Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-21
HUNTING HIS SISTER.
A Prodigal Returns to Pittsburg
After an Absence of "a Years,
WITH A FORTUNE In HIS POCKET.
He is Lost in the Surging Crowd and
Arrested as a Vagrant.
NOW AFRAID TO GO UPON THE STREET

On Tuesday, March 4, Officer Barney Nc
Kinney noticed an old man sitting in the
Lake Erie depot long after all the trains
had gone. Every now and then he would
wander out on the Carson street platform
and look around him with a bewildered ex-
preston on his face, and then go back to
his seat in the depot as though he were
afraid to venture forth and try his chances
with the crowd. At last the officer asked
him what he wanted, and he replied that he
would be satisfied in this world for time
If he had place to sleep and something to
eat. He was comfortably dressed, but not
overly neat, and at last the officer decided
that he must be what the police term
vagrant. i. e., a man with or without money
who does not seem inclined to take care OF
himself.
He was sent to the West End station and
in the the morning discharged by Judge
Brokaw, as he seemed to have plenty of
money and showed check for 5000, which
he wanted eashed. Later he was seen to
have draft for So 900. He carried his
money in belt; just how much he had no
one but himself knew, but it is certain he
has not displayed all his wealth.
THEREBY HANGS A TALE.
The Judge cautioned him to look out for
"sharps," and he disappeared and his tale
with him, for as it now appears there is
story connected with his visit to Pittsburg
which is pathetic and OF more than usual in
terest
He is now boarding at Burkhardt's res
taurant, 1109 Carson street, Southside. He
has been there for two weeks, not going out
of the house. He told the landlady that he
was looking for his sister. and did not know
where to search for her. Through the land
lady DISPATCH reporter was called in,
and the man then told his story. He said
his name was Samuel King. He was born
in 1872, and is consequently 78 years old.
He and a sister were orphans. He was
brought up by Lawyer James Grey, then of
this city. In 1886 he became restless and
anxious to see more of the world, and started
for Louisville on boat. He left his sister,
then a girl of Is, with two old
maids named Shannon and Tucker, who
lived in a frame house in what was
then Bayardstown, opposite the old cotton
mill of Adams & Renshaw, long since torn
down. He has not seen his sister since, and
has now come back, after having made a
snug fortune, to hunt her.
world" since leaving Pittsburg. From
Louisville he went to the Black Hills re-
gion, and finally drifted to Oregon and into
the lumber regions. He made as high as SO
per day in the first lumber boom, and later
took land grant signed by President Bu-
chanan, OF now valuable farming land near
Salem. His land grew in value and he be-
came wealthy, but for some years could not
rest contented because he could get no news
from his long-lost sister.
THE PRoDIGAL's RETURN.
At last he sold out his farm and all his
property last May and started for Pittsburg.
He was caught in the Johnstown flood, took
a severe cold, and lay sick for some time in
a near town. until he finally re-started on his
search and was picked up at the Lake Erie
depot. He mas been in search of the house
in which his sister formerly lived, but the
identity of old Bayardstown, on the ALLIE
gheny river, beyond Union depot, has been
lost, and he wandered to the Southside and
found a boarding place. He has since re-
fused to go out, fearing to get lost in his
search and again round up In the station
house. He has not given up the search,
however, and will talk of nothing else but
his lost sister.
His uncle, Samuel King, used to keep a
tailor shop on Wood street, and he remem-
bers we'll the old Ramsey Hotel. He was
acquainted with the late Mr.. Shoenberger.
but could not recall any others of the old
residents. He learnt his trade (tailoring)
of "Old Tom Smith, who used to keep a
shop on Wood street. He says his sister
must be right in the house where he left
her, or near there, as she faithfully prom
ised him she would not go elsewhere until
he returned.