The Coalville times. [volume] (Coalville, Utah) 1894-1923, 1896-02-21

r. "Haass.lI.aN tue NlNNaA anu lANnA I
W. respected families
In Saratoga County. For sixteen years
the family and It's connections have
been tainted by fellow-townsmen with
the imputatlon that young Welsh had
been hanged for murder. while II Is
certain that he did not die 30 disgrace
fully, no word has ever been received
from him since he left home seventeen
years ago. and many have taken his
long silence as proof Of his guilt and
execution.
The missing mans father IL John
Welsh. Of Saratoga. once a farmer and |
now aged and retired. There were .
eight children. three boys and i've girls.
aud Of the latter Mrs. a. @. Sheppard |
and Mrs. 8. u. Hayden have set about .
to ind their lost brother.
I'VE have been able to hear the ma |
llclous hints and open assertions all |
these years" said Mrs. Sheppard to n
New York World reporter the other
day. but now all the girls are married,
and grandchildren are growing up
We want to save them from the shame
we have suffered. and we must lind our
brother. We have delayed giving the
matter publicity on mothers account.
She has always believed John would
some day come home OF His own accord.
and set the Islander at rest But now
We have given mp hope OF his voluntary
return. Beyond the stigma OF the gal
lows that certain element In the Wiz
lage has cast upon the boy we have
been deeply griovcd at hia unexplained
absence and we shall never feel a mo-
mcnts peace until he Is found ana
brought home.
John had an ambition to own a big
baking establishment and was taught
that business In New York city. lie
paid a visit home Just after his oigh-
tcenth birthday. In 1873, and was soon
followed by a woman twice his age VINO
aald she was his wife. John declared
that she did not toll the truth. but he
was 80 deeply mortified that he Ned.
A the woman could bring no proof OF
the marriage, we rcpudiated her. She
left with tho threat that she would
make us suffer.
"In the following summer an article
+. In local paper said that Our John was
to be hanged at jefferson city. Mo, for
I a murder. We were crushed by this
. terrible news. and an uncle hastoned "a
e jefferson City. lie found the story to
. be a hoax Several years later we re-
{ coIyed from shorlf Thomas d. Mahon
a and Clork w. II. Lusk. OF Jefferson
4 city. letter which certified that moi
u only had no one OF the name OF Welsh
o boon sentenced TO die there, but tina
4 there had not been an execution In th'
o county for twenty years.
u I'VE made the letter public, and i
u was supposed that the tongue OF GOSSIP
Is would be sllenced. II was to some eX
u tent. but there were persons 30 wicket
i- and heartlcss that they would not be
4 lleye Il. IA children, and my sister
y and brothers were constantly comm
O. home In tears, the result OF jibes an
% taunts OF other children and their el
dcrs.
l. Ever since the miserable day whe
't the story appeared We have beon mad
Of TO suffer and know that II John coul
know what has been going on nothin
would prevent him from coming back
remove the terrible stain from his an
our names. The cruel part OF II Is thi
" such a boy-for he was then barrel
W nlneteen-could be accused OF such
:, crime. lie was gentle and kind heart'
VI and mother gays that AS youngster
was always bringing home sick an
MANNED cats and other animals f
treatment, aud would 30 about savlt
n flies from drowning. How could a b'
ns like that be a murderer?
w I'VE could never trace the authorsh
OF the slandcrous item. which gave
Wy details OF the alleged crime, but
ru, know that IL was inspired By son
uo enemy and ON no foundation whateN'
"Our brother was Ave feet ten Inch
u I'm height, with broad shoulders ere
uy I'm benrlng, regular features, fair SKI
sh dark brown hair and hazel brown ey'
The letters ]. W. were prlcked In IND
ng ink ON his right forearm, Just below I
oy elbow, and there was scar rom q pu
zen ON tho back OF his neck at the TOP
the shirt collar.
.u'. "When a boy. Johns dream was
10Y 20 10 Australia to make fortune, a
vas we think he ia there now, too proud a
too much mortified about his escape
loh with that woman TO let us hear m
him. No doubt he Intends In time
Il return, but has not made up his mi
'ea' 10 do so yet. His father and mott
re- arc getting very old and unless
a comes soon hn will not see them I
nto constant prayer Of his sisters, both
IN llttlo girls and grown women Is q
'he he will come home. We Will weleo
maj him. no matter what his condition II
nan be. and viii be Joyous at word OF h
heF no matter how low he may have ial
or under WIN, circumstances he is
ing"
, Of A.,