Independent Patriot
Lamoni, Iowa
May 18, 1893

POSSIBLY A STOLEN CHILD

A party of emigrants, with covered wagon, with stove pipe out of top, a starving team and brown bear, drove into town Monday, and plied the vocation of beggars. The man said he was a Mexican, which his appearance indicated. The ostensible wife had the appearance of an Indian. They had several swarthy children, and one about two years old, or over, which from appearances was thought to be the child of white parents. It is feared by many that this child had been stolen. It is reported to have cried a great deal of the time for "mamma". The party encamped Monday night near the town and went on their way Tuesday morning.

Copied by Stacey McDowell Dietiker
February 23, 2003