More than three-quarters of a century had passed since last he saw his native town.
"Is there a house in Lowell once known as the Peter Klein place?" he asked wistfully. "Is it still standing" Does anyone know where it is?"
The old man added: "Peter Klein was my father. I was born in that house in 1879 and left here with my parents to settle in South Dakota. I would like to be able to tell my wife when I return home that I visited the place of my birth."
The inquirer had returned as far south as Chicago to visit his grandson, Dr. Roger Klein. While there he became inspired with his back-to-the-beginning desire.
They drove to Lowell. Here Dr. Klein presented himself in the office of the Tribune and told why they had come.
The staff gave the questions some thought. To determine the location of a house abandoned by its original occupants for eighty years was a problem of no ordinary dimensions, they felt, particularly since the inquirer could not offer the faintest clue as to where it had stood.
Then occurred one of those happy coincidences that help hold history together.
Dr. Klein was directed to ask a veteran resident of Clark Street his question. Immediately came the answer:
"Sure, I know where the house is. It is still standing; in fact it is right across the street from me."
The Kleins were directed to the Richard Carter home at 235 N. Clark, where they met and talked with the present occupants of what had been the Peter Klein place long ago.
With his grandson, William Klein departed for Chicago, satisfied and happy.
He had found and seen his birthplace after an unbelievable span of years.
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