Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-12-01
KIDNAPPED by INDIANS.
The Government Asked TO Assist In search
ing for q stolen Child.

me government Asked 70 Assist In Search
ing for stolen Child.
Secretary Noble has received from Gov. Fifer
OF Illinois letter asking for the aid Of the gov
eminent in finding a child which it is believed
has been carried into captivity by the Ute In
dians. Following is the governors letter:
''On the 2lst day Of September, Earl Roy
Morley, the four year-old son OF Kirk G. Nor
ley, strayed from the camp of his parents and
some friends and has never been found. The
camp from which he strsyed was at the head
OF stream called Rife creek, about thirty
miles from New Castle, in the state of Colorado.
Large numbers Of people immediately made
thorough and vigilant search for this missing
child His tracks were discovered and traced
for about three niles The most minute search
was made for further traces left by him while
living or for traces of his remains If dead. But
nothing whatever was found. The search con-
tinued for several weeks.
ut was discovered. however. during the
search that some Indians. believed to be Ctes.
who had s.rayed from their reservation, had
been encamped near the place to which this boy
was traced. There was some further evidence
that the Utes were off their reservation and
somewhere in that neighborhood about that
time. Such are the representations made to
me.
A reward was offered for the boys body and
many persons searched for his remains. III the
child had been destroyed by wild animals his
blood and clothing would. at least. have been
discovered. If he had persisted with hunger
and exposure, as he soon would have done, it is
believed traces of his remains would have been
found In the long and minute search that was
made.
In the absence of anything Of this kind the
theory seems to be reasonable that Indians may
have picked him up. 1t is known that they are
always eager to secure young white children
and that 1t ls their custom to treat such chill
dren well when captured. Hence the parents
OF the boy entertain the hope that he may be
alive and well among the Indians and that he
might be rescued if only his whereabouts we're
found.
The parents of this child are known to me.
They formerly lived at Bloomington. ILL.,, my
old home. Their present home is at New Castle,
Col. where Mr.. Morley is, believe, employed
by the ID. and r. G.. railroad. They have ap-
Piled TO me to place the facts before you. in the
hope that through the Indian agencies such an
inquiry NAV be instituted as will develop some
traces of their child. The case is one which
appeals most strongly to the feelings of human
ity. sincerely hope You may find it in your
power to do something which NAV lead to the
ing 10 do whatever can be done do not doubt;
and what laws in your power is of course better
known to Won than to me.
Sincerely hoping you may find it consistent
with Your duty to take some steps in the prem
ises. i have the honor to remain. sir"
I'm response 10 this appeal Secretary Noble
and the commissioner of Indian affairs have no.
titled all agents in the west and northwest to
use every effort in their power to ascertain il
anv of the Utes other Indians that can be
reached have taken this child. or if nothing is
known of his fate. A reasonable amount, the
Secretary says, will be paid from the contin-
gent fund to pay expenses Of ihese investiga-
tons. The agents are directed to report what
ever may be learned by telegraph.