COFFINED ALIVE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 139, 14 June 1934, Page 5

COFFINED ALIVE.

A TERRIBLE ORDEAL. KIDNAPPED CHILD. RESTORED AFTER 19 DAYS. (By a Special Correspondent.) TUCSON (Ariz.), May 15. "My prayers have been answered— June is home with us again," said Mrs. Helen Robles, mother of the child rescued after being held 19 days by abductors in an underground box in the Arizona district. "For 19 days we were frantic with fear, but I tried to keep my faith that she would not be harmed by her abductors. Needless to say, it was a terrifying experience, not only for members of the family, but for the child. The task that now confronts us is to keep her happy and contented always, and to refrain from mentioning the kidnapping, so that she may eventually forget it. "I was at the electric shop my husband, Fernando, operates, when a little boy delivered a note. It was addressed to Fernando. I read part of it, the part telling of June's abduction. Then I became frightened. I didn't know what to do. I was powerless to assist in effecting her rescue. "I first expected her return within two or three days, but when the first week passed I became slightly discouraged. My husband did his best to console me. He repeatedly said he was confident she was alive and eventually would be returned unharmed. His faith impressed me, and I began telling myself that she would be returned to us. I prayed for her constantly. The entire family did. I thought that if she was alive she was concealed in a shack somewhere, not buried in a box beneath the earth. It makes me sick to think of my child having been locked in a tomb under the ground. We heard only twice from the kidnappers. The first letter, which,told of lUie abduction; demanded. £3000 ransom

and gave instructions about its payment. We were Unable to raise the money immediately, and so were. handicapped for several days. Ten days after the kidnapping, when all of us were on the verge of complete despair, a second note was delivered. It was found under the door of the county attorney's ollice. Among other things, it contained the answers to four questions submitted by my husband in his lirst appeal to the kidnappers. He requested these answers to assure us the proper parties would be dealt with and no hoax would be attempted. The first plea was issued six days following the kidnapping. Five days later, the second letter was received. Four days following the receipt of this missive, my husband issued a second appeal, stating that £2000 had been raised for ransom. That was last Thursday .afternoon. \t is exceedingly difficult for me to explain my reactions when June was returned. I was upstairs when Carlos (Carlos Robles, uncle of the child) brought the news. He requested that I refrain from betraying my emotions. He told me she was in the living room. I hastened to the first floor of our home. . She was sitting on the davenport. I clutched her] in my arms. I kissed her several times, j I was so happy I wanted to cry, but I didn't dare. I was afraid if I gave vent to my feelings she would become excited. I tried, and I believe successfully, to remain calm as if nothing serious had occurred. I told June I was very happy that she was home again and that I had greatly missed her during her absence. I said nothing about the kidnapping at that time. She has mentioned it several times, of course, but so far I have not I questioned her. When Carlos first told me June was home, I must have appeared rather sceptical. I could hardly realise what he was saying; I was dazed. •! did not know that Carlos and Mr. Houston (County Attorney Clarence Houston) had gone to search for her. They said nothing about their plans to any of us, not even to Fernando. June's demeanour is really remarkable. She is not the terrified child I expected. As a matter of fact, she is the calmest member of the household. Among her first words to me were: "I want to go back to school to-morrow so I can see my teachers and play with the children."

The physician, who examined her immediately after her arrival homo, informed us that her physical condition, with the exception of a slight nervousness and of bruises on her K-μ* from the chains -which bound her, i>good. She will be kopt at home for the remainder of the week, ami then we hope to send her buck to school.— (NXN.A.)