Delaware State journal and statesman., 1869-07-09
Romance in Leal Life-Narrativ Of an
Eventful Experience.
Errom lhe Peorln, ans rrnnacrlpt.l

lFrom the Peoria, (lll.l Transcript
We have the following from good authorii-
ty, and although not pertaining TO this local
ity, we have no doubt it will prove interest
ing to our readers.
In the winter of 1866, there resided in
Terro Haute, Ind, Mr.. William Coos,
who had a wife and one child, three years oil
age. Mrs. Cook started with the little fellow
on visit to friend, and while waiting at
the Union depot, indianapolis, was ap-
preached by gentlemanly looking person
age, who, after patting and fondling the little
boy, asked permission to take him out and
buy him some candy. She gave her consent,
and the stranger departed with her boy
The lady waited for his return, but he DID
not come back. The time for the departure
of the train drew near, but still the chlld
could not be found. A search last
ing through days and months was nnsuc-
cesslul in revealing the whereabouts of the
missing boy. Advertisements were inserted
in the leading papers, and the skill of the de-
tective force was resorted to, but all without
avail. The parents were finally forced TO the
conviction that their child had either been
murdered or had died of grief.
In the year 1867, Clark Conard, formerly
a member of the Second Regiment Michigan
Infantry, was arrested in the northern part
of this State on charge oil breaking open a
safe. He was convicted and sent to Joliet.
Mr.. L. B. Perry, of Pontiac, an old New
York detective, hearing of the abduction oil
the child, had worked the case 70 far as to
lead him to think Conard knew something
about the matter. BY working upon Conard
and promising 10 use his influence to get
him pardoned for the crime OF safe-break-
ing, he induced him 10 dlvulge the where
abouts of the child and the particulars OF the
abduction.
Conard acknowledged to the abduction,
and said il was done for the purpose OF OBJ
tanning the reward which he supposed would
be offered by the parents of the child. When
he took the child from the depot, he deiiv-
cred 1t into the hands of woman whom ne
claimed as his wife. She was to Keep II until
the reward was offered, but tearing detection
and arrest, ahe escaped 10 Michigan with
Conard. The officers were in close pursuit
of Couard 10 arrest him for the sale break
ing operation, and the pair were Obliged to
abandon the child in Union City, Michigan.
The county authorities there took charge
of The child and sent il TO the poorhouse.-
The boy was an interesting one, and was
supposed to be an orphan. Rev. Alr. ana
Mrs. Harshberger, the Episcopal minister
and lady of that town, took the child from
the poorhouse and adopted II as their own
AS they were childless they soon learned to
love their charge as their own, anu .he IVY
learned to love them and regard them as hls
parents. l..
A few days ago, detective Perry went to
Union city, and informed the iosler parents
| that lie was in correspondence with Inc mai,
ural parents of the child. The griet, OF the
new parents was uncomfortable, and when
the parents arrived the others would moi
give the child up until compelled TO do so by
| due course of law. Mrs. Harshberger feared
all the time that the child was yet victim
of conspiracy, and on the 18th Of June, ac-
cOmpanied the boy to his old home, ane
right The mutual love the mothers enter
tanned for the child, caused lively love fol
each other TO spring up in their hearts, ant
when Mrs. Harshberger returned 10 ne
home, she was somewhat consoled ior I'M
loss OF her adopted child with the knowl
edge that she would always be welcome Z
his home, and might see him whenever sh
would.