The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1937-06-11
N. FEDERAL
ACENTSCLEAR
Way FORSTER
Taxi Driver Goes To Par
sons Home, Confers With
Husband
$4,000 RANSOM IS
SAID TO BE DEMAND

OHAD ~ DL OLVlftlND
STONY BROOK, N. Y, June
II. (UP)-Report that contact
had been established with the
kidnapers of Mrs. Alice MELON
nell Parsons was spread after a
taxicab driver went to her home
and conferred with her husband.
The cubman drove away a few
minutes later.
Police on the grounds prevent
ed newspapermen from following
the car. The activity occurred
after federal and state investiga-
tors withdrew to leave Parsons
free to negotiate directly for the
return of his wife, held for
$4,000 ransom.
STONY BROOK, N. Y, June
H. (UP) - Omen withdrew
temporarily from the case of the
kidnapping of Mrs. Alice Parsons,
attractive Long Island society
matron, early today to permit the
husband of the 36.year-old poul-
try fancier, William H. Parsons,
to contact the kidnapers.
Rhea Whitley, chief of the
New York office of the federal
bureau of investigation, told
newspapermen he was "just
marking time" in the inyestiga-
ton as the result of an appeal
made earlier by the anxious hus-
band that publicity hampered his
chance Of contracting the kidnap-
ers who are demanding $4,000
before returning Mrs. Parsons.
An eight-state kidnapping alarm
was broadcast. 1t read: Wanted,
unknown man and woman in
large black sedan"
At the same time, the ques-
ton arose as to whether the case
actually was a kidnapping. One
investigator who declined to be
quoted, said he believed the case
might be the outcome of a FAM
lily misunderstanding and that
Mrs. Parsons would be found UNI
harmed.
Questioned by reporters as TO
whether there might be reasons
for Mrs. Parsons disappearance
other than kidnapping, Whitley ex-
planned that the evidence at hand
would make entertainment Of any
other theory purely speculative"
If it was kidnapping, he added.
certain things" now unexplained
tend to show that the crime was
committed by an amatur.
Mrs. Parsons disappeared We'd
nesday. Conflicting stories were
told by persons who saw her get
into an automobile and drive
away.
The ransom note asked that
Parsons meet the kidnaper at the
Jamaica bus station last night,
but officers waited for more than
an hour there and the abductor
failed to appear.
Parsons statement, asking that
he be given a free hand to con-
tact the kidnapers, said:
Because of the tragic events
which have occurred I want TO
seek the cooperation Of the law
enforcement agencies and the
newspaper representatives in eff
fecting the safe return Of my
wife. Due to the unfortunate pub
licity concerning the instructions
of the kidnaper, it will, Of course.
be impracticable and useless to
attempt to follow the instructions
already given by the kidnaper.
However. want to assure the
party or parties holding my wife
that l am willing and anxious TO
follow implicitly and without ques-
ton any further instructions CIV
en- and that they will be treated
in the strictest confidence.
"In order that the persons
holding my wife for ransom may
reach me freely and at any timo
without danger of being observed
or overheard, / request that all
law enforcement officers and
press representatives withdraw
from my residence, the grounds
and the vicinity, so that the coast
will be entirely clear to reach me
without any risk or danger Of
observation.
II am sure that the first and
foremost concern Of all officials
and persons interested in this case
is the safe return of my wife and
feel sure that everyone will CO.
operate with me to the fullest
extent. ... .a
at is my desire to cooperate
with the press so far as possible.
but am sure that you can un-
derstand my reluctance to make
any further statement at this
time which might in any way
jeopardize my wife safety. I
feel certain that the officials and
the press will assist me, and l
again want to assure any party
to get in touch with mo
that all means Of communication
are open and that will comply
with any demands made"
Earlier, Parsons had planned
to 70 to the bus station In COM
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