Evening Republican, Volume 17, Number 99, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 April 1913 — BANDS OF GYPSIES ARE GREAT MENACE [ARTICLE]

BANDS OF GYPSIES ARE GREAT MENACE

Recent Disappearance of Little Oiri at New Oastle Places All Rovers Under Suspicion.

Gypsies are a menace that every person should discourage Their begging, fortune telling and trinket selling should not be patronized and officers should see that they are not allowed to camp in the corporation or/near the city. Farmers shotifler watch their property when they pass along the highways or st<fp for a night’s rest. This is the season of the year when they are moving about and large bands are said to be assembled near Sycamore, Ind. It will be only a short time, doubtless, until a band of these rovers will pass through Rensselaer and they will stay a while if given a chance.

On March 29th a band pf gypsies passed through New Castle, Ind., and that day Katherine Winters, 9-year-old daughter of Dr. W. A. Winters, of that city, disappeared. No sure trace of her has been found, but it is believed the gypsies stole her. Five wagons are reported to have passed through New Castle. Officers learned where the gypsies were encamped and went there, but they found no trace of the girl. There were only four wagons, however, and it is presumed the other wagon took another route and thus deceived the officers. Dr. Winters has conducted a constant search since that time and is being given aid by officers "everywhere. A reward of $2,100 has been offered for her return. A Chicago detective believes he has a clew and is sure the child is in the possession of some of the gypsies at Sycamore. The appended appeal from the distracted father gives some idea of the heartache that has been his since his little girl disappeared. He has written: To Whom It May Concern: I have been sustained by the hope that our little girl is alive. Without that hope I do not know how I could have endured these weeks of

suspense and waiting. Somehow, I feel that before long Katherine will be with ,us alive and well. My appeal is to any one who may know where Katherine is. Surely, surely there is no one who, knowing where she is and knowing what I have suffered, will keep her from us longer. My means are small, but I am willing to give for her return everything I possess—to the last farthing. There will be no questions asked. I do not want revenge. I want only my daughter. W. A. WINTERS.