The evening Republican., 1902-09-08
RETURNS AFTER
TWO YEARS,

Philadelphia, Sept. s. After hav
ing myste,iously disappeared from
home two years ago and after the
police had searched for him In vain
all over the country. young Amo.
Shallcross, Of 57O4 Keystone street,
Wissinomins, walked calmly Into
that village yesterday morning.
Although he had not seen any Of
his relatives for two years, and al.
though his mother 10 rapidly failin 9
In health because Of her uncertainty
as to her sons fate the boy did not
60 home.
He was found by Hugh Smith, a
former playmate. standing outside
the camp OF the First Battalion OF
Philadelphia City Guards. a negro
organization. In camp at the foot Of
Homestead street.
Young Smaller oss was interested In
the soldiers and did not ses young
Smith. The latter could scarcely bs.
lleve his own eyes. as the general be.
lief 10 Wissinomlng was that the boy
was dead. He looked again and a.
gain and then went up to him and
said
Hello. Amos, when did you got
back?'
IA little while ago." answered the
boy indiAerentlv.
After questioning him further,
young Smith learned that Amos had
not yet been home.
ppm afraid to 60 home," Amos
said; "They might not know me-"
Fearing that the boy might again
disappear. Smith called several play.
mates and whispered to them to stay
with Amos while he ran to the Shall.
cross home.
When he told his news there the
family was almost Frustrated.
Mrs, Shallcross was overcome and
unable to 60 10 her son.
Ida ShaIlcross, an older sister, &c
companIed young Smith to the camp.
and ran most Of the way. Amos had
his back turned when she arrived,
but the girl recognized him.
"Ob, that's Amos" she sobbed.
"He's much larger and stouter, but
l know him.
She ran toward him, and as he
colby greeted her she fell forward
in FAINT. Several persons ran to
her assistance and revived her. As
soon as she regained consciousness
she burst int tears and could not
speak.
Friends took brother and sister
home.
What occurred when the boy met
his mother Is not known, as Mrs.
refuses to see any one. 1t
is said she 10 very III, and that a
physician 10 In attendance
Young Amos who takes the
whole affair ,ndiffe:ently, said that
HE relatives and the police were
searching the country for him he
was in Baltimore. where he declares
he has been all the time. He refuses
10 say with HON or why he went
away. His family will not allow
any one to see him.
The boy, who was Is years old at
the time Of his disapps is
heir to 100000. Until he con.
sents to tell OF his wanderings the
case will probably b enshrouded
in mystery.
Amos disappeared on October II,
1900. He had been sent on an errand
by his mother, and after his return
be started, presumably. for school.
He never re ached there. and no word
was ever received regarding him.
although every large newspaper in
the country told ofhis disappearance
and the police In every large city
searched for him.
The frat theory advanced to &C.
count for tue boys disappearance
was that Of kidnapping, because OF
the large sum of money that the boy
would inherit. Time went by aud as
no demands for ransom were received
the theory was abandoned
His mother, whose heart was
almost broken, spent large su ms OF
money In having every possibl clue
nvestIgated,
One Of the most reasonabl theories
was that tue boy, who had love
for water, went to sea. A telegram
was received by the ia mily that the
boy bad been seen GU the wharves IN
Jersey City.i An investigation was
which proved fruitless.
The distracted mother gave up
hope Of seeing her boy again. A
year ago Mrs Shallcross. ia 40
interview with a North American
said:
II do not believe I shall ever see
him again. II he 10 alive why
doesn't he write to me. would
rather be were dead than this awful
A reward Of 5000 had been offered
BY the family Tor Inform alton Of the
boys wherea bouts.
The return Of the boy was the
sole topic Of discussion In the north.
western section Of the city yesterday.
The Shallcrosses were we'll
known. Mrs. Ida De V. shallcross.
the boys mother, is the widow Of a
wealthy manufacturer. She has
one grown son AID grown daugh.
ter. Besides saying that he was
in Baltimore while away, all Amos
will say, 10:
III don't see what they are max.
ing such fuss about