The Morning herald., 1876-05-27
THEY MEET BY CHANCE,

A COMnctlspas Meets az Old AcqHat'st-
ance IN a Blind musician The Story Of
q Remarkable Nun as told by His'sseI
-An object Of Charity.
Our readers have no doubt noticed blind
man In our city playing an accor leon, with
q paper stuck up describing the manner In
which he lost his eyes, and giving his name
as Robert Latrielle. He stood for few
days at the Plunkett Buildings, corner of
Third and Market streets.
Amongst those who noticed him was
Councilman Martin Farrell. The mans
countenance and name appeared to be
familiar. He however left him and walked
down the street, when he suddenly recol-
lected near and dear friend whom he for
merly knew when he was engaged as Super
intendent of Transportation with Sheridan,
in the Shenandoah Valley. Walking back
he asked him if he was from the West, and
whether he had been in the army. lie re-
ceived the answer yes. He then inquired OF
him if he knew Martin Farrell. He received
q statement that he did, and told Mr.. Far
rell when he had met him. He then at
once made himself known to him: took
him home to bis house, entertained him,
Che is still staying there) and got him to
Robert Latrielle belonged to st. Louis,
Missouri, and filled various responsible
positions in the army, such as Superinten-
dent of Transportation at Nashville, Ten
nessee. He also held responsible positions
at different times in the Army Of tho Poto-
mac. His reputation for integrity was 80
great that his word would be taken for any
amount of money from Washington to
Nashville, from Nashville to Fort Leaven-
worth, and from there across the plains.
He was gallant Indian fighter, and bears
two arrow wounds in his body, one in his
left wrist and one in his right leg. He was
splendid pistol shot, and one of the very
best riders In the Army of the Potomac Lie
was also very handsome, liberal and gen.
tlemanly man, whose reputation for per-
sonal bearing was second to noue in either
of the armies.
On the termination of the war, he was
the possessor of $4,000. He CHANGED to be
in Memphis, Tenn. There was a govern
ment sale of wood, which was to be sold
for 1000 chords, more or less. He became
deeply imbued with the idea that there was
money in it and upon visiting the locality
where Law the corded wood, which was six
miles further down than Memphis, on a
bayou of the Mississippi, he saw enough to
convince him that there was an opening tor
an enterprise. He Immediately started for
Chicago and there formed the acquaintance
of an ex-colonel of a volunteer regiment,
who was a somewhat noted enterprlsing
man. They mutually agreed to be bidders
at the sale. The wood was knocked down
to them as being the highest and best bid
ders. After careful measurement, they
realized the agreeable fact that instead OF
1000 cords there was $4,000, for which
tbey found ready market in the city OF
Memphis at SO per cord, cash. Highly
elated at their uncommon streak OF good
luck, they Immediately prepared to make
sale of the wood. They invested $4,000
Joint stock in mules, horses, shanties and
flats and everything necessary for the trans
portation Of the aforesaid wood. After
the lapse of short period OF time, they had
at their bankers an account OF 81 ,oOO as
the net earnings of the $4,000 invested.
They were in remarkable glee, anticipating
the realization of the balance OF the money
from the sale of the additional cords OF
wood. When the Mississippi rose in its
majesty, regardless of the pecunisry inter-
est of the wood merchants, there was a
general overflow, and the wood and the
shantics were swept on toward the Gulf
of Mexico, thereby sweeping with 1t the ex-
pectations Of the wood merchants. Mr..
Latriele, the subject Of the sketch. had his
wife and family in the neighborhood, and
they narrowly escaped the same tate that
betel the shanties. He saved them by
placing them in a small dugout. When
their safety was jeopardized by the frantic
efforts of the negroes to save themselves by
clutching at everything that came in their
l>nl tr>n ha han n
eral with broad-axe, who grasped the
side of the dugout, in order to bear safely
to the shore his wife and children. He was
still tho possessor OF some few hundreds OF
dollars, He went westward to Fort Leav-
epworth, Kansas. He there purchased a
span of horses and established stage
route between Leavenworth and Atchinson.
His wife being native of Frederick,
Nd, not being accustomed to the
boisterous gush of frontier civilization,
she became dissatisfied and desired to ge'
| home. He sold his establishment at a sac
rifice, and travelled eastward. He being a
stone mason, and knowing the Government
was enclosing the National Cemeteries with
! walls, made application to the proper off
| cials for a position as superintendent for
the const ruction of the said walls, and re
ceived the place. He located in Danville,
Virginia. After erecting all necessary
walls for the Government, he became gen
eral contractor for mason work. 1t was
during this period of time that the accident
befel him. He had several negroes en-
ployed digging well. They had penetra-
ted to the depth of thirty seven feet with.
out getting water. They tNen encountered
! rock. There were two colored men down
| in the we'll loading hole, which contained
| three pounds of powder. While in the act
| of tamping, portion of the earth fell into
the well, striking one of the colored men
disabling him and frightening his partner
SO that It was incumbent upon Mr.. Latrielle
to 20 down in the well and finish the tamp-
ing. He took hold of the jumper. The
water rising rapidly 1t was necessary to
| 1,od o,,;oklv Ho told tho cOlOrpd man TO