Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1866-05-21
A Strange story-Truth Stranger than Fic-

tion.
From an Eastern exchange we copy
the following singular history of a miss
ing man:
Many of our readers will recolect that
some six years ago this community was
startled to learn that a young man, well
known in our best social circle, the son
of a prominent citizen, had suddenly
and mysteriously disappeared. The pa
pers for short time were filled with ac-
counts of this strange occurrence, and
enormous rewards we're offered by his
bereaved and agonized family.
Detectives we're sent to every town In
the Union, and for a whole year strove to
find some clue to the missing man. He
had gone to New York city upon busi-
ness, and stopped, as usual, at one OF the
largest hotels on Broadway. About 3
o clock in the evening he gave the key
of his room to the clerk aud went out
He went out never to return. Long,
long after experienced detectives had
given up the search the family hoped
that some day he would return, and
the terrible mystery be unravelled; but
even they in time. came to accept the
theory that he had been foully murdered
and his remains destroyed. Mr.. W
S-,before his departure, was betrothed
to a charming girl, and an early day had
been fixed for their union. She was now
filled with sorrow The blow fell upon
her with even greater force than upon
the parents of Mr.. S., and for six
long years past she has led a secluded
life, mourning in sacred privacy her
wore than widowhood
A cloud had settled upon her that was
even more gloomy than it would have
been had death quietly severed the ties
that bound them to each other. The as-
full suspense, the long hopeless search,
the images of terrible murder which an
excited imagination conJared up, all
made despair more complete, and her
anguish more uncomfortable.
One week ago, on the 10th day of
March. Miss L. received dispatch from
New York that was wholly Incompetent
sible 1t read: Prepare for an impor
tant revelation" Signed, wv" In the
midst Of her surprise, letter was re-
ceiyed, in q strange handwriting, insinu-
ating that Il ere was some reason to sup
10 ,e III It Mr.. S. was still alive, but at
the same time warning his family against
hoping for too much, as there might be a
mistake. The next day letter came
from W. himself, stating that he would
be home on that evening
1t would not be becoming for US to de-
scribe the joy, the great overpowering
sense of thankfulness, that swept through
the hearts of all the little family circle,
or to depict the touching scene that en-
sued at the meeting which took place
when he that was lost at last returned,
altogether changed in appearance, II is
true, but with great sadness in his heart
and a terrible bitter experience scared
into his life as with hot iron. We can
only relate the strange story that III Its
marvellous truth has no equal in any nc
ton we know OF, and only proves that
there are tragedies enacted In our MIDST
every day that are without parallel In
literature.
Mr.. S. tells the following story On
the evening of his disappearance be left
his hotel, about o'clock, and proceeded
toward East river, with the intention OF
crossing over to Brooklyn, where he pro-
posed spending the evening. De was
sauntering carelessly along when his
arms were suddenly pinioned from
behind, gag was placed in his mouth,
and be was dragged along rapidly
through a back street Continuing to
make resistance, he received blow upon
the head which completely stunned him.
When he awoke to consciousness he found
himself in a small boat, being rowed
away from the city, which be could see
in the distance.
The boat stopped by the side OF large
ship, and he was rapidly hoisted up Its
side. and in an hour afterward she put to
/, sea Remonstrance was wholly useless,
and he found himself enrolled as com
mon seaman on a whaling voyage 70 the
Pacific. There were two others upon
the vessel who, like himself, were victims
of press gang; they we're both country
men, from the iItTior OF New YORK
State. One Of them, named William
Allison, died four years ago, and was
buried in the ocean.
It would be impossible TO give the de-
tails of his adventures in our limited
space. Mr.. S. will publish them himself
at some future day. Suffice 1t TO say,
that in June, 1862 he was seized with the
scurvy. and being, il was supposed be,
yond hope Of recovery, be was abandoned
upon one Of the Marquesas Islands, 10
the South Sea, by the captain Of the
whaler. Here he was nursed and cared
for by the natives, among whom be lived
for three years, but was wholly unable.to
communicate with any vessel, as they de-
tained him in the interior Of the Island
in August Last, however, he managed 70
escape to the coast, and there finding .
Russian vessel procuring water, obtained
passage to Hong Kong, which place he