Rensselaer Union, Volume 7, Number 22, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 February 1875 — Lost and Found. [ARTICLE]

Lost and Found.

The frequency with which the atrocious crime of kidnaping has been perpetrated in the United States during the past few years is startling. About half a dozen cases have been brought to light in consequence of the hunt for Charley Ross, and about as many more have been discovered recently, almost, as it were, by accident. A new case has just come to light in St. Clair County, DI., possessing some of the elements of genuine romance. The stoiy, as gleaned from some of the parties interested, is as follows: About two years ago a strange boy, aged about thirteen years, appeared on the streets of Belleville seeking employment. Among others to whom he applied was Mrs. Capt. John Thomas, who lives with her husband on a farm on Ridge Prairie, about twelve miles from Belleville. The story told by the boy was that his father and mother were both dead, having perished in the Chicago fire. He said his name was George Howard. Mrs. Thomas was much pleased with the appearance of the boy, and her compassion was excited by his forlorn condition, so she took him home with her, where he remained until within a few days. During his stay he pnfved dutiful and exemplary in his conduct, and the family became much attached to him. But there was a story behind the one the boy had told to Mrs. Thomas, which was false, and had been told for a reason that will appear further along. The boy had a father living in Philadelphia, to whom he wrote a few weeks ago, informing him of his whereabouts and expressing an earnest desire to return home. The letter was mailed at the Shiloh postoffice. The father answered this letter, at the same time writing to the Postmaster at Shiloh, to whom he gave an account of the aflair and whom he requested to question the boy when he came for the answer. In due time the boy presented himself at the postoffice, and giving satisfactory answers to the Postmaster’s interrogatories the latter detained him and telegraphed for the father, who came on as fast as railroads and steam could bring him. Upon his arrival he met the boy at the house of the Postmaster and the two instantly recognized each other as father and son. The explanation given by the bcj to some neighbors with whom he was on terms of intimacy was that bis mother was dead and that his father, who lived in Philadelphia, had married again; that his stepmother had been a rich widow with a boy about his own age; that his father and stepmother did not live harmoniously together and had separated ; that about four years ago he had been seized by a man who forced him to drink something that stupefied him, and that when his conseiousness returned he found himself traveling on a railroad train, but ia what direction he could not tell. After traveling for some time, how long he could not say, he was ordered by his captor to alight, when the two proceeded to a farm house and got something to eat. He was then taken to a public road and told to shift for himself, and at the same time told to say to everyone that his name was George Howard, and that his parents had been burned to death in the Chicago fire. He was threatened with the direst vengeance if he failed to follow that direction. He says his real name was George Hayworth, and that the man who captured him called himself John Morgan. The boy says that before going to Belleville he lived two years in Bt. Louis, but with whom he ceuld not tell. He thinks he could recognize John Morgan if he should see him. The father and son started back for Philadelphia, where they have probably arrived by this time, and perhaps the sequel to this story will be heard in the Philadelphia courts.— St. Louie Republican ’