The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1922-07-28
news OF his LONG
lost SON IS TONIC.
FATHER RELIEVED OF PAIN
RECEIPT OF LETTER
EVENT AT SLEEPY EYE
S. S. Riggs Injured On Railroad,
Given Large Measure of
Joy Also
Especial to The Free Press.l

Sleepy Eye, July 26.-If you were
tossing or bed Of pain, your nerves
fairly swapping as you Try to ind
an easier position, and the mail
man should stop and leave you a
letter bringing Information about
your son, who disappeared when he
was eleven years OF age and you
had given him up as dead, would
you forget your aches in the eXu-
perance of your Joy? Well, this is
an experience that happened to
Sleepy Eye citizen.
S. S. Riggs. while assisting on
the west section Of the railway,
Saturday, had the misfortune to fall
down an embankment and badly
his leg. The pain was excruclanng
and when he was taken home was
almost more. than he could stand.
That afternoon the letter came from
his son, and the joy that only
parent can experience, was reflected
on his face as a reporter made him
a visit.
Nine years ago the family resided
in Madison, Wis. One day the r.
TIC eleven year old son, the pride
and joy OF his fathers heart, left
nome. A few years ago Mr., Riggs
moved to Sleepy Eye and all track
of the son was lost. Mr.. Riggs
learned that he mad enlisted in the
since then all trace of him was lost.
The young man enlisted at Chi
cago, and. went into training at
Camp Grant, Rockford, Ill. He was
among the first to be ssend overseas
and spent many months in the,
trenches. He was a drummer OF
much ability and played in some Of
the leading army organizations in
the army and navy. Upon receiV-
ing his discharge he played with
the Chicago Symphony orchestra.
lion Dollar band. While a member
or this organization he visited
Sleepy Eye, and the paths Of father
and son crossed but without the
knowledge of either Mr.. Riggs, who
is also a drummer and was a mem
Der of the Sleepy Eye band, was
much impressed with the playing
OF the Sa:aS drummer, and there
was something in his appearance
that impressed him as being fami-
liar, and although he endeavored to
speak to him4 after the concert he
was unable to do so owing to the
great crowd of people.
The young man by writing to rel
atives in Wisconsin after couple
of years finally located the where
abouts- of his father, and when he
learned that his home was here re-
called his visit with the Million Dol
lar band. When he read the letter
Mr.. Riggs remembered distinctly
the incident and how impressed he
was with his playing.
The young man whose name is
Leslie Kenneth is now stationed at
Lake Field Aviation Station, Homo
luIu. and is a member of the Twen-
ty-third Bombing Squadron, having
re enlisted in the service OF his
Uncle Samuel.
Father and son are both looking
forward to the time when they may
again meet. 1t will be a reunion
full of joy and happiness. Mr.: Riggs
injury gives him great pain, but the
memory of the little lad who still
is the little boy to him, seems to
ease the aches and help him con.
valesce.
It's a long way from Sleepy Eye
TO the .Yokon. When one thinks of
the Yukon it brings up the pictures
of ice bergs, polar bears, miners
panning for gold and the silver
hordes" Rex Reach wrote about.
Few indeed, are those who have
visited the barren wastes of the far
northern country. Such a trip is
considered a real adventure. Two
Sleepy Eye parties, DR.. A. R. Strick-
Ter and Matt Youngman, left the
first of the week, on a hunting trip
to the Yukon, where they will go
after big game They left in MI.
Youngman's Stutz and will travel
in the car as far as they can, when
they will finish the trip in the rough
country on horse back and by dog
team In northern Saskatchewan
they will be joined by a Mr.. Frost,
an inhabitant of the far north, and
a guide who is thoroughly familiar
with the country in the Yukon ter
ritory. The trip is one that WILDE
very interesting and greatly enjoyed
nv Messrs Stricken and Youngman.
However, it will not be Tree from
hazards, as there will be many
hardships encountered, as we'll as
full of dangers. Both gentlemen
are dead shots and their Sleepy Eye
friends expect them to bring back
many trophies of their trip to the
far north -