The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1875-08-19
A LOng.lOst Son Found.

The jackson lMich.) Patriot Of July "a
SAYS: Yesterday woman met her son
whom she had not seen for nearly his
whole life. The circumstances are as fol-
lows: Seventeen years ago New YORK
merchant named Smith died, leaving wife
and fosr children. His business affairs
were found 10 be much involved, and tap
peared as If his debts would largely exceed
his assets. A few weeks after his death a
fifth child was born. al d Mrs. Smi h, think
ing that she would hardly be able TO main
tam so large family. consent, to give
thu posthumOus boy to the brother OF her
husband, lawyer by profession. When
the estate was settled she received her
dover, which she had not known she was
entitled to above a debts. and found her
self well TO do. She then desired to take
back her youngest, but could not. The
brother lett the city. and after moving a
number of times, settled down in Grand
Rapids. The boy grew up and passed for
the real son OF his adopted ather. A
short time ago he went to Kansas, but did
not stay long. and ON his return went TO
work In planning mill.
In the meantime his mother had married
again, and was searching for him with all
her best endeavors. Again becoming a
widow. she was united in due time to Mr..
b. p. Fairchild, a prominent New York
merchant, very wealthy, and he took up
the search with energy, sparing no ex-
pen>e in following the boy. The other
children had died. except enc, and the
mothers heart yearned 10 again meet and
embrace her Willy. Slowly and patiently
the sc rcil was conducted, until finally the
couple, Mr.. and Mrs. Farchild,
can e to Grand Rapids, having
heard of Mr.. Smiths residence
there. On arriving there. fl W days since,
they found that Mr.. Smith and wife
had gone East, and that Willy had
left the mill and gone to work near Rives
junction. in this county. Mr.. James Ham
mill and Sheriff Brown were telegraphed
10. They drove out on Sunday, and heard
of boy who answered the description,
being named Willy Smith, and having just
quit work In a mill at Grand Rapids.
They left word for hun to come to Jack
son, but the boy, thinking he might be
arrested, would not come; but his father
did AM met Mr.. Fairchild yesterday. A
few moments conversation proved this
was not the boy, and it seemed as if the
clew was again lost. Fortunately MIR.
Smith had heard of another Willy Smith
in Rives, and his description had reused
the spark of hope in the breast of the de-
spondent mother. They drove out to the
farm mentioned and found the object of
their search at work in a harvest field.
Though the boy had not seen his mother
since he was -four years old, he at once
recognized her. Their meeting was affect
ing and too sacred to be touched on. The
now happy party started yesterday for
New York. - .-.
The young man does not seem to have
been any way injured by his contact with
the world, but bears an excellent charac-
ter among his associates. If this is so, the
way that is opening out before him will
be travelled easier and with less fear of his
having his head turred, as is too often the
case when fortunes smiles are suddenly
and lavishly bestowed. The boy admitted
that on many accounts he regretted leav-
ing what had been home for all his life,
but the loving care of his mother seemed
likely to smooth out any such feeling.
His step-father will give him superior
education, and aiterward give him all the
start in life that warm affection and plen-
teous wealth can give. We understand
that Mr.. Smith, app reciating the feeling
of the mother. has consented to the return
OF the boy TO her guardianship.