Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1900-10-26
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Charles City Authorities vsstigat.
ing . Peculiar Case d Neglect
and Cruelty.
Ten Year Old Orphan Turned Adrift
In Ainnessta Wanders Into
Northern Iowa
Believed That Guardian is Schemjng
to Get Possession Of Boys
Property.
Special to rimes-Republlcan.

us
Charles City, Oct. 26-A lad who
claims to be from near Minneapolis
stood before the city authorities IN this
place yesterday and told pitiful tale,
q story that touched even the hearts Of
the officers, who have so often listened
to the mournful tales of weary wan
derers. My name is Eddie Armstrong
and l was 10 years old the 21st of Au-l
gust. Ny home was four miles north
west of Minneapolis, but my father and
mother died a few weeks ago and i
have walked all the way from there.
I am looking for place to stay Thus
spoke the round faced little, fellow as
he stood there and innocently drolled
out his story. He was dirty and poorly
clad. A shirt, ragged coat, pair of
overalls and pair of small copper
toed boots was all that went to make.
up his apparel. With frankness that
bespoke nothing but honesty he
answered the questions and cross
questions as they Were put to him and
his story was the same. According to
1.-the boys tale nis father died six weeks
| ago and his mothers death followed
that of his father by not more than a
week. He was taken to the home of a
neigkbor whose name he says was
| Williams and there he remained till
one day he returned to his home for
some clothing. He was accosted by
ianother neighbor whose name he says
Twas Lou Turner and who asked him to
II .;d 1oI .ir,c nf nj
/ harm, clambered into the buggy and
was carried a long distance from home.
Then, he claims, he was put out of the
buggy by Turner, given 10 cents and
4 told to go seek himself a new home. He
Host his way and has wandered on foot,
occasionally getting ride with a
farmer. till he came to Charles City.
4 According to his tell. little hospitality
exists in the hearts of his fellow beings,
4 as he claims that he has asked for food
4 at as many as four houses before he
4 could receive a bite to eat. Even late
4 at night the little fellow has had to
appeal to the generosity OF several
households before he could obtain
place to sleep.
Lost, in strange country, no friends
4 and no money, the little orphan. who
Idoes not look to be over S years old. has
Wandered along on his journey, with no
/ destination. till he reached this place,
land by his frank honest manner in
5ltel!ing hisstrouble. won friend in the
lefty mayor. Scott Prouty. All that was
A possible was done to confuse the lad,
\ hut he could not be mud died, and as ne
turned his full blue eyes on the face OF
1.-THE mayor and said. Turner arter let
line stay adent he?" his truthftilness
i was established to all who heard him.
4 He told how many cows. hogs. etc,
were on his fathers farm. and conclud-
ed his enumeration by saying: here
4 were eight mich cows. Ny father milk
ed three. my mother MIXED three and I
lmilked two His accuracy in figures
drought forth the question as to wheth-
! er or not he had ever attended school.
He had. He was in the third reader,
i and hs teachers name was Maud Hub
lizard. He seems to have formed in his
mind the idea that Turner wished to
sIhave the farm and property for himself.
From the boys looks and speech he has
Il Norwegian blood In him. When asked
lie his father was Norwegian he said:
sl."Well, that is what they called him
sometimes He spoke Norwegian. In
1.-THE consultation room of the mayors
|oftice the little fellow was put in tub
SIof water and given bath. His ragged
5|clothing was put aside and clean under-
4 clothes, a bran new suit and shoes and
4 stockings were given him by the local
lorder of Elks. He is now being cared
u for in private family till his future
s lean be determined. The local authori-
tiles have sent word to legal authorities
lin Minneapolis to look up the case. II
the child's story is true. and there is nc
treason to doubt 1T, evidence points to-
ward a malicious intent on the part OF
some one to wrong him and rid his
4 property from him. The boy is exceed
lingly bright and 1t is plain to see that
The has been Well brought up by his par
tents, who died 50 suddenly and left him
!. to battle alone.
Robbed the Grave.
A startling incident is narrated b,
y! 4.>f