The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1897-03-05
STOLEN FROM HIS HOME FIFTEEN
YEARS AGO.
A TRAMP WITH A HISTORY.

Atlanta Constitution.
A boy Of probably twenty summers
dirty, ragged and crestfallen, appeared
at the station house last night about
o'clock and applied for Il night,
lodging. He says he is penniless
friendless, has been away from home
fifteen yealS, and is on his way back
to get one more glimpse Of the Ole
homestead, and two tOmbStones il
the old garden.
He gave his name as William John
son. His story suggests the myster,
surrounding the strange disappear
ance OF Charley Ross, Johnson say,
he was stolen from his fathers home
near Atlantic City, Mich, fifteen
years ago by stranger and has been
Il wandercr and OutcaSt ever since
sleeping in station houses and depend
ing on the public for his sustenance.
For the last four years lie has been
in Central America working on a rail.
road. The man who stole him, died,
and ever since Johnson has been try
ing to work his way back to his old
home in Michigan, Ut which lie bears
il distinct remembrance, notwith.
standing his youth when kidnapped.
According to JohnSon's story it was
in 1882 that a stranger appeared at
his fathers home one day and asked
to stay all night. He put up pitiful
story Of want and destitution aud was
given rear room.
STOLEN IN THE NIGHT
Little William was sleeping in his
mothers room on a trundle bed. AT
midnight, when all was still, he
felt two strong arms around his
body, and he was carried from the
house unknown to his parents. A
horse was waiting at the gate, and the
man rode with the boy to the station,
where they took the first train south,
Johnson does not know where they
went. He says he remembers travel.
ing for days and days, then boarding
steamboat on some large body of
water, finally arriving in a strange
country, which he afterwards found
out to be Cen tral America.
Johnson's captor always gave his
name as Hiram Smith, never explain
ing to the little fellow why he had
taken him from his home, and always
working him like dog with no recon-
pense.
In the meantime the boys father
spent his entire fortune, which was
not large, searching for the child, but
not the slightest trace Of him could be
found.
CONFESSED AT Ills DEATH.
Three years ago, according to John
sons story, Smith died in Central
America, leaving hlm absolutely pen
nyless and fricndless at the age oI
seventeen. Just before he brcatheC
his last, Smith revealed to the boy hi.
correct name and the address OF hi.
people. He confessed having stOler
him from home when mere child.
johnson was, of course, dumbfound
ed, and Immediately wrote to his
father in Atlantic City, In two wcck'
he received an answer which sent al
unspeakable sadness to his heart.
1t was from one OF his unclcS, an(
it read as follows:
"My Dear Wiliam--ls it possible
that you have at last been found?
am sorry to tell you that your mOthc
died Of Il broken heart three years ago
and your poor father followed only {
few weeks later. This Is the fist in
timation we have had OF your where
abouts since that man stole you
Your parents are buried in the OLE
garden near the house, which sup
pose you do not remember, becaus
you were so young when you wer'
stolen. Come home as quickly as yol
can, and I will help you get a start il
life, although l have but little mean
myself. Your uncle,
~. y. b. JOHNSON.