The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-06-13
Mother and Son Meet In Newton
After Long Separation.
Pathetic Story That Reads Like
Work of Fiction.
HAD MET EACH OTHER
As Strangers-In Harry Beck.
with, Mrs. Hallen
Recognizes the Son She Had
Sought For Years.

Newton, Kan, June 13-That truth Is
stranger than fiction has been demon
strated often There occurred in this
city last Friday a meeting between
mother and son. She had not seen him
for seventeen years, while he, though 27
years of age, and having seen her be-
fore, never knew till that moment that
she was his mother. Around this re-
markable circumstance is woven a story
that rivals fiction.
The young man is Harry Beckwith,
an employee of a coal yard of this place
He was born March %, 1872, in Valley
Center, a small place south of Newton.
The father had died a month before.
The mother and child moved to Newton,
where both took very sick. They were
tenderly cared for by Mr.. and MTs. w.
H. Eberle, now of this city. The mother
found that she could not provide for
herself and babe, so she gave the little
one to Mr. and Mrs. Eberle. On Novem-
Der 2, 1872, the child was adopted, TAX
ing the name of Harry Eberle. He gave
Mrs. Eberle the devotion of a child to
it's mother, and for that matter never
knew but she was until his Goth year.
There was a provision in the adoption
papers that the mother was not to re-
veal herself to the boy at least till his
18th year, to which she strictly adhered.
Mrs Beckwith left Newton and the next
heard OF her she was in Leadville. Colo.
In May, 1880. the Eberles moved from
Newton to Red Cliff, Col, about twenty
miles from Leadville. Mr.. Eberle often
journeyed to the latter place, and in 1882
he took his family over for q, short visit.
Harry's mother lived there then; she
had married again, her name being
Hallen- She spent many happy hours
with her 10-year-old son. From Lead
Vile she moved to Waco, Tex, thence
to Ellis county, Kas., which is now her
home.
Meanwhile the Eberles made Lead
Vile their home, remaining there a few
years and then coming to this city.
Harry began working his way east,
finally landing here in December, 1891.
Here the romance entered his life He
found himself in love with the niece of
his foster father. Harry's identity was
revealed to him and he took his right
name, Beckwith, before his marriage,
which occurred July "a. 1892 He often
made endeaVorS to find his mother, but
finally gave her up for dead. In 1895
he was on the police force in Leadville,
Col, and boarded three blocks from
the home of his mother, who had moved
to that place again. Harry lost one eye
in his infancy, but at this time had a
glass optic. which accounted for the
fact that his mother did not recognize
him, although they no doubt saw each
other often He returned to Newton in
1897, and is here today.
Ten years ago the mother began her
search for her boy Whenever she
heard of a Beckwith or Eberle in a
town, she would write there for infor-
nation; she has advertised and travel
ed, going as far one time as Sacrament
to, Cal. She has received replies from
mayors with an appended bill for 50
and SO. She RENTED So to the mayor
of Sacramento, but he courteOusly re-
turned it. A chance letter to Red Cliff,
Col, brought a reply, telling her there
was an Eberle in Newton. She wrote
to Mayor Young and on receiving his
reply Immediately took the train for
this place. 1t was but a short time
until she was in the arms of her boy.
The reunion in the humble home on
West Ninth street was one of the most
joyous events in both their lives. Har-
ry has been working steadily for over
two years, but he will now take a va
cation. His mother, now Mrs Hallen.
has a farm near Ellis, and he will spend
a short time there visiting his step
brother.