SINGULAR RECOVERY OF A LONGLOST SON.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume I, Issue 67, 9 March 1877, Page 3

SINGULAR RECOVERY OF A LONGLOST SON.

In April, 1863, a man named Brooks, a file cutter, now residing in Walsall-street, Willenhall, was then living in Birmingham. Early one morning in that month his only son, a little fellow of about six years of age, suddenly disappeared. The father and mother' made every enquiry after him, but were unable to find him. Information was sent to the police, and subsequently the Government were induced to offer a rewaid of £50 for information that would lead to the whereabouts of the lad, but in vain. The father believed all the time that his son had been stolen, and hoped to see him restored to him. A few days ago the father accidentally made the acquaintance of a young man about 19 years of age, who is apprenticed to Mr Hadley, padlock maker, Wednesfield, and whom the father identified as his long-lost son. The young man states that he distinctly remembers being decoyed away whilst playing, in the streets near his father's house, some 13 or 14 years ago, by a man and a woman who were strangers to him. They did not live in Birmingham, but they travelled about the country, sometimes begging for their living. In this way he tramped with them all over England. Eventually the woman was taken ill, and they all went into the Rugby workhouse, where she died. After ber death the man removed to Coventry, and died in the workhouse there. The boy remained in that institution for some time, when the authorities apprenticed him to Mr Hadley, of Wednesfield, whom he has faithfully served for seven years, and who gives him a very good character. Since the identification of the long-lost but now restored son, the Brooks Family have been in joyous excitement, and during the past week their house has been visited by numerous friends and neighbors to accord a hearty greeting to the young man on his return home.