Omaha daily bee., 1909-04-04

Few girls ever have such an experience
in life as this one. She was the youngest
OF five children. The father and mother
were poor people in Indiana. but sustained
the reputation OF honest. hard working
people. When Dolly was ( years OF age
her father. with a desire to better the con-
dition OF the family. made a trip to the
west to locate a homestead.
While he was gone a fire broke out in
their humble home and all their goods and
clothing were burned. Neighbors assisted
In taking care OF the family temporarily
and a theatrical woman named Andrews
took advantage Of the situation and kid
mapped the little girl and started on a long
tour OF performances. Upon the return OF
the father every effort was made TO find
the child. Neighbors contributed funds and
long journeys were taken to various sec
lions Of the country, but the search was
futile.
Ten years went by, during which time
father and mother, two sisters and two
brothers were constantly grievine. Al the
end OF ten years a telephone message came
to the Child Saving institute requesting the
superintendent to come to the city Jail to
take charge OF little Dolly Andrews. as
Mrs. Andrews had been taken after a per-
Torrance to st. Joseph's hospital very III
and died in the hospital. As far as the
police authorities could ascertain there was
no one Interested in Dolly and no one who
could give any information about her. She
wss taken from the police court to the
county judges office and the institute was
given guardianship.
Inquiry was made OF her about her poo
pie. She gave the name of a man in
indian who was her uncle. A telegram
was sent, but never reached this man. The
operator at that station remembered that
ten years previous to that a little girl by
the name of Dolly Richards had been kid
mapped and also knew that the father and
mother wore living in another portion OF
Indiana, and he sent a message to them
informing them that a little girl called
Dolly Andrews had been left in Omaha
with the Child Saving institute and re-
quested the father to write a letter Of
inquiry. When the letter came from the
father the girl was questioned concerning
the strange information contained in the
letter. She said that Mrs. Andrews. the
woman who died in the hospital, was her
mother and that she had no relatives by
the name of Richards. She has no re-
membrance of the circumstance connected
with her life previous to the kidnapping
A complete description was given Of
Dolly and again the father wrote insisting
the circumstances in the case as described
and the description OF the child made him
believe II was their own Dolly. When this
letter was shown TO Dolly she was greatly
disturbed by It and cried and insisted that
Mrs. Andrews was her own mother. and
she knew that she would have told her
II II were not so. II was learned that Mrs.
Andrews father resided in Kansas City,
and the superintendent took the train for
Kansas City and found the old man. After
spending two hours with him the superin-
tendent gained his confidence and when
the question was asked him whether Dolly
was his own grandchild he admitted she
was not. Then he was asked where Mrs.
Andrews secured the little girl and he re-
Piled thai a family by the name Of Rich
ards was broken IN In Indiana when the
little child was only 4 years OF age and
she was given to his daughter for adoption.
This was sufficient evidence to make 1t
clear. This Information from Mrs. An
hrcws' father was submitted to Dolly,
Which made 4 very deep impression upon
her mind. IN the meantime Mr.. Richards
had been requested to send photographs
Of himself and wife and the other children.
When they came the family resemblance
was very marked and after two months
OF investigation and submission Of evil
derce to Dolly size was convinced that Mrs.
Andrews who died ir the hospital was not
her mother. but that her own father and
mother, John Richai DIS and his wife. were
living in Indiana with two sisters and
brothers.
Most affectionate and loving letters were
received from father and mother and
sisters and brothers with reference to her
return. Arrangements were completed for
the restoration of the lost child and when
they met In the Union depot in Chicago
! strangers watching the scene were so
! moved that tears were seen in all eyes.
One man who stood by and saw 1t turned
away with the statement that no living
person could be 50 hard hearted as not
TO shed tears witnessing such a reunion
Another man who saw this and learned
that the Child Saving institute had been
the means OF bringing this about said, III
that institute never does anything else for
five years this one thing accomplished is
worth the entire cost Of five years ex-
/ penfA"