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Story
September 5, 1853
Alexandria Gazette
Alexandria, Alexandria County, District Of Columbia
What is this article about?
Two unnamed gentlemen and a weeping boy arrive at Columbia Hall in Lebanon Springs, refuse to register, and take the boy to a nearby Shaker village before departing. Suspicion arises when the boy is revealed to be bound to Shaker leader Bushnell, who later moves him away, prompting calls for investigation.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
Mysterious.
An incident occurred a few days ago at Columbia Hall, Lebanon Springs, which demands a public investigation. Two gentlemen with a boy 8 or 10 years of age, arrived in a mid-night stage, and called for lodgings, but refused to enter their names on the register. At a very early hour the following morning they procured private conveyance for the Shaker village, two miles distant, and returned in season to take the first stage to the Canaan station for New York. On paying their bill they were again asked to put their names on the register, but refused. The boy, when about to leave in company with these gentlemen for the Shakers, was observed to weep bitterly, which excited much sympathy among the boarders, and not returning with the men, suspicion was excited that all was not right. On enquiry it was found that the boy was bound to Bushnell, a leading Shaker.
Several of the gentlemen boarding at the Columbia, subsequently obtained a promise from two head Shakers that they might see the boy, and question him relative to his parentage, relations, &c, but in going over for that purpose, were told that the boy had been removed to a Shaker family in a neighboring town.--Hudson Freeman.
An incident occurred a few days ago at Columbia Hall, Lebanon Springs, which demands a public investigation. Two gentlemen with a boy 8 or 10 years of age, arrived in a mid-night stage, and called for lodgings, but refused to enter their names on the register. At a very early hour the following morning they procured private conveyance for the Shaker village, two miles distant, and returned in season to take the first stage to the Canaan station for New York. On paying their bill they were again asked to put their names on the register, but refused. The boy, when about to leave in company with these gentlemen for the Shakers, was observed to weep bitterly, which excited much sympathy among the boarders, and not returning with the men, suspicion was excited that all was not right. On enquiry it was found that the boy was bound to Bushnell, a leading Shaker.
Several of the gentlemen boarding at the Columbia, subsequently obtained a promise from two head Shakers that they might see the boy, and question him relative to his parentage, relations, &c, but in going over for that purpose, were told that the boy had been removed to a Shaker family in a neighboring town.--Hudson Freeman.
What sub-type of article is it?
Mystery
Curiosity
What themes does it cover?
Family
Deception
What keywords are associated?
Mysterious Incident
Shaker Village
Boy Weeping
Suspicion
Parentage Inquiry
Lebanon Springs
What entities or persons were involved?
Two Gentlemen
Boy
Bushnell
Where did it happen?
Columbia Hall, Lebanon Springs; Shaker Village
Story Details
Key Persons
Two Gentlemen
Boy
Bushnell
Location
Columbia Hall, Lebanon Springs; Shaker Village
Event Date
A Few Days Ago
Story Details
Two gentlemen bring a crying boy to Columbia Hall, refuse registration, take him to Shaker village; suspicion grows as boy is bound to Shaker Bushnell and later moved away, preventing inquiry into his parentage.