Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1859-12-16
From the Burlington (rowa) Hawkeye, Nov. 4
e-UniOn of Man and Wife after a
Separation of over FOrty-Seyen Years.

Some time during the month of Fcbrua-
ry last, Messrs. Shepard & Overton, Attor-
neys at Law. in this city, were applied to
by a son of Mrs. Crull. Of Louisa county in
this state, to, if possible, obtain for her a
dowry in certain lands. supposed TO be a
part of the Military Tract of the State of
Illinois. This tract of land the reader will
recollect, embraces large portion of the
western part of the State, and was set apart
by the United States, as part compensation
to the soldiers of the war of 1912. That
her husband was soldier in that war,
having enlisted in the army while on a visit
of business to the city of Philadelphia, his
residence being few miles out of the city,
and in the State of Pennsylvania. Since
his enlistment, Mrs. Crull has heard moth
ing from him except mere rumor that he
was killed in an engagement with the enc
my near Lake Chainp'ain, and as Mrs.
Crull had never married again, she would,
as his widow, be entitled to at least dowry
to any lands her husband might be entitled
TO as such soldier.
Messrs. S. & O. Immediately set them
selves to find The land to which her right of
dowry would attach. After long and
thorough search among government, State
and county records, they ascertained that
the land in question was situated in Ham
cock county, ILL.,, and that it bad been en-
tered with land warrant by Mr.. Crul
himself in the year 1918, thus plainly show
ing that he was not killed, as reported, and
that perhaps he might still he alive. They
consequently set about fndirg The lost man !;
but no further trace of him could they make
out from government or county records, as
his wife nor any other of his acquaintances
had ever heard from him. further than the
records showed, it seemed pretty clear that
he was not alive. But his death was not
sufficiently established for their purpose.
Messrs. S. & o. addressed letters TO their
correspondents in the States of New York
and Vermont, near where Cruli's company
would likely TO have been stationed during
the war, making inquiries for him. Among
the many answers received by them was
one from Irwin w. Near, Esq. of Clayton,
Jefferson county, n. Y. containing n letter
from the ng-lost man. stating that he was
yet alive and in good heath. and was sur
prised and nearly overcome with JOY to
learn that his wife and child en- wefe still
alive. This settled the question OF the
dover, as well as the receiving by Messrs.
Shepard & 0verion the fees for obtaining
It for Mrs. Crull.
Although disappointed in the-to law
yer-best part of good or bad case, the
reception of snug fec. they were deter
mined not 10 give Il up, but wen, to work in
earnest to bring about reunion of the an
cicnt and long-lost couple---for lost they
really were to each other. This was easily
effected. as neither of the parties had mar
ried again, although both supposed each
other long since deal. 1t seems that soon
after the enlistment of Mr.. Crull, Mrs. Crull
finding it difficult to support herself and
her two small children. one a babe, re-
moved TO another par: of the State. and
there, hearing that her husband was killed,
male no further efforts TO learn Of him !;
and he, after his discharge, returned 10 the
town where he formerly resided. and was
there told that his wife and children had
moved away, and since died. Believing
himself alone in the world, he left forever
his old residence and associates, and took