Thank you for visiting SNEWPapers!
Sign up free
Imperial Valley Press
El Centro, Imperial County, California
What is this article about?
Two 17-year-old girls, Louise Wood and Clorice Wears, and Mrs. M. J. Wood were kidnapped by five escaping convicts from Kansas State Penitentiary near Lansing on May 30, 1920s-era report. They were driven south through Bonner Springs and Paola to William New's farm near Pleasanton, Kansas, treated courteously, fed dinner, and released unharmed late May 31.
Clipping
OCR Quality
Full Text
PLEASANTON, Kans., May 31. (U.P.)—Two 17-year-old girls who with the paralytic mother of one of them were kidnaped by escaping convicts from the Kansas State penitentiary were "treated courteously" by their captors, they said upon their release today.
Louise Wood, Clorice Wears, and Mrs. M. J. Wood, released on the William New farm home south of here late last night obviously still suffered from the strain of their experience.
They were seized by five convicts yesterday, forced to accompany the men by a winding route from near the site of the penitentiary at Lansing to the New home.
"They stopped our car about two miles from Lansing," Miss Wood said.
"They all were armed. They pulled daddy from the machine.
"They told us to get out, but they changed their minds and ordered us to climb back into our car.
"They left daddy there. They told him they were going to keep us with them so that guards wouldn't shoot.
"The men turned the machine around and headed south. We were too frightened to speak. They remained silent.
"We drove at a moderate speed and at no time saw peace officers. We passed through several fairly large towns, including Bonner Springs and Paola.
"The convicts were polite and courteous at all times and we were not harmed in any way.
"They used our car all the way, and did not discuss seizing another automobile.
Demanded Dinner
"When we arrive at William New's home about 8:30 o'clock, the men demanded that Mrs. New fix dinner for us.
"We all went inside and Mrs. New got up a meal of bacon and eggs. The men said little during the meal.
"When they left they warned us to stay inside all night, and not to attempt to communicate with authorities in any way.
"They cut the telephone wire leading to the house. Then they drove away.
"This morning we came into town and notified authorities that we were safe.
"How do I feel?
"Just like the morning after the night before. We all feel that way. We're still shaky and a trifle bewildered by it all. Mother isn't feeling very well.
"Yes, indeed we were frightened. We didn't talk with the men—we were too scared.
"All were armed and they seemed to have plenty of ammunition."
Miss Wears added to the story.
What sub-type of article is it?
What keywords are associated?
What entities or persons were involved?
Where did it happen?
Domestic News Details
Primary Location
Pleasanton, Kans.
Event Date
May 31
Key Persons
Outcome
released unharmed late last night; still suffered from strain; no harm; authorities notified this morning.
Event Details
Two 17-year-old girls and the paralytic mother of one were kidnapped by five armed escaping convicts from Kansas State penitentiary near Lansing yesterday. Forced to drive south through Bonner Springs and Paola to William New farm home south of Pleasanton. Treated courteously, demanded and ate dinner of bacon and eggs, warned to stay inside, telephone wire cut, then convicts drove away.