The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1895-06-08
LOST FOR S YEARS
Old John Swain and His Romantic
History.
HIS SEARCH FOR FORTUNE
He Left Home in 1910. Poor and
In Debt-Now He Is Well OFF
and ReJoins the Family
In His eth Year.

arrival of John H. Swain, a man in
his e7th year, whose life has been filled
with scenes and incidents not usually
allotted to the ordinary mortal. Mr..
Swain was born in Stokes county.
North Carolina, Feb. IS 179S. On July
IL. 1876. he married Elizabeth Hines,
who was born on July 10, 1795. They
lived happily until they had a family
of nine children. John II. Swain fol-
lowed the life OF a farmer and also
that Of a teamster, hauling freight
from the seaboard towns for the mer-
chants of Salem and other in
land places. This work often necessi-
tated his being away from home for
days and weeks at a time. He was
also justice of the peace.
About 1910 he became involved in
debt by going security for neighbors,
and, finding that he would have the
bills TO pay, decided TO leave that Sec
ton and make an attempt TO earn his
money. He did not intimate to his
family. however. that he was going
away to remain longer than usual.
and his absence for several weeks did
not alarm them. When the weeks grew
into months and finally into years, the
family began TO give up hope of ever
seeing him again. Creditors took the
nome. ana the Wile
gathered her children together, and,
with a team Of horses and the wagon.
moved to this state, settling at War
rem. Here she reared the children.
Mrs. Swain died in September. 1874
at the home OF her daughter. Mrs.
Cynthia Crum, Of this place.
John Swain, the missing man, made
his way to Ohio. where he accumulated
some property, and finally, after the
lapse of years, made his way back to
North Carolina to see his family and
pay his debts. When he reached his
former home. however, he found his
people gone, and all he could learn was
that they had moved north He be-
gan a search for his lost family from
one end of the country 10 the other,
roaming through Ohio and Indiana,
becoming well known to the people OF
many of the larger towns. His eccen-
trio habits gained for him the title of
"Old John Swain, the beggar," and
"Old Swain, the miser." He was often
arrested by the authorities for va
grancy, but IL was always found that
he had plenty of money with which
to pay his fine, IL fine should be i'm
posed.
The trait of making and boarding
money finally became his ruling pas
sion. and he is now believed to be
worth many thousand dollars in farms
ard. bank accounts. besides having
hidden treasures, which he is sup
posed TO have buried at different
places. Often when arrested for va
grancy he would disappear for day
or two and return with hundreds and
even thousands OF dollars in green
backs and bonds. A number OF years
ago he came 10 the town OF Urbana.
went into a saloon TO rest. bringing
with him a small bundle of clothes tied
up in an old red handkerchief. Throw
ing the bundle on the floor he then
left, forgetting his bundle. The pro-
prietor OF the place kicked IL into a
corner. knowing that he old miser
would be back for IL some day. In a
. few days he returned and called for
the bundle and astonished the loung-
ers of the place by opening IL and
taking therefrom over $1,000 in green
backs.
During the COS Mrs Ricketts,. one Of
his daughters from Blackwell county.
was visiting friends in Ohio. and Incl
dentally heard of the strange old man,
At once she conceived the idea of maxi
Ing an investigation. believing that il |
was her father. However. she could |
obtain no positive proofs that her sur |
misses were correct and returned TO her
nome. About the same time the old |
gentleman also heard of her visit and |
began to inquire about her, and finally. |
being convinced that il was his daugh- |
ter, he wrote the following letter TO |
her:
Sept. 10. 1866.
Dear Daughter Nancy-I take this
opportunity TO let you know that I am /
in reasonable health, and | hone thar |
these few lines may find you all well. |
i amt heard from you for a Ions, time |
Ny health amt been very good for n |
long time. wanted TO come out there |
this long time, but was unable TO trav- |
el, and / could not write very handy
nrnEnnf iVaa 4
you to think hard Of II that / didn't |
convey word sooner. / want 10 hear /
from you all as soon as you can write |
l don't know when / can come out |
there. but l will come as soon as / |
can travel. Answer this as soon as |
you can. Direct your letter 10 Fair
neid county, O., Lockville postofice.
from your a1ectionate parent.
]. II. SWAIN.
Mrs. ricketts, answered the letter /
ana sent her Photograph, but never |
receiEed an acknowledgement Mr.. |
swain says that he never received the |
letter or picture. About three wears |
ago the children formed an organfza-
non and began 20 make systenmatic
eHorl toward gathering evidence TO /
prove the old mans identity and es- /
.aoiIsn the Iact that he was really /
thelr Iather. They have made several |
trips 10 Ohio. collecting evidence ana
nave Hnally been convinced that thew /
can establish beyond a doubt the fact |
that ne Is their father. Several years |
ago the old man became feeble. both /
IN body and mind. and people in Ohio
py the same name and claiming to be /
MS heirs had the judge Of the probate /
court at columbus appoint a guardian |
for Mr.. Swain. -
ABOUT the same time the false heirs
IN ONO became aware that NJ chill /
oreh Were making an effort to estab- /
li ~ theif cIalms, and they sent the /
WheFe TOT a time his children lost track /
oI nm. Inc old man. however. as the |
years iengthened. became restless. and,
with the old desire 10 see his children /
before he died. again began his search
he wrote 10 Hugh Alexander. whose 1
address ne had learned and who he |
c con was his grandson. Follow
Mr.. Alexander:
West JEFFERSON, o., Jan. .. ls95.-Mr.
AieNanuer-Dear Sir: Hearing that
W ma .fa4Hs s-Ae.A