Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-10-22
AsLEEP on CHURCH sTEPs

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ASLEEP ON CHURCH STEPS
At midnight on September 70, 1914, a
policeman passing st. Patricks Ca
thedral, on 5th avenue, New York, found
q little boy about four years old and
dressed in a blue sailor suit sleeping on
the steps. His eyes we're red with cry
ing when the policeman awoke him.
The boy was taken to police station
and the name Austin McCleary was found
sewed in his clothing. He said he lived at
6s4 or IS Broad street, Philadelphia, and
that he had a sister named Gwendolyn
Mary. No trace was found of his parents
by the police at the addresses given.
His picture was published in the New
York and Philadelphia papers, but as
time wore on the mystery of his parent
age deepened. He was committed to st.
Christopher's Methodist Episcopal Home
for Children at Dobbs Ferry, N. Y, in
October of the same year as John Doe,
No. 104, alias Austin McCleary.
The blue eyes and faxen hair of the
boy. . coupled with his excellent manners,
attracted Mrs Shepard on a visit to the
home, She took3 him to her estate on,
visit in February, when he was compelled
TO remain for some weeks because of a
mild attack ef.chicISen. pox. The boys
charms, stole her affections during the
enforced stayCf s-s1 5%S -.
BOY BROUGHT HERE.
The story of how money and time were
not spared in the search for the young
ster's parents after Mr.. and Mrs Shep-
ard became interested in him was told
todaaSsby Joseph MaeGregor .Mitcheson,
an attorney in the Stock Exchange Build
ing, who represented Mr. Shepard. After
a psychologist. who went TO live with
the boy, had determined beyond a rea-
sonable doubt that he was well-born, the
mysterious John Roe. 1O4' was brought
TO this city and placed in charge of Mr..
Mitcheson last January, The attorney
engaged Hampton G. Silcox, of 1922
Hunting Park avenue. a former investi-
gator for the Philadelphia Rapid Transit
Company. Silcox and the boy were al
most constantly i'm each others company
for two weeks, during which they visited
many houses on Broad street, some "wif
gwass around them" as the boy had
described his home. and some "wif brick
in front" as he described it at other
times. One big house on North Broad
street attracted his attention and he
identified it as his home. But he was
mistaken.
when taken to an ear specialists Of
fee to have his ears treated he showed
amazing familiarity with the equipment
of the office" said Mr.. Mitcheson. This
led to an investigation OF ear specialists
offices in the hope he would be Identified.
but without result The boy has excep-
tional mental development and displays
wonderfully good breeding. There is no
doubt in my mind that he comes from an
excellent family"
Mr.. Shepard received today the con-
gratulations Of many friends on the crea-
tion of Finley j. Shepard, Jr.
ADOPTION NO EXPERIMENT."
THE lad is our son in every sense of
the word" he said. "Our adopting him
is in no sense an experiment. We
adopted the boy because we love him and
because we wanted TO have boy. He
will be my heir.
I'VE didn't really discover Finley, Jr.
He was found by our little nieces MAR
garet, Il, and Dorothy. l2. daughters OF
Frank Could. AS / remember IT, about
six months ago the girls came back from
a visit TO the home fairly bubbling over
with Joy at having found the boy. They
picked him out of the 200 or 800 other
children and finally drew Mrs. Shepard
and myself to see him. We fell in love
with him. at first sight, and in the last six
nionthsfhe has spent much Of the time at
our home. wa
Il engaged many private detectives to
trace, II possible his parents. They tried
for months 10 find out something OF hts
past life and failed. Personally, believe
the parents are dead"
Mr. Shepard said he anticipated no
trouble about possible relatives Of the
boy. He intimated that they were pre-.
pared TO hght any attempts 10 take him
away from them, and hinted that It was
a criminal offense for parents TO aban-
don a child as young Finley was left on
the steps Of 81. Patrieks Cathedral.
WILL HAVE EVERY ADVANTAGE.
1 "The boy will have every advantage l
Gan give him. But there viii be no molly
,ddlins or anything like that. He is, ]
We've, the most remarkable S-year-old
| Z8ster / ever saw-full OF life and
~ Intelligent. He gives every evidence
~ haging come from = good family.
-'Ju6 now he's a regular young botan-
ist. He spends most OF his time out OF
doors. chasing butterflies and collecting
leaves"
shepard was asked whether he planned
4 railroad career for the boy.
rNo. not especially" he said. Both
Mrs Shepard and myself believe a youth
should follow his natural bent or course.
would Be elad 10 have him select q
railroad career. but that Il 70 a large
extent up 70 him.
AZ : possible college 70 which Finley,
IT.. MAJ 50 when he 4 old enough. 6hep-
arc saId ne had q leaning toward Trinity
"A vas not able 70 graduate from there
I1e1|l hf said. "bul the boy will"
HIIII1 I1I1 r na1 not been decided
. |..| |I| II ..III The boy 10 = uUHIIn