Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1880-05-21
SOMEBODY'S DARLING,
The Tragic Fate OF a Handsome stranger
Youth In Titusville, Pa.-The Mystery
which shrouds His Life aud the Manner
of His Death

WulOu eHN sAS ~%~H-Ns
OF His Death
TIrusyILLE, Nay 2O.--This town has
been greatly excited for the last week
over mysterious tragedy, resulting IN
the death Of twelye-year'old boy,
whose only companion was q tramp OF
generally repulsive appearance. The
couple were first seen in this neighbOr'
hood on the Sd inst, and the remdrka.
bly, handsome and manly appearance OF
theboy was the subject OF general com
ment among the residents, and their
suspicious were aroused by the presence
OF the child in company with the tramp,
who was 50 evidently his inferior in
every other respect. II was also obsery
ed that the tramp treated his com.
paniOn with mixture OF lear
and respect which added jG the
general suspicion that all waa not right
One evening they were seen To enter an
old barn on tue suburbs oi the town, as
was supposed, TO obtain shelter Tor the
night. At about o'clock the following
morning II gentleman who lived In the
neighbOrhood was aroused by u loud
Knocking on his door, and, on answer
lux lut auluuibHoi NV lNhHN Wv 'oa'''
to be- the tramp, who informed hun that
the boy had fallen from tho barn loft
aud hurt himself. On going To the harm
tho child was found lying partly under
Il large wagon, against which ho' had
evidently fallen His features we're dis
tortcd with agony. Blood VAS pouring
irom his ears, eyes and nostri's, and on
every side there were Indications ID the
force with which he had struck the iioor
IN the blood scattered over the iloot aud
sides OF the barn. The lad was carried
10 u nolghbOring house aud medical ~.
sistance summoned, but he died in few
minutes.
The Tramp's story.
The excitement throughout the town
was intense, and close watch Vas
placed over the tramp pcndlng the re-
suit Of the CorOners inquest When
this Was held the testimony oi the man,
while partly clearing away the cause OF
the death, only added to the mystery
attending the birth aud parcntage of the
young lad. The tramp, who gave his
name as William Grecr, said that he be-
longed to New York city. He had first
lived al Twenty ninth street and Third
avenue, and latterly at ilB Third ave-
nue.. lie lett there two weeks ago, aud
few days later met the boy in Jersey
City. Greer claims that the boy first
spoke to him, aud that his name was
Wm. Carter, aud that he lived In Phla-
dolphia. They joined company aud
proceeded on the tramp through
New Jersey aud Pennsylvania,
reaching Tltusyille without incident.
Greer, who gave his story
with great glibncss and seemed uncon-
cerned at the sad fate OF the child,
whose pale, sweet face was within lew
yards oi him as he testified, then de.
tailed what happened in the barn alter
they entered il. lie said that they had
cllrbed up 10 the top lott and laid down
to sleep. when the child complained OF
being cold aud started TO descend 10 the
first floor To obtain q horse blanket
which he knew % he there. Greer says
he tried to induce the boy to stay where
he was, but that the lad persisted in his
intention, aud while ascending with the
blanket & y 10 the floor.
Searching For u Clue.
There is only one opinion prevailing
IN the community, which ia that the
tramp's story ls untrustworthy, and
that the true iacts in the case have not
yet come to light. In the iirst place,
those Who have seen the boy are OF the
opinion that he could not have been the
ordinary tramp that Greer would make
him out. Tie was attired in rough cloth
Ing, It Is true, but his undertaking was
rich aud cleanly, aud his hands showed
that he had never been used 10 manual
labor. A theory is gaining ground here
that the child may have been
the long lost Charley Ross, but
many OF the more clear
headed residents give 1t little rredtncc.
The feeling Of the community has been
~ excited that large sums OF money have
been subscribed by wealthy residents to
deiray the expenses OF an Investigation.
Handbills giving the outline Of the case
have been printed, and will he seat
broadcast over the States Of New York,
New Jersey, Pennsylyania, Delaware
and Maryland. Detectives have also
been employed TO ferret out the mys.
terry, and strong hopes are entertained
oi their being suecessinl.
The child was buried two days after
his death, the entire population attend
ing the funeral. The remains were
dressed in handsome suit by the ladies'
OF the town, who also dlled the coffin
with flowers. The sympathy for the
child was ~ strong, owing 10 his remark
able personal beauty, that many tears
were shed over the little coffin rs II Was
lowered into the grave. The ladies or
gsnlIed choir TO render the music at
the service, and four Of the wealthiest
residents Of the town acted as pail bear
ers. The plate Of the oasket bore the in
scription:
somebody darling.
WILLIE EAKIEK