The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-06-26
She aa1ieita DAILY aaIe Tuesday 1or,img guns 2e 1900

Dorchester, Neb., for SIP, and from
there they went on the train to Neigh
Neb.. the boy begging all the time Al
Neigh they put up at a livery stable
sleeping in the loft. Eddie again at
tempted to make his escape, and although
fearing that Copeland would kill him II
he turned states evidence he did muster
up enough courage to get out Of the old
mans reach and seek protection from
the police. He was provided with q
place in the Jail while a search was made
for Isaac Oliver, but knowing full well
that the boy had "squealed" he made his
escape. Eddie was afterwards taken by
Mrs. VIM. Napier. a charitable woman
who resides at Neigh. She had seen him
begging on the streets with the old man
and had taken a kindly interest in him
He told the good woman his story and
she communicated with his father. This
was the first intelligence he had had OF
his boy since his abduction, and when
reading the letter he could hardly believe
his eyes. While he still had hopes Of see
ing his boy, at times he believed him
dead
MIR. Sage Immediately answered the let
ter, giving a description of his son, but
the letter was not satisfactory, and he
received the following reply:
Neigh, Neb. June Il, 1900.
Mr.. Thomas Sage, Wichita, Kan
Dear Sir-Your favor at hand and will
say in reply that it was not quite salts
factory. as You did not sign any name
to 1t. In reply to this letter I ask you
10 give a full description Of the man
Copeland. and when the boy went away
with him, and how old he was when he
started. And I also ask you to please
sign your name and your wife's name to
the letter. If you have picture Of your
self or wife,I wish you would send one to
me. I would like to have Mrs. sage's.
Edward says he would know it If he
could see it. We will try and send him
home as soon as we get a satisfactory
answer to this letter Edward is quite
well and says he would like to see you
all at home I trust that II he ever
reaches home that you will kesp him with
you and train him up in the way that he
should go.
Please answer as soon as possible and
we viii write to you and Iet-you know
when he viii start for home. Yours re-
specially. Mrs.sW. NJ NAPIER"
Mr.. Sage carried out the instructions In
the above letter and also had Rev. Bruce
Griffith, pastor Of the Reformed church.
at which Sunday school Eddie attended
before he was stolen away TO write a.
letter also The picture of the boys
mother was enclosed. This confirmed the
boys claim that he lived in Wichita. and
on June 20 the following reply was re-
ceived:
Neigh, Neb. June 20, 1900.
Mr. Thomas Sage Wichita. Kan
Dear Sir-I received your letter and
was very glad TO get a reply from you,
and thank you for your kindness in send
ing Eddie's mothers picture I think
that he resembles her very much. The
DID man. Copeland. fills your description
I'VE expect TO start him for Wichita
on the pod, this week (Friday). hone
that If he IS spared to reach home You
will all welcome him home, as our
Father in Heaven welcomed the prodi-
gal. and be kind 10 him. 50 much that
he will never have any desire for leaving
home again. He has been spoiled very
bad and it will take good training to
overcome It, and perhaps quite a long
time Ny earnest desire and prayer to
Cod is for him to be trained for an hon
1rable and Christian man in the futue.
took him with me trusting that I might
be the means OF ding him good both soul
and body II knew that he would not
be trained right I would feel It my duty
TO place him in hands that knew would
-aise him for Christ. He needs t. be
sent to school every day. for he cannot
cad, and also 70 Sabbath school every
sabbath.
In regard to his mothers picture: Do
-ou wish me to send it back to you? If
not. I will be very glad to keep it.
Please let me knox when you write.
I've viii start him on the Fremont
2lkhorn road and this will take him to
omaha, where he viii change cars and go
outh
This is all at present We Join with /
Eddie in sending our best regards to you +
H. Give our regards to your pastor for !
lis kindness.
MAY God bless you as a father and I
each and help yoH 10 raise your family I;
II IN the fear and s5monition Of the I
ord. Mrs W NJ NAPIER. -
The boy arrived Sunday afternoon. and +
{ is needless TO say that ne was welcome. /
lis father had just purchased a wagon !
nd was going t. take a trip through /
oklahoma, believing that Copeland had /
i'm down there.
When asked if he feared old man Cope
and would return ana steal him again. !
eddie replied that he had no fears. that
e was lucky enough To get away with (
VI being arrested The boy saws Cope
and has three farms in Iowa and one in
his state, between Lyons and Sterling
man named Cooper az Neigh. who
ormerly knew Copeland learning Of the
oy's rescue. called at Mrs Nap!er's ana
aid that he has begged all his fife and
al amasse6 fortune. The little Fellow
avs during the two years he was with
i'm he begged thousands and thousands
{ dollars When he ran away from bin
be bow declared ne had S2e0o Eddie
-as glad 20 set home. glad % sec his
3ther ana sister. bur even more delight
4 20 escape from The man who had
-hip0ed him and dogEed his footsteps for
NO years. He said he never knew what /
was % sleep ii n bed Eddie : about
feet IN height, stout build. has brown
al- and brown ewes with round IN
reckless. caused , y6e.ns in the ssn a.,
-e time. He S Qgick and active ans
lick n act upon suggestions. whea