
pot? How could ! doubt his word when
he said that the water contaner for heat.
ing the baby's milk was only half full on
the night OF June 9?
My wife and knew that It was only
chance but any chance that might result
I'D the return OF our baby was worth TAX
ing. We could never have forgiven our.
selves had we failed to pay over the sl2 900
Whicn this man demanded with SO many
striking evidences OF good faith
DAY after day the wires have brought
from various parts OF the country descrip.
lions OF children answering closely to that
OF the missing Coughln baby. To places
far and near MIR and Mrs. Cougblin have
travelled. buoyed up by the hope that Mt
last they were on the right track, but in
every case they have been doomed to dis
appointment
They were told of mysterious woman
who had engaged Il room at a Scranton
hotel. When the rumor got about that The
baby she had with her was the kidnaped
child. she retired to her room and stead
lastly refused admittance to any one. Sew
erai who had seen the baby said that It
tailed closely with the description of
Blakeley Coughlin
Mrs. Coughlin hurried TO Scranton. AT
her direction the police went to the room
occupied by the suspected woman She
refused them admittance. insisting that
the child was her own. that IL had been
born In New York hospital. and that she
did not propose to submit it TO anvbody,s
inspection.
The woman's husband arrived Just in
time to see the police batter down the
door OF the room, surge across the thresh-
OLD. axes In hand. and surround his wife
and baby Rctreating into n corner with
the screaming child in her arms, she defied
the officers TO touch her. Even her hus-
bands p!eadings failed to move her to
allow an examination Of the baby
Mrs. Coughlin was brought into the
room and given glimpse of tho child.
That is not Blakeley." she said. and
turned sadly away.
AS Il last resort her nerves shattered
her faith almost broken, her hopes turned
10 despair. Mrs. Coughlin has issued the
Following touching appeal for the return
of her baby:
ITO the abductors of BlakeIy Cough
lin: want my baby. Some woman
must be caring for him. Won't you
let your mothers heart plead for me
now. and send him safely back to me?
All ask for is the return of our little
boy. ! promise we will deal directly
with you. Can't you imagine my
angush?"
Does there live man or woman with
heart hard enough to resist an appeal like
this? One would hardly think so. did we
not have the cruel, despcable swindle
practised by 1.-THE Crank" as evidence OF
the depths of inhumanity to which some
criminals can sink.
Meanwhile Mr.. and Mrs Coughlin anx.
iously wait and watch and pray They
do not know whether little Blakeley il
alive or dead. If alive, they are haunted
by the fear that he may not be receiving
proper care. Is he getting enough to eat?
Is he being 6athed and clothed with the
tender care to which he has always been
accustomed? is there someone To tuck
MIN in his crib at night and soothe his
cries with song, as his mother used to
40? They do not know and while eager TO
miss no opportunity that might lead to
.he childs return they are continually
learlul or being again made the dupe OF
some heartless swindler. Was the fond
rove OF rather and mother ever subjected
to worse torture?