New Britain herald., 1924-05-23
Was Bright Studeu,

He umpired ball game, but left oeiore IL was over. saying he was going home"
 Was Bright Student
 The boy was one of the most bril- liant students at the school, Charles Y, Fence, principal said last night. He was in the freshman class and a star debater. The school is one of the oldest and most famous prenara. tory institutions in Chicago,
 Jacob Franks, father of the slain noy, began business here as nswn nroker after his parents brought him here from Now York, where he wa. born. For so years he oncra,ed ,ha business, acquiring real estate hold ings Tn tho business district ealnad a, more than s1,ono.ooo. He also is tbe principal owner of the Elgin Watch 1ase company and the Rockrord watch company. He also ia nron, inently identified with democratic moi. itics, although he never has taken an active part. ''"
 Despite the fact that the famit, lhes in one of the most e1clnst,o resident seciinns of the citv thev haze laen very quietly There are two o,ner children, Josephine ir, end
 Crime of Derencrscy
 Coroner's Physician spr,nser A, olared definitely today that inc hov vas victim Of a crime Of dere,. eracN The physician did no, state however, wbat he believed to have been the exact cause Of death.
 Instructors Quizzed
 Three instructor. of tbe usr,axd school Walter Wilson, instructor ,n mathematics Richard F. William. athletic instructor and Mott MitrbeIi bnglish instructor, were questioned in detail concerning the boy.
 The police were depending much upon the findings Of Dr, .roserh springer. who is seeking to deter- mine the exact cause Of death ue said some foreign substance uas i, the boys stomach.
 Mother Gets Nfessarp
 Alone at home. while her husband end Samuel Ettelson. former cor. portion counsel and friend nf ,bs family searched, Mrs. Franks recaiyed . mysterious telephone call about 1o:So ?. m, wednesdav.
 This is Mir. Johnson" q ,nics said of course you know by this time that your hoy has been kidpsp med We have him and you need no, p.orr,. he is safe. But don't try to ,rars ,bis oail or 10 find me. We must have money.
 We vill let you know tomorrow what re want. We are kidnanper. and Ws mean buaness. IT ynu re- fuse us what ue want .or try to ro. port us 10 ths police. p-s rill kill inc boy"
 The speaker immediately hung up fhe receiver.
 After hours Of waiting for yutsbs+ word. Mir Franks and Mr. E,,sts.r notihed the detective bureau. extract. .. ing a pledge of secpcy from tbr lieutenant on duty. The officer Irrt without reporting t0 thosc who snr- eesdsd him. expecting. he said Mir Franks would confer with Michael Hughes
 Note Demanding T:ansom
 The letter demanding fba rsrs.r, vas delivered at the Franks home st f.a9 yesterday morning. rs~ mir bifs after inc body had tsnra rsrs,- e~e3. Y -ss on tVy sheets af a rbaap grade stationery.
 As you know r, this lime. vggr son has been ki1na ppcg. '' it rad
 "Alion Bs 10 assure you that he IS ssif and safe.
 You need fear no rbysicaf harm 10 hifu. prosilsd you Ii,e up carrfur1t fa the foIiDning instructions and siIrh others az rou uiH receive br fgrtbsr Instructions
 Thrratrns Drsth.
 Should you. howcscr. Gissbey any further instructions his death slu Be the penalty. 'f.-For obvious reasons. make ah- i soluteIy no attempt t0 roufnaaicaie with police authorities CT any private sgencies. Should you aIready have with the police. allow them to continue their investigations. but do not mention this letter.
 ''1-secure before noon today sia.- t6o. This money must he entirely of pid hills of ths folioziur denornins- lions: sz a0h in tnenty dolisfs bills: ! 's ooa ia fifty dollars tif1s Auy at- t.mpt to include new or marked biils