The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1877-11-29
Two Stolen Children-Dcath Of One and
Recovery Of the Other.

Two Stolen Children-Death Of One and
Recovery Of the Other.
AN interesting case of child-stealing,
which is equal to anything in that line
that has been heard of since the abduc-
ton of Charlie Ross, has just come to
light here, and has created cOnsidera-
BILE excitement in the circles where the
full facts are known. In this instance
the abductOrs, who committed the crime
in the hope of obtaining a large reward,
having been melted to the deed, no
return Of the Philadelphia hoy, were
foiled in their little scheme, and were
obliged to seek refuge in flight to pro-
tcct themselves from the anger of an
indignant community.
James Forsytlle, wealthy farmer
living in Clay County, Kan, was the
father Of two lovely girls, aged nine
and eleven years. One day, toward
the close Of the warm weather, in 1876,
they were out in the woods near their
fathers house searching for flowers.
Straying some distance from home,
they discovered that they were lost, and
knew not how to return. While try ing
to get out of the woods they met two
men, who said that they would show
them the way back to their fathers
house. Instead, however, of taking
them home, the men led them to camp
they had established in an out-of-the-
way place, and then told them they
never could see their parents again.
Soon after this they left that neighbor-
hood and went to Illinois.
The feelings of the parents can be
imagined when, as the night came on,
their children did not return AS it
grew late the neighbors were called,
and Il thorough search was instituted,
but without avail. The next morning
the search was continued, but no trace
of the lost ones could be found.
Finally Mr.. Forsythe heard that two
men, having in their care two little
girls, had passed through a little town
some distance from his house. He inn
mediately went to the village, made in
quiries of the persons who had seen the
tramps, and soon learned enough to
convince himself that the two little
girls were his own daughters. He
started after them ut once, but could
not overtake them. He would nearly
reach them, when ethe willy tramps
would suddenly disappear and would
cover their tracks SO skillfully that it
would be weeks before trace could be
obtained of them. For months and
months this chase continued, Mr.. For
sythe never despairing, but prosecuting
his search with all the vigor that low
ing father could command. Skilled de-
tectives were employed, the telegraph
was brought into requisition, but the
tramps evaded all search and could not
be caught. After following them
through Illinois, Indiana and Michigan,
Mr.. FOrsythe lost all track of them,
and, after endeavoring for weeks with
out success to get some clew to them,
was obliged to give up the search and
return to his desolate home without his
daughters.
Hoping that something would result
from it, Mr.. Forsythe sent out, as soon
as he returned home, Il number of pos
tai cards, giving an accurate descrip-
ton of the two girls. One of these cards
reached the Postmaster at Oak Grove,
this county. The gentleman became
convinced that two little children who
had come to the Postoffice for mail for
several itinerant, vagabondish families,
living in shanties near the canal, were
really Mr.. Forsytbe's children. A lit
tie inquiry settled the matter, and, in
forming the father, he ut once took
measures to secure them. On approach
ing the families with whom they lived,
they stated that the girls had been left
with them by two men, and they would
not part with them without a heavy
recOmpense. In vain they were argued
with. They would not yield point.
The children were in their possession,
they had fed and cared for them, and
would keep them unless handsomely
paid for their trouble.
The families, finding that the where
abOuts of the children had been discov-
cred, and fearing that they would be
taken away from them by the officers
of the law, secreted them, and finally
moved away themselves, living for a
considerable time in an old, deserted
canal-boat. In the meantime the older
girl sickened, from exposure. and died.
About two weeks ago, Mr.. c. +.
France, of this city, was employed to
secure, if possible, the remaining child.
He went to work skillfully and patient
ly, and succeeded finally in compelling
the people to give her into his care.
The little girl was very bright, and told
a very sad story of her years travels
with the tramps. She said that the
trip from Kansas to Ohio was made
mostly on foot, riding sometimes in
farmers wagons, and again stealing a
ride on freight trains. A great part of
the time they slept in the open air,
sleeping in fence corners, or wherever
they could. During the winter the
men made them beg from house to
house along the road, while they stole
whatever they could. Since living with
the families near the canal, in this
county, however, they had Jared lit
tie better. She didn't know where the
two men who had stolen her had gone.
Last Thursday, Mr.. France, having
provided her with a complete outfit,
placed her on board through Wabash
Palace Car for Kansas City, where her
father is to meet her and ere this she
is safe in the arms of her parents.
Such is the plain, unvarnished state
ment of this sad case, and too much
praise cannot be bestowed upon the
Postmaster of Oak Grove and Mr..
France, for their disinterested action in
the matter; indeed, the latter gentleman
labored indefatigably to accomplish his
purpose, and that he has admirably sue.
ceeded is clearly demonstrated by the
joy of Mr.. and Mrs. Forsythe, who,
while they mourn the death of one
child, are only too glad that the other,
at least, was spared them.-Toleelt
| BLADE.
Children's Clothes.
THE princesSe dress. all in one from