New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-05-26
EXTRAORDINARY ROMANCE.
A scion Of Nobility in the United States
Army-Facts Concerning his Life, Mar
Fiage and Death.


A scion Of Nobility in the United STATE.
Army-Facts Concerning his Life, Mar
riage and Death.
From the st. Louis Republican,
There died in the hospital in the arsenal
on Sunday soldier named James G. Fisher
about whose history there is somewhat Of
mystery He was extremely reticent, but
it is evident he had seen better days He
was a man of culture, and connected with a
family of birth and distinction in Scotland.
Of his recent history it is known that he
served during a portion of the war for the
Union and was honOrably discharged
He was married while stationed at Fort
LeavenwOrth to sprightly, intelligent girl
who was an inmate OF the house OF General
EastOn, Of the United States army. At the
marriage ceremony he gave his name as
Henry George Gordon Murray, which name
is in the marriage certificate In possession
of his WIFE He seldom alluded to his past
history, or to his parents or kinsfOlk, even
to his bosom companions, and weight and
mystery seemed to enshrOud his mind
whenever the subject came up.
After his discharge from the army he was
employed in General Sheridans Office as
clerk, until his habits of dissipation were
such as to lead to his dismissal He came
to st. Louis in search of employment, and
in the army in December last. His wife
and child, the latter handsome, promising
girl, less than two years of age, resided at
Belleville short time, and she is now with
Mrs. Gibson at the News Boys Home. Upon
the approach of his dissolution he was
visited by his wife, who told him she was
DESTROYS of knowing whether her name was
Murray or Fisher. He answered: Gas GER
tain as there is God in heaven your name
= Def, h ho
Purcell the surgeon at the arsenal, to his
bedside and informed him that his name
was not James G. Fisher, but George Cor
don Murray. and that he was member Of
the Aberdeen family, the head of which
was supposed to have been drowned at sea
several years ago. In another converse
ton he manifested anxiety that the inter
ests of his child should be looked after.
Shortly before his death he dictated letter
commencing, "Dear mother" and directing
that it be sent to the address of 'Mrs.
Agnes Fisher, Dunlzeld House, Scotland.
In the letter to his mother he writes that
as she knows more about the property than
he does, it is his dying request that she
shall give it to his child Agnes and dear
wife Ellen. Several letters directed to
Fisher are in possession of his wife, but
they contain matters of trifing importance,
and throw very little light on the subject Of
his Scottish connections. One, written in
February, purpOrts to be from his sister,
and is signed "Agnes Fairgreve." 1t is
dated from Duncrub Garden, Duncrub,
Perth, Scotland. The letter mentions Nell
lie, Dayie, Peter and several pet names Of
the family. The writer states that she
went to Dunkeld and saw mother, who is
getting old and losing her strength. A let
ter states that "the duchess" supposed to
refer to his mOther) lis quite unwell, and
affected with bronchitis" "The gentry"
so the letter goes on to state, ''are all IN
England for the winter season"
A letter from Mr.. Fairgreve, brOtherin-
law of Fisher, dwells on the pleasant assOci-
atoms at home, and revels in the labyrinths
of the groves and parks resplendent with
flowers, which he would name had he space.
The most anxious inquiries are made as to
his prospects, and congratulating his depar-
tUre from Chicago before the great IRE.
The differences from the pOsthumOus cores
pondence are that MIR. Murray or Fisher was
a scion of a noble family, and that he left
home very young to see the world, lived a
fast life, fell into habits of dissipation, and
that his pride prevented his return, and he
was forced to become soldier as the readi-
est means of obtaining a subsistence. He
was about thirty years of age, with striking
features, prominent forehead and manner
evincing culture aud well bred man of the
world. At Fort LeavenwOrth he was Gen
eral Sheridan's chief clerk, position which
he filed with credit.
His remains are laid at rest in the old bu-
rying ground at Jefferson Barracks.