Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1890-12-11
STRANGE KIDNAPPING CASE
A Wilmington Boy Led Away
by Stranger.
AND RETURNED AT MIDNIGHT
He is Better off by a New
Suit cf Clothes.
Johnny Joyce is I0nticed from His Home
in Wilmington by a Drunken Crank
and Taken to Wynnewood, Pa, and
Brought Back at Midnight.

John Joyce, a lad of II years, who re4
sided with his widowed mother at No. 606
East Fifth street, was Thursday coaxed
away from the city by a stranger, evil
IDENTITY drank and very much of asscrank.
the stranger is unknown, but the police
think he was merely following out a
cranky notion in taking the boy away.
The lad was playing with some COM
panions at Fifth and Lombard streets
about o'clock Thursday afternoon when
the stranger approached and asked him to
go along, stating that he wished to give
him place In his store and make a man
of him. At the mans request Johnny
went with him to his mothers home and
there met his married sister, Mrs. CORN
ley, to whom the stranger stated his
errand. She fatty told him he could not
hay, haze the boy, whersqPon he left, but
out her knowledge.
The strange visitor soon gave evidence
of kindly regard for the lad. He took
him to store and bought him cap, and
then to clothing store and rugged him
out in complete new suit of clothes. He
next visited shoe store and bought him
pair of shoes. The man seemed to have
plenty of money, as he turned upon a
crowd of boys who followed him when he
started out with the lad and flung hand
ful of coins at them, at the same time ask
ing them not to follow him. But the boys
did follow him. noticed his liberal pur-
chases, and finally saw him reach the p,
W. & B. railroad and board the 30 train
for Philadelphia. This was the last seen or
heard of Johnny Joyce.
The eccentric stranger is described as
about 25 years old, 5feet inches in height,
light moustache, and wearing q black
derby hat and light melton overcoat. He
carried a small yellow grip-sack
Tie police give Johnny Joyce very bad
name, and say that if the strange abductor
continues the liberal policy with which he
started out the change may be all the
better for the boy. They say that the lad
is genuine street gamin, who has been
arrested on various occasions and gives the
police of his neighborhood much trouble.
THE BOY RETURNS.
Little Johnny Joyce, who was spirited
away by drunken crank Thursday after
noon, was brought back again about mid
night Thursday. There was great rejoicing
in his family over his safe return and he
was hailed as hero Friday morning, by
the boys of the neighborhood in which
he lives.
Johnny's adventure was not a very thrill
ling one, for he was hurried home again as
soon as his would-be foster father had in
troduced him to his relatives or friends.
Iohnny's trip extended to Wynnewoode,
Pa, where he had good supper, and was
brought back by a brother of the man who
took him away.
The following story was obtained from
Johnny son Friday. at his home, No. Cos
East Fifth street. The boy was dressed in
his old clothing except the shoes which
his new friend gave him. His new suit
and cap were safe upstairs in the bureau
drawer
Where did you go, Johnny?" was
''Went to Phillle" was the replyswith
grin. Then he told his story, which is as
follows:
His companion after getting on the $50
train from this city for Philadelphia went
to sleep, but awoke as the train rolled into
the Broad street station at $50 o'clock.
They did not go out into the street, but
after waiting a. short time took anothe,
train on the main line TO Wynnewoode,
village a few miles from Philadelphia
Johnnys friend did not say much to him,
but appeared to care more about sleeping.
When they arrived at Wynnewoode they
took carriage and were driven to large
house. Johnny thought it was hotel
He knew the name Of the place by the
sign board at the station.
The boy saw eight people when he
entered the house-two men, two women
and four children. He was taken into
room by himself and his friend went to
bed and was seen no more. In few
minutes woman came in and asked
Johnny his name. He told her, and
also told her where he lived Then she
went out and brought him in good sup
per. Before he ate his supper she brought
him a wash rag and towel and told him to
wash his face and hands, which he did.
Then he ate his supper. After supper the
man who brought him home came in and
they walked to the station and took train
back to Philadelphia
There they waited for the 1908 train for
this city, which they boarded and returned
to Wilmington. Johnny got home about
80 O'Clock. He says that the name Of
the man who took him away was George
Earl and that the man who brought him
back was his brother
This man told Mrs. Gormley, Johnny's
lunt, that his name was Earl, and that
Johnny had been to Guyers hotel, at
He appeared to be consid-
,rably worried over the matter, and gave
10 explanation of his brothers conduct.