Evening star., 1940-09-23
Kidnapping
Continued From First Page)

under the German quota 10 years
later.
Chief Hirschey said he had asked
the F. B. l., when it finished with
Muhlenbroich, to turn him over to
San Francisco police for subsequent
transfer to San Mateo County. State
and county authorities agreed it was
a matter for State. not Federal,
prosecution. The minimum penalty,
upon conviction. would be life i'm
prisonment under CALIFORNIA; little
Lindbergh" law.
Hero Drops From View.
Yesterdays hero, a hard-flsted,
modest 22O-pound sawmill owner
named Cecil Wetzel, temporarily
dropped from view after delivering
the handsome boy and his sullen
kidnaper to Federal men at River
Pine, a village of so residents.
The child had not a mark or
bruise, the De Tristan family ply
sician said yet it was learned he
had been perilously close to death
in the wild ride of the stolen kidnap
car.
Rounding sharp curve in the
dark mountains, the car plunged
over a 40-foot embankment. Man
and child were unhurt, and Muhlen-
broich climbed up to the road and
at gunpoint took the car of the
next passerby, William Gianatasio
of Sacramento.
Transferring the child and his
stock of canned goods and ammuni-
ton to the new vehicle, Mullen
broich roared on-until few hours
later he lost his way.
Then he met Wetzel. taking a log
truck to his ranch mill.
How in the hell do I get out of
here?" he asked. Mr.. WetZel, the
San Francisco Chronicle said in a
copyright story, had already noted
the fair-haired child, clad only in
Sunsuit, in the car.
The lumberman, a former Wash
ington State College football player
dllu WICSUlCl, gave I'll CSGlOllS. IllCll
followed Muhlenbroich until he
stopped for further instruction. Mr..
Wetzel stepped to the road. moved
in close and gritted, How about
that baby?"
The suspected kidnaper drew
revolver and Mr.. Wetzel dived for
him. They rolled briefly in welter
of flying fists. dust and weapons, a
fight for life on Wetzels part,
fight against life imprisonment on
Muhlenbroich's
Ellis Wood lumberjack, arrived
in time to help Mr.. Wetzel take a
second revolver from Mullen
broich-who had a holster under
each armand bind him with stout
cord.
In Mr.. Wetzel's car the woodsmen
drove to River Pine with the wide
eyed child and the captive. Mr..
Wetzel telephoned authorities, while
Marc, jr-whose last food had been
pineapple juice the night before
was fed and warmed at Frank
Breidenbach's general store.
Child Enjoys Experience.
The child appeared to be i'm
mensely enjoying his experience. He
was carried on the shoulders of the
towns folks of River Pine, to the
store. There he played on the floor
with the Breidenbach's spaniel for
several hours.
The captured man lay trussed on
the floor of a barber shop next door.
Townsfolk and men from the hills
stood outside, many with hunting
rifles and pistols, watching him
through the windows.
Mrs. Della Miles, postmistress at
Aukum, disclosed some of the first
details of the rescue in a telephone
call to the San Francisco Chronicle.
Marc readily told her his name. Un-
convinced, Mrs. Miles asked, what
is your mothers name?"
'Momsie," said Marc.
What other name has she?"
Jane"
Countess de Tristan was formerly
Jane Christensen, daughter of the
late Edwin Christensen, wealthy
lumberman.
Federal men brought the boy to
San Francisco, where he was turned
over to his joyful father.