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Newspaper
Fort Wayne Weekly Sentinel
Location
Fort Wayne, Indiana, United States of America
Date
Mar 31, 1909
Page
3
Thomas F. Boyle of Sharon Pa arrives in Cleveland and seeks access to a detained woman as investigators pursue identification. Whitla family says no prosecution agreement yet, seeks justice and expects trial in Pennsylvania where the crime occurred.
District Attorney Lin inger declares the Whitla boy kidnapping case solved with James H Boyle and his wife identified as the only suspects. Papers sent to Governor Harrisburg to extradite them from Ohio. they face kidnapping charges in Mercer county. Public interest remains high as trials loom and rewards spark debate.
In Cleveland, Willie Whitla identifies James Boyle and a woman known as Mrs Jones as his abductors in the Sharon case. The woman, later linked to Mary Diemer of Toledo, dies by morphine overdose en route to hospital. Boyle, a Sharon plumber, and the other suspect were arrested in Ontario Street saloon. The boy recounts travels from Sharon to Cleveland and Ashtabula, detailing the ransom and the suspects' actions as police pursue the case alongside the grand jury proceedings.
In Pittsburg on March 27 Mrs. James H. Boyle, tied to the Whidla kidnapping, tried to flee from a moving Bessemer and Lake Erie chair car while en route to Mercer county jail. Sheriff Gumbert and Detectives Perkins surrounded her as Brakeman Campbell barred the door and she was recaptured without handcuffs. A large Grove City crowd later gathered at the station, cheering the alleged captive.
James Boyle, one of the Whitla kidnapping suspects, arrived from Pittsburg heavily manacled to Sheriff Chess and guarded by detectives. A wary crowd gathered at the Pittsburg jail, while Mercer county authorities placed an armed guard and patrol outside the Mercer jail. Boyle faced potential danger during transit and singled out concern about the crowd, yet he smiled at supporters at the start of the escort.
The prisoner mounted to the back seat of the machine and was hurried away. Sheriff Chess vows no trouble with Mercer County escapee Boyle and promises extra guards as overcrowding strains the jail. He cautions against disorder among the Sharon crowd and notes there has never been a Pennsylvania lynching.
Sharon Pa March 27 Willie Whitla, known from kidnapping fame, may join vaudeville for 1000 dollars weekly if his father James P Whitla agrees The New York house made the offer and the father signaled they will need more money.
Mercer Pa March 29 Preparations mount for the next chapter in the Whitla kidnapping affair as Mrs Boyle delays hiring counsel while her husband James H Boyle has engaged former Judge S H Miller and Attorney J Stranahan. Boyle was moved to Sharon for a 2 PM hearing before Justice S S Gilbert and will return to Mercer. Mrs Boyle’s hearing to be set for Whitla’s convenience as he departs with his family. The case has drawn in diverse figures including former prosecutors and strands of support from relatives and locals.
In Sharon Pennsylvania a preliminary hearing for James H. Boyle charged with abducting Willie Whitla lasted minutes. Bail set at 25000. Boyle sent to Mercer Jail. Mrs Boyle’s status unclear and likely not prosecuted. public aid from McDermott family not found. Accused may bear full blame as accomplices remain unfound.
Frank Brown, a Black man, received a life sentence at Marion for the murder of Rosa Ricks, a white woman. He proclaimed innocence and wept in court as the verdict and sentence were pronounced.
James Goodfellow admitted allowing non family members into his West Main saloon last Sunday and paid a $10 fine plus costs in Justice Huser's court. The case exposed procedural missteps by prosecutors and police, with questions raised about notification and representation.
Andrew Langhor and his son unearthed black soil in St John Cemetery near the city and found several pieces of what seem to be gold certificates. They estimate about six pieces totaling $300 though damage obscures exact denominations. The soil suggests long burial and the box may have decayed with time. The find hints at a buried stash long forgotten.
Real estate transfers list numerous conveyances across townships including Washington, Wayne, Cedar Creek, Aboit, Lake, Milan, Maumee and Marion. Names include John Ferguson, Thos M Nantz, Martin V Strouse, E C Strouse, Warren Robinson, Frank Robinson, Adolph Hagist, Charles McCulloch, Oral Gieseking, H B Stallsworth, Clark A Ferris, J Robinet, David Forsythe, Caroline Mayhew, J Lengacher, Ethel Allen, Del A Judd, Minnie C Reitze, Emma Cartwright, Jacob Meyer and others with parcels in Drexel Park, Riverside, Cedarville and other tracts. prices range from 1.00 to 8,800 dollars.
Indianapolis March 31 saloons were banished in Vermillion Jennings and Bartholomew counties totaling seventy five as dry majorities swept the local option elections. Overall forty one counties are dry with Wayne still wet. Vermillion saw the closest race about 600 votes. Jennings dry about 518 and Bartholomew 801.
A Saturday March 27 birthday event at the corner of Wayne Trace and Agness avenue offered music and a luncheon. Attendees included Misses Dora Beese Clara Ehrman Julia Seiger Betty Reinking Elsie Heinrich Jessie Waren Ella Cole Minnie Schueler Katie Ehrman Flora Budd Martha Wybourn Elizabeth Conrady Esther Koonz Edith Diedrick Louise Hampel and Messrs Verd Cole Will Weeks Ernest Exner Vese Ladig Frank Cole Frank DeVaux Will Schroeder Albert Ehlerding Lovell Cole Will Hampel plus Mr and Mrs Fred Hampel Mr and Mrs Bert Worman Mr and Mrs F J Ehrman and Mrs Marie Hampel. Lawrence Legras. A quiet wedding occurred March 23 at 106 Spy Run avenue uniting Miss Josephine F Legras and Mr George W Lawrence with Justice Howard Hawthorn officiating. The couple will reside at 106 Spy Run avenue.
In Jasonville Indiana clashes between Hungarian and American coal miners wounded twelve men and one woman, with three of the wounded anticipated to die. Windows were shattered, homes abandoned, and threats of dynamite circulated as minorities fled the town. Arbitration may be sought. officers report ongoing hostilities and a Hungarian pretender fort as Americans fired on their encampment.
Safe and sure medicine promoted by physicians and nurses as the best cough cure. For years Kemp's Balsam has been trusted by doctors and well-informed people as a remedy for coughs. Available at druggists and dealers for 250.
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