Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1876-06-14
ROMANCE IN REAL LIFE.

Property.
Plaintield IN. " Correspondence of the New
York Times
In October, 1926, Phoebe Dennison,
oldest daughter of Daniel Dennison,
well-todo farmer of Brookfeld, Madi-
son county, eloped with her fathers
hired man, Daniel Miner Main, and
was married to him at Unadilla Forks
by William B. Maxson. Main had been
in the employ of Mr.. Dennison but
short time, and was i'll every way un-
suited to be the husband of Miss Denni-
son, who was handsome girl, and for
that day considered unusually accom-
plished. The parents of the girl, how
ever, having opposed her choice in
every way, accepted the situation after
the marriage, and provided for the
couple on their return home, week
subsequent to the elopement. After
living at the homestead year or so,
Main and his wife removed to this vii
lage, and subsequently to Edmonton,
where Dennison gave them start on a
farm. For time things moved smooth
ly with them; but finally Main neglect
ed his wife for two other women, on
whom he wasted her money for several
years. When there was nothing more
for him to spend he sold all the prop
erty they had in common, took the
proceeds, and, in company with noto-
rious woman named Catharine Hook
er, with whom he had main
tanned an intimacy for g.
long time, left the vicinity in 1888,
leaving his wife and seven small chill
dren destitute of the commonest neces-
saries Of life. This was the last definite
knowledge they had of Mains where
abouts until four or five years since, al
though vague rumors that he was living
with Catharine Hooper in Northern
Pennsylvania, and prospecting, were oc-
casionally heard by his wife and chill
dren. Meantime the deserted wife,
aided by her father, reared her large
family, and had the satisfaction of see
ing all the members of it take leading
positions, and form advantageous mat
rimonial alliances in Otsego and adioin-
ing counties. She died in 1869. In
1871, Thomas j. Main, brother of the
faithless husband, received letter
from the latter, dated Waymart, Wayne
county, Penn and he soon thereafter
proceeded to that place to see Daniel
and learn something Of hisscondition.
He found him living near the above
village on a fine farm, under the name
of Daniel Miner. On the farm were
two houses. In one Main was then liv-
ing with woman named Rachel Ry-
der, by whom he had three children.
Catharine Hooker, with whom he left
Edmeston, was living in the other
house, and was also the mother of three
other children Of whom Main was the
father. For twenty-six years he had
maintained these two Legitimate fam
lilies, living at times with Catharine and
then with Rachel The latter woman
he had met in Dundoff, Susquehanna
county, Penn, before he settled in
Wayne county, and she had been one
! of his mistresses ever since Another
of his farms was occupied by son of
his by Catharine Hooker, whose eldest
son, James Miner, had been raised by
Rachel Ryder. When Thomas Main
appeared at his brothers the latter was
greatly affected, and begged the former
not to reveal to any one his true name,
as no one but Catharine Hooker knew
anything of his true name and family
in New York state. He introduced
Thomas as his half brother. He was
greatly changes, and visibly suffering
from sorrow and remorse. He was So
Hcitous to know whether his children
were good and smart, and wept long
and violently when told that his wife
was dead. He told his brother That the
memory of the past haunted him night
and day, and that he would give all he
was worth to live it over. It was his in
tention, he said, to make all the resti-
tuition to his wronged family that he
could when he died.
On the 4th of January, 1873, Daniel
Miner died, it is said in great agony
and calling on his dead wife for for
giveness. A short time thereafter a
document purporting to be the last
will and testament of Daniel Miner was
entered in The registers office at
Honesdale, the county seat of Wayne
county, and letters issued thereon. By
its provisions one of his farms was left
to Rachel Ryder during her life, and
to go to James Miner, the son of Cath
crime Hooker, on the death of Rachel.
The other farm was bequeathed to the
WV COho VI S1UAClI11C, dllu Guc pCTSOud1
property was divided between the other
children Of the two women
On hearing of the death of their
father, his children in New York state
resolved to LOOK after his estate, and
one Of them went to Wayne county,
where he found the situation as above.
From information be received he was
convinced that the will was not the
rational act of his late father, but the
result Of influence brought to bear on
his mind, at the time unsound The
will was dated on December 26, 1872,
eight days before his father died. Pro-
ceedings to break the will were at once
bagun, and the case came to trial at the
term of the Wayne county court just
ended. 1t resulted adversely to the
legal heirs of Miner, but the case is to
be carried to the supreme court, where
it is confidently expected the judgment
will be reversed.
A Plague of Mice.
A plague of mice has appeared on