Person:Mabel Wardwell (9)

"Four Year-Olds Elope Small Boy and Girl Run Away, and Found Seven Hours Later Mabel Wardwell and Clifford Hewitt, two little four year-old children, ran away from their homes near Clarksburg, Monday morning, and were not found for some seven hours. They had wandered several miles, had all sorts of experiences and been thoroughly soaked through by the rain. They are cousins, and have played together a great deal. It is probable, therefore, that in their games they thought it would be very fine to see the world. Their absence was noticed about 9:30 in the morning and in much alarm their parents started a search. This, however, failed to find them. Meanwhile, the small boy and girl were going southward, and at noon had reached the school house near Southview cemetery. Here they were given some food, but were unable to tell where they lived. Later they reached the poor farm, where the girl was given some dry clothing, the couple having been out in all the rain. The police were notified from the poor farm about 4:30 o'clock, and Truant Officer Whipple went down and brought the wandering couple back to the police station. The children were very tired when they were found, but were independent as ever. The police had been informed of the absence of the children from home and they were restored to their anxious parents with little delay." -North Adams (Massachusetts) Transcript 24 May 1898

1. ↑ North Adams Massachusetts Vital Records 1894, Volume 439, Page 86.

   North Adams Massachusetts Vital Records 1894, Volume 439, Page 86