Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1900-03-31
A Tough Character.

Robt. II. Brad came into town the lat.
ter part of last week, and shortly after
his arrival was arrested on the charge of
drunkenness and disorderly conduct. He
was given hearing before Justice Gra-
ham Monday, and was released on the
promise that he would at once leave
town. When last seen he hit the rail.
road ties going south.
Brad is the father of the youngster
bootblack who was picked up on our
streets some time ago by Mr.. and Mrs.
j. G. McClelland, and who has since
been cared for by the aged couple.
Judging from the following article taken
from q recent issue of the LaPorte,
Indiana,) Gazette, it would appear that
the boys father is worthless, good for
nothing fellow. who has served term
of several years in ehe penitentiary.
The boy was sent home to his grand
mother, Mrs. Arthur Zahrt, Saturday
evening:
Little Fred Brad, who year ago the
22nd of last August was kidnapped from
the home of his grandmother, Mrs.
Arthur Zahrt of this city, by his father,
has been located in Custer City, South
Dakota, where the little fellow is being
cared for by an aged couple. In letter
written to Mrs. Zahrt yesterday, the k i'd
mapped boy states that his father desert
ed him at Custer City about a month
ago after having compelled him to tramp
about the country for oyer a year and a
half and during which time he was only
half fed and clothed. He further states
that the aged couple, with whom he is
residing, have purchased new clothing
for him and also made arrangements for
him to attend school. He seems very
happy in his new home and in all prob
ability will be allowed to remain there,
at least for the present.
Freddie Brad, at the time he was kid
mapped, was probably one Of the best
known youngsters on the streets of La
Porte. He sold Chicago pappers every
evening and ran errands, displaying a
great desire to be useful to his grand
mother, who had taken him to raise
The little fellows father, Henry Brad,
is good for nothing, worthless fellow
and has served several years in the
penitentiary for larceny, haying been
conyicted some years ago of breaking
into car in the local yards and steal
ing quantity Of -four owned by Lorig &
Weber. Some weeks before the young
stsr was kidnapped his father put in an
appearance in this city, where he re-
mained until the night Of August 22nd,
when he coaxed the little fellow to 60
to the lake With him to bathe. That
was the last seen or heard Of the little
fellow until the letter received yester-
day was read.
Since the above was placed in type
the following letter WINS received by
Mrs. I. M. Donaldson from the boys
grandmother, announcing his safe ar
rival at home:
LAPoRTE, INDIANA, March 26, 1900.
NY Dear Madam and friend Well
knowing you would be anxious to hear
of little Fred's arrival home, hssten to
let you know that he arrived
here at 10 o'clock this morning safe and
we'll. You can imagine how glad l was
to see him after his long absence from
home. He was we'll known and great
favorite here among the young folks, and
everybody was glad to see him home
again. l scarcely knew him, he had
grown 80. He was in knee pants when
he left here two years ago.
He has nothing but the kindest words
of praise for his kind bsnefactors at Gus
ter City, and says to tell you he will
ever keep place in his heart for you
all as long as he lives. Let me thank
you with all my heart fol your kind
treatment to my little grand child while
in your, and your father and mothers
care. Some time please let
me hear from you.
Mrs A. ZAHRT.
The letter was accompanied by stamp
photos of the boy, his mother and grand
mother,