Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980, 1921-01-31
Lost Woman
Is Found On
Sheep RancE,
Police Discover Mrs.
Witherall a Captive
In Small House But
Unharmed

Los Angeles, Cal. Jan. 3l.-Mrs.
Gladys Witherell, who disappea red
from her home here last Tuesday,
was found early this morning, a
prisoner in a small house on a
sheep ranch eight miles east of CO.
roma in Riverside county about 10
miles southeast of Los Angeles ac-
| cording to telephone messages to
the Associated Press.
Mrs. Witherell was unharmed.
Two Men Arrested.
Two men who gave their names
as A. j and Floyd Carr, cousins,
were arrested.
The discovery o. :,irs. Witherell
and the arrest of the two Carr mon
were effected by Los Angeles po-
lice and deputy sheriffs who start
ed for Los Angeles with the wom-
an and the two men.
The officers said the Carrs con-
fessed that they had ill feeling to-
ward the woman's father-in- law,
! A. j. Witherell, because of trans
action involving a boat, and that
they kidnapped Mrs. Witherell both
to obtain revenge and ransom
money, of which, it was said, they
had demanded $4,000.
! ADD ONE--LOST WOMEN
Phone Girl Responsible.
telephone operators quick
wit edness led to the discovery of
Mrs. Witherell and the Cars ar
rest, The operator received a cAu
for the residence of o. S. Wither-
ell and delayed making the call un-
Ill the police had been sent to the
pay station where they arrested a
). c. Carr just as he was conclud-
ing delayed conversation which
he had promised in d letter sent
chem Saturday.
The police said they found chic
roform and other articles in his au.
tomobile they believed had been
used in decoying the woman from
lome.
| Confession Reported.
AT the police station, A. J. Carr
it was said, confessed that he had
| spent Saturday night outside of
| Les Angeles afraid to communi-
acte with the Witherells as he had
agreed by letter. Floyd Carr, ac-
cording to the confession of his
| cousin, was the leader in the kid
| naping.
The police said A. J. CaCrr told
them that Floyd went to the With
erell home last Tuesday night and
told Mrs. WTitherell a friend had
been injured in an automobile ac-
ci6ent and was calling for her.
Floyd Carr. according to the po-
lice, escorted her to an automobile
where A. j. Carr was waiting.
When she became suspicious the
two men chloroformed her. They
took her to a small house on
sheep ranch and put her in a room
with only a cot and two blankets
Mrs. Wifherell told the men who
rescued her the men bought her
candy and treated her with every
respect"
Officers Raid Shanty.
The police and Mrs. Witherells
husband and father started for the
kidnapers house at 2 o'clock to-
day, prepared for any emergency
The officers surrounded the house
end after closing in on it smashed
the door and windows. A man said
to be Floyd Carr was caught off
his guard and handcuffed.
Mrs. Witherell and her husband
rushed into each others arms. She
sobbed and called him "lambie,
lambie," over and over again.
The scene between Mrs Wither-
ell and her father, John c. Kratz,
was affecting.
81 want my boy. I want my boy
Mrs. Witherell cried repeatedly on
on lonely sheep ranch in Santa
Ana canyon and about 20 miles
southeast of Los Angeles where
she was found.
When she again had her arms
clasped around her eighteen
months old son, Jack, she regained
her cOmposure /
DAAAE "a lbLclAlA fhlAlNA fDld LDlL
Of Los Angeles was the first u
break into the house. He said Mrs. /
titherell in a room bare of furni- |
-ure except a cot and two blankets, |
sat up in bed when he entered.
Resistance Short Lived.
Don't hurt me-" she cried. Il
haven't done anything. 1 am Mrs. /
Witherell and 1 want my baby.
Please take me away from here, if
you are a friend"
Slayton said he heard a. noise be-
hind him He turned and searched (
the room with his flashHght. A
man with revolver in his hand |
was emerging from a closet
Throw up your hands" slayton
called.
The answer was a rush. A strug-
gle followed. other officers DASH
Ell into the room and the man was
overpowered. He gave his name as
Floyd Carr.
The police said further arres
were possible as a result Of the ois.
closures by the Cars They pl4a-
ned a fuller questioning Of the men
meantime sending telegrams to var-l
ious cities 10 learn if they had po-
lice records anywhere.
jail Heavily Guarded.
Ezra guards were placed about
The city jail. whore the Cars we're
held
The Cars were said 20 have di-
~ u n J
10 denosit the ransom money ot
$4,000 on a lonely mountain road
. designated sDot promising 70 re-
Continued on Page Four-)