ABDUCTED TO AMERICA.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLIII, Issue 117, 15 May 1909, Page 3

ABDUCTED TO AMERICA.

Extraordinary 'scenes were witnessed in the Darnall district of Sheffield, recently when "Johnny Whitnear, the long-lost child, of Mr and Mrs Whiti near, of Woodburn Road, Sheffield, 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 neighbour, Henry Ross, who had conceived a sti'ong attachment for the child. The two disappeared, and the 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 Whitnears are. in poor circumstances, but they scraped together sufficient money to send their eldest

son,, Williamy' to America, where occurred a dramatic meeting between William and his young 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 overjoye<d mother, who had gone to.-.JLiverpopLto. meet the Mauretania, on which vessel he came back to this country, was a veritable triumph. The entire pppur , lation of the neighbourhood 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 Johnriy and his mother and.brother entered WoodbounT 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 talce him to therdoor and raise him in his arms to exhibit him once more. The scene of enthusiasm lasted for some minutes.. ■ - "• •

An interesting Imperial mission is that which has brought the Rev. R. L Gwynne, of Tunbridge Wells, brother of H. A. Gwynne, editor of the London Standard, to Melbourne. Mr Gwynne seeks to settle on the land in Australia English lads who have been specially trained for colonial life, ' and he. is now visiting ■ the Commonwealth in an honorary i capacity, in order to pave the way for that class of settler. He proposes that healthy English boys, on reaching the age of 14, shall be trained in! England for twelve months under experienced farmers - } who1 know \Aus-. tralianrconditions, and then apprenticed for three years to farmers in the Commonwealth-. '?-Those ,who are I assisting the rev. gentleman" in LonI don propose that the Imperial Government should assist the immigration plan by a loan of £50;000 per year, the money to be made available through the High Commissioners or Agents-General of dominions _ or colonies in which the boys are given a start on a rural career. Mr; Gwynne bears special letters of introduction1 to Australian cler.gy from the Archbishop of Canterbury and' from the Bishop of Rochester. - ■-■]

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