Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-08-07
THE CRANK CALLS
ON PALS TO RETURN
BLAKELY C0UGHL|N
Pasquale, Put Through
Third Degree, Threat
ems to "Squeal."
DECLARES KIDNAPPED BABY
HAS WON LOVE OF WOMAN
Virtually Admits He Received
$4,000 Left by Father of
Missing Child.

PHILADELPHIA, August 6.-Attcr
ten hours of inccssant Erilling at
City Hall, the crank" identified as
Augusta Pasqualc, alias Pascol, held
by the police as an accomolicc in the
kidnapping of thirteen months old
Blakely Coughlin. began TO weaken
tonight and made an appeal to the
captors Of the child to return him in
twenty-four hours or he would tell
all he knew.
This was announced tonight by
Major Lynn G.. Adams, head of the
Pennsylvania State police, whose men
captured Pasqualc at Egg Harbor.
y. j.. last Monday.
Send out word to those people
who have the baby" Pasquale said
in desperation after constant Ques-
tioning. according TO Adams. that
they must get me out of this. Tell
them in some way that IL they don't
bring back the kid or tell you people
where to get him within twenty-four
hours, I'll squeal / can't stand this
much longer"
Says Woman Keeps Bnby.
And then. when he had again re-
covered his nerve. he said:
But l don't think the woman who
has the kid will give him to you. She
has grown SO fond of him since she
has had him that l don't think she
will give him up. She certainly Is
fond of that kid"
Pasqualc's appeal for the return of
the baby boy followed an earlier
statement to tho police that the child
is niive. 'Blakey Coughlin is alive:
what more do you want?" he ex-
claimed. What are you worrying
about? Let me go and I'll tell you
where he is"
The prisoner. according to Major
Adams. also virtually admitted that
he wrote the letters signed The
Crank" and got the $4,000 left. hy
George IL. Coughliu, father of the
missing child, under deserted troll
ley station outside of Norristown.
Major Adams denied reports that
Pasquale Is becoming n physical
wreck from the long examination he
has gone through since last Monday.
On the other hand. Major Adams said,
the prisoner is composed and suave
lie admits nothing unless he Is con-
rinced that the police have the proof
against him. When they ply him
with other questions that would in
criminate him if answered he smiles,
shruSs his shoulders and says Moth
ing.
Search for AccompIiccs.
The state and local police for sew
cral days have been convinced that
the missing child is alive and that n
woman is connected with the case.
Pasquale's confirmation of their con-
viction has resulted in increasing
the force OF men who are now search
Ing for a habitue OF the underworld
and his supposed sweetheart. They
are acquaintances of Pasquale's and
are believed to be the actual kidnap-
erss and the present possessors of
the baby. The name of tho man Is
known to the police. as it was given
them by Pas1uale. but he failed to
identify police photograph OF his
friend when shown him late today.
The State and city authorities
said they had to proceed very care
fully in the case, as they wanted to
return the baby alive to it's mother.
They did not know the temperament
or The present Keepers Of the child
nor how desperately they are being
pressed. The penalty of abduction in
Pennsylvania is life Imprisonment.
The police believe the captors of
the child are ready to abandon him
IL they can do it without detection
Both Major Adams and Alfred T.
Souder, captain of city detectives.
said tonight they would not be sur
'prised If the baby should turn up AT
any minute.