The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1900-10-07
FOUND LOST SON
WITH A CIRCUS.
Missing Boy. Starring as an Aero
bat Under Assumed Name. May
Return to His Home.
SPECIAL

REPUBLIC SPECIAL.
San Francisco. Cal. Oct. s.-"Rilly Stew
art" is the name hat appears in big let
tiers Of the programmes Of a circus that IS
in town. Billy Stewart" is the boy aero
bat. and a wonder in his way. though the
story is afioat that "Eilly Stewart" Ia none
other than Il Portland boy who has been
missing for some TIM. and that he is the
son of a Hebrew family by the name or
Hickman.
When Billy was a little boy he went TO
the circus with his mother ana the man
who wore gaily striped tights and could
walk on his hands quite az Well as his feet
Was a marvel whom Ia tried long hours Ia
initiate.
Now every afternoon and evening a hand
some. nuScElarly built ynung man daZZl"-
the large audiences by his clever acrobatic
work. He turns sumersaults and makes
daring leaps with the ease and grace OF a
tried professional performer and accepts the
applause Of the "nlOokers with the nom
chalance of an artist.
II the statement made yesterday to See
rotary NJ. j. White of the California So
ciety for the Prevention of Cruelty TO
Children, by Mrs. r. WeinAcin of l5B GisS-
ling stree; be true, the star performer is the
long-lost son of the i~iackmann's. Il we'll
known Hebrew iamil" II Portland. ore.
Secretary White has been asked to investi-
gate the matter. and n" has detailed Pu-
liceman Alexander 1" interview the young
man. According to the story told by the
man. a tinge of romance is I'm the life Of
the knight of the hipppdIome and five
hinged show. Eleven years ago hefwaS "a
SCHOOL fDT III tDftiiDN, tpfs- MS parents
were well to DO, and INDUCED his UhinIs and
wishes. \ circus struck the town ON. day
and along with other lads he watched the
preparations for the opening prrfurrnan,.
He was so imbUed with the Joys of circus
life that ne decided to run away from home.
He was aided in his plan by a member of
IA troupe of tumblers. who saw in him a
likely recruit TO the acrobltic ranks. The
circus folded its tents the next day and left
the city. taking with it ii- HackInann boy.
who was then but II years Of age.
Every effort WAS made by the aistrapfs!
parents 10 gain OF their miss
ing boy Money was spent. but without
avail. No trace could he had of him.
From time to time the parents. who had
not given up the search for their son.
learned that he was in the East with Il
circus. They sent Inquiries, but Were [oil,I
in their efforts. A few years ago thu boy.
row grown ard a finished performer. ap-
peared with a circus In Portland. ore. and
friends Of the tfaCknlInn family Thought
they saw in the clever performer the miss
ing boy. They informed the parents. but
again they were isappointed. as the circus
longing eyes on their son.
When the Ringing circus reached this
city 1t brought among Its larg" aggregation
billy Stewart" The still
hopeful that their missing hoy was in tho
show. wrote to Mrs. WeinStein and appealed
TO her 10 30 10 the circus ana learn if he
was their son. The lady carried out their
wish and had n personal interview with rh.
young man. He denied that he was a lie
brew. but admitted that he did not remem-
Der who his father and mother Were. Fur
Their admissions made to Mrs. Weinstein
and his close reSembla nee to The youuy
man she rocked on her knee in Infancy
strengthened her belief that H. was the
prodigal. She stated to Secretary Whit.
that The young man was snthusis site over
his work and refused to admit his parentaee
for fear they might take him. away from the
life he found so FASCINATING.
1t is thought that Mr.. and Mrs Hack
mann Will come to this city and learn II
billy Stewart. the clever acrobat, is their
long-lost boy.