Evening journal., 1911-06-23
KIDNAPPED
40 YEARS AGO
Man Telling Strange Tale
Wants to Meet Relatives
in Wilmington
SAYS INDIANS STOLE
HIM FROM HOME HERE

Unfolding a story which read more
like fiction than one from real life,
sunburned, strapping big man,
miner, excited the sympathy of Sec
retary Malcolm, of the Board of Health
and other attaches of that office today.
The man who is II years old and who
gave his name as James Grant told of
having been kidnapped in this city
forty years ago by band of Cherokee
Indians. He was but one year old at
that time. Years afterward he realized
that he was OF different blood than the
Indians with whom he lived in Nevada,
but he remained with them twenty
years, learning their language and
way of living. While he realized he had
been kidnapped, he hadn't the least
idea where his parents were.
The first clue to his identity he said
came to him in Tonopah where he was
employed as a miner. He, with some
others, we're seated about a hotel re-
lating stories when one Of those in
the party whose name Grant did not
give, told the assemblage of a kidnap-
ping which he said happened in Will
mington forty years ago. He said the
child stolen was named Blondell and
band of Cherokee Indians picked him
up as they passed through the city
The father and mother of the child
later died in the West where they had
gone IN search of their son.
The narrator said that the child
had a birth mark on the right side of
his nose, and Grant has just such
mark He told the man who was
telling the story that he had been kid
mapped and the child that was stolen
must be himself
Grant came to Wilmington in hope
of locating his people, and with the
assistance of Mn Malcolm learned
that Charles Blondell, who must have
been his grandfather died at the age
of so years. at No. 412 Shipley street,
on April IL. 1892.
Grant said be learned that he also
had an aunt named Blondell, who was
married IN this city thirty-five years
ago, and he was anxious to learn the
name of her husband and whether
she is still living
Grant made the startling announce
ment that he and another miner had
a gold bearing claim staked out in
New Mexico, for which he and his
partner had refused S1S0,O00. He
UIUuuJtu a uDluAAEAi AcouNA ~ NtAaA
State showing the existence of the
claim, and as further proof produced
a bag of gold nuggets. The gold was
still in the quartz and is in abundant
evidence
Grant said he was given his name
by the Indians. He is well educated,
but his appearance betokens the hard
life of a miner. He was attired like
a workingman
The man frequently wept as he re-
lated the story of his life to his in
terested auditors in Mr. Malcom's Of
fee. The latter promised to assist
him in every way. As records of mar
riages were not kept as far back as
the time of the marriage of the mans
aunt it was impossible TO learn the
womans marriage name through that
source.
DR.. J. p. Pyle attended Charles
Blondell before the latter's death and
Grant was referred to that physician
in the hope that he might be able &c
give him some information of value.
Grant visited the Court House pre-.
vious to calling on Mr.. Malcom. Al.
fred Vandever said that years ago he
knew of a family named Blondell who
lived here. Police Captain Thomas
z. Kane also said he knew the Blon'
dell family years ago. Captain Kane
said the Blondells have not lived here
for years.