Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1900-10-04
FOUND THEM IN THE GRAVE.
Story of Youths wanderIngs in Search o
His Parents,

His Parents, |
Philadelphia Times, Sept. 2sth.
"Sir, have hoped aud dreamed that
some day should see my mother and
father, that / might hear their voices
and know them again. 1t has been my
sole ambition ever since | learned that
| had missing father and mother, and
these thoughts have driven me on to
strive harder to to find them. Some.
times | am almost discouraged and
think that my task will never be fin
ished, but the next moment it passes
away and i again am just as eager to
90 on with my search until | ain salts
| fed that they are dead or alive"
There remarks were made by young
barber engaged by John II. Blackburn,
No. ALSO Market street, as he was civ
ing the finishing touches to,a custo-
mer's toilet yesterday.
| The listener was interested, for the
young man had been so civil sand ao-
commodating and had taken psuch in
terest in his work that he, as well as
others, had become attached to the
quiet, neat and intelligent lad who was
evidently still in his teens The man
In the chair resolved to be of service 10
the youth il he could and he asked him
|
Gaining the ready PERMISSION of his
employer, who also appreciates the good
qualiti S of the young man, the latter
related the following interesting story !:
my name is John Falstead, AID L
was born here in Philadelphia, ! am
tlld, and Judge my parents must have
been poor. as l was placed, while very
young. in the Southern Home for
Friendless Children, then at Twelfth
and Fitzwater Streets now at Bread
and Morris streets. When l was 3
years old was given in adoption to
John Vincent of Reliance, Del, who
owns farm of about 100 acres, for.
merry the homestead of the notorious
! FATTY Cannon, who was famous in the
annals of the Diamond State more
than so years ago for her unsayory con
nection with the slave trade. The farm
, is right on the dividing line Of tn,
States of Delaware and Maryland. M!
adopted father treated me well and sen
. me to school and gave me all tht
chances to educate myself that wer'
! offered in that section. As l grew VI
! | was told of my real parentage, and
: have had this desire ever present will
me since.
Zone day my adopted father, afte
. hearing me express my wish to lear
! what became of my folks, said to me
John, l wish l could assist 20
= in your desires. You are now Is and
u as you know, could legally comps
n you to remain with me until you be
!, came of age, but l will let you go
. you desire.
= "Sir, l WAS one of the haEpiest boy
IL alive and after thanking him and hi
d wife over and over again for their man
u kindnesses, came to this city.
~ 1.-The first place | went was tt
VI Southern Home, and made my il
qIiries, but they could give me L
~ information as to my parents wher
i abouts, as it had been SO many yea
Y ago, and there had been such change
u in the home incident to the remova
y, But was not discouraged. learnt
y the barber trade, as | believed it wou
Ut bring me 10 contact with a large nur
a. Der of people, and / have made IL
~ practice to change my location
~ different parts of the CITY frequent
u ever making inquiries and telling n
o. story, thinking that some day shou
i learn something Of my lost parent
ne have kept up the search for TO
leI years now, but / have heard nothi
"a and am Just as far off as ever"
" John Falstead; let me see, said t
ier interested listener, why know m
aY by that name, who actually work
10 right next door to this shop. And NJ
of- / remember, he told me that he "
1er compelled by sickness and want
1.s place his children 10 a home in
'ol southern section of the city, and
ses desire to some day have them bioug
aw back to him. -G.
TO- "Why, was present at your fathe
, and mothers marriage at the iii
church up the street here. | alw;
VI liked him, and we were always &c
ue, friends. But, my boy, am sorry
~ tell you, but your father and mott
lne did not live long after you were gil
Ail- to tho home, and l will take you
"a their graves in the Blockley Bapt
OF Church yard if you DESIRE"
ot There was perceptible culver Of
wv. lirs, moisture of the eye, and
ent sound of a half-choked sob, and
listener knew that John Falstead
,rh- at least heard from his parents.