Evening star., 1954-10-25
Neighbor Boy Finds
Bob Crosby's Sons,
Missing Overnight
BY the Associated Press

gy NV NssoCi0tSa FtSSs
HOLLYWOOD. Oct. 25.-A
neighbor boy on horseback to-
day found Bandleader Bob Cros-
by's three young sons, whose dis
appearance before dinner last
night touched off an all-night
search by 80 policemen in rugged
hills near their home.
Thirteen-year-old Tim Well
man, son of Movie Director Will
liam Wellman. spotted Chris
topher, IL. George Robert, jr..
10, and Stephen. 8, in precipitous
harrington Canyon, where he
frequently had trapped bobcats
and coyotes.
The Crosby youngsters, who
vanished from home without a
word about 5 pm, were laden
with camping gear. They were
unharmed.
Don't Like Nurse.
Christopher said he and his
brothers, all nephews of Crooner
Bing Crosby, left home because
1--WE don't like our nurse"
The children's nurse is Miss
Teresa Flynn.
The Crosbys said Miss Flynn
had been with them for three
years and is a wonderful
nurse" Il think the boys were
upset because she tried to make
them clean up their room," Mrs.
Crosby said.
Mr.. Crosby said the boys told
him they had planned to stay
out a week. 1t was Bobby's idea.
he said, to disappear with little
Steve. Chris, the elder, decided
to go along to protect the
younger boys, their father said.
Boys Finally Pack Up. f.
Young Wellman said the boys
were cooking breakfast at
camp fire when he found them.
They told me to go away be-
cause they weren't going home"
Tim said. But I told them I'd
pound them if they didn't. And
they finally packed up their stuff
and came along"
Mr.. Crosby said the incident
"just proves that they are
normal, healthy little savages."
The boys were given a stern
lecture by juvenile officers and
Mr.. Crosby said he thought
there would be little he could
add to it.
The boys admitted they saw
police searching for them during
the night. They were found 3
miles from their home.
Mr.. Wellman, who spent much
Of the night with Mr.. Crosby
looking for the boys in the
wooded and brush-covered hills,
routed out Jim about 3 am. Mr..
said his son knew the
terrain well and would prove
aid in the search.
Tim was accompanied by his
three dogs. :
All-Night Search. /
officers searched through the
night as Mrs Crosby and ,her
daughter, Cathleen, Is, waited
anxiously by the telephone at
home. The youngest child, Junie
Malta, 8, went to bed at her usual
time.
When the boys didn't show up
for dinner last night, the rest
of the family telephoned neigh
bors and searched the house and
grounds. No boys. The young
sters' bicycles were in the garage.
But a bed roll was missing.
This eased Mrs. Crosby's mind,
she said. She also recalled that /
the last time she saw the boys
they all had on heavy hiking
boots and jackets.
However. the youngsters never
had left home before and the
parents could give no explana-
ton for their action. At $3.50
pm. Mr.. Crosby telephoned po-
lice.
Hills Searched by Police.
Officers from the West Los
Angeles station. augmented by
Venice police, combed the Brent
wood hills. The weather was
clear, but the night was chilly.
Motorcycle officers slithered over
rough and precipitous firebreaks.
AS the hours wore on. many
of the searchers became more
concerned.
Then early today Mr.. Crosby
recalled that three or four
months ago he had received a
note threatening the children.
1t was dropped in his pocket as
he left broadcasting studio
and read: Better watch out for
your children"