The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-06-26
RETURNS
Eddie Sage Kidnapped Two
Years Ago at MulVane.
SON OF THOMAS SAGE
Nine Years Old and Made to
Beg Thousands of Dollars.
TRAVELLED OVER THE WEST
Escaped From Imposter at
NeIiegh, Neb.-- Sent Home.
TRAVELLED OVER THE WEST

Little Eddie Sage, years old. sick and
almost worn out from a long trip al
over the western United States. arrived
home ca the Missouri Pacific train sun
Gay afternoon from Kansas city, after en
absence of over two years. Little Eide
has history that probably no other lad
Of his age ever had. He was kidnapped
, two years ago lost March by an old man
named Isaac Oliver Copeland. and made
TO Deg. During the two Years absence
ne has Travelled over 1000 miles and col
lected as many, and probably more dol
lars for the man who had him under his
control. Old man Copeland campalgned
IN every state in the west, and the little
fellow was made 10 beg in the halls OF
the legislature in other public buildings.
on the streets and in every conceivable
, place. While he made all the money ne
returned home penn!Iess and with marks
on his back caused i5y the cruel lash OF
the man, who would whip him when he
did not do a good job Of begging. From
morning until night and from night until
morning. for two long, weary years the
little fellow was made to 90 out among
strangers and solicit aims 10 amass a
fortune for this migrate. Under threats
OF death Ae was compelled to obey.
A few weeks ago, after making numer-
Gus unsuccessful attempts TO release him
self from the clutches Of Copeland. he
hid in an cat bin in a livery stable at
Neigh. Neb., until ne had a chance to
elude his master.
Going to the police officers, he told
them that Copeland was not his father
and that he was fake and had by a
system Of begging realized thousands Of
dollars Copeland skipped out and the
boys parents were communicated with,
which led to his return home.
Although he was IN cne second grade in
The city schools here before he was kid
mapped, Eddie now can neither read nor
write, and he can hardly recognize his
letters, which he learned at school Yet
he Is q bright little fellow and can "a
member nearly every place he had been
during his absence and the dates he was
there Being associated altogether with
men he has ways several years his senior
and uses language the same and lust as
nuently as a grown-up person. He told
MS story to a reporter for the Eagle in
q straightforward and upright manner. a
recital Of the kidnapping and the hap
penings afterward are as follows;
Eddie Sage is the son OF Mr.. Thomas
SAGE. who resides at 1910 fremont street
Two years ago Copeland was farming
an s0-acre farm near Mulvane which he
obtained by marrying woman. shortly
afterwards he lost the place by reason
Of clause in the deed that when the
woman married the property should go
10 her son. Mr.. Sage being a poor man
his 13-year-old daughter was compelled
to work out and she was employed bv
Copeland Little Eddie was with her 10
keep her company. Copeland was cruel
TO the girl and she left him. but her
brother was persuaded to remain When
Copeland lost the place he hitched a team
II horses 10 a covered wagon and left.
taking Eddie with him and leaving his
wife behind. The boy tried 70 get away
from him, but it was in vain.
It was several weeks before Mr.. Sage
missed his boy. and klen it was too late
10 do any good, as ~ one known where
or in what direction Copeland had gone.
Mr.. Sage being a poor man. his search
was limited TO advertising. Sheriff SIM
mons sent out hundreds Of postal cards
but the Kidnapped boy could not be To-
Gated,
Their mode % travelling was confined
exclusively TO the wagon. and their first
trip was 10 Missouri and then down 70
Arkansas and Indian Territory ana Ok
l1homa. and up again into Kansas. A
year ago last March they were in To-
p-6a and the boy begged from the Of
fcers and employees in the caritol build
fr-e =
mode Of operating was the same as
adopted by ali professional begEars The
hoy was made 10 say that Copeland was
his father that he was sick and ont of
money. and that they were trying 70 set
70 relatives about ten miles distant. and
Would YOU please help a Ittle for "a
Their and myself To get something to eat
and % buy a-lit,le corn for the horses - !
This worked upon the sympash.es % I
many. ana when kept up dsy IN and dav
cut hundred dollars were soon obtain /
ed. At some places the city officers would /
give them money The 0~5yident inststu (
uons were called un1n ana clothing FIR /
the boy and man were given with re- !
Crets that they could do 10 more Eddie /
saws they had more clothing than thev
knew what 10 do with and that thew
t-i provisions 70 give away. The boy 4
himself had three suits Of new clothing
that were given him by merchants on the (
read but old man Copeland would not lat .
him wear them and compelled him n 1
about in RAGS. sometimes without even I
hal. n make the preteNt that they
were 9+rnjiess more effective.
They vent down 20 New Mexico
th-rusa- Colorado. and whils IL was not /
tie intention n STAY IN one place more I
then 5-v the larger cities afforded a
V--r scope FIR operations. and they re
NAMED 90 Denver during which time he
'esSed $50 They operated in Nebraska
"ect over che Black Hills Of Dakota.
and crossed che Great American Desert
III CAN'T 'rnia E6die saws he got lets ~
money. and although Copeland would !
spend 6uts little money he did manage
% 'open an his heart'- - the extent that
he spent enough ~ his in-gotten gains
10 take an ocean vovaga on the Pacific (
The old man hardly tx his eyss of The
boy during lhe whole time they wee TO-
ge.her They sle9. iu rha waeo, winter
and summer and always together. on
several occasions or the road wbe, Eddie !
failed = hes as much rs The ola mar
thaBEht he should Copeland severely
beat him with club. He was almost
dead, hut 10 was compelled ~ hsr lust
the same During the night before the
hoy accustomed n that kind Ola life
he wculi cry and sob On his humble bs5
bat TIE cd man would soon silence aim
with a blow. On the return % the east
COPELAND sold his team and wago4 at