Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1839-10-04
ExrRAoRprNARy

EXTRAORDINARY YABDUCTloN----W
learn from the National Egis that acase
kidnapping ola singular character, has jus
been discovered in Worcester. On the l2tl
inst two men, calling themselves Sheare
and Dickinson, and protesting 10 beresideni
of Palmer in this State, took from his home
colored boy named Sydney o. Francis
with the consent OF his parents, TO whom
they represented that they wished to engage
the boy to 90 to Palmer as a domestic II
Shearer's family. The story they told wal
so plausible, that the parents Of the boy read
lily assented TO their proposal but a few days
after, the father hearing some unfavorabl'
accounts of Shearer's character, went TO Pal
mer to make inquiries, and thence 'prcteed
ed farther in search Of him He has not YET
returned
The conclusion ofthe story so far as heard
is thus stated in the Kgis.
On Monday last, letter was received from
the Mayor Of Fredericksburg, in Virginia,
addressed to the chief civil magistrate OF this
town, BY title more honorable than any Of
our municipal officers can claim, and to The
postmaster, which threw light on tie fate Of
the boy, and the motives which had inhucn.
ced those who had enliced him awsyfrom his
home. This communication states so fully
what is known of the incidents abrpad, and
is so honorable TO the justice Of ourSouthern
fellow citizens. that it is copied entile
FREDERIcKsBuRG, Sept 10 1889.
Ta.tse Mayor ofthe torn Of Worcester, Mass
aff-Cu the 18th instant. n men calling
himself Dickinson Shearer, arrivedhere, and
had with him q negro boy whose name he
called Franklin, and whom he mlled his
slave He parted with this boy hist night,
and il is feared, sold him to n trader. The
circumstances were so suspicious as TO lead
TO inquiries, and to his arrest On his ex-
animation lte admitted tho hey 10 be frer,-
that he came with him from Worcester,
where his father and mother resided. that
he did not know their names, aud had never
seen them before,& then for an hour ony,&
they permitted this boy to come with him
admitted that he did not tell them he was
bringing the boy TO Virginia. The story is
so absurd ms TO create a strong impression
that he is kidnapper and information is
sent to you that proper inquiries may be made
and, il possible, evidence sent here to procure
the boys freedom, and to identify Aim
This course mus, be some white person.
and the aboliiionists ifthere be any among
you, have now an opportunity OF Displaying
their humane feelings.
The man says he came from Pelham,
aud has brother, Doctor
Shearer, residing there. Inquiries Of the
ruth OF this statement may be matersl. Al,
hat humanity requires will be- done here to
recover the unfortunate boy. A messenger
will be despatched 10 night in pursuit, and
he constituted authorities invoked to lid him
Thissppn Ishearerl is in custody, but can.
not be Ione detained without evidence You
will, therefore, reply by re,utn Of mail. and
e, the Statements be made on oath. aud let
he person TO identify be sent immediately
am. Sir. respectfully. your obedient serv't
BENJAMIN CLARK, Mayor.
Two Of our townsmen have proceeded TO
Fredicksburg to identity and reclaim The boy
I he shall have been recovered, and to turn
sh such evidence as may be necessary for
he detention Of the person arrested that he
nay be brought before proper tribunals.