Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1881-08-19
A LOST BOrs RETURR HONE,
Carried Of By a Farmer ana Ksp'
For Months.
He Learns the @Rudimentst OF
Farming From Hard Task
Rlaster-His Escape and
Return.

ST. Louis, August l4.-0n the 18th
dsyoflast November Oscar Amerheim
a boy eleven years old, residing with
his parents at 1903 South Second, had
Just returned from school, placed his
books on the door step and concluded
to explore passing wagon loaded with
apples. He climbed up on the rear
end Of the wagon and asked the
farmer driving the wagon for an apple
He was told to come forward and take
as many as he wanted. When the
wagon had gone several squares the
farmer suddenly caught Oscar, threw
him under the seat aud weighted him
down with q sack Of apples. Not un.
til the Meramec river, on the Gravoii
road, was reached was the boy allowed
to get sight Of the country through
which he was passing, and then he
didn't get much of a sight, for it wal
dark. He was told by the farmer that
he was only taking him a nice ride out
in the country, and would take hin
back home the next day.
Oscar was tired and sleepy, and
being clad in rather thin clothes, wa,
very cold. When he awoke he found
himself in front Of a cabin and hii
travelling companion had unhitched
the horses from the wagon and put
them away and told the boy to get out
This he did, with pleasure, and
entered the place of man named
Perry, as he afterwards ascertained
He was given supper prepared by his
abductor, and put to bed on a pallet
spread on the floor. When he awoke
he looked about his surroundings
The only human being on the place
was Perry, who is al old man, with nc
family mo near neighbors and living en-.
tirelyisolated. He does his own cooking
and washing and does not associate
with any one. He has a large farm
well stocked, lying ten miles beyond
Fenton, in Jefferson county, and few
miles from the Gravois road.
The boy Oscar was soon inducted
into the mysteries Of farming and at.
tending to stock. He was never out
side the gaze of Perry. When Perry
had BUSINESS away from home be took
good care to lock the boy up in the
house with no means of escape. In
the extreme cold weather of last win
ter Oscar arose at 3 O'Clock and
assisted in feeding the stock, made
the Ere, helped to get breakfast and
made himself generally useful When
spring came the boy was taught how
to pillow, and at this be continued un-
til ten days ago, when he became
tired Of his experience as q farmer.
When his son Oscar disappeared
last November, Adam Amerheim
made every effort to ascertain his
Whereabouts. He informed the police
and they inquired, advertised, sent
postals and did everything to find the
missing boy. The father visited all
the suburban towns, hired men to
visit the country, but nothing could
be heard Of Oscar Amerheim. The
conclusion was finally arrived at that
the boy had been drowned. The river
was dragged, but the body was not
found. The family went into mourn
ing aud the boy was given up for dead.
Oscar had 30 chance to eacape until
few days ago. He was aroused at 8
o'clock in the morning and ordered to
feed the horses and get ready for the
days work. This time Perry did not
follow him. Here was the opportu.
nifty. He left the place, ran TO wsg-
on he saw passing aud asked the way
10 ST. Louis. The right direction was
given him and away he started. He was
harcfooted, the road was rough, the
dust was thick, but nothing dauntcd
he travelled on. At night he was
worn out and yet several miIos from
the city. He obtained lodging at a
farm house and the next day reached
the city, his feet Needing, his body
tired and he ready To drop down ex-
hausted. He stepped into the house
of his parents after ten months alb
sence.