The Camden weekly journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1853-1861, 1853-05-24

heard of this boy as one suitable to have bound
to him as servant, applied for him and took
him home. His history was told as an interest,
ing one, and not long after the Rev, DIR. Cooley
Of Granville, who visited the place. and heard
the story, came to the conclusion that 1t was nc
other than Filley's son. lie had heard the de-
tails of the loss from the boys grandfather, Colo
mel Marvin, near whom he had lived. He i'm
mediately communicated to Marvin the infor-
nation obtained, and no time was lost by the
latter in sending the tidings to Filley, who hap
pened then to be on a visit to his old home in
Connecticut. He wentat once to Iolland, where
the lad still remained, and from an account that
was circulated in Jackson the following year, it
seemed that he was firnl convinced, by the ap'
pearance of the boy, that he was no other than
his owl.
The boy had distinct recollection of having
been sent to school among white children; he
also rccoectcd that at his old home there were
two babies, who were always kept in box to-
gother; this was really the case, as Mrs. Filey
had twins. After his capture he had constantly
resided in the same family, which consisted OF
four Indians-Paul and Phebe Ann Prye, Mar
tha their daughter, and a man who lived with
them. They adopted the white child as their
son, and he was taught to believe that he was
really so: in fact, he supposed himself and In.
dian boy, and was not aware Of any difference OF
complexion or blood till he was taken away from
his companions at Albany. The first place he
remembered visiting was Green Bay, of the scene
ry of which he gave a toleraby correct descrip-
ton. In travelling thitcher the Indians either
went or returned by water, as he remembered
being on a steamboat. In their wanderings he
would sometimes be sent to beg clothes or food
for himself and the family. During the sum-
mers they made peregrinations through Michi-
gan and New York, occasionally visiting Con-
necticut, aud at one time were encamped at Sto-
nington for several weeks In the winters they
quartered themselves in wigwalns, in the neigh
borhood of some village, subsisting on rabbits
and other small game, and fcasting sometimes
on bullfrogs. They manufactured baskets, with
which they Cften sent the boy to thH nearest
grocery to buy whiskey. He remembe 'ed par
tieularly living near Detroit, Utica, Broihertown,
Catskill and Hudson, and being several months
at Hill<dale, in New York. Both in summer
and winter, in all their wanderings, he travelled
OdIe-tOot. oith HUM SOi'> "''>'
fatigue; but the kindness Of his Indian sister
who was very much attached to him, made his
life cheerful.
The circumst stanccs Of the case rendered it high
" probable that this was the lost boy; age and
appearance corresponded, and the fathers first
conviction was that leindeed embraced his son
doubts afterward arose as to his identity. FilIey
returned to Michigan without the Toy, to tho
astonishment and cllagrn Of his friends; and in
time circumstances came to hight which tended
to show that this lid was the son of al Indian
woman by man of wealth and high political
standing in Columbia county, New York, who
had threatened the mother with punishment il
she revealed the clilds patcrn y.
The mystery that enveloped this case has
never been cleared up. Filley does not believe
the bov his own, though many Of his neghbors
AID friends are inclined to to think otherwise
and suppose him influenced by the step-mother'
uuwillingness to receive the young stranger -
His relatives, OH the other hand, cling to the be-
lief that it is the lost William, and the boy is
now residing with Filey's sister, in Windsor
Connecticut.