[Indexed as: (Burts case), “Recovery of a Lost Child.” syndicated, Watertown Chronicle (Wi.), Oct. 17, 1849]

A singular case of child stealing has lately come to light in Albany. Three years ago this month a Mr. Burts of that city lost a son aged four years and ten months, of whom no other clue was bad at the time, than that afforded by his playmates, who said he was taken into a circus by a woman. The intermediate three years have been spent in the most anxious and persevering search tor the lost child—but in vain. The father had spent a great portion of his time in traveling from one place to another, wherever there was the Least hope of success. Thinking fiat the child might have been inveigled by the circus company for the purpose of being trained in their exercises, Mr. Burls confined his inquires to that direction. He brought several members of different companies before officers of justice, upon the charge of abduction, but could elicit nothing. After the state fair at Syracuse, a little boy was found sleeping under a dry goods box with his face and head much bruised, who said his name was Burts, and was sent to the orphan asylum. An article stating these facts, and describing the boy, was published m the Reville, and meeting the father’s eye, led him to telegraph lo Mr. Justice House, of Syracuse, and at once recognized him. From the child he gathered the following account of the abduction. The lady who took him into the circus, made him accompany her to the circus, made him accompany her to the cars, and proceeded by way of railroad and canal to Oswego, and was kept in a family there. His name was changed, his education attended to, and in most respects he was treated well, but when he mentioned his real name, he was subjected to severe chastisement. – This induced him to run away. He got on board a canal boat for Syracuse, where he arrived about the time of the state fair. He there gained a livelihood by doing errands, and wandering about the busy streets at day, when night came took up lodging in an empty box in the street. His restoration to his family must have seemed more like the resurrection of the dead, than finding of the living.

He was taken by his father to Oswego, where he pointed out the family in which he had lived. They relinquished all claims to him, and he returned all claims to him, and he returned to the arms of his overjoyed mother. Taking it all in all, it is a most singular affair, and those engaged in it, deserve the severest punishment.

[Milwaukee Com.]