Evening star., 1940-09-21
Kidnapping
Continued From First PageD

asked, rs this the De Tristan
child?'
Taken aback by the question, she
said, why, yes"
The man said not another word.
but pulled a pistol, grabbed the
child and started for the car ne
had waiting at the curb. In her
tussle with him Miss Foley suffered
a leg injury and a bruised arm.
Child Wore Sun Suit.
Marc. jr., is fair of complexion,
with light brown hair worn in a
mass of curls. He wore a sun suit
with red, white and blue stripes
and white sandals.
Police Chief Claude Hirshey of
Hillsborough made contents OF the
ransom note public Immediately
after it was turned over to him.
Il believed it possible at that
time that officers might apprehend
a man without a hat and with
3-vear-old child in the car as de-
scribed, and because felt the kid
naper would not retain the child
for any length of time. but would
kill him and retain some of his
clothes for Identification so ransom
still could be collected" Chief Hlr-
shev explained.
The note was in an envelope
which bore an uncanceled stamp
L,, oIIrncc HrNnnp6 ar
the curb where the nurse scufhed
with the kidnaper. 1t was picked
up by Eloise Williams, colored nurse
maid living in the neighborhood.
She turned it over to authorities,
unaware that it implied harm to
the child if police were told.
With the note in the envelope was
piece of cardboard, which the De
Tristans were told to retain for
Identification in future contacts.
Gates Takes Active Part.
Mr.. Gates, who with his wife came
here for the recent marriage OF the
Countess brother, Charley Chris
tenson. was taking an active part
in arranging to comply with the
kidnaper's wishes. He told news
men:
1--WE have requested all law en-
forcement agencies to withhold any
action in this case until we have
complied with any and all requests
of the man who has our child.
I'VE wish to comply with any and
Ill Iar,oN1c nf tho ann Will
do so.
so far, all law enforcement Of
fcials have agreed to comply with
our requests, and we are ready to
meet all demands of the man.
IN kindness to us, we believe that
everybody should withdraw from the
vicinity of our home to give the per-
son holding the boy every oppor-
tunity to communicate with us.
-
With authorities cooperating, the
family was left alone, only traffic
policeman remaining in the street
out front to keep curious motorists
moving Newsmen collaborated
fully, withdrawing from the scene.
First kidnapping in Community.
This was the first kidnapping ever
to mar the sedate life of this we'll
to-do community, made up largely
of estates scattered through the
hills rising west of historic Canine
Real. And it was the first major
kidnapping in the entire Nation in
nearly 16 months.
Police were advised of the kid
naping and were in pursuit of the
kidnaper before the De Tristan
family learned the boy had been
taken.
The ransom note was signed I'm
conventional Eccentric" and, by pro-
fuse use of the pronoun we evi-
IDENTIFY was intended to give the
impressions that several persons
were involved.
Although it contained several
typographical errors, it evidently
had been composed by person of
some education.
The text of the note follows:
I'VE are presenting to you a very
unsocial matter-however, don't be
unduly alarmed.
I'VE suggest you study our note
quietly, remain calm, and do not act
on the impulse of the moment. Wait
until you understand the situation
clearly.
Says Child Is Safe.
I'VE assure you that your child Is
perfectly safe with us and of course
will be returned to you in due time
YOU are dealing with intelligent and
enlightened people and you needn't
fear an unjustifiable act on our part
on the contrary-our little cap
tive quest. rather, will be most
charmingly treated while in our care
and shall enjoy every consideration
for physical and mental comfort.
Your child's supervision has been
carefully selected in advance and
we are certain this little interlude
will not leave any unpleasant men,
ories or impressions for the future.
I'VE have approached you in a
conversational tone and we hope you
will appreciate and preserve this
friendly spirit and in the absence OF
irritation and excitement the early
and satisfactory solution OF this
problem is we'll assured.
1--WE insist on absolute silence and
privacy on your part. We cannot
tolerate any meddling in this mat
ter and in your own interest we must
warn you against any attempt to
communicate with any law enforce
ment agency either Federal or pri-
vate-their activities could not pos
sibly escape our attention, much less
be Of any benefit either to you or
your child.