The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1906-10-26
Judge LOughray Writes From
New Mexico
ANSWERS The DESCRIPTION
Wandering Stranger Leaves Boy Who
Looks Like Photograph of
Cecil Britain.

That Cecil Brittan, the year old
son of Mr.. and Mrs. R. l.. Britain.
who was lost or kidnapped in the
vicinity Of the Toll Gate, on or about
July 10 last, is still alive and that
there is probability of his being
returned to his parents in Walla
Walla, is the news conveyed in a let
ter received by George w. Babcock
from Judge Lowell Loughary, of
Albuquerque, New Mexico.
According to information received
from Albuquerque, says the Union,
man arrived in the city several weeks
ago with small boy. He stated
that the child's parents were dead
aud wanted some family to adopt The
boy and take care of hlm. The boy
was received into home near that
place, where he now is, but was not
adopted.
Lowell Loughary, who was formerly
county Judge of Yamhill county, Ore
gon, but who is now practicing law in
Albuquerque, had learned of the
mysterious disappearance of Cecil
Brittan and instituted an inyestiga-
tion regarding the identity of the
child brought to the Mexican city.
He sent to Walla Walla for photo
graph of Cecil, and after receiving
the same visited the boy and satisfied
himself that the story told by the man
who claimed to be his guardian, was
untrue and that the little fellow was
the original of the picture which had
been received from Walla Walla.
Mr.. Loughary is an old acquaint-
ance of George w. Babcock, of Walla
Walla, and the latter states that the
judge was formerly county Judge of
Yamhill county, Oregon, and that he
Is reliable attorney.
Following is a copy of the letter re-
ceived by Mr.. Babcock:
Albuquerque, N. M, Oct. 19.
George W. Babcock, Walla Walla,
Wash.
My dear old friend: After saying
that it has been many years since
heard from you, and that l am in my
usual state of preservation, will say
that | desire to make an inquiry
through you On July 15 last a boy
was taken from R. L. Brittan, who
resides at your place, though the boy
was taken from place called Toll
Gate. Umatilla county, Oregon.
Brittau advertises $1,000 for the dis
covery or recovery of the child.
Without donDt, the child is iu New
Mexico, aud not very far from
Albuquerque, where reside. l have
seen the child aud have had Others see
it, and from photograph sent M Q
direct from its parents am quite
satisfied that the child is here.
Now, of course, there is a business
side;of the matter to me. and that is
simply can Mr.. Brittan respond in
case we have the child. l have al
ready spent some money in the matter
aud will spend more in case / am sat
isfed that the reward is forthcoming.
Kindly give me this information if
you can do so, and in SO doing expect
you to save yourself from becoming a
guarantor on assuming any liability
in the matter, but simply give me
your opinion. Oblige,
Very truly yours,
L. LOUGHARY.
Fol merly of McMinnville, Ore.
number of letters have Teen re-
ceived by the boys parents from
parties in every section of the United
States making inquiry in regard to the
description of the boy aud the oircum-
stances of his disappearance and sug
gesting thst they might be able to
give some information as to his where
abouts, but the letter of Mr.. Loughary
contains what might be termed the
only information OF a definite char
acter.
II Mr.. Loughary is successful in
securing Cecil Britain there is no
doubt but what the $1,000 for the re-
ward can be raised. Even in the
event that Mr.. Brittan did not have
the money, there are enough interested
citizens in Walla Walla who would
gladly contribute enough to make up
the necessary amount if the child is
produced.
AAaaIIA IIan nrI7rn IkIl1AHEN