BABY LOST FOR FOUR YEARS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3209, 8 June 1909, Page 3

BABY LOST FOR FOUR YEARS.

ROMANTIC RECOVERY OF KIDNAPPED BUY. Never for a single night since October 18th, 1904, 'had the front or back door of the house occupied by Mr and Mrs Whitnear in Wocdburn Road, Attercliffe, Sheffield, been fastened till last Tuesday, says a London paper under date March 28th. For four years and a half they had never given up hope that one day their youngest child, Johnny, who, when onl} four years old, had been stolen from them, would be restored to them. And lest the man who had robbed them of their bahy boy should bring him back and then be afraid to knock them up in case they tried to detain him, the doors were left on the latch for Johnny to be let into the house while the kidnapper had time to escape. If they could onlv get back their little son, Mrs and Mrs Whitnear were quite prepared to risk losing the opportunity of taking vengeance on the man who had wrecked their happiness. Tuesday saw the fulfilment of hope so long deferred, for Johnny was once again safe in his fond mother's arms after a series of the strangest experiences. On the day of his disappearance from Sheffield a man. named Henry Ross, then about thirtyfour years of rge, had asked Mrs Whitnear"s permission to take the hoy—of whom he was very fond—for "an hour or two's fishing" at Kiverton, seven miles away. Until three weeks ago no news of either Ross or the child reached Mr and Mrs Whitrear. Then the Sheffield police were informed by a man who did not wish his identity disclosed that Ross,""under the name of William Ingle, was living at 81, State-road, Newark, New Jersey, with a boy who was almost certainly Johnny Whitnear. The father, an artisan in a great Sheffield steel works, had been laid up, and, though convalescent, was not well enough to make a journey to America. A fortnight ago last' Wednesday the eldest son, William, twenty-one last October, was selected to go in his stead. Thd American police insisted that a member of the family must identify the child before he could b2 given up William sailed on Saturday, March 6th, hi the Mauretania. He reached Newark, N.J., on Friday, March 12th. With an cscort < of detectives he made a surprise visit to 81, State-road. Ross confessed. Johnny left there and then with his brother. The pair sailed tor Liverpool on the Mauretania last Wednesday. And on Tuesday at midday the entire family were reunited at Attercliffe. To celebrate Johnny's return Woodburn-road was gaily decorated by the neighbours with strings of flags. Over the doorway of Mr Withnear's house was a modest triumphal arch with the device: "Welcome home." Thousands of spectators were present when the cab, containing Johnny and his mother and brother, entered Woodburn-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 tbe door and raiss him in arms to exhibit him once mora. The scene of enthuisasm lasted for some minutes. The lad was very shv, and appeared overwhelmed by the boisterous reception which he received. He was little more than a baby when stolen, and now he has but a faint recollection ot his old English home. He speaks with a pronounced American accent.