Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1875-12-15
Charlie Ross in England.
From the Newcastle (England) Daily Chronicle
Nov IL.

Charlie Ross in England.
From the Newcastle EnglantD Daily Chronicle,
Nov. IL.
Tt will be within the recollection of
our readers that q profound sensation
was created last year, not Only on the
American continent, but in the mother
country, by the loss of child named
Charlie Brewster Ross, who was stolen
from his fathers residence at Washing
ton lane, Germantown, America. The
theft took place on the LIST of July, 1874,
and the two men believed to be the
thieves were afterwards shot dead on
the 18th of December, while in the act
of committing a burglary. Between
these two dates the American police,
public and private, made most strenuous
efforts to recover the lost child, being
particularly stimulated thereto by the
offer of large reward; but their ex-
ertions were altogether futile, and the
tragic fate Of the robbers appeared like
~ to render the recovery still more
difficult. It was, however, discovered
that the child care into the posses
sion of q man named Nelse Booth, with
many aliases. This rufian took the
child to New York, and handed it over
as one of his own to an acquaintance
named Gusto, who shortly afterward
left for England. From this point the
police lost trace of the object of their
search. They proved that Gusto sailed
for England, and they had coed reason
to believe that he was unaware of the
child's identity with Charlie Ross,
knowing it only by the name Of Charlie
Sprague, one of the many
aliases by which Booth, its
reputed father was known. From
the time that Gusto is believed to have
landed in this country, the English po-
lice have been more or less on his trail.
He is of gypsy origin, and, traces of his
movements are said to have been found
in Lancashire, Yorkshire, and else
where. The police understand that in
this country he is known as Sam Her
bert; and when Capt. Hill, the chief
constable of the North Riding, ascer-
tanned that two gips wagons, the one
marked Herbert and the other
Gusto," were at North Crmesbury,
near Middlesbrough, some weeks ago,
he WAS Immediately on the qdi vive,
and issued particular instructions to
every station within his jurisdiction to
be on the lookout. Inquiries at Ormes
by led to the discovery that the two
wagons were in charge of some gypsy
brushes, and other gypsy ware,
and who were accompanied by.
boy apparently of the same age
as the missing Charlie Ross, with q
genteel appearance, and complexion
very different from that of any Of his
companions. Unfortunately, before all
these circumstantial and hopeful facts
had been made known the gipsies had
got out of the way. It was understood
that they were about to travel in the
direction of Brough.hiH fair, and
thence through Lancasl ire by way Of
Barrow. But on Wednesday last the
Darlington police received information
of gypsy party, who were vending
their wares at Albert hill. and in whose
| custody there was child that did not
seem to have been honestly come by.
This child was found In a wagon by it
self, while the ostensible father and
mother were plying their trade. He was
taken to the station and examined by
Superintendent Rogers, who compared
sion Of the real Charlie Ross, and was
satisfied that the children were not
identical.
The man and woman with whom the
child were found aver that he is their
grandchild. and that his father is resi-
dent in Newcastle. They say he was
four years of age on the 4th of May,
1874, and his whole appearance is that
of boy who had been born in a posi-
tion superior to that he now occupies
and carefully nurtured. Capt. Hill
visited Darlington on yesterday for the
purpose of m Aking inquiries concerning
the boy, and we believe he was satisfied
that it was case of mistaken identify.
There is, however, strong feeling
among the people that the real Charlie
Ross was one Of the party who were re-
Gently at North Ormesby, am they are
taking their measures accordingly.