ABDUCTED TO AMERICA.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2518, 3 June 1909, Page 4

ABDUCTED TO AMERICA.

A BOY’S ADVENTURE

Extraordinary scenes were witnessed in the Darnell district of Sheffield recently when Johnny Whitnear, the longlost child of Mr and Mrs V hit-near, was brought home by his elder brother, who went to America to find him. In 1904 Johnny, who was only four years old, was kidnapped by a neighbor, Henry Ross, who had conceived a strong attachment for the child. The two disappeared, and tho distressed relatives made an unavailing search in all parts of the country. it was not until a few weeks ago that definite information was received by the police that Ross and the kidnapped boy were in Newark, New Jersey. The Wkitnears are in poor circumstances, but they scraped together sufficient money to send their eldest son, William, to America, where occurred a dramatic meeting between William and his younger brother. Ross wept when the boy was taken from him.

A great amount of local interest was shown in the affair, and the boy’s return, in company with his over-joyed mother, who had gone to Liverpool to meet the Mauretania, on which vessel lie came back to this country, was a veritable triumph. The entire population of the neighborhood turned out to see him, and the streets were decorated with hundreds of banners, on many of which appeared the words “Welcome home.” Numerous flags, including the Stars and Stripes, were also displayed. Thousands of spectators were present when the cab containing Johnny .and liis mother and brother entered Woodbourn Road, and the crowd cheered loudly as the boy was taken into the house. They insisted, however, upon getting another glimpse of him, and the delighted father had to take him to the door and raise him in his arms to exhibit him once more. The scene of enthusiasm lasted for some minutes.