Iron Mountain Baby

On August 14, 1902, William Helms (June 5, 1835 – December 13, 1917), a 67-year-old farmer and Civil War veteran, was walking along the St. Louis, Iron Mountain and Southern Railway (later the Missouri Pacific Railroad) where it crosses Big River outside of Irondale (Washington County, Missouri), collecting lumber for a barn he intended to build.

Then, hearing a strange noise and following its source, he found what is described as "an old fashioned telescoping valise."

The child was named for his foster father, Bill Helms, and "Gould," the owner of the railroad, but also "Moses," because he was taken from the river.

After the death of the elder Helms, William and his adoptive mother moved to Salem, Missouri.

The story is also the subject of the song, "Sarah Jane and the Iron Mountain Baby," from the 2013 album Love Has Come for You by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell.

A version of the events of the story contribute to the plot of Bright Star, a 2014 musical by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell.