The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1909-06-12
BACK H0NE:
After an Absence of Thirty.
Three Years or More
FINDS LOST FATHER

| Wilson SCarbOrO, OF B1SNOpYllIe, -.
c., Goes to Statesboro, Ga, and
Takes His long Lost Parent Back
to the Old Home-OId Man Bore
the Mamie OF z Baker.
A letter from Statesboro, Ga, 10
the Augusta Chronicle tells q most
remarkable story. The letter says
after fruitless search for the where
abouts of his father for thirty-three
years, during which time his estate
is said TO have been administered
ON by members of the family, Will
son Scarboro, a resident OF Bishop
Vile, S. c., came to this county last
Sunday and carried his father back
10 his South Carolina home to spend
his declining years.
r. Scarboro, the father, came to
this county twenty years ago and
adopted the name of r. Baker, first
making his home on the farm OF
Sol. Atkins, and later with the Al
lens until recently he took up his
place Of abode on the farm of Tom
Moore at Email, near Bryan county,
where his son found him. Domestic
troubles are said to have been the
cause Of his leaving his home in
South Carolina. Before he came
to Bulloch county he spent thirteen
years within hundred miles of his
home and was successful in keeping
his wife and four sons from learn
ing his whereabouts.
Some time ago it is said travel
ing man happened to run across Mt.
Scarboro, or Baker, as he was known
here, and when he went back to
Bishopville be told one Of the sons
that he had seen and spoken to his
father. The traveller remembered
the name of Mr.. John NJ. Jones, q
hardware dealer, and told the son
TO write to Mr. Jones for informa-
tion. which the son did. giving de-
ssription Of his father from which
Mr.. Jones readily applied the descrip-
ton to Baker"
The letter was answered by Mr.
Jones. giving the desired. information.
In some way Mr.. Baker" learned
that Mr.. Jones had written to his
son and it is said the old man did
not relish It very much, evidently
intending to keep his whereabouts
secret until death. Several letters
passed between Air. Jones and the
son in South Carolina and finally the
father was communicated with by
his son and persuaded to consent to
return to his old home and be cared
for the rest OF his life.
| Mr.. Scarboro arrived in Statesbo-
70 Saturday night and proceeded to
Email without making known the OBJ
ject of his visit to any one but Mr..
Jones with whom he had been COM
municating. He stated to Mr.. Jones
that the four sons were still alive,
that each of them were in good tinaD-
cial circumstances and were desirous
OF having their father spend his de-
clining years with them where he
could be cared for. When the son
reached the home of his father al
Enal the meeting is said to have been
loving one, first bandshake and
then throwing their arms around on.
another the two stood there and hug
gcd for some time.
This was on Saturday night and
Sunday morning when they started
for the train they passed through
Jimps, five miles from here and some
time was spent at the home OF WiI)
Atkins while waiting for the Central
train Mr.. Akins was not at home
az the time and when he returned
be walked up and spoke to the fatb-
er and cordially bowed to the SON,
not knowing who he was.
At this time Mr.. Baker" said.
We'll, Will, l have fooled you al;
for twenty years. ] want to intrc
duce you to my son, MF Scarboro.
I am going back TO the old home
with him this morning and will
spend the balance Of my life ther.
with my wife and children. ] have
been away thirty-three years, twenty
years of which have spent In Bull
loch county, where have made many
friends and It IS with regret that
leave DOW, but 1 81. .Lse it Is pep,.
for me-"
Baker" Is well known in States
boro, though his home has always
been in the country near here. Drr
ing his twrnt; years in 2 PIlloch CO :N-
ty it is said he confded in one man
Mr.. Sol Akins, when he first came
here, and told his real name ans
the cause of his leaving home. He
evidently contided in safe man fO>
through score OF years Mr.. Akias
has told no one the old mans So
cret. Baker" is apparently nearing
his allotted time. three score years
and ten. and that he will receive =
loving welcome in his cid home is
evidenced by the continuous search
| It,h inh hnc 10