Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1876-02-11
A Remarkable Coincidence.

The old adage that Truth is stranger
than fiction" has had many notifications,
but none, perhaps, more remarkable than
the following: Yesterday on the Missouri
Pacific Railroad train, which reaches this
city at few minutes after twelve o'clock,
a stranger arrived, who sought out the
Lindell Hotel for comfortable meal and
a few hours rest before proceeding on his
journey across the continent to California.
After his baggage had been cared for he
registered his name on the hotel register:
" Frederick MoHatt, Bangor, Me-" The
gentleman was soon shown the dining
room, and began eating his dinner.
A few moments after these events hap
pened, the bus drove up to the entrance
of the hotel, and stranger, just arrived
by the X. c., st. 10. & e. B. Railroad,
stepped out and into the hotel, and after
divesting himself of overcoat and wrap
pings, he proceeded to register his name
and location. Much to his surprise, he
found his name, Frederick Moffatt,"
already registered. He had not written it,
he had but just arrived; he was total
stranger-who had written the name? He
could have almost sworn the writing was
his; he was puzzled but better look at
the register disclosed the tact that Moffatt
No. l hailed from Maine, while he re-
sided in San Jose, Cal Moffatt No. 2
wrote his name on the register, and
turned to the clerk and asked for Moi.
fatt No. 1. Having been informed that
he was then at dinner, he stated he would
like an interview with him, and quietly
seated himself by the stove until
Moffatt No. returned from the dining
room, and was pointed out to him
by the clerk. He introduced himself, and
the two men bearing the same name, who
were totally unknown to each other, sat
down to conversation which disclosed
the following remarkable condolences
Motfatt No. was born in Maine, and
was thirtY-one years old on the Sd day of
January, 1878. Moffatt No. was born
in California, and was thirty-one years
old on the Sd day of January, 1876.
The father of both families was named
Charles" and the mother, Mary"
brother dead, whose name was -" Charles"
named after their fathers. Both were pro-
prietors Of livery and feed stables in their
respective places of residence, and the
residences of both were consumed by fire
insured in the Etna Fire Insurance Com
appearance. In height, avoirdupois and
general appearance, they are almost
enough alike to be twins. The only diff
ference is in the complexion and color of
the hair. The Maine mans hair is black,
while that of the one from California is
fiery red.
these two men stayed over night at the
Lindell, and left this morning-ihe Cali
fornian on his way to Maine on business,
while the Maine man goes to California
for the benefit of his health.
When the fact is taken into considera-
ton that these two men were no kin, had
never heard of each other or their respect
i've families before this strange meeting,
this chapter of condolences will read all
the more like a romance. These statements,
however, are strictly true, just as we have
stated them, and viii be verified by Mr.
Moore, of the Lindell Hotel.-Atclison
(Kaa.) Patriot.