Freddie Lieb
In 1871 5 year old Freddie Lieb was allegedly kidnapped near his home in Quincy. Seemingly vanishing without a trace, until more than 50 years later when the lost boy may have resurfaced. Listen to the podcast to hear all the wild details of this captivating story.
Important Story Locations
Site of Lieb Home
Former site of Lieb home, now public parking lot on Northeast corner of 6th and Jersey. Photo credit: Google Streetview
E.M. Miller & Co. (then vs. now)
Freddie Lieb
This picture of Freddie was taken about a year before he went missing. This photo was heavily utilized in articles from coast to coast and beyond via the Associated Press, first on the initial search for Freddie, and much later upon Freddie’s father’s death. Many lesser quality versions have been utilized and introduced to the public as various digitizing processes created far more sampled illustration like results that reduced the details of the photo dramatically. Photo credit: New York’s The Evening World, August 15th, 1922
Professor W. H. Lieb (Freddie’s Father)
Professor W. H. Lieb spent many years searching for Freddie, spending every available cent in the pursuit. He was a talented singer and tough vocal instruction. Through his exhaustive searches across the country he was reportedly able to reunite up to nine boys who had been kidnapped with their family. Photo credit: New York’s The Evening World, August 15th, 1922
Louis Welch
51 years after Freddie went missing, Louis Welch of Camden, New Jersey came forwarded claiming he may be Freddie. Welch corresponded with the Lieb family as well as childhood playmates of Freddie. It was established that Welch was not Freddie. This would be the first of 2 individuals claiming to be the lost boy. Photo credit: The Quincy Daily Journal July 30th, 1922
Robert T. Clark
Robert Clark was the second man to come forward claiming to be Freddie. He came forward a year after the death of Professor W.H. Lieb. His story…while full of dramatic twists and turns was far more convincing to the public as well as the Lieb family, several of which publicly stated they believed he was Freddie. In an estate settlement of Prof. W.H. Lieb Clark’s evidence wasn’t strong enough for the court to legally prove him to be Freddie Lieb. Photo credit: Altoona Tribune (Altoona, Pennsylvania) May 19th, 1924
Laura Bird
During several estate hearing’s Joplin, MO Robert T. Clark revealed that Laura Bird, was either solely responsible or in cahoots with several others in his (Freddie Lieb’s) kidnapping years before. Robert T. Clark claimed that Laura was a jilted admirer of Professor W.H. Lieb and the kidnapping of Freddie was an act of revenge. Photo credit: Quincy Daily Journal, May 04 ,1924.