The San Francisco call., 1897-03-20
WANT A BOYS LIBERTY
1t Is Said That D.. Shannon Is
Holding the Lad Against
HIS Will.
Circumstances Seem to Shcw That
There Is Mis-, pprehension of
Facts in the Clse.
OAKLAND OFFICE SAN FRANCISCO CALL,
90S Broadway, March 19.

90S Broadway, March 49,
Prominent colored people, including
ministers and doctors, are convinced that
a colored boy about the age of IA years is
being held against his will by DR.. j. M.
Shannon OF East Oakland, and to-day
they addressed the following petition to
the ChiIdren's Society:
Mrs Prescott Secretary of the Society for Pre-
tention of Cruelty 10 Children: We, the under
signed residents of Alameda County, having
learned that colored boy about the age Of
ID is being held in bondage by DR.. j. NJ. Shan
non of East Oakland, and that said boy was
forced 10 leave on account of bad treatment,
and has since been compelled 10 return against
his own will to said Dr.. shannon, we theref fore
appeal to you, as superintendent of the So
ciety for the Prevention of Cruelty to Chill
oren, asking you 10 have the matter thor
oughly investigated and see that justice is
done.
Rev. J. L. Allen, pastor Beth Eden Baptist
Church; Rev. ]. E. Edwards, pastor First A.
NJ 4. Church; DR.. c.. d. Cole. William Craw-
ford, A. F. Holland, John F. Wiles w. F. De-
lainey, James Washington, A A. Collins
Upon investigator it would seem that
the petitioners do not thoroughly under
stand the circumstances. DR.. Shannon
brought the lad from Mississippi about
three years ago and has been appointed
his legal guardian. He sent the boy to
the Franklin night school and in the day.
time he made the lad generally useful
around the house. The doctor regarded
him as unusually bright and intelligent.
About three weeks ago the boy disap-
peared. An investigation showed that he
had been taken away from the doctors
house by man who had made him all
kinds of promises. Eventually he was
left at The house OF W. M. Johnson in the
Watts Tract by man who told Johnson
he would call for him next day.
The police declared it to be case Of
kidnapping, and johnson willingly sur
rendered the boy.
The lad stated at the time that the man
in taking him away told him he would
get him better place with plenty of
money. He was anxious to go back to
DR.. Shannon. and when found by the
police he requested that he at once be
taken to the doctor.
Chief of Police Lloyd took the lad to the
doctors home, where he has been appa-
rently contented ever since. He does not
against his will. and the officials believe
that the petitioners, though conscientious,
have received untrustworthy information.
May Be Claus Anthony.
OAKLAND, CAL, March IA drowned
horse with buggy still attached to it
was found in Alameda Creek yesterday.
A trunk was found near the buggy with a
mans outfit, memorandum-b book, sew
eral photographs and a watch. In the
book was the name of Claus Anthony. It
is said that a stranger was seen near Niles
the previous night with woman in a
buggy and asked the way to I.ivermore
Judge Ogden, who came up from Niles
to-day, said that there was no clew to the
identity of the people who had been in
the buggy, and that although the suppo-
siton was the occupants had been dro wned
there was nothing to substantlate that
theory.
Smiths Want a Separation.
OAKLAND, CAL. March 19.-Mrs. Mary
Smith OF Berkeley has filed suit for
divorce against Clayton P. Smith. for
merly weIl-known lum ber-dealer of Chi.
cago. Mrs. Smith charges cruelty and
deserfion.