MYSTERSOUS AFFAIR AT BELFAST.

Evening Post, Volume LXXIII, Issue 70, 23 March 1907, Page 9

MYSTERSOUS AFFAIR AT BELFAST.

A Belfast lad named Samuel Atcheson, aged eleven, who had been niissincr since Christmas Eve, when he left the residence of his parents (who are natives of tha Wcot ot Scotland) to get some holly for aecorating purposes, was found on tha evening of Sunday, 29th December, in the attic of nn enyuy house in Albert Bridge-road, under mysterious circumstances. The bay, when discovered, was go far gone from hunger and exposure that it was at first believed he was dead. He was just alive and no more, and next day he was still semi-unconscious. Although* almost half of Ballymacarrett was searched by the police and his distracted relatives,i his whereabouts couid not be located till Sunday, when ho was discovered at No. 043 Albert Bridge-road. This house is at present vacant, and is situated a Httle more than a hundeid and fifty yards from whore the lad'? parents reside. Om the Sunday evening a draper named Jamieson, residing next dooT, heard sounds as of faint rapping from the vacant house. At first no attention wns paid to the noises, as it was presumed that a tramp had sought shelter from the snowstorm and was breaking sticks for a fire. The noises were, however, repeated, and fancying that the supposed J tramp had been taken ill, Jamieson gained access to the yard, and, the kitchen door being merely ou tho latch, explored the house. lyv-erj. room was searched up to the third floor, but the back room door of this was found closed, the handle having been withdrawn and left lying on the lobby, a few feet from the door. . Inserting tho handle, Mr. Jamkson opened tho door, but at first was unable to discern anything, .tho mass of snow ,on the skylight window effectually excluding what little of twilight remained. He struck a. match, and its glare revealed a, terrible spectacle. Directly behind the door was the mere spectre* of a human being A wan, pale, and .emaciated little figure was seated on its own boots, which had been removed from the feet. The coat, torn almost to shreds, lay near it on the floor. Of trousers, all that remained intact was the waistband, tho legs having, like the coat, beon torn to, tatters. The boy was unconscious and in a condition of almost complete collapse. He w«6 quickly conveyed home, and doctors sent for. Next night he esemed to be able to recognise his mother, and hopes are entertained that he will recover. Interviewed on 2nd January, the mother of tho boy told, an extraordinary story. With streaming eyes sh« said she had prayed to God to reveal to her who it was that subjected her son to such a hideous experience, and she had dreamed threo times in succession that » particular person was responsible It is a remarkable fact that tho same ovening the boy made a statement incriminating the pereon his mother had dreamed about. This statement was communicated to the police, and it is expected that the boy will I* able to Bupploment it with further particulars. Examination revsaled the marks of & cord on tho boy's throat, and from the fact that ho was still unable to move his jaws the inference was drawn that lie was gagged and bound; befonobeing placed in the empty house, the gag boing then removed.

Visitor — You'll be sure to tell Miss Smythe that I called while she was ouC. Maid — Oh, yes. Sho'll be delighted to hear it.