Mystery of the Abandoned Child, July 1872

 Chenango Telegraph, Norwich, NY, July 3, 1872

An Infant Deserted

A male infant was discovered on Tuesday night last, about 11 o'clock, in Griffing's land near West Main Street, wrapped in a shawl, and laid upon a thick coat on the ground and in the wet grass.  Near it was a basket containing infant's clothing, some made, and some unfinished, a phial of laudanum labeled "Blosser & Brother, Lockport, N.Y." a bottle of milk, some cheese, and herring, and a clay pipe.  When found, its clothing was quite damp.  Being awakened it began to cry, and was heard by Mrs. W.G. Mandeville, who came to the door and kindly took charge of the little stranger.  It was smart and lively, and altogether just such a little one as it will be dangerous for any family to have around unless they intend to adopt it, for it will not be long securing a hold it will not be easy to break.  Upon a piece of an envelope was written the following, evidently in the handwriting of a female.  "Saderna Clark was born Oct. 13th, 1871."  The label upon the phial indicates that the person who deserted the infant, must have recently been in Lockport, and it is possible may have arrived here on one of the evening trains.  The last in is the Midland from Oneida, at 9:50.

The child was kept by Mrs. Mandeville, and it is hoped that it may be adopted instead of being sent to the Alms House.

Chenango Telegraph, Norwich, NY, July 10, 1872

A Mystery Explained!

In The Telegraph of last week an account was given of the discovery of a living male child in Griffing's lane on the night of June 25th, and its subsequent care at the house of Mr. W.G. Mandeville.  It has since for a portion of the time been at the house of Mr. James W. Thompson, and at both places was tenderly cared for.  The case excited a great deal of interest, and people were shocked by the desertion of a child of eight months by its parents, and especially its mother, from whom it was evident it could not have been long separated.  The first thought was that extraordinary circumstances must have surrounded the parents, whoever they might be, to induce them thus to desert their offspring.  The night of the desertion was dark and rainy, and as it was nearly eleven o'clock when the discovery was made, the little fellow had probably been some hours exposed to the unpropitious weather. The result demonstrates the strength of maternal affection and shows that while it may for a time be concealed, it will assert itself even in the hours of sleep. It was while asleep that the mother of the deserted child revealed things which led to its discovery by her friends.

The mother of this infant is Miss Adelia Drew, not yet 18 years old, and the only daughter of Ephraim Drew, a farmer and laboring man residing a mile northeast from Parker's tavern North Otselic [Chenango Co. NY].  At various times she was visiting or at work at Beaver meadow, about three miles from her father's and while there became acquainted with a young man who gave his name as John Clark, one of the men then employed in constructing the DeRuyter Branch of the Midland Railroad.  An intimacy followed which was not satisfactory to her father, and he tried to dissuade his daughter from favoring Clark's attentions, but in vain. After an acquaintance of about three months marriage was talked of and agreed upon by Clark and Miss Drew. The father interposed, telling her that if she persisted in her purpose, she must leave his house and not return.  On the 23d of April 1871, while Mr. Drew was gone to Chittenango, the couple left home, Clark promising to marry the girl as soon as they were at a safe distance from her home, and these promises were from time to time renewed, but never performed.  Her parents supposing they were married made no effort to follow them.

The first stopping place of the fugitives was Kingston, Canada, where a boarding place was obtained, and Clark, as he said, went to work by the day.  He had money, but whether it was earned by labor or obtained in a less honorable way, his victim did not know.  They were in Kingston two or three months when they left and went to Pittsburg, Pa., remaining about two months, and boarding as before.  Subsequently they went to Detroit and Cleveland but returned again to Pittsburg.  A few days before their child was discovered in this village, Clark announced that he was going to return to Canada.  He said he came from there but did not give the name of any town where he had lived.  On arriving at Binghamton, Clark paid the young woman's fare to Norwich and then, as she supposed, left the train, but on her arrival here she saw him standing on the platform.  Before parting at Binghamton, Clark told her she must get rid of the child by leaving it somewhere and threatened to follow and kill her unless she complied, and she asserts that she left her child under the belief that he would execute his threat if she thwarted him.  After leaving the depot the young woman wandered about during a dark and rainy evening and finally deposited her burden in the spot referred to, she thinking it was under or near a shed, for which the fence was mistaken in the darkness.  She had only fifty cents in money and knew no one to whom she could make known her trouble and started homeward on foot in the storm.  During her walk she stopped under trees and at one place in a barn where she must have remained most of the night, as she had only reached Frinkville, four miles distant at daylight.  Here she says she again and for the last time saw Clark as he was going towards the station, and we are not informed which way he proceeded. she took the morning train for Otselic Centre, where she was within two or three miles of home.  Of course, her appearance there without warning after an absence of fifteen months was a surprise and the fact that she had deserted her child was not made known, save that dejection and apparent sorrow may have created fears that some untold grief was preying upon her.  At night she occupied a room with her mother and during the night in her sleep made expressions which awakened anxiety and led to minute inquiries.  On Monday night of last week, she made a full statement of her troubles and early on Tuesday morning in company with her father came to this village to identify and reclaim her deserted chile.  It was not a difficult matter to learn whereabouts.

Being informed of her arrival the ladies having charge of the infant took the precaution to remove it until they could satisfy themselves that Miss Drew was really its mother.  At first, she was allowed to select from the clothesline or basket the garments belonging to it, and in various ways demonstrated the probable truth of the story. She was impatient to see the child and could scarcely wait for the moment when she could clasp it in her arms.  Finally, when it was brought in the little fellow reached out its arms, clasped her around the neck and kissed her.  The poor girl sank down quite overcome and sobbed for some moments.  No further doubt was felt that mother and child had met, and on Tuesday afternoon Mr. Drew took his daughter and her child to his home in Otselic.

Miss Drew says that Clark never offered violence by striking her but had often been cross and used harsh language.  She never saw him intoxicated but knew that he was a habitual drinker.  Clark is a man of ordinary stature, stout built, black eyes and hair, and probably weighs 170 or 180 pounds.  His deceived and deserted victim manifests no desire to see him again.  No doubt he will go where he is unknown and seek to re-enact his villainy with some other simpleminded girl who may listen to this false but seductive promises.  Wherever he has gone it is hoped that the story of his scoundrelism may follow him.